Page 31 of Goldsin

If Julian doesn’t want to give me a ride, I’ll just have to find another way to get to the party.

He picks up within seconds.

“Aurelia?”

“Adrian, do you know where Victoria’s cabin is?”

There’s a pause before he asks, “Why?”

He doesn’t sound surprised, yet there is something off about the way he drags the word out. Maybe he’s just irritated at me for disturbing his Wednesday night at the office.

“I need your help.” I choose my words carefully. I know how to get to him—how to get him to help me. “Julian was supposed to pick me up for the party, but he never showed up. Would you mind giving me a ride?”

Adrian goes silent again. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Aurelia.”

He was always cautious about taking me to these kinds of events when we were dating, so I don’t blame him for not agreeing right away.

“Come on, Adrian.” I taste his name on my lips,dragging out the words. The same way I’d tease him in bed. “I’ve been looking forward to this party for weeks,” I lie. Like I always did in bed. “It will really piss Julian off ifyoutake me instead.”

He sighs heavily, clearly not thrilled at the prospect of going to a party instead of making his father proud.

Silence engulfs us once more, and I’m cautious of his train of thought as he mulls over my offer.

“All right, fine.”

I know I shouldn’t be wondering why he accepted and just be glad he did, yet I can’t help but question it.

“For old times’ sake,” he adds. “But you’d better be ready to go when I get there.”

“Trust me, I am more than ready.”

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A few minutes later, there’s a sharp knock at my door.

Adrian’s broad figure fills the doorframe. He’s dressed in a crisp black suit that clings to his lean form, accentuating his muscles. The seriousness in his expression showcases how much he already regrets this.

His wavy hair is combed back meticulously—though he probably threaded his fingers through it several times beforehand. He always does that whenever he’s lost in thought.

Shadows fall on his face from the city lights coming through the window behind him, intensifying his dark ocean eyes. Regret shines behind them. It’s as if he’s already mourning the decision to accompany me.

But why?

“We should go, or we’ll be late,” I say, walking past him to make my way to the underground parking lot where all the Harrows’ cars are parked. They have their own parking floor, while uscommonershave to park one floor lower, if we’re lucky.

We make the journey in silence. The longer we drive, the more trees surround us. The scent of pine settles my nerves, filtering in on the chilled August night air streaming through his open window.

I can’t wait to see Julian’s face when he sees me arriving with Adrian.

Settling comfortably on the leather seat of Adrian’s Cullinan, I glance out the window. The destination—a cabin close to the Teanaway Community Forest—simply screams “undisturbed private party.” It’ll take us about an hour or so to get there, so I might as well relax before the long night ahead.

When we finally pull up to the cabin, I can’t help but freeze in awe.

Towering trees cocoon the cabin, hiding it from peering eyes as they cast eerie shadows over the log-built cabin. Some of the moonlight breaks through the branches, bathing it in a graceful glow. It reflects off the large glass windows that seem to be tinted black, obscuring any outsider’s view of whatever is happening inside.

A haunted beauty in the middle of nowhere.

“This place is incredible,” I breathe.

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