THEO LED ME THROUGH THE twisty manor. I really hoped someone eventually gave me a tour; otherwise, I’d never find my way around.

He led me up a massive staircase that was done in plush red carpeting. The walls were a dark stained wood. Stone statues seemed to be everywhere, along with paintings, making me feel like I was in a museum and not a home.

I guess it wasn’t really a home, though, and more of a safe haven. A community of people lived behind these walls.

“There are a couple of classrooms, The Committee’s offices and sleeping quarters, and the dining hall all downstairs. Sleeping quarters for everyone else is second level. That’s all you really need to know right now.” When we got to the top of the steps, he pointed to the left. “Your room is this way. I think he purposely put you as far away from me as possible.”

He stopped in front of a door that was rounded on the top and made of the same heavy wood as the one we entered the manor through. Theo handed me the key.

“This is your room.” He tapped the door and the wood seemed to hum.

“Thanks for … everything,” I mumbled. I didn’t really know what to say. This was all so new, and a part of me was still processing everything.

“You’re welcome, doll face.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. He turned and began to walk away. “But you might not be thanking me later,” he muttered under his breath.

I watched until his figure completely disappeared before opening the door to the bedroom.

The room was dark and empty with a large bed in the middle. It was lavishly decorated like something fit for a queen. The carpet was plush and seemed to bounce beneath my feet as I walked. The walls were painted gold with dark wood accents and the ceiling had dark wood beams crisscrossing it. The bed was huge with a billowy cream canopy. French doors opened onto a Juliet balcony. The room wasn’t huge, but it was much bigger than my room at home. The closet was even a walk-in and it was full of clothes like they’d been anticipating my arrival—or more likely had magicked some clothes up here once accepting my arrival. I ran my fingers over the silky material of a blouse. I had never owned clothes like this. Maybe if I had, I would’ve liked dressing up more.

The bathroom was small with only a toilet, sink, and walk-in shower, but it was just as lavishly decorated as the bedroom. I wasn’t going to complain, though. I was happy to have a bathroom of my own since I figured there’d be one we had to share—whoever we was, since so far, I really only knew Theo.

I knew I must be walking around with my mouth hanging down to my knees and my eyes wide. But I didn’t care. I felt like a princess in this room.

I ventured over to the chaise that was in front of the bed. My black duffel bag sat on the rich gold fabric and I really hoped my bag didn’t get it dirty. I wondered idly how it got here but, again, I reminded myself magic.

This was going to take some getting used to.

I wanted to collapse onto the plush bed, but I knew I needed to wash up first. I headed back into the closet in search of pajamas. I opened a few drawers before I found them. I held the pajamas in my hand, if they could even be called pajamas, they were nicer than anything I had ever owned.

As I opened drawers in the bathroom, I found that they, too, were fully stocked. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and even deodorant. I figured when it came to this kind of stuff they kept all the rooms stocked and ready to go. I grabbed what I needed and turned the shower on. I climbed inside and I could feel the dirt and grime leaving my skin. Despite the hotel showers, I still felt dirty. But now I felt cleaner than I ever had before. The water felt thick against my skin like it was coating me in a warm blanket.

Once my skin started resembling a raisin, I turned the water off and wrapped the fluffy, warm, white towel around my body. The smell of the peach soap I used still clung to my skin. I pulled on the silky purple pajamas and dashed into the bedroom. I pulled back the fluffy covers and pillows and sank down into the bed.

“Aaahhh,” I sighed out loud. I turned the light off and pulled the covers up to my chin.

But now that I had nothing to do to occupy my thoughts, and no annoying Theodore to drive me crazy, all I could think about was my old life.

My dad and Dani. Although, I guess Steven Pryce wasn’t really my dad, if Theo was telling the truth which I couldn’t find a reason for him to lie about that. But he was all I had known. He was, in every sense of the word, my dad. This other man out there, whoever he was, was not my father. He may have been half of me but he wasn’t there to be a father for me and he didn’t deserve the title. And if what Theo said was true then apparently my dad was the king of evil. The leader of The Iniquitous.

A few days ago, my biggest worry was college and the lone class I was taking.

Now I had to be afraid for my life.

* * *

I jolted awake and looked around the room. I put my hand to my racing heart. I was okay. I was in the manor. It was nothing but a nightmare.

I had been running, from what I didn’t know, I just knew I had to get away. I couldn’t let them get me.

But I was here. I was safe. Nothing was trying to get me. I pushed my sleep-mussed hair from my eyes and climbed from the bed. I brushed my teeth and hair and dressed in a pair of jeans and a billowy tank top from the closet.

I came out of the closet to find my bed made. I looked around the room as if I expected to find someone standing there. But, of course, there was no one. I was alone.

I shook my head and blinked my eyes but the bed was still freshly made.

“This is crazy,” I whispered.

I crossed the room and swung the door open, jolting back when I found someone standing outside my room.

A beautiful blonde girl with ice-blue eyes was standing outside my door.

“You must be Mara,” she sneered. It wasn’t a question. She looked me up and down. “What are you? Fifteen?” The look she gave me was of pure dislike.

“Almost eighteen,” I replied softly. I could feel myself shrinking underneath her gaze. Something about her was entirely intimidating. She oozed an otherworldly grace and seemed to glow from within. I wondered maybe if it was some sort of spell.

She lifted her lips in a mocking way. “I’m Naomi, and if you know what’s good for you you’ll stay away from Theodore. He’s mine,” she hissed, getting right in my face. I backed into the door, which had closed behind me.

“I don’t know what you mean. He’s my protector,” I muttered, “nothing more.”

She narrowed her icy-blue eyes. “Stay away from him. This is your only warning.” She turned to leave. Her jean skirt was way too short, and her tank top was skin tight. I didn’t know how she could walk or breathe.

I swallowed and waited until she was gone from my sight to let out my breath. I was beginning to think the blonde girl was a figment of my imagination when a voice startled me.

“Don’t worry about Naomi,” said a husky feminine voice a few doors down from me. “She thinks she’s Theodore’s girlfriend, but she’s not. He’s not allowed to be involved in romantic relationships since he’s a protector. Honestly, she’s just an overgrown Barbie doll in my opinion. I mean, no one’s waist should be that small and their boobs that big. I’m surprised she doesn’t tip over.”

I snorted at the image. “Who are you?”

The girl had to be about my age with wavy black hair that fell halfway down her back. She was pale, with dark blue eyes, and plump naturally red lips. A mole rested just above her lip. Was everyone here this beautiful?

“Oh, how rude of me,” she said, walking over. “I’m Adelaide.” I took her slender hand in mine.

“You look familiar,” I commented, studying her features.

“Of course I do. You know my brother.” She tilted her head at me waiting for me to connect the very obvious dots.

“Theo’s your brother? But you—you’re … well, nice.”

She laughed. Her laugh was as deep and husky as her voice. “You’ve caught me on a good day. I’m not always so nice. Come, I’ll show you to the dining hall.” As I followed alongside her, she said, “So, he lets you call him Theo? He’s never let anyone else call him that. Not even me.”

I laughed. “I don’t think he really likes it. He said that as long as I call him Theo he’ll call me doll face.”

Adelaide’s blue eyes widened. “Really? Was he abducted by aliens? Pet names? I’m shocked. Something must have been slipped into his food. Theodore is not the joking type.”

“He’s very serious,” I agreed.

She shrugged as we descended the massive ornate staircase that looked like it was better suited for the Titanic than a home. Now that it was daylight and I had the time to notice, there was even a domed skylight above the staircase extending to the top floor.

“He’s been serious since our parents died. He feels like he has to be a parent to me. Lord knows I don’t need one. I’m perfectly fine on my own.” She smiled, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Adelaide stopped on the bottom step. “I know it’s been harder on Theodore than he lets on. Don’t tell him I told you. He’s … well, I’m sure you know.” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, stopping outside the dining hall doors. “When we go in there I’m about to break like fifty rules.”

“Why?” I asked and raised a brow.

“The Committee told me to stay away from you, not to be your friend; I’m not going to listen.”

“Why do they want you to stay away from me?” I asked, a bit miffed.

“In their words? ‘It may cause a conflict of interest for Theodore if you are to befriend Mara. He needs to protect her not you. Stay away from the girl, Adelaide, we’re warning you. Do not defy us’,” she said in a mocking, nasally voice.

“Conflict of interest? How would you and I being friends cause a conflict?” I pointed to her and then to me to further drive home my point.

“Theodore is your protector. He’s to protect you and you alone. No one else matters. If something bad were to happen and let’s say we’re together—” she pointed to me and her “—his job would be to save you, not me. They don’t want him to be in the position where he might choose otherwise.”

“Oh.” I was stunned. I hadn’t thought about that. So much of this still didn’t make sense to me; I couldn’t really wrap my head around Theo being my protector and having to keep me safe because I didn’t understand why I was so special.

I still felt like plain old Mara.

Not an enchanter.

And certainly not chosen.

“But don’t worry—” she laced her arm through mine “—I don’t follow rules. I know we’re going to be best friends.” She patted my hand. “And Theodore will protect you if it comes to it. The Committee will just have to get over it.”

“No … no … he …”

She stopped once more. “He knows his job, Mara. His job is to protect you. Remember that and don’t be too hard on him. After all, I know he’s a pain in the ass.” She cackled and pushed the double doors open.

There weren’t many people in the dining hall but they ceased their activities and stared blatantly at us.

Adelaide narrowed her blue eyes. “Haven’t you dopes ever seen two beautiful women before? Jeesh.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder dramatically and led me to a mostly empty table. I slid onto the bench seat. The table was heavy and wooden with intricate carvings of flowers and vines on the sides.

“So,” I began, looking around, “does the food magically appear?”

Adelaide snorted. “No, you grab a plate and go to the buffet.” She pointed to the elaborate spread of food in the back of the room.

“Oh.”

She laughed. “Come on, they have every food imaginable. There are people here from all over the world so there’s quite the variety. It keeps things interesting for those of us who live here all the time.”

I followed her to the buffet of steaming breakfast foods. I grabbed a plate that looked like it cost more than my house and shoveled some scrambled eggs and toast onto it. Adelaide grabbed a waffle and drenched it in syrup. She began eating it on the way to the table.

“Very ladylike Ade,” said someone. I turned to find Theo behind us. His lip ring sparkled from the light cast by the chandeliers above us.

“Shut up, Theo,” she sneered in a way only a sibling can.

“Don’t call me that.” He pointed at his sister. He sneered the words but I could see the love in his eyes for his little sister. “Didn’t they tell you to stay away from Mara?” he questioned, eyeing his sister with—it looked like pride.

“Yes,” she answered, “but as you know, I never listen.”

“No, you don’t,” Theo agreed with a chuckle. He turned and piled eggs, bacon, toast, and several other things that I didn’t recognize onto his plate. “Lead the way.” He motioned with his arm for us to pick a table.

“Theodore,” sighed Adelaide dramatically, “can’t us girls sit on our own? We’ll be on our best behavior.” She batted her eyelashes.

“No,” he replied sternly. “My job is to protect Mara.”

“Can’t you protect her from over there?” She pointed to a table across the room.

“No.” Theo’s tone was final.

“Ugh, fine. Sit with us. When we start talking about tampons, cover your ears.” She led us back to the table she had originally picked.

“Ew.” Theo wrinkled his nose like the idea of tampons was totally repulsive.

Boys.

Adelaide sat down, and I sat across from her. Theo sat beside me.

Adelaide looked at her older brother, a bit of waffle dangling off her fork as it hovered near her mouth. “You’re really going to sit here, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he said, unfazed.

Adelaide rolled her eyes. It must run in the family. She turned her attention to me and asked, “We should be learning together since we’re the same age. I’ll be eighteen in a month.”

“When does this learning start?” I asked, feeling my nerves bubble inside me.

“A week,” Adelaide replied, gliding a bite of waffle around in the syrup.

“A week?” I repeated, stunned. “But I’m not eighteen yet—and you won’t be, either.”

“They spend some time reviewing our origins and the histories. It’s usually a refresher for most, but for you, it’ll be your first time hearing them.”

“So, it’s like being in school then?”

“Sort of.” Theo bit off a piece of bacon and chewed. “Think of it maybe more as getting certified for a job.”

“Like an electrician?” I questioned, my brows furrowed.

He snapped his fingers together. “Exactly.”

Adelaide rolled her eyes. “Except a lot more fun—I mean, we get to use magic; how cool is that?”

“Actually, I guess it’s more like getting tutored,” Theo mused, his finger tapping against his lip. “It’s not like an actual school—I mean there are some out there certainly, but when you’re living in a safe house you learn here. A lot of the people here can’t risk leaving.”

“Are they like me then? Chosen?”

“Not most of them. Some are children of exiled enchanters—those that either chose to turn their backs and go to The Iniquitous or were killed in battle—so it’s safer for them here. Unlike the human world, enchanters aren’t thought of as adults until they’re twenty.”

“I feel like all these people will think I’m so stupid,” I mumbled, looking around the room.

I spotted a few kids my age, several adults, and even some children.

There weren’t a lot of people living here, at least not in this room, but it was still enough to see my complete and utter humiliation once the time came to learn. I hadn’t grown up knowing what I was and I doubted I’d be good at this whole enchanter thing. I’m sure I’d be the laughing stock of this place in no time.

“No, they won’t, doll face,” Theo said adamantly. “And if anyone says anything, it’s my job to protect you.” He smirked like I was oh so lucky to have him.

Adelaide’s jaw dropped. “I totally didn’t believe her when she said you called her doll face.” She leaned across the table and shook Theo by his collar. “Hello? Alien inside my brother? Yeah, you. Can you get out?”

Theo plucked his sister’s hands off his shirt easily. “Adelaide, I’m fine.”

“That’s what the alien would say,” she hissed like it was a secret. Theo shook his head sending his black curls flying. “Ugh, here comes the witch,” muttered Adelaide turning toward the doors, “in every sense of the word.”

Theo cursed under his breath and disappeared.

Naomi glared in my direction before doing a quick scan of the dining hall and leaving once more. I was pretty sure I knew who she was looking for.

“Is she gone?” asked Theo as his head bobbed up from under the table, only his black curls and eyes peeked over the top.

“She’s gone,” I confirmed.

He sighed and climbed back on the bench.

Adelaide shook her head, her lips pursed. “Brother, you’ve got to set her straight.”

“I’ve tried,” groaned Theo. “She doesn’t listen. I think she’s already planning our wedding.”

Adelaide giggled. “You? Married?”

Theo rolled his eyes.

“What?” She shrugged. “It’s not like you’re allowed to date, and you’re certainly not allowed to get married. Besides, who would want to marry you?” she said in her deep monotone voice.

“Apparently Naomi,” I injected.

Adelaide laughed. “Well, she’s crazy, so she doesn’t count.”

“Why are we even talking about this?” snarled Theo.

“Because it’s so much fun,” she sing-songed.

“You know what else is fun?” he asked in a too-sweet voice.

“What?” Adelaide asked.

“My foot in your—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” I interjected, shutting them up. “Can’t we be civil?”

“No,” snarled the dark-haired siblings simultaneously.

“Well then,” I sighed and decided to ignore them. They continued to banter back and forth while I ate my food. I finished my breakfast and stood to leave.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you going?” asked Theo, grabbing my arm.

“To get rid of my plate.” I pointed to an area where I could see others handing their plates over to be cleaned.

“You need to stick with me,” he growled, his eyes darting around like I was in imminent danger.

“I’m just going right over there.” I pointed again like he was too dense to get it. “You can see me. I don’t think I’m going to be attacked right here in front of all these people. Besides, I was alone last night. You don’t need to be with me every second.”

Adelaide snorted. “He slept outside your room last night.”

“What?” I gasped. Theo paled and looked away but he didn’t lessen his grip on my arm. “You slept outside my room? Why?”

Theo shook his head and let go of my arm.

“Are you going to follow me to the bathroom too?” I asked, incredulous.

“Yes, I will. I’ll stand right outside the door,” he growled. “If you need to go there’s one right over there.” He nodded in the direction and I saw the sign for a men’s’ and women’s’ bathroom.

“You’re unbelievable.” I stormed off to get rid of my plate. Theo was close on my heels.

“It’s my job,” he ground out. “I’m sorry if my doing my job makes you so angry.”

I handed my plate over to the lady who was collecting them and grabbed Theo by his t-shirt, pulling him into a corner.

“What’s your problem?” I asked, and he smirked as he crossed his arms.

He let his arms drop. “It’s my job to protect you,” he said, leaning in closer. He rested his arm above my head against the wall. My heart stuttered and skipped a beat. I inhaled to clear my senses but it didn’t help because his scent engulfed me.

“I get that, but there’s more. What’s going on?” I snapped, hoping he didn’t notice how affected I was by his presence.

His gray eyes bored into me, and I began to think he wouldn’t answer but, eventually, he said, “I don’t know.”

“I understand that you’re trying to do your job but can you just … back off?” I pushed his chest so he would take a step back. I could feel the perfect chiseled hardness of his muscles. He didn’t move.

Instead, he leaned down so his mouth was against my ear. “Do I make you feel unsettled?”

“N-N-No,” I stuttered, my pulse pounding, “you don’t.”

He smirked. “And you’re a liar.” I kicked his shin. He stepped away. “That hurt,” he accused but seemed unfazed.

“You deserved it,” I huffed and returned to the table. Adelaide’s eyes were glued to us. I could hear Theo’s chuckle behind me.

I sat down, and Theo continued to stand. “If your temper tantrum is over, would you like to go visit our favorite friend Mr. Antonescu?”

I sighed. “Not really.” I got the shivers just thinking about him. He hadn’t been what I’d call friendly last night.

He chuckled. “Well, sorry, but you don’t have much choice. He wants to speak with you for some ungodly reason. Honestly, I think the fellow likes the sound of his own voice a little too much.”

“I better get this over with, shouldn’t I?”

“’Fraid so,” Theo replied with a smile that was less than excited.

“I’ll see you later,” I muttered to Adelaide as I followed Theo.

Her inquisitive look did not go unnoticed.