unusually somber and quiet… as if she knows, too, that nothing good could possibly come of this evening.
chapter 12
The seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes to hours. Today, like most of the days over the last three weeks, my tag should be going off—if Zein were to keep up his streak of summoning me every other day. However, yesterday could very well make it to where he never summons me again, and I don’t know how to feel about that, not when I have so much to say. So much to plead and, inevitably, apologize for.
“You going to eat that?” Savvy asks with a forced smile.
“No, go ahead.” I slide my boiled eggs and tomatoes toward her and she mouths her thanks. Ever since she witnessed me get summoned yesterday amidst Giomar’s visit, Savvy’s been walking on pins and needles. I assured her, much to my ever-growing list of things to feel guilty about, that I never even saw Giomar, and that Zein was just in the mood for my blood. However, she’s still been acting strange.
“The food seems good today, huh?” Katarii approaches from the line, choosing a spot across from Savvy. Surprise, surprise.
Higher than the long string of white lies on my guilt list, is the potential that Zein could take out his wrath on Katarii or Savvy. They were the subjects of the growing tension that ultimately led to my disregard for my place, and Giomar’s unseemly departure. So, it wouldn’t shock me if, at any moment, Savvy’s or Katarii’s tag went off. And the shrilling siren in this moment would be no different... except that it’s my tag.
Zein’s sticking to his routine. At least, I can only hope that’s what he’s doing.
“Good luck,” Savvy says in French after a wave of surprise flees her face.
“Thanks,” I reply back, my expression deadpan, though my internal monologue is having a fit. “Hopefully he doesn’t bleed me dry.”
As I leave, I overhear Savvy explaining to Katarii the meaning of our small bit of French, and I frown a bit.
Gemini is the one who greets me at the entrance to the seraglio. He’s fresh with his pristine blond hair and clean-shaven face.
“Good morning, master,” I say as cordially as possible.
“Hello, Wavorly.” His voice seems a little off today. “Did you make sure to eat?”
He must also be feeling the effects of last night’s debacle. It has put all of the vampire attendants on edge.
“A little. Surely, you can smell it on my breath.” I attempt to joke.
He chuckles, his mood seeming to recover a bit. “I was trying not to. This way.”
The seraglio attendant punches in my number as I pass. I’m convinced that he’s had it memorized since the first couple evenings, but now he eyes me even more suspiciously than the first night.
Gemini leads me down the dark passageways that have started to become second nature to my feet. Although I could walk the entire way blindfolded, I still analyze everything; searching for every weakness that Zein’s monstrous castle may conceal, especially now that it might be my, Savvy’s, and Katarii’s best chance. I know perfectly well that I could never convince them to escape with me under the current circumstances, but if Zein were to actually consider giving them back to Giomar, I would do whatever I had to do. We pass the hallway where the violet wall is, and I see it glowing. It’s been glowing for the last four days, but I can’t bring myself to try and go back. If it can take me into the past, who knows where it will take me next. I hate to admit that I’m too scared to find out, and far too distracted right now.
We near the top of the staircase where the expanded hallway waits—the path to Zein’s room. Although the lasting uneasiness that used to accompany me to this spot has since disappeared, I still get a rush of anxiety every time I see his doors.
“See you in a bit, then,” Gemini says along with a nod of his head. He appears nervous, too.
“Thank you... for escorting me.” I dip into a lazy bow before making a kill-me-now face, my last attempt at humor. He shrugs, acting like he’s contemplating it.
The soldiers ahead open the doors for me, and my heart skips a beat. Two days ago, I would have strode right in without a second thought, making idle conversation before setting up the kortrastet for Zein to partake. But now, the feelings from