Chapter 6
Rule six: When sitting at the enemy’s table, try not to moan.
T here are some things that transcend the boundaries of time and space. Unfortunately, I’ve just realized that morning people are one of those things.
The sun is just starting to peek up over the horizon when I’m awakened by someone pounding at my door. The sound is insistent, and after a few minutes, I realize they aren’t going away.
Reluctantly, I roll out of bed and rub the sleep from my eyes as I make my way over to the door – if only to make whoever it is go away.
Opening the door, I’m met with a pair of warm brown eyes that look far too excited to be awake. The man is beaming like it is Christmas morning. He’s taller than me, with short-cropped light blond hair, and his face holds a day’s growth of scruff. His frame is lean, but from the shorts and tight-fitting T-shirt he’s wearing, I can see he’s also very toned.
Another attractive man in the Shadow Realm.
Shocking.
“Good morning, sunshine!” he exclaims, and his tone immediately reminds me of Sarah, making my heart pinch a little.
“Uhm – hi?” I answer, trying to figure out who this person is. He looks familiar, and I’m certain I’ve seen him before.
“I’m Damien, sorry I haven’t introduced myself yet, but I only just got back. I’m so happy we get to keep you!” he says, bouncing on his heels.
“No one is keeping me. I’m not a toy,” I correct, narrowing my eyes at him.
His answering smile is sheepish. “Well, I didn’t mean it like that . Rosie said you don’t want to go back to Leon, so, in my books, you’re family now.”
I take a step back, wary of his words. I haven’t decided to join these people. I haven’t even met Morgana.
Learning whether the proclaimed lady of the shadows is evil seems like a fair prerequisite to becoming realm-roomies.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet,” I correct.
“No problem! That just means we need to do a good job of making you feel like you should stay. Which you should. Trust me, I work for the Council. They suck,” Damien adds, still sporting his dazzling smile.
That’s when it clicks. I saw him back at the Council’s castle. He was one of the front guards when Leon and I visited. When I messed with the rude guard, Damien held the door for me and tried not to laugh at my joke.
Damien must see the recognition on my face. “There she is. I knew I left an impression.”
I clear my throat. “Sure. Uhm, so can I help you with something?”
Not to sound like I’m whining, but I’m still wearing the clothes I woke up in yesterday. I can’t remember the last time I showered. I don’t have a toothbrush, and I haven’t had coffee. I’m not feeling too social.
“Nope! I’m here to help you! We’re going for a run.”
I almost choke from trying not to laugh. “We are not.”
“Sure, we are, red. You’ve just jumped out of the Mortal Realm. There are a lot more things that want to kill you now. So, you need to start running,” Damien answers, like my possible death is as casual a topic as the weather.
When I still don’t budge, he gives me a once over before grinning conspiratorially. “How about a bribe then?”
Before I get a chance to ask what exactly he plans on bribing me with, he reaches down to the side of my door to pick up a cloth bag.
I crane my neck to see what’s inside.
I’m not above taking bribes. But for a morning run, whatever is in the bag will need to be better than a coffee and a muffin – even if the muffin is chocolate.
Damien opens the bag, finally letting me see what he’s offering. Inside are clothes and, more importantly, a pair of sneakers.
I gasp, reaching for it, but Damien pulls it back. “Say you’ll get dressed and come for a run. ”
I look longingly at the bag and then back at him. “Okay, I’m in.”
“Yes! See you in five minutes, red.”
And with that, he runs down the hall, practically clicking his heels.
The run turned out to be more helpful than I expected. Damien is enthusiastic about taking me around the castle grounds and is a great tour guide.
After our first loop of the castle, I learn something of critical importance. There is no way off of the castle grounds.
You either go through the forest of the forgotten dead or scale the nearly vertical cliffs on the opposite side of the grounds, which Damien informs me drop down to a raging ocean.
I’m guessing the landscape is a security feature since Damien also mentioned that only people Morgana trusts can apparate into the castle grounds.
Which begs the question, how did I get here? But I keep the question to myself.
By the time we finally finish our run, I’m gasping for air.
Okay, maybe Damien has a point. My cardio can use some work, especially now that the odds of running for my life have dramatically increased.
We stop in a large sand arena just behind the castle .
Damien starts to stretch, and I copy his moves, grateful we’re done. His bribe contained shoes, socks, a sports bra, a crop top and fresh leggings. It feels weird to be walking out and about with so much skin exposed, but Damien hasn’t said a word about my scars. Maybe the bandage is pulling attention away from them.
“Running is the perfect way to start your mornings. I think it really sets you up to have a great day since you’ve already accomplished something.”
Damien has been keeping a steady, upbeat chatter all morning. I think he and Dr. Parnard should become best friends. Maybe they can be pen pals?
After a few minutes of stretching, Damien gives me a pat on the back that nearly knocks me over. “Great job, red. Let’s get some breakfast.”
He throws me a devilish grin before beckoning me to follow him inside.
What is happening right now?
I am in the lair of the enemy, and I’m working out and getting breakfast with them? Weirder still, I think I might actually like the company of Magnus, Rosie, and Damien. They’ve been nothing but pleasant.
Am I suffering from Stockholm syndrome?
I don’t think so. I think if I were, I’d start to love my kidnapper. And I think Sin should spend an afternoon walking on Lego.
But before my thoughts can start to spiral again at the grim reality that I’ve been kidnapped, Damien leads me into the dining room.
Rosie and Magnus are already seated, so I take my spot next to Rosie, and Damien sits beside Magnus. The table is filled with an assortment of pastries and a pitcher full of what I really hope is coffee.
“Hi, Vivian! Did you have a good run?” Rosie asks as she reaches for the pitcher and pulls it closer. The smell reaches me, confirming that the dark liquid is coffee.
Not all heroes wear capes.
“It was alright. I’m not a big runner. But Damien makes a good tour guide.” I add the second part lest Damien think I’m not thankful for his help.
He winks at me.
“Good morning, my little enigma. I’m sorry to hear you aren’t pleased about Damien’s obsession with honing muscles,” Magnus notes, lifting his cup of coffee at me in greeting.
But before I can respond, Damien interjects, “This has nothing to do with physical appearance. It’s about survival. Red won’t look nearly as delicious if she’s dead.” He levels me with an apologetic smile. “I’m going to need to up your endurance and strength.”
I slump in my seat. While I know Damien has a point, I get the sinking impression that he’s going to make the morning wake-up calls a typical occurrence.
Magnus notes my expression, which may or may not reflect that I’m pouting, before he chimes in, “Not to worry, we have something for you that is sure to make you moan.”
Do I notice how sexually charged his comment is?
Of course.
But I also notice the covert glances he, Damien and Rosie share. They’re up to something .
My cheeks heat, but I push back against my embarrassment. Sassing Conner helped me to deal with his incessant flirtation. So, instead of sinking into my chair, I take a sip of my coffee and let out a small moan. “You’re right. It did make me moan. Thanks.”
Rosie giggles, but Magnus and Damien are both looking at me like they’re hungry. Considering we’re sitting at a table full of food, I’m just going to go ahead and assume they want more pastries.
Rosie chimes in before Magnus gets another opportunity to flirt with me, “The surprise will have to wait until after breakfast. Then I’ll change your bandage.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling a bit awkward. I’m not used to being fussed over.
“Of course!” Rosie replies, “And if you want to have stuff to do today, we’re each happy to have you tag along with us while we work.”
“Oh – but doesn’t Damien work at the Council’s castle?” I ask, confused. I will not be joining him if that’s the case.
“Guards in the lower rankings have odd rotations. We work for six weeks and then are off for two weeks. So, no work for me other than getting my hands on that body of yours,” Damien answers, wagging his eyebrows at me.
I know I’m blushing, and yet again, I remind myself that I am fully capable of handling flirts. “Thanks, but I can touch myself just fine.”
Magnus chokes on his coffee. Rosie and Damien are in stitches, laughing as Damien pounds Magnus on the back .
I sit back and take a bite out of a chocolate éclair. Chocolate makes everything better.
Once Magnus is no longer trying to inhale his caffeine, Damien embellishes, “What I mean is we’re going to start going through some self-defence.”
I purse my lips, considering his offer. I’ve always wanted to take self-defence classes. But before I can accept, Magnus interjects, “Or – she may want to join me. I have more treasures to go through today, little enigma. Would you like to learn more of the magics of the realms?”
Another tempting offer. I loved learning about the Fae Realm yesterday. And learning about more magic can only help me.
Rosie chirps beside me, “Men are so silly when they get competitive. I’m going to be making medicines today and working in the garden. Feel free to stop by any time. To visit any of us.” She gives a pointed look to the men at the last bit.
The conversation continues amiably, and from the teasing that goes on between the three of them, I can’t help but feel comfortable despite having only met the trio. It’s mainly because their dynamic reminds me so much of Sarah, Conner and Isaac.
After breakfast, Rosie tags along with me to my room to change my bandage. I follow her into my bathroom, assuming she wants some water when I notice the changes.
The mirror has been replaced, the shower now holds bottles and soaps, towels are piled high on a shelf, and there is a toothbrush in a cup by the sink.
I gape .
Rosie beams at my surprise. “I’m sorry we didn’t get you these sooner. I realized last night that you will probably be needing some extra things. So, Magnus and I raided most of the supply closets in the castle to find you everything we could. I also left some extra pants for you and a couple of shirts. We can’t leave the grounds just yet since Sin put us on a bit of a lockdown, but we wanted to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.”
I might cry.
Scratch that, I shed a tear – or ten.
Rosie squeezes my hand gently, promising that she’ll change my bandage after I’ve showered.
Once I’m alone again, I waste no time stripping. I don’t want to think about the grime coating my body. I haven’t been able to bathe since I was showering in my apartment the day after I woke Leon.
The thought has me trying to pinpoint where it all went wrong. Leon was the perfect gentleman when I first woke him. He was kind and considerate. But the moment I started talking about breaking our bond, it’s like something in his head snapped, and the man I’d barely gotten to know was gone. After that, I became acquainted with his contempt, possessiveness, and rage.
A chill spreads through me, and I turn the water temperature up higher to try and burn it away.
But no amount of heat can stop the guilt that eats away at me.
I was the problem. I was the one who didn’t accept the bond, and it drove him crazy. If I had just trusted him, trusted in the Fates, things might be different. Leon might not have snapped .
My stomach starts to ache, and the dark thoughts only start to spiral faster.
I’ve never done enough, never acted fast enough. Because of me, people get hurt. First Jackson, then Leon, and soon, my friends back home, when they realize I’m missing.
I’ve always been the problem.
I feel like I might buckle under the weight of the haze that presses in on me, and I keep trying to shove the dark thoughts back into the boxes in my head where they belong.
It isn’t working.
So, instead, I hurry through the rest of my shower. Not because the water doesn’t feel heavenly but because I need another distraction to pull me out of my head.
I don’t like it in here anymore.