Twin Flame

Chapter Five

I continued to gape, open-mouthed. The man walked to me and I flinched back, nearly tripping over my own feet. He rolled his eyes and grabbed me by the handcuffs. With one effortless tug, he snapped them off my wrists. He repeated this to my ankle shackles. And then he stepped back and looked me up and down.

"Some of the servants will come and clean and dress you before you're presented to the Princes. As for us, this is our last meeting. "

"And here I thought we were becoming good friends. " I spit at him. He just laughs.

"If you thought I was bad, just wait until the Princes get their hands on you. I'd watch that tongue of yours. It might get ripped out off you don't. " I shivered at the very thought. Two sets of footsteps echoed through the room and two women appeared in front of me faster than I could comprehend.

"Ophelia and Dahlia will be taking you from here. I would say it was lovely to meet you, but we both know that would be a lie. Goodbye, Waverly. And... Good luck. You're going to need it. "

As he walked out the door, I realized he called me Waverly. But I never told him my name.

The two women were both striking. Ophelia, on the left, was pale with piercing green eyes and freckles that dotted most of her nose. She stood about three inches taller than me and about twenty pounds lighter. The other, Dahlia, was tanned and toned, dark hair that fell past her waist and brown eyes that looked terrifying. They both were wearing black dresses with black stockings. Simple, yet refined.

Ophelia's gaze immediately centered in on me. "Will you cooperate with us? Or will we have to drag you?"

I hung my head and sighed. "I don't exactly have a choice, do I?" The silence that stretched answered my question. Ophelia started walking up the grand staircase and I followed behind, Dahlia flanking me from the back. Our little parade tramped up four flights of stairs and they led me to a room in the east wing. They pushed the door open and I stared.

"This is going to be your room for your stay. Is it to your liking, Miss Waverly?" Dahlia's voice was much softer than I expected and it almost felt reassuring.

"I'm staying here? And not in, like, a dungeon?"

A small smile quirked on their faces.

"Only if you misbehave. "

I couldn't tell if they were joking or not and I wasn't certain I wanted to find out.

I entered the room slowly, taking on every detail. First, it was enormous. There was a gigantic four-poster canopy bed draped in silky purple sheets and topped with fluffed pillows. In the corner, there was a large desk and a stuffed chair and directly next to it was a full length mirror. Across from the mirror, there was an armoire. Next to the armoire was a beautifully carved vanity. Underneath the windowsill, there was a small seat that was bathed in sunlight. To my left, there were two doors. One led to sliding glass doors that opened up to a large balcony.

I turned to face Ophelia and Dalia, raising an eyebrow.

"I get a balcony? Aren't you worried that I'll try to escape,"

Ophelia snorts. "Not from the fourth floor. " She was right, of course. It was a very long way to the ground. I would never survive a fall like that.

The other foor was pushed open by Dahlia and Ophelia led me in. It was a modern bathroom with a huge marble tub, already streaming with hot water.

"Oh thank God. I thought I was going to need to use a chamberpot or something. " Dahlia bit back a laugh.

"Nothing so primitive. This castle comes with modern amenities. Now get in the tub."

I faced the two of them with incredulousness. "While you're here?!"

They both looked at me like I was the odd one for asking. "But, of course. We are to bathe and prepare you to meet the Princes."

"I know how to bathe. Besides, I thought you said this was a modern castle."

"The castle, yes. Our customs, not so much. Now strip."

Discomfort churned in my stomach. "But - "

"Strip."

My mouth closed and I slowly began to peel off my dress. My heels were long gone, who knows where. I stood in front of them, completely bare.

"Now in the tub." I stared at the crystal clear water, watching rose and lavender blossoms float across gentle ripples. I swallowed my pride and stepped into the tub, moaning a little at the warmth from the water that soaked into my aching bones.

Ophelia dunked a glass bowl until the tub. "Close your eyes. " I did as she instructed and she gently poured water over me. I sighed in relief.

Soft hands lathered a delicious smelling conditioner into my hair and she scrubbed my scalp.

"This is kind of nice. Too bad it's not all like this. " I mutter.

"Whatever do you mean?" Dahlia asked, taking my hand and rubbing lotions into my skin.

"Well, after this, I'm going to be a plaything of vampire royalty. I don't see a lot of luxurious baths in my future. "

They blinked at me. Ophelia spoke.

"I think you misunderstand. While you stay here, you will be pampered. Every need of yours will be taken care of. Any wishes you want will be fulfilled. Except... Leaving, of course."

Confusion dug into my skin.

"But why? They're just going to eat me and... I don't even know what else they'll do. Why take care of me at all?"

They exchanged a dark look.

"Well..." Dahlia cleared her throat a little uncomfortably. "Truthfully, blood tastes better when the donor is relaxed and happy. And the Princes are spoiled - They are only used to the finest things. Blood included."

I shivered at the thought. After rinsing my hair, Dahlia wrapped it in a fluffy towel and Ophelia put another around my body as she eased me out of the tub.

They began to dry me off, rubbing exotic oils into my skin and creams into the ends of my hair. Once they finished this routine, they led me back into the bedroom, where they fished thrive the armoire.

"What color do you prefer?" I was taken aback by the question.

"What?"

"To wear. What color do you want to wear?"

I wanted something that would make me feel bold, confident, even if I was trembling inside.

"Red."

Dahlia grinned. "An excellent choice. The people love to see a woman in red. " I froze at her words.

"The... The people?"

"Obviously. You're to be presented to the court and the Princes tonight. The Presentation is very prestigious. The highest ranking elites will be there to see the Princes' new tribute. "

My mouth went dry.

"You mean... Multiple people will see me tonight? See me handed off to the Princes?"

"Oh yes, hundreds."

"And none of them will save me?"

The silence that followed was deafening. My chest squeezed at their silence.

Ophelia spoke very carefully. "No. No one will save you. Once you're presented, you belong to the Princes. No one would dare try to argue with them. Much less over a, no offense, human. "

I swallowed down my disappointment and fear. "And... And what will happen to me at the end of the month?"

Another long silence.

Dahlia chose her words. "We don't know. That's up to the Princes to decide. But... It usually doesn't end well. "

Ophelia laced me into a long red gown that had lace trimming and flowing lace sleeves. The neckline plunged, giving a great view of my cleavage, and of course, my neck. Dahlia draped a silver pendant around my neck and gently slid me into a chair in front of the vanity. Dahlia pulled my hair into an intricate braid and curled strands to frame my face. Ophelia applied makeup to my face, likely trying to hide the dark circles that I'm sure were under my eyes. After about an hour of fussing and mussing with me, they let me look.

I stared at my reflection, barely able to comprehend everything that was happening. They did a fantastic job. I looked better than I've looked in a long time. My blonde hair looked healthy and it was incredibly elegant, trussed up with silver pins that held up the intricate braid strands. My face was flawless and my eyes seemed to glow. Whatever eyeshadow shade they used made my grey eyes look like a force to be reckoned with. I took in a deep shuddering breath and turned to face them.

"Is... Is this all real? This is... It's not a nightmare?"

They looked at me with something like sorrow in their eyes.

"We're here to help you in this difficult transition. "

My heart thudded and I lurched to my feet. "Difficult transition?! I was kidnapped! I'm going to be a slave! This isn't difficult, this is impossible!"

Ophelia gently pushed me back down onto the seat and kneeled in front of me, lacing my feet into nude heels.

"I know. It's not fair to you. "

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and I had to fight back a sob.

"Please. Just let me go home." I beg them.

Another stretch of silence.

"It will all be alright, Miss Waverly. Everything will be okay. "

"How can you say that? How could you think that? You must have helped hundreds of girls get prettied up for their slaughter and you're trying to tell me it'll be okay?!" My tone was hysterical.

Dahlia took my hand and squeezed it softly.

"I know it seems impossible. But try to understand. It... It has to be this way. It's safer... For everyone. "

"Not for me, " I whisper. I wanted to hate them both, but they were being so kind to me that it hurt. Sorrow filled me all the way to my core and I sniffled back tears. One fell and Ophelia wiped it away with her thumb. "Come now, Miss. It's time for your presentation. "

But underneath all the pretty dresses and makeup and kind words, I knew what she was actually saying.

Come now, Miss. It's time for your execution