*Ainslee*
“Why didn’t he just reveal himself to me in the middle of the night?” I ask Zeke as I sit in front of him on his horse. His arms are around me, but only so he can reach the reins. It’s a little uncomfortable, but we are getting to be decent friends, I suppose, so it doesn’t bother me too much.
“He couldn’t tell you without striking panic in your friends who would’ve flown out of the crypt and ended up captured by the likes of Kris,” he tells me. I can tell by the way he’s talking he doesn’t want to be the one who explains this to me and answers all my questions. He keeps sighing, urging the horse to go faster. I don’t know why I’m not on the same transport vehicles as the other feeders. That is what I am now, after all. But I have decided not to ask that question when there are so many others I need answers to.
“Why even hide in the first place? He could’ve just grabbed me in the woods.” None of it makes sense to me. None of it.
And nothing Zeke says helps either. “He had his reasons, Ainslee. I know it’s hard for you to trust people in leadership positions because the only ones you’ve ever known are real assholes, but Rafe isn’t, despite what you might think. You can trust him.”
“Easy for you to say. You’ll get to go home and sleep in your own bed tonight. Wait—do vampires sleep?” I turn to look at him but can only see his chin we’re so close together, so I turn back around.
“A little. We do pretty much the same things you do, just in moderation,” he explains. “And some things you don’t do.”
“Like drink blood.” That’s the obvious one. I’m not sure what else there is, but I’m sure there are other differences.
“And we only have one form, unlike you,” he adds.
“Well, I’m not old enough to shift, and even if I was, I don’t think I’m strong enough. I was shocked to see those wolves running through the woods last night. I haven’t seen wolves in so long.”
“Yeah, that was something else. Two of them made it out, too,” he tells me. “Ten people. That’s a lot for one culling. Axel probably won’t like it, but I think Rafe is making things more fair for the shifters, and that will go a long way toward winning their respect.”
I scoff. “He can’t win our respect as long as we are starving and living under the hands of tyrants. Besides, you are taxing us to death,” I remind him. I’ve already had this discussion with him.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Ainslee. It’s actually the Blacks that are doing that in your town and several allied mayors in others. We had no idea things were that bad until we visited you. Well, Axel might’ve known. Kris might’ve even known, but I didn’t. And Rafe didn’t.”
“Really?” Once again, I wish I could see his face, but I can’t, so I don’t turn around. “Shouldn’t Rafe have known? He’s the prince.”
“Not his department.” That’s all he has to say.
I’m not sure that’s a satisfactory answer for me, but at the moment, I don’t care. I see the castle in the distance, and my eyes widen. I’ve never seen such a ginormous building in my life. It’s beautiful, the gray stone silhouetted against the morning sky, beams of gold and yellow toward the bottom, at the horizon line, with a band of blue beginning to appear at the top.
“I can’t believe how huge the castle is.” There are more towers and spires than I can count, and the side of it stretches back forever. I imagine I would get lost in a place like this if I were free to run around.
But I won’t be, so it doesn’t matter.
“King Axel wanted a grand home, and I guess he got it. He also needed something out enemies couldn’t easily take.”
“Enemies?” I’m not sure who he’s referring to, but I know he can’t be talking about us. Half-starved shifters aren’t a threat to anyone.
“Tormentia. Warfang. Possibly even Rallergard and Astaria if they want to stir up trouble,” he explains.
I think that over. Were the lycans and fae our enemies or friends? I had never stopped to think about it before, but I suppose it’s all about relationships.
Zeke’s white horse snorts as we start up the path to the castle. I’ve learned a lot on this ride, but not enough. I have so many unanswered questions. Zeke won’t tell me more than he already has, though, and I don’t want to push him because he’s a good guy, and it’s not fair to make him explain everything Rafe—who is not a good guy—does.
At the castle, Zeke gets off first. We are met by some staff members in uniforms that are different than the guards I’ve seen, so I don’t know who they are. I am filthy and smell awful, I realize, and slightly embarrassed to be seen by anyone. I suppose it won’t matter in the feeder dungeon.
Zeke helps me down, lifting me like I weigh nothing, and he takes my arm, like I’m some sort of princess or something and leads me into Shadowmanor.
“Welcome home, my lady.” He smirks at me, and I arch an eyebrow. I suppose he’s trying to be cute. Or polite. Maybe even funny. But it’s really not any of those things because this is my home now, but I don’t want to be here.
A few people speak to him as he walks in, telling him they did such and such, etc. He nods and thanks them when necessary but doesn’t slow down. They step out of the way. Whenever servants see us, they stop, some tipping their heads to him. It’s impressive, really. This is probably what we are supposed to do when we see the prince—not shout at him and call him an asshole.
As we walk along, I am hopeful I will get to see Annamarie soon. I’m sad that she’s here, along with several other people from my town, but I would like to see their familiar faces, if that’s allowed. At least they are on the transport vehicle together. I got here faster, I’m guessing.
“Do they allow showers?” I ask Zeke as we walk down the hallway toward a staircase. It leads both up and down. I assume we are going down.
“In the feeders’ quarters? Yes, of course.” He chuckles. “It’s not as bad as you’ve heard. And Prince Rafe has made improvements recently as well.”
I sigh in relief and decide not to ask any more questions—like will I be given a fresh change of clothing. That seems dumb now that he’s said I can shower. Why would I shower and put this tattered dress and cloak back on?
We go up the stairs, which catches me off guard. I keep my mouth shut, deciding I’d better get used to it since I am under their control now. Rafe and Zeke might think it’s nice in the feeders’ quarters, but I’m guessing they don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. There could be mean guards. I’d better learn not to be so sassy all the time.
We continue to go up until we come to what I think might be the fourth floor. I’m tired from so much running and hiding, so I’m relieved we aren’t going higher. “Why are the feeders kept on this floor?” I ask him.
Zeke sighs. He’s tired of all my questions. He shakes his head. “They’re not.”
I don’t understand, but I follow him down a hallway, across white marble floors, past busts and other fine works of art on stands and hanging on the wall. We come to a grand looking door, and he reaches into his pocket, producing a keyring. He lets go of my arm to unlock it and pushes it open to reveal the most opulent bedroom I’ve ever seen.
Confused, I stand there dumbfounded, before asking the obvious, “Why did you bring me to your bedroom, Zeke?” Maybe I’ve completely misread him, and he’s not nearly the polite, well-mannered, helpful man I’ve thought he was. The idea that someone might have their way with me in this castle hadn’t even crossed my mind until now.
Or maybe he’s going to suck my blood?
Shaking his head, he looks at me like I am the dumbest person in the world. “This isn’t my bedroom, Ainslee.”
“Then whose is it?” I ask the question, but I’m afraid I already know the answer.
Could it be… Rafe’s?