Page 27 of Cloak of the Vampire
Zoey shuddered. “I have no idea.”
That was messed up. Ragnor could afford to give me the Imprint because he would be rid of me for money anyway—that is, if anyone wanted to buy me.
“That means another thing,” she said, giving me a pitying look I didn’t appreciate. I drew myself back. “You can’t tell anyone we live together. We also can’t be seen together in public for risk of association by proximity.”
I tensed. “Okay, but why?”
“Because you work in the kitchen,” she said as though it was obvious.
And it was obvious when I thought about it for a moment. The way the other cafeteria workers trembled, Lon’s behavior, Ragnor’s table—it all made sense now. I was at the bottom of the food chain in this place. I was lower than groundskeepers and maids.
Seeing Zoey’s face, though, I realized another thing. “I’ll probably be auctioned since I’m not exactly a favorite among the League leadership,” I said, “but you still have a chance to stay here, and you think being associated with me will lower your chances.”
She nodded, grimacing. “I have nothing against you,” she clarified, “but sometimes, life hands you certain cards, and you need to be smart about how you play them.”
She was right. If I were in her shoes, assigned to a respectful enough job at the Archives, not being on Ragnor’s radar, I would’ve thought so as well. It just sucked that after our earlier conversation, she had to go and say that being friendly with me should be a dirty little secret.
Still, it didn’t change anything. So all I could say was “Understood.”
Tansy entered the room then. She always seemed like she was floating, staring dreamily at nothing. She settled on the sofa near me and smiled. “I love my new job.”
It seemed to be the last straw for Zoey, as she threw up her hands in frustration and stood up. “I can’t deal with this right now,” she half cried, half screamed, and went out of the suite.
I turned to Tansy. “Have you heard of the Auction?”
She cocked her head, her ridiculously long hair brushing her calves. “Material things don’t scare me,” she murmured.
“That’s good,” I said.
Suddenly, her eyes cleared, and her gaze turned piercing. “You’re uncomfortable around me,” she stated.
She was surprisingly sharp. “That’s true,” I said, not bothering to deny it.
“I know why,” she said, her face somber. “You think I’m a freak.”
“I don’t,” I retorted. It wasn’t a lie. I just really didn’t have the energy to deal with her.
She stared at me for a long moment before shrugging and jumping up on her feet gracefully. “See you tomorrow,” she said airily and exited the suite.
I went to class alone. Everyone was already there when I arrived, but no one paid me any mind. In fact, it seemed like my classmates were all actively ignoring me. I guess Zoey wasn’t the only one who thought keeping her distance was prudent.
I sat alone, waited for class to start, and listened to the others talk since I didn’t have anything better to do.
“My meeting is at seven,” Jakob boasted to the others.
“Why didn’t I get a meeting with him?” Zoey pouted. “I would’ve liked dazzling him with my amazing personality if it means getting out of being fucking auctioned!”
“Don’t fret, luv,” said a guy with rock star hair and a heavy British accent whom I hadn’t noticed until now. “This meeting has nothing to do with the Auction or popularity. I heard onlycertain peoplewere asked to meet our Lord.”
Jakob didn’t like the sound of it. “What do you mean bycertain people?”
“Who else here has a meeting with our Lord today?” Zoey asked, looking around the classroom.
Jakob was among the three who raised their hands. I didn’t bother playing along. It wasn’t like they would care.
Just then, Abe strode into the class, putting an end to all the chatter. Once everyone was in their seats, his black eyes studied everyone. “Today you’re going to have your first physical training session,” he said as a greeting. “After the break, you’ll meet Logan up in the gym to work off some of your nervous energy.”
Abe seemed to be eyeing a little more intensely those who’d raised their hands before. Even though I tried not to react when he mentioned Logan’s name, my body betrayed me by shrinking down in my chair under Abe’s gaze.
