Page 170 of The Harbinger

Make it painless.

31 December 2018

I’m not ready. Give me another year.

31 December 2019

Papa, please. Don’t let them do this.

I slammed the book closed, forgoing reading the entries of the last three years.

What the hell was this?

My heart thumped like a jackhammer as my trembling finger traced the supple leather binding, urging me to peek before I finally gave in and flipped open the cover.

31 December 1525

Before I could translate, the door cracked open.

My heart jumped into my throat as I slammed the book closed, then shoved it into the seat beside me as though I weren’t allowed to touch it.

Ruslan stepped inside, and my stomach dropped like a lead weight. Beads of sweat erupted along my forehead, and a sickening sensation overwhelmed me, causing my teeth to ache with the urge to vomit.

“I was hoping to find you here.”

With a soft click, he shut the door behind him and strode into my room. His broad shoulders swayed with a mesmerizing swagger fit for a king.

“You shouldn’t be in here.”

“No? My late wife may have left this house to our son, but it’s mine just the same.”

“What…What do you want?” My voice wavered as he stepped closer.

“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, of course.”

His lips curved into a deceitful grin, sending a shiver down my spine. “Fuss about what?”

“You.”

“I’m no one special.” I sat back in my chair, crossed my leg over my knee, and held the dictionary tight to my chest.

He lowered himself into the chair Sacha occupied during his visits and spread his legs wide, commanding the area around us.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Whispers in the wind tell me you’re not just any ordinary person.” His accent grew a little thicker as he narrowed his gaze. “You’re something else entirely. Someone exceptional, perhaps?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and when I didn’t respond, he continued, “Are you learning the language?” He pointed to the dictionary I strangled.

I could only nod.

“How’s it going so far?”

I cleared my throat. “It’s difficult having to teach yourself.”

“Hmm.” He sat back in his seat and inhaled as he glanced at the door. “So I take it you’renota college student studying botany?”

I gulped and followed his line of sight.Come on, Sacha, just walk through the door.“Not really.”

“And what are you really doing here?”

“Visiting.”