I doubt we can be comfortable in a place like this, gaping at the corpses of people like us. Gripping Cassandra’s hand, I keep her close. Whatever Donatello has in mind, I hope it doesn’t fuck us up.
The blond indicates the surrounding place. “This is the main hall. You can explore the place as much as you want.”
“Just stay away from our rooms,” Trevor adds, holding a book. When did he do that? He looks bored with us, staring at one of the corridors. “I’ll show you the place you’re supposed to stay.”
“I understand Giulia’s busy,” Donatello says as we start after the werewolf. “Would you mind if I quickly greet her?”
Trevor and Alicia shrug in unison. “She said you might want to do that,” Alicia says, looking at Trevor with a smile. “But then again, you might not want to.”
Like a private joke, the three laugh. I glare at Donatello. Does he know shit we don’t? Or is he pretending to be pleasant? Both options annoy me. We make our way into a hallway full of paintings I also ignore, keeping both eyes on the pair leading us. I don’t trust them. This girl doesn’t feel entirely human as well. It’s like there’s something wrong about her and I can’t tell what.
A door bursts open, and I grip Cassandra’s hand tighter in response. She winces at me, then chuckles. “Sorry,” I whisper, turning to see whoever surprised the crap out of me.
A tiny woman waltzes out of a room, black curly hair bouncing around her head. She’s in a hippie-style green dress, embroidered with gold threads. She looks up at us and opens a huge smile. Her eyes are the milky white of someone who’s blind, contrasting with the dark color of her skin.
Her gaze moves, looking at everywhere and everyone. “Donatello!” she calls out, opening her arms. “I don’t know where you are. In a different place every time I check.”
Arching an eyebrow, I look at Cass, who’s not looking at me, but at the newcomer. I shoot a look at Ren. He shrugs. Donatello steps up and bends on the waist to hug the woman.
“How are you, Giulia?”
“Busy!” She laughs, letting him go and stretching a hand, which is immediately captured by Trevor. “You wanted to greet me, no? Why don’t you tag along? Alicia will take Cassandra and her mates to the room.”
How the hell does she know about Donatello wanting to greet her? I narrow my eyes, but I bet it’s the whole “seeing everything” Donatello mentioned. Even if the woman is blind.
Things are so confusing right now.
“That sounds fantastic, Giulia,” Donatello says, nodding over his shoulder at Cass.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Giulia,” my mate says as Giulia takes off in another direction, Trevor tagging along and Donatello rushing after.
Giulia shoots a smile over her shoulder. “It’s almost always a pleasure meeting you, Cassandra. Make yourself at home.”
The sound of footfalls disappears after a moment. Alicia clears her throat and we start following her once more.
“Almost always?” Cassandra shoots at me with an arched brow, but all I can do is shrug.
Alicia chuckles. “That’s Giulia for you. It takes a moment, but you get used to it.” She looks over her shoulder. “We hope you don’t have to stay long, though. Don’t take it as an offense, but you are being hunted by everyone.”
“I know,” Cassandra replies without missing a beat. She doesn’t look insulted. Her realism is one of the things I admire the most about my mate. “Don’t worry about that.”
“I won’t,” Alicia says, opening a door. “Here’s your room. It’s specific for groups. There’s a big shower.” She points at Oreo, still in Tristan’s arms. “The dog will have to do its business outside.”
The dog cocks its head, droopy ears twitching.
“Of course,” Cassandra shoots.
“Where did it come from, by the way?” Alicia cups her chin, narrowing her eyes at the dog. “It smells strange.”
Cassandra clears her throat, stepping closer to Tristan. “I brought him from the Collector. We haven’t had the time to shower him or anything.”
Alicia’s face changes into comprehension. She offers her hands. “Come. I’ll take it outside while your family settles in.”
I want to say we’re not his family, but hell, that would be a cruel lie. Even the dog is a part of us too. He defended Cassandra against the fae, and his best chance is to stick with us. He’s gotten used to Tristan, and I can see how fond of Cass he’s become.
The dog goes to Alicia’s arms, shooting a look at Cassandra before the two set off. He doesn’t complain, though he’s not fond of leaving us. With a hand on my mate’s lower back, we enter the room.
Alicia was right when she said it’s for a group. The bed is huge. Tristan closes the door behind him, and I let Cassandra go explore. The open curtains let sunlight stream in, and the place is decorated all in gold and green, from the carpet to the covers to the easy chairs. It’s not what I would choose for my place, but it isn’t bad either. Like something out of storybook.