Nathan's back was still to her when she asked.
"Sebastian? Why do you reek of blood?"
The question lingered in the air like a crack of thunder after a clear sky. For a moment, silence held the room captive. His hands, which had just pulled the doorknob froze, slowly dropped to his sides.
He turned.
Slowly.
Not too fast to raise suspicion.
Not too slow to suggest guilt.
The flicker of his dark eyes met hers, and a soft, amused smile played at the corner of his lips — a practiced smile, one Sebastian had likely used many times.
"I… don't?" he said lightly, lifting an arm to his face. He sniffed his sleeve, his brow furrowing in mock confusion. "Maybe the market? I passed by the butcher's on the way. The smell tends to stick."
Aurora didn't look convinced.
She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "No, it's stronger than that. I can smell it from here."
