Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
I clear my throat. “Are you going to make me go back in my room?”
They seem to study the door, though I don’t know exactly how that’s possible since they have no actual eyes. “No,” they say slowly. “No, I don’t think I will. There are a few hours until you’re collected for the auction. Want to stretch your legs?”
“Stretch my legs,” I echo. I narrow my eyes. “I’m not allowed to wander the halls, am I?”
“Nope.” Their grin widens. “But since the castle let you out once, it’ll probably do it again, and it’s better that you have an escort. Won’t stop our fearless leader from popping a blood vessel, but that’s just a bonus from where I’m sitting.”
I very much want to move, to start down the hall and walk off some of this restless energy, but I don’t know if it’s a smart idea. Then again, I’m not sure I care. “Do you not like Azazel?”
“It’s not a matter of liking Azazel.” They turn and offer their elbow. “He’s too good at his job. Sometimes it’s important to throw a wrench or seven into the gears. Keeps him on his toes.”
And I’m a wrench.
No reason for that to sting. I am the problem child, the unruly one, the daughter and girlfriend and employee who can’t manage to get anything right. The endless letdown.
That doesn’t stop me from slipping my arm through Ramanu’s and walking down the hall. I am my most charming version, telling them some of the more outrageous—and harmless—stories about my life and making them laugh. It’s pleasant enough, though I can’t help feeling their interest is at least partially scrutinizing. Whether that is directed at me specifically or simply because Azazel brought me here is up for grabs.
They stop short and tilt their head to the side. “Well, damn. Duty calls.” They slip their arm from mine and squeeze my shoulder. “It was a delight talking with you, Catalina. Take that door, and it should lead you back to your room.”
“What door?” I turn to look where they point. Wait a minute. I frown. “There wasn’t a door there a few seconds ago.” I’m not the most observant person, but I would have noticed a door. Especially since the damned hallway has been completely free of them for the duration of our walk.
“The castle shifts as it pleases.” They lift their voice. “Please see her back safely.”
A chill runs down my spine. “The castle is sentient?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” They shrug. “Doesn’t hurt to be polite in any case.” They turn and open a door that definitely wasn’t there a second ago. I catch sight of a short hallway ending in a half-open door.
Azazel’s low voice carries down the hall. “Get in here, Ramanu.”
Ramanu holds up a single finger to their lips and closes the door softly, leaving me alone. I look up and down my hallway. It’s much the same as it’s been since we started walking. I turn back to the door they went through and sigh.
It’s gone.
The other door really is the only option. If things are moving tonight, then I guess I should put on my best behavior and play obedient human. I’m honestly not sure what that looks like, but I can try.
I grip the door and inhale slowly. “Thanks for letting me out.” Like Ramanu said, it doesn’t hurt to be polite.
The door doesn’t lead back into my room, though. I step into another hallway. This one feels more official, though I don’t know if that’s the right word. The one Ramanu and I walked in was very nice, but the walls were mostly plain and the stone was uncovered, whereas thick carpet runs the length of this one. There are paintings here too. They’re big and abstract, but the colors draw me in all the same. I could spend hours looking at them.
Best not to.
I keep moving. I have a feeling of being watched, but when I look over my shoulder, there’s no one there. Odd. The hallway takes a turn, and I stop short. Stone steps descend into shadows. “Castle, I was nice to you. Please don’t lead me into a murder basement.”
There’s no answer, but I didn’t really expect one. I give one last look around, but no doors have magically appeared. Apparently it doesn’t matter that I didn’t take stairs to get to this point, because I’m taking stairs now.
“Here goes nothing.”
I descend for a long time. A long time. Until my thighs start to shake and I’m wondering if I should have spent more time in the gym. I don’t hate the gym, but it’s very hard to be surrounded by all those hard and thin bodies when mine is so very average. Not to mention I just flat-out forget to go for weeks—sometimes months—at a time.