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The hallway is dark, and I have no idea where to go. I begin to panic at the realization, but I’ve already gone this far. I have to see it through, even if this is the event that leads to my end.
“Marina,” his gravelly ominous voice bellows through the hall, and I look back only for a moment, startled.
I see his dark form stalking toward me, and I run faster. I make it to the grand staircase and do my best not to fall. I’m at the massive front doors when all hope is lost. A hand shoots out and grabs my arm roughly, swinging me around and into a hard-as-rock chest.
“Let me go. Let me go!” I yell, thrashing and writhing, trying to get loose.
A jarring smack to my cheek has my entire head jerking back. I go completely still, hand coming up to my smarting face. “Y-you...” It’s all I can get out before the adrenaline overload pulls me under and I crash, violent hiccups and a river of tears taking over.
Julian staggers backward, eyes wide. “Marina, I didn’t... I wouldn’t.”
“What the devil is going on out here?” Katina says, running out in a long crimson robe, hair askew and a look of confusion all over her naked face. When she sees me, she gasps, running to my side and cocooning me into her side protectively.
“I-I...” Julian stutters.
“Sir, I’ll take care of her,” she says in a gentle voice. “Why don’t you get some rest?” she suggests, grabbing me lightly by the elbow and pulling me toward the stairs.
Julian nods before stumbling out of the room without another word.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she coos. “You poor thing. I told you not to push him.” She tsks and I don’t say a word. I’m too shocked. Too... disappointed. But that’s crazy. What did I expect from a vampire? Kindness?Better.
I allow Katina to get me back into bed. I never say a word through the whole thing. What is there to say? Despite the trauma from being smacked in the face by a vampire, I can’t help but notice how normal Katina looks without her typical over-the-top costume as she tucks me in tightly.
“Good night, Marina,” she calls into my dark room.
“Katina? Could you please lock it?”
I know it’s futile. If he wants to get in, he will, but I need to know I’ve done everything to attempt to keep him out. To keep him as far from me as possible.
I hear a click, and although I can’t be sure it’s anything more than the door latching shut, I close my eyes anyway. Sleep never comes.
* * *
The sun begins to rise, as evidenced by the yellow and orange bursts of color shining through the windows, but I don’t move. I’m too broken. Recapping the events of the last twenty-four hours has me feeling hopeless and ready to give up.
I’ve known all along not to be fooled by Julian’s promise of protection, but I let my guard down. His easy smile and handsome face were enough to mask what’s hidden underneath the beautiful façade.A monster.
I rise from the false comfort of the bed and stomp to the wardrobe. Scanning the contents, I’m disappointed to find not a single pair of pants. The romper that I destroyed had been the closest thing to it. In fact, there isn’t anything left but dresses and skirts. And the longer I peruse the selection, the more I realize it’s as though I’ve stepped into some time warp and found myself transplanted to somewhere circa 1800. How did I miss that before? I groan in frustration.
Freaking Katina.
With no other options, I choose the lightest dress in weight I can find. I need the easiest outfit to attempt an escape in. Pulling the pale blue cotton over my head, I’m relieved to find it non-constricting.It’ll have to do.I’m pulling my long hair into a high ponytail when Katina comes strolling through the door.
“Ah, glad to see you’re up and ready. The Crown would like you to join him for breakfast.”
“Never,” I snap, not bothering to look at her.
“Marina,” she admonishes. “You’re not going to ruin the day all because of last night, are you?”
My head snaps to hers, giving her a full view of my cheek that is undoubtedly bruised. “You mean this?” I say, motioning toward it, hoping that it looks as bad as it feels, so this whole thing has the effect it should.
“Hmm.” She frowns. “We’ll need to get some ice on that.” She busies herself arranging my sheets. “Very well. Today you can stay in.”
I huff in annoyance. “I wasn’t going anyway, Katina. You’d have to carry my dead body before I’d eat anything with him.”
Katina stops, turning toward me. “I’m on your side on this, Marina. Last night was too much.”
“You can say that again,” I snap, and she purses her lips.
