Heart's Price (MxM)

Chapter 13

"I'm so bored," Julian groans. "Why did I insist on doing this, again? Don't tell Dane I said that," he adds, slumping in his chair.

As far as we're concerned, he's right: the night is turning out to be a very lackluster affair.

I'd at least found something to read—though it was only a rather stuffy translation of Herodotus, with most of the interesting bits scrubbed out. I'd just reached the part about the fox-sized ants when Julian began to complain.

We're sitting in a pair of armchairs directly below the painting, with a small table set between us. From this position, we can see the entire room, and no one can reach the painting without climbing over us.

The library itself is shaped like a long rectangle, with doors at both ends. One set opens into the main hall—a huge space, two stories high, with the house's entrance on one side and the grand staircase on the other, leading up to an open balcony and the second floor. On the other side, the doors lead to a hallway and various interior rooms. We've been keeping both sets shut, in an effort to discourage guests from walking through (which isn't working) and also to make it obvious when someone enters.

As for the party itself, it's been in 'full swing' for three hours already, with no sign of an end in sight. While the primary purpose of Barker's gala was ostensibly the silent charity auction he was hosting out in the main hall, as far as many of his guests were concerned, 'swing' seemed to be the operative word. At least, that's what I'd gathered from the mix and match of increasingly drunk couples I'd seen stumbling through the room on their way to and from more secluded areas of the house.

No wonder Barker had been so handsy with Julian right from the go; it was that kind of party, it seemed.

Julian moans again, sinking lower in his seat. Unlike myself, he'd found nothing of interest among Barker's showy shelves, and had been entertaining himself by watching videos on his phone. Unfortunately, after two hours his battery was running low, and he'd had to turn it off to save power.

"Why don't you go see what there is to eat?" I suggest. "I'm sure it's not all caviar and foie gras."

I'd glimpsed an enormous buffet-style banquet out in the main hall, piled high with plates of expensive, if not particularly appetising, foods.

He makes a face but gets to his feet. "I guess it's worth a try. You'll be okay alone?"

Never better, I thought, but smiled. "Of course. You're the one going into danger, if Barker's out there."

He gives an exaggerated shudder. "You want me to get you a plate, too?"

"No, thanks. I'll check it out later if you bring back anything good."

"Gotcha." Julian winks and then leaves me alone, shutting the door behind him as he goes.

Rather than return to reading, I close my eyes, rest my head against the back of my chair and let the book fall open on my lap. I can't relax if I think anyone might be watching me—even a close friend—so I take the opportunity now to try to unwind some of the thoughts tangled in my brain.

Before I can even begin, I hear a soft scratching sound and sit up, worried I might not be alone after all.

The room is empty, but the sound comes again—a faint, odd scraping noise—and I tilt my head, trying to pinpoint the direction of its source.

I listen, but hear nothing more. Mice, maybe; though Barker's house is hardly old enough to have mice—whatever he liked to pretend.

Leaning back against my chair, I pick up my book and find my place. I've barely read half a sentence when I hear it again—a soft, shuffling slide.