Page 37 of To Vanquish Darkness

Amalie hurried down the hall, pausing at every archway before hustling on. She passed four closed doors, and each of them bore Theo’s signet.A bit heavy handed.

A small stairwell leading to a higher floor, a parlor, a small passage leading to a terrace, and two hallways before she finally made it to the wide stone steps that swirled downward. She put her hand on the center stone column and began to wind her way down.

Down the steps and back to the left.It wasn’t that far from her room, though the idea of making her way back made her stomach flip.

She’d be quick. She only wanted to see?—

Amalie saw stars as she slammed into something solid. Her heel slipped on the step and she fell back, landing hard on her bottom. She flattened her palms on the stone to make sure she was steady before glancing up.

A man.Not a man.A vampire stood in front of her. His hair was thick and fell in waves across his forehead. His eyes a startling green. Amalie’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of them. They were so close to the color of Bethany’s eyes, it was eerie.

His glamour trickled through her. Cold. Like mist. Though the same calm washed over her, there wasn’t any warmth. The knowledge that she already knew Theo by feel filtered through her in layers.

Amalie blinked. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching.” She lifted her hands, searching for any sign that she’d broken the skin.Stupid.She’d been careless to leave her room, to risk herself like this.

“Well, neither was I.” He reached out a hand, but Amalie didn’t take it. He observed her as she rose from the stone. “I’m Marx. Your master wouldn't approve of you touching another?"

Amalie pursed her lips. She hadn't seen this man in the street when they'd arrived, but he had to be a part of the coven. Why was he awake and walking the halls when everyone else seemed to sleep? "I have no master."

She regretted it the instant the words came out of her mouth. She stood mere feet in front of a vampire. Less than a day ago, that would have filled her with fear so thick she would've run. Or thrown up. Or possibly both. Now her desperation to gain some semblance of control was dangerous. After hearingTheo’s explanation of her bloodline, shouldn’t she have felt more trepidation, not less?

Marx's smile widened. "A guest. You arrived with Theo?"

Amalie worked to keep her expression blank. "A bold assumption."

"But a correct one." Marx shoved a hand in his pocket. "It's exactly like him to force others to keep his rules."

Enemy then.Though Amalie wasn’t sure if that made him her accomplice or if her list of threats had just grown longer. “Well. It was nice to meet you.” Amalie took a step back on the staircase and turned, but before she could climb, he was there in front of her. She jolted, and he caught onto her arm to keep her from tumbling down the stairs.

Marx assessed her. "Iamcurious."

Amalie tried to pull her arm free, but he held firm. "About what?"

"Why you aren't warming his bed." Marx’s lips curled, and Amalie’s breath caught. There was something there—something familiar. She’d never seen this vampire before in her life, and yet the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled?—

She blinked.It was his damn glamour.She needed to keep her wits.

Amalie planted her hands on her hips, her temper flaring. No one had ever been so bold to discuss what happened or didn’t happen in her bedroom. Then, as she stared at Marx, Amalie almost laughed out loud. Of all the events of that night, that was what offended her sensibilities? "We had a long journey. He needed rest."

She didn’t want to tell him Theo was away from the castle. In case that gave him . . . permission.

"Ah." Marx chuckled, his eyes traveling down her torso, lingering too long on her hips. "Theo does like his rest. It is rare, though. For his pets to be wandering alone through these halls."

"Is it not rare for one of his coven to be awake before sunset?" Amalie didn't understand the game she was playing. What did Marx want with her? Why wouldn’t he let her leave?

Marx shrugged, finally releasing his grip. "Perhaps I also have no master. Certainly not Theo.”

Amalie nodded, sliding along the step and pressing against the other side of the stairwell, then hurried back up the stairs.

When she reached the top, she pressed her back against the wall and sucked in a ragged breath. She needed to get back to her room. She’d been lucky, but she wasn’t going to push it.

Amalie d’Acier.She could do this.

Amalie forced air into her lungs, then started back down the long hall. She passed the path to the terrace, the stairwell, and two of the empty halls, but when she paused at the archway to a common room, she heard voices. Female voices. Laughter. It was coming from the parlor.

"The apricot cake was divine. You may get to try it tonight. I had it the first night I was here, and Ramon promised a repeat."

"Three nights?" A second voice sighed. "This has already been the best day of my life."

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