Page 9 of Origins
“Who’s this?” he asked, his deep voice soothing away at the edges of my nerves.
Damen was more subdued than he had been previously as he continued to gaze at me in an unsettling manner. He didn’t pause in his inspection as he answered the other man. “This is Bianca. Apparently, she is Finn’s best friend.”
The other man actually had the nerve to step backwards as he put a hand to his heart in shock. “Finn has a friend?”
“I know,” Damen replied dryly.
“Stop it!” I frowned at them. If they were going to make fun of Finn then I’d just leave. “Don’t make fun of him!”
No wonder Finn didn’t talk to his brother. Haunting or no haunting, I was darn loyal. If the ghost killed me as a result of this, then it was a necessary price to pay. Clearly, there would be no help from these two.
The newcomer seemed to know what I was thinking before I had a chance to move, he had leapt fully onto the porch and grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry.”
I tensed—so startled by his unexpected touch that I found it hard to focus on his words. This was almost worse than being stalked on the street by Titus. Than even my fear of the unknown.
“It’s not every day Finn…befriends a person.” His deep, rough voice continued. Despite myself, I felt the tension of my initial reaction melt away. “We did not mean to make fun of him—or you. Please, forgive us.”
Damen made a scoff-like sound, and raised his eyebrow at me.
“That being established, let’s get better acquainted.” He smiled slightly, and Damen shot him a curious look. But the new hottie ignored him. “We can pretend that none of this happened. I am Miles Montrone. And you are…”
He paused, clearly expecting an answer. There was something odd about this whole situation. Normally, I’d flee in terror at being addressed by so many people. But for some reason, outside of my initial reaction, something instinctual—almost peaceful—inside of me began to uncurl. Perhaps I could trust this Miles person. He seemed sincere.
“Bianca Brosnan,” I responded after a moment. There was no going back, was there?
Miles’ smile grew bolder, and I felt as though something significant had just happened. But I had no idea what it might be. “Damen seems to have forgotten his manners. Cultured people shouldn’t hold meaningful conversations in doorways. Won’t you come in?”
He tugged me gently after him into the house, and I could only silently follow. My stomach clenched— expecting panic at the unexpected action. But nothing happened.
I was not sure what was going on at the moment, but I was both lost and entranced. Perhaps it had something to do with the comforting sound of his voice. It was odd that I’d feel at ease around these two strangers. But they both seemed normal enough.
And surely talking to them would be better than letting the ghost haunt me.
Chapter Three
Impeccable
I wasn’t sure how I ended up in this situation, but the entire thing was extremely bizarre.
The house did, indeed, look much nicer on the inside. In fact, I found myself sitting on a plush chaise in the middle of a grand parlor. Damen was alone with me now, as Miles left to get refreshments from the kitchen.
The homeowner himself had paused from flirting with me. Instead, he alternated between studying me and shooting me a wan grin. As if I was a puzzle for him to solve. He retrieved his clipboard and used his crossed leg as a table while he wrote furiously. Miles had mentioned that there was one other person in the home, but he was busy in thelibrary.
Because that was exactly what this place needed.
I wasn’t sure what I expected Damen Abernathy’s private residence to be like, but this was not it. First there had been the shocking decay of the exterior, but then the interior was decked in modern Victorian style. The room was lit from the crystal chandelier and the roaring fire burning in the marble fireplace.
At least the atmosphere soothed my fear of being chopped into pieces and buried in the woods. Or worst, eaten.
Perhaps Dr. Stephens really was a kindly professor trying to help. All in all, I was beginning to feel more at ease than I had in a long, long time. Well, except for one thing.
Every so often, Damen Abernathy would glance at me in the most peculiar way. It was starting to get on my nerves.
When he did it again—the third time in less than three minutes—I couldn’t take it anymore. Clearly, I had done something to offend him. If only he would let me know what it was.
“I’m sorry, but have I offended you somehow.” My voice broke through the silence.
Damen almost jumped out of his chair in surprise. It would have been comical if not for the fact that he had somehow managed to make the ungraceful feat look sexy. I was almost jealous—I’d never be able to practically fall on my face in such a manner.
