Chapter 73 Seventy three
Chapter 73 Seventy three
I hadn't expected Silas allowing anyone else in here, I had only met one other witch who lived in the “castle” and that was Blanche, she had never mentioned anyone else.
“This is for you, though I warn you that it will be cold, I brought it perhaps fifteen minutes ago whilst you were bathing.” She shrugged, handing me the tray.
I nodded a silent thanks as I placed the tray onto my knees, nervously picking and the eggs and toast, unsure how much I would be able to stomach, I could exactly remember the last time I had eaten, but I knew it had been at least a couple of days and I didn’t want to push myself too quickly. I watched the woman from under my lashes, weary that she hadn't spoken or left in almost five minutes.
“I apologise that I kept you waiting, I didn’t know anyone was coming.” I murmured between bites, hoping that she would either speak or leave. I wasn’t used to company, and I didn’t want to get close to anyone else, people who I became close to died.
she nodded at me, silently accepting my apology before she spoke, her tone remaining sweet and low. “I haven't seen you around here before, are you new? I didn’t expect to find a witch on the upper levels, let alone one dressed in such fine clothing.”
My head shot up and I gaped at her, self-consciously wrapping an arm around my middle, I noticed for the first time that she wore a plain grey cotton dress with long sleeves that only just past her knees, the same colour pumps protecting her bare feet. I remembered that Blanche wore a similar scratchy material, the dress I had been given under the Phantomhive’s care similar. I hadn’t really realised that I was treated differently, given some of the finer things that weren't usually allowed. I wondered why that was, why didn’t the Prince dress me in the same thing? Why was he making me stand out, was it because of my power?
I plucked up the courage to speak, but my voice wavered and shook. “Yes, I don’t know how long I've been here, but the Prince killed my mother and took me. I didn’t choose the clothes, I don’t get to choose anything, like you I suppose.”
“I see.” She muttered, pausing for a moment. “Are you branded?”
I winced but bobbed my head as if saying “yes” positive that my mouth would betray me if I spoke. I couldn’t reveal my hatred for Silas, what if he found out?
“Where?” she asked softly, a pained glint in her eyes.
I pulled down the collar of the dress slightly, revealing the top of the brand and the blisters that surrounded it, but again; I didn’t dare speak.
She shook her head as if in anger, “My daughter can’t be much older than you, what are you seventeen?”
“Fifteen, my birthday is in the summer.” I said as I glanced around, a terrible feeling that someone was watching us plaguing my mind, my voice barely coming out as a whisper.
“Jesus, fifteen and branded.” She gasped in disbelief, “What is your power? I wonder why he would brand you so young.”
I cleared my throat, trying to build up the courage I needed. “I can't tell you.” I said simply. “I am not to tell anyone, unless my master tells me that I can.” The feeling of being watched increased in that moment, and I knew someone was listening to us.
The woman laughed, “Dear child you can tell me, I am the same as you. We are both slaves to the Prince.”
I didn’t trust that if I told her she would be able to keep it to herself, it had been a while since anyone encountered a witch such as myself, and we were still banned and murdered when revealed to the King of vampires. I placed the tray onto the edge of the bed, no longer hungry and I wondered if this was some sort of test, if Silas was trying to see if I would betray his orders.
“I can’t. Please don’t ask it of me.” I uttered dryly, but I could feel the tears piercing burn as they slipped from my eyes.
Her face softened, “Oh no, don’t you cry, you mustn’t let them see you cry. It makes them feel powerful.”
I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand, but they kept coming. “I can’t help it, I’m so afraid, I don’t want to die.”
“Die? Who is going to kill you child?” She asked in shock, “Oh honey, the masters don’t usually kill us, not unless we do something drastic.” She added, seeming to understand what I meant.
“They killed my friend, another witch.” I sobbed, “She didn’t do anything wrong.”
The woman opened her mouth to speak, but before anything could escape her throat the door burst open, our heads snapping towards it in panic; and our panic was justified. Silas growled deeply as he spotted the woman, blurring to my side in the next second as she bowed deeply, making sure to give him a wide berth as she took the tray and practically ran from the room in fear. I watched as a scowling guard shut the door behind her, wishing that I could have followed, I wasn’t sure why the Prince was angry, and I didn’t want to find out.
I cast my gaze towards the floor when another growl ripped through the air, my hands clenching the arms of the chair tightly to try and conceal my trembling, though I was certain he had noticed.
Silas moved in front of me, lowering his hands onto the arms of the chair, he spoke low, almost growling his words at me. “What did THAT witch want.”
“N-n-nothing.” I stuttered in fear, cowering back in the chair as I kept my gaze down. “She brought me some breakfast and waited for me to finish.”
“And?” The Prince growled, his mind pressing harshly against mine. Informing me that he knew I was lying. “What else?”
“She asked me questions, some personal.” I continued, my voice shaking. “But when she asked me my power, I told her that I couldn’t say, as that was your command.”
Silas eased up a touch, still low and staring right at me, his breathing eased, and the growling had gone quiet. “Good, you did as commanded. As for her, I will have to deal with her … Inquisitive nature.”
“I don’t think she meant any harm, master. She was nice to me.” I whispered, not wanting her to be punished because she asked me a few questions.
“She has disobeyed my orders and must be dealt with accordingly.” He barked with a harsh snarl, grasping my chin tightly and pushing it back as he continued; forcing me to look at him. “She was told what to do and she strayed from those instructions. You will learn in time that I do not take kindly to MY orders being defied by slaves.”
Slave. That's all I was. All I would ever be.