Alexia's nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protec...
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Nine
No Explanation
Charles entered Alexia's room, and halted. He blinked at her several times and straightened. She was changed, entirely. Gone was the bruised look around her eyes and deep contours of her face. Here sat a vision of beauty, one it nearly broke his heart to gaze upon.
His daughter's fingers balled in her blanket, her eyes wide with concern.
He was acting strange. Of course he was acting strange.
Charles waved, dismissing the housekeeper, and pulled the door closed behind him.
"Child." Forcing a smile to his face, he seated himself on the bed. "You look well enough rested. I want you ready to leave as soon as possible."
She glanced at the mirror, her lips rounding in a question. "Baron Galedrew..." she whispered.
"Is gone."
She covered her face, head bowed and shoulders slumped.
The reaction puzzled him. He placed a hand on her knee. "Absconded in the middle of the night, back to London. Seems our country ways are too beneath him."
She peeked through her fingers and shook her head. "He did not leave. He was murdered."
Charles held in a laugh, but her sincerity frightened him. "The stable hand verified his departure."
Alexia twisted the blanket and froze, staring at the ruffles curled about her cuff. Her eyebrows lowered.
Something was off. Not only was she changed, but she was acting peculiar...more peculiar than normal. He squeezed her knee and rose. "Your mother will help you dress, and then we are leaving." He started toward the door. Perhaps coming here had not been the best idea.
"Father, wait!"
He turned.
"You see the change"—she waved at raven curls—"I—I do not understand."
As much as he wished to have a frank discussion with her, he'd always known this moment would come, that he would be forced to lie. "You are of age, Alexia. Like your aunt Sarah."
Only five years Alexia's senior, Sarah had been a gaunt child until she turned sixteen and bloomed into a ridiculous beauty. He hoped Alexia would believe it was a family trait. He had no other explanation for her.
"Why? How?" she asked.
"Because you are special." He placed a kiss on her head and stepped out of the room.
