Wolf's Bane

Marked

Desiree now had permission to speak to Sebastian but finding him was no easy task in the large house. She checked the library first but had no luck. She asked a few workers, but they hadn't seen him.

She was about to give up and head back to her room when Poppy showed up and said, "You're looking for Sebastian?"

"Yeah," Desiree replied. "Do you know where he is?"

"I do. Follow me." Poppy turned and started walking.

"Everyone seems a little weird when I ask about him," Desiree commented. "Andrew acted like it was perfectly normal to have a vampire slave, but the other workers act like they want to forget he exists."

"It's complicated," Poppy replied.

"I keep hearing that word, but it doesn't help. What's so complicated? Is he dangerous?"

"Not at all," Poppy assured her. "At least, I've been told he's not. I haven't interacted with him much myself. He usually stays away from the other workers."

"Is it because there's some feud between vampires and werewolves?"

"Not at all. They rarely interact unless a vampire is claimed by a werewolf. Most werewolves will only have one or two serving them."

"You're not making it sound less messed up," Desiree informed her. "You're human, so shouldn't the idea of enslaving a person bother you?"

"Mr. Zane doesn't treat Sebastian any worse than he does the other workers and he's strict on the workers about treating him fairly. He protects him and Sebastian works for him in exchange. Is that such a bad thing?"

Desiree couldn't really answer that. It felt wrong, no matter what anyone else said.

Poppy led the way down a flight of stairs into the basement. "You shouldn't judge cultures you don't understand. I get that this whole thing feels weird to you, now, but give it time. Mr. Zane is a decent person. I'm sure you'll agree once you get to know him better."

"We'll see." She couldn't imagine ever having a positive view of someone who kept a slave, but she didn't feel like arguing. She figured she could at least hear Sebastian's side of the story.

"Here we are," Poppy announced as she stopped in front of a door and knocked.

The door opened just a crack and Sebastian peeked out at them. "It's my day off, isn't it?"

"Yes," Poppy said. "Desiree just wished to speak with you."

"If that's alright," Desiree rushed to add. "You have permission, but I don't want to force you."

"She has some questions about Mr. Zane," Poppy explained. "I was hoping you might clear a few things up for her."

He opened the door enough to step out of the room and closed it behind him. He kept his gaze fixed downward, though. "What would you like to know?"

Desiree glanced at Poppy, figuring he might not be able to speak freely in front of her. "Can we talk alone?"

"If you wish." Poppy walked away with no argument.

Desiree was a little surprised by how easy that was, but she turned back to Sebastian, offering him a smile. "It's nice to meet you properly."

"And you, as well." He appeared to be more interested in the floor, though.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"No."

"You seem uncomfortable."