Page 54 of To Vanquish Darkness

“That depends.”

Marx’s eyes flicked back to the open window and the glow of candlelight. "What are you studying?"

Amalie's stomach tightened. "Botany." She wouldn't admit to him what she was after. Amalie found herself wishing Theo was there. Not so she could cling to him, but so she could gauge this man's place. Would he defer to Theo as Etienne had? Or tease him like Ren? Something told her Marx would do neither, and her skin prickled.

"You love plants."

"Of course. What woman doesn't?" she answered blandly.

Marx turned his attention back to her, and Amalie gripped the window sill.

“Don’t you have your own humans to bother?” she asked.

Marx grinned. “Plenty. But when Theo brings one to his castle, I tend to put my plans on hold.”

“Why do you care?”

Marx shrugged. “Call it a personal hobby.” He pointed at the scarf still tied around her neck. “Do you always wear that to bed?”

“It’s sentimental.”

“Uncomfortable to sleep in though, wouldn’t it be?”

Amalie shook her head. “It reminds me of my mother.”

He blew a breath out of his nose. “Sweet. I’m not quite sure I believe it, though.”

Amalie’s hand tightened on the wood. “It doesn’t make much difference to me what you believe.”

Marx straightened, trailing his hand over the stone railing. “Has he fed yet?”

“I don’t know what?—”

“Don’t play dumb with me. I heard about your escapades on the roof. You know what we are. So has Theo fed since he brought you back?”

Amalie’s cheeks flushed. “Not on me. Obviously.”

Marx’s grin widened. “Obviously.” He ran a hand through his hair even though the wind threw it back around his face within seconds. “Nearly three days. He must be aching with thirst.”

Amalie’s stomach turned. Had he killed while she’d been there? Was that where he went during the day? Did he leave to hunt and then come back to the castle?

Marx turned and walked a few paces before turning back. "Those books aren't on plants. If you struggle to read, I can help." He held her gaze for one last moment, then disappeared into the shadows.

23

1836 NORTHERN NORMANDY, FRANCE

Amalie closed the windows and the shutters with shaking hands. How had he found her a second time? Had he been watching or did she have terrible luck?

She slumped against the wall and pressed a hand to her chest when a knock sounded at the door. Henriette knew she was awake. She probably wanted to give her privacy. "Yes, come in."

A woman's tinkling laugh lifted in the hall. "I'd love to, but Theo keeps the door locked."

Amalie bristled. Who would be coming to her door at this hour? “Who is it?”

“Are you trapped in there like a scared little mouse?”

Amalie pushed off the wall. Theo was next door, wasn’t he? If someone tried to attack her in such close proximity, he’d hear her screams. Hopefully before she bled out. Regardless, her curiosity got the better of her.

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