I sit for a while on the staircase, listening to humans have conversations somewhere close to me. It's mainly slaves talking about how attractive some of the girls are. It makes me smile for a while, reminding me of a time when boys in my school would have such conversations with each other. I spent an hour sitting in front of an open window but I grew bored and explored the floor some more. There aren't many rooms up here, and those that are consist of mainly empty storage rooms with dusty boxes and odd things, such as pianos. I took a few piano lessons when I was ten so it was nice to play on it for a while, but just like everything else, it grew redundant.

I rest my elbow on my knee as I listen to one of the slaves talk about Bella. They are right around the corner, probably thinking they're safe to speak openly.

"She cornered me in the kitchen and I took her into the back storage room," one slave says, he sounds older with a deepness to his voice, like Christian. "She was very keen, if you catch my drift."

"No way," the other slave says. "You had sex with her?"

I open my eyes wide and silently move further down the steps. This is hot gossip; gossip I've never heard around here before. Christian never mentioned to me that the slaves and girls were having sex, maybe he doesn't know about it, or he doesn't trust me to know.

"Twice," he says. "It happened later in the day too. The King's ignoring her so she's got to find attention elsewhere."

"Do you think she'd do it with me?"

"All of his girls are desperate for it. Now they're not being fed on, they have a new lease for life, all these desires just burning up in them as they're becoming frustrated with their fates." His voice drops to a whisper. "I'm seeing Celine later."

"Celine?" the other says. "Wow you're lucky. I wish I could have your confidence but I'd probably have a panic attack if they offered it to me."

I smile, containing a light laugh from my lips. There is a pause and I clamp my mouth shut. They continue.

"I wouldn't even know what to do," he continues sadly. "Is it instinct?"

"Nothing about seducing a girl is instinct," the other says. "They're attracted to confidence, to a man that knows what he's doing. And for that, you'll need to study, learn. I can teach you. Come on, we're needed downstairs."

I hear their footsteps vanish down a hallway and I slump sideways, kicking my legs up on the wall of the staircase. Hearing about this isn't a complete surprise. There are too many humans in this palace for their desires not to blow up. For their paths to not cross and for a bond to start. After so long of silence, I've had enough.

I decide to be brave and I slowly walk down the staircase, turning my eyes left and then right. The hallways are empty. I make my way over to a wooden bench situated underneath an oval window, giving myself a clear view of all directions. I won't make the same mistake as last time, I make sure my hands are close to me at all times.

"What did she say to that?" a voice laughs from my left. "Is she. . . oh my god. Aurora."

I smile at Gianna as she approaches me with a small, slim blonde girl by her side. "Hey."

"We've never seen you out here before," Gianna says. "Are you allowed?"

"Probably not," I say. "Where are you going?"

"There's a room. . . just down the hall." Gianna points past me. "We meet there and listen to some music and drink a little."

"We drink a lot," the blonde says.

"Do you want to come?" Gianna says.

I bite on my lip. "I really shouldn't. Okay."

I stand up and walk with them down the hallway, keeping a little further behind so I can slip to the side if a creature starts coming towards us. I suddenly recognize this hallway and Gianna leans back as we pass the familiar double doors.

"That's one of the King's rooms," she says, pointing to it. "No one's allowed in there."

"Noted," I say, unable to share that I woke up there this morning. I am tempted to open it to see if he's inside, just so I can glimpse him for a moment, but I push that to the back of my mind and carry on.

I can hear the music from inside the room before Gianna opens it. The room is quite small and intimate, with a giant, square rug in the centre that the girls use as a dance floor. I stand uncomfortably in the doorway as I watch the girls twirl each other and laugh together. There's so many of them and they all seem drunk.

"Gianna!" a red-haired girl squeals as she lifts her bottle into the air. "Gianna's here everyone."

Gianna ignores her and walks over to the counter, I follow her. The music is so loud that I'm surprised I've never heard it from my bedroom. Gianna pours me a glass of a blue liquid and pushes it against my chest with a smile.

"Most of our owners have been outside all night and day," she shouts over the music. "No feeding today and they can't monitor us either."

I nod with understanding, bringing the glass to my lips. It tastes so good that I drink more. And more, until I'm pouring myself another.

"You're Aurora, right?" a girl with sparkling blue eyes asks me, her skin is so pale that it blinds me. She's incredibly beautiful, with curly dark hair that falls magically around her small shoulders.

I nod. "Yes."

"I'm Natalie." She watches my reaction with curiosity. "Jackson talked to me about you."

"Did he?" I say.

"We spent most of the day together yesterday, and most of this afternoon. I don't want you to worry about him being with me, I'll keep him safe."

I narrow my eyes a tad, I will be the one that keeps him safe. "Thank you."

Bella suddenly enters, flanked by her group of pure souls. The other girls become uneasy, their dances slowing as Bella takes one look over at me and then charges towards the music player. She turns the music off.

"What is she doing here?"

"Gianna brought her," a girl says.

"Why?" Bella demands the answer from Gianna. "She isn't allowed to be down here, take her back upstairs."

Gianna refuses to move and I drop the glass to the counter as I turn and meet Bella's scorned gaze.

"Do not tell me what I am or aren't allowed to do," I say. "I am not a slave that you can order around."

"Do you want to know what your precious King did to us this morning?" Bella says, walking through the crowd slowly. "He returned our souls. All of them." She looks over at the pure souls that are watching me with just as much hatred. "He would only do that if he plans to sell us."

"Maybe he just doesn't want to consume a soul like yours," I say.

Bella flies forwards angrily and several other girls move to stop her, forming a barricade between herself and me. "Being completed doesn't make you any more special than me!" she screams. "That afterlife was mine. You just came along and ruined everything!"

"That wasn't my choice," I say. "It was his. You know that, but you can't be angry at him so I'm next in line. I'm sorry that your chance was taken but I can't do anything about it just like you can't."

"You're not sorry," she hisses. "We're the ones that are going to die."

"We're all dying!" I say. "Every single one of us. The creatures have taken so much from all of us and you're standing there arguing with me about something that is out of my control. Wendy has just died and we shouldn't be ruining her memory by clashing with each other about which soul is worth more. We are all prisoners and we are the only thing we've got."

"I second that," a girl says across the room, lifting her drink up as she stumbles.

"Calm yourself or get out," someone says to Bella.

"I'm calm," Bella says, eyeing the room before she turns and walks back over to the music play. She turns it back on. "Carry on."

I pick my glass back up and I down it at once, rubbing the liquid from my chin. Bella and the pure girls keep their distance, they sit in a group at the far end of the room observing the other girls dance. Bella stares at me while she drinks. I pour myself my fifth, or sixth, I'm losing count. My head is spinning in an amazing way and my feet are tapping from the music.

"That was epic," Natalie, or someone, says as they sit on a chair beside me. "No one's ever stood up to her like that before. She was the King's favourite so we all had to endure her bullying for a long time."

I am becoming very drunk and it takes me a while to even realize that Natalie is next to me. "I heard you like plants," I say.

"I do," she says. "My parents owned this enormous greenhouse, my mother was obsessed with growing things and planting seeds. It's funny, I can't remember much about them, but I remember being surrounded by those plants like it was yesterday." I sway into her and she pushes my shoulders back gently, laughing to herself. "You're drunk."

"Is this a party?" I whisper.

"Kind of. To that girl over there, it's definitely a party."

I follow the line of her finger, a tall girl with blonde hair has taken her shirt off and is swinging it around her finger as she jumps on a chair, while others attempt to get her down.

"This is the only fun we have," Natalie says. "Every time we do this, we imagine that it's our last night alive, because it might be." Natalie checks her watch. "It's almost time."

"Time for what?"

Natalia stares at the open door with a smile. "For that."

A trail of boys come into the room, dressed in grey sweaters and jeans. The girls start squealing with joy, jumping up and down as the boys throw themselves into dances with them.

"Jackson and Christian are still downstairs, they don't sign off until later," Natalie says. "They only get one break a day so when the slaves know a party is happening, they don't take a break and sign off early."

"I thought they could have as many breaks as they want?"

"They did but the King changed it. Too many slaves were taking advantage. But he cut their hours instead, so it times out."

I'm not sure what it all means but I know that I really want another drink. I slide up from the chair and head over to the counter. I grab a bottle instead and I fiddle with the lid.

"Here, let me get that for you," a deep voice says. I relinquish the bottle over to the handsome guy that smiles down at me as he passes it back. "I'm Ronan." He puts his hand out and I stare at it.

"Aurora," I say.

"Do you want to dance, Aurora?"

"I don't know how."

"I'll teach you. It's really easy."

I place my hand in his and I allow him to lead me over to the rug. I become slammed between so many bodies that I feel dizzy. I'm the only one wearing sweatpants, I didn't dress for a party, and I start becoming unbearably hot. I flap my hand at my face, and then Ronan gently grips my waist and pulls me closer to his body.

"Put your hand on my shoulder," he says, moving it up his arm. "And lean in close. Closer." He drops his lips to my ear. "I heard you're the new favourite of the King. Can you put in a request for us?"

"What request?"

"Condoms," he says.

I lean back but he pushes me closer. His grip on my waist becomes too tight to fight and I'm too drunk to try.

"They're all too afraid to ask him, even Christian, and you seem to have a connection with him. Maybe you could help us out." He releases me and casts his gaze over the bodies close to me, they're all staring at us, even the girls. "Help all of us out."

I nod, mainly to get him away from me. "I'll try."

"Thanks," he says, he brushes his fingers against my cheek. "You're very attractive. If you ever want me to make a discreet visit to your bedroom with your meals, just ask."

I narrow my eyes and distance myself from him, drinking from the bottle as I take my seat beside Natalie.

"Be careful with him," Natalie says. "He's a transfer from a breeding center and I think he enjoyed it too much."

Ronan becomes bored with the girls around him and wanders over to Bella in the corner, she takes his hand willingly and they move against the wall, kissing each other. I'm not sure how long I've been here for but the sky is becoming darker outside. By now, I've missed my dinner and my chance of seeing Jackson again. Christian probably suspects that I'm here, Cain would be looking for me otherwise.

I have to leave but I also want to stay. It's a mind-bending confliction. I don't think I could even find my way back to my bedroom anyway, at least not without falling down a staircase. I decide to stay a little longer and I finish my drink. There is so much happening across the room. From dancing, to kissing, to guys pleasuring girls in dark corners, thinking that no one is watching them. I've been given a taste into true human desire and watching is making me crave it more.

All at once, gasps erupt around the entire room. Natalie shoots up from the chair and stands back into the wall with her head high. Everyone else does the same. The music turns off and every single human is backing themselves into the walls, distancing themselves from each other as they cower in fear, even Bella. I am the last to realize what is happening, I glance over at the door with a blurry vision to see Cain stepping into the silent room. His eyes meet mine and I know I have to leave now. Yet something about this is hilarious and I cover my mouth as I start laughing, igniting shocked expressions from everyone that hears it. Cain ignores my laughter, though I think if it came from someone else then he'd probably strike them.

"Who organized this?" Cain says, looking around the room. "And when did I ever give you permission to steal alcohol from the kitchen? Well? Bella, come here."

Bella releases herself from the corner and walks towards him confidently. "Yes?"

"Answer my questions," he says.

"A few of us organized it," she says. "We know the guards don't patrol this area so we thought we'd take advantage."

"You can use this room whenever you like as long as you keep it down," he growls. "I can hear you all from my office. There's a room around the corner that is vacant, move your gathering to there in the future and don't steal my alcohol. Ask for it."

Bella squints her eyes in confusion and nods. "We will. I'm sorry."

Cain snaps his fingers at me. "Get up."

"I'm staying here," I say, lifting my bottle up. "I haven't finished my drink."

Eyes are wide around the room as they witness my defiance. If I was sober I'd probably run to him immediately, but there's something about being drunk that's inspiring me in ways I've never felt before.

"Aurora, I'm not asking," he says, his voice hard.

I tip the bottle into my mouth and I down the last of my drink before placing it on the floor and stumbling to my feet. I waddle right past him while holding the wall and he lingers for a moment before he enters the hallway and picks me up.

"I can walk!" I hiss.

"No, you can't."

I stay still in his arms as he carries me to my room. I reach up and touch his chin, I play with his stubble and he flinches his face out of my grasp.

"How much have you had?" he says. "I gave you permission to use your floor, not to wander through the palace! I should have known you wouldn't stick to it."

"Bla bla bla," I mutter.

"Is this a joke to you?" he demands, he opens my door and swings me out of his arms, placing my feet to the ground dramatically. I stumble backwards as my head spins. He shuts the door and watches me with concern. "Drink some water."

"Why does the thought of me having fun anger you?" I say. "You need to loosen up."

"Aurora," he says. "What are you...?"

I take my shirt off and I drop it through my fingertips. I click my bra undone and I drag it over my arms. Also dropping it to the floor. He swallows as he glimpses my body. "I'm on my period but if you want to do it then I'll do it," I say, falling over as my back hits the shelves behind me.

"You're embarrassing yourself," he says.

"I know you want me." I point at him as I use the shelf to pull myself up. He won't come near me. I realize I still have my pants on and I start trying to take them off, hopping myself to the floor again. I drag them down my legs and I pull myself up again, standing before him almost completely naked.

Cain sighs. "Aurora, stop it. Where is your key? I'm locking you in."

"Table," I whisper.

He bends down to pick it up and I circle around the table, meeting his eyes seductively. He tenses as I stop next to him. He straightens his body and keeps his eyes forwards, his breathing becoming harder.

"I know there's a part of you that wants to try it," I say, running my hand up his arm. "You're not taking advantage, I promise, I am of. . . sound mind."

"You're not of sound anything," he says. He grips my wrist and drags me over to the bed. I become excited, allowing him to remove the covers and settle me inside of them.

"Come," I say, waving my hand at him.

I become disappointment as he pulls the covers over me, placing a barrier between us. He backs away from the bed.

"Don't you want me?" I say.

"I want you," he says, turning from the doorway. "Just not like this. Go to sleep, I'll check on you later."

I suddenly feel sick and I hold my mouth as I stand up and run across the room. I hear Cain sigh but I'm not sure if he's left. I dive my head into the toilet bowl, throwing up so much that I can't breathe. I wipe my teary eyes and I splash my face with water in between the sickness episodes.

"Are you okay?" Cain calls from the other side of the door. He sounds annoyed.

"No!" I shout. "I think I need another bath."

Cain chuckles as he enters the bathroom. "Nice try."

I sit up against the toilet, my eyes rolling to the back of my head. He places his arms around me and pulls me up. I feel something go over my head, it feels soft and smells clean. He's dressing me.

"Put your legs up," he says.

I numbly pull a leg up and he pushes my leg into a pant hole, followed by the other one, and then he wriggles it up to my waist. "Why are you dressing me?" I groan.

"Because it's the only way I can be around you," he says. "Come on, I'm taking you back to bed."

My eyes light up, I smile and touch his jaw.

"To sleep, Aurora."

"Whatever," I mumble.

He carries me back to the bed and releases me angrily onto it. I stare up at him, blowing the hair out of my face.

"Get in it," he says.

I slide back underneath the covers. "Don't leave me. Stay. Please. Just for a while." I flick my hand in distress and he succumbs to my demand, dropping to the edge of the bed. "Thank you."

"Go to sleep," he commands.

I close my eyes against the pillow, trying to overcome this random, bizarre spinning ride that my mind is taking me on. "The humans want condoms," I say, before passing out.