Katherine had explained that the daytime personnel were no prisoners and therefore were free to come and go on their own once their jobs were properly done. The vampire had also stated that her, Arabella, was an exception to that rule. Indeed, it seemed being of noble blood, the brooch alone wouldn't suffice to deter all ill or weak-willed vultures, especially when still new in the area.
Although what had troubled Arabella the most, hadn't been the mere sight of Edna out there, but the fact that the maid kept the company of a witch. Not only that as the two had locked arms with each other, hushingly whispering their words in a dodgy manner while rushing through the streets, clearly aiming to attract the least amount of attention possible onto themselves.
"I'll make you pay for every last bit of it" Edna's words resonated within Arabella' skull, bouncing from one wall to the next, echoing louder with every second that passed.
From the very little Arabella had seen of the witches, what had become transparent to her about them was that they sure were a proud, cunning and dangerous bunch. The idea that Edna may have been colluding with one did not bode well for Arabella.
The encounter they had with that Lauden vampire only dumped oil upon Arabella's already inflamed core…
"You can't read if your eyes are not on the page," a deep and calm voice ripped the young woman out of her contemplation.
Taking a sharp breath and setting the book she had in hand free; Arabella rose from her seat at once to curtsy in a haste before Silas, eyes on the fitting, silk vest that embraced his impeccable form.
The books kept on soaring between and behind both of them as sunlight brightened the library surrounding them.
He, on the other hand, stood still, completely placid, his full attention on her. More so on the amusing expression across her features, looking as though she'd been caught red handed enacting mischief.
"It is a lovely day today," she squeaked her go-to phrase to dispel awkwardness.
"It sure is," he uttered simply.
Silas remained nonchalant, his glare not nearly as harsh as it'd been when he'd stumbled upon Edgar by the door to her room, the weight of it still heavy but not unbearable.
Eyes wide open, they'd fleetingly skimmed over the embroidery on his chest as her fingers pushed on the surface of the table in front of her, not as much for support than for comfort.
In her chest, her heart did not exactly threaten to leap out of its place, but it did not croon either.
Silas glanced up at the timber board displaying "Human literature" in bold letters, "What new secret have you uncovered?" he asked, bringing his diamonds back onto the young woman.
"No, I…," the words to provide an answer failed her, "None," eventually, only those two syllables came through in a mutter.
"Then what has you fretting?"
She immediately shook her head no, "Nothing," she blurted.
The vampire shut his eyes, drawing a loud and deep breath as his chest heaved only to stop moving instantaneously when he reopened his eyes to glare at her.
At those actions, Arabella knew simply one thing, that she did not want to meet his gaze.
The clattering of his shoes against the marble flooring blared throughout the place, his feet cutting the distance between them.
Silas peaked at the pages Arabella had been "reading" before he'd interrupted, noting that it was a plain poetry anthology.
Although, he maintained the conviction that something had been chipping at her mind.
"I won't repeat myself," he began, causing the woman to shudder, "Speak if you will or keep to yourself, but know that your state of mind very much affects the taste of your blood,"
She gulped, clenching her fist against her chest as her wide-open eyes licked the ground. Did it really? Of course, it did! Why would he lie?
With that, Silas turned to leave but halted the moment her voice broke the silence, "I…," she cleared her throat, "I meant to ask something," finally, Arabella had managed to utter without a hitch. Meekly, sure, but clearly, nonetheless.
"Speak," he said dryly.
She trembled under his scrutiny, "Is what happened to Edna the reason you always ask to see my eyes?"
For the first time since the beginning of their encounter, Arabella had assembled enough courage to lock eyes with him. However, the glint that had suddenly flashed across his diamonds tainted their gleam and shattered the bit of bravery that lived in her.
Surprisingly, that dark look that had claimed his features didn't last and faded very quickly. Silas walked around the table separating them, further clipping the distance in their midst.
The young woman's heart rate picked up in pace and felt too heavy for her chest to contain, sinking towards the ever-growing pit in her stomach.
He'd come so close that his breath feathered her soft hair, brushing her skin in the process, "Look up," he ordered.
Arabella did as told and caught her fractured reflection in his diamonds.
"Your eyes are as clear as the first day I ever saw them," he paused, exploring every inch of her blushing face, "And that's how I know you're safe,"
Her eyes drifted momentarily, coming back onto him the instant her lips moved, "From the effects of the bite?"