Chapter 14

I open my eyes slowly, surprised to find the world pitch black until I remember where I am. A castle carved into the mountain isn't going to have much natural light.

Pip's soft snores reassure me that I'm not alone and I reach out to touch her where she's curled up beside me, her weight a good reminder that things haven't completely changed.

I feel surprisingly well-rested, and I have to admit that the bed is comfortable, even if it isn't familiar. I touch my tongue to my teeth, almost relieved when I don't find pointed fangs pushing down from them. For one brief moment, I'm almost convinced that it's all a dream, but I know that isn't true.

The doors fling open, letting light inside and I gasp, pulling my blanket up so I'm completely covered.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were awake already," Bastian says.

My brother's figure looms in the doorway, the light behind him making him seem a little more imposing than he ought to be.

"I am," I say. "Just give me a moment."

He nods and turns around, setting down the candle he's carrying on my bedside table. "I'll send a servant in to help you dress and light the fire."

I nod, unable to say anything as he closes the door behind him, leaving me and Pip alone once more.

How has this become my life? I've been lighting the fire myself for years, even before Da died, it was my job. But now I have people to do that for me.

The doors open and a woman steps inside, curtsying to me. "Good morning, m'lady," she says.

"Good morning," I respond.

"I'm Jemima, your lady's maid, I'm here to help you dress."

"Oh." I don't know if I need a maid because no one thinks I'm capable of dressing myself, or if it's because they think I shouldn't have to. I don't suppose it matters, I'm supposed to be playing a part to keep from drawing too much of the wrong kind of attention.

Pip raises her head and huffs as I get out of bed, but she doesn't actually move. It seems as if I'm not the only one who has enjoyed having a comfortable bed to sleep on, even if it's still surreal how much my life has changed since this time yesterday.

"Would you like me to remove your night dress, m'lady?" Jemima asks.

"I can do it," I respond, lifting the thin fabric over my head and dropping it onto the bed. The cold air hits my skin and a shiver goes through me. I hate being so exposed, but I know there's nothing for it.

She holds a petticoat out for me and I slip my arms into it. The fabric feels nice against my skin, and it smells freshly laundered. I think my days of wearing the same clothes for days on end are probably over.

The maid doesn't say anything as she helps me with a lavish dress. I'm sure that both of my cousins would say it's plain, but not to me. It's far fancier than anything I've ever worn before.

"How would you like your hair?" she asks.

I reach up to touch it. "What do you think is best?"

"Most ladies prefer a braided crown, or a twist," she says. "I'm particularly good at the crown."

I offer her a weak smile. "Then that's what I'll have." I go to sit down at the dressing table, catching hold of my reflection in response. My skin looks a little paler than normal, though that could just be my imagination. I part my lips as inconspicuously as possible, but can't see any hint of teeth.

Jemima pauses her brushing. "You won't find your fangs like that, miss."

"Oh." Even in the mirror, I can see the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks.

"You have to think of blood," she says.

I'm not entirely sure I want to, but I also need to know for certain that what I've been told is true, and that means seeing my teeth.

I take a deep breath and recall the sweet taste of it on my tongue. A hunger pang spreads through my stomach, and even if I hadn't been able to see the two pearly white fangs poking out over my lips, I'd know the truth of the matter.

I'm a vampire .

I wait for the panic to set in, but it doesn't come. Probably because after last night, I didn't really have any doubts about it.

"There'll be blood waiting at the breakfast table for you, miss," Jemima says. "They'll keep you well fed."

"Thank you."

"And your dog too. She'll get the blood she needs when the staff bring her food."

I blink a few times. "What do you mean she'll get the blood she needs? She's not a vampire."

Even in the mirror, I can see the pitying look she gives me. "Every living being in a noble House is a vampire, miss. Including the pets."

"But...how?"

"I can't tell you that." From her tone, I can't tell if it's because she doesn't know, or if it's because she doesn't want to tell me. "You don't have anything to worry about, she'll be well taken care of by all the staff, I'll see to it personally."

I nod meekly, because what else can I do? Other than change my plans slightly so I can find a cure for both of us before we can properly get out. I suppose that's not going to be that much more difficult than just finding one for myself.

"Thank you."

She smiles and nods, putting the finishing touches to my hair. "I noticed you had some hair combs," she says.

"My mother's." I hope she's not about to suggest I throw them away.

"If you like them, I can learn more hairstyles that use them," she says. "I'm here to do as you please."

"Thank you, that's appreciated." Though I'm in no way naive enough to think she isn't going to be reporting back to someone about what I do. Probably Lord Fallmartin, but I doubt he's going to be the only one. For all I know, she could be reporting on everything going on in House Rothorne.

Her whole face lights up, and I can tell I've said the right thing. "You're all ready, miss."

"Thank you." I get to my feet, straightening out my dress and trying to get a feel for the person I'm now expected to be.

"I believe Lord Bastian is waiting for you in the dining room," Jemima says.

I nod. "I'll be with him presently. Do you know where Pip's rope is?"

"One of the others was sent to get you a proper lead, miss." She picks up a box and opens it. Inside is a black and red leather lead, matching the House colours. I guess that's something I should get used to, everything seems to need to be in black and red.

"Thank you." I pick it up, surprisingly pleased by how it feels. I've always felt kind of bad attaching Pip to an old bit of rope, this is more like the kind of lead she deserves. "Come on, Pip," I say to my dog.

She looks up, her tail thumping against the bed. I attach the lead to her collar and she jumps off the bed, eager to go with me. I don't know if she actually needs to be on the end of one while I'm in the family rooms, but I don't want anything bad to happen to her, so it seems safer to have her like this.

"If you let one of the servants know when you want her taking for a walk, we can arrange it," Jemima says. "If evening has fallen, there are paths around the castle you can use, but during the daylight hours, you'll have to take her to the courtyards if you wish to walk her yourself. But one of us can do it for you."

"I shall," I respond, though I don't know if that's true. I'm used to tending to Pip on my own, I'm not sure how I feel about other people doing it.

But for now, I'm going to put that out of my mind. Because Bastian is waiting for me in the dining room and I have no idea what to say to him after last night.