daughter of esmund

Eight

A/N
...Hi! Heh, long time no see I guess. I'm so sorry about my absence on here. I've been working on a lot of things related to school and theater and my mental health recently so I accidentally pushed this to the side. But, it's back on my mind! I hope to be able to start churning out updates now since 75% of it is planned. Again, I apologize for my absence. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter though! If you do, please leave a vote and comment any feedback you might have. I would greatly appreciate it. (Also I wrote this chapter at 12 AM so if it's bad I'm sorry). See you later (hopefully not too much later lmao)

- Joya <3
<~>

Nahakra...

"I love you Annie."

You don't think I could...

I don't think I've ever agreed to something quicker.

"Well," Aphmau begins, probably a bit startled by my fast response, "Lets head to the docks then!"

I start to follow behind her before Katelyn takes a hold of my arm, signaling for everyone else to keep going. I turn to her, studying her expression. She looks...confused, if not judgy. Her expression shifts quickly as Aphmau closes the door, shifting to a look of impatience quickly. In this moment, I realize why she's held me back. We need to talk. We need to talk about that. Really, we need to talk everything, but mostly that. I turn to face her, eyes meeting hers,

"I know you have questions-"

"Damn right I have questions. First, how are you even alive?"

I try to speak but she cuts me off again,

"Next, I don't even know if you're still in the jury-"

"Okay okay, first, why does it matter how I'm alive. Second, Irene no, I'm not an idiot. Third, come on, Katelyn, stop dodging the main issue. We have to talk about it."

Her eyes drop to the ground as she sighs, "Y-you're, uh, right...so, what happened?"

I take a deep breath, preparing myself, "It's a blur, what happened that day. I, I got called into...into Zane's study..."

<~>

I entered Zane's study with one other jury member, Ashna, and a couple other guards. I had been called in earlier that morning, finding the summon on my doorstep. I hadn't had time to call Katelyn before I left like she asked me to if it ended up playing out like this, so I worried that if something...bad happened, she wouldn't know. I immediately stood in the back corner that was across the room from Zane's desk as trained, standing up straight, but not too straight, and waiting silently and stoically.

After getting into place, I scanned the room, eyes resting on the occupant of the chair across from Zane's.

Jeffory.

His head turned as he caught sight of me, his eyes meeting mine. His face was bruised, his stubble overgrown and his hair untamed. A gash had formed on his forehead.  His eyes looked tired, bags clear underneath them. His usual vibrant green eyes are filled, almost a forest green, most likely from exhaustion. I wanted to go free him from the chains that kept him in the chair, but I couldn't. There was no way I could without getting caught. I then realize it. That's why I was here. Zane needs witnesses for these things, but no one said they had to be witnesses by free will.