Page 9 of Dormeo
“As for why? Well, you’ll have to ask the great Lord Farly. He’s the one who bartered with you and dumped you here with scant regard for your safety.” His smile is wicked, as are his eyes, which are now glowing bright red.
I can see my terrified face reflected back at me.
“You can ask him what he expected to happen here, when he willingly handed you over; that’s so bad, he thought it would be better if you were unconscious for it.”
Bile rises up inside my throat as the meaning of his words hits home.
My father put me to sleep, because he knew I was potentially going to endure something awful.
If he knew this, then how could he hand me over to these men? What kind of person could give up their own daughter, knowing she was likely to be abused? But I know the answer to that, because I know the type of men he’s willing to marry me off to in the human realm.
“Sleep. Unlike your vermin father, I will keep you safe.”
4
ASH
Rose turns pale as her eyes slide closed, and she slips back into unconsciousness.
Her father deserves to lose this deal that he’s made at her expense, just for being such a repulsive excuse for a human being.
For once, I hope my father has stacked the deck in his favour.
Sending Rose here while under the influence of a potion is like sending a lamb to the slaughter.
“Is she asleep or did she pass out from the shock?”
When I glare at him, Gaap retreats, backing out of the room with hands raised in surrender. He’s enjoying this, knowing that spending two weeks minding something so timid is outside my comfort zone. Way outside.
I think of the treacherous imps who were loitering outside. What would they do if they got inside and got their grubby hands on the beautiful Rose?
It wouldn’t be pretty, that’s for sure.
With a weary sigh, I scan my bedroom, hoping an obvious answer to the sleeping arrangements is going to jump out at me.
It doesn’t.
I don’t have a guest room because I don’t encourage guests. Sleepovers are not welcome. I never allow any of my female companions here.
My bedishuge, and we could easily sleep side by side, but from the look of terror on the tiny human’s face when she saw me, I’m guessing she isn’t used to being around paranormal folk.
While humans are aware of our existence, most live the kind of boring, safe lives that we choose to stay well away from. Unless she was up to no good and seeking out some mischief, this woman would have had no reason to deal with the supernatural.
For tonight, in case she wakes up screaming at the sight of me, I’ll take the couch. Pulling open the wardrobe beside my bed, I take out a blanket and drape it over her, feeling better now that her sleeping form is covered. The room is warm—this is hell after all—but humans are weak creatures. I can’t risk her getting ill.
I won’t give my father another reason to berate me about my lack of ambition.
Gaap is already inside my office when I arrive, looking annoyingly comfortable lounging in my large leather chair, with a huge glass of expensive whiskey in one hand.
“She’s going to be hard to resist,” Gaap warns sagely, eyeing me as I stride into the room and pour myself a very large, very stiff drink to rival his. “For you, I mean.”
I know he’s not immune, but living in close quarters is going to be difficult.
“She is.” There’s no point in me lying. He’s right, she will be hard to resist. She’s beautiful, and there’s something almost magnetic about her. It’s no wonder there are all kinds of creatures lurking outside in the corridor.
Barghest trots in, hot on my heels, and Gaap curses, edging away as the hound brushes past, scorching Gaap’s exposedshins. Eery flames shimmer around his jet-black fur as he moves silently across the cold stone floor, jumping onto his favourite armchair in the corner. It groans under his huge heft as he curls into a ball, eyes trained on the door, listening to the shuffling sounds of demons outside, alert as always.
“You know as well as I do, he didn’t dump her onyoufor no reason.”
