Rise

Chapter 19

We spent what seemed like hours in Powell's room. Him and Kira tuck away in the right side of the room. When we left she began rambling on like a child on a sugar high, talking about how seers can get inside their victims head and see certain events through that person's mind. Not only that but seers can manipulate memories. She seems a lot different than who she was a few months ago. Kira continues speaking as Nari leads us into the mess hall. Thoughts of what happened here pass through my mind and I flinch away from Kira, hoping she doesn't grab onto me like before. I look around at the people eyeing us in suspicion or fear, but this time is different. I'm not here to pick a fight or try to escape. I'm here to eat lunch that hasn't been drugged.

Instead of table service, there are food-serving counters, either in a line or allowing arbitrary walking paths. People take the food that they desire as they walk along, placing it on a tray. Most of the food here is vegetables and fruits thanks to the Haise and Vinia houses, who crawl all over the building.

Guards dressed in sienna line the walls or wander the mess hall, they remind me of the officers at home, picking on delinquent children out of boredom. This place is no different from home. Nari drags us to a table in the far back corner, not so subtly trying to keep us out of sight. My silence persists, only broken by bites of an apple or a sip of water. I let the seconds tick by, listening and smiling. Kira keeps on talking, only being interrupted by Melanie with remarks of interest or Nix with accusing questions while Nari glares away the stares of the mess hall. I quickly push the plate away, scraping the table. The noise draws Nari's attention like an alarm, he eyes me up and down quickly.

"Are you done?" He checks out my half eaten apple before grabbing it and taking a bite like an animal. I try my best, not to gag, clearing my throat before I speak.

"I would like to speak to someone in charge please." My words are carefully chosen. Trying to sound more friendly than demanding.

"Actually, I'm supposed to take you all to the directors after your lunch." He eyes the rest of the trays, mostly just leftover banana peels, grape stems, and apple cores. He nods, satisfied.

"I say we start heading that way now."

I let Nari lead me through the building. Right, left, right and then left again. Just like I memorized from before. I make sure to keep my eyes downcast and fight the urge to stare back at everyone who watches us shuffle down the hallway.

"Don't let them get to you. They either harmlessly hate you or are intrigued because they've never seen a royal in their life." We trudge up the flight of stairs. The next hallway is the darker one, leading to the cabinet room.

"But you're a royal-" he shushes Alana quickly, turning around to walk backward. Nari's eyes glitter with amusement, a small smile crawling on his skin. He scans us all, one by one before chuckling softly and turning himself back around. Pushing us through a set of dark oak double doors. My eyes scan from right to left. They sit in the same spots as yesterday. Ivy and Malakye are rummaging through papers while Victoria and Triton are engrossed in conversation. Ashton's stare sends heat surging through my body, making me sweat.

"Good, I see Nari has brought you. Does that mean you're settled?" Malakye mumbles distractedly, passing Ivy a folded note before looking up at us for a second then going back to his papers.

"I don't know if you can use the word settle, but they've met a few of the best people around here. I hope it will make them feel welcomed in their time here." Nix scoffs at Nari's report, rolling her eyes and goes to open her mouth.

"We will be adjusting soon enough," Alana interjects, saying something before Nix got the chance to.

"That's excellent. Now I know this is short notice but the faster we send some of you back the better. So Alana, Nari and-" I stop Triton from speaking any more names.