Chapter 7

"Yes, that’s Seraphine. She's the one handling the recruitment for the troops. And then the one staring at yo. . . That’s Caius.”

My eyes flicked to the man she had just pointed out. He was indeed looking at me. His eyes glowed just like every other undead. He was lean with a sharp and angular face. I hated the way he fixed his eyes on me like I was some prey.

“Who’s that human?” Caius called out. His voice rode over the noise. He pointed at me. The entire ballroom went quiet.

My heart slammed, and hot sweat dropped down my back. That look on his face scared me. Ronan had stopped laughing and dropped his wine goblet. I saw hesitation in his eyes. Like how would he introduce me? His prisoner? His plaything? The girl he’d forced to her knees and punished with his penis in her throat?

“She’s my catch,” Ronan finally said. “I’ve decided to keep her.”

Anger bubbled him. He said 'keep her' like I was a stray dog he’d picked up in the streets. Yes, he saved my life and I wanted him to save my sister's, but I hated his guts. My nose flared and my cheeks flushed, but I didn't look away. I kept my head high.

Caius stood up and strolled away from his seat. “I'm surprised you haven't turned her yet. How come she's still human."

"Let’s forget about her," Ronan said. "Tonight is about us. Let the feast continue!"

"Yes," the crowd of undeads chorused.

Ronan's jaws tightened as he leaned back in his seat. I knew he didn't like that Caius had brought attention to me. But what did he expect by asking me to be here. They would always find out I wasn't one of them. I could have stayed in the room if he wanted no one to know about me.

Caius returned to his seat, but from the corner of my eyes, I saw him still looking at me. Everything about him unsettled me.

"Don’t worry about General Caius or anyone else. All that matters is to be in Lord Ronan's good books.”

I swallowed hard. Of course, I had to be in his good books. To always be a good girl. The frustrating thing was I had no idea what he was trying to do with me. And the way Caius kept looking at me filled me with unease.

I leaned toward Vera. “Any idea what Ronan wants with me? Why does he need me here?”

"He’s the Zombie King, Miss. He has all he needs here. He needs no one. But I've never seen him keep a human before. Just stay calm and you will understand what is happening."

Her words did nothing to ease the tension I felt. I was trapped in this world and all I could do was hope for the best.

The homecoming dragged on and on until my head throbbed from all that noise. I wanted to return to my room so badly. At intervals, I looked at Caius to see if he still has his eyes on me. He appeared to have had enough wine to drink that he had forgotten all about me.

The emerald silk gown clung to my body and my feet ached in the high heels Vera had forced me into.

"When will it be over?" I whispered to Vera.

"Are you tired?"

"My feet are burning."

"Let me take you back to your room."

"Are you sure Lord Ronan won't be angry with me for leaving before the ceremony is over?" I asked.

"He has put you in my care because he trusts my decision-making. Let's go," she held my hand.

Thank goodness I spoke up. I wished I could teleport back to the room and yank of this dress. Yes, it was beautiful, but it was such a chore to have on.

My heels made tapping sounds on the floor as Vera guided me through the crowd of undeads. What a night!

Vera suddenly stopped, her finger pressing deeper against my wrist.

"What?" I looked at her, trying to understand the sudden pause. I saw her looking straight ahead and I followed her again. Caius was standing in front of us.

His lean but muscular frame blocked our way out of ballroom.

"Hello, our human guest," he whispered.

He came closer and reached out until his cold finger brushed my face.

"Hi General."

"Ah, you know who I am already." He trailed his thumb on my chin and a shiver ran down my spine.

I looked at Vera, hoping she would say something.

"Excuse us," Caius said Vera.

"Lord Ronan wants. . ."

"I said excuse us," Caius grunted.

Vera nodded and left us alone. My heart slammed in my chest. I should have know this sneaky undead was up to something with the way he didn't take his eyes off men.

“So what’s your name?” he asked in a low voice. The kind of voice you would use for pillow talk.

I swallowed. “I'm Lila.”

“Who are you, Lila?” He must have seen the confused look on my face because he quickly aded. "What makes you so special that Ronan has kept you alive?”

He didn't take his finger off my save. I tried not to look scared, but deep inside I was screaming 'somebody save me'. I couldn't even run. The dress and the heels wouldn't allow me. What hopes do I have of outrunning an undead warrior?

"Can't you talk?" Caius's voice took on an annoyed edge.

“Caius, she needs to go to bed," Ronan called out behind me.

Thank Goodness! I let out a relieved sigh.

Caius withdraw his hand and smiled as he turned to Ronan. "I’m just fascinated by her. She's such a rare little thing.”

Ronan didn't say a thing. His face was scrunched up as Caius left us and merged with the crowd. And before he became one with the other undead, I saw that look on his eyes that said 'we'll meet again.'

Well, I was relieved he had left me the hell alone.

"Thank you," I whispered to Ronan.

He didn't reply. Instead he gripped my wrist hard until his fingers dug into my skin. “Come with me."