Chapter 90

ARIA

I didn’t know how long I sat in the garden. The evening sun had darkened, the night slowly fell over. I had stayed past the time I was allowed outside but I made to move to leave. I sat on the ground, picking at the grass now.

I felt like my mind was no longer working.

“You should go inside now,” a voice said from behind.

My back stiffened, my head turned in the direction but I didn’t look up.

The voice was familiar, deep, timber.

It must’ve been him.

No one else was here.

Footsteps moved towards me.

“Come on.”

His voice rumbled in the dark.

I didn’t answer.

“Ocean eyes.”

I closed my eyes shut.

I waited for him to lose patience and have his way with me.

“Aria Whitlock.”

My eyes popped open.

It was the first time I had heard my name being said in such a long time.

My eyes slowly turned in his direction and I glanced up.

I didn’t even know his name.

“It’s getting dark. You should go inside.”

He looked at the mansion—that castle—that looked haunted in the fading light of sun.

“I li