Page 91 of Their Blood Queen

I had already witnessed him taking numerous bets on the Offerings for Monsters Night, and I suspect that’s what his last-minute conversation was about. I’m not sure how he knows which selections will be the most successful, but I have a feeling the Rinholds will be filling their coffers tonight.

And, most disappointing of all, he isn’t back at the estate caring for me after what he did. The trauma of our encounter and tempting the blood contract are what put me in this dream state in the first place.

At least, that’s the only logical conclusion I can come to. I have Cain’s blood dancing through my veins, and after experiencing Edward’s desire, I was met with a figment of my own.

One who gave me exactly what I wanted.

Did my figment really take my virginity with his tongue?

A thrill runs up my spine with the memory, but I can’t confirm it. Cain’s blood might be powerful, but I’m not so sure if the Dream Eater can make a dream as vividly realistic as that.

Was it some sort of test that I failed?

Maybe I am meant for monsters.

Or maybe it simply was just a dream.

There was no blood found on my body or on the sheets when Beatrix found me and dressed me, so I’m not sure the truth of the matter.

She knows something happened, though, which is why either she or Julie has remained by my side since then.

No matter my efforts to speak, either in the real world or through a mirror, I can’t tell them that I can see them.

I suspect only one can hear me.

Cain’s blood did this, so I need to find him. I’ve been able to travel all across his city after that night, and I know it’s because of some sort of foothold his blood has given me in a world he must know more intimately than I.

A dream world.

I don’t know what to call it, and I desperately wish I could ask him, but I only seem to be able to travel through reflective surfaces. Broken ones work best, allowing me a peephole to peer through.

One which I utilize now as I observe the magical screens coming to life in the viewing bar, making the crowd gasp.

Edward glances up to watch the show.

I do the same.

Monster City comes into view, a place of impressive buildings and trees infused with iron. I’ve never been there, but my spirit longs for it as if my soul knows I was always destined to be an Offering wandering those streets.

An announcer counts off villages and their Offering numbers, and I perk up when they reach the Nightingale numbers. Our particular announcer will focus on the Magic Sector, but there are many families in this sector. It’s unusual that the focus would be on the Nightingales.

Perhaps my blood contract has caught the interest of the entire sector.

That can’t be good.

The screen zooms in on a male and female, a pair who seem to be close.

“And here we are on Nightingale’s selections!” the male announcer declares, earning an abnormal cheer from the crowd.

As Edward beams, I realize they’re trying to impress him now that a Nightingale Lady has become his future bride. No one questions why I’m not sitting with him, which disgruntles me further.

But I keep listening as I watch for any news of where Cain might be. I can only assume he’s still in his tower. He never participates, as far as I’m aware, but I fully intend to take note of the most successful pairings, because Cain might visit those estates as a reward. That’ll be my best chance to talk to him.

“The betting pool places these three at the top of our charts, so we’re going to be following them for the majority of the night. If you placed bets on other Offerings, tune in on the alternate projections…”

The announcer drones on, advertising the other channels no doubt sponsored by various families hoping for more of a spotlight. The game is for selections to match to the most powerful monster categorized by ranks, but it’s no secret that the betting games highly contribute to family survival, too.

Why doesn’t Cain put a stop to the gambling? I ponder as the announcer zooms in on the first two selections.

---