Page 19 of Midnight Star

“Jake’s harmless, but he’s also persistent,” she says, her wings shifting as she studies me. “If you don’t setboundaries now, you’ll be stuck dealing with him until someone else catches his eye.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” I pause to think about it.

It’s an excellent question.

“He was one of the first people to be nice to me around here,” I finally say. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

I also need him on my side—the side of the humans who aren’t just going to lay down and accept our fates as pets to be enjoyed before they’re sent to the slaughterhouse. Also known as the barns.

We haven’t done anything to turn things around other than start carving pieces for a chess board together, but at least we’re preparing to play the game.

“It never is,” Aethelthryth says as we approach the doors to the human wing. “But it’s better to deal with it now than to let it fester. Trust me.”

With that, she opens the doors, and leaves me to continue from there.

Zoey

Thanks to endingthe swim lesson early, I have a bit of time before I have to change for lunch. And I know exactly what I intend on doing with that time.

So, instead of heading back to my suite, I continue down the hall to the most elaborate door in the human wing. It has beautiful designs of moons and stars, the wood is embossed with gold paint, and marble columns stand proudly on each side.

It’s the suite for the humans who serve the queen.

Henry, Elijah, and most importantly, Matt. He’s never in the courtyard, and he hasn’t come to any meals. Even though he’s likely in the queen’s quarters, I’m not going to give up this rare time when I’m finally alone without trying to see him.

I knock on the door, and it swings open, revealing Henry. His slimy grin spreads across his face, and theway he leans against the doorframe makes my skin crawl.

“Well, well,” he says, his voice dripping with fake charm. “What brings Aerix’s favorite pet to my humble abode? Couldn’t stay away?”

I fold my arms, keeping my expression neutral. “I need to see Matt.”

“Ah, the ex-boyfriend. I can’t say I’ve seen much of him lately.” He steps aside, motioning for me to enter. “But by all means, come in. Unless, of course, Aerix is keeping you on a short leash these days.”

“He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend,” I correct him. “Not mine.”

“You knew each other from home.” He shrugs it off. “Same difference. There’s a certain bond between the humans who knew each other back in the mortal realm, don’t you think?”

As much as I hate it, I can’t help but be intrigued.

“Did any of the others know each other before coming here?” I ask. Because if any of them knew each other before they were taken, they’ve said nothing.

“If they did, they wouldn’t tell.” He smiles mischievously, as if he knows something I don’t, and tilts his head again for me to come in, his dark red hair falling over his forehead.

I hold my head high and step past him, ignoring his bait, just like I ignore Aerix’s. After all, I didn’t comehere to get roped into a conversation with Henry. I’m here to talk to Matt.

The queen’s suite is darker than the one I share with Sophia and Victoria, dimly lit, the faint smell of incense lingering in the air. Plush chairs and thick velvet curtains give the space a false sense of luxury, but it feels suffocating—like the room itself knows the kind of power games that happen here.

“It’s interesting how fascinated Aerix is with you,” Henry continues, looking me up and down in a way that makes me wrap my jacket tighter around me. “I’d love to learn more about what you’ve done to entrance him so much.”

I glare at him and tell him to buzz off, although in a far more explicit way.

He laughs, the sound as hollow as his eyes. “Fine. Matt’s in his room.” He gestures lazily toward a door at the end of the suite. “Although I’m not sure he’s up for company.”

I stride toward the door, Henry’s chuckle following me like a shadow, and knock.

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