Page 30 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
I managed a slow nod, using the opportunity to flee.
Despite the numbness in my legs, I walked as fast as I possibly could. The shock was still fresh in my mind, paralyzing every other thought.
Closing the door behind me, I leaned on it, allowing myself a moment to calm.
I could have died was it not for Roxanne. What had I been thinking? The moment he’d entered the room, looking at me like that, I should have made my exit immediately.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I drew a shaky breath in.
“What do you think you are doing, Caleb?” Roxanne’s voice traveled through the closed door. “You are lucky no one else was here to see this,” she hissed at him. “I do not care how much you hate her, she can help us. Stop acting so foolish. Do you understand me, Caleb? Don’t let this happen again.”
Help us?Even if I’d been capable of helping them with whatever they needed, I was not sure I wanted to—not after this introduction.
The sound of steps behind the closed door grew louder, shortening the distance between us, forcing my legs to carry me back to my room.
The inside of the castle got darker—the sun must’ve set by now. The corridors did not seem welcoming anymore, the art on the walls glared at me menacingly.
Hoping I would find my room before meeting anyone else, I rushed up the stairs when a gleam of candle light appeared at the end of the corridor.
Did Roxanne and Caleb follow after me? What will they do to me?I held my breath, freezing in the shadows.
“Cordelia?” Florence’s voice exclaimed, peaking past the candle.
I emerged from the darkness, relieved by my company.
Florence bestowed me with her sunshine smile. “I was looking for you, actually.” She took a step forward. “Would you like to go to the Faris Village with me tonight? I wanted to visit the orphanage, and maybe give you a proper tour.” The tone of her voice was full of hope. “Or I could show you around our castle, introduce you to everyone—whatever you would like.”
Heavy footsteps echoing in the distance reminded me exactly who resided in this castle.
“The tour of the village sounds wonderful.” I started down the stairs once again. “I would love to go right now.”
My enthusiasm took Florence off guard; her eyes widened in confusion, yet she still followed me down—out of the castle: away from Caleb, Roxanne, and Francis.
“You can take this one, her name is Annabelle.” Florence gestured toward a horse in the stables, setting up the saddle. “Do you like her?”
“Annabelle,” I repeated, nodding in reply, petting the black horse standing in front of me.
The horse was lovely and reminded me of my own back home. I hadn’t ridden in a long time and missed the speed and freedom that came with it.
“She’s yours!” Florence exclaimed.
I wanted to argue, yet could not find it in me to say the words. It would’ve been wonderful to own a horse again: having the freedom of going anywhere I wished. Perhaps even more freedom than I’d had at home.
Florence mounted her white mare, waiting for me to follow. “We should definitely stop by some shops,” she changed the topic, starting towards the small path in the woods. “Get you new clothes,” she glanced at my dress.
I smiled at her suggestion; I definitely needed something else to wear. As much as I loved the red-golden dress I’d worn since the ball, it was far too luxurious for everyday wear. Moreover, Francis bought it for me, and I would’ve liked some independence, especially when it came to him.
“I have no gold, Florence,” I suddenly realized.
“No need,” she glanced back at me: the path was so narrow, two horses could not fit to walk side by side. “We do notexchange currencies here—we exchange services.” Florence said proudly.
Services?
Florence grinned at my puzzled expression, as though she was about to tell me the biggest secret there was. “We host balls and different kinds of social events that allow the whole village to feed. In return, we get to use the services others have to offer: human food, drinks, clothes, horses.” Florence shrugged, turning back on her path. “No gold is involved, as long as the ones you exchange with are vampires. Humans, on the other hand, wish to have gold. For some reason they see more value in a few coins.”
Exchange services. Interesting. I had never heard of such an arrangement, yet it did sound appealing. More humane, somehow.
For a little while we fell into silence. The moon lit up our pathway, glowing just as brightly as the night I’d gone to the cemetery. The trees were now completely naked, prepared to wear their white attires.
