Tiger's Beginning

Chapter 20: Beast

Damien scanned the room, looking at all of us. His eyes landed on Anik and he scowled.

"You, how have you defeated the bear? It was impossible, yet you did. I command you to tell me your secret or I will have to punish you."

Anik tried to sit slightly on the bed, but winced and resorted to a half crouch.

"I don't think that was part of our deal. I proved myself, now we are free to go."

Smiling wickedly, the Prince walked haughtily towards the fire burning at the end of the room, before turning and grinning. The flames made his face seem almost like a skull.

"I will keep my word, but I believe I have something else you are looking for: the Onyx stone."

I looked at Ren, and saw that was indeed the object we needed to close the door.

"I'll leave you all to discuss."

He turned on his heel and walked out the door, slamming the door behind him.

Raj spoke first.

"He is right, it is the Onyx stone we need. It makes sense; Onyx is associated with strength and is called 'The Stone of Fighters.' I'm not sure if it would be wise to tell him about our...gifts, but maybe hear him out. Hopefully he isn't the sole ruler, and has a superior that we can reason with."

That sounded like a good plan to me, but Anik counteracted his logic.

"That makes sense, but we need to have a plan to acquire the stone if Damien is lying and breaks his word. I don't think he was too happy I got out alive from that fight by the looks of it. From what Raj and I can discern, he wants you two."

He nodded his head in Kamala and I's direction, and I felt sick to my stomach.

"Well this is just great isn't it, already we hit a road block, and I can't do a single thing to help."

Kamala looked at me and smiled.

"I know that look Kamala, what are you thinking?"

Her grin grew.

"I think you can be of more use than you think."

This is ridiculous; I don't understand why I am being forced to do this. I know its supposed to help, but I don't think that batting a few eyelashes will make the guy fall on his knees. And this dress! It is much too low cut, I feel like everyone on earth could see my cleavage. Kamala really did a number on me.

As I was complaining to myself, I tried to make sure I looked dainty and timid as I made my way to the supposed garden behind the castle. The dress I was wearing was thanks to Kamala, and was a very pretty blush rose color which made my blue eyes pop with delicate gold lace edging that she found in our closets.. The only thing about it was that I absolutely hated it, and the reason I was wearing it.

I was being forced to engage the prince in conversation and slip in that I would love to have a ball, so that lowly ole' me could dance with him. Yeah, I wasn't too happy when I heard the plan. I asked Kamala why she wasn't doing it, but she said she needed the prince's eyes to be on me the night of the ball, that is if I succeeded.

Of course Anik and Raj protested when I walked out in the dress. Anik was especially insistent.

"Grace, I know what these men are capable of, and I wont allow you to be dressed up as a soft, tender lamb, quite beautiful lamb I should say, to be roasted up and served to the wolf!"

Raj nodded his agreement, setting his jaw.

Although I did secretly enjoy them making a fuss over me, I knew I had to do this so the mission would be successful.