Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Then why does he choose someone every month to stay here with him?” Vasilios questioned. “What’s the purpose?”
“Nobody knows the answer to that,” she replied, taking another sip of wine as a shudder fell over her. “All I know is it can’t be anything good. The ones who are cursed can’t remember what happened to them, but there’s always a certain look in their eyes. A haunted look, kind of like their brain has forgotten, but their body still remembers.”
“Well, that’s not at all unsettling,” I said as I popped a cherry tomato into my mouth.
“You really shouldn’t have come. If Sarasin picks you for the Curse, I shudder to think what you’ll endure. You’re too young and inexperienced to survive whatever he puts people through,” Monica said, and I didn’t like her assumption that just because I was young, I couldn’t handle suffering.
“Darya is stronger than you think,” Vasilios said in my defence, and Monica didn’t look happy about it. I thought she might say something mean, but then a hush fell over the gathering. Everyone’s attention went to the door at the end of the room as it opened, and the man of the hour walked in.
Sarasin had arrived.
14.
I wasn’t sure what I expected of the mysterious Sarasin, but I certainly didn’t expect him to be so … well, handsome. In my head, I’d conjured a strange, shadowy person, but the reality was far more surprising.
He was intimidatingly tall and muscular, with shoulders that almost spanned the breadth of the doorway. His long, dark hair was so black there was a certain blue quality to it, and his eyes were elven green but with a glow that belied his power.
My attention went to the antique bronze clock that hung over the door. It wasn’t long until midnight, and my stomach tensed. How exactly did he decide who he would select?
Vasilios’ eyes were glued to our host as he took his seat and an elf hurried to his side, pouring him wine while another set a plate of food in front of him. Sarasin didn’t address the guests, instead taking a sip of wine and whispering something to one of the elves. The guests slowly began chattering again, and I returned my attention to the food. Even though I was a bag of nerves, I was intent on finishing the meal. Who knew when I’d next get the chance to eat something so nutritious?
A few minutes passed before I sensed someone’s eyes on me. Glancing up, I sucked in a silent gasp. Sarasin’s attention was fixed in my direction. I swallowed tightly, and he seemed to frown. I looked away and felt Vasilios bend close to whisper, “Did you see that? He was staring right at you.”
“I know,” I whispered back, my voice a little shaky. “I hope that doesn’t mean he’s decided to pick me for the Curse.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen.”
“How can you possibly prevent it?”
His gaze was steady. “Because if it comes to that, I’ll offer myself in your place.”
My mouth fell open. Was he being serious? “You’d offer yourself instead of me? Why?”
“Contrary to what you might believe, I do have a heart in my chest,” he stated coolly.
I hesitated to respond because, honestly, I wasn’t sure if I still believed the same things about Vasilios. I was certainly coming to think he wasn’t completely evil. I just wasn’t certain he was entirely good, either.
Monica was speaking with another demon who sat next to her, so I took the opportunity to change the subject. “Why aren’t you more interested in Monica’s offer to have you and Sven join the demons?”
Vasilios arched an eyebrow. “And where would that leave you?”
“It would leave me on my own, obviously.”
“Exactly.”
His look was meaningful, and I was very confused. “So let me get this straight,” I said. “You’d avoid joining a group far stronger than the one you’re currently in just because it would adversely affect me? I doubt Sven would be too happy to hear that.”
“Then you don’t know Sven. The fact that you would be left vulnerable is only half the problem. Both Sven and I would rather cut off a limb than become members of a group that would have us despite our mixed heritage. We spent our entire lives in indentured servitude for the exact same reason, and the fact that this prison separates us based on the same criteria is abhorrent to us.” His voice lowered so that only I could hear. “And it’s why we’re intent on escaping.”
My heart pounded hard in my chest because, despite all our differences, Vasilios and I were on the same page regarding discrimination. And honestly, I didn’t blame him for having an escape plan. If I were him, I’d probably have one, too. A moral dilemma formed within me because I still had to decide if I would inform the powers that be that they planned to escape. I knew from what Sergeant Davis had said that the prison guards were on high alert for an escape attempt, and right then, I had a strange urge to warn Vasilios. What the hell was wrong with me? Was I actually on his side?