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“Yes, understood,” I whisper, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at him and his tone of voice. I feel like I am being scolded by a teacher, not that I went to school. My grandmother schooled me and taught me the basics, like reading, writing and basic math.

He releases me, then grips my elbow, pulling me toward the kitchen where Abigail waits.

She looks up briefly before shifting her attention elsewhere.

Matitus strides out, his presence commanding, and I wait for Abigail to meet my eyes again.

The moment he’s gone, she exhales, relief clear on her face.

“Thank the heavens,” she whispers when he could no longer hear. “You need to watch yourself around them, Elora. They may not be that bad now, once Silas comes back, they won’t be as gentle.”

“Gentle, that’s them being gentle?” I ask incredulously.

She nods while chewing the end of nail nervously.

“We need to get to work, Silas likes everything a particular way and the last girl I worked with got killed because she forgot to take the trash out,” Abigail says, concern spreading all over her face.

I can’t believe they would kill someone over something so ridiculous. On the plus side, Abigail is talking more and looks a little more relaxed while no one other than me is around. Peering around the kitchen, no one is here. Which I think is odd. Abigail must notice me staring around because she answers my thoughts.

“They left to get supplies. Once Silas comes back, no one may leave the castle until he goes again. Last time he stayed a month. I didn’t get to see my daughter for an entire month,” she says sadly. I put a consoling hand on her shoulder.

“Where does he go?” I inquire.

“To find his mate, or the Chosen One as they call her,” Abigail mumbles.

“The Chosen One?” I ask, wondering if it is the same Chosen One my grandmother used to tell stories about.

“Yes, the one who can carry their children,” she whispers, snapping her mouth shut when something crashes in the corridor.

We both stiffen as a boy, no older than twelve, walks in carrying a bucket and broom.

“Peter! Geez, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” Abigail says, her heartbeat thudding loudly before gradually settling.

My hearing, far sharper than a human’s, picks up every beat—useful, and often irritating.

“Sorry, Abbie,” he mumbles, his brown hair falling over his eyes before he sweeps it aside. His gaze shifts to me.

“You’re Fae,” he says, eyeing me with a matter-of-fact expression.

“Yes, she is. Now stop staring, it’s rude,” Abigail scolds him.

“Is she the one, the one they have been looking for?” he asks.

“I think so, we will know when Silas gets back,” she tells him, and his face drops as he looks at me nervously.

“I better go, good luck, you’re going to need it. I pray you’re not the one they are looking for,” he says, quickly racing out the back of the kitchen.

“What does he mean?” I ask, turning back to Abigail. She walks to the door peering out the corridor, making sure no one is around.

“He means if you are who they have been looking for,” she says rather abruptly.

“Please, you have to tell me,” I beg.

Abigail looks uncertain and cautious. “If you are, they will make you birth all their heirs; it’s more than that, though. Silas hates Fae. I am not sure why, I just know everyone they have found has never left alive,” she whispers.

In this moment, I can’t decide what is more shocking: what they wanted me for or the fact that they actually found other Fae people. One thing becomes crystal clear: I have to get out of the city before Silas comes back.

“Please, you have to help me get out of here,” I plead, a note of desperation in my voice.