From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

+15

The bloodmaid takes a considerable few minutes to accept defeat and climb off his lap. Her face turns toward me and, even though it’s hidden, I know her eyes must be narrowed and her mouth twisted in a sneer. While she’s being dismissed, I’m here, sharing dinner after dinner with the man who seems to be the center of all her dreams. I smile brazenly and give a curt nod in farewell.

She spins on her heels and disappears the way she came.

“I’ve been told you’ve been studying our history.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“Not at all, I just find it curious that you bother to get to know us when it’s obvious you

hate

us SO

much.”

He rests his cheek against the knuckles of his hand, and the gesture captures me for a few seconds. His skin is extremely pale, even more than mine, and not a single flaw. He looks like delicate porcelain, and to break that contrast, the lines outlining his face are harsh, High, prominent cheekbones, a straight chin, and thick eyebrows that are usually furrowed. It’s beautiful how only dark, dangerous, and twisted things can be so.

“I have to spend my free time here doing something.”

I shrug, and my response seems to amuse him.

“And what conclusions have you reached about us with your readings?”

He shifts to a new posture, leaning forward over the long table, his fingers interlaced and his chin resting

pose.

on them, in

e

curious

and

contemplative

1. me.

“If you’re trying to mock me, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.” I make a move to stand. “I’ve finished my dinner.”

“I’m serious. I haven’t opened one of those history books in decades–maybe a century.” His gaze softens slightly. “Tell

With a sour face, I fall back into the seat. I don’t think refusing is really an option. If I say no, will he just let me go quietly back to my quarters? I doubt the answer is yes.

“I’ve been reading some history books that say the northern and southern territories are enemies and separated by the Twisted Forest. It seems that inside it there are creatures that scare even the…” I hesitate, “even your kind.”

at the end of their “The Kraugs,” he clarifies. “They’re creatures that frighten most, but not all. They look similar to snakes, with a huge stinger bodies. They’re coated in a kind of mucus that apparently comes from the decomposition of their victims‘ corpses–hence the disgusting smell.”

“And a vampire can’t kill a Kraug?”

“That depends on the vampire,” he replies arrogantly. “A Pure has a chance. A Diluted should consider himself dead the moment he even sees one.”

“They don’t sound like very pleasant creatures.”

“They’re not,” he confirms, “They’re fast and use their bodies to trap you as soon as they get a chance. Their stinger secretes a paralytic venom that leaves you completely useless. In the best–case scenario, they might not even bother using it and just rip your head off in one clean move. If not… you’ll be praying for a quick death.”

“What do they do?”

My curiosity makes me lean slightly forward over the table, captivated by his explanation.

“They’ll eat you little by little, prolonging your death for weeks, or in the worst cases, months. Your body will begin to rot once it’s been exposed to their mucus for too long. And crows and rats will stop by from time to time to try to take a piece of you.”

A shiver slowly runs down my spine. The expression of disgust and fear on my face seems to please Cassian. That dangerous smile doesn’t fade for a second.

“That’s absolutely disgusting.”

I wrinkle my nose.

“What else have you read?”

“A family of Pures, supported by other well–established families among them, leads the northern territories, and in the south live the rebellious Diluted ones–those who find the way they’re treated unfair.”

The mention of the Diluted makes his lips press into a thin line. He crosses his arms over his chest and slumps into his seat.

“A real nuisance.”

1/3

12:19 PM

Chapter 15

Curiosity takes hold of me.

“How many important families are there among you?” He raises an eyebrow and his eyes

“Truly important? Just three.” He gestures dismissively. “And what have you read about the

“Other creatures?”

other

slits

somniatures?”

*

+15

“Tritons, lamias, shapeshifters, banshees….” His eyes widen at my incredulous face. “Do you really know nothing about the others? I see our existence has entirely filled your mind. I hate to disappoint you, but there are plenty of horrible things besides

I’m left speechless. In Ravag, we’ve lived isolated from so many things, and I, for my part, never tried to learn more. Not even Lea’s books contained information about this. She never told me of the existence of other beings. We’ve never seen any–only pale–skinned figures with sharp fangs whose footsteps barely make a sound.

Overwhelmed by this new information, I scrape my chair back, intending to leave.

“Leaving already?”

“I’m tired.”

“Then you should rest. Fatigue affects the taste of blood.” He flashes all his teeth in a smile. “And have high expectations about the flavor of the Ruby Queen.”

He uses the name those who gossip about me have given. It sounds like an insult, a mockery. I clench my fists and return to my chambers, where my maids wait to help me undress. Too much attention for someone like me. I let them work in silence, and they leave when they realize I don’t intend to talk tonight.

I slip under the sheets with this new information. I tell myself that tomorrow, right after breakfast, I’ll run to the library to find book that

any speaks more about all the creatures I don’t know. Apparently, the arrival–or rather, the reappearance of the vampires wasn’t the only one.

”

I lie on my side and rest on my elbow to blow out the candle on the nightstand. A book catches my attention- -one not even remotely like the one I was reading earlier. This one is bound in red–dyed leather, a worn black thread tied around it as a closure. I pick it up and examine it, frowning.

No title.

I open it cautiously, curious. The pages are yellowed with age, yet it’s clear the book was well cared for. No tears across the elegant handwriting and begin to read.

Or

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