Page 41 of Twilight of Embers
“Mr. Grumpy Cat.”
He barked out a laugh. “Mr. Grumpy Cat.”
Knox turned onto a gravel road flanked by towering redwoods. It had a beautiful, tunnel-like effect. Almost like a cocoon.
“I can see why you like living out here.”
He glanced my way. “You like it?”
I nodded. “Feels safe.”
“Good,” he grunted.
Before long, Knox pulled to a stop at a massive gate. I’d never seen anything like it. It was a mixture of dark wood and gold metal. There were whimsical creatures woven throughout the design.
“That’s beautiful.”
Knox rolled down his window and punched in a code. “Cillian had it made. He’s particular about design.”
“You haven’t really told me who Cillian is.”
The gates opened, and Knox eased off the brake. “He’s another friend. More like our big brother. He’s the oldest and kind of the de facto leader.”
“If you’re all friends, shouldn’t no one be the leader?” I asked.
Knox grinned. “Tell Cillian that.”
He eased the SUV around several bends in the road until the forest parted and a structure came into view.
There was only one thing I could do.
Gasp.
21
HAYDEN
I’d never seen anything like the image in front of me. House would’ve been the wrong word. Mansion wasn’t right either. It honestly felt like a modern mountain castle.
The structure was massive. It had to be at least four floors, possibly five. It was a mixture of dark wood, stone, and glass. So much glass that you could see completely through the house in places. It made the home feel as if it were a part of the surrounding landscape.
“You live here?” I squeaked.
Knox slowed to a stop in front of the house, turning to face me. “Do you like it?”
There was worry in his voice, true concern that I might not like his home.
“It’s stunning,” I told him. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
A little of the tension bled out of Knox’s shoulders. “Good. I’ll give you the tour.”
I nodded absently, sliding out of the SUV and staring at the enormous structure. It was definitely five stories.
Knox rounded the SUV, placed a palm at the small of my back, and guided me toward the house.
“How long have you lived here?” I asked.
“Almost four years now. Cillian designed the place from scratch and had it built in record time.”
