True. But I’d still make the same choice.
I ease into the bed, exhaustion setting in. It requires great effort to remain awake during the day.
Second thuds his head against the door and shuts his eyes. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
I snort. “Me neither.”
“But I’m also so fucking ready,” he says as I stare at my closest friend.
“Me too.”
Second’s torso bounces as the door knocks him forward, and he’s on his feet before I can track him, shoving the door outward and breaking it from its hinges. He pushes the slab of wood into the hall with whoever is on the other side of it.
“I didn’t mean any offense, sir!” a female yells, voice muffled.
I leap, daggers in hand, to the center of the room to get a look into the hallway, now crowded with our entire party.
Second has the vampire pressed against the wall, body squished between plaster and wood. “You shoved your way into our room. Pretty offensive in a sleeping house,” Second growls.
“I’m starving. I’m sorry,” she pleads, her fire-red hair falling into her eyes. “I tried to control myself, I swear it.”
I let my daggers dangle at my sides.
“Are you in control now?” I ask, and her panicked, green-eyed gaze flicks to mine.
She nods, peering over the door in her chest.
“Release her,” I command, and Second steps back, dragging the door in one hand with him.
The wood scrapes against the floor as the female fidgets with her ratty clothing, skinny fingers shaking.
“I saw the carriages and knew there would be blood somewhere in this inn.” She shakes her head at herself, eyes locked on mine now. “I’m not usually this person.”
“Why are you starving?” I ask.
She sighs, slumping against the wall. “I refused to participate in the taxes in Goreon City. And so I was banished, but there’s no easy way out of Goreon anymore.”
My eyes narrow. “What are the taxes?”
“We have to turn in one human per month to the king.”
Oh my gods.
Emmanuel spits on the ground, and Second tosses the door into our room.
Charlotte approaches the female. “Come on, I’ll get you something to eat. And you need a new dress,” she offers kindly. “I’m Charlotte.”
“I’m Penny.”
They disappear down the hall to Charlotte’s room.
“What the fuck,” Second hisses. “When did that start?”
I scrub at my face. “I’m guessing Penny can tell us.”
Emmanuel sheathes his dagger. “What are we doing with this woman?”
“We could send her to the wall with one of the guards,” I suggest.
