Page 48 of Hound

The recent note unveiled itself when I had escaped my chamber in the late hours of the night, when the depths of darkness cascaded upon me and tugged at the words I implored my mind to neglect. The gruff voice reverberated in my bones.

I love you.

More dire matters pressed before me. Despite such, those three words held power. They stirred all sorts of sensations within me, ones I couldn’t think clearly with.

“How?”

I attempted to bury the feelings far from reach. They persisted as a thrum nestled in my throat, and in turn, my tone lowered. “The writing, for one, is the greatest indicator. Though there’s a slight difference in sizing on half of them.”

“They seem to have been written on the same type of material, too.” Alek grasped the oldest and newest, leveling them before our gazes.

“Yet, two hold messages that contradict each other.”I seized the one in Alek’s hand, studying each one closer as I assembled them.

Alek pointed at two. “These oppose each other. Then what about the other pair?”

A light flickered in his gaze. “One led to the other. All placed within differing ends of the household and timeframes.”

“The puzzle within the children’s books was from our mother. The other three have been strategically placed for us to find.”

Memories of each one flashed in my mind, a picture slowly unfolded, yet the contents themselves remained blurry.“There’s no denying it was recent, too. Someone on these grounds knows what we’re devising.”

“Tristan can investigate this,” Alek suggested.

I firmly rejected his offer as an exhale escaped me. Folding each note, I hid them in my pocket once again. “There is too much at hand currently. What’s been set in stone can’t be interfered with.”

Alek suddenly turned to me. “The first and latest notes were found here, which means they had access to your study. The only other person to have the key is That Man.”

The idea had briefly crossed my mind in the early hours, however. . .“Though it’s a slight likelihood, That Man hasn’t meddled in our affairs for the past five years. We’ll revisit this at a later time.”

We exited with careful steps, and once I reassembled my glasses, my gaze fell on Alek—who attentively watched me.

A thought occurred. “Have you thought about your alternative plan to take down Kaleb?”

“Not yet.”

“I suggest you get to it.”Though Alek’s plan appeared to possess all the attributes needed to succeed, it didn’t prove to be efficacious. If he sought to see this through, it was best he was prepared.

Alek’s expression softened, his shoulders lowering. He nodded, and as a swift knock bounced from behind us, he uttered, “Are you still deciding who to appoint for the marriage proposal?”

The question was unexpected, one I couldn’t bear to properly respond. In turn, I replied with what honesty I could endure. “Yes. It’s been a vexatious process. Sonia has been assisting me ever since the month arrived due to my indecisiveness.”

“Will you elect yourself then?”

For vampires, we inhabited façades more than our authentic selves. Through the years, I'd adopted a mask that had become one with myself, the reflection that everyone saw, taking residence without deliberation.

I never had to wear such a thing with Lorenzo. Nor Anabella.

The thought brewed a spur of disorder, twisting and aching within me.

“Anabella and I underwent the process three years ago when we came of age. Our blood compatibility concluded with very poor and inauspicious results. Though she was prepared to continue with the marriage proposal, I promised it under my own terms. She rejected it.”

Alek stood motionless.

“She wants a husband who will only love and lust for her. But I can only care for her as a friend. She understands I cannot be with women.”

Sonia entered, breaking the moment between Alek and I, and as quickly as it came to be, it vanished when Alek took his leave.

“Sonia.”

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