Elise watched as Julianna snuck off and disappeared into the room. Oh God. Maybe they shouldn’t have taken such a risk. It was one thing if a servant was around. But what if Eleanor or Jeremy came upstairs? It wasn’t like she could just tell them to leave. What if—
“What are you doing here?”
There was no mistaking who said those words. Even her wolf knew who it was, and it let out a pathetic whine. Her heartbeat stopped for a split second, then began to race. Slowly, she pivoted and found herself staring up into the ebony darkness of Reed Townsend’s eyes. “Y-Your Grace?”
His stare was menacing. “I said, what are you doing here?”
God, she wanted to run away. But Julianna—and their only way home—was depending on her. “I brought Julianna back to her room and I was going to go back downstairs but I got … lost.”
His mouth thinned into a grim line. “Really? Perhaps I should escort you back downstairs.” He made a grab for her arm. She was too fast however, with her Lycan reflexes and her natural aversion to touch, and evaded his grasp. He didn’t seem to like that, and he took a step forward to crowd her personal space.
He was taller than her, but here in the dim hallway illuminated only by candles, he seemed even more imposing. Shadows cut his face into sharp lines, but for some reason, he looked even more handsome and attractive. As if to prove a point, a sudden heat surged straight to her stomach.
“What are you really doing here, skulking about like some thief? Are you hoping to find some jewels or silver you can hock for some coins?”
The heat of sexual attraction suddenly turned into anger. Okay, technically, they were going to steal something, but once they used the dagger to get back home, it would be left behind. But that wasn’t the point.
Maybe it was the homesickness, the fear of never getting back to her time, or just generally feeling helpless in this strange place, but something in her snapped.
“How. Dare. You.” She took a step forward and looked him straight in the eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve done to you personally, Your Grace, but I don’t think I deserved to be treated with such contempt and dislike. You’ve been nothing but a jerk this whole time, from the moment we arrived through to dinner tonight.” A spark of electricity crackled at her fingertips, but she didn’t care.
“Miss Henney—”
“I’m not done!” She held up a hand. “Furthermore, I get that perhaps you’re unconvinced of our motives, but I assure you we do not mean to harm you or anyone under your protection. Believe me, if you were our enemies, we wouldn’t attack you from behind like cowards!” Her tirade made her run out of breath, like she had run a mile in ten seconds, so she heaved great big gulps of air into her lungs, trying to get oxygen into them again.
Reed’s face was stony, but the power from him practically vibrated. She resisted the urge to shrink back. He reached for her again, and this time, she let him touch her. His hands wrapped around her upper arms, and despite the cover of his gloves and hers, the heat from his palms branded her. He stepped forward, and she staggered backwards until she found herself trapped against the wall.
“Elise.” Her name on his lips was a raw, low growl that made her shiver.
As he was lowering his head, horror shot through her. No! If he touched her bare mouth with his—
A loud cough made him let go of her and step back. He turned around. “Mr. Jonasson.”
She peered around his large frame and saw Cross at the top of the stairs staring at them. She let out a breath of relief and stepped around Reed. “Cross,” she began. “What are you doing here?”
“I was going to bed,” he explained. “The earl and countess stayed downstairs to give the servants some last-minute instructions as Lady Winford wanted to leave first thing tomorrow.” His blue-green gaze narrowed at Reed. “Your Grace? I thought you said you wanted to say goodnight to your nephew.”
“Yes, of course.” He gave them a curt nod. “Mr. Jonasson. Miss Henney.” Pivoting on his heel, he walked away from them and then entered the first door on the left.
“Cross,” she urgently whispered as she closed the distance behind them. “Julianna—she’s in the countess’s bedroom. That door.”
He didn’t waste any time and instead dashed toward the direction she pointed him. As soon as he entered, her heart stopped banging into her chest like a wrecking ball. Cross could whisk Julianna away with no one the wiser.
She turned on her heel and sprinted down the hallway. It was only when she was in the safety of her own room that she allowed her body to relax.
What the hell was she thinking? Talking to Reed that way? Sure, he couldn’t send her to jail, but he could probably insist that they leave his territory. And then they would never get close to the dagger.
She desperately wanted to get away from him. But at the same time, that small touch—not even bare skin—was branded into her brain. Her wolf seemed to relish his touch, rolling around like some dog in heat.
Now’s not the time to be attracted to anyone! Especially not that ass! She was scolding her wolf, but really, she was telling that to herself too. Perhaps Julianna would find the dagger tonight and that would be that.
“I just dropped Julianna off at her room.”
She nearly jumped out of her skin as Cross materialized in front of her. Would she ever get used to it? Probably never. “Did you find it?”
He shook his head. “It’s not the same dagger. Julianna confirmed it as she had seen the artifact during Adrianna’s ceremony.”
Damn.
He cocked his head at her. “Are you all right? Did Reed suspect
