Alfinians Rise

Corca

"You're lying!" Myeela exclaims, "Oh my God, I can't believe you did that!!!" 

"Oh I can, have you met Evi? She's our leader for a reason, and not just because she was at the very top of the class. It's 'cause she's a badass bitch!" Zuili proclaims proudly, saluting me mockingly from across the room. I can't help but laugh from my seated position on one of the two small beds that mostly fill the room as the two go back and forth, picking apart what I told the client and how it all went down. The boys are off in their own world, probably downstairs at the bar drinking themselves under the table as boys do. Normally, I would protest given the early hour in which we have to rise tomorrow morning, but after the long trip, I'm sure some time to blow off steam is much needed and appreciated. 

A big yawn brushes my lips and I arch my back, stretching my arms up towards the ceiling while the two women continue to go back and forth, listing my personal qualities as a leader and attempting to guess what the man's facial reaction was to my rather rude remarks. 

Zuili flops onto the bed she has claimed as her own, the mattress creaking in distress from the sudden force as her bellows of laughter radiate across the room. 

Her smile and laughter that not long ago I found comforting now strike me hard, as the image of her grin as she tortures Brud flash through my mind, silencing my own laughter instantly. I can feel my body grow heavier by the minute as exhaustion begins to take over and anxiety causes my heart to race. I can feel myself start to spiral again, I need to get out of here. 

"Evi? Earth to Evi," Zuili calls out, reclaiming my attention. "Are you alright?" I look up to find two sets of bright eyes tracking my movements. 

"Yeah, I'm just tired," I shrug off as nonchalantly as possible. "Think I'm gonna go ahead and turn in for the night. Goodnight," I say, rising to my feet and crossing to the door before they have a chance to protest. 

Relief floods my body as I lean against the closed door. Raking my fingers through my darkened hair, I attempt to get control over my racing heart before turning down the dimly lit hallway towards my own assigned room. A great perk of being the leader is I get my own room which is much preferred given that my dreams of late have consisted of my many team members as they try to kill me. Yeah, I'll gladly take the single room over questions as to why I wake up screaming and drenched in sweat on a nightly basis. Too many questions would be raised as to why this is still affecting me in this manner. 

I know that I'm being paranoid. My secret is safe. They have no reason to suspect me, but I have to remain vigilant. If I learned anything at all from Brud's death it's that I can't afford the luxury of friends, or let my guard down for a single moment in time.

"You seem awfully deep in thought," a husky voice calls out, capturing my attention. I lift my eyes to find Daxt leaning against my assigned door in all his annoying glory. My eyes narrow. I don't know why he's decided to grace me with his presence but I don't want anything to do with it. 

"I'm tired Daxt. Whatever you want can wait until tomorrow." I say, pushing past him to slide the keycard and open the door. I silently hope he falls over, but to my slight disappointment, he doesn't. Rather, he takes the opportunity to slink through the threshold and slither into the room, leaving me standing in the entryway with a scowl. 

"It won't be long. Mind closing the door? It's pretty drafty out there." He says, none the least bothered to take my feelings into consideration. If only I had the power of laser vision, this man would be melting away by now with how hard I'm glaring at him, maybe even dead. 

I remain in the doorway, arms folded over my chest and leg extended as I impatiently wait for Daxt to say his piece and then leave, all the while keeping the door propped open. No way in hell do I intend on being alone with this asshole behind closed doors. I don't want to give him the ammunition for more inappropriate jokes. He's got enough already.