“They aren’t all like him,” I tell her, trying to sound comforting. “Some of them are… nice.”
She shoots me a suspicious look, looking equal parts shocked and horrified. “You sound like Winona.”
“Ouch. Take it back,” I say with a grin. “Before I start pointing out obvious shit like it’s some scandalous discovery. If I start stealing that signature move from her, then you’ll know I’ve really lost it.”
Jessica grins as we both pick up our pace a little to keep from getting too far behind the pack. We walk in silence for a moment, then she shakes her head. “I’m really afraid of him.”
“Well yeah, you should be.” I squeeze her hand. “Just avoid him at all costs.”
“How?”
I shrug. “Do it like Elise does, or hell, even Winona. She might be a bitch, but she’s not a dumb bitch. Flirt with someone more powerful than—what’s-his-name.”
I know the fucker’s name. There’s no way I’ll ever forget it. But there’s also no way I’ll say it unless I absolutely have to.
Jessica snorts, looking a little less pallid and terrified than she did this morning. “So, basically everybody?”
“Exactly. The world is your oyster. Or… the underground is your brothel, or something. I don’t know, I’m not good with analogies.”
She chuckles softly, and the sound bursts a bubble of stress in my chest, sending relief coursing through me. I didn’t know I was so worried about her until just now. Just another complication to add to my never-ending list of complications, dammit. But I don’t really mind. With Winona playing mean girl and trying to push people around, and the rest of the girls mostly looking out for themselves, Jessica needs a friend in her corner—even if I am temporary.
Anastasyia leads us all back to the tribute wing and gives us twenty minutes to dress, reminding us to take advantage of the provided wardrobe and choose something beautiful.
I choose a gown that’s gauzy and gossamer, with thin layers of lace in the skirt and a beaded bodice with a small strap that crosses over one shoulder. There’s a split at my left leg that shows glimpses of my thighs and calves as the fabric billows lightly with every step. The entire thing is a very pale blue, so light that it’s almost white. It’s different than anything I’ve worn before, but I sort of like how it seems a bit incongruous with the rest of this place. I like not fitting in here.
Our matron is waiting for us when we step out of our rooms, and once the stragglers join our little group, she leads the way through the labyrinthine hallways back toward the great hall.
“Is this another celebration?” I ask as we step into the massive room. The band is onstage again, the dance floor polished to a blinding sheen, and there are fresh flowers everywhere. The high table is full of vampires—Elders and other important members of the court, presumably—and Bastian already has a girl in his lap.
“Oh, they get like this almost every night,” Elise says, turning to look back at me. “They like to live like they’re dying, because they never will.”
That’s what they think, I muse darkly.
One of these days, after I figure out how to get Nathan out of here, I’m going to use everything I’ve learned about them to wipe this whole place off the face of the earth.
I’m fairly certain at this point that our hosts aren’t poisoning the food. That vampiress who served us last night was right; it wouldn’t make sense to taint the herd before they’re eaten. Besides, I’m starving. It’s not from the walk around the palace—that wasn’t nearly enough exercise to get me feeling this way. It’s probably because I didn’t eat much last night, and my breakfast was interrupted before I could finish.
That, and the fact that two vampires fed on me today.
I suppress a shudder at the thought of how much blood I’ve lost and take my seat. Unlike last night, I demolish every plate as fast as they can bring it to me, paying no attention to looking pretty while I do it. I can sit down and eat two large pizzas on my own after a tough hunt, so these fancy little dishes are nothing.
When I finally bother to glance up from my meal, I find Winona looking at me with thinly-veiled horror. I ignore her, but she gets more and more theatric about it until finally, exasperated, she bursts out with, “Oh my god. Do you need another fork?”
I pause with my mouth full, looking at her thoughtfully. “Sure. Give me yours, since you’re not using it. What’s the matter, didn’t work up an appetite today?”
Her face flushes, and she falls silent, letting me go back to my food in peace. Jessica chuckles quietly, hiding a grin behind her hand. Gretchen is grinning too, but she’s not bothering to hide it.
“Any of your royals take an interest in you yet, Winona?” she asks, still smirking.
Winona sniffs and turns up her nose. “I told you, it’s only a matter of time. Patience is a virtue, you know.”
I’m about to dig into my food again, second fork or no, when the hair on the back of my neck stands up.
There’s a vampire approaching. I can feel him.
My spine stiffens as I glance around surreptitiously. From the corner of my eye, I can see a huge, rough-looking vampire striding toward our table. His gaze is focused on me, and the expression on his broad face is hungry.
Fear washes through me as memories of this morning fill my head. He’s coming to feed on me, I’m sure of it, just like James did this morning.
Okay, think, Mikka.
James could have killed me, but Rome stopped him. If I don’t let this big guy
