The room was dark and empty with a large bed in the middle. It was lavishly decorated like something fit for a queen. The carpet was plush and seemed to bounce beneath my feet as I walked. The walls were painted gold with dark wood accents and the ceiling had dark wood beams crisscrossing it. The bed was huge with a billowy cream canopy. French doors opened onto a Juliet balcony. The room wasn’t huge, but it was much bigger than my room at home. The closet was even a walk-in and it was full of clothes like they’d been anticipating my arrival—or more likely had magicked some clothes up here once accepting my arrival. I ran my fingers over the silky material of a blouse. I had never owned clothes like this. Maybe if I had, I would’ve liked dressing up more.
The bathroom was small with only a toilet, sink, and walk-in shower, but it was just as lavishly decorated as the bedroom. I wasn’t going to complain, though. I was happy to have a bathroom of my own since I figured there’d be one we had to share—whoever we was, since so far, I really only knew Theo.
I knew I must be walking around with my mouth hanging down to my knees and my eyes wide. But I didn’t care. I felt like a princess in this room.
I ventured over to the chaise that was in front of the bed. My black duffel bag sat on the rich gold fabric and I really hoped my bag didn’t get it dirty. I wondered idly how it got here but, again, I reminded myself magic.
This was going to take some getting used to.
I wanted to collapse onto the plush bed, but I knew I needed to wash up first. I headed back into the closet in search of pajamas. I opened a few drawers before I found them. I held the pajamas in my hand, if they could even be called pajamas, they were nicer than anything I had ever owned.
As I opened drawers in the bathroom, I found that they, too, were fully stocked. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and even deodorant. I figured when it came to this kind of stuff they kept all the rooms stocked and ready to go. I grabbed what I needed and turned the shower on. I climbed inside and I could feel the dirt and grime leaving my skin. Despite the hotel showers, I still felt dirty. But now I felt cleaner than I ever had before. The water felt thick against my skin like it was coating me in a warm blanket.
Once my skin started resembling a raisin, I turned the water off and wrapped the fluffy, warm, white towel around my body. The smell of the peach soap I used still clung to my skin. I pulled on the silky purple pajamas and dashed into the bedroom. I pulled back the fluffy covers and pillows and sank down into the bed.
“Aaahhh,” I sighed out loud. I turned the light off and pulled the covers up to my chin.
But now that I had nothing to do to occupy my thoughts, and no annoying Theodore to drive me crazy, all I could think about was my old life.
My dad and Dani. Although, I guess Steven Pryce wasn’t really my dad, if Theo was telling the truth which I couldn’t find a reason for him to lie about that. But he was all I had known. He was, in every sense of the word, my dad. This other man out there, whoever he was, was not my father. He may have been half of me but he wasn’t there to be a father for me and he didn’t deserve the title. And if what Theo said was true then apparently my dad was the king of evil. The leader of The Iniquitous.
A few days ago, my biggest worry was college and the lone class I was taking.
Now I had to be afraid for my life.
I jolted awake and looked around the room. I put my hand to my racing heart. I was okay. I was in the manor. It was nothing but a nightmare.
I had been running, from what I didn’t know, I just knew I had to get away. I couldn’t let them get me.
But I was here. I was safe. Nothing was trying to get me. I pushed my sleep-mussed hair from my eyes and climbed from the bed. I brushed my teeth and hair and dressed in a pair of jeans and a billowy tank top from the closet.
I came out of the closet to find my bed made. I looked around the room as if I expected to find someone standing there. But, of course, there was no one. I was alone.
I shook my head and blinked my eyes but the bed was still freshly made.
“This is crazy,” I whispered.
I crossed the room and swung the door open, jolting back when I found someone standing outside my room.
A beautiful blonde girl with ice-blue eyes was standing outside my door.
“You must be Mara,” she sneered. It wasn’t a question. She looked me up and down. “What are you? Fifteen?” The look she gave me was of pure dislike.
“Almost eighteen,” I replied softly. I could feel myself shrinking underneath her gaze. Something about her was entirely intimidating. She oozed an otherworldly grace and seemed to glow from within. I wondered maybe if it was some sort of spell.
She lifted her lips in a mocking way. “I’m Naomi, and if you know what’s good for you you’ll stay away from Theodore. He’s mine,” she hissed, getting right in my face. I backed into the door, which had closed behind me.
“I don’t know what you mean. He’s my protector,” I muttered, “nothing more.”
She narrowed her icy-blue eyes. “Stay away from him. This is your only warning.” She turned to leave. Her jean skirt was way too short, and her tank top was skin tight. I didn’t know how she could walk or breathe.
I swallowed and waited until she was gone from my sight to let out my breath. I was beginning to think the blonde girl was a figment of my imagination when a voice startled me.
“Don’t worry about Naomi,” said a husky feminine voice a few doors down from me. “She thinks she’s Theodore’s girlfriend, but she’s not. He’s not allowed to be involved in romantic relationships since he’s a protector. Honestly, she’s just an overgrown Barbie doll in my opinion. I mean, no one’s waist should be that small and their boobs that big. I’m surprised she doesn’t tip over.”
I snorted at the image. “Who are you?”
The girl had to be about my age with wavy black hair that fell halfway down her back. She was pale, with dark blue eyes, and plump naturally red lips. A mole rested just above her lip. Was everyone here this beautiful?
“Oh, how rude of me,” she said, walking over. “I’m Adelaide.” I took her slender hand in mine.
“You look familiar,” I commented, studying her features.
“Of course I do. You know my brother.” She tilted her head at me waiting for me to connect the very obvious dots.
“Theo’s your brother? But you—you’re … well, nice.”
She laughed. Her laugh was as deep and husky as her voice. “You’ve caught me on a good day. I’m not always so nice. Come, I’ll show you to the dining hall.” As I followed alongside her, she said, “So, he lets you call him Theo? He’s never let anyone else call him that. Not even me.”
I laughed. “I don’t think he really likes it. He said that as long as I call him Theo he’ll call me doll face.”
Adelaide’s blue eyes widened. “Really? Was he abducted by aliens? Pet names? I’m shocked. Something must have been slipped into his food. Theodore is not the joking type.”
“He’s very serious,” I agreed.
She shrugged as we descended the massive ornate staircase that looked like it was better suited for the Titanic than a home. Now that it was daylight and I had the time to notice, there was even a domed skylight above the staircase extending to the top floor.
“He’s been serious since our parents died. He feels like he has to be a parent to me. Lord knows I don’t need one. I’m perfectly fine on my own.” She smiled, flipping her hair over her shoulder.