In disbelief, I tap the link, and a pink pop-up appears.
What the fuck am I doing?
I pause for a moment to think. I’m running away because I don’t want to be forced into marriage, but Vince is a brute. The slavery I experienced at Father’s hands would be twice as bad with Vince. Not to mention, he’d probably keep me pregnant the whole time.
A shudder runs through me as I think about how that would happen. Vince creeps me out—he’d creep anyone out—but I can tell by the way he looks at me that physical encounters with him come with a heavy dose of pain.
Hello!
The chatbot opens by itself, the way some of them do if the screen is idle for a minute.
Hi, I type back.
Are you looking to be a bride for hire in Lycan Pass? We have many eligible bachelors waiting for a match, and all of them have been approved through our very strict standards. The safety of our brides is our highest priority!
That’s good, I reply, still skeptical.
Would you like to fill out an application? If you’re approved, we can send a first deposit to your account of choice—even before you’ve found a match! We want you to be well cared for from the get-go!
I think about the thirty bucks I have left in my pocket and just go straight to the application. I fully expect to be declined, so I go through it without much enthusiasm. Around me, the bar is getting quieter and darker as the hour grows late and people leave to go home.
I don’t have a fucking home. I can’t even remember what that feels like.
Thanks for giving us your information! I see your location is Gryphon Eyrie.The chat resumes immediately after I submit the form, and I stare at the screen for a moment, slightly creeped out.
Wait… I tapped “accept” to use my current location. Calm down, Lexa, they aren’t psychic.
Yes, I type back.
You’re approved for our match-making process! A starting fee will be deposited into your nominated account immediately. We’d like you to stay in Gryphon Eyrie for now, because a potential match is nearby. Does that sound okay to you?
I think about how I don’t want to stay still for too long in case my father and Vince catch up to me.
But if I’m married when they get here, they can’t fucking do anything! This is way better than slinking off into the snow and dying!
I’ll stay, I type back.
Excellent! I’ll text you with the next details as soon as I have them. Glad to have you on board, Lexa!
Still wondering what the hell I’ve done, I signal to the bartender. He should know of a cheap place to stay nearby.
I need to get settled in as quickly as possible, so I can spend the next ten hours agonizing over the decision I’ve just made.
Chapter 2 - Kit
Night falls slowly across the mountains, the horizon showing echoes of the sun’s light long after it set. Stars come out one by one, shimmering in the sky like chips of crystal. The perfect, deep blue of the sky is reflected by the surface of the lake, along with the glowing points of light.
I reach down and grab a small stone, skimming it along the flat surface with a twist of my wrist. The water is often clear and peaceful, a perfect mirror of the heavens. But tonight, it looks especially beautiful.
I really do love it out here.
It’s just the house I’m not crazy about.
Putting my hands in my pockets, I look across the lake to the manor on the other side. Three stories of carefully carved stone spread out in generous wings that sweep around a large, circular garden. A few of the windows have lights behind them. Still, the place doesn’t look especially welcoming or cozy.
It never has, because my grandparents lived here.
I shuffle a little, still watching the house. I came out here to relax, but now I just feel more agitated. I’m thinking about going for a run, but really, I know I’m just trying to avoid an uncomfortable subject.
