Chapter 17 Danni
Danni
I peek around the edge of the door frame to my bedchambers, the corridor beyond empty in both directions. Disappointment floods me as I realize Knox has refused to escort me to this dinner. Sure, I snapped at him, but didn’t we need to keep up appearances?
This man would no doubt throw me into the vipers’ den without a second thought.
My body crackles with exhaustion, left heavy from unhealthy cortisone levels. Living in a constant state of fear is not for the weak. And I’m pretty sure I’m developing a Vitamin D deficiency thanks to the weird fake sun outside. I loathe this place.
My mind wanders back to Knox again and I try to ignore the stabbing feeling in that hollow part of my heart.
He has no say in his fate, either. We’re tied together whether we like it or not.
I suppose he did give me a choice, albeit a shitty one: take part in the training or die a slow and painful death.
But did he have a choice in giving me that ultimatum? Not really. The bond is clearly the driving force behind his decision making. That thought gives me little comfort.
Wait! Do I want him to actually like me? Am I really defending this monster?
As I walk slowly through the corridor, I try to pay attention to the named doors to keep my bearings, instead of wallowing in the head fuckery that comes with being associated with Knox.
This hotel is a maze. Corridor after corridor, all decorated with the same outdated beige wallpaper.
It feels like I went to dinner with Knox a lifetime ago, not just twenty-four hours.
But was it?
There is no sun moving across the sky to dictate the time.
I’m losing my mind.
At the end of the hallway, I hear the muffled musical strains of a string quartet coming from behind the largest door. I smooth down the nonexistent crinkles in my dress and force myself to breathe deeply.
Tonight, I’ll play along. Pretend I’m bewitched so I can gather all the information I need to break the spell and get the humans out. Someone behind this door must have loose lips after a drink or two; I’ll use every single bit of flirtatious charm I possess to get the knowledge I need.
My heart skips as I turn the handle.
Will I come face to face with my mother’s killer behind the door?
Slowly, I push it open.
All false confidence vanishes as I take in the scene in front of me. My mouth hangs open in shock. I didn’t know exactly what to anticipate when it came to attending a dinner party with the five rulers of this realm, but this wasn’t it.
A woman, the one with bouncing curls who was first in line for the trials, lies on top of a banquet table, completely naked, body spread eagle on the tablecloth.
Dark leather straps bind her wrists and ankles.
Silver buckles glint in the dim candlelight.
Men and women gather all around her, each taking turns to ignite the woman’s pleasure with their praises, kisses, and the eager touch of their fingers.
A tall, dark-haired man with a smirk that would send any woman over the edge picks up the nearest candle and begins to pour hot wax over her exposed chest.
The woman’s back arches off the wood. “Fuck yes. More, more!” she screams, then catches her bottom lip between her teeth.
Another woman I recognize from our training happily obliges, sliding her fingers deep inside of her pussy.
What the fuck is going on here?
I clasp my hands over my eyes as I mutter quick apologies for entering the wrong room. My cheeks flame as the moans get louder. I blindly fumble with the door handle, trying not to trip on my skirts as I attempt to flee the room.
“Megan, calm yourself or you’ll scare away our new friend,” one of the men surrounding her says, but I don’t know which one. I’m too afraid to remove my hand and look.
“Oh, no, you’re fine. I was just leaving,” I say awkwardly as I take another backwards step into the hallway. My back collides with something hard and warm, preventing my escape.
A pair of hands gently grasp my arms to hold me steady. The tingles shooting over my flesh tell me exactly who is behind me.