SCOLD

CHAPTER 10: THE BATTLE

The cars driving by in the distance and the singing birds in the backyard are what woke me up the following day. Sometime in the night Terence came to my room and slept in bed with me. His chest rose and fell so peacefully, that it made me crave him more every day. I hovered my hand over his body and felt the energy and life flow threw him. It was so weird I pulled away quickly. Then the thoughts circled my horror memories of having visions of his death and the bittersweet joy of me killing Loren. I tiptoed out, forgetting the creaky board near my door, he stirred but didn't wake.

I head to the kitchen as one would do when they are hungry and have 20-plus people in their home. Breakfast was going to be on everyone's mind, well most I would assume. The house cooking staff and chefs from some of the SPN houses had to of gotten up before dawn to prepare for such a feast. There was so much food. Eggs, bacon, home fries, sausage, pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal, and the list goes on.

"Good morning, Genevieve. What can I get for you?" one of the SPN chefs asked. I recognized him from battle selection but couldn't put a name to him.

"Nothing right now. I'll wait for the others. Thank you?" I responded with a questioning voice for a name.

"Jonah. Strength House chef." He answered after looking up briefly. I nodded.

"Well thank you for preparing breakfast for us, also along with the others," I said a little louder. Heads turned and nodded. When I went back to the living room, several Acealmanians were up and waiting for instructions. Katie came over.

"Hey, most of us don't know what to do. So, we are waiting for you to tell us," She whispered trying not to be a nuisance.

"Breakfast is almost done. There are two bathrooms near the ballroom. Everyone can wash up and sit wherever in the ballroom. I believe the house staff have tables arranged. Breakfast is a buffet so there are lots for all," I announced to those who were up already. I guided the rest who came in later to do the same. All my brothers helped in some way. Housing kitchen staff and SPN chefs came out with the food little by little. I waited for everyone to be in the ballroom, not realizing Shawn and Terence were talking but in a group with Harry, Blair, Ben, Tom, and Katie. No fights, for now, that was good. Then again, the guys didn't know much about each other, so why brawl?

Tyler was the OCD member of the family, making sure all the tables had cutlery and glasses, etc. There was a head table for my brothers and me, while each house or two had their table but they sat wherever. Jason came out of the kitchen with the kitchen staff and Jonah, waited for silence and said,

"In an orderly fashion, you all may go get some food now." The creaking of chairs along the floor was the only sound for a couple of minutes. I joined in near the end, my appetite died all of a sudden. Shawn sat next to me when he came back. I love my brothers so much I would die for them. I'm broken and overwhelmed by the terror that lies days ahead of us.

"I see you have been civil with Terence and some of the others. proud of you Shawn," I pointed out, but his silent nod made me feel uneasy. After a moment Terence sat on the other side of me, also with a grim look. "Both of you have nothing to fight about. Please behave. If you have an issue, do it somewhere else." I added.

After defusing the tension with Terence and Shawn, I glanced out the window to notice Connor and his father standing on the other side of the fence watching in the ballroom. My eyes dart to Jason and Mark. I stared at Mark until he looked my way, then mouthed "Connor." He casually got up and came over. I swallowed and eyed the window. He also glanced out, back to me, and nodded. Jason and Adam came over shortly after.

"We need to create a diversion, so the others don't get alarmed," I whispered with deadly calm. Elves have heightened hearing so a split second later all elven eyes were on me from all over the room. Without hesitation, I grabbed my water and pretended to choke on it for a few moments. Concern was in the room for sure and it was good enough. I continued coughing into the kitchen and out the back door. One followed because I said I was fine, just needed some fresh air. I double-checked for the following before heading out near the fence.