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21
Mercy
As I climbedin through the window from the fire escape, I had trouble deciding whether to take Kaige’s abrupt dismissal as a loss or the fact that he hadn’t gutted me where I stood as a win. At least I’d gotten in some kitty cuddle time, no matter how standoffish the guy had been.
What awaited me in the house was more likely to be a cat fight than anything cuddly. Meandering toward the area where I’d gathered the groupies had their designated room, I spotted a set of fireplace tools by a hearth. I went over and hefted the wrought-iron poker. It might not be a standard weapon, but it could do a hell of a lot more damage than a knife if wielded well.
As I returned to the hall, Anthea appeared, her heels clacking on the hardwood floor. She looked so infuriatingly perfect with not a strand of hair out of its place. One of the Nobles’ guards had barred me from entering the wing with my guest room, so I hadn’t even managed to change out of my sweaty clothes from this afternoon.
Anthea stopped before she reached me. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Her eye fell to the poker on my hand, and her lips thinned. “What’s that for?”
I shrugged. “Protection?” I had no idea what exactly Wylder expected to happen to me in the groupies’ room, but if Gia was anything to go by, the experience wouldn’t be pleasant.
Anthea gave me an odd look and then shook her head. “I think it’s time you turn in for the night—if you’re insisting on staying?” When I raised my chin defiantly, she sighed. “Follow me.”
We headed around a bend in the hall to reach a part of the mansion that I’d never explored before. The moldings and wallpaper were equally posh, but the hall was empty of the paintings and fancy side-tables that were scattered through the other areas I’d seen.
Anthea led me to a doorway at the end of the hall. She swept her arm toward a large room. I took it in from the threshold.
Mattresses and cots were shoved against the walls, covered with tangles of blankets and discarded clothes. Dance music thumped in a staccato beat from one girl’s earphones as she bobbed her head. The air stunk of cheap alcohol and pot. I guessed Gideon never ventured into this area of the house for a smoking ban to be necessary.
Seven women in total perched on various beds—including Gia. At the sight of me, her eyes widened and then narrowed into vicious slits.
“What are you doing here?” she snarled, as if this place belonged to her and not the Nobles, who could have kicked her out at any second if they’d wanted to. A few of the other groupies studied me and Anthea with interest, while the others didn’t seem to care, or maybe they just hadn’t registered our presence yet with their red-rimmed eyes.
“Mercy is going to stay the night,” Anthea said smugly. She was enjoying my fall from grace way too much. I wouldn’t be surprised if she went back and popped open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
My grip on the poker tightened. If she thought a night in this zoo was going to scare me off, I was about to prove her wrong.
Gia smirked at me. “I guess the boys finally realized their mistake and showed you your proper place.”
“Is this where mistakes end up?” I retorted. “I guess that explains why you’re here.”
Gia let out a hiss, but Anthea rolled her eyes at our bickering. “Make sure Mercy feelsverywelcome. Let’s show her how we treat those who are caught fraternizing with the enemy.”
I froze. Oh, fuck, she’d just had to rub that point in.
Gia flicked her tongue over her lips. “That’s right. Poor baby went running home to her traitor fiancé, like the men here aren’t good enough.”
“I wasn’t the one running away,” I snapped. “Unlike you. Did you sprain your ass taking off so fast with your tail between your legs?”
Gia’s face reddened. “What the fuck did you just say?”
I smirked in satisfaction. “It wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t the truth, would it?”
Gia looked ready to strangle me, and behind her the other groupies were slowly rising, their jerky motions reminding me of zombies. No matter what they thought about Gia and her snark, they must have known that Anthea was a Noble. They’d take her word as gospel, and now they were out for my blood.
Anthea gave them a thin smile. “I know I can count on you to convince her to atone for her sins.” As she turned, she practically shoved me with her shoulder. I glared at her retreating back and then turned to face the other women, who were watching me with pure hatred. If looks could kill, I’d be already dead and buried.
Drawing on the inner armor that’d gotten me through twenty-one years under my father’s rule, I sauntered farther into the room, pretending I hadn’t noticed the rising animosity. “So, what do you guys do for fun around here?”
Gia’s gaze tracked me, but she kept her mouth shut for once. One of the other girls frowned. “What are you talking about?”
I noted a corner that held a crumpled blanket and nothing else—a good defensive position—and strolled toward it. “This is my first introduction to a cult. It’s all very strange to me, but I keep an open mind. Where’s the altar?”
“Are you mental?” another groupie demanded.
I shrugged. “I’m just wondering where you worship the Nobles like the loyal fanatics you are. Or am I not privy to those mysteries yet?”
