Chapter 2

Giorgia Romano’s POV

His question followed me down the corridor. My wrist still burned under my sleeve.

I pushed the nursery door back open. Sofia sat on the floor with her rabbit; Matteo was stacking wooden blocks.

“You are back so quick?”

“I forgot something.” I glanced at my wrist.

“You’re acting strange.”

“I’m always strange.”

He laughed. Sofia held up her rabbit. “Look. I fixed his ear.”

I crouched beside her. “You did a good job.” I tried to smile My mind wasn’t in the nursery anymore.

Who was that man? Why had his presence made my balm react?

I stood up and went outside the room and I found Mrs. Bianchi in the corridor. And I ask her “The guest who arrived earlier. Who is he?”

Her expression changed. “You saw him?”

“From the nursery window.”

She glanced toward the stairs. “Alessandro Russo.A vampire lord. His influence reaches almost every major vampire family in Italy. Even the werewolves are careful around him.”

“Is he staying long for tonight's party?”

“Why is everyone so nervous?”

“Because nobody wants to give Alessandro Russo a reason to remember them.”

I lowered my eyes. “I understand.”

“Then stay away from him.”

She walked away. I returned to the nursery and finished the children’s lessons.

Alessandro Russo. The stranger downstairs had a name now. Somehow that made it worse.

When the children settled with their books, I locked myself in the servants’ room and pulled out the balm. The bottle was almost empty. I touched some on my wrists. I felt nothing. Then a faint warmth, gone as quickly as it came.

This will not last through the night.

I needed to leave. I have to finish the children’s lessons, hand them to Mrs. Bianchi, and take the next train home. Simple.

The estate had grown louder by the time I went back upstairs. Trays through the corridors, doors opening and closing, voices in the ballroom. I finished everything as fast as I could.

When the children were ready, I handed them to Mrs. Bianchi. “I’m leaving.”

“ Have you finished everything for today .”

“I’ve done everything on my schedule.”

She looked at her papers. “I’ll take care of the rest then.”

I picked up my bag and was almost in the servants’ corridor when her voice stopped me.

“Giorgia. Lady Valentino has changed your schedule for today.”

My heart skipped a beat and my hands tightened around the strap of my bag. “What?”

“You’re staying for tonight's banquet.”