Infirmitate

TWELVE | The Prophecy

The first thing I noticed about the situation was that the table was very obviously divided between family and friends. My family members-along with Stephen and Thomas-are sitting on one side of the table while my newer friends, as well as Clair and Jacob's older brother, are on the other.

"What's going on here?" I raise my voice giving a hint of authority into my tone to catch their attention. Slowly but surely, all eyes turn to meet mine. No one speaks.

I glance around at everyone's faces as I sense their feelings while walking to the head of the table where my seat is. I stand firmly behind my chair with my lips pressed tightly together.

"I know every one of your feelings." My voice is a combination between weary and stern. "You might as well voice them." Father sighs and shakes his head. "I don't understand why you would allow your captives to dine with us, Alexandra. It is..." He searches for the right word. "Unheard of." He growls as he glares at both Clair and Jacob's brother-who's name I still don't know.

"That's what this is about?" I ask incredulously. "Clair is only our prisoner because she doesn't want to betray her people. She agreed to remain peaceful." I pull out my chair and sit down. I allow everyone to stay in their seats because I know that the atmosphere will only grow more tense.

"I have not yet been given enough information on Jacob's older brother to decide his fate. That being said," I turn my gaze to Jacob and lock eyes with him. "I will leave it to you to decide if he is to be trusted at this table."

Jacob nods his head and looks away to whisper something in his brother's ear. The man nods his head once and Jacob clears his throat. "He is no threat to you or anyone in this Clan. I trust him."

"And I trust you." I smile warmly before nodding my head to the waiting chef. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm famished." Nathalie and Devereaux giggle at my choice of words, and little Elliott automatically joins in. Mother whispers a hush to them and their plates full of food quickly silence them.

Lunch today consists of fish, cooked vegetables and freshly baked honey rolls. My stomach growls loudly, and I quickly take a bite of the roll. Nothing can be heard but the scraping of silverware against the dishes and the occasional sip of water.

"Did the Elders stop by last night or this morning?" I ask my father as he wipes his mouth with a napkin. "Elder Gaius came to check on you. He said that he and the other Elders will be on standby for when you are ready to talk. Elder Wescott had seen how distraught you were yesterday and advised the others not to meet just yet."

I smile softly at the old woman's thoughtfulness. "I'll have to remember to thank her." He nods his head absently and stands up after finishing his meal. "Come on kids," he picks up Elliot and gestures for the twins to follow him. "Let's go feed Alexandra's wild cat for her."

I laugh softly at their excitement. I know Riki would never hurt them. He'd love anyone that gave him a thick slab of meat.

Mother finishes her meal soon after and walks over to give me a gentle hug before going into the kitchen, most likely to thank the cook for his hard work.

The awkward silence screams in my ears until I finally set my utensils down on my empty plate. "Stephen, Thomas?" Both heads snap up and look to me silently. "Would you please help oversee training today in the field. I don't feel comfortable enough to have the others that close to the forest." They nod their heads and make their way to the training field.

Now, with half of the table gone, I turn my attention to the others. "Noa, Blade, I would really appreciate it if you would turn the ballroom into a temporary training room?" Noa nods his head but Blade chuckles as they stand.