Darius watches my face for a second, and I swallow as his eyes run down my body and to my lap, making me shift uncomfortably. He growls; the noise gives me goosebumps as he towers over me.
“Lycus, go get her some clothes. Kalen, go grab her a shirt until Lycus comes back so she can shower,” Darius says, pushing off the bed away from me. Lycus nods to him, walking out quickly, and so does Kalen, leaving me with Darius and Tobias.
“You attend every class. Someone will pick you up from your room in the morning to take you down to the mess hall, where all meals are served for those who live here.”
“Where am I?” I ask before I can stop myself. Darius doesn’t like being talked over as he takes a deep breath, and I watch his hands clench into fists at his sides before looking down.
“Meals are in the mess hall. I will have some books sent in here. Under no circumstances are you to tell anyone here you are our mate. If you do, you will wish you were in the cells. Am I clear?”
“Crystal,” I respond, feeling small and inferior with their hate-filled gazes judging me.
“Also,” Tobias says, stepping closer to the bed and moving to stand beside Darius.
“You steer clear of Kalen. Stay out of our way, and if you can behave and do as you’re told, you will have a bit more freedom.”
“Why can’t I go near Kalen?” I ask, confused. He appears to be the only one who doesn’t outright condemn me.
“Don’t question us. Just do as we ask. It isn’t up for discussion,” Tobias says just as Kalen walks back into the room. He has a folded shirt in his hands, and he places it on the end of the bed with a towel.
“Now go shower; you’re filthy and I’ve seen pigs that smelled better. Tobias will bring you something to eat when you are out of the shower,” Darius sneers before turning on his heel and walking out. He stops at the door, looking expectantly at Kalen, who turns around when Tobias touches his shoulder, nodding toward the door. Kalen gives me one last glance, then leaves. He looks like he wants to say something but keeps it to himself. Darius and Kalen leave, but Tobias stays behind, looking down at me.
“Count yourself lucky we haven’t killed you yet, Aleera. Be careful not to give us a reason to. Kalen may not want you dead, but the rest of us do. Just remember that,” he says before walking out and closing the door behind him. I hear the lock click in place, so I don’t even bother checking it as I get up and walk into the bathroom.
A shower sounds excellent. I haven’t had a hot shower in god knows how long. Usually, I wash in lakes or streams, which just weren’t the same. It’s hard to feel clean with only cold water, and I’d be lucky if I could find anything to make soap. I suppose that’s what happens when you leave the fae community and are forced to live in the wilderness among monsters, never catching an entire night’s sleep and jerking awake at every noise.
Walking into the bathroom, I stop in front of the mirror that sits above the basin, however, my brows furrow when I notice it has five sinks. A shower takes up an entire wall behind me, and there is a colossal bath that could easily fit five people in the middle of the room. A toilet is in the far corner, and I wonder if they’d specifically made this room for the five of us before I went on the run.
Guilt gnaws at me as I place the shirt and towel on the basin while looking at myself in the mirror. I look different from what I remember. My face has changed; it is slimmer. I don’t look like the same eighteen-year-old girl when I left the boarding school. I look older, drained of life. I am skinnier, my hair dull and lifeless, but it is so much longer now. It used to sit on my shoulders; now, it reaches almost to my bum.
The door leading to the other room opens, and I jump, stepping back when Kalen wanders in.
“There is shampoo and soap in the niches and a spare toothbrush.” He walks over, bending down, opens the cupboards under the sink basin, and reaches into it.
He pulls out a hairbrush and toothbrush, passing them to me.
“Thank you,” I say graciously, observing the man. He nods, and I hear talking in the room he has just left.
“You all share a room?” I question, trying to see past him through the door.
Kalen looks at the door before nodding and looking back over at me.
“Strange, huh?”
I shrug, unsure what others did when they have multiple mates. My eyes move to his neck, finding the same markings I saw on Darius. Kalen places his hand over it, pulling my attention back to him.
“I should go. They won’t be pleased if they catch me talking to you.” he says sadly.
I chew my lip as I watch him slip out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Turning back to the mirror, I peel off my hoodie and shirt, dumping them in the basket.
The clothes are stained and holey, but I’m not sure where my bag is, and I believe I left it behind in the city—vaguely remembering it slipping off my shoulder when I called on them. I unbutton my jeans and step out of them and then unclip my bra. I place it on the sink basin, knowing I only have one.
Turning around, I hurry to the shower and turn it on, placing my hand under the water as I wait for the temperature to heat. When it does, I step in. It feels like heaven, and I sigh, bracing my hands on the tiled wall—the dirt, grime, and blood washing down the drain as I press my face under the spray.
Opening my eyes, I reach for the soap in the niche and slather it on my skin. I never want to get out, but know I have no choice; the effort it takes just to remain standing is becoming intolerable. Hunger makes me feel weak and shaky; I need to eat soon, or I will collapse. The steam is making me dizzy, and my hands haven’t stopped shaking since I awoke. Shutting off the shower, I jump when I hear a knock on the door, then the handle twists.