Page 103 of Stalk the Dark
The Singer brothers were more complicated than I’d originally believed, and the last thing I needed was more complications.
I’d clear the air with Ordell, and then I’d keep my distance. It was best for us all.
The entrance hallwas buzzing with activity when we walked in, people running to and fro carrying dusters, silver trays, and fabric, and in the center of it all was a minute woman with a stern expression and nutmeg eyes.
She spotted us and hurried over. “There you are. Our residential guests. Your rooms have been freshly cleaned.” Her tone was clipped, her words quick-paced. “You’ll eat in the main hall tonight. Cook is excited to serve you all.”
I stared at her animated expression. “And you are?”
She gave an exasperated sigh. “Ms. Ingrid Fletcher. Head housekeeper. You will come to me if you haveany issues during your stay. I will not have Master disturbed. Are we clear?” She swept us with a stern, pointed look.
“Clear,” Hemlock said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Ingrid looked over at him, and something in her eyes shifted and softened.
“Yes, well, off with you now.”
But I wasn’t done. “When did you get here?”
“We’ve always been here, child.” She smiled, her brows flicking up a little.
Oh… “You’re ghosts.”
“For want of a better word. This is our home, and while we wake, we nurture and protect it.” She canted her head. “I apologize for last night. I was unable to stop Daisy from leading you into danger. You released her from the east wing, unwittingly, mind you. Her and a few others, but now that I’m here, I’ll ensure they’re located and put back where they belong.”
“Why are they locked up? Are they dangerous?”
“Not all ghosts, as you call them, can withstand earthborn existences. And Daisy, well, I’m sorry to say the poor mite is completely insane. Now off with you. I have much to prepare for the Midnight Ball. Two days. Goodness, how will I do it?” She bustled off.
“Well,” Hemlock said, “I need to shower.” He took the steps two at a time, leaving me alone with Ordell.
I looked up at him to find him watching me with a cagey look in his ocean blues. “I’ll see you at dinner.” He shot up the stairs after Hemlock, and my heartsank, because for some reason, being on the outs with Ordell did not sit right with me. In fact, it felt downright unnatural.
My shoulder itched, reminding me it was time to check the wound, then after that, I’d make Ordell talk to me.
Chapter 32
The scabs fell off the bite marks, leaving my skin completely healed except for scarring. I guess it would make a good story back in the Fringe. You got stabbed? Yeah, well I got bit by a monster. Ha, take that.
I turned this way and that, examining the scars. An imprint of a bite mark that spanned my shoulder, front and back—evenly spaced dashes that looked almost…pretty. Like an intentional tattoo. I picked out yoga pants, a spaghetti strap undershirt, and an off-the-shoulder knitted sweater, then hopped in the shower. I didn’t bother to fully dry my hair but braided it before heading down the hall to Ordell’s room.
I knocked and waited. Knocked again. He finally answered, hair damp from the shower, joggers low on his hips, chest still beaded with water. He’d obviouslyjumped out of the shower to answer the door and not dried off properly.
I tried to keep my breathing even, to not stare at the taut, flat planes of his pecs or the tight cobbled ridges of his abs. Yep, I kept my gaze up, on his face, also beaded with water.
“Orina…” His attention dropped to my shoulder, and a muscle in his jaw jumped.
“It’s fine. It’s healed, and it doesn’t look too bad. Like a tattoo, don’t you think?”
“Don’t make light of this.”
“Fine. It hurt like a bitch when you bit me. And when you had me pinned, I was terrified. But that wasn’t you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. The beast is a part of me. It is the basest, most primal part of me, and it wanted you.”
My mouth went dry. “O-kay, I get that. But everything worked out. Hemlock showed up and stopped you from…”
“Violating you,” Ordell said flatly. “I was going to take you by force, Orina, and I would have enjoyed it. Your screams and protests don’t matter to the beast.”
A shudder ran through me. “But if he’s a part of you…”
