CHERYL
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
Idon’t have much time to get used to my new living situation before a knock comes at the door. I’m surprised that our captors would bother to act polite.
“You may come in, Indy,” Lana says.
How does she know who’s on the other side?
An average-height Nightingale male with dark purple skin and white hair secured in a bun enters. He wears a soft blue ceremonial robe, heavily embroidered with patterns of constellations. His clothes look too big for him, and his young face makes me think he’s a child wearing adult’s clothing. But the most peculiar detail about his aesthetic is the silver-wired monocle covering his left eye.
He bestows a warm smile upon Lana, making the female blush. Oh, that’s how she knew who it was. I bet they’re screwing. I suppose she could do worse.
He switches his attention to me, making me tense. “Good afternoon, my dear. I hope you’re feeling better.”
I growl in response, showing him my fangs.
All my reaction does is make the corners of his lips curl up. “It seems the forced nap didn’t dim your feral instincts.”
“You haven’t seen my feral side yet, jackass.”
He clasps his hands behind his back and walks over, unbothered by my hostility. Up close, I see his youthful appearance is an illusion. His bright blue eyes are old and cunning. Of all the Nightingales I’ve met in this place, he’s the one to watch out for.
“And I made sure we won’t.” His gaze drops to the choker around my neck. “It’d be a pity if we had to take more drastic measures when you’ve just arrived.”
Fucker. I’ll show you drastic measures. I mean to shift, but to my horror, I don’t feel my wolf energy swirling in my chest. My eyes widen in response, which pleases the asshole in front of me.
“What have you done to me?” I ask.
“Oh, let’s just say your wolf is sleeping. We want to give you a chance to get used to your surroundings first and understand this is your new home.Forever.”
My stomach dips, but fear quickly turns into anger. I pounce on him with a cry. It’s not only my wolf side that can display savagery. I’m also a vampire with fangs and claws. But I never make contact with him. He walks the wind, vanishing from the spot where he stood a second ago only to reappear farther back. I land in a crouch and hiss in his direction.
He arches a brow, and his eyes glimmer with pleasure. Fuck. I think he just figured out what I am—a hybrid. It’s been so long since I was turned that I stopped trying to hide my duality. But I should have been more careful in front of these Nightingales, who are only interested in using vampires. They’ll try to exploit me too.
You’re such an idiot, Cheryl.
“It seems you’ve been hiding something, my dear,” he says, not even trying to conceal his glee.
I stand to my full height. “You’re mistaken. I’ve never hidden anything,” I lie, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of uncovering the truth. “You were just slow.”
He narrows his eyes and grinds his teeth. It seems I hit a sore spot. That’s good information to have. He shakes his head, putting his unbothered mask back in place.
Too late, buddy. I see you.You have an inferiority complex, and I plan to find out why.
He turns to Lana. “Take her to the bathhouse. She reeks.”
Lana lowers her head. “Of course, Indy.”
He walks out of the room, and no sooner is he gone than the females present cause an uproar, all talking at once.
“I knew there was something off about her,” one of them says.
“She’s an aberration. How can the king allow her to exist?”
I tune them out. It isn’t like I haven’t heard similar comments before in my long existence.
Lana walks over, looking sorrowful. “Don’t mind them.”
