Page 33 of Vervain

The Death Spirit’s eyes snap in our direction, and he bows. “Lord Serun and Lady Consort,” he grumbles.

“Saya,” Serun says coolly. “Call her by her name. She’s not accustomed to our ways.”

The man straightens, and his focus settles on me. “Lady Saya.”

Heat flushes my cheeks, and I find it difficult to look at him for longer than a second.

Before this, I was Feeder zero-zero-eight. And before that, everyone in Cherry Bloom Village ignored me.

So, I doubt I will ever get used to this.

Maeve’s eyes crinkle. Stepping closer to the Death Spirit, she loops her arm with his, like Julien and Bianca used to do as they strolled the courtyard. Her red fedora casts a shadow over her expression, but those piercing eyes still penetrate the darkness. “Brother and…Saya, will you be joining us in our carriage?”

“No. We will take the last carriage with the Feeder room, so Saya can sleep undisturbed,” Serun responds. He could have just said no, but it seems he’s trying to put me at ease.

Maeve smiles warmly. With her free hand, she tips her fedora as she bows. “Enjoy your travels.”

A screech pierces my sensitive ears. “What’s happening?” My breath comes out shaky. “Are we under attack?”

Serun chuckles, and his clawed hand rests over mine that now clings to his flesh. My fingernails have sunk in deep, and the moist scent of blood comes with me when he peels my fingers away to hold my hand. A sweet perfume lingers from his broken skin, and my gums ache, saliva thickening in my mouth.

“It’s the train,” he says, his mouth grazing the tip of my ear.

The train?

Whatever hunger throbbed in my gums subsides when a metal beast comes into sight. Smoke blows from a chimney above an imposing wedge-shaped metal guard, and a curved window encloses the front cab. Metal rods tie the train’s huge front wheels together, moving in a synchronised circular motion, almost seeming to float. It’s pulling carriages behind it with misted windows and doors to every compartment.

Steam thickens as it slows, a haze in the tunnel, obscuring everyone until it’s just me and Serun and the last carriage in front of us. Metal, steel, and the loud shuddering sound of exhaled steam gushing. Doors open with a slapping sound. With my hand still in Serun’s, he tugs me forward, and my stone steps lighten.

To our right, Maeve disappears with the Death Spirit.

I really should learn his name.

“Don’t touch me, fucker!”

My ear twitches, and the steamy haze thins enough for me to see Olivia. Her master grabs her dark hair, pulling it from the roots as he drags her on board.

A shallow breath eases out of me, turning to iron. A hunger I haven’t felt before surges, and my fingers twitch—otherworldly power sparking.

Serun squeezes my hand.

“Problem?” he asks.

“No. I’m fine,” I say dismissively, my leather boots hitting the steel of the carriage floor as the doors close behind me.

Tearing my focus from him, I quickly sweep the room. Black leather seats, deep blue finishes, and matching sliding doors on the opposite side of the carriage.

Serun’s deep red eyes soften, and I know he always knows, but before I can say anything, the train shudders and my legs wobble. I lean to the side, stumbling, but before I can fall, I grip his shadowed coat. “What’s happening?” I demand. “Is it broken?”

Serun’s hand rests on my hip, claws scraping against the cotton skirt. “It’s a train. They shake and rattle a lot.”

“No,” I say firmly. “I’m getting off and walking to the Undercity.”

The train jolts and I push away from him. My legs buckle, and as I fall, he grabs my wrist. Shadows peel away from his face to reveal a wicked broadening grin.

“Am I humorous to you, nightwalker?”

“A little, yes,” Serun says as he pulls me into him. Then, just as I’m almost resting fully against him, his hold slackens, and he takes a quick step away. “You should hold on to something unless you want me to keep catching you.”