I woke up in my own bed. I was wearing pajamas. My old clothes laundered, folded, and placed on the table next to me. The Count must’ve carried me back here, undressed me, then did maid services.

I felt relief and calm. As terrifying as the rest of the castle was, my room was a sanctuary. For whatever reason, those blood-sucking women were forbidden from coming in this particular room. However terrifying Count B was, he was the only one who could protect me … for now.

I got dressed and went back down to B’s girlfriends’ bedroom. But now the door was not only locked, but it was jammed against the doorway. Some of the wood had splintered, as if a giant had picked it up and thrown it against the doorframe.