Page 35 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
“The look on your face suggests otherwise.” Roxanne snickered. “Our dearest Queen truly outdid herself if she didn’t even tell her protege.”
“I am not her protege,” I bit out in protest, yet Roxanne just shrugged at my outburst. “So, why do you need the Barrens’ support?” I asked openly—no point in lying anymore. Not that I’m good at it anyway.
“For their army, of course,” Roxanne scoffed. “We need their weapons.”
“Why do you care anyway? Aren’t they just attacking humans?” I cared not to come out as ignorant, my curiosity won over my pride.
“‘Tis a common misconception among humans, although I thought a royal would know better.” Roxanne rolled her eyes. I ignored the insult, patiently waiting for an answer. Roxanne let out an exhausted sigh before continuing. “No, they are not just attacking humans. They want full power of the land, that includes whoever does not agree with such terms. They want humans to be nothing more than a meal, sure, but they want some of us to serve them, become their slaves.
“And humans are too foolish to recognize the threat. When they finally realize we were correct all along, it will be too late.”
“So you just need proof then?” I asked.
“Easier said than done—” Roxanne scoffed. “But yes, we need some kind of proof that they stand behind all the disorders.”
My mind wandered to all of the possibilities. If what Roxanne had told me was the truth, my siblings were in great danger. The Royal family and their army had been the only barrier that had stopped the Wurdulacs from achieving their goals seven years ago. Surely they had learned from their failure, and would eliminate their biggest enemy first. My family would be the first to fall.
The sound of footsteps behind the door grew louder, interrupting my worrisome mind. Francis casually made his way into the room, taking the seat closest to the fire.
He wore the same black and gold vest he’d been in at the orphanage earlier. His eyes reflected the firelight, making them the most beautiful amber I had ever seen. The room fell into awkward silence as he took a small sip, getting comfortable on the chair.
Roxanne turned towards me, putting her back at Francis as though he was invisible. The move only made him roll his eyes in reply.
My brows shot up, unsure of what to make of the strange interaction. Had they gotten into an argument at the meeting like they had at my garden? Why was it always these two that met nobles anyway? They didn’t appear to be the most compatible duo. How had they even met?
Suddenly, I needed to know. “How did you turn into a vampire?” I asked Roxanne. The question left my mouth before I thought better of it.
Roxanne shot me a look which made me regret the question immediately, but when her gaze fell onto Francis’ clenched jaw, a small smile spread across her face. “My own foolishness got me here, you see,” she replied, grinning. “Francis, Isaac, and I thought we could outwit a vampire without any consequences. We failed.” Roxanne smirked ominously.
“Rox,” Francis’ sharp tone interrupted her, yet she just grinned, turning to face him.
“It is my story too, Francis,” Roxanne smiled down at him, nothing about that smile felt genuine. “I get to tellmystory to whomever I wish,” she added angrily this time.
Isaac?It took me a moment to remember where I'd heard that name before. All those letters in the music room were addressed to him.
The awkward silence returned into the room as Francis and Roxanne stared at each other without saying a word. Only the sound of the door creaking broke through the veil.
“I am back with our dessert!” Florence exclaimed happily, making her way towards us, three glasses of crimson liquid in her hands. Simon followed her into the room, taking a seat beside Francis. The fresh memory of his teeth piercing through that woman’s neck sent a shiver through me.
Florence offered me a drink before settling down on Roxanne’s settee, bestowing her with a smile brighter than the full Moon herself; to my surprise Roxanne returned the smile, quietly thanking Florence.
I glanced at the glass in my hands before deliberately setting it down on the floor. The beast inside of me fought for its way out, yet I refused it any satisfaction. Not in front of everyone. Not when everyone drank it for their own pleasure and not merely as a means of survival.
“Did I interrupt the conversation?” Florence took Roxanne's hand into hers, kissing it gently. She looked between me and Roxanne, expecting an answer.
“We were talking about the Wurdulacs.” Roxanne shrugged, causing Francis to almost choke on his drink as his eyes shot fire at her.
“What?” Roxanne smiled innocently. “I wasn't aware it was a secret. Besides, she is in danger too,” she added, taking a sip of her drink. “Perhaps instead of wasting your time on dancing, you could actually inform our—” Her gaze traveled up and down my body. “Gueston the current situation.”
Guest.
“Stop it, you two!” Florence shot Roxanne a look that made Roxanne lean back on the chair in defeat. “I am tired of both of you constantly fighting.” Florence’s eyes moved from Roxanne to Francis.
Francis touched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath, as though putting all of his energy into staying calm. If I hadn’t known better I would think Roxanne took great pleasure in making Francis mad.
“Bring me to one of those meetings.” I blurted out before thinking my plans through. Although, if my siblings' lives were in danger—and they absolutely were given the circumstance—it was not a hard choice for me to make. I might've failed my fatherand Brian by becoming the creature they gave their lives against, but I would not fail their grave by hiding from hardship. I could not fail them by allowing my siblings to suffer.
All of the eyes in the room fell on me with surprise and confusion, as if I’d told them the most ridiculous tale there was.
