Page 144 of The Cannibal

“Thank you,” I said, “for seeing me as I am.”

“You are frightening,” she said sternly, “but you are not cruel like the rest.”

“Keep your eyes and ears alert, something is coming,” I told her. “You’ll know it.”

She searched my face. As if it wasn’t treason enough to be having this conversation. But I trusted her, and neither of us trusted the powers at play.

“Talk to Luka” was all I said before the door opened again, multiple men in suits coming to collect me, since I was to be free of my chains today. How comical that they required five of them to transport me.

Even the roughness of their hands on me proved that they were nothing but scared little mice with something to prove. It must be disjointing to spend your entire life believing you are a predator above all, just for a new apex to show you what it is to be afraid. My very existence must strip them of that security, their privilege.

They surrounded me as they corralled me down the stairs and out the front door. I could barely see past them. Though there was only one person I looked for, and he likely didn’t want to see my face.

He will, soon.

It wasn’t very long in the carriage before I realized where this mystery meeting was taking place.

I counted the doorways, the lamps, even the blocks we passed before we pulled up in front of a recognizable iron gate.

We stopped in front of a park, three men escorting me to the final destination.

The botanical gardens.

The breeze on my skin disappeared as they led me inside the giant greenhouse, the humidity weighing on the skin enough to wish for the wind again.

The only sound was the dribbling of water from the fountains. In the middle there was a cleared space, right in front of the long, manufactured ponds.

In this space, a small table, two chairs, and a blond enjoying the peace.

Levi Astor looked my way, a genial smile on his face as he stood.

The escort shoved me between my shoulders to approach, of which I would have done without the brutishness.

“My dear, you are radiant.” Levi smiled, his arm out to me as he leaned in to greet with la bise. “Did you eat yet?” he asked innocently.

“Haven’t had the appetite.”

“Ah, no matter, we have tea.” He settled back down in his seat, holding his palm out toward the other.

The entire botanical gardens were empty. Being as it was a public location, it must have cost a fortune to reserve the whole place for something like high tea.

“You’re in quite a good mood for a man whose child has just passed.” I took my seat across from him.

“Eaten,” he corrected, pointing his tiny cocktail fork at me before using it to loosen a chilled oyster from the shell.

The table had a tiered platform, each level full of ice, with little cups of sauces at the top. The oysters arranged around the larger levels. Based on the metallic scent, I suspected one of those cups was Host blood. I suppose oysters were raw meat, of sorts. I didn’t think to consider Vipera could taste the meat of the sea, as well.

In the middle of one of the oyster trays was caviar, a mother-of-pearl spoon ready for serving.

We were separated by dainty plates, silverware, and a tea set for two. All so meticulously arranged, you would think this was for romancing rather than confrontation. It upset my stomach thinking that there was an equal chance of the former and latter.

“I always knew there was something special about you.” He shook his head with a smile, placing the empty shell on a separate plate. “Jacek was nothing short of brilliant. Your mother? Beautiful. You truly had no choice but to be an absolute marvel.”

I did not accept the compliment.

Small crickets and possibly the last cicada of the season hummed somewhere within the brush. I stared at the pond, watching the pitcher plants slowly close here and there. I recognized we were in the carnivorous section again. He truly knew how to pick the venue with the worst memories.

An assistant came to pour the tea for us, the pale liquid swirling among specks of loose leaves within the cup.