Ginny had tears streaming her face and had the sudden urge to rush to him and throw herself into his arms. Sensing that he might wrap his arms around her like a consoling father.

Or he might snap her neck and end her suffering.

Either seemed a more pleasant possibility then returning back to Charters House to find that Bodin Charters had discovered what she'd done. Or to await Randall's arrival. Which would no doubt include his expectation that she greet him as he deemed fittingly.

"I can't take much more!" She admitted. Dropping to her knees. Setting the lantern next to her as she rubbed her face with her hands.

"No, you cannot. But you're nearly incapable of sympathy. Even for yourself. How does one naïve girl become so broken?"

She cried harder. Feeling as though he already knew every dark secret that'd ever haunted her.

"I knew no such thing as a lil 'un, and I spose never learned it as a girl grown. Have you even once considered how much that girl has done for you?"

"For me?" Ginny blinked.

"She let you remain as her maid, though you were far from a tending one. You had many indiscretions. Even waking her late or not arriving at night to help her from her dresses because you were flaunting yourself with the Lord you now near fear. Still...She never told. Never had you fired and tossed as she should've."

Ginny's lip quivered and tears grew heavier in her eyes. Knowing he was right. Knowing she'd wronged her lady more often then she dared admit.

"And in thanks, you murdered her father on behalf of that man." He clapped his hands lightly. "Well, done. Aren't you precious?"

"Please help me. I'm so tired. Half-blind and exhausted and Lord Demetrius' cruelty knows no bounds. And Lord Charters will surely punish me if he finds I fetched Lord Demetrius.

"Why in the world would I do that?" He asked coolly. Hands dropping. And his expression was so cold that she was certain he had no intention of helping her and surely would not have hugged her as she'd hoped.

"I mightn't live the night if you don't." She tried a last plea.

"Yes, you may not. And indeed, you certainly won't beat your fine lord to make secretive arrangements, will you?"

"Please..." She sobbed. Very afraid of what the consequence of that would be. Even if she lived to arrive there, Randall Demetrius might make her regret that she had.

"That," He eyed her as if he had read her mind. "Is not my problem. However, I will give you a final direction."

"What?" She slid then hands she cried into down enough to peer at him hopefully. For his help getting back to the mansion, she'd do anything. If he wanted her, he could have her if that was the price.

She looked at him. Tall and fine of figure and nearly regal in his presence. She chewed her lip almost hopefully as she awaited his response.

"Do you have my vial?"

"I do..."

"Then you will soon use it. If you live to get back to Charters."

"On whom?" She asked in a fearful whisper.

"Why, Randall Demetrius of course...Unless you'd rather use it on yourself? Though I find that unlikely. I believe your need for self-preservation will outweigh whatever lingering fears you have. You have in your possession the key to your freedom. Now it is only a matter of you...If you have the courage to use it..."

***

"I can't!" She cried. Shaking her head. "I love..."

"Him?" The Fey King lifted a dark brow. "I find it unlikely that you are even capable of such a thing."

"What if he kills me?"

"It is your one chance to free yourself from the reins you put around your own neck. It is your choice."

"Why do you say such so darkly."

"Because I firmly believe that whenever humanity is provided with a choice, they inevitably choose whatever will bring them the most pleasure in the shortest amount of time. You're no different." He said it as if he already knew what she'd do.

She stared at him in disbelief. She didn't even know what she'd do.

He began strolling away past her.

She lurched sideways and caught at his pants.

He paused and turned his head slowly to give her a haughty look. "Yesss?"

"Please don't leave me."

"I'm not the one leaving you." He gave a cold smile. "You left yourself long ago."

He jerked his pantleg away and strolled away from her into the darkness.

Leaving her to dwell in her self-pity. Feeling tired beyond anything she'd ever experienced and more hopeless than she ever would've guessed she could feel.

***

Vix crept through the night. Peering upward through huge round eyes. The yellow moon reflecting in the pupils of her orange eyes. She chewed her cheek. Flicking her long white-tipped, orange tail. She twisted to peer over her shoulder and saw that the trees behind her seemed to be empty.

No silver outlines which would reveal any fey peering from the trees to watch her progress.

She wondered if the King would be upset, she was creeping once more toward Belle Demetrius' chambers.

She furtively checked every angle. Verifying there were no hunting dogs out which might wish to pursue her. Seeing none she skittered up the set of vines running along the sides of Charters House. Vines which Bodin had planted many years ago, so the Fey King's creatures could run to him for sanctuary from anything hunted them.

Vix scurried up it now. Using her front hands like that of a raccoon and her back feet like those of a monkey to grip the vines and launch her higher. She raced up them in leaping movements. Spotting Belle's window and thudding in through the window and to the floor.

Belle was asleep in her bed.

Vix caught the edge of the coverlet and pulled her way up on it. Bouncing along the bedding to reach Belle before launching onto her chest.

***

I was asleep. Unsure why Bodin had asked that I remain in my chambers most of the day and let everyone believe he'd left Charters House.

But it seemed word not seeing his face or hearing his voice. Not going downstairs to partake of the meal with him.

I had read awhile by the fire. Hearing only silence throughout the House. It's strange.

When Bodin was about, I could always hear the rush of voices throughout the structure. As everyone worked to anticipate his needs and to ensure he was happy with their work. Indicating he could be a harsh task master when necessary.

I could see that.

He can be as unmoving as a boulder when he wishes.

And I suspected that with his servants he'd be even more firm and impassive. Even harder to read.

Feeling strangely out of place in Charters House, missing Bodin. And missing my father.

I knew Bodin was up to something, but he was unwilling to share his plans with me, and it was frustrating.

He'd told me I was only getting so aggravated because of my need to be in control of all things.

He's probably not wrong.

Still...

I decided enough was enough for the night and headed to bed.

I was deep in peaceful sleep when I vaguely registered weight on my chest and felt the harsh whap of what felt like a cat striking me absent claws. My eyes popped open, and I returned a vivid orange gaze. I flung the creature backward off me. Sending it tumbling into the wall and somehow managed to levitate onto my feet. Pressing my back to the wall beyond my headboard and blinking into the darkness where I'd heard the thud.

Trying to get my eyes to adjust enough I could register what I'd been looking at. I blinked hard, trying to see.

But it was simply too dark.

Then I saw orange orbs peer at me from above the foot of my bed. Illuminating the paws framing a furred face.

A rat? My numbed brain wondered in horror.

I twisted to my knees and fumbled on my bedstand until grabbing the candle and a flintbox. Working it frantically until a tiny bloom of dancing flame emerged enough to light my candle. Which I held aloft to get a look at the strange creature invading my room.

And my sleep.

"Vix?"