Page 153 of Forsaking All Others

“That’s not their way,” Jag mutters, pausing to turn and look at me. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Thorun?”

“I’m ready,” she squeaks.

Pushing open the doors, we step inside a grand entry hall featuring twin staircases left and right. I try not to gape as I take in the massive paintings featured on the walls, the sculptures and the beautiful light emitted from gigantic, coloured chandeliers. I’ve seen a lot of chandeliers in my time, but none with red crystals.

‘Scarily beautiful.’

In the middle of the marble-floored hall, standing still, their expressions anything but friendly, are two well-dressed and haughty-looking people.

Our arrival was clearly expected, but I can’t help wonder how long they’ve been standing there like that.

“Mother, Father,” Jag says quietly as we walk towards them. “I’d like you to meet Thorun and Catriona.”

“A pleasure,” his mother says, her tone bored as she turns and walks away from us.

“About time,” his father growls, spinning on his heel to follow his wife.

‘Question answered. I guess they’d been waiting longer than they’d like.’

I look at Jag and raise my eyebrows. I know he said they were pissed with him for things he’d done in the past, but surely this kind of reception is beyond the pale.

His face is impassive, but I know he’s fuming.

“Fun times,” I murmur, as we follow his parents.

He sniggers and I see the glimmer of a smirk, his arm muscles relaxing a little under my hand.

“Just play along,” he murmurs, “and don’t take anything personally.”

Thorun gives me a worried look as I whisper.

“Let the games begin.”

116

My parents and I sit in the lounge area in front of the roaring log fire in uncomfortable silence and sip our drinks.

No questions had been asked about my experience, neither Father nor Mother even bothering to acknowledge the girls sitting by my side nervously sipping their drinks, both uncharacteristically quiet.

At the interview prior to the visit both had told Starlen they anticipated a warm reception, and felt certain they would enjoy themselves.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

For myself, the visit simply accentuates how shit I’m feeling after Cherry’s elimination. I’m no coward; I hadn’t simply fed her to Starlen. I’d met with her and let her down gently. Her tears normally wouldn’t affect me; I’d had thousands of women cry over me over the years, but these were different; these were her final tears. After holding her for some time, I’d nipped her as expected and handed her reluctantly to Starlen. The confused and fearful look in her eyes, I don’t think I’ll ever forget. But my one consolation was that she, for some unknown reason, adored Starlen. And I’d promised him, in no uncertain terms, that if he didn’t make her ending pleasurable I’d ensure his ending would make the records for the most painful vampire death in history.

Still, the whole business didn’t sit well with me.

And now, this visit.

From the moment I’d entered the castle its felt like the walls are closing in on me. The same old feeling of not being what my parents hoped for, for thinking in ways considered unnatural, loving in ways I shouldn’t. I’ve never felt any warmth inside these walls, no matter how bright the fireplace burns.

We all look up as the butler clears his throat and announces new guests have arrived.

“Wonderful,” Father snorts.