Page 2 of The Coven’s Sacrifice

Jacob noticed me eyeing the windows and simply said, “We do not care much for sunlight.”

“Okay.” I was pretty certain by now that he was a vampire. But did that mean the others were as well?

“This landing parts into two wings.” Jacob gestured in both directions. “We all live in the one to the left. Yours is on the right.” We then walked to the right, me following behind him and taking in his appearance. He was a good looking man, his height only making him appear less threatening, in my opinion. His hips swayed as he walked, and I found myself wondering if he normally walked like that or if he was taunting me. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, but I knew he had to be several hundred years old.

He stopped next to a huge door. “This door leads to your rooms. You can tell Sienna how you want it decorated.”

“Sienna?” I asked, carefully opening the door.

He hummed. “She is the one in charge of the rooms and cleaning. You will meet her soon.”

“I had no idea others lived here, too,” I said, taking in the inviting décor. Had my aunt lived in these rooms? Or was this simply where they’d chosen I would live? My aunt Sophie had been the sacrifice before me, so once she came here, she was never heard from again. I only knew she liked roses and was a lively and happy person.

Jacob hummed again. “We have a few brownies attached to the mansion.”

I frowned and turned to look at him. “Brownies?”

“A household spirit,” he replied. “They each tend to certain areas around the mansion. Jetty is the gardener and we rarely see him, as he is always outside making sure the bushes are perfectly trimmed. Nicco is the chef. He will ensure your life here will be filled with amazing meals and hearty soups whenever you should wish for it.”

“Oh.” I had no other words. Brownies. What a weird name, but they sounded amazing.

Jacob followed me into the hallway of my room. It led to what appeared to be the living room with several closed doors scattered around the open area.

“Those curtains in the middle are hiding the balcony.”

“You mentioned you don’t care for the sun,” I began, licking my lips as I thought how to ask without it being rude.

Jacob grinned, showing off his left fang. “We are all vampires here, Colin. We cannot survive in the sun.”

Vampires. I felt a chill run through me at the words. It was one thing to wonder, another to know for certain that this man in front of me lived off blood alone.

“Oh,” I said, nodding to myself. “Cool.”

That only made him grin wider. “We are going to have so much fun together, Colin,” he purred.

He’s going to eat me!

“We knew you would show up any day, but we had no way of knowing it was today. Please excuse any messes in this room, if there should be any.”

“It looks amazingly clean,” I said, ignoring the way my breathing had changed.

Jacob only nodded, seeming satisfied with that. “Your suitcase will be brought to you soon. I will leave you to unpack and get comfortable in your own space. At dinner time, you will be introduced to the rest of my coven.”

I wrinkled my brows in confusion. “I thought you didn’t eat?”

His smile widened into something feral looking. “Oh, we eat.” He then turned around and left me gaping in his absence.

Chapter Two

Colin

I was left alone for the entirety of five minutes, then rapid knocking sounded from the main door. Not wanting to be rude and fear the wrath of monsters— vampires—I all but ran to open the door.

A gasp escaped me before I could reign it in. In front of me stood a small creature, skin a pale lilac color. They only came up to my knees in height. It was impossible to tell if this was Sienna or one of the other brownies, but it had to be a brownie for certain.

“Hello,” a nasally female voice greeted. “I am Sienna, wielder of brooms and duster of fireplaces. I shall help you in any endeavor regarding your home.” She then threw her hands up in the air and… was that confetti?

Blinking, I was left speechless, watching the confetti fall to the ground around her. “Wielder of brooms?”