Page 7 of Dead Wrong

“Manor, huh?” I echoed, following the path forward and trying to keep my eyes level to the ground. “What kind of a mortal is she?”

Bastien shook his head, slowly rounding the corner behind me. I pushed myself to keep pace, my lethargic limbs cooperating more with each step. The hallway opened up around us, the ceiling vaulting as we approached the landing of a dramatic, curved staircase leading down to an opulent foyer. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, refracting beams that streamed through half a dozen skylights, casting pools of rainbow light across nearly every surface.

It was like stepping into a kaleidoscope.

The beauty rivaled any Adored chateau—at least the ones I could recall—and I struggled to believe a mortal family was capable of such wealth.

“And you’re sure she’s mortal?” I questioned, unable to tear my gaze away from the articulate carvings on the pillars of alabaster that rose to support the vaulted roof. Scaled beasts twisted along the surface, frozen in pale beauty as they coiled toward the sky.

“Does it matter?” Bastien asked, already halfway down the marble stairs.

The question caught me off guard. Did it matter? I wasn’t even sure what compelled me to ask it in the first place. It was maddening, not being able to understand my own inclinations. Where did this contempt for mortals come from?

My legs quaked under me as I clung to the railing, beginning my descent. Bastien didn’t rush me, waiting patiently at the foot of the stairs, watching me with a steeled expression. Fiery needles stabbed into my calves with each impact, a sheen of cold sweat building along my forehead by the time I’d landed on the fifth step. I clenched my teeth to stifle the noises rising from the back of my throat, but it did little to dampen the sound.

“How’s the pain?” Bastien asked the slightest trace of warmth buried in his deep voice. At least, that’s what I hoped it was.

I cleared my throat. “What pain? I’m fine and dandy.”

“You’re whimpering.”

“Am not.”

“I think I remember what your whimpering sounds like.”

My foot slipped on the smooth tile, forcing me to clutch the railing with all my might to stay upright. “Stop distracting me!”

Bastien sighed, dropping his duffle on the polished floor and retracing his steps up to meet me. “You’re a stubborn asshole, even in your second life. Here.”

He offered a hand out to me, and I reached for it without a second thought. It’s like my body didn’t care for the forgotten details of our breakup. It longed to touch Bastien, no matter the reason.

Bastien’s warm hand enveloped mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to brace me again like he’d done before, but then he swooped down, pressing his strong frame into my thighs as he heaved me over his shoulder as if I were a sack of flour.

“Put me down!” I protested, my head dangling inches from the small of Bastien’s back. I lacked the strength to be anything but a ragdoll in the man’s clutches.

Bastien ignored my request, refusing to even offer a reply as he carried me down the rest of the stairs with little effort.

“How wonderful,” Lorelei’s voice echoed as we crested the foot of the staircase. “Here I was thinking you were only good for revivification, Bastien. Maybe I’ll put those muscles to good use as well.”

“My services were laid out clearly in the contract you signed,” Bastien retorted. “Tobias is my only concern for the duration of his second life. You can hire a lackey if you want something heavy carried around.”

My heart fluttered involuntarily. I was Bastien’sonlyconcern. Why did that make me so… happy?

“What a shame.” Lorelei’s voice was closer to us now, and I strained my neck at a painful angle to catch a glimpse of her as she circled Bastien. “I’m so curious as to why you showed up at my doorstep in the first place. You know who I’m working for. And I was under the impression that Reviled, like yourself, are considered a pariah to other Magi. What happens if you get caught, handsome?”

“Money is money. And any other reasons are my own,” grumbled Bastien. “None of which are relevant to you or your work.”

“Are you sure about that?” Lorelei pressed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Because I’ve got a few theories of my own as to why you’re here.”

“Keep them to yourself. I’m not interested.”

“Can you please put me down?” I interrupted, taking advantage of the lull in their sniping. “All the blood is rushing to my head.”

Bastien’s hold tightened, tipping me forward to allow me to slide off his shoulder. Lorelei’s eyes found me, icy blue judgment sizing me up. It was the first time we’d met eye-to-eye. A shiver shot down my spine as she sniffed.

“The car is out front,” she said plainly while Bastien retrieved his discarded bag. “We need to get a move on.”

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked, already missing Bastien’s presence beside me.

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