Phoenix Fire: From Witin the Flames

Warner Has a Proposition

We do not eat in the blood room we were in before for lunch, but in a huge dining hall. Tables in 3 rows that could fit about 100 men per table, 1 table sat separately at the head that could fit 20 people but only 10 11 seats were available. The three tables were set vertically so the table for eleven was the head in charge forming a sideward ‘E’ shape. Soldiers were seated at the 3 vertical tables and other ‘guests’ in ‘fancy’ clothes sat at the head table.

I follow Warner and Conner follows me, everyone stood as Warner walks in. I stop for a second before the tips of Conner’s fingers brush against my spine and I jump forward, following Warner as he pulls a seat out, I’m guessing... for me. I stare at the empty seat before he nods to it. I sit and Warner pushes me in... No way out no way no way out. Trapped trapped trapped. Help me save me help me save me help me save me... Adrian... where are you! I look over the table to see Angela (sitting next to Warner) staring at me, a look of sympathy on her face. I look at her with sad eyes, she knows what I’m thinking, and she knows how I feel about Adrian... I can tell.

“Sit” Warner says and everyone is seated. Warner sitting to my right Conner... I look around, panicked “Clark, here” Warner says. Conner appears behind us, between us “Next to her, your company is needed to makes her more... settled.” I look down to the cutlery dropping my head so my hair hides my face “You could have brushed your hair before you came, Love” he touched my hair, trying to push it behind my ear. I clench my right hind into a fist.

Don’t touch me don’t touch me don’t you dare touch me! The tips of his fingers brushing my cheek, then my ear. I made my skin on my face boil... hot enough to make Warner yanked his hand way hissing in pain, slapping his hand onto his shirt before sticking his fingers into his mouth. I cool down and let out a long breath unhooking my hair from my ear to hide my face again. I could feel all eyes on me and Warner. I stare at my lap, my eyes looking like they were closed... I snap them up without moving my head. I could sense the discomfort in the air as everyone snaps their attention back to their food. I lower my eyes again, Warner grabs my arm... and hard, I have to bite back the pain.

“Careful, Love, I could make you life a living hell if I wanted to...” Warner growls, and I frown at him, lifting an eyebrow

“Warner... don’t... let her go!” Angela gasps at my thoughts; foolishly, Warner snaps an angry glare at her and I am grateful. I heat up my arm until it could boil the kettle in seconds and Warner wrenched his hand away howling in pain, standing up so suddenly his chair fell back and clattered to the ground. Silence filled the room; I close my eyes and wait for my punishment.

“Kara, stop this” Conner whispers into my ear. I open my eyes and lift my head, turn and face him... and scowl at him. He looks surprised. I clench my fists and growl. No one tells me what to do! I tear my eyes away from his green ones, my hair falling around my face, anger boiling under my skin, in my core.

“I wouldn’t Clark, she’s... in a foul mood this morning” Angela said on my behalf. I huff, not hungry. “She says she’s not hungry... again” she says more to Warner than anyone else. Sitting his chair up right, Warner sat down... again. He grows, irritated.

“You miss dinner last night because you were asleep and then breakfast because you were bathing... how can you not be hungry?!” He snaps, I look to him, a frown creasing his brow.