CHAPTER HUNDRED AND NINETEEN

The stairway was dimly lit, enveloping Veil in a dark glow as she walked down. Her initial plans were to go into the kitchen to take some warm milk before trying to fall asleep again. Her mother had used that when she found it difficult to fall asleep donkey years ago, and Veil was hoping that it would work again.

But when she reached the floor directly under hers, her feet refused to take the next flight of steps. Instead, they ushered her down the hallway, with her breath hitched in her throat and her pulse racing. She stopped in front of the door at the end of the hallway and took a deep breath.

With her hand poised above the door, Veil readied herself to knock when suddenly, the door gave way and pulled open before her. Her mouth hung slightly open as she stared at a shirtless Anders standing in front of her while her hands were still hanging in the air.

“Hi,” she breathed nervously, letting her hands drop to her sides. She took in deep bouts of air, but it did nothing to ca