She stared up at him—he was at least a foot taller than her—and Adalynn could’ve sworn there was music playing from somewhere near him. It was a faint melody she felt rather than heard, tickling the edges of her consciousness but too intangible to define. “…and…oh, wow.”
He arched one of those devilish brows—the one with the scar—and held her gaze. His shoulders were broad, and she could tell he had an athletic figure despite the old-fashioned black suit he wore.
Was it possible to orgasm just from looking at someone?
“Oh, wow?” he repeated in a dry tone. “Why are you here, Adalynn? Of all the places you could’ve attempted to burgle, why mine?”
“Burgle? Who says that?” Danny asked.
The man glanced briefly at Danny. “People who speak English.”
“Sick burn, man,” Danny replied in a bored voice.
Their exchange pulled Adalynn out of her trance, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the man. “Danny, hush. Our car ran out of gas down the road and we were looking for shelter.”
He was silent for several seconds. Adalynn had heard people say things like he looked right through me, but this was different, this was more—she felt like he was looking straight into her. And there was something familiar about him, something that made her want to take a few steps closer to eliminate the remaining distance between them. Something that made her want to reach out and touch him.
The muscles of his jaw ticked. “You may stay until morning, but you will leave with the sun whether by choice or by force.”
His words were enough to wipe away whatever ridiculous, girlish, romantic fantasies she might have entertained. This was real life. Things didn’t work like in her books. Her shoulders sagged, and she looked away from him, nodding. His offer was more than she could’ve hoped for; at least he wasn’t kicking them out into the night.
But that still left her to worry about Danny. For a few moments, this had seemed like a perfect place for him to have stayed after she was gone. What were they going to do now?
“Thank you,” she said.
The man’s brow furrowed as though he were uncertain of how to take her response, but his mild confusion vanished faster than it had appeared. He turned and walked toward the door, saying over his shoulder, “Keep to the parlor.”
“Got any food we can have?” Danny asked. “We’re starving.”
“Danny,” Adalynn warned.
The man paused mid-stride, his posture stiffening. “Yes, you must be. I imagine breaking and entering is hunger-inducing work.”
Adalynn frowned, her body tensing. “We said we’re sorry. We thought this place was abandoned.”
“And I said you may spend the night. If that’s not enough for you—which it clearly isn’t—then by all means, come to my pantry. I’ll feed you little beggars, too, so your bellies are full before I kick you out.”
Little beggars.
She pressed her lips together as anger roared through her. She had no right to be angry, not now—the world had fallen apart, leaving everyone to fend for themselves, and she was the one who’d broken into his home—but she couldn’t put it aside. That he was being more helpful than necessary didn’t mean he wasn’t being an asshole—or that she and Danny had to stay here and endure that treatment.
Danny scowled and opened his mouth, but Adalynn moved to stand beside the boy and grabbed his hand tightly, silencing him.
“No, thank you,” she said. “We wouldn’t want to bother you any more than we already have. We’ll find somewhere else to sleep and spare you the inconvenience of having to be a decent person for one night.”
The man turned to face her, his brows low and eyes narrowed. “You come into—”
“I don’t need to be reminded of the circumstances,” Adalynn snapped, stepping toward him. Her heart was racing; this was foolish, dangerous, but she couldn’t stop herself now. “I was there, remember? All we’re looking for is a safe place to live and a little food to eat. We made a mistake in breaking in. You don’t owe us anything after that. But we don’t have to stand here while you insult and belittle us.” She looked at Danny, who was staring at her with wide eyes, and gave his hand a tug. “Come on, Danny. We’re leaving.”
She led her brother past the man, keeping her gaze fixed ahead.
* * *
This was what Merrick had wanted—the humans gone, along with all the potential problems and complications they would’ve caused. His house would be spared further damage, his stores would be spared unnecessary depletion, and his mind would be spared the constant irritation of having mortals nearby. It should’ve been a moment of petty triumph—which was sometimes the most satisfying sort. It should’ve been a moment of quiet celebration.
Adalynn and Danny leaving on their own was the ideal outcome for all concerned parties.
Why, then, did her walking away—without giving Merrick a second glance—sting tenfold more than the angry words she’d hurled at him?
He was angry, yes, but he was also…disappointed. Sorrowful. Confused. Panicked. These were not emotions befitting an immortal being with unfathomable arcane power at his command. Catering to the needs of a pair of humans was beneath him. Humankind was beneath him—over his long years, they’d certainly demonstrated that they saw beings like Merrick as little more than monsters and abominations. Why should he show any compassion toward their species?
But the thought of Adalynn spending the night out there—though she must’ve spent so many nights out there already—sparked unexpected concern in him.
How could he be so concerned and yet so frustrated all at once?
He spun on his heel to face the humans just as they reached the ballroom entryway.
“You will join me in the kitchen presently, Adalynn. Even if your pride is too large to exist in this home alongside my own, that is no reason to deny your brother security and food tonight.”
She stilled. A moment later, she released her brother’s hand, turned, and marched back toward Merrick, her expression hard.
She raised a hand and jabbed a finger at him. There was fire in her dark eyes. “Don’t you dare use my brother to guilt me.”
There was something…exciting about her anger. It charged the air with energy he’d scarcely encountered, a fleeting, mortal energy made more intriguing by its ephemeral nature. The crackling power coalescing deep in his belly seemed to be in direct response to her. It was a gathering of magic, but it was something more, something impossible to define because it was entirely new.
“I’m simply concerned about his wellbeing. Someone has to be,” he said.
She stared at him incredulously.
“Dude,” Danny muttered, “it’s like you want her to stab you.”
Merrick glared at Danny only long enough to say, “The adults are speaking, boy.”
“No, he’s right,” Adalynn said, glaring at Merrick.
“Food and shelter for tonight,” Merrick continued, though part of him didn’t know why he was so adamant she stay; he’d certainly not made it an appealing choice. “Tomorrow you can swear at me as much as you like—despite my generosity—on your way out.”