The Void

Chapter Ten. Don't Be Our Guest, Thanks.

There's a calm kind of clarity that follows life when I don't give in to the constant barrage of thoughts that question every thought and action, not just my own, but other people's. Somewhere in the depths of my chest, remains that small part of me that screams they can't be trusted, that wants to tear me apart for letting myself fall into rhythm with them.

It's that same growing trust that lets me step out of my bedroom with Selena's arm hooked around my elbow without anxiety. They don't keep me so contained, and I know it's because they're trying to trust that I won't kill them, so I don't argue. I let my own trust grow.

The hallways are consistently empty now, the navy runner sprawls endlessly in every direction and not for the first time I bite back the desire to ask Rhydian about how they ended up here. I call this place a lot of things, a mansion, a compound, an estate, a castle and somehow none of those descriptors fit just right.

Stone walls, at least four stories minimum, looks like a palace that someone of royalty should be inhabiting, and all that to observe I realise that their actual Vampire royalty probably resides somewhere bigger.

Selena's steps slow, pulling me from my scrutiny of this home, as she pulls us inside a large room, and as my eyes fall on the boxing bags and various exercise equipment- I didn't realise they could change physical appearance, I figured they were frozen- that I have been brought to the training room.

"What the hell?" I shriek, fingers latching onto Selena's retreating grip, panic slithering up my throat. "You can't just leave me here with someone I don't know!"

Notice how I didn't draw attention to Vampire, or monster and instead said someone, wasted effort if you ask me.

My gaze might be locked onto Selena, but I can't ignore the way Rhydian's presence in a room sets my body on edge, where he stands in the centre with someone I have never met before. You'd think after last week in the bathroom, and the way her hands have found a new hobby on my skin would mean she wouldn't bring me to places like this.

A small win I suppose is that the room is thankfully bare of all the Vampire's that are usually here, training for whatever threat they need to be so prepared for, do they have weapons? Are they security or military? All valid questions that I have not been graced with an answer for yet.

"I told you she wouldn't like the idea" Selena scoffs, chocolate eyes narrowing in Rhydian's direction, and I let my hand drop from her hand at the intensity of his jade eyes as they slide from her to me.

"Fine" Rhydian mutters, "If she is going to whine the whole time then I will stay, while you get the guest suite ready, like we agreed"

Firstly, does he know? Can he tell Selena was all over me not thirty minutes ago? Secondly, I was not whining. Thirdly, guest? I can only assume that is what has been causing them all stress and has lodged an even bigger stick-up Rhydian's arse. I still don't like the idea.

Selena gives my forearm one more comforting squeeze, before slipping from the room silently. Irritation blooms amongst the coil of fear in my chest, I hate to admit that knowing Rhydian is sticking around is more comforting than being alone. Despite the grimace on his handsome face.

Sometimes, when I look at him, I can't help but see the version from Selena's memory, with brown hair hung over his shoulders and vacant jade eyes. "Why am I here?" I snap, no use in hiding my annoyance.

A rush of exhilaration bursts through my chest at the thought of going head-to-head with him, even when he hurts my feelings, there's nothing quite like riling him up. I've never liked annoying people, maybe because I constantly felt like I was in the way growing up, but it's different with Rhydian. Almost like we both enjoy it, that he wants the comments that I normally keep in my head.