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“We’re here to give you a bath,” the one with a burn scar on half her face said without making eye contact. “Please follow us.”
A plump middle-aged woman opened the door and I followed her in. Her dark hair and her olive-toned skin reminded me of Nina. A tub built into the room similar to the one at the vampire’s lair was already filled with water with black rose petals.
The lady with the burn scar picked up a cloth from a table against the wall and came toward me. “Let me help you undress.”
I loved taking baths but no one was going to take off my clothes.
“Thank you for your offer, but you’re not my servant.” I unbuttoned the back of my dress and let it fall to my feet. After I took off my boots, I took those along with my dress and set them close to the tub. “Don’t touch these, please.” I stressed the last word. I didn’t want them to find out about my secret weapon.
They dipped their heads and the lady with the burn scar went back to the room. I slid into the water, sank to the bottom, and breathed and breathed. I wished I was back home in the cavern with Zander, Tank, Otis, Dawn, and Snow. But I was here instead, fighting to stay alive and put back the team I had lost.
Was Zander hurt? Had he been tortured? Did they cut off his wings? My mind reeled with questions, but it was time. Time to get back to reality and kill Asmodeus, then deal with the vampires.
I came up and pushed my hair away from my face. My wings gently flapped, splashing water over the room like gentle rain.
The middle-aged woman by the door widened her eyes and opened her mouth as she stared at me. “You’re so beautiful. You’re a Seraphim. Those golden tresses, and your huge wings of white and gold confirm I was right.”
I closed my wings halfway and pushed through the water with my arms toward her. “I’m not the first Seraphim you’ve seen, am I?”
“No.” She dipped her head. “Nor the first angel. Many have been imprisoned and tortured.”
Anger boiled through my shuddering feathers and I released a long sigh. “What’s your name?”
“Clara. I’m human. The other attendant’s name is Elizabeth.”
I crossed my arms on the stone floor and rested my chin on top. “I know you’re mortal. I can tell by your scent. How long have you been here?”
“Too long, my lady. I’ve lost count.”
I didn’t want to involve her in my dangerous scheme, but I was desperate.
“I’m so sorry. You must want to go home. And perhaps I can help you. But do you know where the angels are kept? I’m looking for angels named Zander, Dawn, or Snow.”
Though I was sure Snow was locked inside the vampire’s lair, I added her name for good measure.
Clara glanced out the door, then back to me. “I’ve heard the name Zander spoken among the soldiers, but not Dawn or Snow. If he wasn’t taken to a special dungeon, then he must be with the others. The prisoners are at the lowest level of this castle.”
“Can you take me there?” I whispered. “It’s urgent. How much time do I have for a bath?”
Clara came closer and lowered to her knees just as Elizabeth came back, a silk black dress draped over her arm.
Elizabeth frowned at her friend. “What are you doing?”
Clara jolted up and tucked a strand of hair over her ears. “Nothing. I’m helping her with—”
“She’s answering my questions,” I said with a tone of a Seraphim and pushed out of the water as I tucked my wings without drying them. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me. Asmodeus is my enemy. Now, I need your help. Take me to the dungeon where they’re holding angel prisoners.”
I took a chance in trusting Clara and especially Elizabeth, who had just come into the conversation, not to squeal on me. What did I have to lose? If Asmodeus found out, he couldn’t touch me since I was under Victus’s protection.
Me, under a vampire’s protection. The irony. I almost laughed out loud. But one never knew what one could gain if one never asked.
Clara gripped Elizabeth’s shoulders. “I want to go home to my family. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting it if I don’t take a chance. I’d rather die trying to be free than live a slave to the demon king.”
Clara and Elizabeth exchanged wary glances and Elizabeth studied me, and then nodded.
Elizabeth handed me the dress in her hands. “First, you have to get dressed and I need to fix your hair. Then we’ll take you. There are some human prisoners down there and they are fed once a day. We have to hurry.”
“What about the guards?” Clara asked.
