“There are other ways,” Cyrus answers. His voice sounds as angry as I feel.
“Where did the steak come from?” Simon’s familiar voice asks. Anxiety fills his words.
Doris laughs, standing to her feet. “I purchased them from the butcher this afternoon and cooked them myself.”
“I apologize if seeing Doris tied up was upsetting to you,” Terrin says. His voice and cadence remind me of a soldier. He wraps his tiny arms around her waist, helping her to the table. “How did you end up on the floor?” he asks.
“I fell,” she answers with a laugh. “I managed to make it to the corner before this beautiful young woman found me.”
The hunger pangs that sent me into the kitchen have subsided and been replaced with a sickening feeling. “Thank you for dinner,” I say, not sure what words are appropriate.
“You are most welcome, dear. I wish I had enough in me for seconds, but you’ll have to give me a few days first.”
“We had plenty,” Cyrus answers for me.
“Terrin? Would you help me upstairs? I think I’d like to lie down.” The older woman stands.
“Of course,” he answers, wrapping his arm around her waist and helping her up a set of stairs leading away from the kitchen. The rest of us stand in silence, watching the spectacle in front of us.
“Well,” Lucien says, clapping his hands. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’d like to finish my meal.” He motions toward the swinging door. “Shall we?”
Being a vampire sucks. I fight the tears threatening to fall. Something about seeing the woman whose blood I just drank sickens me. Cyrus slides the palm of his hand into the small of my back, ushering me through the door and back into the living room.
I sit in silence as the lycan and warlock finish their meals. Terrin returns not long afterward, and I contemplate running and never returning. Cyrus seems to sense my turmoil, keeping a hand on my shoulder, chair, or arm at all times. I scoff silently. Where does he think I would go? Back to Harrison? I have no one.Sitting in a room, surrounded by people, I’ve never felt more alone.
“Violet?” Stella says from across the table.
I look up, realizing I’ve been in my head and missed the conversation. “Hmm?” I ask.
“What do you think about their plan?”
My eyes feel huge. “What plan?” I suddenly feel very dumb.
Stella looks confused. “Have you been listening? The plan to kill Callum.”
I turn toward Cyrus. “You’re going to do it?”
He looks down at the neatly folded napkin sitting in his lap. “Yes. It’s the only way to protect you and Terrin. After he’s gone, Lucien will remove Aurora’s curse.”
I make eye contact with each person at the table. “Is that what being whatever we are…is?” I slam my hands down on the table, making the dishes rattle. “Is my entire life going to consist of mind games and killing?” I turn toward our host. “You could take the curse from Cyrus easily, but instead, you chose to play yet another game. Forcing him to murder someone to free himself. What kind of plan is that?” I stand, throwing my napkin on top of my placemat.
“Before you continue to climb on that high horse, Violet,” Lucien says, matching my energy, “you need to remember that you are not human anymore. The rules of that world don’t apply to the paranormal world. Here, it’s kill or be killed.” He stands. “You are youngand unaware. You have no idea how the politics of this world work.”
“Lucien,” Cyrus warns from beside me.
“Cyrus, Terrin, and I have lived more life than you can imagine. We hold more secrets than anyone should know.” He moves away from his seat, toward me. “Do not mistake your naivety for bravery, young one. There are far worse things in this world than Callum and Aurora. They are mere bumps in the road.”
“Doris…she…she…” I start.
“Doris is here because she wants to be here. She takes great pleasure in caring for Terrin. She has never been, nor will she ever be forced to do something she doesn’t want to do,” he retorts.
“That’s enough,” Cyrus says.
“I quite agree,” Lucien answers. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to smoke.” He disappears through the swinging door, leaving Terrin with us.
“Are you okay?” Cyrus asks.
I nod. “Yes. I…I don’t know what came over me.”
