Page 14 of Hupotasso
Stepping inside I close the door behind me and walk to the window. It’s later than I thought, maybe late afternoon, or maybe the dull English sky always looks like this, I don’t know. Frowning, I consider the view. This room overlooks the back of the castle grounds.I can see the trade entrance, what I assume are stables and staff quarters, and the forest beyond. The only reason I think it’s the trade entrance is because it’s not the same way I came in either time to the castle, and I can see a row of white trucks parked in the parking bays.
Even though this window is big enough for me to smash and get through, unlike my own window, I’m several storeys up and I know it’s too high to be a possible escape route. Still, this direction might afford more opportunities than trying to walk out the front door.
‘But how on earth will I get down there?’
Turning, I pull the first sheet from the nearest piece of furniture. It’s a red velvet couch. It looks squishy and comfortable, unlike the utilitarian furniture in the rest of the rooms I’ve explored so far. Although I’m on edge, having no idea how long I have to explore before I’m discovered, I pause to sit on the couch and stare at my surroundings as I consider my options.
There’s art on the walls in this room, rural idyllic scenes, and the fireplace surround is carved beautifully and accentuated by a large gilt mirror. It’s too high for me, sitting where I am, to have to worry about my reflection. I’m sure I still look a fright, scurrying around wrapped in a sheet, hair disgustingly unbrushed and make-up smudged. I’d change if I could, but I have no clothes other than my wedding dress, and none of my personal effects. I can’t even avail myself of the bath because I have no towels, and the maids are not responding to my ringing of the bell.
I hope I’ll find a wardrobe crammed with clothes when I investigate the empty bedrooms in more detail. It’s clear this isn’t a bedroom, I can just make out what the rest of the furniture is, despite the shrouds. There’s a small desk near the window, an occasional table with four chairs, more chairs fronting the fire, and a long side table against one wall.
I wonder if perhaps there might be an old landline phone somewhere.
Rising, I pull off all the sheets and nod as I find my furniture guesses are correct. The only thing I hadn’t guessed correctly was a small pianoforte hidden behind what I’d assumed was a changing screen but was obviously just a small room divider.
This is, as far as rooms go, very comfortable, and it feels like it was used mostly by a woman, although I don’t know why Ithink this. I expect it’s because I don’t imagine a man playing the pianoforte. I briefly consider hiding here but cast that aside immediately. Without clothing, food or water, I wouldn’t last long, and I’d still be in the same position of having no way to get out.
‘There’s nothing in this room to use as a weapon or disguise which would help me get out of this place. And no phone. I need to keep searching.’
Turning, I prepare to leave, but gasp as I open the door and virtually bump into a small blonde woman in the hallway.
“Lady Dragonspur, forgive me,” she curtsies. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Although she curtsies low, the woman before me is clearly royal. Her skin is almost translucent, and her golden hair, cut in a short, stylish bob, is highlighted to perfection. She’s smaller than me in height and stature, but despite this I feel an instantaneous tingle of fear in her presence.
I’ve never met a female vampire before. I’ve seen them on television and in magazines, of course, but meeting one is entirely different. She makes the male vampires I’ve met seem almost tame. There’s a sharp, vicious kind of undercurrent to her that I can’t explain.
“Who are you?” I blurt, clutching the sheet tighter to my chest.
“I’m Caroline Chessham. I’m to be your companion. I looked for you in your bedroom, but I might have known you’d prefer this drawing room. It has a much nicer aspect, does it not?”
“Companion?”
“Yes,” she nods, “I’ll help you with your wardrobe and fittings this evening and accompany you on your trip. I’m here to make life easier for you in every way I can.”
I frown.
“So, you’re my maid?”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m your companion.”
I test the word on my tongue. I know royals are normally accompanied everywhere they go by security, and nearly always pictured with ‘friends,’ but is this what she means? Has she been hired to be a friend for me?
‘Or a warden?’
Something doesn’t sit right about her or her newly announced role, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“So,” I press, “are you just going to follow me around? Or have you been hired to do anything I ask?”
“I’m here to help you any way I can,” she smiles.
‘She smiles too much.’
“Then I’d like to use your phone,” I smile back.
‘Two can play at this game.’
