Explorer (verb) to explore

I stopped short of actually touching the strange door when Tansy floated to my side.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, wearing one of her teasing grins.

Startled and oddly disappointed that the whispers stopped, I nodded, forcing a smile and clasping my hands together. "Of course."

She glanced from me to the door, then back again. Then clasped the handle and yanked the door open. Anticipation flooded my body, but all that was inside was a sheet music library and the scent of must.

No whispering vampire.

She shut the door, grinning wide and open. "I think it's time for my little surprise."

I eyed her suspiciously as she laced her arm through mine and led me out of the room.

"I don't really like surprises," I admitted, not quite sure what she had planned. As we made our way down another long hallway, I couldn't help but cast a look over my shoulder at the music room.

There was something about that room I needed to explore on my own.

"Well, if it will put your mind at ease, I'm taking you to the ballroom so we can dance like real ladies."

I stopped walking, my eyes widening. "Oh, I don't think that's a very good idea. I don't know how to dance."

"Neither do I!" she said, tugging on my arm to restart my feet. "But after a few sips of wine, it doesn't matter what you know and don't know. Besides, Devlinn and Alec are waiting for us. I told them to bring snacks."

I let her lead me to the ballroom even though nerves twisted inside my stomach.

Wine. Dancing. A huge room all to ourselves. Alec.

The combination would surely draw Bastien who seemed unable to bring himself to spend time with me unless it was to intervene on behalf of my virtue or ensure I was protected.

I resigned to ignore him or send him away when he inevitably appeared and committed to having fun without him.

Finally, after what felt like a mile of walking, we arrived at a set of massive double doors stained black and inlaid with gold roses.

"Welcome to the ballroom," Tansy said, throwing open the doors and revealing an awe inspiring expanse of a room.

The walls were black. The floors were maple. The chandeliers were crystal. Impressive was the wrong word. It was delectable.

A smile pressed itself onto my lips as I marveled at it all. The energy of the room made me want to gather my skirts in a hand and twirl in circles.

I didn't know how to dance, but this room made me feel like anything was possible.

I spied Alec and Devlinn standing at a small table in the corner of the room, laden with candles and desserts. 

Alec looked at ease as he approached. Neither he nor Devlinn wore a shirt beneath their open gold and white-trimmed jackets, exposing their well-honed musculature.

I accepted the wine glass he offered me, and we all rang the crystal together in a toast, silently sipping the smooth vintage.

One glass. I could have one glass and keep my head.

Once I drank my fill, and I was feeling less self-conscious, I let Alec lead me out to the dance floor while Devlinn put on a record that began playing a slow waltz.

I laughed more than I could ever remember laughing before as he tried to teach me the steps, but the only steps I was taking were on his feet.

"You're too stiff!" Tansy shouted, prancing over to me and taking my hips in her hands, working them back and forth as I giggled into Alec's chest.

"There's no such thing as being too stiff," Alec remarked, which caused the others to explode with laughter.

I, however, had no idea what they meant but laughed anyway.

I quit not long after, feigning hunger. My cheeks hurt from laughing, and I couldn't remember having more fun.

I knew these people had been selected as my harem, but I much enjoyed just spending time with them. Even Devlinn, who I still couldn't believe was a dark witch.

It was almost like having friends. Almost. Because I knew my harem was paid handsomely to spend time with me. For them, this was employment.

We sat at the small circular table, sipping chilled herbal tea with lemon and honey and snack-sized cookies.

Staring at Devlinn and Tansy as they continued to sip wine, I wanted to know more about them. And Alec, too. How did these three people come to have this job?

"What brought you all here?" I asked, taking another sip of tea to help dilute the glass of wine.

The energy around the table shifted as I watched their expressions change. Devlinn and Tansy glanced at each other while Alec focused on his glass.

They remained quiet, which was very unlike this fun-loving bunch. I shifted in my seat, waiting.

"Magick," Devlinn finally said, which seemed to be the answer for all of them as none corrected him.

I was taken aback. Magick had brought them here?

"What do you mean?" I asked, my attention shifting to Tansy.

I knew magick couldn't have brought her here. She was far away from Diana's altars this far west.

Devlinn rumpled his red hair, then reclined back in his seat, taking Tansy's hand as he did.

"All I'll say is that magick ruined our lives."

The statement hung in the air, heavy between us. Magick ruined their lives? But how was that possible?

Magick was a gift. And besides, Alec wasn't even magickal.

Tansy nodded once, seeming to permit Devlinn to continue.

"Neither of us," he said, gesturing to Tansy, "charge our powers anymore. At this point, we're as magickal as you and him."

My mouth fell open. Witches, regardless of where they drew their power, had to charge their magick to use it. Performing sacred rituals when the moon was full. I couldn't imagine why they'd choose to be...normal.

I'd give anything to have such a choice.

I waited for him to say more, but that seemed all he was willing to offer, so I turned to Alec, who was spinning his glass over the tabletop.

In the low light, his bronze skin seemed to shine, and his dark eyes lifted to mine. I wondered how magick had brought him to this place.

"Everyone says this place is neutral," he said, letting his gaze wander around the ballroom before returning to mine. "No magick allowed to keep the peace and all."

He hadn't exactly stated why he'd come to Chateau Rose, but I sensed that he'd run away from magick.

The hard set of his jaw and the look on his eyes said it all.

"But explain why the glass walls of the greenhouse don't have a lick of ice on them. Or why there are hot springs bubbling around a frozen mountain."

At this, Tansy and Devlinn exploded into more laughter. It seemed they were grateful for something else to focus on.

"Of course!" Devlinn said between chuckles, "How could we forget that his lordship keeps a mermaid locked below the castle."

Tansy snorted out a laugh as she finished the rest of her wine. "She tends the dragon, who heats the springs with his fiery breath."

Now, I knew they were joking, but couldn't bring myself to laugh, not with how serious Alec remained. I sensed he knew more about dark magick than he was letting on, and I needed help carrying out my mission.

"There's probably not a mermaid or a dragon," Alec admitted, "but I know magick gets used here, even if they say it doesn't."

My thoughts returned to the whispering at the door and the bloodstone around my neck. Bastien had some kind of magick, that much was clear. But I had the sense something else was hiding.

"It's not magick, it's science," Devlinn was saying. "The sun warms the glass, and the heat gets trapped inside. What's not to understand?"

I nearly rolled my eyes. I didn't like him making Alec feel stupid. 

"Science is magick by another name," I said, reciting one of Mama's favorite phrases.

I smiled at Alec, and he smiled back at me. He had a very nice smile, one that I quite liked, and I hated that it didn't do more for me than make me feel happy.

Now, I knew it was because my heart was fated to another. As much as I hated that fact.

"Funny. My mother used to say the same thing," Tansy admitted. As they met mine, I could see the sadness in her eyes, but curiosity sparkled behind her irises. "Where did you say you were from?"

Swallowing hard, I realized I'd said too much. I was just as foolish as Mama said. These people weren't my friends. If anything, they were traitors to their covens for leaving. Besides, I was supposed to be spying, not making friends.

"Nightfall Convent," I answered, covering up my embarrassment with a sip of sweetened tea. 

Tansy nodded, and I saw understanding resonate in the sympathetic smile she gave me. "Looks like we both escaped Diana," she said, lifting her freshly refilled glass in a toast.

I hadn't escaped Diana. Not by a long shot. My hand floated to the lace choker around my neck, reminding myself of the spell I was beholden to.

When I glanced back at the two witches seated across from me, I saw their mood had shifted again. They wanted a distraction from the pain, and I couldn't blame them.

"Us misfits should stick together," Tansy said, rising from her chair and sauntering around the table toward me. Her hand lazily grazed Devlinn's shoulder as she passed by him. "Celebrate our liberation."

She came to stand behind me, her hands finding the slope of my shoulders. Fingertips trailing up my neck to cup my face. Then she leaned in, her cheek pressing against mine.

"We brought pillows. And blankets," she said. "Enough to make a cozy little pile on the floor." Her voice was a coo in my ear. "Can we play with you, Mademoiselle? I promise we'll be gentle."

Nerves and uncertainty curled in my stomach as my gaze trailed the table. There were three of them. Three very skilled pillow whisperers. I barely had experience with one.

I wasn't adverse to the idea of them showing me some things, but I was embarrassed by how inexperienced I was compared to them.

At any moment, Bastien would catch the scent of wine or sense that I was in a compromising position and burst through the doors.

I didn't want him to have that kind of power over me again. I didn't want to be the one he caught. I much preferred catching him. Like the night I'd found him in the tent.

Alone. Vulnerable. Moaning my name.

Just the thought of him made me squeeze my thighs together in anticipation.

As much as I wanted to enjoy the feel of Tansy's hands or Alec's lips, I didn't desire them in the deep, needy way I desired him.

Besides, Bastien was the secret keeper. He knew what I needed to know. He trusted me enough to give me this necklace.

I had more questions for him. Questions that needed answering.

I stared at the door to the ballroom, and the whispering started up again. The murmuring I couldn't quite understand but that I knew no one else could hear.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to use the restroom," I told Tansy.

I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I would find him if I went looking.

"Nearest one is back through the doors and to the right. Do you want me to come with you?"

I shook my head. "No, thank you."

As I left the table and began walking to the door, I felt underwater once again—just like the night of Bastien's Sanguination ball. It was as if our connection had reopened, and he was whispering to me inside my head.

"Claire. Claire."

Beckoning me toward the door.

It became louder the closer I came, and when I lifted my hand to the handle, I heard his ragged breath like he was standing directly behind me. Moaning my name.

I wanted to see him. Despite everything.

The door cracked open before I could touch the handle, and when I pushed it open an inch, I didn't find the hallway behind. No. What I found had me gasping and scurrying through the opening as fast as I could.

Ahhh! What's she going to find? Any guesses?

Do you think the whispering is related to the bloodstone? Or to the castle?

Also, I love that the rumor about Imogen is that Bastien keeps a mermaid 🤣 But is the rumor about the dragon true or false? 👀