Ginny had thought herself in love. Despite his occasional backhand. His showering of gifts had been more than anyone had ever given her. And his seduction had been so slow she’d thought he loved her too. She was willing to do anything to bring him into Demetrius House to be with her.

And when she’d seen his stout frame and rakish red hair down in the foyer, her heart had surged with joy. She’d rushed to hug him, but he’d put up that hand and eyed her coolly.

Now Ginny understood the truth of it.

The full consequence of murdering the old Lord now set in, as she realized she’d be trapped in Demetrius House with this monster until Lord Charters sent for her.

If he ever did.

Demetrius slammed against her again. Making her cheeks bob against him. Piercing her ass as he spurted his fluid inside her. Moaning in ecstasy, as he became flacid. Slipping out of her and letting her skirt drop as he took a step back.

When she turned to look at him, his disheveled red hair no longer seemed so charming. Instead, it seemed gawdy. His brown eyes assessed her coolly.

He'd enjoyed what he’d done to her. It was apparent on his face and the slow evil smile as he looked at her. “Now Ginny, we’re going to find out everything there is to know about Lord Charters. And you’re going to do it for me.”

***

“What do I have to do?” She was willing to do anything to avoid another brutality like the one she’d just experienced. The painful invasion that would leave her sore for days to come.

How had he become so cruel after so many kindnesses? But she could see now it had all been a façade for him to manipulate his way into the household.

“Lord Charters will send for you. It is the practice for a Ward to be provider her maid. And when you’re in that house, you’ll find a way for me to get to her. I need a few hours with Lady Demetrius and I can ensure she’ll not be wedding anyone but me...”

His eyes seemed to turn a bleak shade of black as he lowered his head with dark intent.

Ginny cringed. Sensing whatever he planned for Lady Charters was going to be equally as awful as what he’d just done to her.

Ginny could now see Lord Demetrius for exactly what manner of man he was. But it made little difference now. She’d already killed the former Lord.

“What if-if I-I don’t do it?”

“Well then,” He gave her a chipper grin. His tone oozing honey. “I’d have to turn you over to the magistrate as a murderer, Sweetheart. You’d end up in the stocks. We don’t want that.”

He caught her arm and yanked her closer to him so his eyes could rove over her purposefully. “Now do we?”

She tightened her lips and shook her head. Terrified.

***

It was my first night sleeping in Charters House. And something was wrong. I could hear what sounded like soft sighs all through the hallway and there were flickering lights beyond my door. Shooting through the hallways.

What’s going on?

I caught Bodin’s voice, speaking in a low tone to someone.

I crept to my door and cracked it to peer out. Seeing him standing in the hallway talking to a maid. I could only see half her face beyond his shoulder and back, but it seemed her brow was too prominent. Her eye far too large and almond shaped.

As they spoke he absentmindedly reached up to tuck the tip of her ear beneath her mob cap. When he did it struck me to peer at the other one which I noticed was far too long and came to a pointed tip.

What kind of woman is she?

I quieted my breathing enough to try to hear their conversation.

“What do you want me to do, My Lord?” She asked.

“Keep an eye on her and keep him away from her or this house.”

“Lord Demetrius?”

Cousin Randy?

“Yes. He’ll come for her.” Bodin asserted.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’ve been in his head. I’ve seen what he thinks to do to her. And his villainous impulses are almost more than he can control.”

“The dark magic?”

“Too many years of toying with it.” Bodin agreed in a muffled voice.

“Does he know what you are?”

Bodin stiffened and there was a bloated pause. “No.”

“What about her?”

“No.” Bodin’s tone became more decisive.

“She should, don’t you think?”

“Remember your place.” He pointed a finger at the maid.

“Yes, um, My Lord.” She bobbed in a curtsy and walked away. Her step so smooth she almost seemed to be floating.

What is she?

***

“What are you doing?” Bodin didn’t turn around.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. Scanning the hall to see who he talked to now.

“Have you taken to spying and eavesdropping now?” He rounded on his heel and met my look through the crack of my door, levelly.

I gasped and slammed the door. Backing away from it.

What’d he mean he’d been in Randy’s ‘head’?

Has he been in my ‘head’?

That thought was terrifying.

I’d nearly backed up to my bed when my door swung open as though a gust of wind had moved it. Revealing Bodin standing in the doorframe.

“Are you ignoring me now, Belle?”

“What’s going on here, Din?” I breathed.

“It’s funny how you only call me ‘Din’ when you’re trying to coax or charm me.”

Was I? I swallowed hard.

“Why-why are you in my room.” I felt for the coverlet behind me. Tempted to leap into my bed and hide like a child.

Bodin’s silhouette framed in that doorway, beneath the dim light of a loan torch seemed so imposing. Making him seem taller and thicker in a way I hadn’t noticed.

“You-you look different.” I frowned in confusion.

“I’m sure I do. I am different when I’m home...” He took a step toward me.