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“Of that, I have no doubt.” Light sparkled in my master’s eyes. “However, I have spoken to other interested parties. I will keep her entered—see who the most motivated buyer is.”
Gervais snorted. “A shrewd businessman. Lucky that you’re family, too.” His eyes traveled over me hungrily. “Fine. A day matters little. And I expect she’ll be worth the wait.”
“Shall we make our way to the palace?”
“We shall.” Prince Gervais gave me a wink before he allowed my master to escort him to the door.
I didn’t breathe until they disappeared. At once, the entire room came to life again—slaves whispered over what had transpired and my ill fate.
Tears fell down Anna’s cheeks. She, too, had heard the horrid tales of Prince Gervais and his twin, Prince Mylan.
“Perhaps someone will compete with the prince?” Yvette laid a soft hand on my forearm and pulled me back to sit.
“Unless it’s another Laurent, that’s doubtful,” I said.
Yvette frowned, sat up straighter, and looked around. When she faced me again, her expression had hardened. “I have an idea. Something that might help you.”
“I’m listening.”
Yvette did another scan of the room, and in that time, Anna threw me a look of concern. What did Yvette have to say that required so much discretion?
“The Blood Ball is tonight. Any vampire who is anyone wants to go, including soldiers. Most of the city gates will be closed for the night.” Yvette leaned closer. “Only one remains open, and it’s being guarded by humans.”
“How do you know?” I breathed.
“Simon is friends with one of the bathhouse guards. Not the one that ratted on you, mind. His friend said that five men from the bathhouse are to watch the wall tonight. The vampires want their revelry on their holy night.”
I couldn’t believe that, nor what she was implying.
Anna shook her head slowly. “Are you saying Neve should . . .?”
“I would try,” Yvette whispered. “The humans will be armed, but it’s the best chance you’re ever going to get. The Winter Court is closest to the east. You could run for that border. Once there, you could travel through the Red Mist Mountains. Go south.”
“To the Autumn Court?”
“Or the Dragon Court.” Yvette nodded. “It’s directly south. If it were me, I’d aim for there, rather than taking the longer route to the Autumn Court. Fae or not.”
Stars above. Did I dare? The journey would be very perilous.
I’ll find you later, wildcat.
Prince Gervais’s face flashed in my mind, and the way his hard eyes promised pain made me recoil. He would not fail to purchase me. I would take my chances with escape and maybe survive, or I faced a fate worse than death.
I met Yvette’s eyes. “Please, help me plan.”
Chapter 4
Moonlight streamed in through the bedroom window. Outside, vampires reveled in the night of the Blood Ball, regardless of if they’d been invited to dance among the elite or not. They ducked into private parties, taverns, and brothels, taking their pleasure where they could.
A few streets to the west, the bell atop the tower tolled eleven times. I swallowed, the signal sending a fresh wave of terror through me as I gripped my threadbare blanket tighter, clinging to the false sense of safety it provided. Perhaps the last security I’d ever feel.
“Oow my stomach!” Anna whined right on cue.
A few beds away, two of our roommates turned their backs to Anna, just as we’d hoped they would. My best friend’s stomach pains were a common occurrence. After many turns of being woken at night, those light sleepers in our shared quarters always pretended to not hear. The other five slaves in the room remained snoring, definitely asleep, like usual. Nothing but the clanging of the wakeup bell would rouse them.
“Stars,” Anna gasped dramatically, “I can barely move!”
“I can help,” I offered, just loud enough to be sure those still awake heard.
