Re: Penthouse Level: 12:00 am
The Beast was the first thing Ella noticed when Rosalie moved past her, (how could it not be?) and she had started backing toward the stairs instinctively. Something inside her knew it was Daniel, but another part that was much more present in this moment was telling her to run. Father had said she didn't need to stay, and the Beast hadn't actually told her to, and if she just backed away slowly, and oh, God, how tall was he?
When Red and the wolf ran by, they were within inches of her, and when Daniel followed and slid toward the stairs, she had the good sense to back away, eyes wide as saucers. She shot Rosalie a look, and she tried to lecture herself. You're Ella. You're not someone from a fairy tale. You aren't even from this fairy tale, and-
Then Vlad spoke. That drew forth some recognition. She didn't like him, and he didn't like her. And he was Dracula. Dracula. She had to warn Helena, and-
When he moved toward her, her chin tipped up defiantly. The Beast was blocking the stairs down, and Dracula and his fangs were advancing on her. She felt trapped, and she looked back at the staircase heading to the roof.
Very slowly, very deliberately so as not to draw too much attention to herself, she backed up slowly, then she climbed one step, then another, then another.