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Czari inclined her head. "If I can do anything—"
"You can call me Viva," I said firmly. I wasn't much for formalities unless the occasion called for it. "Maybe we can be friends."
"Of course." Czari's expression was guarded, promising nothing.
"Just do the best you can," I said. I resisted the urge to sigh.
"Right."
"I think I'll get some rest." I paused before I realised why Czari looked expectant. "You may go. Thank you."
Czari nodded and smiled. "I will be in the servants quarters, across the corridor. You only have to push this." She pressed a button beside the door, which I hadn't noticed before. A buzzer sounded somewhere distant. "I will come."
"Ah. How…convenient." And much easier than shouting for her, or wandering around lost.
"Indeed. Rest well." Czari lowered her hand from the button and stepped out the door, which she closed behind her and left me alone.
* * *
I was awoken shortlyafter dawn when what sounded like a horn blasted out, then again. A few seconds passed before another double blast.
"What is that?" I leapt off my comfortable, if overly soft, bed and threw jeans on over my underwear. I tugged on a clean t-shirt and was about to ring the buzzer when Czari opened the door to my suite and bustled in.
"Is something wrong?" I asked. My heart raced and sweat sprang up on my hands. Where did I put my knives before I fell asleep last night?
The servant's expression gave away nothing. "Come on, I'll show you." We headed across the corridor a trot, as a handful of women and children appeared from their own doors, most were as sleep-tousled as me.
Bain, back rigid as ever, but rested, stood beside the door to the women's sanctuary. Another guard stood on the other side, his back just as straight. Bain's eyes flicked toward us, but he seemed indifferent to see me.
I met his disinterest with a bland look of my own, even though the sight of him made me want to recreate the statue of the gods. He could be Hades. Dex could be the other guy.
"Viva." Bain gave me a nod, "Czari."
I tried to ignore Bain's familiar scent and spoke lightly. "Good morning."
For some reason I couldn't fathom, he seemed amused at this. Not enough to smile, but lines around his eyes crinkled slightly and the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Whatever you say," he replied.
I raised my chin. "Are you here to stop me from leaving?" I gestured toward the door.
The other guard chuckled.
"No," Bain replied easily, "The door is guarded against outsiders who wish harm to the women and children who seek sanctuary here."
"Ah," I nodded. "So what were the horns for? Are we under attack?" The shifters seemed far too relaxed for that.
His companion laughed. Bain almost smiled again. He seemed surprised at himself and the look was gone so quickly, I wasn't sure I hadn't imagined it.
Before he could reply, the door opened and two more guards stepped inside. The pair wore the same sulky expression. They both saluted Bain, but undisguised resentment was etched on their features. If he noticed, Bain gave no indication, but his companion grinned.
"Here's our replacement, just in time." Bain stepped toward the door and spoke to me over his shoulder. "It's a sand dragon. Maybe I'll save you a scale." He headed away at a trot and left me to stand and shake my head in confusion.
"Well, that explains it," I muttered sarcastically. Sand dragon? Were we closer to a beach than I realised?
"You'll see, come, come." Czari grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a set of stairs. A parade of women, children and a handful of men bustled up, smiling and talking in excited voices, even as they jostled to be first.
The stairs curved around at the landing on the second level. Puffing lightly, I patted my hair down with my spare hand and let the servant pull me up a second flight, steeper and narrower than the first.
