Prince Andre gave a sigh and then held his hand to me. "Come," he compelled me. The were-owl queen sighed and stood up. I walked over to the prince and rested my palm in his hand.
"Let me see what it is you need my help with," he said, and pulled my palm to his mouth, but then he stopped. "When was the last time you drank from a vampire?"
"I don't know," I answered. I truly didn't know. My time at the higher council was a bit of a blur.
"You can come back when you know," the prince said and dropped my palm.
"There is a painting that Erica painted. It looks like someone I could be related to. Eric thinks you will know who she is," I explained.
"What does it matter?" the prince questioned.
"It is dated twenty-five years ago. I grew up in an orphanage. I am wondering if she might be my mother," I continued to explain.
"Go get the painting then," Prince Andre sighed again as if I was clearly wasting his time. Not that he was busy in any way.
"You know Erica does not part with his paintings," Maddie reminded the prince.
"The last time I was in the Lycan wing, I almost got killed. So either the painting comes here, or you come back when you are sure there is no vampire blood in your veins."
"Or we could just take a picture of it?" I suggested.
"Maddie, don't you think you should teach your friend the rules of the Higher Council?" Prince Andre scolded.
"Photos and video recordings not allowed," Maddie said and hooked her arm into mine before dragging me out of the were-owl throne room. "We will come back once we are sure there is no vampire blood in you."
"How are we gonna do that?" I wondered.
"We wait two days," Maddie chuckled. We spend the rest of the day with Erica.
"I am starved," I declared as the sun started to set.
"I will go get some food," Maddie offered and left.
"Is it ok if I hide out with you?" I asked Erica once Maddie left.
Erica hesitated for a moment, but then his eyes softened. "The daybed is all yours." She stood up and walked over to a closet. "Here are some sheets and pillows," she said, opening the doors wide.
"Thanks," I responded, relieved. I was really not in the mood to be Victor's meal or toy for that matter.
It didn't take long for Maddie to return with a few food trays, carried by unfamiliar faces.
We ate and drank as if we were old friends. It was nice. Different from the wolfless area. Of course, Nebra was on my mind again. Staring at the woman in the painting, who looked like she could be related to us, made me miss Nebra. Things were not supposed to end up like this. We were supposed to be free, making a new life for ourselves in the human world. Ha, even that was an illusion.
"So Maddie, if you wanted to leave here, would you be allowed?" I asked her as my own plans started to form.
"Of course, but why would I want to?" Maddie chuckled, followed by a sip of wine.
"I was hoping to see the world someday," I said, not realsing my tone went sad.
"I've travelled the world," Maddie said, making it clear she was not trapped. She was part of the supernatural world by choice.
Maddie told us about her travels through the centuries and how much things have changed. She enjoyed a world trip every fifty years or so. It made me more desperate to leave the supernatural world. For the longest time, I felt Nebra and I ended up here by mistake, and that we were nothing more than humans, but now, looking at the woman on the canvas, I have my doubts. My mind trailed off to the possible reasons as to why our parents abonded us. Was it on purpose, or were they in danger?
"Was there a man with her?" I asked Eric after the longest moment of silence.
"Hu?" Eric questioned, half asleep.
"Was she with a man?" I asked, pointing at the painting.
"Oh, her. No. She was alone, but she did wear a ring," Eric said. My hands fell on the painted hand that was touching the trimming near her shoulder of her summer dress. A big diamond ring. The more I looked at the painting, the more it was as if the woman in it was trying to show me something. Show the viewer something.
Maddie must have left because I didn't notice. Eric fell asleep. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't take my eyes off the painting. However, out of nowhere, I felt the urge to go seek Victor. Against my will, I got up and was about to leave when Eric sat up.
"Where are you going? I meant it when I told you, you can stay," Eric reminded me.
"I think I am compelled. I am going to Victor even though I don't want to," I stated. I was filled with anger.
"Here," Eric jumped up and removed a necklace from his neck. He dangled in front of me with a hymn. The need to go to Victor went away. Relief washed over me.
Eric hung the necklace over my head. I touched the shaman's vile that was hanging from it. "I don't know the hymn, so what is the use?" I stated.
"I will teach you," Eric said, resting his hands on my shoulders a bit longer than was needed.
Eric repeated the hymn. "Now you try."
I hymned the hymn.
"Perfect. See, not that hard." Eric smiled.
"What about you?" I questioned, wondering if he did not fear being compelled.
"I have another," Eric assured me and reached for the drawer next to his bed.
"It is not allowed, but if you like, you may take a photo," Eric offered. "Just don't tell anyone that you took a photo. If this woman is somehow your mother or related, I am sure you want to have a photo of her."
"Thank you, but I don't want to get in trouble," I declined the offer.
"Shoot yourself," Eric said and fell down on his bed. "Good night."
"Good night," I said and layed down on the day bed. I waited for Eric to be asleep before taking a photo of the painting with my smart watch. Of course, I was going to take a photo, but if I get caught, I don't want Eric to get in trouble, so best if he doesn't know.
I fell asleep with the thought of Luca. When Eric removed the compellings that shackled me to Victor, he also lifted that of Luca. I didn't understand why Luca made me forget that he had been here every night. Every night, we made love before he left me to the mercy of Victor. Every night before he left, he compelled me to forget. Why, I don't know. I was wondering if he will come find me here? I had so many questions that needed answers.
I woke up during the night to Eric speaking to someone. Luca.
"Why are you not where you're supposed to be?" Luca scolded.
"Hello to you, too," I countered, sitting up.
Luca walked over to me and reached for the shaman necklace around my neck, but I grabbed his hand, pressing it against my cheek. I turned my lips against his hand.
"I would leave the two of you to talk, but there is just no way I am leaving my room," Eric said, fiddling with his fingers uncomfortably.
Luca swept me up and in a blink of an eye we where in the gardens.
"Why compel me to forget every night with you?" I questioned.
"So it hurt less," Luca said, sounding depressed.
"What are you talking about?" I demanded to know.
"Xan is pregnant," Luca said. His words hit me hard.
"What does that matter?" I questioned, not understanding why it really mattered.
"The arrangement was always that if she falls pregnant, I will claim her as my forever mate," Luca said. He didn't sound sad, but he didn't sound happy either.
"What about you? You are going to claim someone that can't claim you back," I questioned, frustrated.
"The agreement was always that we would claim each other, but since she claimed you, there is only one way out for her, and that is if you die," Luca informed me. The worry was there in his eyes.
"Don't tell me she suggested it?" I asked. It should have shocked me, but it didn't. Of course, Xan would want me dead.
"She didn't," Luca said.
"You?" My voice dropped.
"Of course not," Luca scolded. He took great offence.
"Then who? Nobody knows," I reminded him.
"There is someone who knows," Luca's voice went silent. It was clear who ever knew had a heart of stone, if even a heart at all.