I heard noises. There are heavy footsteps and a lot of sighing. I also heard loud hitting of metals and pans. The smell of garlic and grilled meat filled my nostrils. My mouth watered from the delicious smell. Food!
I opened my eyes to see that I am in a house with high ceilings and walls made of stone. Using my arms, I got up from the soft couch and sat still. I winced because my head is killing me. As if I'm not in enough pain, my stomach grumbled.
“She's awake!” A jolly voice approached me. It was Gideon. On his right was Daniel and on his left was Ambrose.
“Are you okay? You fainted.” Gideon asked with worried eyes.
“Yes. I'm fine. Where am I?” I found out that I am now dressed in a robe. Daniel's shirt is nowhere to be seen.
“You're in Emberton.” Ambrose answered as he pressed his lips.
Emberton? I know nothing of such a place. My head started spinning when I tried to recall what happened to me. I only remembered falling asleep in the woods.
“Emberton?” The unfamiliar word rolled out of my mouth.
Ambrose ignored my question, “It's our turn to ask. Who are you and what were you doing out in the woods alone?”
My brows furrowed, “I don't remember what happened.”
They started glancing at each other's faces, as if they're communicating with just their eyes. They are probably thinking if I am lying or something. I admit no one will probably believe me at this point. They just found me naked in the woods. That scene itself is just strange.
“She's telling the truth.” I heard Daniel spoke to Ambrose.
“What's your name, young lady?” Ambrose asked. He sounded as if our age gap goes way long but gazing at his face, he practically looked young and just my age.
“It's Feyre. Feyre Wells.” I chewed my lips, nervously.
Ambrose raised his brow, "My name is Ambrose. I think you already know their names but this is Daniel, Gideon and the one who carried you was Izaac. He's not here at the moment." He pressed his lips into a thin line.
I nodded, taking in the new information he said. Ambrose feels way older than me because of his way of talking and his calculated movements; His smooth flow of talking made me want to nod and obey his orders. His aura was oozing of strong authority. I could already see why these men respect him. He makes rational decisions like a true leader and he's not lacking in goodness either for he's been too nice to help a stranger like myself.
“Well, it's nice meeting you all.” I put up a genuine smile.
“You are not from here, are you? Where are you from?” Ambrose pushed the question, wanting a stern answer from me.
“I'm sorry, I don't know. I don't remember anything but my name.” My sight dropped on the floor, feeling disappointed at myself.
“Certainly, you were running away or you were simply lost. Which was it?” Ambrose fixed his glasses as he sat in front of me with crossed legs.
“I couldn't tell. If I even try to remember, my head hurts like hell.” I answered truthfully. Well, there's no point in lying to them.
“That sucks.” Daniel commented with a scoff. He sat on the couch next to me.
“Well if that's the case. All this questioning is pointless. You'll have to stay until your memories come back. Surely, your problem isn't permanent. You'll be able to retrieve your memories. Just give it time.” Was all Ambrose could say and then he excused himself to his office.
“But where is Emberton?” I managed to ask the two remaining men here in the living room.
“It's an old town here, also known as the town of bloodsuckers.” Izaac who just came in answered my question. His hair is a bit wet and disheveled. I could see he's gone off to clean himself. He's now wearing a white shirt and dark pants.
Izaac walked towards the kitchen with ease, hands were kept inside his pockets. He looked as if he's about to strangle anyone at the moment. His aura is very different from Ambrose although they somehow share the quiet type. Izaac is not as sharp as he looks, he strides with ease. He's reckless and cruel. He is just pure evil.
“Bloodsuckers like vampires?”
Izaac nodded, “Yes.”
I was about to strike another question when a yell from the kitchen interrupted my thoughts.
“Hey! Food is ready!” Someone yelled from the kitchen.
“Are you hungry? You should eat. Sage cooked something.” Gideon helped me get up.
Sage? There's another male. Hah. Great.
Gideon filled my plate with grilled meat and some greens. He also offered a glass of water. They stare at me while I eat and it's seriously uncomfortable.
“What?” I finally asked them
“It’s nothing. Don't mind us. We're just not used to seeing a girl in the house.” Daniel explained, grinning.
I nodded, “I am sorry to intrude. I can be of help to you if you need me. I can do anything. I can cook.”
“We don't really eat human food.” They answered in chorus. Right. They're vampires. They feed on blood. They rely on blood to fuel their body. What do I expect? Feed them with pancakes and eggs?
“Yeah. These pale-skinned jerks don't eat my cooking even if it tastes good.” Sage entered the conversation. He has this disheveled brown hair and amber eyes. Like all the men in this house, he's an eye candy himself. Are there any people here who aren't that attractive?
I smiled at Sage's comment. He's funny. I wonder if they are all the same age or if they live together for a while because they get along quite well. I could see that from the teasing and constant eye rolls.
“Well, I can clean the house?” I smiled, praying they would agree with that one.
I have to offer anything knowing that they are the one who saved my life. I have to pay them something in return. I may not know any of them since I just met them in the woods a couple of hours ago. In all honesty, I don't really trust them but they should not trust me either because I'm also a stranger being invited here in their home. But then again, they are all males here. Part of me just wants to run to that door and sprint like hell. If I consider that my last chance of survival, where would I be going? I don't really have anywhere to go. Besides, I'm still figuring out my mess and the reason I can't seem to remember anything. It's like my memory has been wiped out.
“That would be nice but you are a guest here. Please stay as long as you want. We are enough to keep the house clean anyway.” Gideon smiled at me.
However, no matter what they say I will help myself in serving these gentlemen. I'm not that thick-faced to take advantage of their kindness and hospitality. Perhaps, I will cook and clean here and there.
I finished eating. The food really tasted good. Sage is a better cook than me. That's for sure.
“Are you a vampire too?” I turned to Sage.
As he said earlier, he didn't count himself as one of the vampires so I'm assuming he's not one of them. Also, he did not look as pale as the other four. His eyes were alive unlike the four whose eyes were just I don't know... hollow?
“I'm a werewolf.” Sage replied.
“Damn, I can't believe I just said that line.” Sage cringed and let out a strained bark of laughter.
“That's fascinating.” My lips parted in awe.
Knowing that these people are all inhumane and predatory species did not scare me. It's like a familiar piece of information to my brain.
“What can you do then? Do you shift on full moons?” My tone couldn't hide the curiosity and amusement.
Sage let out a husky chuckle and yes, it is sexy as hell. I saw a movement on my side. It was Izaac's intense gaze darted towards Sage like he's going to rip him open anytime now.
Daniel noticed that, “Uh, Feyre? Do you want to tend to your room?”
“I would love to!” I muttered a thank you before following Daniel up the stairs.
Everything here is so antique and dusty. Did Gideon say something about having enough people cleaning this house? He's a darn liar! This place needs serious cleaning.
Daniel beside me held back a laugh. I turned to him, bewildered if he's going crazy or what. His laughter erupted loudly that it almost echoed onto the whole second floor of this mansion.
“Are you alright?” I asked him
“Yes. I also agree. Gideon is a darn liar.” He wiped a tear from his eye, cackling.
My eyes widened. “Can you read my mind?”
If he does, I'm seriously dead. I'm the type of person who keeps their thoughts to themselves. So I kind of have a wide imagination. Ridiculous as I describe my mind.
“Something like that. I can hear thoughts.” Daniel explained
“Don't worry. I won't tell the others.” He winked, a smile stretched to his lips.
“You better not or just simply don't try to hear my thoughts again.” He only replied with a playful smirk. Is that a yes? Or maybe not.