Page 68 of Blood Weaver
I needed to move quickly to avoid detection, but staying invisible in a place like this would be challenging since the girls were incentivized to mingle amongst the guests. I kept my head down, relying on the ambient noise and crowd to cover my movements.
The group of men I’d sheltered with were absorbed in their own world, and their raucous laughter and crude jokes created a diversion that allowed me to slip away unnoticed to the grand staircase that led to the upper chambers. Each step was amixture of caution and speed; the less time I spent in the open, the better.
The upstairs corridor was quieter, providing a soft backdrop against the muffled sounds of ongoing revelry downstairs. The way to Selene’s room was ingrained from previous visits. I walked briskly, my ears tuned to any sound that wasn’t meant to be there, any indication that I’d been spotted. But fortune was on my side, and I reached Selene’s door undetected. My hands, steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins, turned the knob.
The door opened silently, a testament to the well-maintained luxury of the Rose Petal. I slipped inside and closed the door gently behind me. The noise from downstairs became a distant echo as I stepped into the silent sanctuary of Selene’s chambers and let out a silent breath of relief. My hands trembled as my adrenaline waned and the reality of the risk I’d just taken started to set in. I tugged down the cloth that covered my face and took my first deep breath.
The room was dimly lit by a single lantern casting a soft, golden glow that highlighted Selene’s elegant furniture and lavish decorations. The serene space was a stark contrast to the chaos and opulence of the tavern below. I scanned the room as my eyes gradually adjusted to the muted light and saw her lying on her bed with her back to me. I slowly crept toward her and tapped her shoulder. She jerked and whirled around with a dagger clenched in her hand, ready to attack. I caught her wrist just in time.
“Selene!” I whispered. “It’s me.”
Her hand relaxed and she sat upright to get a better look. “Leila?” she gasped.
I nodded and released her wrist. “Are you okay?”
She scrambled out of bed and dropped the dagger. “By the gods, Leila, where have you been?”
“It’s a long story.” I sighed and pulled her into a hug. She squeezed me tightly, her small frame trembling in my arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner,” I murmured.
She shook her head and pulled back. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. I … heard things …”
I was almost positive I knew what she heard. Stories of Caelan torturing me. Tales of my alliance with the Crimson Clan. Truths mixed with lies.
“I’m okay,” I repeated. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” she answered. “Prince Marcellus paid Madam Rose a hefty amount of coin to keep me locked in my room.”
I frowned. “Your door wasn’t locked.”
She nodded. “It can only be opened from the outside. I can’t open it from inside.”
Realization dawned and I looked back at the door I’d unwittingly locked. Glancing at the open window, I thought I could jump from Selene’s room to the next roof. I filed my escape route away and turned my attention back to Selene.
“I need to talk to you, but we don’t have a lot of time.”
Sensing the urgency of my request, she pulled me toward her seating area and we sat down. “What is it?”
“First, I need to know what happened between you and Marcellus.” Ever since hearing my brother had locked her away, I struggled to understand why he would go to such lengths. Unless …
Selene bit her lip and shrugged. “Nothing.”
If she didn’t want to tell me, I wouldn’t push. But I still needed to know … “Do you like him, Selene?”
Her eyes remained locked on her clasped hands in her lap. “Yeah, he seems nice.”
“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not what I mean. Do youlikehim?”
Her eyes widened and she finally met my eyes. “I—”
I squeezed her shoulder. “It’s okay if you do. That’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
She returned her attention to the clasped hands in her lap. “He seems so … genuine, Leila. But realistically, I know nothing can happen. We’re too … different. Our worlds are not the same.”
I wanted to agree but didn’t know how without hurting her feelings. “If you feel safe here, that’s fine and completely understandable. But if you want to leave, let me know now so we can come up with a plan to free you.”
Her brows shot up. “Free me?”
I nodded. “I don’t like the idea of you being locked in your room against your will. We already know Madam Rose is not to be trusted. You better believe that old bat has something up her sleeve. There’s no way she would allow her most popular girl to sit out for so long, no matter how much Marcellus paid her. It’s bad for business if others get the idea they can pay to have their favorite girl be all theirs.”
