Chapter 13

Selene’s pov

I was just about to climb back into my bed and begin overthinking everything Raven had said to me when I noticed a crack in the door. It was almost shut, just a small space between the door and the door frame that was almost unnoticeable.

I blinked rapidly, my heart skipping a beat. This had to be a trick of my just-recovering senses.

I swung my legs off the side of the bed and rose, eyes glued to the space as though if I looked away, it would disappear and the door would be shut again. Raven had just left—surely she had closed it behind her.

Unless she hadn't, or forgot in some way. I stopped in my tracks. What were the odds that when I got there, I'd be able to walk through it? After all, there was magic preventing that from happening.

But it would not do for me to not give it a try. My bare feet brushed against the cold tile of the floor as I continued with my journey to the door.

When I got to it, I hesitated, closing my fingers around the edge. What if it rebounded again and tossed me back onto the floor?

What Raven had said about dissipating did not sound appealing at all, and I feared that I would not be able to survive another attack.

Wait—when did I become so fearful? I grit my teeth. I was not afraid of anything; in fact, I could brave any challenge. This was nothing.

I pushed it, and surprisingly, it gave way, revealing a dimly lit hallway, the soft glow of sconces casting shadows that flickered against the walls.

I grinned, stepping out of the room. The air was cooler here, and it didn't feel as suffocating as my room did. And most gratefully, nothing rebounded me back into my room. Was this what freedom felt like?

My eyes scanned the empty corridor, stopping at the ornate tapestries that lined the wall, depicting wolves in various positions: howling at the moon, stalking prey, standing watch over a dark forest. Whoever had designed this really had their allegiance to the werewolves.

One would think that with the change in times, Lucian would bring up more modern patterns. After all, this was not a palace—it was an estate. But it seemed like they valued their historical heritage here.

My footsteps echoed softly as I moved. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions, high ceilings and arched doorways giving it the feel of an ancient castle.

I didn't know anywhere here, so I could easily get lost, but that wasn't going to scare me back into my room. I chose the left direction and walked slowly, my senses on high alert.

Was this a trap? Did Lucian leave the door slightly open to lure me out, to test me? I wouldn't put it past Lucian to toy with me like this, although it didn't quite seem like his style.

My mind drifted back to Raven, that strange woman. Was this her doing instead? Now if only I had an escape plan—this would have been the perfect time to execute it, instead of walking around aimlessly.

The hallway curved slightly, leading to a grand staircase that spiraled downwards. I paused at the top, peering at the bottom. It seemed to lead to just a wide hall, more space. Why was nobody around, not even servants?

I took the steps one at a time, using the wrought-iron railing to steady myself. The air was different in the wide hall at the bottom of the stairs. The walls were lined with tall windows which let in streaks of sunlight. I gasped, moving towards them—it had been so long since I saw the sun.

When I placed my hand in the rays, nothing happened, and I smiled. I wasn't wearing my ring, but it seemed that dulling my powers also dulled my nature, so the sun did not harm me. At least that was one good thing that came from Lucian’s actions.

My eyes darted to the doorway at the end of the hall. I wondered if that was the way out of this wing, my mind racing with questions.

"Well, what do we have here?" a deep voice demanded behind me, and I spun around. My blood turned to ice as my eyes locked on a figure emerging from the shadows.

It was a broad-shouldered man with feral aura emanating from him. His golden eyes gleamed, and I gulped at how sharp his wolfish features were. He even had his claws out.

As he stepped closer to me, I clenched my fists, every instinct in me screaming to run.

"The little vampire, wandering where she does not belong," his voice was rough and mocking.

I was seriously considering running now. I had no strength to fight, after all, but I knew it would do me no good. He would catch me in seconds. Damn Lucian for dulling my powers!

"I had no idea there were rules here. It's just an empty hallway," I replied, managing to keep my voice from trembling.

"Just an empty hallway?" he snarled. "You think you're clever, don't you? Lucian should have known better than to bring a blood-sucker like you into our midst. You don't belong in this pack."

"I didn't ask to come here!" I snapped.

He snarled, circling me like a predator. "But you certainly didn't make enough efforts to not be brought here."

Suddenly, the fear in me was replaced with anger. "How dare you speak about things you don't know anything of! You weren't there when I was forced into this place, so don't act like you know what happened!"

"It's mighty bold of you to speak to me in such a tone," he replied. "How about I teach you where you belong, little leech?"

Before I could react, he lunged, and I screamed. My movements were too slow—my body was not fully recovered yet, so all I could do was stumble backwards as his claw grazed my arm.

Pain erupted all over my body again. Just how many times would I be put in an unfortunate position, I wondered? I really didn't want to go unconscious again this time.

From my half-closed eyelids, I saw him raise a hand again, ready to strike another blow, just as a deafening growl reverberated in the hall.