Catalyst

Chapter 29

warnings: Language, Violence

Chapter 29:
402 A.V; Month 11; Day 8

When I woke up, I sleepily reached over to the other side of the bed. My fingers met purchase with cold and empty sheets so I opened my eyes. Andon was nowhere to be found. He wasn't even in the bathroom. Out of curiosity, I pulled myself up and walked downstairs. The first thing I noticed was Sabre lounged against the kitchen counter, reading one of the strange papers. I couldn't actually imagine him reading anything, so it was strange to see him intently focused on something that wasn't dying or being tortured in some manner.

Jamie was sitting on the couch, along with Klider and Flint. Ayal was sitting at the table with Priam to his left at the head of the table. Maxine was missing and so weren't Storm and Andon.

"There's the little princess," Priam growled as I made my way down the steps. Something was off about him, though, like I'd completely betrayed him. Ayal turned and gave me a suggestive smile.

"Did you have fun last night?" Sabre looked up, green eyes cold.

"Don't talk to her you worthless piece of shit." Ayal turned back and shrugged.

"I was just asking."

"Meaning you wanted to secretly know how good Andon was in bed," Sabre snapped back at him, "But nothing happened, right Alloy?"

"Right, Sabre," I said and found a seat beside Klider who was looking concerned.

"Do you know if Andon had time to talk to Priam this morning?" I asked quietly.

"No. What happened last night?"

"A whole bunch of stuff," I answered, "To put it shortly, I left the party and Andon found me. He brought me to the roof, we danced, Priam found us, Priam did his thing and took me. I managed to talk him into believing that I wanted him in some manner, I came back and told Andon, but he must've done something because I can feel Priam glaring at me." Klider looked perturbed and glanced back at Priam.

"Yeah, he could probably light you on fire right now if he wanted."

"Do you know where Andon went?"

"Somewhere with Storm this morning." We were quiet for a moment and I watched the morning gossip. I was there of course, splashing Viria's drink on her and talking to Elario.

"How are you, though?" Klider asked after a moment, "With all this going on?"

"Stretched thin."

"I couldn't imagine," he murmured, "If there's anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask." I was about to keep talking when I felt Sabre approach behind me, it was just the way the hair went up on the back of my neck. He put his hands on the back of the couch.

"Get dressed, I'll take you somewhere to get breakfast."

"Why?" He leaned down so he could speak near my ear.

"Because Andon and I had a brief chat this morning," he said, "He wanted me to accompany you to whatever restaurant you always go to for a longer chat." He had? He hadn't told me anything about it.

"Did he talk to Priam?"

"Briefly. I was too far away to hear, but whatever he said dear old dad didn't like."

"Sabre," Priam barked, "Leave her alone." I saw Klider's scowl and even Jamie's head turned, his blank eyes focusing on us. Sabre laughed quietly and stood.

"Why?"

"Don't question me," Priam snapped back.

I stood up and walked past Sabre, taking the steps two at a time. Andon had obviously made it clear to Priam that he knew what had gone on and that he wasn't hiding our relationship anymore. It wasn't fake. However, I just wished Andon would've told me what was going on, rather than make it a whole damn mystery. I dressed into a simple t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. I combed my hair and put it back in it's normal braid before walking back downstairs. The air was tense and Sabre was waiting by the door. He ushered me out and closed the door behind us.