Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen
CRYSTAL
Now that I was fully awake, my mind was beginning to catch up with the traumatic events that had happened to me.
From being kidnapped to waking up in that cold prison cell. My gut twisted.
I wrapped the quilt around my body and shut my eyes, steadying my breath. As if that would erase the bad memories--but it only made them worse.
Knock Knock
The soft rapping at my door pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned, expecting to find that Demon, Aquila, pushing the doors open. Or maybe that man with the mask. I had so many questions to ask, but then the steady rapping came again, accompanied by a voice I hadn’t heard before. It sounded like a woman.
“I’m coming in now, Lady Crytsal.”
Lady?
My brows knitted together as the double doors swung open and in came an elderly woman. She closed the door gently behind her and almost instantly all my anxiety melted away.
She looked nothing like those men.
Her silver hair was neatly pulled back, and her features were kinder. Her eyes held a kind of warmth, and my guard loosened a bit before I could even stop it. Because of all the people I’ve met today, this woman looked the most normal.
No weird Aprons or bloodstained masks. Just a kind smile and a small stack of fabrics in her hold.
“I’m glad you’re finally awake,” she said as she stood just a few steps away from the bed. Her voice was gentle, none of that sharpness.
“I am Miridath,” she introduced herself.
I knew it was rude to stare, but I did anyway. She didn’t look upset by my silence, if anything she met my gaze with the kind of patient look you’d get from a mother.
Then I pushed the quilt off my body and carefully swung my legs over the side of the bed, winching slightly as my feet touched the floor.
“The Alpha asked me to bring these for you.” She said as she dropped the stack neatly on a nearby chair near the window and turned back to me with that signature smile.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice a mix of desperate relief that I finally have something to wear. Something that would actually fit my body.
“You’re welcome, Lady Crystal.”
“Please, I’m not a lady,” I shook my head. I was anything but a Lady. “You can just call me Crystal.”
All she gave me was a nod as I went closer to the clothes, inspecting them more closely as I ran a finger over the soft linen. They felt really soft.
“Will you be needing anything else?” she asked. I thought about it momentarily. What could I possibly need if not answers to my questions? Then it hit me.
“Actually, Miridath.” I turned and took a cautious step forward. “Can you tell me where I am?” The question came out faster than I could stop it. “No one will give me straight answers and I--I need to find my way back to Covenant City.”
“Covenant city?” Miridath echoed, and her smile faltered.
“Yes! You’ve heard of it?! Can you tell me how I can get there?”
Miridath’s Ears just drew back like a cat’s before she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you much about Convenant city, let alone tell you how to get there.”
“What?” My feet went cold.
“However, I can tell you that you’re in the Inglewood territory.” Hersmile returned.
“Inglewood?” I blinked. Why did that sound so familiar?
“Werewolf territory, dear.” she clarified. “And you’re under the care and protection of Alpha Asher.”
“Alpha Asher?” The words sounded strange but familiar at the same time. “Asher? Do you mean that Masked Man?"
More questions began to pile on my old ones and I was starting to itch.
I steered the conversation a bit back. “This Masked man--Asher. He’s a werewolf Alpha?”
Werewolves were reserved creatures who kept to themselves. And now that I took a closer look at Miridath, I noticed the sharp fangs in her mouth when she smiled. A cold chill curled up my spine and settled at the base of my neck.
“Something like that,” she laughed softly and her expression softened into something almost fond.
Well, that’s helpful. I frowned.
"You don't?"
“It's a long story, but I'll tell you this much. Long ago, when we were on the brink of annihilation by your kind, the heavens brought us, Asher.”
I didn’t like how she said ‘Your kind’ with that smile. It made me feel uneasy. But I let her continue.
“He saved us and the old Alpha, rest his soul, named him his successor before he passed. Most unusual, adopting someone outside the pack. But Asher earned his piece and our loyalty.” There was something reverent in her tone now. Something that didn’t match the image of Asher I had in my own mind.
I saw him as the man from the Auction. The man who sat among those monsters. Listening to them make their bids. He was the man who wouldn’t show his face.
'But he’s also the man who saved your life.'
A small voice echoed in the back of my mind and I frowned.
“But he--”
“Alpha Asher is a good man. Reserved, yes. But good.”
Good.
The word sat wrong in my core. Good men didn’t appear covered in blood or sit among traffickers. Did they?
“And Aquila?” I asked, more to change the subject than anything. “He seems…close to Asher?”
Miridath’s expression shifted immediately and I was worried that I might have said something I shouldn’t have. That warmth disappeared and instead, it was replaced by a dark shadow of disapproval.
“Scum.” she snarled.
“Scum?”
“Bad company for my dear Asher. That Demon boy is nothing but trouble, especially for young women who fall for his charms.”
A recent memory of him sucking on my bleeding finger and pressing me against his hard chest flooded my mind and I felt a subtle heat creep up my neck.
“You be careful around that one, dear.”
I nearly laughed, but I held myself, because of how serious she looked right now.
“Aquila?” I confirmed again and she nodded.
“All demons are charming, yes. But that one? He’s got the devil’s tongue and wandering hands, and far too much amusement in stirring up trouble.”
I could picture that. But the image of him she was painting. It almost sounded like he was…I don’t know. A menace to society? And maybe he was. Annoying as he might be, he hadn’t done anything to spark suspicion.
If anything. I was more wary of Asher. The man was a mystery to me. The only visible trait about his face was his eyes. Unreadable Amber eyes that watched me through that mask.
“What about Asher? That mask. Does he ever-”
Miridath suddenly held up her hand and I stopped talking.
“I’ve already spent much time here, dear. Whatever questions you have, you can ask him,” she said firmly.
“But--”
“Dinner will be ready in half an hour, you can freshen up and take your pick of any of the dresses I’ve brought for you. I hope they are to your taste.” That signature smile returned, but before I could catch her and plead with her to tell me more about
My situation and most importantly, about my hosts, she was gone. Scurrying out of the room post-haste.
“Damn it all.”