Page 10 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
“Fine but I don’t go back to that cell when it’s done.”
I held my hand out to him ready to seal the deal before he could add any stipulations.
“Deal.” We clasped hands. The touch of his skin sent a tingle up my arm. He watched me as if he was causing it intentionally. “I’ll send Eleanor in to help get you settled.” He turned to leave but paused at the door. “Oh, and Isabel?” He glared at me over his shoulder. “There will be a punishment for bringing silver into my home.” I blinked having forgotten that. “Keep the shirt.” With that he left while I gaped after him.
* * *
I was allowedto stay in my new room the rest of the day, giving me time to recover from the attack. Eleanor had arrived minutes after Gideon departed carrying clothes that weren’t mine but in my size.
“Gideon says anything that belongs to you should be removed in case of hidden silver.” She offered me the clothes. I was grateful they were at least something dark. As extra punishment, Gideon could have instructed her to bring me pastels or some shit like that. She smiled nervously as her eyes fell to my necklace. My hand fell over the spot where it was hiding under my clothes, but through Gideon’s t-shirt it was obvious that something was there.
“No,” I stated firmly.
“Now, Miss Isabel, I have orders. Gideon was very clear that all personal—”
“No.” I cut her off. “If he wants my mother’s necklace let him come and take it from me.”
Her expression softened. “Your mother’s.” She sighed rubbing her hands unsure what to do.
My story was common knowledge. My mother had been killed in an attempted robbery. It was proof that even humans were evil. The necklace was the one piece I had left of her. My father packed away all her belongings. Memories clung to each item and were too difficult for him to handle. The storage area had caught fire and everything was lost. I knew Eleanor was just doing her job, but I couldn’t risk something happening again. If I lost the last piece of my mother…
“If he asks, I will plead ignorance, so you better not throw me under the bus if he discovers you still have it.”
“Thank you, Eleanor.” I smiled kindly.
She announced that more clothes would be arriving the next day. Since I was to remain in the room to ‘recover’, Eleanor was in charge of bringing me my meals. Each time she arrived she was always very warm and welcoming, which, in a way, I found strange since I wasn’t a guest but a prisoner.
“He informed me of your situation. I think you’re very brave to own up to something that was no one’s fault,” she said when I asked her about her unusual kindness.
Eleanor was one of the few humans in the manor. Her husband had been a werewolf, but when he passed a few years ago, Gideon had kept Eleanor on allowing her to provide for herself and keep a roof over her head by working for him.
The following morning, she arrived carrying a new set of clothes. I hadn’t been provided anything to sleep in but as I preferred sleeping in my underwear, I wasn’t bothered. If my lack of clothing troubled Eleanor, she didn’t show it.
Her job for the day was to make sure I knew how to get around the manor. She waited for me to dress before leading me to the dining hall for breakfast.
“It should be less crowded,” she explained. “The wolves try to get here earlier before the best food is gone, but don’t you worry, there’s always something left.”
I checked the clock before we’d left my room. It had only been 7:30. How early did everyone else arrive?
We stood outside the door for just a moment. Taking a deep breath, I slid effortlessly into my huntress guise before entering the hall. My shoulders were back, my head held high; each step was done with the air of confidence. The hall was still bustling with people but if this were slow then I’d hate to see it busy. The room was done in a cafeteria style. I didn’t know the exact number of people the manor housed or if more arrived for meals. I did know that the pack Gideon housed here was the largest in the country. He held claim on most of the packs throughout the states. He was the Alpha of Alphas.
Eleanor didn’t follow me in. Appearing weak to the pack was the last thing I needed. Walking to where the food was housed, a path cleared before me almost as if I had an invisible shield that repelled all those around me. The servers were human and barely gave me a passing glance unaware of the hostility I was invoking from the werewolves. I eyed the dessert bar like it had all been laid out just for me. Unable to decide which one, I chose to try a few—a German chocolate cake, a cheesecake, and a tres leche cake. I’d judge them and if they were horrible then I’d try something different tomorrow. Cake was my guilty pleasure. It always made things better and I could use a little better.
“I see you made it out of your room.”
Spinning around, I came face to chest with Gideon. I was momentarily stunned by his presence, not expecting him to be slumming it in the cafeteria.
“Keeping tabs on me?” I asked doing my best to appear unshaken.
“You’re my prisoner. I think it would be imprudent if I didn’t.” He gawked at my tray finding it curious. “That’s…a lot of cake.” I glanced down but didn’t find it as astonishing as he did. “And a salad?” His brow furrowed quizzically as he met my gaze. “Why?”
“So I can eat the cake.” I stated with an obvious air.
His mouth ticked and I wondered if he was fighting off a smile. For a moment we stood there, neither of us saying a word, until I began shifting uneasily. “Enjoy yourbreakfast.” Gideon turned on his heel and exited the hall.
I didn’t like feeling flustered in a room full of potential threats. Putting my back to the werewolves that were watching me with undue interest, I took a moment to gather myself while collecting more food, if only to buy time. Gideon made me nervous. I’m sure it wasn’t an unheard of reaction to the Alpha, but I expected more from myself.
Finding an empty table, I sat alone barely touching my food, paying more attention to those around me, which was a shame because I truly loved cake. I noticed the points and whispers while taking small nibbles of my food, not that I tasted any of it. I was on guard, paying extra attention to any possible threats. The glares grew worse after Gideon’s departure. None were thrilled over the prospect of a hunter roaming free throughout their home, if their whispers were any indication.
