Page 41 of Carnival

“Safe?” I scoff, eyes widening in disbelief.

Even though I know that I shouldn’t be confronting her like this, I can’t stop the words from spilling out of my mouth.

“That first foster family I was with was a nightmare. They were abusive to all of their foster kids, not just me. And let’s not forget the final house I was in.

Where I actually killed someone. You didn’t stay away to protect me, but I’m glad as fuck I never knew you. ’’

The slap comes harshly, and I expect it. The stinging sensation fills me, and I bite the inside of my cheek, staring right into her eyes. Her own holds my gaze, unfaltering. She’s challenging me silently, and I’m not sure how much I can push her.

“Do not speak to me like that, girl,’’ she lowers her voice, speaking in a hushed, dangerous tone.

My attention shifts to someone approaching us, and to my surprise, it’s a doctor. Well, I think it is, given the white coat and the bag he’s carrying. He doesn’t even look at me, or acknowledge me in any way.

He gets on his knees before me, pulling out a small red mat from his bag and putting my feet on it. He starts cleaning my feet with cotton swabs and alcohol, and I wince each time he hits an open wound. They may be small, but they hurt a lot, especially since some have only now stopped bleeding.

Vivian is staring at the back of the man’s head, and no one speaks. He cleans the wounds thoroughly before drying them and applying some sort of balm. He’s careful not to hurt me too much before proceeding to wrap my feet in bandages.

“Good work,’’ Vivian comments as the man packs up to leave.

He puts down a pair of comfortable-looking slippers for me, and takes the ruined pair of heels, tucking them in his bag.

He merely nods, then walks away in the same direction he came from.

The entire interaction lasted perhaps fifteen minutes, but it left such a bitter taste in my mouth.

The way Vivian is using these people like they don’t have feelings, like they don’t matter, makes me even angrier.

But whenever I’m angry, she’s angry, and as of late, it seems as though I’m the one on the receiving end of her wrath.

I’m unsure what her plans with me are, why she’s dressing me up in princess clothes, or why she’s keeping me here, but sooner or later, I’ll have to figure it out, because whatever it is, it’s not good.

She even removed the chip Freya put in my arm. She did it all while I was sleeping, and I woke up to the small wound on my forearm. I didn’t have to ask how she knew, because she probably had people watching me all the time, and I was too naive to see it.

“Alright,’’ Vivian turns to look at me, with a soft smile, as if she didn’t just slap the shit out of me. As if she hadn’t been using me as her punching bag for days on end. “New rules.’’

I blink, taken aback.

The first rules she had for me upon bringing me here were very simple.

I’m not allowed to speak to anyone but her.

I’m not allowed to even attempt to leave.

I tried — of course I fucking tried, and she saw it through the hidden cameras in the room.

The result was no food and water for a whole day and being beaten with her favorite cane.

It left red marks all over my back, and I doubt it will heal properly.

“As we speak, you’re getting a room in the east wing of the manor.

You’ll be able to roam freely, but of course, it will be monitored.

Try to escape, and I will make sure you regret it.

This privilege will be taken away just as quickly as it was granted if you abuse it, and you’ll be tossed into a cage. Do you understand?”

I nod a few times, trying to maintain my passive face. I might not be able to run away, but if I memorize the outline of the manor and where the cameras are located, and if I befriend some of her men, I might be able to find a way out eventually.

“Alright,’’ I breathe out.

“I’ll still be dressing you up daily,’’ her eyes flick down to my feet. “But let’s stay away from heels from a while, until your feet have healed.’’

This is fucking ridiculous. She’s able to slap and beat me, but she’s suddenly worried about the state of my feet? Well, at least I know where I get my contradictory personality from, if nothing else.

“Also…’’ she pauses briefly, ensuring she has my full attention. The snow falls, wetting my dress and hair, and my makeup is getting smudged. A small smirk tugs on her lips, and color drains from my face. Whenever she gets that look on her face, I know something terrible is about to happen.

“Yes?” I ask, reluctant to know the reason behind her sudden happiness. The woman is unstable and needs a lot of help and to be put behind bars for the rest of her life.

“I know a young girl, especially one as beautiful as you, might get lonely in this massive manor. Don’t worry, we won’t stay here for long. But before we leave, I need to wrap up some business. So, to spare you the boredom and having to befriend the staff, I brought in a friend for you.’’

My whole expression falls at the words. My heart starts beating rapidly against my ribcage, hands curling into the material of the dress, fisting it harshly.

If she actually kidnapped one of my friends just to keep me company, I don’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself.

I know she’d never be able to reach Aria or Blair, but Danica and the rest of my friends from university don’t have the luck of being as protected.

“Who is it?” I ask, voice barely above a whisper.

Vivian inclines with her head, glancing behind me. “Take a look for yourself.’’

Immediately, I turn around, and absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for the person I’m seeing in front of me.

Leaning against the doorframe a few feet away, casually glancing at me.

The smirk is unmistakable, and the mere sight causes my stomach to churn.

I’ve never seen that kind of look before, and safety bells ring in my head.

“Chase,’’ I whisper.

He’s too relaxed for someone who’s been kidnapped, and as soon as the thought comes to my mind, realization dawns on me, hitting me like a ton of bricks. He wasn’t kidnapped — he’s here willingly, which means one thing and one thing only.

“Ah, yes,’’ Vivian’s voice comes from behind me. She inches closer, her lips close to my ear, sending chills down my spine. “One of my most trusted men. You two would make a fine pair, my dear.’’