Annette gasped, wrapping her arms over her chest as she lowered herself deeper into the tub. As the shock slowly wore off, anger replaced it. She glared at him. "How dare you! You cannot just barge into my chambers unannounced. Are you planning on taking advantage of me again?"
Vincent leaned against the wall beside the door, crossing his arms over his chest. "This is my house. I can walk into any room I desire without announcement, Daphne." He held her gaze for a few seconds before adding, "Taking advantage of you again? That is quite a bold accusation."
Annette scoffed. "So you are also denying it. I know you took advantage of me that night I fell unconscious."
The Viscount threw his head back and laughed loudly, the deep sound echoing through the room. It caught her off guard, but she was quick to regain her composure.
"Dear gods, you are making me constantly question your intelligence, Daphne," he said, calming from his laughter before running his tongue over his top fangs. "I didn't take advantage of you. I'm not a foolish man, and I hold myself in far too high regard to do something like that."
Annette narrowed her eyes at him. She didn't know why, but she believed him. Well… it was seemingly easy to do so because she had had her doubts about that night. Surely, if he had taken her, she would have felt it—but she had felt nothing.
She looked away from him. "Why are you still here?"
"Why do you have those scars on your back?"
Annette stiffened at his question, cold shivers spreading through her body despite the warm water. She knew what he was asking about, and she would be damned if she allowed him to drag up painful memories that still haunted her nights.
"Nothing," she replied dismissively, patiently waiting for the Viscount to press further—but surprisingly, she heard nothing else. The silence thickened so much that she was forced to turn around and face him.
And when she did, her breath caught in her chest at the sheer intensity in the Viscount's eyes, as if he were staring into her soul. Unable to hold his gaze, she looked away.
After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. "Come out for dinner when you're done." With that, he strolled out of her chambers, shutting the door behind him.
Annette swallowed. What the hell was that? The man was seriously unsettling, it scared her. Shaking her head, she continued to wash her body for a few minutes, then climbed out of the tub and dried herself off.
She picked out a simple green dress and slipped it on, her hair falling over her shoulders. Staring at her reflection in the mirror for a couple of minutes, Annette drew in a deep breath and walked out of the room.
The hallways were quiet as usual, the only sound echoing being the heels of her shoes. She wondered how they stayed in this mansion. It was eerie and had an air about it, as if someone could jump out and murder her at any second. Perhaps it was the many corners, dim lighting, and dark walkways. It was definitely those.
As she reached the door to the dining hall, she sighed again before pushing it open. She was greeted by the sight of the blue-eyed man, who sat too straight at the table.
The Viscount was nowhere in sight.
It appeared she was going to have dinner with this man. Without saying a word to him, she pulled one of the chairs back and dropped into it, sitting across from Gabe.
As usual, the table was covered with different types of foods. Again, so much food for just the two of them. It appeared there was always excess food in this household.
She scooped from each plate onto hers and poured herself a tumbler filled with rich blood.
"I wonder what's so special about you that's keeping the lord from sending you to the council."
Annette rolled her eyes. "You should be asking your lord that, not me," she replied without sparing him a glance.
"You have a sharp tongue for someone who is a prisoner," Gabe replied.
Annette arched a brow at him. "I am a prisoner? Hmm. I didn't know that," she answered sarcastically.
She watched his features tighten. Just like the Viscount, this one also didn't like sarcasm. No wonder they were friends.
"I have been working on finding out who you are, but there has been nothing so far. It's as if you are a ghost who just appeared here—which I would be a fool to believe." He leaned back in his chair. "Tell me, who are you? And why are you here?"
Annette sighed. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you that because I don't truly exist. I came back from the land of the dead to terrorize you and the Viscount." She pressed her lips together, trying to stop herself from smiling.
"You think this is funny?" Gabriel spat irritably.
She shook her head. "Of course not. You asked me a question, and I have only responded."
An unreadable expression crossed his face. "Very well. Enjoy your meal." He simply rose from the chair and walked out of the dining room.
Annette watched him leave, then looked at the food. There was something in the way he said enjoy your meal that unsettled her. Could he have poisoned her food? She considered leaving the food, but she had already eaten from it. She might as well continue with it; if it truly was poisoned, she would die either way.
After eating her fill, Annette wobbled back to her chambers. Feeling heavy and tired, she prepared for bed. She would think of what to do next when she woke up—well, if she did, as she could have been poisoned and might die in her sleep.
Climbing onto her bed, she pulled the blanket over her body, the dim light from the candlestick illuminating the room as she stared out the window into the clear sky. It was beginning to get cold, but Annette was too comfortable to get up and close the window.
Slowly, her eyelids dropped as sleep invaded her.