Fallen

Chapter Twenty-Four

Hayden

I didn't have a lot of time to mope. Just shortly after Isaac left Angela came scurrying back in. 

"I have been sent here to prepare you for dinner with the Master."

"Why do I have to do anything different?"

"Sit up." I feel a piercing pain in my wrist.  I look down and see a red welt forming across my wrist. The bitch had thwacked me with a stick.  I straighten my posture.

"Now when the king or queen is speaking to you, you look he or she in the eye.  You always listen to what they are saying and you never talk without being spoken too."  Angela continues.  She may have been small and young, but she was fierce.  "Lastly, you do not leave the table or the room without being dismissed.  Understood?"

I nod.

"Good.  Prince Isaac will be by the room in five minutes to pick you up."  She turns to face me before leaving the room.  "I also was told to tell you, that if you fail to abide by these rules, you will be severely punished."  I swear I see fear in her eyes as she leaves.  But then again, it could have just been a trick of the light.

Right on time, five minutes later, Isaac waltzed into the room.  He is wearing a black suit with his hair falling naturally around his face.  He looked half-decent.

He links his arm with mine, to my resent, and begins to lead me down the hall.  The hallway was just as extravagant, if not more, than my room.  It reminded me, once again, of a medieval style castle, but out here you could tell it was underground.  The ceiling was extremely high and long tapestries hung from the walls.  Each one displayed an image, some too gruesome to describe.  I move my gaze to the path in front of me, keeping an eye out for some sort of exit.  However, before I know it we round the corner and enter a larger cavern like room.  Filled tables were everywhere, but no one was eating.  A few, what I think were servants, stood around holding glasses and food ready to serve.  And all eyes were on us.  They were all waiting for us.

As soon as we enter everyone in the room stands up.  We make our way over to a table in the front where two people already sit and when we sit down everyone bows or curtsies.  It was weird.

I look around the room at all of the people.  In the middle at the table seemed like hundreds, if not thousands, of Fallen Angels all with jet black hair and glowing eyes.  And they all seemed eager.  Around the edges holding platters  waiting for their cue were servants.  What scared me the most about them all was that they all appeared to be human.  I want to search the room for a familiar pair of brown eyes, but I restrain myself.  I didn't know if I could take it.

I felt myself tense up as I recall Angela's warning.  Would they really punish me if I didn't act exactly how she told me to act?  I straighten my posture. 

I watched as Isaac's parents examined me.  The King's harsh gaze is exactly what I expected.  Isaac seemed different around his parents.  He didn't seem as shy.  The Queen seemed motherly.  Not as warm and welcoming as my mom and Olivia, but still less harsh than the King.  Her dark hair hung in a long loose braid down her back.  Her gold eyes seemed powerful, but not too mean.  And I couldn't deny the fact that she was beautiful.

"Did you find your room comfortable?"  She asks, apparently noticing my stare.  I remember Angela's warning.  I look down at my hands; however the Queen just seems amused.

"Yes," I lie.  She did just address me right?

"Where is our food?"  The king bellows angrily.  "I have work I need to be doing."

The queen reaches next to her and touches her husbands hand comfortingly.  Did she actually love him? 

"I'll go get one of the servants now."  She stands up and I see her long elegant black gown.  If my friends didn't save me would I have to wear one of those every day?  There were too many questions.

The Queen walks over to the nearest human, a girl with pretty dirty blond curls, and taps her shoulder slightly.  I watch as the girls eyes go wide in which I can't tell if it is out of fear or excitement.  Two polar opposites that are so, so similar.  The girl seems to loosen up when she sees its the Queen.  The Queen gives her a soft smile before leaning in and whispering something in her ear.  The girl nods before scurrying off.  Not seconds later food was served. 

I watched as people piled various foods on my plate.  Steaks, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, and I even think they poured wine into my glass.  I take a quick sip and confirm my suspicion.  I make a quick note not to drink any of that because I needed to be completely aware of my surroundings while I was here.  I didn't want anyone taking advantage of me.

That's when I see him.  At first it's just a flash of sandy colored hair, but when I turn to see who had rushed by, I see his complete frame.  It was Colton.

At that moment I honestly had no idea what came over me.  The two of us made quick eye contact and I feel my hand reach up to my necklace.  No matter what happens, I love you, he had told me.  Lies.  I break all of Angela's rules as I throw my chair back and storm over to him.  I feel my hand ball into a fist and then I swing.  I hear a sickening crunch as I connect with his jaw.  I'm not sure if it is my fingers or his face, but I was too worked up to care.  I let him see the hate in my eyes once more before turning around and storming back to my room.