Assassin (Book 1)

THIRTEEN

 "You rat, let go of my sandwich!" Charlotte yelled, smacking Aland's hand.

"What? You said I could have it!" Aland yelled back, recoiling.

"Take mine," I offered, handing him the plate.

"Adalia, he's eaten four already and you've only taken a bite. You should eat it," Lance said, shooting a look at Aland who dropped the plate and hastily set it back in front of me. I laughed.

"Wait . . . Adalia? I thought your name was Kristina?" Charlotte asked.

Lance winked at me. Heat rushed to my face. "Just eat," he said.

"No, no," I patted Lance's arm, "I'm fine." I returned the sandwich to Aland who refused to eat it.

"Lance will kill me, just watch him if I take it. He's my spar partner," Aland narrowed his eyes at a proud Lance.

"I'll make sure he won't," Charlotte and I said in unison, and I turned to her, raising an eyes. She suddenly found a keen interest in her plate.

"Well then I am good," he grinned and took a bite.

"Ugh, she bit from that side," Darren swatted the back of Aland's head. He choked on his food.

"No'ody ca'es," Aland said through a full mouth and I laughed.

"You're a crazy lot," I shook my head, taking a sip of water. I was very unlucky though because at the same time, Darren tried to make me laugh and he accomplished his goal, but it was very poorly planned because the water spurted out of my mouth and soaked him.

Charlotte, Lance, and Aland were in a fit of laughter by then, slapping the table with their hands and leaning backward in their chairs. Over their heads I saw Demetria watching us carefully, sitting alone.

"Lance, would you call her over here?" I asked as his laughter ceased.

"Who, Demetria?"

"Who else? I can't ask, she won't listen to me, but she'll listen to you for sure."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Trust me."

Lance sighed and stood up, walking over to Demetria discreetly. I elbowed Charlotte and pointed at them and she giggled.

I saw Lance pointing at us. I smiled. Demetria shook her head once and smiled at him, which actually made her look beautiful. Lance tugged on her arm and then she was up, nodding, and I covered my mouth to hide the smirk I felt on my face.

"Ooooh," Charlotte whispered. "Does Lance know?"

"I let it slip a couple of times. But now that I think about it," I frowned, "I'm not sure he was even listening."

"Excuse me?" Aland said, leaning closer. "We may act as if we don't know anything but we hear and see more than girls do. We just don't talk about it as much and try to ignore, unlike you hens."

"Excuse me?" Charlotte hissed.

"Shhh! She's here." Aland kicked her under the table who scowled in return.

Lance sat next to me and I stood up, picking my plate. "Sit here. I'm done anyway."

She stared at my face. "Its fine, I'll sit over there." She pointed to the right side of Charlotte who sat on the other end of the table.

"No, sit here." I urged.

"Really, it's alright—"

She sat stiffly as I handed my plate to the nearest girl with an apron and made my way to the seat next to Charlotte and Darren, Aland on the opposite side.