Heir Untamed - By Danielle Bourdon Page 0,65

sky that it startled another scream from her throat. Lurching upright, she tried the button and discovered the flashlight was broken. Fantastic. That would make escaping the south tower even more dangerous as full dark descended outside.

Never mind what eerie images she might conjure thanks to a lack of light.

The hinges on the door split the air with a loud creak. Chey yelped when a definite shadow parted from the deeper shadows of the landing beyond.

“Chey?” Sander asked. A moment later, a blitz of lightning illuminated his frowning face. “I heard you scream.”

She would have loved to blame Sander for the 'touch' to her arm. The fact of the matter was—she couldn't. No one had been in the room. His concern for her was real, as well, indicating he hadn't been playing tricks.

“Yeah, I don't know. Something startled me and I dropped the flashlight. Now it's broke.” She didn't want to admit how good it was to see him.

He snapped on his flashlight but avoided getting the beam in her eyes. Slanting it downward, he closed the distance and took the damaged flashlight from her.

“The lens is cracked. What startled you?” he asked.

She was loathe to admit it. “I thought I felt something touch my arm.”

“Maybe it was just the wind. It's blowing pretty good through those windows.” He tucked the broken flashlight into the back of his pants.

Chey glanced at the cutouts in the stone. Lightning tore through the clouds, briefly flashing more light through the room. She caught sight of Sander's expression when she looked back, expecting to see smug satisfaction there. After all, he'd accurately predicted she would wind up screaming. Instead, he only appeared as concerned as he had when he entered.

“Probably. Either way, I concede. This tower is creepy.” She glanced once more at the high beam, then stepped closer to Sander, attempting to nudge him toward the door. Chey was more than ready to depart.

“Most ruins would be creepy this late at night with a storm like that blowing in. Come on. Hold onto my hand.” He caught hers and gripped it lightly with his own.

Relieved at the contact, she stayed close as he led her back down the stairs, through the castle, and out onto the porch. Here the wind was more vicious than when they'd arrived, whipping her ponytail around her neck.

Sander locked the heavy door behind them this time. He let go of her hand and ushered her out into the rain after she'd covered her camera with the plastic bag.

Ensconced in the Jeep, he turned the engine over and cut a deviant grin her way.

“You don't even need to say I told you so,” she retorted with a laugh when she saw the grin. Her mood was less volatile now that she was safe in the Jeep. If he wanted to taunt her—well. She wouldn't get too grouchy about it.

“I didn't say a thing,” he replied with no small amount of amusement.

“But you were thinking it.” Chey brushed rain out of her hair.

“Mm, no.”

“Then what were you thinking?”

“About my next day off, and your next day off, and whether I can coax you away from the castle again.”

“Speaking of work, I wonder if this weather is supposed to last. I won't be able to take the photographs tomorrow if so.” She looked out the window. Rain battered the landscape. The tops of the trees swished every which way with the force of the wind. “Getting me away from the castle won't be hard.”

“Yeah, actually, this storm will be here a few days if the forecasts hold. We might even see a dusting of snow with the cold front coming in over night. You'll probably have to consult with Urmas and see what changes they have in store for you.” He drove with confidence and skill over the rough asphalt that wound through the countryside.

“It might still work for pictures if we have snow—just not rain. I'll ask.” Chey wondered if Sander meant to invite her into the cabin when they returned. She wanted to spend the night instead of return to the castle. That could become a habit if she wasn't careful. She wasn't sure that her employers would think it a good idea for her to spend too many nights away from the family seat. On the other hand, they couldn't expect her to entirely close herself off from a personal life during her four month stay.

She had her answer after they arrived at the cabin and Sander killed