Chapter 8

Lord Fallmartin leads the way back towards the ballroom with the rest of us in tow. Bastian is to his right-hand side in a smart black suit that looks as if it's made of starlight. He's barely looked at me since I reappeared, and I can only assume that he's angry with me for the way I responded to the news that we're apparently the children of vampires. Though if he didn't want me to question it, then he should have thought about telling me before we arrived here and I found out the hard way.

I open and close my hand, wishing Pip was with me instead of back in my room. Even with Eliza's assurances that she'll be fine, and the number of stories she told me about her cat while doing my hair, I still worry that something is going to happen to my dog while I'm gone. Especially when Bastian was so adamant I shouldn't bring her. He knows far more than I do about the situation we've found ourselves in.

The new shoes pinch my toes, but the dress is more comfortable than the one I was wearing, which is at least a small win. I don't know precisely what vampire nobility is supposed to look like, but hopefully, I play the part convincingly enough that no one is going to get angry at me. Maybe it won't make a difference to my survival here, or anything else that's going to happen, but I should at least not make it worse for myself.

Lord Fallmartin gestures to the servants closest to the door. "Announce us," he commands.

The man nods and pushes open the door, stepping through. "Lord Gerard Fallmartin of House Rothorne, his heir Lord Bastian Fallmartin, Lady Beatrice Fallmartin, Lady Eliza Fallmartin, and Lady Isabella Fallmartin," he calls.

My eyes widen and confusion fills me over the fact we're already being introduced by the family name. It seems that there's not going to be any pretence over who we are from Lord Fallmartin's point of view.

I glance to the side in time to see Bella scowling, clearly unhappy with the fact she's been announced last. I suppose it makes sense. She's just been moved further from being the heir by both of our arrivals.

The ballroom is even more crowded than it was when we originally left it, and I don't know where to look. Now that Eliza has told me that we have a house colour, I can see there are several other groups of people all wearing the same, which I assume must mean they're also vampire nobility. I wish I understood more of what's going on, but I've never thought to ask questions about the castle or what goes on inside it. It's always been an ominous presence overlooking the town to me, and not something I've ever wanted to investigate further.

Lord Fallmartin nods his head at several of the people we pass as he makes his way through the room. None of them say anything, but all of them bow deeper.

I catch Eliza's attention and lean in so I can talk without being overheard. "Just how important is House Rothorne?" I ask.

"Very," she responds. "We're one of the top five families, and often provide royal consorts."

I nod, though I don't really know what to say in response to that. I've never given much thought to what nobility or royalty do, but their lives sound more complicated than I expected them to.

"I believe one of the royal princes is in attendance tonight," Eliza says. "Bella is hoping to catch his eye so she can be the next queen."

Bella rolls her eyes. "Don't gossip, Eliza."

"Then you should stop monologuing all your plans in the mirror," her sister retorts.

I slip back so I'm behind them, not wanting any part in whatever this is. I have enough going on with Bastian without getting involved in their sibling drama.

Lord Fallmartin comes to a stop at one of the top tables, and it's clear that this is meant to be our base for the evening. I look around me, trying to take everything in and make sense of what I'm seeing. Several of the townspeople are crowded together at one of the buffets, barely touching the food and looking around nervously, while others are milling around with more confidence.

I find myself wondering which of them are dhampirs who know how tonight is going to end, and which of them aren't. I'm not even sure what will happen to those who aren't at the end of the night, and I'm almost too scared to ask, I don't think I'm going to like the answer.

Someone grips my arm hard and I cry out. I look up and find Bastian by my side, pulling me in the direction of an alcove.

I pull my arm down and free myself, ignoring the burn from his too-tight grip. "You could have just asked to talk to me," I mutter.

"With how you're acting, I don't think so."

I glare at him. "Why didn't you tell me about any of this?"

"Would you have come willingly?"

"I don't know," I admit.

"Then that's why I didn't tell you. For your own good."

"You were going to make me leave Pip behind." My voice cracks. "Did you know we wouldn't be able to go back for her?"

He shifts uncomfortably in front of me. "I would have sent someone for her."

I'm not sure whether to believe him or not, but considering that it's too late to worry about any of that now, I let it slide. There are bigger things for me to be concerned about.

"Listen to me, Beatrice, our position is still tenuous. We weren't raised for life at court, and there's a chance Lord Fallmartin won't be impressed when he discovers that."

"He knows who we are, Bastian." I don't know if that's entirely true. I suppose it's all going to depend on what my brother has told him about us, and what deal was made about our future. I honestly dread to think, especially with the way Bastian has been acting.

"Whatever happens, do not insult anyone, don't try and be clever. Just smile, say yes when you're asked something, and if anyone asks you for a dance or anything like that, say you must consult with your brother."

"Why? I'm not your property, Bastian."

"You're as good as. I'm the only thing protecting you in this place." Something passes through his eyes that I can't put a name to, and it scares me. This isn't the brother I grew up with, he's something much more sinister.

"Perhaps I don't need protecting."

"Don't be a fool. That's all you've been your whole life, a pretty little fool. Da knew it. He told me I had to protect you against the world, and that's what I'm doing."

"You sold us out for riches," I say through gritted teeth.

"Don't be a fool, Beatrice. I got us security. Money, protection, a place to stay. If we hadn't come here, we'd have been dead the moment the sun rose tomorrow. Is that what you want?"

"How do we know that's not just a lie to keep us here?"

"That's not a risk I'm willing to take. We actually have a chance to have a life here. I'm not going to let you ruin it. And if you even consider disobeying me, remember that I'm the one with the power over you and your dog."

I stare at him, my eyes wide and fear squeezing every part of me. I don't fully understand the strange circumstances that meant I ended up here, ones that started before I was even born.

Bastian seems to decide he's got the message across and stalks away to talk to Lord Fallmartin.

I stay in the corner, trying to get my bearings and hoping that the worst of the evening has passed and there's nothing more for me to worry about.

But somehow, I doubt that's true. I think the ball is only just getting started.