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I took Horse with me, and she seemed to be as happy as I was to be out. I rode her gently down the hill that led from the White Palace down to the city. The wind blew in my face. It was cold and promised to be bitter in a few weeks’ time. The snows would soon be here.
As a Rook, I was free to leave the palace whenever I wanted. I didn’t have to wait to have a few free hours every two weeks. Best of all, I didn’t have to tell anyone where I was going.
I didn’t have any particular place in mind. I just wanted to enjoy some time away, pretending I was free, even if there was yet another wall that kept me prisoner.
I thought of going to Alfil Park. I imagined Nyro waiting for me in the gazebo. It was a nice thought, but he wouldn’t be there today. In fact, we wouldn’t go looking for me for another twelve days... the next day off for Pawns.
The cobblestone road that descended from the White Palace gates deposited me on Square H5. Once there, I allowed Horse to go wherever she wanted and simply enjoyed the feel of the morning sun on my skin, grateful that the vampire blood in my system didn’t prevent me from enjoying sunlight—not yet anyway. Yesterday had been terrifying, a sure glimpse of what it would be like to become a creature of the night.
Horse crossed from square to square oblivious to their color. White or black made no difference. I felt oddly jealous of her. To me, everything in this city seemed two-toned, with no other shades in between.
I didn’t know how long I let Horse wander the city but—suddenly coming out of my own thoughts—I realized we’d made it all the way to Square B2. The square where I’d grown up, where Papa had died.
Since I’d left my home and joined the White Board, I hadn’t set foot back on B2, much less gone close to Flagfall House.
Horse’s hooves clopped as we made our way down the avenue. My old house came into view, and the sight of it nearly tore my heart straight out of my chest.
The two-story, brick house stood proud and tall as always. My eyes were drawn to its pitched roof and windows on the top level. Something seemed different about them, but I couldn’t tell from where I was.
As Horse trotted nearer, I took in the low stone wall that surrounded the property and the path that led to the front door. Weeds grew between the stones and piles of leaves covered the yard. And, at closer inspection, the window panes revealed the dirt and spider webs that covered them.
The house appeared completely abandoned. My heart broke in two. I clutched the saddle, fearing a swoon, a malady I’d thought I’d left in the past.
Tying Horse’s reins to the gate, I walked the path toward the front door, not caring who saw me. I rattled the knob, but the door was locked. I walked around the house, trying to peer through the clouded windows, but it was dark inside.
Once at the back door, I glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then forced the lock with the tip of my sword.
With a knot in my throat, I stepped into the kitchen and shut the door behind me. I stood frozen for a long moment, taking in the silence and the familiar sights around me.
Every surface was covered with a thick layer of dust and a terrible gloom seemed to drip from the walls. Something skittered underfoot, drawing my attention and making me jump.
A rat crossed from behind the cast-iron stove to the cupboard. My insides twisted in disgust as I thought of how horrified Louisa would be of the rodent. I vaguely wondered where our old cook might be now. Serving at another well-to-do household?
I walked further into the house, my boots heavy on the hardwood floors. As I went, I wondered why the house was empty. Hadn’t the King seized the property and all our assets to pay for Papa’s gambling debt?
Against my will, I made it to the parlor. The world stopped and filled entirely with the sound of my breaths and my frantic, broken heart.
Everything was as it’d been the night I left.
Dry blood stained the carpet and furniture. Maximus’s black handkerchief lay on the floor. Again, I saw it flutter through the air after he used it to wipe Papa’s blood from his murderous claws, a fallen flag of defeat and death.
I turned away and ran upstairs to my room, the way I’d done many times when I was young and upset about something. I nearly flung myself on the bed but managed to control myself.
I was not a little girl anymore.
I was a Rook with the blood of a murderous vampire running through my veins. There was no room for spoiled tantrums. That life of weakness was in the past and, sometimes, it felt as if it belonged to another person, not to a girl—no, a woman—who had killed a man to drain him of his blood.
A monster had undone my life, and it would take another monster to impart the punishment Maximus deserved.
I was well on my way to becoming what I needed to be.