The Masquerade Ball (A tale of Eswor Book 1)

Its worse than I thought

Inspection carried on for another hour or until intermission. This was when everyone could get up and walk around stretching their legs and take a short break. I continued to sharpen my knives and making sure they were perfect. Knife Throwing was the first activity after intermission and I needed to make sure they were sharp enough.

I was inspecting my third knife when I felt someone behind me. I stood up and turned around. I observed the way they stood and their outfits. I raised my eyebrows and put my knives away and placed my hands on my hips. I recognised Seth. Sighing, I put on a fake smile and tried to be polite.

"Can I help you with anything?" I asked.

Seth gave me a cocky smile. "Actually yes you can." His eyes drifted down my body slowly, making me want to throw up. I clenched my fist getting ready to fight.

I cocked my head to the side. "So, what is it that I can help you with?"

Seth smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. It was more threatening, and menacing. "I was just wondering, what's it like being a peasant around Lords and Ladies and acting like you belong here?" I heard snickers from his friends. So this is what he wanted. He wants me to react. But unfortunately for him, I'm used to this coming from him and I'm not going to give him a reaction.

I smiled. "I don't know, so far it really stinks. Oh wait, that's you and you're lame excuse for an insult."

Seth smirked and walked closer to me. "If your brother was still alive, I bet he would be whoring around with all of the girls wouldn't he?" I clenched my hands into a fist, seething. "Your father would've left your mother anyway if the pirates hadn't taken her away and raped her." Seth looked at me. He always brought up my parents. He just couldn't have one conversation without mentioning them.

I forgot to be polite and went to punch him, but I was pulled back and Seth's goons got the knives away from me. I squirmed under the boy's hold, but it was no good. Even if I had more muscle then a regular girl, I was still smaller then all of them.

I spat at Seth's feet and looked up at him. "What are you really here for?"

Seth shrugged and clasped his hands behind his back. "I was bored."

"Don't make fun of my family. I told you this last time." I snarled.

It's surprising actually, how this arena was filled with people and no one was paying attention. Seth smirked and leaned in close, so I could feel his breath on my face.

"You know Kava, you're a pretty little thing. Maybe we could have some fun tonight?" He was a monster that wanted to chew me up and spit me back out.

I glared at him. "Like anyone would want to sleep with the likes of you. You're just like your father Seth. Hell, both of you just enjoy screwing girls over."

The horn sounded, signalling that intermission was over, but they didn't let go of me.  Seth smirked as he watched me glare at him. He stepped closer to me and sighed. "You've tried so hard to hide the fact that you're slowly dying." My eyes widened as he stepped closer. "Maybe I'll just help." He landed a punch to my stomach. I gasped and crumpled to the floor as he and his goons walked away laughing.

I was on my knees and started coughing up blood. Alder saw me and ran over to me. "Kava? Kava! What's wrong?" he crouched down and moved the hair from my face. "Are you sick? You look really pale." He looked at the ground and saw blood. "You're coughing up blood." I grabbed onto his arm and looked up at him. I couldn't even form a sentence. Instead I turned my head and threw up on the ground. "I'll go get Cole."

I pulled my knees to my chest and took a few deep breaths. I stood up and grabbed my knives. I just need to get through this and then I need to talk to Kinnley, no Cole, anybody. Just someone. I buckled the belt of knives on me and stumbled to the target area.