“Very well. I’ve made a copy of the map, so this one is yours to take. I wish you well on your journey.” He tipped his head down. His eyes peered over his spectacles as if he were already looking at two ghosts.
I yelped as a black mass pounced onto my lap and leapt to the ground before my feet. The cat’s back arched up into a cashew. Its fur was poofed out and jagged as its pupils swallowed up its golden irises. A low growl fit for the underworld emanated from the angry puffball.
“Terribly sorry. Soot is usually quite fond of everyone.”
Animals always had an odd aversion to me. Now I was beginning to understand why.
“It’s alright.” I eyed the cat as I carefully slid out of the chair, making my way towards the door. Sebastian grabbed the map, rolling it up and tucking it within his coat.
We gave our thanks and quickly departed.
“It’s quite telling of someone when an animal doesn’t like them.” He eyed me suspiciously.
“Perhaps, it could scent the demon in me,” I sniped.
He nodded as he mulled it over. “Perhaps.”
I lowered my voice. “You could have told me we needed fake names or given me even just the slightest bit of preparation for that encounter.”
“You need to learn how to be quick on your feet, killer. Now that we are working together, you must know how to improvise.”
I forced out a huff of air. “What if I had given him my real name before you were able to grant me such a lovely new one?”
“That is not what happened. You must learn to trust me.”
“Can’t you at least agree to prepare me from now on?”
“Yes, I’ll prepare you, Charlotte.” His voice deepened. He laid out each word slowly and precisely. His dark eyes slid over to me as we walked down the street. I eyed him back and frowned, slightly confused with his change in demeanor.
Once we arrived back in his home, I asked what I had been thinking the entire time with Gregor. “He seemed to be a collector of knowledge. How come he didn’t know anything of the portal or what the witches know?”
“Not even he could secure that knowledge. The witches are scorned and refuse to tell the humans anything.”
“Do you have witches in your world?”
“We call them high priestesses, and they know just about what we know. I’m hoping this witch will know more.”
“And how do we know she will even tell us anything?”
“If she doesn’t want to speak to any humans, maybe a vampire will do.” He winked and disappeared up the stairs.
He returned in his Society uniform. The carriage was already waiting for us outside. Once we arrived back at the manor, he told me to prepare for a long journey tomorrow. It would take about a day to get to the witch and a day to return.
As I entered my darkened room, I froze. The door shut softly behind me on its own. Alaric stood before me. His body was relaxed, his hands casually in his pockets. A darkness lurked beneath his blank expression, and something else, like disappointment. He took slow steps towards me. I couldn’t move.
“There is one thing you must learn, sweet dove, and I suggest you learn it quickly. I do not make empty threats.”
CHAPTER NINE
I had thought about this day since I was a child. Had feared its fruition and given so much precious time to how it would play out. It was the death that I saw for myself because it was the most likely. But what truly terrified me was not the bite with venom. That was what would bring me to death’s doorstep, but it was not what would push me through the threshold. No, my father would do that.
And after all the time I had given to fear, once it all finally happened, it all happened so fast. And I deliberated what was more painful. The decades that fear took or the measly second it took for the teeth to sink in. And as all those years crashed down upon me, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had missed preparing for this moment that seemed almost insignificant now.
Alaric’s hand was entangled within my hair so tightly tears stung my eyes. He held my throat up to his mouth. His other arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me flush against him. I knew a part of me snapped as I leaned into him. My life was over now, but he could take me away. Far from Kilthorne, far from my father, far from all who would see me as a demon now.
But he left me.
I crumpled to the floor at the cold, empty space. And as the venom spread through my veins, the pain rooted deep. And I couldn’t stop the scream as the fire ravaged my body. The door burst open. My mother fled through along with the waxing glow of the hall that slipped in with her. She stopped cold as she saw me clutching my throat. The warmth bled through my fingers in rivulets that spilled over dotting the floor.
