“I didn’t mind.” It’s more honest than I should be, but Grace only scoffs.
“Iminded,” she snaps. “I’m here because of you. You stole me from my life. You’re keeping me here, and no matter what you say, I already know…You’re going to use me just like you use those bloodletters. Strip me naked and cut my flesh, drink from me until there’s nothing left.”
“No one is going to touch you, Grace,” I say. My voice is a rough growl. “I know I can’t give you what you want. I can’t let you go. But Iswear, I am not going to kill you. All right? Once this is over, you’re free. I promise.”
A lone tear streaks down her cheek. We came here immediately after she showered. She’s not wearing makeup, and her exhaustion shines without it.
“What do you want me to do?” I ask. There’s an unpleasant burning sensation in my chest. I can’t explain it.It’s not because I feelbad. I don’t feel bad. I’m not sure I have in my centuries of existence.
“I don’t know,” she says. She sounds as tired as I feel. She’s still avoiding my gaze as she rises, but I catch a glimpse of her eyes. Pale blue, like ice, like the frigid depths of winter.
She wordlessly crosses the courtyard. I’m a step behind her, hands in my pockets. It’s still early, so most of the house is tucked away in their rooms. Vampires don’t need sleep, but ever since the curse, many of them do. They live their lives during the night hours, only to sleep once the sun rises.
We easily maneuver through the hallways, and I let Grace lead most of the way. It is only when we near Cora’s wing that I press a hand to her lower back. She stops, looking over her shoulder at me.
Through the window, the sun shines on her blonde hair, making it almost white. Stunningly, stupidly beautiful.
“What?” she asks. Molten, fire-dipped blue stares at me, daring me to pick a fight. Inexplicably, I’m tempted. I prefer this, thisanger, over the withdrawn, absent hue.
“Do you want to see?” I ask.
She raises an eyebrow.
“The bloodletters,” I clarify. I work my jaw, questioning my own sanity, but pressing forward anyway. “If you want, I’ll show you them. They’re not stripped naked. They’re not devoured alive. It’s a transaction. Controlled. Safe. Efficient. They’re all paid, all here by their own volition.”
She swallows, and her gaze drifts toward the nearest windows. I want to ask what she’s thinking. Is she pretending she’s somewhere far from this horrible place, far fromme?
“We have to feed,” I tell her, as if she doesn’t know this. I’m sure she can hear the desperate, almost frantic tone inmy voice, so I squash it. Guilt, shame, is for the weak. I am many things, but I am not weak. “We need blood or we’ll die. But we’re not monsters.”
Not anymore, I add silently.Not since the witches stole that option.
“Okay,” she says.
I let out a sharp breath. This is good—it’s what I wanted, after all. And still, the stupidity of it catches up to me, only moments behind the relief.
“You stay by my side,” I say once we start moving.
We’re headed for the southeastern wing. A good number of followers reside on the second and third floor, but the main level is reserved for feeding. At this hour, it should be quiet. Bellies should be full, bloodletters should be packing up for the day.
“If it’s too much, you tell me,” I say. My hand finds the small of her back, even as my eyes study our surroundings. “If the sight of blood makes you pass out, tell me now.”
“Give me a little credit,” she says, scoffing. She falls quiet after that though, fingers fussing with her shorts as we arrive at a single wooden door. It’s small, unassuming to anyone who doesn’t reside here. Any vampire would know what’s on the other side though, regardless of whether they’ve visited.
I take a final breath, holding the air in my chest. I’ve been drinking far too much blood for the smell to trigger me, but I’m not taking chances with Grace at my side. I tighten my hand, clenching the loose fabric of her shirt in my fist. A sliver of her skin brushes my finger, and a jolt of electricity zips through me.
Focus.
“Only a glimpse,” I tell her. “It’s too dangerous to linger. Understood?”
She nods, face solemn, terrified.
“I won’t let anyone touch you,” I say.
I don’t wait for her response. I push the door, letting it fall open on its own accord. Though Grace attempts to walk inside, I keep us in the doorway, my hand a tight fist against her back.
“From here,” I whisper.
She looks at me. I wait for an eye roll or a glare, but only get another nod. She leans forward, craning her neck to study the room.
