Olivia
Ever since the attack, Cole had been a constant presence in the room. His protective instincts had kicked into overdrive, and he insisted that I couldnât venture anywhere alone. Raven, too, had been a steady companion, though she thankfully didnât follow me into the bathroom.
Restlessness was beginning to creep in. Despite the lack of physical bars, I felt caged. It was a gilded cage, sure, but a cage nonetheless. No matter how luxurious, it was still a prison.
Cole had questioned me several times about the appearance of the vampire who attacked me. My account remained consistent, but he seemed to hope that Iâd suddenly recall some crucial detail that would help him identify the culprit.
The truth was, my memory was a patchwork of vague impressions.
Raven kept my mind occupied with tales of her adventures in the outside world. I noticed a recurring theme in her stories: the forest.
âWhy are you so drawn to the forest?â I finally asked, interrupting her mid-story.
She tilted her head slightly, then smiled. âI love the forest because itâs where I was born. Itâs where I lived. Itâs peaceful there. Walking barefoot, feeling the soil squish between my toes. Listening to the leaves rustle in the wind. Smelling the sweet scent of flowers. Feeling the rain on my skin. Itâs freedom.â
Her words stirred something in me. I felt a pang of envy. She had a home, a place she loved. I didnât have that. Sometimes, Cole felt like my forest, but he was a vampire. He owned me. I was his property. How could I reconcile that?
I turned to look out the window, resting my hand on the cool glass. I sighed. I felt like a bird trapped in a cage, yearning for the freedom of the open sky.
This was a strange sensation. Until now, I had accepted my status as a pet, a slave, a thing. But after just two days with Raven, her spirit was rubbing off on me.
I pulled my hand away from the glass, clenched it into a fist, and let my arm fall to my side. Taking a deep breath, I turned and walked towards the door.
I gripped the stainless-steel handle and twisted it. The door had barely opened a crack when something forced it shut. I shrieked.
âAnd where exactly do you think youâre going?â Coleâs voice was stern, his gaze hard.
âI donât know, but Iâm tired of being cooped up in here. We work, eat, and sleep in this room. Itâs a prison!â I shouted, then clapped a hand over my mouth, eyes wide with fear.
âCalm down, little dove. I understand how you feel, but itâs for your protection,â he soothed, stroking my hair.
âOh! A vampire who understands how it feels to be caged. Thatâs rich, bloodsucker,â Raven mocked, clapping her hands.
Cole remained unfazed by her jibes. âHow about we eat in the dining hall today? Raven can join us, though we might need to sew her mouth shut.â
He was waiting for my response, probably expecting me to object out of fear of the other vampires. But whether it was Ravenâs influence, a sudden surge of bravery, or simply my frustration with being confined, I was determined to leave this room.
âLetâs go,â I said, feeling Ravenâs smirk behind me.
Kaden arrived quickly, but there was no sign of Brayden. I overheard Cole instructing the guards to notify him as soon as Brayden returned. I had grown fond of Brayden, and it saddened me to hear of his disappearance. Despite the suspicions against him, I couldnât believe he was involved in the attack.
âI know your natural instinct is to chop some heads off and be a ruthless warrior, but in there, you need to play the part we agreed to,â Cole warned Raven.
She rolled her eyes at him as Kaden attached the leash to her collar. I could have sworn she growled at him, but he just laughed and led her along. Their relationship was an odd mix of bickering and laughter.
We began our descent down what seemed like ten flights of stairs.
âCouldnât you have just stayed on the first floor, Richy Rich?â Raven elbowed Cole.
âOh, but my dear, you could use the exercise,â he retorted, his tone light.