Chosen

Part Eight

The morning light shone through the curtains in my room. The smell of breakfast was wafting up the stairs. I didn’t know who made it or who cleaned this place. I never saw anyone around. I got up and dressed quickly. I made my way into the great hall slowly, enjoying the room. I looked around the room and studied the columns. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw something black sneak into the shadows. I stopped and felt an enormous headache come on.

            Gasping, I made my way into the dining room. I found my seat and sat down, noticing that no one else was at the table yet. I heard voices and saw Sebastian and Vladimir conferring in whispers. I sat up, straining to hear them. They both looked up at the same time and saw me looking.

            I turned around and put some food on my plate. My head still hurt but I forced myself to eat. I saw the shape again and my head hurt more. I put my head in my hands and rubbed my temples. Sebastian sat down next to me. He put his hand on my back and leaned down next to me.

            “Are you okay?” He asked in a low voice. I nodded my head.

            “Yes, yes, just a headache.” I leaned back in my chair. Vladimir stood up, looking pointedly at me.

            “We are leaving today. You will need to get all your things together. We will be passing through several more villages and then go on foot higher into the mountains,” he said and then swept out of the room.

            “I need some air.” I told Sebastian. “After that, I’ll-I’ll get my stuff together. Is that okay?” Sebastian nodded at me. I walked down the hall and grabbed my cloak.

            I made my way into the trees bordering the grounds of the castle. It was autumn and the leaves had traded their green for lovely oranges and yellows. I was so confused. Where was Vladimir taking me? Who was the Council? And why did Sebastian act so kindly towards me? After all, he had only known me for three days or so. I could barely sort all this out in my head.

            As I made my way deeper into the woods, I saw a flash of red. It almost looked like a red dress. This wasn’t the same as the shadow I saw inside. It looked like a person. I quickened my step following the…woman?

            “Hello? Is someone there?” I called. I lifted my skirt up and began to run after whoever was there...

            “What are you doing?” Vladimir hissed. “She is in trouble. Go after her! She needs someone to comfort her.” Sebastian shook his head and slouched over the table. “That is your job!”

            “I don’t feel right lying to her. I can’t do it. Why should I act like I care about her when I’ll just break her heart in the end? How is that going to help us?” He asked, shaking his head. “Will she really be any help if she’s hurt?”

            Vladimir glared. “I can’t believe it! You are falling for her, aren’t you? How is this going to work when we get there? You know what the Council wants her for. You can’t fall for her!” He started pacing around the dining room. “Now get that thought out of your head and go after her!” Sebastian stood up slowly, not wanting to do anything. “Go! Now!” Vladimir growled.

            “Fine. But I will regret this and so will you!” Sebastian said, walking defiantly down the hallway. Don’t do it! Don’t! he thought to himself. But all he could picture was the way she yelled at him in the carriage and how much it made him laugh and her intoxicating smell that made his mouth water. But not for long now, he thought…

End of Part Eight