Chapter 49

Valerie

“He’s lying,” I muttered.

I hadn’t realized I’d said anything at all, until the room fell silent. Every set of eyes shifted onto me with uncomfortable regard.

I shouldn’t have spoken out. A slave was not allowed to take part in conversations, particularly when uninvited. And I had most certainly uninvited.

A good slave was meant to play deaf. To act as if we heard nothing and to speak only when spoken to. We were to be flies on the wall—to be present in conversation, but never active unless it was expected of us.

The vampires seemed displeased with my audacity. My heart sank an I lowered my head in a silent apology, my heart doubling at the thought of how I might be punished.

“What was that?” asked Lucas. He sidled closer, a smirk on his face. “You had something to say, little bird?”

I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I didn’t want to press the issue any more. I just wanted to return to Xavier’s castle. I wanted to sleep in that warm bed and watch the sun rise through the lovel