Page 100 of Dark Soul

She should feel glad about all that.

She should feel something, but instead, all she felt was the emptiness of the years ahead.

She sat on the small, rickety table on the balcony, looking out at the town. Two stories below, people walked by, some moving quickly, with a sense of purpose, others more slowly, as if they had all the time in the world.

Alexia wished she were a smoker, so she’d have something to hold in her shaking hands.

The doorbell rang. She considered ignoring it, but a part of her couldn’t stand thinking it might be Dark looking for her.

It wasn’t.

She tried not to scowl at Thorne.

“I told you to order anything you wanted from room service,” he said, looking her up and down. “It doesn’t look like you’ve had anything to eat since yesterday.”

Alexia squared her shoulders. “So what if I haven’t? Maybe I’m on a diet,” she quipped, realizing she sounded like an immature teenager. This man wasn’t to blame for her problems.

“Come,” he said, pointing towards the elevator. “I’ll take you out to eat something.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said, not moving an inch. She wasn’t afraid of Thorne—something told her the man would never hurt her—but she was tired of being ordered around.

She was on her own now, and the sooner she figured out how to deal with it, the better off she’d be.

“I think you should come with me, Miss Miller.” And then he let the bomb fall. “It might help you understand Luke Dark better.”

Damn, he’s good.

She moved forward so quickly, she ended up standing in the middle of the hallway in her socks. Thankfully, the key card was in her pocket and she was able to let herself back in. She quickly pulled on her boots, blushing hard.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s a small vegetarian restaurant around the corner. I think you’ll like it.”

“I’m not a vegetarian,” she said automatically.

“No, but I am. I’ve heard great things about it, regardless.”

They were offered a round table in a corner that looked like it could seat six people comfortably. Though the restaurant was almost empty, it didn’t surprise her when Thorne sat with his back to the wall, facing the doorway.

Ten minutes later, they were digging into a meal of hummus and crackers, freshly made falafel, sesame pancakes, and a soy-flavored broccoli salad.

Thorne ate with gusto, looking up every so often to make sure she was eating as well.

And she was.

The first bite had made her realize just how hungry he was, and the food was delicious. Particularly those sesame pancakes. She wondered if she’d be able to replicate the dish at home, and if Dark—

No.

She wasn’t going to think of Dark.

Dark had made it clear she shouldn’t think of him.

He didn’t just let me go.

He pushed me away.

Thorne cleared his throat as he carefully wiped his fingers off on one of the white paper napkins.