Chapter 6

The servant leads us through a warren of corridors, making me realise that the castle is far bigger than I initially thought. From the lack of windows, there's a chance we're now walking back into passageways and rooms carved into the mountain itself.

I tighten my grip on Pip's rope, not that I need to for her sake. My dog is pressed against my legs even as we walk, I'd worry about tripping over her if I didn't appreciate her companionship right now.

I'm sure that if the two of us tried to escape, we'd both end up dead, but it still makes me feel better that we aren't alone.

The man stops in front of an ornate set of double doors and gestures for us to as well. "I shall announce you," he says.

Bastisn nods curtly, but doesn't say anything.

I study my brother, trying to think of a way getting through to him, but I can't think of one. Once his mind is set, there is often no changing it and this time it's even more certain than ever.

The servant reappears and gestures for us to go inside.

Bastian strides forward with purpose, while I hurry behind him with Pip by my side. I don't like anything about this, but I can also see how I have no choice.

The doors shut behind us with a loud thud, making me jump. It does nothing to help still the sense of foreboding within me.

Bastian continues to be unaffected, his head held high and not an ounce of fear within him. Or if there is, he's doing a good job at not letting me see it.

Pip lets out a soft whine, breaking my heart in the process. I want to reassure her, but I know there's nothing I can do. Especially with Bastian's words about staying silent ringing through my mind.

The room opens up in front of us and appears almost like what I'd imagine a throne room must look like. A large chair made of dark wood dominates the back wall, and a man I assume to be Lord Fallmartin reclined in it with a goblet of wine in one hand.

He's younger than I expect him to be by several decades, and something about his features seems familiar, but I can't place why.

"Lord Fallmartin," Bastian says, bowing deeply.

I take my cue from him and dip into a feeble attempt at a curtsy, but at least I can use the attempt as an excuse to give Pip a reassuring pat. She's even less at ease than before. Maybe I should have left her at home after all, she would be lonely, but at least she wouldn't be scared.

Lord Fallmartin gestures for one of the servants to take his goblet from him and gets to his feet.

A horrible feeling twists within me as he heads towards us. I'm not sure how I know, but I can sense that this man is dangerous, and right now, I feel like I'm his prey.

My gaze shifts to Bastian. He's been saying that tonight would change our lives, but what does that mean?

And what's he used to barter for the opportunity when we have nothing?

"You must be Bastian," Lord Fallmartin says.

"I am," my brother responds. "And this is my sister, Beatrice." He gestures to me.

Lord Fallmartin turns his attention to me, studying me intently as if he's trying to ascertain something. "You look like your mother."

"My mother?" I echo without thinking.

He nods. "She was beautiful, for a human."

I swallow hard. This man doesn't look old enough to have had an opinion on my mother's beauty.

Lord Fallmartin turns back to Bastian. "You did everything I asked?"

My brother nods. "There won't be any questions from the townspeople."

"Excellent. Then we should have a toast." He snaps his fingers at one of the servants.

They appear with a tray of goblets. Lord Fallmartin takes one of them and gestures for us to take one each. The others are taken over to the pair of beautiful women who have been watching intently but silently from the other side of the room.

"Welcome to family," Lord Fallmartin says, lifting his goblet to us both.

I stare at him, not really knowing how to process the words. Bastian is the only family I've had for years, certainly not this strange man in a castle full of people I don't know.

Bastian takes a drink from his cup, and I do the same, but barely take more than a sip. I don't know these people, and I certainly don't trust them. Not enough to drink refreshments given without a second thought. I shouldn't have taken the wine when we entered either, but it's too late for that.

"Come, meet your cousins," Lord Fallmartin says. "This is Eliza and Bella," he introduces the two women.

"Cousins?" I ask.

The glare I get from Bastian in response to my question is almost enough to make me wish I'd never said a word.

Bella laughs harshly. "This is your hope for our House, Uncle? She doesn't even know what's going on, look at her so confused."

"You didn't know either when our father told you," Eliza reminds her. "Be kind."

"I put the pieces together much faster," Bella retorts.

Lord Fallmartin waves at the two of them to be silent and turns his attention to me. He puts a finger under my chin and lifts up my face. "You have no idea what you are, do you?"

"No." It seems like the answer he's expecting, which is probably the safest option. And the one that's most likely to get me an explanation about what's happening here and why I don't understand any of it.

"Ah, Bastian, you should have explained," Lord Fallmartin says.

"I thought that would make this evening harder to accomplish, my lord."

"No need of that amongst family," Lord Fallmartin says. "And you really should have told her, the Golden Moon can be a lot to take in."

I tighten my hold on Pip's rope, letting it bite into my skin. I'm trying to put the pieces together but none of them are quite fitting, and I don't really know what I'm supposed to do with that knowledge.

"Why don't you have a seat, Beatrice?" Lord Fallmartin suggests, gesturing to one of the empty chairs. "Are you hungry? We can get you something to eat."

"I'm fine, thank you," I answer in a small voice, not moving from where I'm standing.

The expression on Bastian's face almost makes me reconsider, but I know I shouldn't let him get to me. Not if I want answers to the strange situation I've found myself in.

Bella leans back in her seat and studies me as if she's expecting me to start screaming and run out of the room. In her defence, I'm definitely tempted to. I don't understand any of what's happening, but I do know that I don't like it.

Bastian doesn't hesitate and makes his way over to the chair, sitting down and looking as if he's been part of the family for years. I don't understand how he can be so at ease around strangers, particularly those who are clearly so far above our station and have the potential to be deadly.

"Where to begin," Lord Fallmartin says. "I suppose we should keep it simple. You're a vampire, Beatrice."

"No, I'm not." My voice shakes, but I know I have to be honest with him. I'd have noticed if I was a vampire, surely?

"Well, that's fair. For the next few hours, you're a dhampir. A half-vampire if you will."

"No. You said my mother was human. And I knew my father..."

"I'm afraid we've never met before tonight, my dear. Your mother kept your existence secret from me, it's only by chance that one of my servants recognised your brother when he was asking about the Golden Moon for the two of you. The family features are strong within you both, don't you think?" He gestures to his face.

I try to think of something to say, but I can't come up with anything. He does look familiar, and though I couldn't place it before, I can now see the similarities between his and Bastian's features.

And my own.

"For twenty-one years you've stayed out of my sight. But now I can welcome you into our family. Our House has a distinct lack of heirs..."

Bella scoffs. "What are we, Uncle?"

"A drain on my resources," he responds without looking at her.

The expression on Bella's face sours. Despite not knowing her, I imagine she hoped she'd be seen as Lord Fallmartin's heir.

"It's been ten years since the death of my son, and now I have two grown children, ready to take their place in vampire society," Lord Fallmartin says, a proud expression on his face. "You will both be true assets to our House."

"I'm sorry, but I don't want it," I say. "I don't want to be a vampire."

He flashes me a wicked grin. "It's too late, dear. It was the moment you stepped into the castle on the night of the Golden Moon."

I blink a few times. "What?"

"The Golden Moon ceremony unlocks the true potential of any dhampir who enters these halls and partakes in refreshments."

I think back to the insistence that we drank the wine when we first arrived. The entire evening is a trap.

I look over at Bastian, but he doesn't look in the slightest bit surprised by any of this.

"You knew," I whisper, but it's loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"We can take what we're due," he responds, his head high. "This is what we were born to."

"No." I shake my head and stumble backwards, almost tripping over Pip in the process. She lets out a yip to remind me she's there. "It isn't. Mother..."

"What did mother know?" Bastian bit out. "We were brought up in poverty, Beatrice. That's not protecting us. How could it be when we could have had this?"

"I don't want any of this," I say back to him. "I want to go home."

Bastian gets to his feet, a menacing expression on his face that makes me step back further. "The deal is done, Beatrice, this is our home now."

"Your brother is right," Lord Fallmartin says. "You can't return to the town. You won't be able to go out in the sun, and you won't have anything to feed off. You'll turn feral and attack anyone who comes near. Do you want that?"

My eyes widen and fear takes hold of my heart.

Eliza gets to her feet and steps between me and her uncle. "You're scaring her. Let me deal with this."

For a moment, I think the lord is going to argue with her, but he nods sharply instead.

Eliza turns around and offers me what appears to be a friendly smile. "Why don't you come with me?"

I want to say no, but the alternative seems to be staying in this room with my angry brother and a man who is definitely capable of far worse things than anything I can even imagine him doing.

"All right," I say quietly, all the while thinking that I need to do everything I can in order to get out of here.