I drifted for a time, only coming back to myself when the doors banged open.
"There was no need for such drastic measures," a sly voice said.
"Such an insult to be taken from our beds in this manner. Our master will be displeased," another voice, identical to the first, drawled.
"You exaggerate. There were no beds involved," a gruff sounding man said. "And you barely put up a fight."
"That’s the only sensible course when faced with one such as you, Owen," the first said with amusement.
"We are delicate creatures," the second agreed. "It only made sense not to resist when there was little chance of escape."
An exasperated sound came from the man they were conversing with.
"Enough," Travis said. "This wouldn't have been necessary if you'd come when we put out the call."
"We are not dogs to answer a summons so prettily," One said.
"Nor are you the ruler of the Scattered," Two agreed.
As they spoke, I was starting to get an idea of who the two strangers were.
The twins. And it sounded like they weren’t here voluntarily.
I allowed myself an internal smile. Good. I hoped they were three times as annoying and creepy as when they interacted with me.
"Don't let your master's favor make you forget who you really are," Travis instructed. "You're the same as us. You answer when the call goes out."
"We forget nothing," the twins said in tandem. "Perhaps you are the one who forgets. Without the crown, the Scattered are leaderless. We have no ruler. By rights, there can be no call."
"Baran, Breandan, stop playing games," Callie ordered. "We have a chance to restore what we lost."
One of the twins circled into my line of sight, his expression filled with boredom.
"Perhaps we are happy with the current state of things and don't wish to return to the past," the one I couldn't see said.
"You may have landed with a lord who protects you, but many of us are still lost and adrift," Don chided.
Breandan glanced at me, puzzlement replaced by recognition.
"What is an Aileen statue doing in such a place?" he asked, tilting his head in an oddly birdlike manner.
Baran moved into view, his gaze fascinated. He came closer, tapping my cheek. It sounded hollow.
"She's the reason we called you," Callie said, appearing on my other side.
"We meet again, little vampire." Breandan looked me over, mirth dancing in his expression. "How did this happen?"
Callie's expression became uncomfortable. "She bit me and drank some of my blood."
Both twins stared at her before sharing a long look. They burst into laughter.
Still giggling, Breandan patted my cheek. "Silly, vampire. Why would you do such a foolish thing?"
I longed for the ability of speech. Not being able to voice my thoughts—especially when Fae were making fun of me—was a torture in and of itself.
Baran leaned over me and whispered, "Haven't you ever heard you are what you eat? You bite a creature that turns others to stone and it's little wonder when you find yourself becoming stone as well."
Breandan’s gaze was fascinated as he ran his hand down a part of me I couldn't see. "Arlan did say she was special, but I don't think he meant in quite this way."
