Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DB Chapter 14 - Unremarkable

Chapter 14

ALLISON WAS WAITING outside Maglania's room for Blake to arrive. She counted each second that ticked by. She saw Sentinels and maids come and go all afternoon, but she knew the one that the Sarastri Queen was waiting for was Blake Thorne.

He wasn't William Oslen anymore, not to her, not after meeting with Gabriel Balan. Slowly, Allison appreciated the gravity of what she had done. She was sure Maglania would have killed her by now if she were any other Handmaiden.

Allison didn't understand why she hadn't been brought inside for questioning. The wait was worse than a quick execution.  At least, she hoped it would be quick. She had served Sulia Palace faithfully for the past two years. A quick death was all she would ask for.

Around three, she saw Blake appear at the edge of the hall where the grand stairway was. He didn't even notice that she was sitting outside of Maglania's chamber.

"Wait!" Allison yelled as he passed her. He turned, and his eyes seemed to register her there barely. Did he not know why Maglania had called him here? Why wasn't he screaming at her? "I have to tell you something before you go in there. She knows about Melody Balan. She spoke to her father this afternoon. She's furious."

Now she had his interest. Blake approached her and lowered his voice. "Who saw us with Melody?" The dark cloud that appeared in his eyes told her he already expected her to say Sabin or Daste, with whom he had never gotten along. Perhaps, they had peered through the door and glimpsed the Dragon Princess dancing in the lobby. Allison couldn't bear to confess the truth.

"I-I d-did it. I told her."

"You? Devon? Why? Have you lost your mind?"

Allison's lip started to quiver. He didn't know. Maglania hadn't spoken to him about it. That meant she was going to ambush him.

"It slipped out accidentally." Allison's eyes started to grow hot with tears. "Tell her it was my fault. I called for help."

Allison wasn't used to taking on the role of the inept, unseasoned newcomer. She had managed to avoid that for years. Yet, she hadn't known that mentioning Melody's involvement was a grievous offense. Both Blake and Melody must have known that her involvement was a secret. They must have both assumed Allison understood, too.

"She'll kill you," Blake hissed back. His eyes were deadly serious now. She had his full attention. Allison wished she could die right there. Blake ran his fingers through his hair and sighed deeply. He pointed his finger at her with finality, as though this was the last thing he would ever say to her. "Deny everything."

Then he turned and sighed again. "Did you also tell her how I killed Onyth?"

"N-no!"

"Good."

"Wait! William, let her punish me. It was my fault."

"No!" Blake snapped. "She would never forgive me."

He didn't even have to say her name. Allison knew who he meant the second there was a change in his tone. Vivienne was always in the room, like a ghost haunting their friendship. Allison wished he would let her die for her crimes. Death would be preferable to sparing her for the sake of Vivienne Weisse. Vivienne was always the interloper, always present even when she was a hundred miles away.

Allison followed Blake to the door to Maglania's chamber. He raised his hand for her to stay outside and out of sight, but it was too late.

"Allison," Maglania rasped. "Enter, my child."