Page 98 of Her Tortured Beasts

“Will you be a dear and fetch my tonic, Aurelia?” she asks.

A slender trolley sits by the window behind me, her day’s three bottles sitting expectantly on top.

“Of course, Lady Drakos,” I say quietly. “With your juice again?”

She nods and I take her cup to the trolley.

“I hope Xander and Francesca have a productive trip,” Flores says as the butler pours black coffee into his mug.

“Indeed,” Lady Drakos replies. “Francesca’s parents will be most pleased to spend time with their daughter.”

Something in my chest squeezes at the words.

I’d been someone’s daughter once.

Blinking hard, I take my time at the trolley, gazing out the windows as I stirred the mixture in the glass, before turning back around and returning the cup to Lady Drakos.

“Hopefully they’ll have good news on the way soon,” Flores says mildly.

I almost keel over as I make my way back to my chair.

“Does that mean we’ll have cousins?” Delilah says, frowning. “I hope Uncle Xander doesn’t forget about us.”

Flores chuckles. “I’m sure he won’t forget you, but hatchlings of rare breeds are important for the community, are they not, Aurelia?”

Luckily, I’ve seated myself this time. “Certainly,” I say tightly.

Selena glances at me with unmistakable worry.

“Hopefully we’ll expect good news from you too, Aurelia,” Flores finishes.

I stare at my plate, darkness swirling in my stomach. Without Mace’s scientists, what are the dragon king’s plans? What are Mace’s plans?

I’m suddenly highly aware of the fact that Xander isnothere.

We eat in silence for fifteen more minutes, and I don’t miss the look of warning Selena throws my way.

“Well, we must be on our way,” Flores says, pushing his chair back. He gestures to me. “Come along, Aurelia.”

Lady Drakos and Selena have gone very quiet. I avoid looking at them both, silently pushing my chair back and going around the table towards Flores. With the flick of his wrist, any illusion of a normal family breakfast is gone, and I’m leashed once again.

We head outside to a Rolls Royce with its engine already running.

There’s not a serpent in sight, of course. No Ghoul, flashing his fangs at me with a snarky greeting. There are only Lunaris wolves, staring me down with hard, unforgiving eyes.

Raquel has been in the back of my mind, still trapped down there in the dark. Minnie and Stacey are probably beside themselves, but at least I know they’ll be looking after our wolf anim’s body.

As chilling as this is, nothing makes a fell tingle crawl down my spine like the moment Flores Drakos opens the back door of the Rolls Royce and smiles at me.

With my jaw clenching back my fear, I head inside, scooting all the way into the other side so he sits as far from me as possible. Two wolves, a male and Ruben’s regina, get into the front seats and we’re off down towards the gate.

Long drives are a killer. It would just be easier to ride on dragon back, and I don’t know why Flores doesn’t choose this option. Scythe always rode Xander to get from Animus Academy into the city, and while it was a little uncomfortable, it was much more efficient than sitting in a car for so many agonising hours.

Flores puts his headphones in and gets out a laptop, busy for most of the time. I don’t get any such luxuries and am forced to look out at the sunburnt countryside until I eventually nod off.

By the time we reach our destination, my hands are numb from sitting on them, my eyes are wet at the corners, and mymouth is as dry as the Australian outback. My nerves are shot through.

And the entire time, the dragon king sat on his phone or laptop, ignoring me. I think a part of him enjoys the fact that my fear perfumes the car. That my heart is beating so loudly all three beasts can hear it. I don’t attempt conversation, nor ask any questions. I won’t give him that satisfaction.

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