Page 52 of The Midnight Order
“I was singing you to sleep,” he says, climbing over the bed toward where I stand on the other side.
When he’s off the bed and before me, I swallow audibly.
“I was asleep.”
“Well, you’re not now. Come, let me hold you and sing you back to sleep. I promise I have a good voice.”
Is he insane?!
“No, I’m quite capable of getting back to sleep on my own; plus, it’s Jasper’s time with me, and I wouldn’t…”
His baneful hiss cuts off my words, and I jump as he grabs my shoulders, his firm grip holding me hostage.
“I’m not ignorant, little lamb. I know what time it is, but you’ll be with all of us soon. I want to get to know you. To comfort you.”
“This is comfort?” It’s out of my mouth before I think twice, and then I brace for whatever behavior will come next because of my words.
He softens, his eyes growing weary behind his mask as he lightens his grip on me. “I’m sorry.” His words are muttered as if he’s realized he’s done it again.
“It’s alright,” I offer, not truly knowing why I do so. “I’m fine.”
Something about him is unbalanced, and I don’t want to send him into some manic spiral.
“You’re Lowell, right?” I ask, even though I know his name. I try not to let my tone seem as though I’m speaking to a child, but it softens despite that.
“Yes. The one and only,” he adds.
There’s an edge to his glare as he licks his lips, and I spy a piercing on it.
“I’m Silver.” I put my hand out to him, hoping it’s not the wrong move.
“We’ve met.”
“Not officially.”
He narrows his eyes before lifting my hand to his mouth. His soft lips press into my hand as he flicks his eyes toward me. “A pleasure.”
Everything these men do thrills me, and I need to keep myself in check.
It’s like meeting a man from the turn of the century.
I remind myself Lowell is a threat and clear my throat. “Same.”
“Same?” he prods.
I nod.
He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “You’re supposed to say,‘the pleasure is mine’, not,‘same.’”
I’m confused about whether he intended to come into my room in the wee hours of the morning and teach me etiquette, but I go along with it, anyway.
I know Jasper said Asher is the one to look out for, but Lowell feels like the scariest person I’ve ever met in my entire life.
“Well then, the pleasure is mine.”
“Better. Now, get into bed.”
I startle. “You’re worried about my greeting when you’re about as rude as an ass.”
