She's My Prey Episode 9

Chapter 1

SADIE

Iknow I told Renem not to come for me, but after five days, I’m missing him too much. I told him I have a plan – and I do – but it is proving to be so much more difficult than I had previously thought.

I need to get Indor and Gandorf together, and while my betrothed wants to be with me all the time, his father is quite elusive. I was honestly starting to get concerned that I might actually have to act on my fake intentions if I spent any more time with Indor.

Luckily, the zagfer let it slip as they readied me for tonight. They were muttering about how I needed to look perfect because the master would be joining us, too.

I did everything I could to squash the excitement that bloomed in my chest. But I know I must have looked more excited than normal from the looks they were giving me. Hopefully they blamed it on a girl in love, right?

When they leave, I take a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror. I hate the way they do my makeup and hair, highlighting my features in such an odd way and pinning my hair up. But the elves like it, so I say nothing.

The dress they’ve strapped me into leaves little to the imagination. It hugs my curves down my body, so much so that it’s nearly squeezing the breath out of me.

Hopefully like this, Indor won’t be able to think about anything else to realize what I am doing. Gandorf will be tricky to handle given how carefully he scrutinizes me every time I see him, but I think I can be fast enough that he won’t notice either.

Giving my reflection a nod, I head downstairs, and I can’t hide the shock on my face as I find myself descending the stairs at the same time as Monica.

Ever since my return, Monica has been largely forgotten by Indor. When I told her I was taking my place back, that was true, and while I knew she was still in the manor, I hadn’t expected them to call her down for things like dinner with Gandorf.

And even more, I’m shocked to see the madam. How often is she here? Is it just because Monica is a reject that she needs to deal with or is it to keep an eye on me? Either way, the latter is happening, and I can’t afford more eyes on me tonight.

“Monica,” I greet her with a tight smile.

Her eyes narrow and she snaps out, “Sadie.”

“Madam Fleur.” I give her a light tone, like I’m surprised and excited when I am feeling neither. Suspicion is written all over her face in the hardness of her eyes, the strain of her lips, the stiffness of her posture. “How lovely it is to have you joining us.”

She gives me a once over, and I seem to have only made her more interested in me. The one good thing about this, though, is I know the madam will try to hide any of my mistakes if she catches them. She won’t want Indor to have two defects.

And even if she is suspicious, Indor isn’t. He’s been seeking me out, trying to get me in bed, but still. I can tell he thinks nothing of my behavior or absence, and that is exactly what I need.

We enter the dining hall together, and Indoor walks up to me immediately with a wide grin on his face. His eyes are dancing flames that promise intentions I have no desire to fill later.

“Sadie, you look just lovely.”

I smile under his praise even though it makes my skin crawl. “I’m glad you think so.”

From across the room, I see Gandorf watching me carefully, and I grin at him. His answering smirk makes my stomach twist, and everything in my body is screaming at me to run.

I don’t, though. I take the seat across from Indor, between Monica and the madam, and Gandor sits to Indor’s left. Absent-mindedly, I smooth out my dress, hoping no one can see the bump of a small vial hidden in the folds of my clothing.

Really Indor should be more careful of where he takes me. He didn’t see an issue with showing me around his study, and I’m almost certain that he still doesn’t know that he’s missing a vial of poison from his personal collection – what he needs it for, I hope to never find out.

With the madam so close it will be difficult, but I intend on slipping the contents of the vial into Gandorf’s glass. And the sooner, the better.

I track everyone around me, looking for the opportunity, and that’s when the zagfer come in. They start to fill everyone’s wine glass, starting with the madam. It’s perfect, and while I know I may have to pay for this plan, it’s the best I have.

Without even knowing it, Indor sets it up for me perfectly. He reaches across the table, taking my hand. “I have a surprise for you later.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Oh?” I giggle, looking down at the table before lifting my gaze back to him. “What kind of surprise?”

“One I think you are going to love.” He licks his lips and I think everyone at this table can sense his intentions.

I flush with embarrassment and fear swells in my stomach. But I play it off with flirty behavior. “Oh! I can’t wait.” I see the zagfer approach behind me and take my chance. “I think I’m just going to freshen up before–”

I stand up as I speak, knocking right into the elf and spilling wine all over myself. Not ideal, but like I said, it was the best plan I had.

“Sadie!” the madam hisses as she glares at me, and Monica scoffs at the same time. The madam opens her mouth again to reprimand me but Gandorf holds up a hand.

“It’s fine,” he says in a calm tone that seems to suck all the air out of the room.

I smile apologetically at him, and in a frantic tone – that I have worked to perfect with Indor over the past few days – I offer, “Sir, let me serve you, to make up for it.”

His eyes dart from me to the zagfer, and he nods, leaning back as the table is cleared and moped up. That works to my benefit as they remove the wine glasses, and I go to the side table against the wall where the wine and extra glasses are waiting.

With my back to everyone else, I deftly pull the vial free of my dress, empty the contents into the glass, and pour wine in before anyone can see. The zagfer are too busy scrambling to reset the table that no one is paying attention to me, and I set the glass before Gandorf, giving him a smile before taking my seat again.

Indor boasted enough that I know it will take two hours for the poison to start to affect his father, so I have time. I sit quietly, the perfect picture of poise, all through dinner, even as Indor continues his advances.

It isn’t until my third glass when I see Gandorf leaning back, seemingly more relaxed than before. Its effects will start showing soon, and I don’t want to be here for that part. I can only hope they have all forgotten that I was the one that served his wine, and even if they do, the poison is Indor’s. I can blame it all on him if it comes down to it.

I finish my third glass, looking at my mostly empty plate of food, and give Indor a coy grin. “I’m afraid I am quite tired, and I believe I have a headache coming.”

His lips curve down. “You have been plagued by those of late.”

I nod. “Unfortunately, it seems that way. Can we reschedule the surprise?”

He leans back, folding his hands over his stomach as his gaze tracks across my face. There’s a haze in his eyes that alludes to his drunkenness. He’s consumed more wine than anyone else at the table, and I’m afraid of what that means for his behavior.

But then he nods. “Of course. Another time, when you are more rested.”

I make sure my smile looks grateful and whisper, “Thank you.” Standing from the table, I bid everyone a good night and start down the hall toward my room.

But I don’t make it too far before I hear footsteps behind me, and my heart jumps in my throat. Just as I turn to see who it is, I feel an arm lock around my waist and I’m pulled into one of the empty rooms in the hall.

“No!” I cry, but that doesn’t save me as I’m jerked over the threshold.

My heart pounds, and I tremble as I turn to face whoever has followed me. What is going to happen to me now?