Eveline

After I left Jaspen and his friend's room, I paid for my own and pondered over dinner if going back to Reytor without testing the candidate here was really the best plan. I wish Alistor were here with me. Granted, I had always been strong headed and there was a high chance I would still barge in, but at least I would have him at my side. My heart winced at knowing I had a few more long days without him. I wasn't used to being without him. Perhaps I was going soft.

My food had almost grown cold when I had made my decision- I would go to the manor tomorrow morning. If I acted as if I didn't see the shambles, perhaps I could leave here with still completing what I had sought out to do. I didn't like it- I wanted to arrest the lord for breaking the law, but Jaspen was right. I had no back up. The Guardian's here were too afraid of him to rise up.

I went to bed falling into a fitful sleep.

"For crimes against the Nephilium and Guardian Chivalry code, we find you guilty as a blood traitor. How do you plead?"

I squirmed in the iron grip.

"Blood traitors?" spat Alistor. "I'm not even a Nephilium and have more respect for the other races than you."

"We are not talking to you," replied the honeyed man's voice again.

"Not all Darklings are bad just because they are born with demon blood. Just not like all humans or Nephilium are good. It's how we choose to live."

My voice didn't crack once and my words didn't came out wobbly at all. I had never spoke with such poise in my life and I was proud of myself for holding my ground even with wanting to flee.

"TRAITOR!" rang out all the others in unison. "BLOOD TRAITOR."

Without another word, I was hoisted to my feet and dragged over to the table against my will. I watched Alistor fight against his captor's grip trying to get to me. I was placed on the table and four different members held me down. I kept trying to twist out of their grasp, but I was heavily out numbered. My cloak was pulled away and my long tunic sleeve cut open with a long knife.

I looked up at the cloaked face above me trying to mask my fear. What were they planning on doing to me? With a swift cut of his knife, I felt an intense pain as he carved a marking into my arm. As soon as it was over, I was released.

"Go and let this be your last warning, blood traitor," spat the man I assumed was the leader. His voice seemed hauntingly familiar.

I woke sitting up bolt up right in my bed drenched in a cold sweat though my room was still warm from the fire. Would I ever shake that horrible night from my memory? I ran my fingers over the mark on my left arm. It was a puffy dark purple scar in my inner wrist that hadn't changed over the years. A constant reminder of the hatred my kind had for the Darklings and anyone that sided with them. Rylom had a long way to go before we would ever be mended.

I looked out my frosted window to see the sun beginning to rise. I would bathe and ready myself for walking into the wolf's den.