Orchid

FOD

We rush down the hall and follow the multi-colored signs saying SCAN ROOM. The name sends chills down my spine--what the hell is it? I'm sure it's not anything good.....

We reach a room with a closed door with a sign above stating, SCAN ROOM. I press my ear to the silver metal door and hear faint whirring and crackling noises inside.

I try out the handle, which is polished bronze. This entire stronghold is classy, though I'm sure the owner herself didn't even spend a penny on it. I would bet she seduced some rich victims to do her bidding. Locked. I sigh. Would it be that easy?

"Locked?" Kyo asks.

"I need food." I rub my stomach.

Hero reaches inside her hoodie pocket and brings out a red wrapper. "Sorry. All empty here."

I gnaw on my fingernails as Kyo comes up blank too.

"I know!" Hero snatches up my hand. "I saw Lycaeon's banquet feast table. We can go steal some morsels there."

"No." My eyes go wide. "I am so not risking it this time."

Hero frowns at me. "Lycaeon ate from every single dish. The leftovers are for her servants-how would she ever notice?" Her gaze flies to the two dead guards. "If we're even dresses in their clothes?" A sly smile crosses her lips.

"That's way not fair," Kyo protests as I finish adjusting the armor.

I feel like a dork, a major, messed-up freak. Not only am I dressed in armor fit for a male, I'm sweating. How can guards possibly be able to stand alert by their puppet mistress all day, all week, and all year maintaining their sanity? Kent wasn't exactly sane, but he wasn't exactly bonkers either.

"You call this not fair?" Hero points to her own armor, her dark eyes murderous. "Count yourself lucky that there were not three guards. This suit is suffocating."

"I'm missing out on food," Kyo whines like a little girl. Pink-fox imitates the sound and scratches the floor.

"This way." I try to follow Hero through the small slit of the guard's helmet. Ugh.

I squint as Hero's bobbing form leads me through a distance and stops. I take off my helmet and breathe in the sweet air. Finally!

The grand table glitters so brightly it nearly blinds me. There are plates heaped with food of every kind. I find sushi on one and chow mein on another. There is pizza dripping with oil and hamburgers stuffed with all kinds of stuff. I lick my lips, about to dive in-until I see the animals hunching over plates.

"What are those?" I whisper.

Hero takes her helmet off too. "Jackals."

I summon Fire and blaze it on an empty plate to scare them away. The jackals, a cute cross between a fox and a wolf, yip and flee. I pick up a fry and stuff it in my mouth. "Yum."

"Um...Orchid..." Hero's eyes are scared. "You didn't scare away the jackals."

"What are you talking back?" I look behind her.

Yup, the great and legendary Orchid had gotten her ass in big trouble.