I cherished my moments with her, even this one. Someday perhaps we could look back on this time and be proud that we made it. Go somewhere far away, where no one would ever find us, and we could live out what time I had left with her in peace. Those would be my favorite years.
It would not be long before Luka realized my company was missing from the main floors. I had to return sooner rather than later.
“It will all end soon, I promise,” I whispered, cupping her face before kissing her forehead. “Just a little longer... They will all suffer.”
The bottom floorsof the Nest were stuffy. It was like an Easter gathering every day. All wearing light and expensive clothing, giving the impression of purity and cleanliness despite the morbid reality of this congregation. How frivolous must it be tohave human meat stuck between your teeth while you wore your Sunday best?
There were flowers in every corner, elaborate displays on tables, vases along hallways and by the door—all to mask the metallic scent of blood.
It smelled more horrid than if they just kept the stench of bodily fluid. Besides, there was no need to keep up appearances for anyone out there. Pretending to be civil creatures was useless.
Servants bustled about preparing food, though most of it was not for the Vipera. Aside from Hosts, there were other imports prepared. Human meat was a booming trade for less developed tastes, but the Hosts were the staple. I suspected there were around twenty girls littered throughout the estate.
The house was bright, with lots of creams and light colors. It gave it an almost sterile feel.
This Nest held twenty families, including my own—though only my father remained within the walls. As modern as he liked to pretend the Nests were, they operated like courts of the romantic period. Maybe I would like the idea of a Nest more if it was not so callous. They pretended that their treatment of Hosts was fair and progressive, but they turned a blind eye to my father and his usual cruelties.
Cowards.
Everyone was supposedly on the same side—except the only side they took was their own.
I entered the kitchen intending to make a cup of coffee, but a particular dark-haired feral was taking up the room.
“Silas! Did all that roughhouse last night build up an appetite?” Luka grinned, his bruised face bringing a brief moment of joy to the bitter moment.
“Yes, now move,” I mumbled, moving beside him to pour some of the coffee from the siphon brewer on the counter. Icould still feel the scratches and bites he’d left on my shoulder when I moved my arm.
“How did she look this morning?” He smirked. “Did you see all those pretty marks I left on her? You should have seen her. She was magnificent.”
“Another word about her and I will be removing your tongue.”
“You want to putwhatin my mouth?” He raised his voice and caused a few eyes to glance our way.
“Be quiet,” I hissed, shoving him in the chest.
Some of the other Vipera looked our way, wary of us.
“Careful—you have no loyalists here. You are surrounded by some of the oldest Vipera you’ve ever known. Don’t give them a reason to get rid of you.” He raised his hands in surrender.
I backed down and returned to my cup of coffee, leaning against the counter as I sipped it. Focusing on the bitter taste was easier than trying to interrogate Luka with so many eyes on us. He was safe as long as the Nest was focused and intact.
“When is my father returning?”
“A fortnight, possibly.” Luka shrugged, leaning against the counter next to me. “Why? Nervous to see your old man?”
“No,” I said simply, becoming lost in thought.
“I am sure he will be delighted to hear that his son was sleeping with his Hostandthe Poisoner. It really should earn you some points with him,” he chimed sarcastically.
“He can’t possibly expect me to keep track of what things hethinksare his.”
“No, but it makes sense how you did not find her sooner.” Luka laughed. “Maybe he hid her away to protect her fromyou.”
“Nonsense.”
“He hid her in plain sight, right next to your fair sister.”
“Speak any more about either of them and I will not hesitate to make a scene.” My eyes snapped to him. “Phoebe is off-limits. Father will have your head if you meddle with his favorite.”
