“Are they slaves? Are they bitten… duringsex?” I whispered the last word.
“Slaves exist, but not legally. In most establishments the humans are treated fairly and paid well. There are limits to how many times they can be bitten in one day. It’s quite an advantage for a sex worker to have magic flowing through their veins. They never want for customers.” He gave a low laugh as he watched me squirm.
I resisted the urge to slap him in his obnoxiously handsome face. “You’re a brute,” I huffed.
“And mybrother’s not?”
I eyed Galen who was still talking to Isla and huffed again. “He at least pretends to be a gentleman.”
He gave a crooked smile. “Is that your type, then? Charm over substance?”
I gave him an incredulous look. “At the moment, my type isanyonebut you.”
He laughed, shaking the hair from his eyes, like a shaggydog. I became very focused on the peas on my plate and avoided his gaze until he took the hint and fell into conversation with Louis.
He had no decency. How dare he pick on his brother—who’d been there for me, when no one else had. Andsix gods… the way he smelled. I felt flustered.Annoyed. He was obviously full of dark magic and I was an easy target—a sitting duck.
Had he been casting a spell on me while I answered his intrusive questions? I wouldn’t put it past him. I made a mental note to be more careful around him from now on.
Through the rest of dinner, I listened to idle chatter, hoping to learn more about the Fae. I was disheartened to find a lack of substance that echoed of dinners back home. Easily a thousand years between them, yet discussing the same empty topics. Mostly gossip.
Perhaps they were holding back on my account, but I suspected a simpler explanation; humans and faeries were all the same deep down. And then there was me. Born to be an outcast. An orphan. Alone.
This realization caused a feeling of profound sadness that left me in a fog through the remaining courses. I didn’t look at Galen again, but I could feel his stare burning into me.
The last course was not a dessert, but a beverage. A golden goblet, holding a thick red liquid, was placed in front of each person. I didn’t have to guess what it was. The metallic smell hit me and it took all my willpower not to gag.
“My favorite course!” Arnold looked positively gleeful as he sniffed at his cup and took a generous sip. He smiled at the Queen with teeth coated in blood.
I was nauseous—paralyzed—unable to wake myself from this nightmare. I didn’t dare look up to see if the brothers were drinking theirs. With the shortage, I assumed not a drop was to be wasted. Rafael subtly poured my cup into his. I looked at him in surprise and he shrugged.
When we were finally excused, I raced for my room, while Robert followed. I’d avoided Sylvia. I’d successfully ignored Galen as well. And yet, my gut twisted every time he crossed my mind, which wastoo often. Would Isla be the one he pinned against a door tonight?
Back in my bedroom, I curled up in a sunken chair, wallowing as I digested the food and conversation from dinner. I’d survived my first meal with the entire family. Arnold had revealed himself to be a monster, taking pride in his hatred for humans—wearing it like a badge of honor.
Their curse was gruesome. They sipped on human blood like adigestif.I felt suddenly cold, despite the roaring fire that crackled in front of me. Arnold’s family had been murdered by my kind, if what he said was true, but the anger he clung to was potent and dangerous. He wanted blood, for reasons beyond magic. He wantedrevenge.
A jarring knock ripped me from my thoughts. I almost got up to open it, before I remembered I was locked in.
“It’s Louis,” I heard through the door. I invited him in, not bothering to move from my seat. “Sorry to disturb you, I—”
“You didn’t bring wine?” I interrupted, gesturing for him to stop right where he was.
He laughed and disappeared, returning several minutes later with a bottle and two glasses. I thanked him with a wide grin. “Have they been keeping you locked in here?” he asked in a way that suggested he cared about my welfare.
“Yes and no. I had a meeting with your mother this morning. She’slovely."
He grimaced. “I apologize on her behalf. She doesn’t have many redeemable qualities, I’m afraid. Be thankful she’s notyourmother.”
I gave him an apologetic look before turning back towards the hearth. “Come sit down. And bring the wine.”
“You’re lucky I’m used to being bossed around.” He gave me a lop-sided smile before plopping down beside me. “I’m sorry I didn’t check on you sooner. I thought Galen was taking care of you, but when I sawthat Isla had arrived, I realized he’s probably been busy entertaining her. Are you doing alright?”
I wanted to let out a ferocious growl like the one I’d heard Galen use the other day, but instead I said, “I’m alive. I’m not in a dungeon. No one has taken a bite out of me. I suppose, all things considered, I should be grateful.”
“You don’t have to begratefulfor any part of your situation. I’m sorry you’ve become part of something bigger than any of us. She won’t let you go… now that she knows what you are.”
“Why did Galen tell her? Did any of you consider helping me get back to my world before handing me over to her?” I turned to him, daggers in my eyes. All of the wine tonight had made me bold.
