Chapter 63

MALACHI Morning, sweet girl. Are you awake yet? Yes, she says in reply. Even the voice in her head is seductive, and I close my eyes and imagine her warm breath on my face. Since Ophelia started living at the house with us, we have all spent the night in the same bed, usually Axl’s, unwilling to be parted from her any longer than necessary. Waking up to her sweet smile and her soft little body curled up against mine makes sleeping a much more pleasant activity than it’s ever been before. And that only makes the absence of her in our bed this morning all the more acute. Meet me in the kitchen? she adds. I’m there. I throw back the covers and jump out of bed, leaving Xavier snoring softly and Axl grumbling quietly in his sleep. I take the stairs two at a time, and a few seconds later, I’m in the kitchen waiting for her. I stare at the door that leads to Alexandros’s quarters, the part of the house that contains his bedroom and study, my breath held in anticipation as I wait for her to wa