the sixth. They each watch me closely, but I reveal nothing, exactly as Kain instructed me.
The Dracul are a very different beast than the Lycans. Far more calculating, manipulative, and deceptive, but Kain trusts these people, otherwise he wouldn’t have appointed them to their roles, picked them from their families to help him lead.
“It is good to see you, Kain,” the tallest man of the group says, bowing his head slightly, showing his respect to their leader.
“It is good to see you too, Niklaus.” They grasp each other’s forearms in greeting. “This, is Remy.”
“It is good to finally meet you, Remy. I have heard much about you,” Niklaus tells me with an easy smile, very different to the look he wore previously.
“I hope it’s not all too terrible,” I say, smiling back, and he grasps my forearm too.
“Not all of it.” He winks, and steps back.
“It is good to see you all again. Thank you for coming back here to meet with us,” Kain says, his tone harsher than I remember it ever being, but I must remember that here, he is a different person to what he is with me. He rules these people, with a mix of fear and respect, according to Luc. “I’d like you all to meet Remy. Remy, this is Alexandra, Alaric, Constantine, and Danerius.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Alaric steps forward and clasps my arm, while Alexandra practically hisses.
“The pleasure is all hers,” she tuts, and Kain has her by the throat in a heartbeat.
“You will not disrespect her like that, Alexandra.” Luc has his arm on my shoulder, keeping me in place. I know they told me things would be different here, but this is a side of Kain I haven’t seen before. I’m not sure if I should be disturbed by the fact that it turns me on so much or not, but I stay planted, and hide my emotions as best as I can, so as not to distract Kain.
“You will treat her as she deserves. She is my bonded, and as such, your Queen. If you treasure the life you lead at all you will take heed,” Kain hisses as she nods, anger flashing in her eyes. I guess she isn’t team Remy.
“You’ll excuse Alexandra,” Constantine says as he steps forwards and takes my hand, kissing it. “She does not like not being the brightest beauty around us.”
“Con,” Luc warns, as Kain releases the woman and stands back at my side, and Constantine shrugs.
“I only speak the truth, I would not think to make any further move, though I understand our King already shares his Queen.” Constantine’s eyes flash with lust as they rake my body, and despite my clothes, I’ve never felt more exposed. “And, we all share alike, am I wrong?”
I look to Kain who smiles softly. “Sharing has always been our way, but Remy is not to be shared as such.”
“A shame,” Danerius says, sweeping forward and bowing. “It is good to see you again, Remy.”
“We’ve met?” I ask, looking to Kain who nods and confirms.
“Once, a long time ago. We knew each other quite well at one point,” he says, and I feel my face heat. “Ah, once you did not blush at such things either.” He winks at me and steps back again.
“Come, let’s get us settled before tonight’s festivities,” Kain says, and I look to him again, because this is the first I’ve heard about any sort of party. I thought we were here to get help, not party. He doesn’t look at me, but Luc catches my eye and shakes his head softly, so I say nothing, and follow as the Generals lead us into the courtyard to the castle.
The place is teeming with people. So much is going on around us, market stalls, animals being cared for, children playing. Inside these walls is like a city of its own. I take it all in, as much as I can, but there are so many people here, I had no idea. They all slow to watch as we walk towards the castle, eyeing me warily. I guess that not everyone knew a Hunter was coming to their safe place.
We walk through the main doors of the castle, and it’s like a completely different world. In here is a world of opulence like nothing I’ve ever seen. The outside of the castle looks historic, but inside, it’s so modern. The contrast is enough to make my teeth hurt. The white marble floors, contrast with the black