On the Other Side

Begin

Linwood takes my hand and leads me onto the ballroom floor. I want to pull away and scream at him but it wouldn't be the wisest thing to do in front of all these people.

Even I know that.

Soft music suddenly starts and Linwood closes the gap between us. I place my shaking hand onto his shoulder.

As we dance I can feel his warm breath on my ear. I don't have to lift my head up to know the amount of glares I'm getting, so I hold onto Linwood tighter.

When the song ends, everyone else hurries to grab a partner.

Linwood and I walk hand in hand to the balcony and I give a fake smile to everyone that meets my eye but when we reach outside, I pull away, hoping to distance myself from him.

"Look at me please" he says after a moment of silence

I keep my head low not wanting to see whatever emotion he has in his eyes. He is in the wrong, I don't have to feel bad

"Jeana" his voice sounds strained now. The white dots appear in my vision again and my breathing becomes laboured. It gets hard for me to take in air. I see a white mark appearing on my arm.

Oh no

"Linwood please just go"

It is only when I hear his steps that I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. The tingles die down and I see the white streaks retreat from my skin.

"Hey" a voice says

I look up, blinking the tears from my eyes.

"What do you want Evan" When his gaze meets mine, I see him bite the inside of his cheek, obviously hesitant to say something

"What"

"This is what he does to everyone" he whispers, his eyes start to change colour just like before.

"Evan..are you ok" I move closer to him hoping to calm him down.

"He-" he shudders

"Evan that's enough" I look over his shoulder to see the girl who cautioned him at the opening ball

He shakes his head and sighs "You should go back inside, it's cold" he whispers

I nod and walk round him making sure to avoid contact with the girl as I walk past her. I've gotten enough dirty looks tonight. I turn round before leaving and see her touching his shoulder as he bows his head

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I avoid Linwood's eyes when I walk back in and hide in the shadows all night watching the others dance and be merry. They are my opponents after all.

"My lady, " Comet's voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

"Dinner is ready" I follow her to the table where I see Elisa holding out my chair, which is thankfully far away from Linwood.

I look to see two empty chair across from me

"Elisa" I whisper.

"Yes my lady"

"What do you know about Evan"

"Evan is the king's cousin"

"Anything else"

Comet looks at her

"Not that I know of my lady"

People chatter and eat their food, while I do the exact opposite. Not because of my bad appetite but because I don't trust anyone in the room, not even Linwood. I've learnt that the hard way

The chatter dies down when Linwood speaks

"Salve amnos"

"Salve King Linwood"

"I welcome you all to the opening feast for Delectus."

Cheers fill the room

"As you know Delectus happens every 7 years, so I, the King can choose his new shadows. I can't wait to see some of you in the games. Make sure to honour your families and also yourselves" he smiles

Everybody smiles and laugh. Sudenly a glasses can be heard smashing onto the floor, I look to my left at two young men are convulsing and shaking. I watch as they start to shake and claw at their throats

I look to Linwood in horror as he smiles

"I did say only some of you" he laughs

Someone places their hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming as a girl falls to my feet. I fight but they tighten their grip around me.

"The games have already started, we'll just have to see how long you last"

21 just dropped down to 19