Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Before

“How do you know I’m not a horrid man behind closed doors?” he asked as he took the keys from her.

“Room five, to the left,” she said as she released the keys. “No young man without good manner would speak so amicably with an old lady such as myself. I see enough people go through here to have realized that.”

“That you,” Raphael said, offering her one last smile before heading to his room.

After having gotten some rest, Raphael decided to go out and explore the area some more. So far, he was enjoying Gynae more than he could previously have imagined, No one there had even tried to make him feel insignificant, like a bother, worthless. For the first time in his life he felt a sense of belonging. There was finally a place that knew nothing of him and his shaking relations with his family. He was free.

It was then that Raphael got the idea to purchase a house for himself in Gynae. A place he could retreat to when the Argenos became too much for him to handle. A place where he could live in peace and even raise his future family, away from the poison that is the Lord and Lady Argeno.

As the inn keeper suggested, many eyes from young ladies followed him as he made his way around the village. He smiled at them when he would catch them looking and they were sent into fits of giggles with their friends. His attention was so focused on his sight seeing that he didn’t see he coming – not until she crashed into him.

His reflexes reacted before he did and he caught her before she was sent to the ground. Their eyes locked and he recognized her as the girl he had seen earlier… the one that had captured his attention.

She quickly straightened herself out, as if being touched by him singed her. She recoiled instantly.

“I apologize for starling you, and not paying attention where I was going,” Raphael blurted out quickly in an attempt to put her mind at ease. It didn’t really work. She regarded him suspiciously with those wide eyes. Her whole body seemed tense and ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.

“I have to go,” she said as she started leaving.

“Wait!” Raphael called after her. “Let me at least escort you home… it’s the least I can do.”

“I don’t need an escort. I’m perfectly capable to fend for myself.”

“I did not mean to imply you need protection. I apologize again if I have offended you.”

“What other implication could there be when being offered a male escort to one’s home? Just because I’m a female does not mean I’m helpless and can’t take care of myself.” Her words came out frantic, almost like she a more trying to convince herself than him.

“Are you sure, you seem to be over-compensating a bit.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I made sure.”

She sighed and started walking, her steps determined and sure. Perhaps his earlier assessment of her had been wrong. Sure, her hair was still messy and her eyes still frightened, but her demeanor had shifted.

Raphael did a quick jog to catch up with her. “I will follow you, you know.”

“Go ahead, just don’t talk to me.”

She continued to walk stubbornly, her arms crossed over her chest more in determination than protection now. Raphael fell into step with her and she proceeded to roll her eyes.

“Not talking isn’t fun, how else are we supposed to get to know each other?”

“You are assuming that I have any interest in knowing you,” she paused and looked him sideways. “And I have none. Now would you please leave me alone?”