The Sinner by Amanda Stevens Page B

trust no one.
    I could see the sun reflected in his eyes. Like his scent, the glow belied the darkness that I knew must thrive inside him. Those eyes were enticing and so mesmerizing it took me another moment before I managed to glance away.
    Kendrick stirred restlessly at my side, but he made no move to leave. It was as if something had rooted him to the spot, as well.
    We were all alone in the cemetery and the situation affected me on a surprisingly emotional level. Lucien Kendrick was the first man I’d been alone with since the last time Devlin and I had been together. Unless, of course, I counted Darius Goodwine’s visit, but I wouldn’t allow Darius to intrude upon the moment because I couldn’t afford a diversion. I needed to maintain my focus on Lucien Kendrick. I had to keep up my guard around him. Not because I thought he would try anything untoward. His behavior had been nothing but professional. It wasn’t even about my suspicions. I needed to stay alert and on guard because I suddenly found myself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by him.
    â€œNot a good idea,” Kendrick said.
    His response startled me. “What?” My hand flew to my neck as if the supernatural properties of Rose’s key could chase away my embarrassment. “What isn’t a good idea?”
    â€œBeing out here by yourself.” Those scintillating eyes took me in. I could feel the stroke of his gaze at my throat, on my shoulders and all down the length of my bare arms, making my fingertips tingle.
    His voice lowered, quickening my breath and triggering a dangerous response. “Like I said, you shouldn’t linger once the sun goes down. That’s when the monsters come out.”
    I knew about monsters. I knew about the dark, inhuman things that came calling once twilight fell.
    But I didn’t know if Lucien Kendrick was one of them.

Ten
    A fter Kendrick left, I locked all the gates and made sure my phone and pepper spray were well within reach. I wasn’t afraid, but I couldn’t deny a growing sense of unease. What if Kendrick was right? What if the killer thought that I had caught a glimpse of him?
    For all I knew, he could be watching me from the woods at that very moment, waiting for the chance to tie up a pesky loose end. What better time to strike than now, while I was alone in the cemetery? The nearest house was a quarter of a mile away and the road was completely deserted. No one would hear me scream.
    Not afraid, huh?
    I forced myself to take a deep breath as I picked up the scrub brush and ran a hand over the soft bristles. I had no reason to believe that I was a target. I hadn’t seen or heard anything to indicate that I was in danger, and despite Detective Kendrick’s supposition to the contrary, the killer wouldn’t have dared bring his victim through the cemetery in front of a witness. More than likely, the crime had been committed at night while I lay sleeping peacefully in my hammock. I had nothing to fear. The killer was long gone by now. Why would he hang around the cemetery when the police had only just left?
    But try as I might to calm my prickly nerves, I kept glancing up to check my surroundings. The sun was barely visible above the horizon. Soon the light would fade and dusk would fall. The ghosts would come out. So far I’d been able to keep the manifestations at bay with Rose’s key, but how long until Darius Goodwine’s prophecy came true? How long until I no longer had the means or the fortitude to protect myself? You’ll likely suffer the same fate as your great-grandmother unless...
    Unless I found her long-lost key. Darius had vowed to help me if I unmasked the killer, but it was a little too easy for him to make such a promise. He didn’t even want anyone to know that we’d spoken. He couldn’t get involved, he’d said. Because he wasn’t physically present or because he knew more than he wanted to