Page 57 of Imprisoned with the Vampire King

"Yup. They're popular among the monsters."

Why had I let him drag me around the city?

"I'm not staying here," I said bluntly, as he led me through a luxurious entryway and down a grand hallway. The floors were smooth, expensive-looking wood, the walls were a pretty shade of mocha brown, and the decor was somehow both fancy and comfortable.

Everything was dark, but not in a bad way.

It was much cozier than I'd expected. I actually kind of liked it, not that I'd admit as much out loud while Dante and I were fighting.

"Your studio is here now, and we both know you rarely leave your studio. Your couch was on your porch," he said.

"That was a new development. My couch was taking up necessary space."

"Exactly."

Dante walked up a staircase.

I wasn't sure why I was still following him, but I was.

"You can't just send people to pack my shit and force me to—" I cut myself off when we reached the top of the stairs.

There was a massive loft. It looked like it had been a sitting area with a library or something, because there were already cabinets and bookshelves built along the three, wide walls. The enchanted pottery I never sold was set up neatly on those shelves, on display.

In the center of the room, my pottery wheel and worktables had been set up facing the wall of large windows that had shelves lined up above and beneath them. There were even seats over two of those shelves, providing cozy little nooks.

Through the windows, there was a clear view of the lake. And, far more important to me, the sky.

Between the windows, there were two large doors.

I practically flew past Dante on my way to them. After pushing them open, I stepped out onto the expansive balcony.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath of clean air. My wings unfurled of their own volition, the straps of my denim overalls and bright pink sports bra sliding to the middle of my back the way they were supposed to.

For once, everything was quiet.

It was so peaceful, it made my chest burn. My anger was completely and utterly absent, now.

"You could fly any time you want, around here," Dante said.

"I can't fly."

"Why not?"

"I guess I could. I just… don't." My chest squeezed. "I don't talk about it, either."

"Alright." Dante fiddled lightly with the strap of my overall. "I think I understand the appeal of these now. Wings out, at any time?"

"Mmhm."

"I assume most clothing that's created to work with wings is expensive. Pixies make their own."

"It is. But if you try to replace my overalls, we will go to war," I murmured. "And I play dirty."

He chuckled. "Is that what this is? War?"

"No. I've suddenly decided I like your money."

"Thank fuck." His lips brushed my shoulder lightly. "Jazz was right. I need to feed every day to stay on top of my game."