Mismatched(A collab with EmeraRider)

Chapter 7

      AUTHOR'S NOTES:  New POV starting from this chapter, occasionally popping in and out...hope you guys like it! :)

                                    --DD32

         It was silent for a few seconds, as everyone was taking it in, that I, the little town girl, had taken down their apparently fierce ruler(it wasn't Minerva..?) .  My heart drummed loudly in my chest, so loud that it was all I heard for those few moments of silence. Blood no longer ran through my veins--fear did.

              The shock did not last long. Whispers turned into shouts, and the once tame crowd was in an uproar. People shouted profanities and drew out weapons. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nathan entering the room, struggling against Gabriel's hold. His dark eyes locked with mine, and I could see the fear in them, and it was then that I knew we were done for. If Halfsoul was terrified, then we had no chances at surviving.

          Minerva stood up from her throne, a fire in her eyes. Her regal air was broken, and instead of being a calm, elegant queen, for just a moment, she was a warrior and a dictator.

                 "Everyone, take a seat. Now." Even when she was furious, her voice was smooth and quiet, as if she knew that everyone would listen to her commands, even if she was whispering.

    The people froze, and even Nathan stopped wrestling against Gabriel for just a moment. Everyone immediately sheathed their swords and sat down, their voices silent. 

          I glanced at Michael, somewhat petrified of what his reaction would be. I thought he'd come at me with his sword raised high. Instead, he stood rigidly, his hands balled into fists. His eyes were filled with angry tears, but before he could say anything, Minerva movded swiftly to where I sat and knelt so we were at eye level. 

         "Can you tell me what happened?" she said softly, looking into my eyes. Her voice was patient, almost like she was talking to a child, which, I guess, I was.

        I hastily tucked a strand of hair out of my face.

          "Alexandra capture me at Na--Halfsoul's campsite. Halfsoul was asleep when she came, and threatened to kill him if I didn't come with her. So I listened, and--and then I fought back. I slashed her with my sword and ran." Relief, regardless of its terrible timing, swept through me, as if telling these people what I had done would make my punishment more lenient. If anything, I had given them an even better reason to kill me.

           "Do you remember where exactly you left her?" Minerva pressed, as if I hadn't just admitted to nearly killing their leader.  Even she could not hide her eagerness and anxiety. I could see Michael from my peripheral vision, tensely awaiting my answer.

     I bit my lip. Of course I remembered where, but now that I wasn't so eaten up by guilt, I wanted to buy some time before the inevitable. Alexandra had to be dead by now.

           "I..I don't know. Maybe by a stairway...or a tunnel? I don't remember." I lied.

      Minerva quickly rose to her feet, a look of fierce determination in her eyes. She quickly organized a search party.

           "Michael, Eric, come with me. We'll look for Alexandra in the west side of the caves. Lucas, Hayden, and Matthew can cover the east, north, and south sides. As for Halfsoul and his accomplice, Gabriel can take them to their cell until further notice."

     The afore mentioned men grabbed their weapons and left, while Minerva went back to her "throne" and from behind it drew her own weapon--a longbow. She looked at me for a moment, a mixture of pity and sadness in her eyes.