29. Bloodthirsty Snakes

**Rosè**

"Wow! I've never seen a fairy before, much less a fairy pet."

Kendrick straightened his back. He lifted both of his hands. The forefinger and thumb on each one formed an *L*. "Fairy pets, not quite. They are more like unusual creatures that were stolen from fae sanctuaries. Of course, this pissed the fae off."

He lowered them and joined the thumbs together. It was like his hands formed a tablet and he was watching everything unfold through the screen. "I heard Alpha Christen had to care for a creature with a pitch-black dog head and no body. Turns out it did have a body, but it's transparent. It wasn't a friendly dog either. Damn near bit his leg off."

"Malcom had a firebreathing fish before Alpha changed his mind and made Denis his heir," Keona added.

"What's Denis' pet, or uh, creature, like?"

The siblings shared a mischievous look. Keona tilted her head. "Do you want to see?"

I wanted to say yes but I can't seem too eager. "Don't you two have class?"

"Nah! We do homeschool and we have the rest of the week off to study for a test this Friday," Keona explained.

Oh. Well, how could I say no?

"So," Kendrick swallowed the last spoonful of cereal. "Are you coming or not?"

_________

The Nelson siblings made me follow them to a spot deeper into the forest. They talked nonstop about subjects I didn't know about, but Keona was kind enough to fill me in so I wouldn't be left out of the conversation.

It proved to be a challenge to trend through overgrown grass in brown strapped sandals. I kept feeling odd things on my toes.

Though I shouldn't complain. I'm the one who asked them for another way around. Even while leaving the cafeteria I felt hoards of eyes monitoring my every move. I know they didn't mean any harm, but I wished they'd stop paying so much attention to me.

It's not that I don't think I deserve it. I don't mind a *thank you* now and then. But when it gets to this extent, my mind can't help but envision it as something negative. At any moment that man who told me I did well when I stepped outside could change his tune in the blink of an eye.

"We're here!" Keona announced.

We arrived at a clearing with less wildlife. Keona seemed excited, but I was less than amused. The only thing I saw was a small shed.

Kendrick went up to the door, opened it, and ushered us inside. When I got closer, the stench inside the shed hit me like a ton of bricks. The exterior proved to be deceiving. No shovels or pitchforks. A set of steps descended underground. Keona covered her nose and motioned for Kendrick to go down first. Which she did. After Kendrick began the descent, I followed. Keona closed the door and did the same.

Torches lit up when we arrived at the last step. Rows and rows of cells greeted us. Somethings growled, scaring the daylights out of me. But seeing the siblings carry on without a worry in mind put some of my fear at ease. Some.

"It's great that the guards are in the middle of training." Kendrick's voice echoed through the room, inciting more growls from whatever occupied these.

"Yeah, however, we won't have long if you guys keep taking your time like little grandmas strolling in the park. Walk faster! We're almost there after the next turn."

We took a turn to the left, finally leaving the scary sounds to fade into the background.

The new area also smelled less so I could breathe easily. Blue flames illuminated the stone walls. When we got to our destination, no door blocked us so we walked right into the room.

I gasped. An air ventilation system was hooked up to a glass cage. A minuscule kitchenette was set up on the other side, two locked cabinets stationed over the sink.

The room was okay, but that wasn't what made me step back. Long, reptilian creatures were kept locked up behind glass. Their eyes shined like jewels. Pale pink scales shimmered under the led light on the roof of their home. At first glance, they had no noses. One yawned, mouth expanding into a gaping black hole before snapping its jaws shut.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Keona held me by the waist so I wouldn't escape and brought me close to the cage. And in turn, closer to those *things*. "They're called 'glykons'. They're not poisonous, but they do need the blood of animals to survive."

She took my hand and lifted it to the glass. The *glykon* hissed and fixed its ruby eyes on my palm. The tension in my shoulders eased as my dumb ass realized it couldn't hurt me with a barrier in its way.

Kendrick stood on the other of his sister."You wanna hear something interesting? I heard they have a favorite food source. Werewolves! And even better, the fae offered to give Alpha Christen this as a gift to continue the pack tradition. It's like a big 'eff you' to the people who keep stealing creatures from their lands."

"Hah! Sounds like them!" Keona cackled like a wicked witch. I couldn't help the smile that made its way across my face. "Wait, does that mean they can eat us? Like swallow us whole?"

"No, no. Suck our blood? Yes. They've got a whole row of teeth that are hidden beneath their gums. As soon as they attach them to you, they're hooked. Ain't no letting go. Also, I'm pretty sure Denis feeds them anesthesia by placing it inside that."

He pointed to the ventilation machine that did, in fact, appear as if there was a metal container protruding from the top.

"Every evening before dinner, that's when he refills it."

I glanced towards the cabinets then quickly returned my gaze to the snake-like creatures, smiling. "You learn something new every day," I said.

"Guys, I think we need to split." Keona stood up. "It's not like we can tell when Beta sends the guards back. We had our fill, the sooner we leave the better."

Kendrick nodded and we all retreated from the prison.

_______

For the rest of the day, I made sure that Marionette healed while keeping nosy healthcare workers out of the room. They argued that they only wanted to watch and take note of how I communicated with her. I had to tell them that being so invasive with make both of us uncomfortable and hinder our progress for them to back off.

It was 4:32 pm when Denis got home. I asked if he could drive me back home so I could pick up my clothes and books. He agreed. Denis promised that after he was done handling some things.

After he came back, we drove to my house. Denis made some jokes and I poked fun at him in return. No one was home so I got my stuff, and grabbed another pair of shoes before leaving the house. Thankfully, I did remember to call my parents and tell them I was okay.

The house he lived in with his family was quiet when we got back. Denis was pushing the door open when Alpha Christen came behind us and dragged him back by his collar.

"You and I, son? We need to talk!" Alpha Christen's voice practically dripped with anger. Denis gazed up at him with confusion and fright written all over his face.

"You can go inside, Miss Rosè. I have a few words to exchange with my irresponsible son."

I didn't need to be told twice.

Even alone in the guest room, I could hear the argument downstairs. I laid my head and the pillow and grinned. The shitshow was about to start.