Page 64 of To Vanquish Darkness

“This way.” Theo led her past the parlor and down the steps. The rounded walls of the stairwell encircled them, and she tried to focus on anything other than Theo’s proximity. She counted the number of stones under her feet, analyzed the fading tapestries as they passed.

When they reached the bottom, Amalie glanced back and caught a glimpse of the library she’d been searching for the other day.

The castle halls glowed golden as they walked, rays of sunlight filtering through the high arched windows. Theo led her through an arched door and down a second, smaller spiral staircase. As they entered the kitchen below the main floor, she gaped at the high vaulted ceilings. There were dried herbshanging with copper pots and pans. A gorgeous brick oven and iron stove.

Theo walked straight to the pantry. He pulled open the cover to reveal loaves of baguette that were fresh, no doubt. Delivered discreetly for their human guests. Amalie nearly scoffed at the word. Humans here were like fatling calves. Given their last supper before heading to the chopping block.

There were cheeses wrapped in cloth, fruits preserved in jars, and a hanging rack holding cured meats that swayed lightly at his touch.

Amalie pursed her lips. "How many humans do you and your friends plan to kill this week?"

“Depends on how perturbing they are.”

Amalie rolled her eyes and picked up an apple, inspecting its glossy red surface for blemishes. She remembered Clémentine’s assessing gaze. Theo prodding her for a pulse.

Amalie’s mouth went dry. "It’s a well-stocked pantry. For creatures who don't eat."

"Occasionally we do entertain humans." Theo said. "And not always for feeding."

"Comforting.” Amalie squeezed the closest baguette, then tore off a piece. The bread's interior was pillowy and soft against her calloused fingertips. She selected a jar of confiture, its lid adorned with faded cloth, and pried it open to reveal the deep purple preserves nestled within. Lastly, she grabbed a hunk of cheese. She set her makeshift feast on the butcher block, and set to work.

She sliced into the creamy cheese with a knife, spreading it over the torn end of the baguette before adding a dollop of tart preserve. She didn't waste time admiring her work. Amalie took a bite and closed her eyes as flavors danced across her tongue.

It took her a few seconds to remember she wasn’t alone. She glanced up at Theo who was leaning against the counter, watching her. “What?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Nothing.”

His attention made the hairs stand up on her arms. Choosing to ignore him, she spread the jam on the bread with a spoon she found in the drawer next to her, then stacked the cheese and took a bite. She sighed as the tart sweetness melded with the earthy flavors of Camembert.

“Good?” Theo asked.

Amalie sighed in response. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was, and while she didn’t want to look like an absolute hog, she was already deciding to go back for seconds even before she finished the first chunk of baguette.

Her eyes flicked up. Theo’s expression was unreadable. “Do you miss it?” she asked, swallowing. Before he could answer, she shook her head. “You probably don’t remember.”

“No, actually. That I do think about.”

Amalie tore off another bite-sized piece of bread. “Can you still try it? Even if it won’t . . . I don’t know, digest?”

Theo shrugged. “I could. If I enjoyed chewing ash.”

She spread the jam. “You can’t taste anything?”

Theo’s lips twitched. “I can taste plenty of things. Just not food.”

Amalie’s cheeks heated. He hadn’t said words that should make her blush, but the way he said it . . .

“You drink. In your room.”

His tongue flicked over his lips. “Absinthe. It has no flavor, but it stings.”

“And you like that?”

“Sometimes.” His voice was steady, casual, but there was a physical shift in the energy in the room. He watched her, his hands going still.

She wet her lips. “What are you looking at?”

He exhaled. “You’ve always done that.”

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