Over Powered

Chapter 9

Alaina quietly fallowed Alex as he led her through the crowd of people. She listened to him as he talked about the different people at the dinner party and the music that was playing. She curtsied when Alex introduced her to people and smiled when they complemented her. Eventually Alex and Alaina had made it to the back of the room where the food was being kept.

Alaina went to pick up a plate but, Alex stopped her by putting his hand over hers. When she looked at him questionably, he leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"It would be better if we shared a plate, I don't know how people here would react to you being treated as an equal." Alex explained. "Wouldn't want to start too much trouble, my dear Raven."

Alaina nodded in understanding and stepped back while Alex grabbed a plate and asked Alaina what she wanted. He piled it onto the plate along with a few things for himself. After he was done he offered Alaina his arm again and continued back into the crowd to socialize.

After meeting a few more people, and sneaking food off of Alex's plate when no one was looking, a man walked up to Alaina and looked her up and down.

"May I borrow your friend?" He asks Alex while looking at Alaina.

"Um," Alex said looking at Alaina for her permission. She tilted her head to gesture it was fine and took the man's offered hand.

Alex stood back and watched as Alaina was half dragged to the dance floor. Alaina was then pulled into a dance position and fallowed as the man across the dance floor.

"Your friend takes good care of you." The man says.

Alaina nods in response.

"Do you know why that is?" The man asks again.

"No, sir." Alaina responds politely.

"He is a strange man that one." The man said. "Always treating poor people like they are actual people, not like they are lesser equals."

Rage built up inside of Alaina but she masked it by pretending to trip and looking down at her feet.

"A little clumsy, aren't you." The man smirked. "Do you dance often?"

Alaina shook her head no but the real answer was yes. She had learned to dance, read, write, do math, draw, even to work with a sword when she went to the tribe. Everyone had been impressed that she had learned everything so quickly. She had been the youngest to graduate school in her tribe.

Alaina looked back up at the man she was dancing with. He looked like he was expecting her to answer.

"What?" Alaina asked.

In return she got a heavy smack to the face. Alaina fell to the ground her cheek burning, where the man had hit her. He now came over and pulled her to her feet.

"When an upper class man is talking to you, you should listen, you little witch." The men hissed before raising his hand to slap her again.

Alaina tried to pull away but the man had an iron grip on her. The man brought his hand down and struck her once again. This time tears formed in her eyes.

"Can you hear me now, witch?" The man laughed. "Do want to answer me now?"

Alaina raised her head look in the man's face. He was smiling but his face was bright red with anger.

"Yes." She whispered.

"Than answer you stupid girl!" The men demanded.

Alaina raised her head with pride and screamed as loud as she could. "Alex!" She cried out. "Help!"