Page 106 of Of Mercury and Mist

Letting out a deep sigh, I complained, “I’m bored. I think I’m going to go to the palace and hang out with the girls, if that’s okay?” He eyed me carefully, mulling over my request.

“It would help me to be more social, I think.” I took his hand in mine. “Please?”

Samuel stared at me, and I knew enough at this point to be certain he was reading my aura, searching for signs of treachery. Micha had whined about me drawing in on myself and shutting him out and I’d never done it consciously. Trusting my natural instincts was the only advantage I had over the powerful creature in front of me.

“That may not be a bad idea. A couple of the wraiths will escort you; I’ve got some things I need to take care of.”

When Samuel left the room, I let out my breath and my heart felt like it started beating again. In a non-chemical daze, I did everything I could not to rush to my room and give myself away.

Oddly, Samuel had never moved me into his bedroom. I’d never dared ask why, choosing to count my blessings instead. He’d never revealed his end game and seemed content just having me around. As long as I was wasted and compliant, at least.

After several evenings at the palace, it had started to dawn on me that human women really were a status symbol of sorts, and me especially since I’d once been employed at Ipomoea. I’d eavesdropped and picked up on enough conversations to know the demons and vampires that’d moved to the Third Realm were both a source of wonder, and a threat.

Josiah and Micha had been revered before they slaughtered one of their leaders, which made owning me even more lucrative.

The wraiths led me through the freezing tunnel system after I was ready to leave. I’d learned rather quickly to wear a fur coat for survival while traveling through the system with Samuel and tucked myself in as best I could.

“Oh, he let you out I see,” a raven-haired beauty greeted me once I entered the hall.

The other women watched me out of the corners of their eyes as I got situated, quickly reaching for a carafe to keep up appearances. It was doubtful this beverage contained anything that would alter my mental state, but I wasn’t going to drink any of it.

As I poured, I said, “Well, it seems I’m not going anywhere so why not?”

“He’ll get sick of you. They all do it,” she sneered.

One of the other women spoke up. “You need to flirt with some of the others if you want to make it here.” She nodded toward the chairs on the other side of the room. I spotted Ethan, Elijah, and a couple others I’d seen around on the evenings I’d come here with Samuel.

“What do you guys think of them?” I asked. “Have you been with any of them?”

“Ethan and David are all right. Elijah mostly sticks to the harem. The other two don’t like women,” a pretty blonde told me.

“Harem?” I asked.

“Yeah. It's a good job, if you can get it.”

“How does that happen?”

She shrugged. “There’s tryouts.”

My mouth dropped open. “Like a competition?” The thought was wild, and I laughed out loud. “Do you get a trophy?”

The dark-haired woman rolled her eyes. “Don’t even worry about it; it's obvious you’d never make the cut.” I let the insult slide off.

“Where’s the rest room?” It was about time I did what I’d come here for and having to use the bathroom was the best ploy I could think of.

It took a minute for my question to register before one of the women gave me directions.

Some basic human functions seemed to dissipate in the Second Realm, if they didn’t disappear altogether. Mandy had told me women don’t menstruate here when I asked for tampons in case I needed them. It was honestly very convenient to go without some natural functions, and I wasn’t going to complain. The women here could go ahead and think whatever they wanted; I had the feeling it wouldn’t matter anymore very soon.

My nerves were on fire as I headed across the floor, keeping my head down. I threaded my way through clusters of people and a guard opened the main doors when I approached. After a pause to make sure the way was clear, I headed to the right and started down a long corridor.

A few doors lined the hall, and I opened each one and peered inside. There was nothing to see, and they definitely weren’t rooms anyone would be kept prisoner in. They looked like offices and classrooms, and one was a storge closet.

As I explored, I told myself I was insane searching for Micha. What did I think was going to happen? I’d left him for dead and here I was seeking him out. After everything, I was still looking for him, just like always.

Shaking my head at myself, I walked a bit farther before stopping to look around again. All that was left was a single elevator at the end and one more door. There was no one down this far the hallway to stop me from pressing the button that would bring me below ground.

The second my hand went near the panel; it started flashing red. Whirling around in a circle, I panicked, looking for somewhere to hide. The signal must’ve alerted someone because almost instantly, a couple guards came around the corner making a beeline straight for the electronic doors.

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