bChapter /b19

ra

I’d be lying if bI /bsaid that after the screams, sleep came to me as if nothing had happened. The truth is that both rissa and Naida fell asleep on either side of me, and I stayed there with my beyes /bwide open like an owl. Almost afraid to blink, thinking that millisecond might be enough for Cassian to appear at the foot of my bed.

+15

That’s why today I’m up much earlier than usual. bIt’s /bjust dawn, and I’m already in the gardens, wandering from one side to the other, nervous, restless. It’s no surprise that Drystan is about ten steps behind me, always watchful. A part of the gardens bis /bpletely off–limits to feeders, just like the bwest /bwing of the castle. I can’t help but walk very close to the boundaries, trying to catch a glimpse of something. There arerge stone statues where vegetation has grown over the years. One of them catches my attention–it’s incredibly beautiful and sinister at the same time. A woman with parted thighs in a sensual poseb, /bstraddling a stone seat. She has generous breastsb, /bscandalous curves, and two twisted horns protruding from her head.

“You shouldn’t get bso /bcloseb,/b” warns Drystan’s voice. “If your scent reaches Cassian’s gardens, he’ll skin us both alive.”

They must be pretty close for him to call him by name; here everyone calls him “bsir/b,” always with a voice tinged with fear. Though it’s hard for me to imagine Drystan feeling fear. His body is slender like Cassian’s, with long limbs and absolute paleness. But it’s the ck of his eyes that makes you think twice before contradicting him. They look like night itself, the rawest void.

I’m just looking,” I bsay /bweakly. b“/bSeems like you all love having women unclothed, even in the gardens.”

I tilt my head toward therge stone statue. I think I see the shadow of a smile curve his lips, but it vanishes in less than a second. With his perfect posture and hands behind his back, he shakes his head, amused.

“She’s not just a naked woman. She’s our creator, and the one we worship. Mother among mothers. Show more respect–some would punish you for even the slightest offenseb./bb” /b

I remember what I read in the book that rests on my nightstand.

“Then that statue represents Lilith,” I venture.

“That’s right,” he bsays /bproudly. “The first woman.”

I don’t dare mention what Lea once told me she read in one of those old books everyone thought lost. She said it almost sounded like a fairy tale, and in it they spoke of the first woman, someone named Eve.

“Do you have powers too?”

“Besides my senses and strength?” I nod. “No, I don’t have gifts. Not all vampires do. They usually manifest in the most powerful ones, especially if they belong to an original family.”

“And how did you end up being his right hand?”

“My parents were advisors to his. We’ve known each other since we were young.”

“You still seem young to me.”

“You’d be surprised at my ageb.” /b

We fall silent and I resume walking, with him watching my every move. I end up beneath the same tree as always, next to the fountain where birdse to drink. I take the chance to bathe in the sun bas /bmuch as I can, pleased with how its rays kiss my skin. If Drystan is bored, he doesn’t say anything. He stays there with his arms crossed behind his back, observing the surroundings. I don’t know how much time passes–I’m sure it’s at least a couple of hours—until I hear a small gasp of surprise.

I turn immediately and see how Drystan’s pose has shifted into an even more rigid one.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

“I think it’s best bwe /bgo back inside.”

“So soonb?/b”

My shoulders slump in disappointment. The idea of going back inside does not appeal to me in the slightest. The days feel terribly dull, and now that I’ve heard the screams Cassian can causeb, /bI don’t feel safe. Not beven /bin my favorite corner of the library.

“You’re better off in your room today, trust me.” He steps baside /bto clear my path. “I don’t think Cassian’s in the best mood today.”

“So what I’ve seen so far… bis /bCassian on a good day?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I think I see him stifle a small smile.

12:19 PM

“You could say that.”

“Very reassuring,” I mutter.

(15)

0

We enter the castle and I immediately feel the temperature change. Outside, the sun had warmed me, but in here it’s freezing. My skin prickles and I hug myself as I climb the stairs to my room. bI /bbsense /bmore activity than usual. Halfway there, we pass a small group of feeders whispering and looking at me boldly bas /bI pass by. I don’t lower my gaze, even though my nerves are killing me.

Before entering the room. I turn to look at Drystan, who clearly won’t move until he sees me go in. He’s beautiful, in

everything about him radiates hardness, though his facial features are fine and delicate.

“I didn’t thank you for stepping in during the argument with Mavka.”

He shows no emotion.

“There’s no need to thank me.” He starts to back away. “I did it for Cassian.”

“For Cassian?”

, it bstrange /bway, since

Ry

He doesn’t answer again. He simply turns and disappears down the long hallway, ignoring the looks the little group of girls shoot his way. Before they can shift their attention back to me, I shut the door behind me. I pace back and forth, casting fleeting nces at the little bell by my bed. Still silent. The book on my nightstand doesn’t seem like much of a distraction right now either. Thest thing I want is to read about Cassian’s greatness and that of his kind. I walk over to the balcony, whose ss doors are still locked tight. I pointlessly itry /ito turn the handle. Locked. I can

only settle for seeing a bit of the gardens through the ss.

There’s a knock at the door.

I instinctively think it must be rissa and Naida,ing to check on me or simply to chat while ying cards. I’m extremely surprised when the faces I see aren’t familiar. The feeders from the hallway are at my door, with innocent eyes and smiles that, to me, seem far too fake.

“Can I help you?” bI /bask politely.

“We were wondering if you’d like toe have tea with us,” says one of them.

“Tea?b” /b

“We usually gather in the afternoons to chat.” She smiles even wider. “Being here can be really boring and lonely.”

She doesn’t need to tell me that. I know very well how boring and lonely it can be here. I size them up for a moment. One has a heart–shaped face, thick golden curls framing her cheeks, and very red lips. My mother would definitely say she looks like a doll. Beside her is a girl with olive–toned skin, almond–shaped hazel eyes, and straight hair resting on her shoulders. Beautiful, but in a different way than herpanion.

“You’ve been here more than a week and we’ve barely spoken to you,” she insists. “We’re really curious to get to know you.”

“If that’s the reason, don’t worry. There’s not much to know.”

“It’ll be fun.” Her hand grabs mine with total confidence. “I think things started off badly because of Mavka. The rest of us aren’t like her.”

I nce at them again and, honestly, I highly doubt what she says is true. There’s something in their gaze I don’t like. Still, my mother always said appearances can be deceiving, and ignoring my instinctpletely, bI /bept.

“Give me ba /bsecond.”

They nod while I shut the door in their bfaces /bwith no manners whatsoever. I rush to the vanity where I clumsily try to cover my dark circles with powder. I can’t evene close to improving my appearance like Naida would with her miraculous hands. When I finish, I feel like pping myself for seeking approval from strangers.

I return to the door and find them just bas /bI left them. The fake smile hasn’t left their facesb. /b

“Come on, follow us.”