319- The Castle of Secrets and Beasts
POV Seraphine Valerian:
They seemed human. They weren’t large and threatening like him. Viktor. But they must be hybrids or some other species. Maybe witches, vampires, aliens. I was already beginning to accept that anything was possible.
I placed my feet on the floor, a little dizzy, steadying myself. I found my balance and, slowly, without turning my back on them, I made my way to the bathroom. Then I shut the door, desperate when I saw there was no lock.
I stepped back until my legs hit the toilet, expecting them to come in at any moment, my heart in my throat. It didn’t happen.
It took me a while to breathe properly. Then I saw myself reflected in a huge mirror above the sink, another covering an entire wall. I was shocked by my appearance.
The white nightgown stained with dried mud and blood. Filthy feet. Scratches on my arms and legs. One side of my face red, bruised on the forehead, swollen. Tangled hair, also sticky. Dark circles under my eyes, terror in my gaze.
I started to cry, sitting on the lid of the black toilet. Everything was in that somber tone, even the tiles. Golden faucets. A wide shower with two showerheads. A clawfoot bathtub, archaic, black with golden details, near the mirror. And me reflected from every angle.
My father was dead. Konrad was a werewolf, and Viktor too. And I was a prisoner. Without knowing if I would have the same fate as my great-aunt.
I cried until I couldn’t anymore, until my head throbbed worse. Then I lifted the lid and decided to take things one step at a time, before I went insane.
I peed, undressed, and it was a relief to slip under the stream of hot water. Blood ran like a river from my hair down my body, and once again I searched for wounds. How was it possible? Some kind of magic?
Everything there was incredibly beautiful and different. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, all scented with herbs and spices, masculine and virile notes. I wrapped myself in a towel, brushed my teeth, and sat down to detangle my long hair. It would look like a mane without my styling cream and split-end repair serum.
I started crying again. Terrified.
“Seraphine, are you okay?” There was a knock on the door, and I jumped to my feet. It was Adelina. “I brought you some clothes. May I come in? Seraphine?”
“Yes.”
My voice came out. I held the towel tighter around my body, expecting an attack. The young woman peeked in, handing me a change of clothes.
“I had some underwear I haven’t used. I put it in here. I’m taller, but I think we’re about the same size. I’ll wait for you in the bedroom.”
She left, and I hurried to get dressed. White panties in a soft fabric that felt like silk. The matching bra, slightly larger than my size. Black gym pants. A plain knit blouse in the same color. It was as if she knew I was mourning.
I fought not to cry anymore. I hoped my father’s spirit was far away, resting in another world, unaware that I had fallen into that trap. He had done so much to protect me!
I left the bathroom, and the beautiful girl looked at me with a smile.
“Now you look better. What size shoes do you wear?”
“Thirty-six.”
“I’m a thirty-eight. These flats will be a bit loose, but they’ll do for now.” She pointed to an open sandal decorated with gemstones on top. A bit of color.
“Thank you.”
“Come on. Let’s go downstairs. Daciana prepared breakfast.”
I slipped on the sandals and followed her, nervous, slightly trembling. Still, I needed to get out of there and see if escaping might be possible at some point.
We reached a huge, wide corridor. Dark stone walls, beautiful chandeliers, ornate rugs over wooden floors. Landscape paintings on the walls. Mostly hills and snow.
It was beautiful, as if we were truly in another era. I gathered the courage to ask:
“Where are we? Is it near Sibiu?”
“No. We’re high up in the Tharnak. This is the village of Averwyn. My father’s. He is the alpha.”
“Alpha? Alpha male?”
“That’s right.” She let out a small laugh, glancing at me as we reached the edge of a curved wooden staircase. “You do know we’re wolves, right?”
“You too?”
“All of us here.”
“But you look human.”
“Yes. Half of each.”
I followed her, observing her. Delicate and feminine in a blue dress, with rings, painted nails, light makeup. It was unbelievable.
“How many centuries old are you?” I held onto the railing, alert to any movement from her. She laughed again.
“I’m twenty-one years old. I just transformed.”
“Turned into a wolf? Aren’t you born like that?”
“We are, but there’s an age for it. For the wolf to appear. Now all that’s left is to find my destined mate.” She rolled her eyes. “If my father allows it!”
I didn’t quite understand, confused. What if they were exaggerating?
After all, I hadn’t seen them as beasts. I had heard the growls from the large shadowed form, felt the strength, and my wound had disappeared. And there were his eyes, shifting from black to gold.
Maybe there was some less fantastical explanation. It was hard to accept that parallel world.
“No one talks about you on television. On the internet, people even believe in ghosts, but… how has no one ever filmed one of you?”
We reached a stunning hall, and I was certain it really was a castle. My legs were still shaky, and my heart raced as I followed her through the impressive rooms.
“We’ve learned to be discreet. Legends of werewolves didn’t just appear out of nowhere. For a long time, we’ve avoided humans, living among ourselves, more secluded. Some packs go unnoticed, closer to big cities. But in general, we’re careful. It’s easy to say a wolf attack, when it happens, is the work of some serial killer or madman.”
I listened, looked, and walked. Truly stunned. I needed to calm down, organize my thoughts.
“And your mother?” I murmured.
“Dead.”
Did Viktor kill her too? I couldn’t ask, too frightened.
“Oh, now you look alive!” Daciana smiled when we entered a huge kitchen filled with mouthwatering smells. She pointed to a large, heavy rustic wooden table. “Sit down and eat! Let’s put some meat on those bones.”
I obeyed, sitting across from Adelina. My stomach growled at the abundance before me. I hadn’t eaten properly for days, since I arrived in Romania. But I felt nauseous.
“Take whatever you want,” the girl offered, serving herself.
Daciana insisted, and before I realized it, my plate was full of everything. Glasses of juice and coffee, and she even wanted to make tea. I refused and began to eat. Hungry.
If I wanted to escape, I needed to be strong too.
Gradually, I relaxed with the two of them. They were kind and, at no moment, threatening. I wanted to ask questions about Viktor, to get an idea of what awaited me there. But I was still afraid to find out, to face it head-on.