Page 15 of Hell Storm

“Good morning!” Elle greeted the group with a wave and a smile, but only a few returned the gesture. The others never took their eyes off me.

“Friendly bunch, aren’t they?” I wasn’t sure whether Elle understood the concept of sarcasm, but she would soon if she hung around me long enough.

My gaze climbed the height of the perimeter wall when we approached it. It had been constructed out of smooth stone. I assumed this was not only because the designers were going for a specific look, but also because the texture would make it incredibly difficult for anyone to scale.

But every fortress had its weakness.

And I wouldn’t stop until the palace’s weakness was discovered.

“Elle? Where are the hellhounds kept?”

When I asked, I realized that the intent of this outing was beginning to shift. It had once been to blow off steam, and was now a scouting mission.

I wasn’t likely to get another opportunity to survey the grounds, so I had to make the most use of being somewhat free for the moment.

“They’re kept in a facility behind the garage. Oh, but don’t worry. I made certain they were secured before arranging our walk,” she answered with a smile.

I hadn’t even thought to worry about that, but was grateful it seemed like a valid reason to ask.

“Is the garage far?” was my next question. “I’d like to see what other cars Julian keeps around, if that’s okay.”

Elle glanced over. I wasn’t sure whether the look she gave was one of suspicion or curiosity.

“It’s just that I’ve always been fascinated by the expensive cars Ianites drive, but almost never get a chance to see them up close.” I hoped this explanation would reassure her, fool her into thinking these questions were innocent.

I studied her expression to see if she detected the lie, detected that I indeed had ulterior motives. However, when her usual, chipper smile curved her mouth upward, I knew I was in the clear.

“Of course! It’s right this way.”

She pointed right and I followed her lead. The only thing I could see from here was a beautiful greenhouse in the shape of a giant bird cage. The panes of glass that framed it bore a shimmery, iridescent coating. I wasn’t sure how the plant life inside was maintained with so little sunlight allowed to seep through the clouds, but the Ianites were crafty and had clearly come up with a solution.

“So, the hellhounds,” I blurted, “are they kept indoors unless there’s a disturbance? Or are we just lucky they’re not out yet for the day?”

Elle turned to me with a smile. “There really is no need to be alarmed, Corina.”

“It’s not that. I guess I’m just curious about how things work around here. I mean, if this is going to be my home, I should get familiar with how the monarchs run their kingdom, right?”

It felt strange saying these things, seeing as how I didn’t intend to get comfortable.

“They mostly roam freely,” she answered, “but they’re brought inside when it’s time to be fed. Meal times aren’t set. It mostly depends on their temperament.”

In other words, there was no way I could plan to make a run for it when they weren’t lurking about the grounds. If I knew Ianites as well as I thought I did, not keeping a set schedule was probably intentional, calculated.

Like every other move they made.

The stone walkway eventually led us past the greenhouse and another building came into view.

“Is that it?”

Elle nodded. “It is.”

I didn’t slow my pace, but peered over my shoulder. “But it’s so far from the house. Doesn’t Julian get annoyed having to walk this far when he wants to head into the city?”

Elle shrugged, and I hadn’t seen her do that before—not that I was an expert. It honestly seemed like the more I was around her, the more human she became. Perhaps, she was even beginning to pick up some of my traits.

Julian wouldlovethat, I’m sure.

“Seeing as how he’s usually escorted by a driver, it’s not as inconvenient as you might think. But on the rare occasion that he wants to drivehimself,he’ll either just walk the same path you and I have taken, or an alternate route.”

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