The Phoenix Society

Chapter 25

Small chatter filled the large, eloquent dining hall as I took my seat beside Laken. Four long, mahogany filled the grand space, allowing a space for all the assassins here. Unlike the dimly lit halls outside out bedrooms, the dining hall was full of natural light flowing in from the enormous, paned, windows covering the entire north side of the wall. Giant portions of eggs, bacon, potatoes, sausage, and fruit sat in wooden bowls in the center of each table. While I had been at the Estate for a while now, I still was not used to the large portions of food they provided each day. I filled my plate high with eggs and a spoonful of the mango, grape, banana, fruit mixture. My eyes wandered the food as I contemplated adding anything else to my plate.

"I tried talking to her last night," Marley spoke from beside me. Her vibrant blond hair was pulled into a messy bun allowing her eyes to sparkle from the sunlight shining through the windows. "she wouldn't say a word to me."

I rolled my eyes as I plopped back down beside my brother who had piled his plate with sausage and bacon. "She'll talk when she's ready."

"I'm just worried about her." Marley said stuffing a scoop of potatoes in her mouth. She glanced over at Banks who was sitting silently on the other side of the table. "Maybe you should try and talk to her."

Banks snorted, "I'm sure I'm the last person she wants to see right now."

My mouth twitched, I'm surprised no one has caught on yet. She missed bowling yesterday, in fact no one saw her leave her room yesterday, and now she is missing breakfast. She was clearly avoiding someone, although at this point, I wasn't sure whether it was me or Banks. Sensing my movement, Marley glanced in my direction. I shrugged, stuffing a lump of eggs in my mouth.

"What happened?" She asked quickly, then turned back to Banks. "What did you do?"

"Why do you always assume I did something?" He asks slightly offended.

"Because you usually do."

"What did I miss?" Elias asked, making his way over to us. He ruffled Lakens hair as he passed him. Elias looked flustered as he sat. His hair, which was usually slicked back, was slightly askew, like he forgot to do it. His face was bright red with beaded sweat forming at the top of his forehead. He wore a ratty old sweatshirt, fraying from each end and the same jeans he had on yesterday. Overall, he just looked very disorganized and frazzled, something I have never seen on him before. I wasn't the only one who noticed either. Banks cocked his head slightly sideways as Elias situated himself beside him.

Marley didn't seem to notice however as she continued to speak, "Have you seen Lillian?"

"Yeah," Elias nodded, taking a sip of water. "I just saw her. She was headed to the PIT. Said she had a new lead on Monroe." Marley glared at Banks, causing Elias to shift in his seat. He obviously didn't know anything was wrong. "Why? Is everything okay?"

"You did something!" Marley accused. Banks groaned, hanging his head down. He ran his fingers through his messy hair, pulling as they got slightly stuck at the ends. I smiled to myself, it was nice to see that he still hasn't found a brush.

"Mar, it's really none of your business, okay?" Banks's snapped. His eyes were pleading, begging for someone to change the subject. I picked at my fruit quietly, my eyes watching my fork pierce in and out of each piece. Marley looked shocked. She slouched over in her seat, before shoving a forkful of eggs in her mouth. The cheerful mood of the morning had quickly shifted.

"Do you think you could teach me to fight?" Laken spoke up to no one in particular. It took me a minute to realize that he was being serious. I tilted my head as I looked at my little brother. I couldn't imagine him in a fight against people bigger and stronger than he was.