Playing Devil's Advocate

Preparations and a Surprise

I wake up to the sound of my doors opening and I open my eyes just enough to see who it is. Colten pushes a cart filled with fruits, eggs, and toast into the room as Megan and Grace hold the door open for him.

As Colten walks out, he stops to give Megan a quick kiss. She smiles as he walks away and Grace glares at Megan.

"You know Master Garret's rules, Meg. You can't be in a relationship with any of his other servants. It causes tension if things go sour and he will punish you guys when he finds out, that is, if he hasn't already figured it out." Grace hisses as she closes the doors and turns on the light.

"Colten and I are friends, Grace. Yes, I like him, and he does feel the same way. We've talked about it though, and we don't want to get in trouble with Master Garret. We aren't going to change our status as friends until one of us is no longer required to work here. A quick kiss here and there is simple enough to explain if we ever get caught that our punishment would likely be a slap on the wrist and no food for a day." Megan replies as she opens the curtains and starts pulling out makeup from the bathroom drawers.

Grace sighs and rolls her eyes before responding. "But what if the only way you two aren't co-workers is if one of you dies? Or what if Master Garret doesn't see your way when you explain the 'quick kiss' when he finally catches you two? What if your planning is all for nothing? What's the plan then?"

Megan comes back into my room and stands opposite of Grace beside my bed. "Then, we figure out a new plan and adjust accordingly. Now, let's wake Annabeth so we can get her ready for tonight."

They count to three before ripping the covers off of me and jumping onto my bed. I open my eyes and ask them what's going on as if I were asleep the entire time.

"We've got a party to prepare you for!" They exclaim simultaneously as they each grab an arm to pull me to my feet. They pull me over to the cart and hand me an empty plate as they begin filling their own. I grab a few of everything and go sit on the window seat. Megan and Grace follow and sit on either side of me in silence. The silence is far from comfortable though, it seems as though their earlier argument is still going on.

Megan suddenly gets up and exclaims, "Colten forgot to bring the drinks up with the food. I'll go down and get them. What do you two want?"

"Apple juice would be great. Milk is a good substitute if there isn't any apple juice though. Really, just anything except orange juice." I smile at Megan as she nods and smiles back.

"Orange juice, please," Grace mutters.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Megan practically bounces out the door on her way to the kitchen. I hear Grace sigh on my left and I see her slouch a bit and begin to stab at her grapefruit with her spoon.

"What' wrong?" I ask with obvious concern.

"Just a little homesick, that's all." She says with a small smile in my direction.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Want to tell me about where you grew up? It might help in some small way."

"Maybe later, if I don't get distracted by preparing you for the party, then I'll talk to you about it."

"Okay... Just remember, if I do stay, you can always come to me." I smile at her and pull her into a hug. "Sometimes all you need is someone to listen and a shoulder to cry on." We pull away and continue to eat in silence.

About five minutes later, Megan returns with a tray full of glasses of milk, orange juice, and apple juice. I feel Grace stiffen next to me and I see her eyes widen in horror at Megan. I look back to Megan and search for what caused that reaction from Grace. Then I see it, a giant hickey on her left collar bone.