Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 49

When the sun finally arose, I was one of the first people to leave my room. Izzy gave me a small wave when we both exited our rooms at the same time before she turned and headed downstairs. I took in a deep breath, an attempt to build much needed courage for what laid ahead that day. A pit grew in my stomach as I thought about facing both Andreas and Leita. This was not going to be pleasant.

My skin crawled after a short distance down the hall when I heard my name being called from a voice I’d rather not have heard. “Lana, dear,” Leita’s sing-song voice came as she fell into stride with me.

“Leita,” I replied stiffly, careful to keep my expression neutral.

She threw her arm around my shoulder like we were old friends and my whole body stiffened. “You and I should talk. Get to know each other better, don’t you think?”

I carefully pried her arm from me and put some distance between us.  “I really don’t see a reason why we should.”

Leita laughed, a sound that only served to twist my insides. “But we have so much in common. I’m sure we could even compare notes on Andreas. Now doesn’t that sound like an idea?” Her voice was sickeningly sweet, an undertone of menace to it. If she was trying to get me to dislike her, it was working.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway and faced her. “I have no interest in talking to you about anything, Leita. If this is about Andreas, well by all means, you can have him. Just leave me out of it.” Lies. Lies. LIES.

“You are no fun. I honestly can’t see why he’s so hung up on you.”

Ignoring her, I started walking again. Her laugh followed me, but she didn’t fall into step with me again. I breathed a sigh of relief as I started descending the stairs. Andreas and Casian were at the bottom, locked in what seemed like a pleasant conversation. And Andreas was smiling. He. Was. Smiling. And not the usual smirks he usually chose to wear, but an actual genuine smile. He had dimples, who would’ve known? For a moment I was both struck by the rarity of what I was seeing and just how handsome Andreas looked when he was smiling. I quickly shook myself out of my daze before either men noticed my dumbstruck exterior.

Casian was the first to turn his head, shooting me a bright grin. “Good morning, Lana. Sleep well?”

My returning smile was small and slightly forced. “Morning,” I replied, choosing not to comment on my restless night. Andreas finally noticed me, and just like that his mask was back in place. It seemed like Casian was the only person that could bring out his carefree side. I was glad for Andreas’ sake that he was here.

“There will be a meeting in the dining room in about ten minutes. There is food in the kitchen if you want to grab something before we start,” Andreas said with a half-smile, his tone detached.

I nodded and headed toward the kitchen, only vaguely hearing the two men returning to their conversation as I left. Natalia was in the kitchen in the midst of pouring tea. She saw me walk in and grinned.

“Morning little sis. Some tea?”

“That would be great, thanks.” I handed her a cup.

As she poured some tea for me, my eyes scanned over the huge selection of food that was spread out across the kitchen table. There were muffins, three different flavors: blue berry, chocolate and another I couldn’t identify by just my eyesight alone. Next to the muffins, there were four different kinds of buns, with jars of jam placed in between the baskets. Cheese and slices of meat were placed in bowls closest to me, and there were even a bunch of boiled eggs and salads. I headed toward the muffins and placed one chocolate and one blue berry on a plate.