Page 29 of Red King

“I suppose there are a few perks to living here,” Jacki says.

“Did you see the flowers?” Lauren says, pointing toward the four-man dining room table to the bouquet of flowers resting on the wood. It takes up the entire surface in a burst of tropical colors. There’s a food basket on the kitchen counter filled with snacks and treats. It’s still covered in cellophane and tied with ribbons.

“How lovely.” I nod.

Carmen stands and starts toward the kitchen. “Am I making you a cup?”

“Actually, I have a meeting I need to get to.”

“Is it with them…the shifters?” Jacki asks.

“Yep. The management team from their side wants feedback on how you’re doing,” I tell Lauren. “I’m not sure why it’s necessary since I already drew up a report and sent it through first thing this morning,” I grumble.

“Okay, well, good luck,” Carmen tells me as she grabs a couple of mugs.

“Thanks for checking in,” Lauren says in a small voice. “Oh…um…who was that shifter who came to check on me? Is he one of the candidates?”

“Yes. He came to check in on behalf of all the candidates.”

“Is he important?” Lauren asks.

“He has some big management position at the castle.” I shrug like it’s no biggie. “I’m not sure of exactly what he does. All the candidates are highly successful individuals. They only chose the best of the best to enter the pilot program. Listen, I need to get going, ladies. I’m glad you’re doing better,” I tell Lauren.

“We’ll look after her.” Jacki’s eyes soften.

I smile. “Good to know. Looks like you’re in good hands, but I will be back later just to be sure,” I say. “Get some rest.”

“I will.” Lauren smiles.

I check my watch as I leave the apartment and then head toward the entrance to our building. There is a gleaming black SUV waiting right outside.

A shifter in a full leather uniform greets me. He holds the door open, closing it once I’m inside.

I buckle up, and then we’re driving to the castle. My heart is pounding at the thought of seeing Arctic again. I’m nervous. I shouldn’t be.

I am! I can’t help it.

What does he want?

It isn’t to check up on Lauren. He has my report and could easily pick up the phone. This is something else. I know it. I find myself fidgeting and chewing my lip. I was quite rude to Arctic. To the shifter king. The man in charge of this whole island. I scrub a hand over my face.

No, I reacted correctly. He deserved it. I could still be in shit, or worse…out on my ear.

All too soon, the SUV pulls up to the castle. It’s grand and imposing, with its ancient stone walls and turrets reaching up to the sky. There are flags on each of the high towers. It reminds me of something out of a storybook. My mouth is hanging open. I can’t take my eyes off all the grandeur. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Before I’ve even unclipped my seatbelt, the driver opens my door, and I step out onto cobblestone paving. I look down at my scrubs. Maybe I should have changed. No! Dammit! I’m a nurse, and this is my uniform.

“Follow me,” my driver tells me, drawing me out of my head.

I do as he says, and we make our way to the entrance. The guards on either side of the vast wooden doors are holding spears. They are wearing leather masks with grotesque facial features etched into them. They don’t so much as move as we walk by. We enter a huge reception area. The staff behind the mahogany desk nod and smile. They’re all in uniform, with golden badges on their lapels.

“Welcome,” one of them says – a woman. The only female shifter I’ve seen so far. She’s tall, a little over six feet. She looks lean and toned. Her eyes are a striking blue. Not as vivid as Arctic’s. I note that these shifters are all very attractive.

My mouth is still gaping a little as we walk through; this place is something else. My shoes tap on the shining marble, and we soon reach the elevator. My escort presses the button.

The elevator doors slide open smoothly, revealing a lavish interior adorned with mirrors and golden patterns. I step inside, the shifter following closely behind me, pressing another button. As the elevator ascends, my nerves intensify with each passing floor. We go up and up and up. I feel sick. My stomach is now clenched in knots.

Am I going to be fired? Is that it?

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