AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m barely hanging on to that title, Marina. If I were to let you go, it would be the end of my rule and the beginning of a war on humanity. The Council would do everything to overthrow me, and if that happens, no human is safe.”
My body shudders at the thought of vampires running rampant. I want my freedom back, but at what cost? My life has been a series of unfortunate events. It hasn’t been a great life by any stretch. Without Maggie, it’s hardly a life at all.
“So I’m stuck here, is what you’re telling me,” I ask, needing to come to terms with my fate.
“Yes, Marina.” He frowns. “If, at some point, I can allow you to leave and you’ll be safe, I will.”
I’ve never considered myself a martyr, but it’s hard to think about myself when the lives of millions could be in jeopardy. Trying to escape Julian is one thing, but knowing I’d have more coming for me doesn’t make my earlier plan of getting out of here sound feasible. My parents might not be the best, but I love them, and I won’t bring monsters down on them because I’m selfish. They’ve lost so much already.
“You promise me that I have nothing to fear with you?”
His eyes bore into mine.
“You have my word.”
“Let’s negotiate a truce,” I suggest, hoping to make my situation a little less horrible, while also giving me a chance to find answers.
“A truce,” he says, as if testing the word out. “I thought we were already making one.”
“Not exactly.”
He clucks his tongue, seemingly annoyed by my antics.
“What would you suggest?” he finally asks.
My arms cross and I stand, walking in a circle, forming the words in my head before speaking. I want to be clear about my terms. Once I have it all laid out, I stop and look him in the eyes.
“I’ll agree to give you the benefit of the doubt, and in return you give me more liberties.”
“Such as?”
“I want to have free rein of the castle. No locked doors and no off-limits rooms.”
“That’s not possible. There are rooms in the house where we train new bites, and it isn’t safe for you. They are guarded heavily, and you aren’t at risk as long as you stay away, but I wouldn’t want any accidents.”
“New bites?” I could guess as to what that is, but I allow him to explain.
“Recently turned vampires. They need to be trained, so they don’t go on killing sprees. However, being exposed to humans so soon is dangerous.”
I shudder at the thought of coming face to face with a new vampire. I can agree that a situation like that isn’t in my best interest.
“Fine. You can set limits on where I can go, but please don’t lock me in my room. Allow me to come outside when I want.”
He blows out a puff of air.
“Will you try to run off?” he asks, eyes narrowing.
“Not if you don’t give me reason.”
It’s a lie. I can’t truly promise that. If I ever feel like my friends and family could be safe, I’ll run, but I’m desperate, so I do my best at being convincing, even if he can read me.
“All right. Deal,” he says. “You can roam free, but you’ll stay out of the dungeons and the east wing. The dungeon is where new bites are kept, and the east wing contains my father’s chambers. His belongings are still there, and I’d like to keep the area preserved until the cause of his death is determined.”
I nod in agreement.
Dark corridors and rooms tainted by death aren’t on the top of my list of places to frequent. I’ll mostly keep to my room, but having the ability to roam free makes it seem less like a cell.
“Thank you, Julian.”
