making sure to keep my hair dry, and quickly dress.
The weather here is so cold, I don’t remember it ever being this cold back home, so I throw on a pair of jeans, a sweater, and my boots. Running my fingers through my hair so the long waves don’t look quite so much like sex hair, I’m just about ready when Luc knocks on the door.
“You decent?” he calls out, entering the room with a hand over his eyes. I laugh, and he removes his hand with a cheeky grin. “I mean, it’s not anything I’ve not seen before, but I get the feeling that you’re not quite ready to run through the castle naked again yet.”
“Oh my god,” I groan, and put my face in my hands. “I did that?”
“After a lot of whiskey, and a game of truth or dare? Yes, yes you did that.” He chuckles and I roll my eyes.
“Of course I did, fuck my life. Well, let’s just keep the whiskey far from me on this trip yeah?”
“Well, you might not say that tonight.”
“Oh right, the party.” I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll survive it sober. I’m not as much of a drinker these days as I used to be apparently.”
“We’ll see.” He winks. “You ready to get reacquainted with this place?” I nod, and he waves me out of the door.
“So, where is Kain today?” I ask as we walk down the ridiculous staircase.
“We’ve got some repairs that need sorting, and people don’t always like signing off on them here without him, because his family built this place. And with it being as big as it, there is a lot to keep on top of. You wouldn’t know it but there are five different levels in this place, plus the basement. There’s over two hundred bedrooms, that doesn’t include the cottages out on the estate. Kain keeps an eye on every resident and every building himself. It’s why people adore him like they do.”
“Wow, that’s… wow.”
“Yeah. He’ll also be visiting with his family, it’s been a while since we’ve been back here, so there will plenty of dreariness to keep him busy.”
“Why wouldn’t he let me help with that stuff?” I ask, curious because Kain has never seemed to shy away from having me around.
“While you’ve been here before, the castle has never been home to as many people as it right now. The last time you were here it was just Generals, some soldiers, and us three. Pretty sparse. But with everything happening in the world, and the increased Hunter activity in this region, more and more people have been seeking shelter. Plus, now the Generals have come back here, their clans have come with them this time, we’re practically overflowing, and the love for your kind isn’t exactly overwhelming, so I think he’s just trying to ease you in, rather than throw you to the wolves as it were.”
I consider his words as we walk through the castle, heading back to where we entered yesterday. “I guess that makes sense, and I imagine considering everything with Ethan, his family aren’t exactly fans of my family.”
“You could say that,” he says. “But do not fear, Kain is our King for a reason. He inspires people, and when people see how he is with you, they will come to learn what I already know. That there is more to you than being a Hunter. Some will come round without much insistence, but Alexandra…”
“Yeah, she really isn’t a fan of mine.”
“No, but that’s for more than one reason, and she will be your biggest opposition, but if you get her on your side, she’ll be your fiercest ally. It’s just the way she is. She’s an all or nothing kind of woman. Ride or die, as you say. But considering Bauer killed her twin sister, and the fact that she has been in love with Kain since they were children, well, yes, she’s going to be a tough nut to crack.”
“Shitttt,” I groan. Of course, it wouldn’t be simple.
“Yeah, the others though, they’ve always liked you, so just be you, and you’ll be fine.” He nudges my shoulder with his. “So where first?”
“You’re the tour guide, you tell me,” I say, and my stomach growls.
“I think, to the kitchens.” He laughs softly, and I blush a little.
“That would be good apparently.” I follow him, a comfortable silence between us as we weave through the people bustling around the castle, as the preparations for tonight take over