The two of us returned to the room and began getting ready for dinner. He tamed my messy hair before helping me into my suit from the ball. That was presentable enough, right? I then helped Lake dress. His movements were a bit stiff because of the wounds he claimed didn’t hurt.
“Remind me to kick your butt later,” I told him.
He turned his face away, but not before I caught a trace of his smile. The lying butthead. He was stubborn, just like our captain.
A while later, Fane came to retrieve us. Nerves bounced around in my rib cage as we followed him from the room and down the hall. Soon, we’d be with Lord Onyx. I only hoped we didn’t end the night flame roasted and with apples in our mouths.
Chapter Fifteen
To Eat or Be Eaten: That Is the Question
The demon lord’s castle was definitely haunted.
Glowing sconces that appeared to be floating in midair guided us down the long corridors, the only sound being the creaks in the floor as we walked. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as I caught dark shapes darting from the corner of my eye. The stone sculptures seemed to be watching us too.
I blamed all the horror movies I’d watched.
Lake and I followed Fane down a staircase before stepping into a parlor with paintings and more of the creepy busts with watching eyes. On top of the eeriness, the place was kind of dead. Not a single guard or servant in sight. No demonic knights in black clinking armor who wielded monstrous swords bigger than my entire body.
Because ghosts lived there instead? Wraiths, maybe. The ones who ate people. Onyx did warn me about things lurking in shadows that might want to tear into my soft flesh. I whipped my head around, looking in all directions.
Casper wouldn’t sneak up on me. I’d drop-kick the little jerk.
“Are you all right?” Lake whispered.
“Me?” I squeaked. “Yeah. I’m good. Totally fine and not creeped out even a little bit.”
Fane tossed me an annoyed glare over his shoulder before continuing forward.
Lake had impeccable senses and would’ve noticed any threats. He walked beside me, glancing at the paintings on the wall and the occasional vase. A plethora of tall candelabras lit each room, emphasizing the billowing cobwebs in the corners.
Fitting for a demon lord, I guess. Or Count Dracula.
“Are vampires real?” I randomly asked.
“Vampires?” Lake did that little head-cocking thing I freaking adored.
“Immortal beings who drink blood to survive and can’t go in the sunlight.”
Fane glanced back at me. “You’re speaking of the vampyr. A type of blood demon.”
“Holy crap. So they exist? Is Onyx one of them? Is that why he hides away all day, avoiding the sun?”
The demon frowned. “Lord Onyx is not a vampyr. He loves the sun. And he didn’t hide away all day. He was tending to matters of his realm. As our lord, he’s very busy. You should consider yourself honored to be invited to his dining chamber.”
“Oh.” Not paying attention, I accidently bumped into someone. “Oops, sorry.” Then I noticed it was only a bust. “Oh, I thought you were a person.”
Lake laughed.
“Why is Lord Onyx so busy?” I asked Fane, doing another sweep of our surroundings. “This place is empty. I’ve only seen him, you, and that red-horned lady.”
“Her name is Phantasia, not red-horned lady,” Fane snapped at me. “And she’s the reason your wolf lives, so show her the respect she deserves. Then again, humans are known to be selfish and cruel. Perhaps you lack the capacity for gratitude.”
That stung my heart. He wasn’t exactly wrong about humans, in both this world and the one I’d grown up in. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. Phantasia is a pretty name, and I think her horns are awesome.”
Fane’s ire simmered. “No, I’m the one who should apologize. Since your arrival, I’ve been… uneasy. And irritable. Forgive me.”
Uneasy? Around me?
