Page 13 of Dead Wrong

He was easy prey that was for certain.

“Not at all,” Corinth replied, flashing a bright smile. “I was so glad to hear from you. It feels like I’ve been twisting your arm for ages to get some one-on-one time. Your mother must keep you quite busy.”

“I’m lucky to be so useful,” I replied, settling into my seat. From this angle, I could still see the handsome barista each time he served a beverage over the counter. “But today isn’t about business,” I continued, leaning over the table to take Corinth’s delicate hand in mine. “I’d like to keep to the topics of pleasure if that’s alright with you?”

Corinth’s cheeks flushed as he nodded, bouncing curls momentarily obscuring his sapphire-like eyes. He was cute. I would award him that. If it weren’t for my duty, I could see myself wooing this man for entirely different motives. Unfortunately, that fact did little to alleviate me from my responsibility to Mother. This man held something that she needed, and my orders were to take it.

But that didn’t mean it had to be entirely unpleasant.

“Has anyone ever told you that your eyes favor the depths of Lake Veranova?”

Corinth’s lashes fluttered as he batted those crystalline eyes at me, then shook his head. “I can’t say they have. I’ve never been to Veranova if you can believe it. Mother always wants to vacation in the mountains, so I usually end up bundled in three layers of coats, pretending I like to ski.”

I let out a light chuckle, stroking the back of Corinth’s hand with my thumb. “The mountains are beautiful too, of course. Think of it: a cozy cabin with a warm fire, wine flowing as easy as conversation, and we’d spend the evening curled up?—”

“Here we go, sir.” A glass pot of coffee landed on the table, severing my hold on Corinth’s hand. I looked up, flustered, to find Bastien standing at the edge of the table, a warm smile spreading his full lips. He pulled out a small hourglass from the pocket of his apron, flipping it over so the red sand began to trickle down. “Your aero press. Once the timer runs out, press down on the plunger, and you’ll be ready to enjoy.”

Corinth nodded at the barista. “Thank you. Could I bother you for some cream and sugar?” His gaze fell back to me, and he added, “I like things on the sweeter side.”

“No bother at all,” Bastien replied, turning to direct his smile at me. “I’ll be back in just a moment.”

“Sorry about that,” Corinth apologized sheepishly, his fingers wrapping around the empty mug in front of him as he watched the sand fall through the hourglass. “What were you saying?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied, brushing off the interruption. I leaned closer once more, lowering my voice. “Why don’t you tell me more about these ski trips?”

Corinth launched into an incredibly unamusing recollection of his family’s latest trip to the Crested Mountains, and I did my best to appear interested in the details of places I’d never been to and people I’d never met. By the time Bastien returned with a small pitcher of cream and a ramekin of sugar, I was almost relieved to see him if only to take a breather from the mundanity of Corinth’s ramblings.

“I think you’re ready,” said Bastien after setting down the accompaniments. He pressed the stopper down on the small pot, and a stream of rich-smelling coffee poured into the bottom reservoir. “If you’ll allow me.” He motioned to the empty mug, and Corinth nodded enthusiastically.

Bastien deftly poured from the pot, filling the mug but still leaving enough room at the top for Corinth’s additions. As he returned the vessel to the center of the table, he eyed my untouched beverage.

“Was the espresso not to your liking?”

“What?” I looked down at the glass in front of me, a bead of condensation rolling down the side and pooling on the surface of the wooden table. “Oh, I’m sure it’s fine.”

Bastien didn’t move, still eyeing me expectantly. Corinth watched me as well, a curious expressing twisting his smooth features.

I was beginning to feel like an oddity to be gawked at, so I grabbed the glass, raising it to my lips, and drew a long swig. The bright, floral flavor of the espresso danced along my tongue, bold at first but dissolving into the subtle sweetness of chocolate.

Bastien’s smile grew wider, obviously satisfied with my reaction to his work. Maybe it was just the way the light hit them, but I could have sworn I could see something glimmering in behind those honeyed eyes as the man looked at me.

“Do let me know if I can assist you further,” said the barista, pulling his attention back to Corinth. With that, he departed, leaving me floundering as an electric trill shot down my spine.

“They’re so friendly here,” said Corinth, stirring a heaping spoonful of sugar into his cup. “I’ll definitely be back.”

I watched as Bastien returned behind the counter, his golden eyes finding me once more from across the café.

“Yes, I imagine I will, too.”

* * *

The car door opened from the exterior, blinding sunlight pouring into the cab as Bastien reached in and offered me his hand. I ignored the offer, gripping the doorframe to steady myself as I climbed into the warmth of the afternoon. The air was still humid from the earlier rain, but a break in the clouds overhead was enough to douse the area in glowing light.

When I was alive—the first time—I never gave much thought to my affection for sunlight. How it wrapped around me in a warm embrace but never felt smothering. How it danced along the ends of my curls, transfiguring them into flames that fell into my eyes. The gentle way it coaxed open a budding flower in the gardens around the chateau or guided twisting vines as they stretched for the heavens. It was a constant companion to all who thrived in the light.

Now, I only wondered how long I’d have to enjoy it before I returned to the dark.

“Do you remember this place, Tobias?”

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