Page 71 of Nightshade

“Who are you?” he growled.

Eyes still diverted, I spoke toward the floor, as if not wanting to rouse a wild animal. “Mister Van Croix ... I …. Anya invited me.”

“Anya ...”

At that, I dared a peek from beneath my lowered brow, to see his unpatched eye studying me, and I quickly looked away again at the first flicker of a frown. “There’s a man … outside. Please. I think one of the dogs attacked him. I saw it drag him off. I think he’s hurt.”

“Answer the question.”

“Please, I really think the man might be in danger. The dog dragged him by the leg. It looked vicious.”

“Who. Are. You? I’ll not ask you again.” Lifting his nose into the air, he sniffed. “And that Godforsaken smell. What the hell is it?” He cocked his mouth open, as if it’d hit the back of his throat, and licked his lips.

I’d have probably been mortified by his comment, if not for the needling irritation of his deflections. “Why are you ignoring me? I’m telling you your dog attacked a man outside. I watched it happen. He needs help!”

As I waited for him to do, or say, something in response, I caught the flexing of his hands. “You’re to leave my house. Immediately.”

“You’re not even going to have someone check on him?”

“No.”

At that, I lifted my gaze, warning be damned. “I’m not leaving until I know he’s okay!”

“Get out of here now, or I’ll remove you by--” His words cut off mid-sentence, the fury in his cold, blue stare softening to what I’d surmise as fascination, or surprise, assuming he could be capable of either. The moment he lurched toward me, I lurched backward. “Who are you?” The ire in his voice carried an edge of enthrallment, and like a fool, I glanced over my shoulder to confirm it was directed at me.

Seconds later, Anya appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide with surprise, and I didn’t particularly care in that moment that I’d been discovered by Van Croix.

“Master, I was going to speak with you about this, but it seems you stumbled upon her first. No bother, I’ll take care of it.” Flicking her fingers, Anya stepped toward me. “Come, dear. With haste.” Before I could protest, she took hold of my elbow, her grip surprisingly strong and unyielding, as I attempted to wriggle myself free.

Van Croix said nothing else. He continued to stare after me, as if lost in a trance, or something.

“A man was attacked by the dogs! I saw it happen through my window!”

“Or course, dear. I believe you.” One hard yank had me stumbling over my feet, as she dragged me past Van Croix, who seemed twice the size up close. “Let’s not make a fuss.” Once out in the hallway, she gave one hard push forward, and I nearly tripped for a second time. “What is the one thing I asked you not to do? The one thing! My goodness, you’re like a belligerent child!”

“He came into the room. He must’ve heard me calling for the man who was attacked. Can we please check to make sure he’s alive, at least?”

Nabbing my elbow once again, she brought me to a halt before we reached the staircase. “Listen here, you, and listen good. That man you’re so concerned over was accused of dragging a sixteen year-old girl into the woods and brutalizing her.” Her brows came together, jaw stiff with obvious anger. “Should he suffer at the mouths of those dogs, it would only be justice served. Those dogs know a horrid criminal when they smell one.”

“He hurt a teenage girl?”

“Yes. Sweet child she was, too.”

Sixteen years old. Why would she have been here? In this place?

“Where do you come from, that men like him are offered so much leniency and dignity?” she continued to chide. “We do things differently here in Stygian Falls. Should you decide to stay in this place, I suggest you learn our ways.”

“I thought you were going to talk to Van Croix?” Not that I was sure I wanted to stay at that point. I’d have probably been better off picking one of the flowers on my way out the door, and calling the whole excursion nothing more than a crazy drug trip.

“I’m afraid that ship has sailed. Not a chance in Hades he’d consider it now. I’ll be lucky to keep my own job, no thanks to you. Come on, I’ll escort you to the gate.”

A part of me wanted to drop my protest, but what if I never got an opportunity again? Why would I let some moody jerk keep me from the answers I so desperately sought? Mysteries my father had dedicated his entire life to understanding.

“Maybe you could recommend a place for me to stay?”

Brow cocked, she stood for a moment. “Tothyll. He owns property at the foot of the mountain. He surely won’t invite you inside, but as I understand, he doesn’t turn anyone away, either. You might find yourself in a stable, but it’d be better than wandering the woods alone.”

“Tothyll,” I repeated. “Thank you.”