Not Without Sin

Chapter Sixteen

'Sabine's Pov'

Before when we were at Oliver's estate, nothing felt different. Of course, I knew I was in a different world but knowing and seeing are two different things. The sky was a blood-red color constantly, as if someone painted it but it was either bright red or dark. The trees, people, smells, and sounds were all clearly different. After I had a freak out on someone recognizing me, both Oliver and Monte calmed me down reassuring me that no one would. We all headed out into the small festive town and Oliver showed us the many shops, stalls, and entertainment that sat on the streets. Now that we were all sitting I felt the need to ask, "So if you are trying to court me then I should know if you have others you're courting as well." I said, in our bond, it felt like Monte was laughing, his amusement was clearly written across his face. "I have only ever courted one other woman and she married my brother. I can promise you are the only person I am courting." He said, I tilted my head to get a good look at him.

"Why would you want to court me? I still don't understand." I said, "I am guessing no one explained how your power and presence pull others in?" He asked, but I looked to Monte, who smiled softly at me. "Everyone's magic no matter how big or small has a presence if you are trying hard enough you can feel it, yours is attractive and bright. It also helps that you're beautiful and kind." Monte said bringing my hand up to his lips and kissing the back of it. I looked at the waiter who came with our food. We were sitting outside a cute stall that sold some sort of meat special to the area, Or at least that is what Oliver said. "Here you are, just wave to me if you all need anything else. Please don't hesitate." The waiter adds looking me in the eyes. I shift uncomfortably but Monte is having none of it, his glare sends the man scurrying away.

"If you aren't too tired maybe I can take you dancing tonight? They are having something in the square tonight." I smile and nod immediately, that sounds like so much fun. When I tasted the meat skewer the waiter brought, I moaned, the taste was so rich mixed with so many spices and so much flavor. "I don't know if it's just in my head but every food I've tasted here has been heaven." I said, when I get no reply I look up and notice everyone staring at me. I feel my cheeks warm, "Yes the food here is made with nutrients that improve your health, from what I've had in the human world it tasted as if they were trying to kill you with grease and fat." Monte said, "I've never been to the human world, I've always wanted to though. I have heard they outlawed slavery." I frown at Nala, "They did but there is still forms of slavery." I said, "African Americans are treated much differently, and many other races condone just about anything to push what they want people to do." I think for a second, "Honestly I think there is slavery no matter where you go," She frowns and thinks for a moment. "What is an African American?" An accent I hadn't realized she had rolled off of her tongue. I laugh shaking my head a little. "It's what I am, in the human world humans look different based on where the human was born and their parents. Africa is a place where the people's skin shade is darker than most, they were taken as slaves to a new country for the lighter the better they were treated." I said, "Our slaves aren't just one race, they are the lower class lesser beings." Nala said, I frown and take her hand hoping to give her some strength.

"My father and his wives all have slaves and most of my siblings but I would never take away someone else's choice like that. I fought in the war with the Orc's and I saw how they treated their slaves and I knew I would never do the same." Oliver said, I feel my eyes widen. "What is an Orc?" I ask. Monte chuckles and leans back into his seat, his hand sat on the back of my neck possessively. "Orc's are green giants that tend to hate anything or anyone who doesn't look like them." I nod imagining what they'd look like. I suddenly felt eye's on my back, turning around I look to see if anyone was looking at me. "Are you alright?" Oliver said, I nod and then feel Monte looking at me. "I'll look into it love, don't worry." He said gripping my chin and kissing me. I smiled and lean into him and get back to enjoying my food.

'Monte's Pov'

I leave Sabine with Oliver at the playhouse while I go and look for who was shadowing us. I spot him and make a turn for one of the alley ways, once he turns the corner I hold my knife to his throat. "Why are you following us?" I whisper, he grunts but doesn't answer. "I don't need to know," I said and just as I was about to shove my knife into his neck I hear someone approaching from behind me. I turn quickly swinging the knife in there direction. "I knew we wouldn't be able to trick you," I roll my eyes and straighten up. "Saint, why did you follow us?" I said, he frowns " You know the council wants her, they would have sent anyone." I laugh, "It doesn't matter what the council wants." I said, Saint holds his hands up, "I came to warn you, they are coming for her. They know too little about her and it's only a matter of time before they send someone else." I sigh taking in his words, "Come on I will ask her how she feels about it all. We also need to figure out where we can take her." I said, Saint follows me inside where Sabine sat holding hands with Nala. "Love, I need to speak with you about somethings." She turns to me with a wide, happy smile.

Her eyes see Saint and I see and feel the fear strike her. "He is not here to take you away love. He came with a warning and I brought him so you can decide what you'd like to do." Oliver moves to stand next to her taking her hand in his. I lead everyone outside of the playroom and into another room where no one but us will enter. "The council will be after you girl, They don't know enough about your power to allow you to walk freely in their world." Saint explains, "It's their world? Do they own it? Did they make it?" I can feel her working herself up, but I know she needs to work on this lingering emotion. "I am sick and tired of people trying to control me. Do you know what their plans are for me once they have me? It must be bad if Monte was willing to up and leave everything he's been taught." I watch her pace back and forth Infront of me. "What can we do? How can I ever live my life if their constantly over my shoulder?" Nala walked up beside her and grabbed her hand in hers to comfort her, but my little nypho got a different Idea from her actions. I could tell that Sabine was going to be someone with many open taste and If she can understand and tolerate mine then I'll happily watch her enjoy herself.
"We could take you to the last living elders?" Oliver said as if he was questioning himself. "The elder's didn't like other's coming and bothering them, they'd have no reason to accept you." Saint said, I roll my eyes at his dramatics'. I wouldn't think twice If she asked me to kill the lot of them and allowed me and Oliver to romance her for the rest of her days. "She is too powerful for them not to at least offer her safe haven." Oliver said, "We don't have to take her to the Elder's we could take her to the eye." I said, everyone stopped moving almost as if I had said something so abnormal they didn't have a proper response. "The eye has a Seer and they had an alliance with the Lunar Queen, she will allow us to stay with her at least until we are able to permanently find somewhere for us to disappear to." I said, I felt Sabine's trust leaking through our bond together. She trusted me to handle the situation, I knew exactly what she needed and in that moment it felt as if someone had electrocuted my heart and she stayed to sew up the pieces. Her trust, so pure and open, I puff my chest out slightly and turn to the group with a determined glare. "Right now is the time to leave, if you no longer want to be here speak now." I pulled out my knife and slit my palm open. "A blood pact is the only way to make sure no one outside of this room knows where we are going." I said, Nala, Oliver, Saint, and the other servant slit their palm and I allow the magic to flow from my veins. My magic comes from the core of who I am, when I am performing magic I use myself as a collateral damage. If my magic is hurt I feel it as if it happened to me.

It's one of the reasons shadows are so Stronge because all of us use our magic the same way unlike others who use their magic as if it was a separate being. After completing the spell the feeling of Sabine's excitement and wonder filled the bond. I keep forgetting that our world is so new to her, I love watching her excitement show on her face. "Though I made the pact I shall travel a distance behind you all." Saint said, Sabine frowned but added nothing to his statement. "No you shall ride with us, make sure to keep your men in check and we will be alright." I said, Saint nodded and quickly made his way out of the room and what I am guessing is to go check on them.

"Shall we love?" I take Sabine's hand in mine and lead her out of the room and back to out Inn. Oliver had chosen one of the best Inn's in the town, there was another show going on inside of the inn that had many of the customer's entertained. "Would you like to watch?" I ask, she smiles up at me with appreciation shown all over her face. I guide her inside and to a booth that sat facing the stage but also the entrance. The show was a group of siren's dancing and showing their magic. Keeping my eyes on the door I watch as Sabine take's in the show and keeps Nala at her side. I also take into account the other servant looking at Nala with jealousy.