Their attention was directed towards him…it was me.
One of them stepped closer, towering round me. Its voice signaled around as it spoke.
"A human."
It sounded like a curse coming from his mouth.
My heart race picked up, panic could be seen in my eyes.
"She has crossed realms," another spoke. "She has witnessed our domains."
My heart hammered loudly even more, my hands were shaky, and they could tell.
"It was a big misconception… I promise I didn't see anything, no one will ever know I laid foot here." I pleaded.
"No one can unsee what the realm has shown." A third amongst them replied.
"The law never did a part in hiding that." Their gazes sharpened.
It already seemed to me like I knew the law, the tone… I wasn't going to be let off the hook.
"What's going to happen to me?" My shaky voice echoed through.
Everywhere went silent, I held onto my clothes because I knew it was bad.
"You die." The first one said coldly.
I couldn't keep myself together again, my knees dropped to the ground immediately.
There was no way I could escape a bunch of supernatural beings, and I bet that's not all.
"No," he spoke up.
It was the first time I could sincerely feel the warmth in his voice.
The attention was shifted to him immediately.
"It's his fault," one of them said, "you brought her here.
He clenched his fists.
"I made the mistake," he confessed, "not her."
A step forward, "Then you're fully aware of the consequence."
He breathed out loudly. Everyone leaned in closer.
"I'll do it," he said.
My head snapped.
"Do what?" Unease could be heard in my voice.
He didn't pay any attention to me.
"I'll bond with her, the one you chose for me, the one I once rejected." He declared.
He then looked back at me, no calculated emotion in his eyes.
"Let her go unharmed, unmarked," he paused and then continued, "and guarded till she crosses."
The elders stared at him for a long moment.
"Then so be it." They finally agreed.
Two figures immediately moved to my side, he then moved closer, just enough to block them.
"She'll be delivered safely!" he said in a commanding tone.
They both nodded reluctantly.
In an instant I reached out to him, my fingers brushing his sleeve. "Why?" I asked, "Why help me?"
His expression dropped for a second before it returned to its normal position…like a twitch.
"You were never meant to be chosen," he said, stepping back and retreating into the dark.
I was pulled by the guards.
As I was accompanied into the forest, I saw different creatures, some snarled, some hissed, and some glared, but they couldn't touch me.
I looked back, and he was already gone.
Somehow the forest began to seal behind me.
(Flashback over)
Light passed through the thick curtains, revealing the daylight. I immediately rose from the bed, and in a moment I could feel my whole body detest the movement. My hands weren't at ease, my head pounded, and my limbs were still.
I sat on the bird for a little while longer just so I could get used to the feeling. I unlocked my phone, and all that could be visible were reports, territory alerts, and a handful of unanswered messages. A sign that I have a lot on my table and will be totally busy.
The mansion was quiet, almost too quiet… it wasn't usual but rare.
I stood across from the long table; reports were being announced one by one.
"Two internal suppliers delayed shipment after the attack." Gilda announced.
"Freeze their accounts," I said calmly. "If they're scared, they'll talk. And if they're guilty, they'll run."
Some men were across the table; they watched me and waited for directions. Some were older, young, hefty….
It was noon already, at that time I had already ended one partnership and saved another.
The man sat across from me at the table, sweat visible on his forehead; he kept glancing at the door.
"I've already informed you," he said, his voice right, "I never leak… ".
"I know." I interrupted.
He paused.
"It was your second accountant, right?" I continued my speech before he could reply, "He rerouted the funds through a shell company, he thought I wouldn't detect it."
Silence fell upon the room, I could feel him tremble through his looks.
"It would be wise of you to handle that assistant of yours, Fredrick." I said as I rose from my seat and headed out.
"You're letting him off the hook?" Gilda asked.
"Just for a while, fear is stronger than pain when delivered in the right amount, you know," I stated.
I walked along the perimeters in the woods, it was silent.
My body heightened all of a sudden, it felt like everything was too much for me to feel pain strike through my skin.
I crouched down to my knees trying to resist it, something was definitely wrong.
It all seems familiar, and I have to connect the dots before it's too late!
An invitation was presented sealed in black.
It wasn't paper, it was cardstock thick enough to send a warning. There was no sender's patch on it, just a sigil pressed into the wax: a crowned serpent.
I already knew who it was without the aid of Gilda.
"They're really hosting a party, aren't they?" Gilda asked curiously.
"Yes, they are." Gold lettering, polite, deadly, formal.
A supposed celebration to promote peace?
It almost made me laugh after the long unrest and chase after each other, a peace celebration.
There was no peace for dangerous people like us.
It was far too obvious for me that this was just a test.
The mansion was filled with activity: the tailor, the guards, and the mirrors.
I stood still while I was being dressed in black...the usual not-soft silk. It was sharpened black, with a pitched collar and open back. A slit enough to show anyone there was nothing hidden.
When the knife was rested on my thigh, it felt strange. It has always felt strange, but I felt safe with it.
The knife wasn't visible but was close enough that I could feel it, a heavy reminder.
Gilda looked worried, she obviously didn't want me attending the party due to circumstances and playouts.
"This idea doesn't sit right with me. Many new and unfamiliar players on the list." She crossed her arms.
"That's why I'm attending," I said. "I have to remind myself who I am instead of keeping isolated for a long time."
"What if Canez shows?" She questioned.
"He most definitely will, and I'll remind him," I stated.
The venue was set on the edge of the city near the ocean.
Glass, marble, and bright light nothing wrong ever happened there.
Lots of cars were lined up at the drive luxury, armored, and secretive. Whispers of names as we stepped out. Fake smiles looming on faces.
I felt it! The pressure, the feeling of being watched. It was the same!
Something was going on, I felt the dagger.
"Are you alright?" Gilda inquired.
"I don't even know," I honestly said.
Above us, the big doors were opened.
The same sense and feeling came from inside.
I lifted my chin up.
Whoever it is and whatever they're doing is none of my business.
The doors loomed…
And then I crossed the threshold.