~Annalyn POV~
The house was silent when he returned, the sound of the front door opening startled me, and I turned quickly, my hands still damp from washing. Matteo stepped inside, his shoulders heavy, his gaze unpredictable.
I forced a smile. "Where did you go?"
He paused for a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer. Then he said casually, "I went to see a friend."
A friend? My heart skipped, Matteo? He had never once spoken of such a thing. "Which friend? I never knew you had one." My words slipped out, half in surprise, half in suspicion.
A faint smile curved his lips, but it did not reach his eyes. "I have friends, Annalyn, so stop asking. Where are Celix and Lucas?"
I hesitated, then pointed toward the corridor. "They're inside, Celix is helping Lucas, his wounds… they refused to heal."
