Page 39 of Bound By Darkness

“Who are you?” Dragan asks.

She faces him and appears unimpressed. “My name is Saevel.” She takes a breath. “You are all welcome here. You’re lucky to have made it this far.” I’m not sure what she means, but no one questions her. Instead, we all stand there, watching as she moves across the room. When she reaches the other side, she tugs on a rope that hangs from the ceiling. A staircase drops down from a hidden trap within the ceiling, to reveal a long, narrow corridor that leads to a hidden second floor, high above.

“Head up the stairs,” she instructs as her eyes land on me again. She seems to realize I’m… something, even though no one has mentioned it to her. Of course, I imagine Variant’s informed everyone that Dragan and Cambion are traveling with an angel. So maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.

“There are only two rooms,” Saevel continues. “So, you’ll have to share. Hot baths and fresh linens are in each chamber. I’ll prepare supper while you bathe and dress. Raflamir will return shortly. You can discuss your plans then.”

“What about me?” Flumph asks, rudely. “You got any place special for fae folk?” I figure he considers himself a “fae folk.”

“I have only what I mentioned,” Saevel tells him, matter of factly.

“Flumph, you can room with me,” I offer.

“As will I,” Baron adds. I can’t help my surprise and when I look at him, the expression on his face is one I’ve never seen before.

“That’s not necessary,” Dragan cuts in, narrowing his eyes as he focuses on Baron.

“It is,” interrupts Baron.

Dragan takes a deep breath and clears his throat.

“What do you bloody well care?” Cambion demands of him.

Dragan takes another breath which escapes his lips in a hissing sound. But then, as if catching himself in his own jealousy, he simply nods. He glares at me, as though it’s my fault Baron offered to room with me. Who knows, maybe he thinks it is? Maybe he thinks I’ve enchanted Baron with my Succubus magic…

I chance another look at Baron to try to figure him out. Though there’s something about him that terrifies me, I’m not up for listening to Cambion and Dragan tear away at me, or at each other. So far, Baron is the only one who hasn’t treated me differently for my Succubus nature. In fact, he treats me with the same irritable disinterest he treats the others.

Flumph gives me a look of uncertainty and whispers, “You sure Vampy is the best bunk buddy out o’ the three o’ them?”

“I don’t know,” I reply honestly.

Cambion is the first to climb the stairs. He and Dragan search both rooms as though they’re afraid of an ambush. It’s smart of them, and I feel like a fool for not thinking of the same. We are wanted people; therefore we must be aware of our surroundings.

Maybe Dragan was right when he said I can’t take care of myself.

Cambion signals the rest of us, and I wonder if he’s aware of how well he and Dragan work together. When they’re united on a mission, their steps are in tune and their music is one of harmony rather than discord. If everyone wasn’t so keen on arguing all the time, we might have made more progress in our mission by now.

Baron takes my rope and leads me up the narrow stairs, holding my elbow as he guides me. Flumph floats at my side. When we reach the top, Dragan glares at Baron’s hand on my elbow but then turns around and trudges down the short hallwaybefore pausing in front of the first bedroom. He opens the door for me and I step inside, Baron behind me. I notice the way Dragan hovers at the entrance to the bedchamber, watching Baron intensely.

“She’s our prisoner which means she’s under our protection,” he says, spearing Baron with his pointed gaze.

“Understood,” Baron replies, and doesn’t spare a second glance at Dragan or the room in general. Instead, he flops down on the bed.

Dragan continues to stand there before he shakes himself and stomps away, slamming the door behind him.

I circle around a privacy screen and find a large copper tub filled to the brim with steaming water. A handful of glass bottles sit on a small, wooden table nearby, filled with perfumes and scented oils. Flumph screws up his nose as he reads them out loud.

“Why all you pretties gots to smell like flowers ‘an pastries and whatnot?”

“Isn’t it nice to be and smell clean?” I ask in response.

He shakes his head. “I don’t care what ya smell like, so long as it ain’t like shit an’ demon semen. Ha ha, that rhymed!”

My mouth quirks into a smile as I find a robe that might fit. Baron makes no move to leave the bed, so Flumph flies over to him.

“Hey, you gonna bathe yerself or what?” he demands.

I notice the vampire doesn’t respond. Flumph inches closer to him, but his knees begin to knock together and it’s obvious he’s afraid of Baron. It’s almost charming, in a bizarre way. I’m glad I’m not the only one scared of something.

---