Good news; I woke up again. Bad news; all my bindings are still locked. The blood enchantment kicked in while I was asleep, and now I'm faint and ravenous. But I'm alone in the room, and while normally that would be a good thing, I'll faint without food, possibly for good. I still don't have a voice, but I'm too weak to move. All I can do is whistle and hope the idiots I'm apparently stuck with understand they need to feed me. I whistle til I'm almost out of breath, feeling like an idiot the whole time.
Thankfully, when the door opens, the person who enters first is carrying a large bowl of recovery soup. His long platinum blond hair would make him look princely if if wasn't for the red eyes.
He smiles at me as he sits down next to the bed. "Hello there, little bird." I frown at him, but he just laughs. "Come come, you need to eat," he says, and helps me sit up.
My hands are still bound, so I proffer them to him, hoping he has the key. When he sees the calla lily on the lock, he goes "Aha!" and pulls the matching key from his pocket.
My relief is cut in half when I realize my right hand, whose fingers are pulled back by chains, is still nearly unusable. There had always been two locks, but I had foolishly hoped it was just one for each wrist. Even so, I determinedly slip my hand under the bowl, trying to bring it to my mouth.
But I nearly spill it in the process. "Ah, ah ah~" says the blond vampire, pulling it away. "I had better feed you myself. You don't mind, do you~?"
I glared at him in response, but I was too hungry to fight it. He tilts my head up with his finger and watches with glee as I gulp it down. Even though my face is burning, the relief from the soup is immediate and I finish it all in one go.
When I look back up again, the other three have all filed into the room, watching me. I forget that my voice is locked away and try to speak, but nothing comes out. The one with dark skin and white hair just chuckles as I tug at the ribbon on my neck.
Next to me, the blond vampire also grabs the ribbon, pulling me towards him. I lean away at first, giving him a disgruntled look.
"Oh, don't be like that," he says, and grabs the back of my neck to pull me back in. "Let's find out who has the key for this," he says, leaning in and examining the lock for longer than I'm sure is necessary. "It's a wisteria. Virgil?" He holds his hand out to the palest of the four, but Virgil doesn't move.
"I like it better this way," he says. "She doesn't need to talk, does she?"
I clasp my hands before him and give him a pleading look, and he sighs. "Fine," he says, sitting on the bed. I lean forward for him, and he unlocks it with a soft click.
I let out a soft hum of relief, thankful that my voice is my own again. "My name is Adelaide. But what about the rest of you?" I ask, looking around.
The blond still sitting next to me takes my hand. "My name is Adrian Chevalier." He kisses the back of my palm. "I hope we get along well, little bird."
I just give him a doubtful look until the one with long sleek black hair speaks up. "I am Dante Lu." He regards me carefully, and I regard him back.
"My name is Lucien Shehu," says the dark-skinned vampire beside him. His eyes are sparkling with interest, and I feel a little nervous.
Everyone looks at the last albino vampire when he stays silent. He looks around, then quietly, "Virgil Himura."
"Alright, now that that's out of the way," says Dante, settling into a chair against the corner. "When are the rest coming?" They all look at me expectantly, and I finally realize what my punishment might be with a sinking feeling.
"...How long has it been?" I ask hesitantly. They all trade looks.
"About two days since you arrived," he answers, "But before you came, it was several days with no supplies."
That explains their hunger. The sinking feeling grows stronger. "Tell me, have you all...done something to upset the council?" I ask.
They all have different reactions. Pale Virgil looks away in silence, Dante looks sour and shifts in his chair, and Lucien crosses his arms in annoyance. Beside me, Adrian pouts.
I continue. "I don't think anyone else is coming." The pressure of their gazes is almost too much for me to bear.
"We have to share you?" Adrian asks incredulously.
I grimace. "I'm sure we can work something out."
But Virgil, still sitting on the bed, shakes his head fervently. "No way. I hate sharing."
"There's no choice," says golden-eyed Lucien. "This must be our punishment."
"And mine," I mutter, and everyone's attention turns back to me. "But they don't want me dead, I'm sure," I stutter in a hurry.
At that, Lucien grins at me. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you stay alive." But the way he says it isn't reassuring at all.
From the chair, Dante puts a fan to his lips. "And what exactly did you do?"
I shrug. "I just talked to the people I was feeding."
"Oh, is that all?" purrs Adrian next to me.
But I roll my eyes. "I'm sure you know very well that what you're thinking of has never gotten any thrall in trouble. No, I think they thought I was plotting a revolution."
"Well, were you?" Dante asks, tilting his head as he stares me down.
"If trying to convince vampires that humans deserve respect, then yeah, I guess."
The bed starts to shake as Virgil giggles. "I can't believe they thought a thrall was a threat with fluff like that," he says, stifling his laughter. I stick my tongue out at him.
"Actually…" Leaning against the wall, Lucien crosses his arms in thought. "I think I've heard about you. This should be fun. I'll definitely keep you healthy," he adds with a conniving grin.
I wince, but at least the promise of keeping me healthy is a good sign. "I'd like to hear that from everyone," I say honestly. "With the enchantment, I should be able to live a normal life as long as you all aren't greedy."
Virgil gives me an incredulous look. "That's awfully bold of you to say, servus sanguine. What makes you think you have any control in this situation at all?"
"I like you, little bird," laughs Adrian, "But I'm hardly going to stop doing whatever I want just because you asked nicely."
"I never intended to give nothing in return," I say, and Dante's eyes light up.
"Oh?" he asks, leaning forward. "And what could you possibly offer?"
"There's not much I'm not willing to do," I say honestly. "I have my limits but they can change depending on the situation. You all are used to being waited on hand and foot, right? And having all the entertainment you desire? You're not going to get that here if you treat me like a walking meal. But, if you keep me healthy, I can do a lot more. I'm not the only one caged here." At that, Dante's black eyes flash dangerously, but I continue. "I can wait on you however you want. I can join you in games, talk about books, whatever you want to do when you get bored. Because I'm sure you will get bored."
For a moment, they just look at me in stunned silence. Then Dante breaks it with a laugh. "I do love games," he says. "Fine, if you can entertain me, I'll keep you healthy." I'm a little worried by his tone, but I still have the ace up my sleeve if I need it….hopefully I don't need it.
"Well, little bird…." Adrian puts his hand on my arm and leans in. "Entertain me too, and I'll make that promise for you. I won't ask for much.. not at first, at least."
I look at him in trepidation but nod hesitantly. What have I gotten myself into... I turn to look at Virgil sitting on the bed, and give a slight start. He's examining me closely with more interest than he had ever shown before.
"What exactly can you do?" But his words fade out as I feel my consciousness slipping.
"Oh, shit," I manage, and fall back onto the bed.