Chapter 105
Lirael
The guard led me through corridors that twisted like a maze, each turn revealing another identical hallway. My escort's silence was worse than any threat—just the echo of boots on marble and the weight of his hand near his weapon.
Just get through dinner.
Don't let them see you're terrified.
We descended a staircase carved with hunting scenes—wolves chasing prey, figures falling, creatures being torn apart. Real cheerful.
The dining room was massive and oppressive, with a table that could seat thirty but was set for only five. Victor sat at the head like a king, already nursing whiskey. Beside him was a blonde woman in her fifties, elegant in that expensive, maintained way.
"Ah, Sophia!" Victor rose. "This is my wife, Evelyn. Evelyn, the researcher I mentioned—Sophia Thornwood."
Evelyn extended her hand, grip cool and assessing.
"Charmed. Victor's been quite enthusiastic about your visit." Her accent screamed old money and boarding schools. "Researching supernatural preservation? How fascinating."
"Your husband's collection is certainly impressive."
"Please, call me Evelyn." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Though I must say, I've always found living subjects more interesting than preserved ones. Don't you agree?"
Living subjects.
Not people.
Jesus Christ.
"Both have research value," I managed, taking my seat—directly across from her, which meant maintaining eye contact while monitoring Victor and watching for threats.
Sebastian arrived next, and I felt him before I saw him—that predator awareness that made my nerves scream. He'd changed into a black suit, hair damp from a shower, and when his eyes found mine, the gold in them made my breath catch.
"Miss Thornwood." He took the seat beside me, close enough to smell whiskey and winter. "I trust your room is satisfactory?"
"Quite."
"Good. I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable."
Right. Comfort. That's definitely your specialty.
Elwin arrived last, escorted by guards who positioned him at the far end—next to Evelyn, where we couldn't communicate without being overheard. His eyes met mine for one second, and I saw the fear he was trying to hide.
We're being separated.
Isolated.
Victor raised his glass. "To new friends and old secrets. May we all find what we're looking for."
The first course arrived—delicate soup that smelled incredible. I lifted my spoon, and the moment it touched my tongue I knew.
Wolfsbane.
No—something similar. Something that makes my blood revolt, my magic trying to purge it.
Every dish is poisoned.
I swallowed, forced a smile. "Delicious. The herbs are quite unique."
"A family recipe." Evelyn's voice was honey-sweet. "We grow them in our greenhouses. Victor insists on only the freshest components."
Components. Like we're experiments.
I took another spoonful, felt the holographic emitter's backup system kick in—storing the liquid instead of letting me actually consume it. Thank god Elwin had thought of everything.
Sebastian watched me, his own soup untouched.
"You're not eating, darling." Evelyn's concern sounded genuine.
"I'm rarely hungry after travel." His response was smooth. "I prefer to ensure our guest is comfortable first."
Liar. He's watching for signs of poisoning.
The second course—game meat in reduction sauce that probably had enough wolf blood to send me into convulsions. I cut delicate pieces, let the emitter do its work while maintaining perfect table manners.
"So, Sophia." Evelyn leaned forward. "The Thornwood line—didn't they have connections to lunar elf bloodlines? Some marriage alliance generations back?"
Fuck. She's testing me.
"There are stories. Most scholars consider them apocryphal." I kept my voice academic. "Any genetic legacy would be significantly diluted by now."
"Diluted, perhaps. But not eliminated." Her eyes were sharp. "Recessive traits manifest under stress, don't they?"
She knows. Or suspects.
"I wouldn't know. My talents run toward research, not manifestation. Quite boring, really."
"I doubt you're boring at all." Victor's voice carried across the table. "In fact, I suspect you're one of the most interesting guests we've hosted. Isn't that right, Sebastian?"
Sebastian's smile was pure predator. "Extraordinarily interesting. Full of surprises."
Six more courses followed, each more elaborate and more poisoned than the last. By dessert—chocolate something that probably contained concentrated wolf essence—I was exhausted from constant vigilance, from maintaining Sophia's mask while my magic screamed warnings.
"I must say, you have an impressive constitution." Victor set down his napkin. "Most academic visitors find our cuisine overwhelming."
"I've traveled extensively. One learns to adapt."
"Indeed." His precision was deliberate. "Which brings me to an important matter. We'll be conducting security exercises tonight. The estate will be on lockdown from midnight until six AM—all doors sealed, all corridors monitored, all guests confined to quarters."
Lockdown. From midnight to six. Exactly when we need to move.
"I understand. Security is paramount."
"I'm glad you understand." Victor's smile was all teeth. "Because the security systems are quite unforgiving toward unauthorized movement. Anyone attempting to leave their quarters would trigger automatic containment protocols that are designed to be decisive."
Translation: Try to escape and you're dead.
"Of course. I have no intention of wandering."
"Excellent." He rose. "Then good night. Tomorrow I'll show you the preservation wing. I think you'll find it particularly educational."
Tomorrow. If we survive tonight.
Guards escorted us back, and I caught one last glimpse of Elwin's face—the fear, the desperate hope we'd both survive the next twelve hours.
My escort delivered me to my door, took up position in the hallway where he'd presumably stay all night.
Watching. Waiting.
I closed the door and leaned against it, finally dropping Sophia's composure, letting exhaustion and fear wash over me.
Emitter's at thirty percent.
Food was poisoned.
Guard outside.
Full lockdown coming.
And somewhere here is evidence of what they did to Sophia.
I moved to the window—reinforced, alarmed—and stared at grounds being swept by searchlights.
Midnight. Kitchen ventilation. One chance.
I retrieved my luggage, found the hidden compartment Elwin had built. Inside—lockpicks, a small EMP device, climbing gear, and backup contact lenses if the hologram failed.
I slid the case under the bed, positioned it for quick access.
Everything ready. Now wait.
I changed into the silk nightgown laid out—felt like a shroud—and climbed under covers that smelled of lavender and something darker. Surveillance cameras blinked in the corners, watching me settle like a good guest with no plans to break every rule.
Just a few hours. Then we move. Then we find truth.
I closed my eyes and waited for midnight, for the lockdown, for the moment when the monsters thought they had us contained.
Hold on, Sophia. I'm coming. I'm going to find out what they did. And I'm going to make them pay.