Beyond the Sinister (COMPLETE)

XVIII. security

Even before sunrise, Seraphina was determined to storm out of Colchester, eager to head back to Bath in peace.

Lying beside Zachary, her emerald eyes blazing right through his sleeping form, his chapped mouth closed, his thick lashes touching his cheek, Seraphina let out a soft sigh.

What transpired yesterday was beyond what she can handle. She can't believe she just witnessed a murder.

What made things worse was, however, Zachary is the one responsible for it. Truth be told, Seraphina knows the man beside her is no ordinary. No ordinary man would prefer locking himself up in his chamber than riding horses. No ordinary man would prefer brutally killing helpless creatures than actually hunting prey like the gentlemen nowadays.

Seraphina already accepted that side of him, heck, she is used to it but still, murdering a man?

However, if you think of it. Zachary only kills Mr. Erickson to rescue her but then again, in the very first place, she wouldn't meet Mr. Erickson if it wasn't for him.

Letting out another sigh, her fingers gazing across Zachary's bushy brows, Seraphina accepted the fact that she is staying in a random inn in a middle of nowhere with a murderer.

Nevertheless, this man we're discussing is not just a murderer. He saved her. He is Zachary Canning, the man whom she began to have a soft spot for. The man...

Shutting her eyes for a brief moment, Seraphina schooled herself to calm down. Everything will be fine. Zachary is here. Nothing will definitely happen, right?

Later that morning, at the sound of the door closing behind her, Seraphina swiftly finished bathing, knowing that Zachary had returned from purchasing a meal for the two of them.

Zachary, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, sat on one bed, his legs crossed, his eyes following every movement of Seraphina.

Seraphina, drying her hair with the towel the inn provided, stared back at Zachary. She knew she needed to know what really occurred yesterday. She must not let it slide. What has Zachary gotten himself to?

"Who is that man?" questioned Seraphina, her arms crossed, leaning back to the wooden door, wearing a fresh set of clothes, her brow raising.

Aware that there is no need to specify who she is talking about since she is a hundred sure he is aware of it. Zachary's no dumb. Troubled? Definitely.

"Nothing to concern with," was Zachary's only response, his mouth fixed in a straight line.

Seraphina let her emerald eyes travel around the man before her. His hair was unruly, it was as if it was run over his hand for a thousand times throughout the morning. The bags under his eyes are evident. His lips cracked. His clothes are wrinkled.

"I almost got killed yesterday because of the man I have nothing to concern myself with, Mr. Canning," roared Seraphina, pulling her hair momentarily due to frustration.

It stunned her when suddenly, Zachary rose from his seat, grabbing her delicate hand, dragging her over the bed, the two of them sitting side-by-side.

Zachary held her hand, rubbed his thumb over her palm, messaging it, somehow distracting Seraphina, gaped at her straight in the eyes, uttering, "You have to trust me in this one. The less you know, the better,"

Letting out a soft sigh, "you should at least tell me about him, please,"

Silence enveloped them for a moment. Zachary staring down at her, debating whether he should spill something, Seraphina waiting anxiously, still feeling Zachary's warm yet calloused thumb on her palm.