Cruel by nature

Chapter 14

I wake up before the sun has set outside. A shiver runs through my body, and I wrap the duvet closer around me. It's cool to the touch. Feeling another shiver rock through me, I curse and sit upright. Goosebumps rise on my arms at the cold air around me, and I glare at the empty fireplace on the opposite wall. I really need to ask for some firewood. Hopefully they'll realize that the risks of me dying of hypothermia are higher than those of me burning down this whole castle with a log and some matchsticks.

I head straight to the shower. Being able to control the temperature of the water still feels incredibly luxurious to me, and I bring it up enough for the room to steam. A few minutes later, I'm feeling content enough and step outside, smelling of some fruit from one of the washing products Bree's given to me.

I catch my reflection in the foggy mirror. The wound on my shoulder no longer needs bandages, and the scars are as prominent as they'll ever be. I trail over the five claw marks with my fingertips, feeling the damaged skin underneath. It could have gone so much worse if Mila hadn't been there that night. I could be dead, or worse. I need to ask someone if there's any updates about her or the upcoming trial.

I tip-toe over to a dresser and put on two sweaters, adamant not to freeze to death. The sun has at least made an appearance on the sky by now, and I lazily flip through a book Bree's given to me as I wait for her to knock on my door.

Eventually, she arrives. Immediately, she reacts to my choice of clothes.

"Are you cold or...?"

I grimace. "Very. Do you think it would be possible to get the fireplace going?"

Bree sighs. "I'll see what I can do. Now come. He's in a sour mood today, but hopefully you'll be able to smooth him over."

"Me?" I scoff as I follow behind her. "I doubt it."

Bree clicks her tongue and shakes her head. "You have a greater influence on him than you think. Your mere presence makes him calmer."

I furrow my brows. "It doesn't seem like that."

We come to a stop before his study, and Bree leans in closer to my ear.

"Then you should've seen him before he met you." Winking, she opens the door and ushers me inside.

Adrian gazes over at me as I take my usual seat on the sofa and tuck my feet underneath me.

Breakfast arrives a few minutes later, and I take a cup of tea and hold it close to my body, relishing in the warmth.

Adrian does actually seem to be tenser than usual. His face is stern, and he keeps his jaw clenched as he scroll through his computer. I wonder what he's upset about. Could it be about the humans fighting back? Luca and the elderly man said it happened in the north, but what is north to them? Is it within their own territory, or further north on the maps?

"Do you still have newspapers?" I think out loud, surprising the both of us.

"We do", Adrian says after a moment of silence.

I take a firmer hold onto the cup in my hand. "Can I read it?"

Adrian doesn't tear his gaze from the screen in front of him and I'm starting to believe he won't answer my question.

"There's nothing in them that is of any interest to you", he finally replies, shooting down my request.

"I'd like to draw that conclusion myself", I say stubbornly, "if that's okay."

I hold my breath as I await Adrian's reaction. I don't know if I've grown more comfortable within the walls of this building, or if I simply have stopped caring for my own wellbeing, but I have been pushing my luck a lot recently.