Page 39 of When Bones Whisper
“With the promise of immortality.”
“They never promised it,” she said, chewing over her words. “He just lets us know there may be a chance.”
“Does he know about your condition?”
“No. I rarely speak to him. He doesn’t much like people.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Well, I don’t think they like him either.”
She smiled, her cheeks balling. “Don’t let him hear you saying that.”
“He can’t hurt me,” Charlotte pointed out with a smirk, then asked, “You said Nathaniel chooses staff members to become vampires. Do you know anyone else he’s turned?”
“Oh, yes!” Her smile widened as she recited their names. “Irene Long was the last. Bright woman. Smart. She was a maid. Before her, the last one I knew of was Zachariah. Handsome devil he is, but amusing.”
Her heart stumbled a little. “Where are they now?”
“In London. Sometimes they come here, especially for The Hunt.”
“I saw that somewhere,” she said. “What exactly is it?”
Her face flushed, the redness fading the freckles on her balled cheeks. “It is like a game of hide and seek. Alexander started it actually, to appease the other vampires and ensure their loyalty. The predators wear masks as do the prey and after a head start, they chase them through the manor and grounds.”
She thought back to the card she’d found reading prey. “Why would anyone choose to be prey?”
“Some like it, but mostly because the winner gets their request granted by Nathaniel. Most ask for money. Others—the smart ones—ask for immortality.”
“He always grants them there wish then?”
“His word is his honor. He never breaks it.”
“What do the vampires get from it?”
She held her breath for a moment before saying, “The thrill of the hunt.”
“Let me guess, once they catch their prey, they kill them?”
She looked at her lap. “Sometimes. He likes when witches take part, especially when they make it difficult for him.”
“How so?”
“Well, magic is forbidden to be used on the predators, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use it to cast illusions to get away.”
“Why do you not take part?”
“I won’t win,” she said with a laugh. “I have no powers. I’d be found in an instant. Besides, I’d rather earn eternal life through servitude.”
“I see.”
Hartley stood and fiddled a little with the tray, before heading for the bathing room door. “I will prepare a bath for you before you dress to meet with Lord Sallow.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte replied, lost in thought.
That was it, her way out.
If she could somehow persuade them to let her take part in The Hunt, she could win and ask for her freedom, or at least allow her to live out her life before she sacrificed herself in old age. For the first time since arriving, her entire body charged with hope. First, she needed to gain his trust, to see if she could figure out what it is he wanted, other than mortality. After all, she needed something to bargain with.
She climbed off the bed and grabbed the note from the tray. It was from Nathaniel.
