Magnetic Attraction

[Chapter Fourteen]

[Chapter Fouteen]

Ember's Point of View

My mother places bowl upon bowls of food onto the dining table. As news of the arrival of food spreads throughout the house, the crew gathers around the table. A few beefy men scuffle over plates before digging into the buffet.

I quickly reach across the table and grab a plate for myself. I begin piling a selection of food; everything from steamed vegetables, shepherd's pie and chicken curry. When the plate is full, I return to my seat and begin eating. I stab my form into a soft green bean and bite the end off.

The bean tastes fine and the food looks delicious, but I see Gunther from the corner of my eye and it makes my stomach queasy. Rage begins to pulse through my system, but I hold myself back because the repercussions of speaking out against Gunther will be extremely painful.

I shouldn't have given Elora my blessing, even if it was the right thing to do.

I'm selfish, I want Elora for myself. There's something about her that draws me in, an addiction that needs to be sustained.

"Make sure you boys eat up!" Mum yells. "I don't want to see a scrap of food left over."

The crew chuckle and continue to hoover the food like it's their last meal. Right before a big job, or any job, my mother insists on cooking a meal for the crew. It's a tradition that's been passed down which keeps both sides happy.

Towards the end of the meal, Gunther rapidly stands up and leaves the table. As he crosses paths with our mother, he whispers something and then continues to exit the room.

I sink further into my chair and continue to loathe the bastard for taking away my power.

Thankfully, Ashton and Elias wrestle each other over the last piece of chicken curry which creates an enticing scene. Ashton swings a right hook and misses Elias's face but manages to knock a plastic cup of water onto the ground. While Ashton is distracted, Elias hooks his arm around Ashton and slams his knee into his stomach.

Within seconds, Ashton stumbles to the ground in a fit of moans while Elias claims the bowl for himself.

"You two better clean that up!" I roar.

"Yes, sir!" I see Ashton's hand grab the chair as he pulls himself up.

Mum takes a seat beside me with a plate of her own food, then looks at me. A small frown overcomes her delicate face.

"Is there something wrong?" she asks. "And where is Elora, I thought she'd be with you tonight?"

"No." I shake my head. "She doesn't know about this stuff."

"Why didn't you tell her? Elias is here."

"Elias is a different story," I comment. "And well, Elora is, well, she's Elora."