Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen

~Elias~

The moment Lucien left, the room felt colder.

It wasn't just the absence of his warmth. It was him.

Cain.

The Priest stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, his sharp gaze settled on me like I was some kind of puzzle he was trying to figure out.

I didn't like him.

From the moment he walked in, his presence put me on edge. His words were clipped, his demeanor stiff, and worst of all, something was calculating about the way he looked at me.

“So,” he finally spoke, breaking the silence. “How did you end up here?”

I glanced away. “You should ask Lucien that.”

Cain chuckled, but there was no amusement in it. “Lucien has never been the type to bring humans into his bed. And yet….here you are.”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to respond.

Cain tilted his head, studying me. “Are you enjoying it?”

My fingers curled into the sheets. “Excuse me?”

“Sleeping with the Vampire King,” he clarified, his voice smooth, but there was something laced underneath it, mockery, disdain. “Do you feel special?”

My stomach churned.

“I said—”

“I heard what you said,” I cut in, my voice colder than before.

His expression remained unreadable, but I could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes. He liked this. He liked making me uncomfortable.

I took a slow breath. “Are you done?”

Cain didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“You should be careful,” he murmured. “Lucien is….using you for your blood. And he gets bored easily.”

I didn't react. I refused to let him see how much that stung.

He smiled slightly, as if satisfied, then turned away. “I suppose time will tell.”

And with that, he walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Thoughts that refused to settle.

I sank back against the pillows, exhaling shakily.

I knew Lucien was unpredictable. I knew he was dangerous, that he wasn't someone I should trust so easily. And yet, despite everything, despite the way my brain screamed at me to be careful, my heart was starting to betray me.

I was starting to feel.

And that terrified me.

But before I could get too lost in my thoughts, the door suddenly burst open.

I barely had the time to react before a sharp voice filled the room.

“Well, well, well.”

My stomach twisted.

Anastasia.

She stood in the doorway, her favorite maid trailing behind her like a shadow. Her lips curled into a smirk as she stepped inside, her eyes glinting with something cruel.

I tensed immediately.

She was only here because Lucien wasn't.

“You’re still lying around in bed?” she scoffed, arms crossed. “How lazy can you be?”

I said nothing. I knew better than to engage.

Anastasia’s smirk widened. “Get up.”

I frowned. “What?”

“You heard me,” she said, stepping closer. “Get up. You’re coming with me.”

I didn't move.

Her eyes narrowed. “Did I stutter?”

I clenched my jaw. “Lucien—”

“Lucien doesn't care,” she cut in sharply. “Do you really think you matter to him? You’re just a passing amusement.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my expression blank.

She leaned in slightly. “So listen carefully,” she murmured, her voice lowering. “You don't belong here. You’re nothing. And if you ever tell Lucien about this, I promise you—you’ll regret it.”

I met her gaze evenly, refusing to back down.

Her lips curled.

“Follow me,” she ordered.

I had no choice but to obey.

—————

The kitchen was empty when we arrived, the only sound being the faint crackling fire from the stove.

It wasn't the main kitchen.

The moment I stepped inside, Anastasia turned sharply, eyes glinting with satisfaction.

“Since you’re so comfortable in Lucien’s bed,” she said mockingly, “let’s see if you can actually be useful for once.”

The maid beside her snickered.

I felt my jaw tighten. “What do you want me to do?”

Ana smirked. “Clean.”

I stared at her. “What?”

She gestured around the kitchen. “You heard me. Scrub the floors. Wipe the counters. Maybe then you’ll earn your place here.”

I didn't move.

Anastasia’s expression darkened. “Do it, or I’ll make you.”

I wanted to refuse. Every fiber of my body was being screamed at to walk away. But the truth was…. I didn't have a choice.

Lucien wasn't here.

And right now, I was nothing but a human surrounded by predators.

So I did what she wanted.

I grabbed a rag, dropped to my knees, and started scrubbing the cold marble floor.

She watched with smug satisfaction, her maid laughing softly beside her. They whispered to each other, making little comments, mocking me under their breath.

I ignored them.

I kept my head down, my hands moving, my body stiff with anger I had no power to unleash.

Minutes passed. Maybe even an hour. My knees ached, my hands raw from the rough surface.

But I couldn't stop.

When I was finally done, Ana hummed, tilting her head.

“Not bad,” she mused. Then, with a wicked smile, she kicked over a bucket of water, spilling it across the floor.

My stomach dropped.

“Oops,” she said, feigning ignorance. “Looks like you’ll have to do it again.”

The maid giggled.

My fingers curled into fists.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to fight.

But I couldn't.

So I stayed silent.

I grabbed the rag again.