Free Cameo and the Highwayman (Trilogy of Shadows Book 2) by Dawn McCullough-White

She had never seen the stairs.
    Edel looked at her, somewhat amused by her previous threat and the current predicament she found herself in. “Need help?”
    * * * * *
    A tall, dark figure approached Opal, and at first he wasn’t quite certain who it was, so he pulled his pistol.
    The silhouette moved nearer; it had a graceful gait.
    The horse’s eyes widened, and it began to paw the ground anxiously. Then the form moved into the moonlight, revealing itself to be Cameo. She was just strolling over to him as if she didn’t have a care in the world, and she looked so lovely with the snow falling into her hair.
    Opal stashed his pistol in his belt and leapt to the ground.
    She was amazed by how magnificent he looked. He was wearing some of the silk clothing from Derbec’s suitcase, which was fit for the royal family. The shirt sparkled with crystals adoring the cream-colored collar, and the jacket of purple velvet peeked out of his black duster. He was caught in the cool light of the moon and the gently falling snow.
    The gelding was spooking because she had come out to greet him. Animals never felt comfortable around her, or at least not since Haffef had infected her with his bite.
    The dandy hurriedly tied the horse and moved toward her. “My dearest.”
    His voice was full of worry, and she wanted to cry, and to smile and to have him hold her. It was just so good to see him again. She settled for a little smile.
    “Are you alright?” He touched her shoulders lightly. “Kyrian said you were here, and I hardly believed.... He said there was another undead here.”
    Cameo saw the golden sun pendant reflect the moon’s light. “There is. It’s the other vampire I told you about. He’s taken Ivy’s bones, and I guess he decided to take me as well.”
    Opal was trying to guide her toward the horse.
    “Horses fear me.”
    “Well, we will simply walk back to the Port of Villoise,” he said, holding his head high in defiance.
    “I can’t leave.”
    “What do you mean? I don’t see anyone around. We should go now.” He took a step forward, but realized she had not.
    “He has me hypnotized. I cannot leave.”
    Opal took a step toward her.
    “You look nice.”
    He carefully moved her hair from her shoulders, examining her neck. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
    Cameo touched her throat absently, not quite certain. “No. Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
    “There are more pressing matters, don’t you think?”
    She smiled at him thoughtfully.
    “I will take you out of this place. He hasn’t placed any restrictions on me.”
    “You can’t.”
    “And why not?” Snow fell from the brim of his rather outlandish hat.
    “Because I can’t leave, and there’s no way you can force me to do something I won’t allow you to do. So you see, I can never leave this place.”
    For a moment the dandy was speechless. She was right. She was stronger than him, she was supernatural in nature, and he was only a human; there was nothing he could do to save her. She wouldn’t allow herself to be saved.
    “Never? But what about your master? Won’t he free you?”
    She sighed sadly, then met his gaze. “Do you want to come inside for a little while?”
    Opal looked up at the snow speckled windows. “Inside with the vampire?”
    “He gave me his word that he wouldn’t harm you.”
    “Inside the palace.”
    She thought he seemed a bit paler than usual, although it might’ve been the snow or the makeup.
    Opal was wishing he had taken Kyrian’s advice and come during the daylight. “Is this something you two planned?”
    Cameo took a step back. “I must go.”
    “Wait! What?” He grabbed her arm. “You haven’t said that to me in so long. I thought you had gotten used to the idea that I was your partner.”
    She took a look at him, memorizing each detail. “Goodbye.”
    He watched her turn and go; her form turning back into that silhouette and disappearing from sight. “Cameo, wait!”
    * * * * *
    Edel