Chapter 17

'Yeah, poor you, I know what it feels like to be manipulated but that's just Logan' She glared at him.

'Some intervention might help' Keira added mentally. 

Amy was still shaking her hand, she gave Keira's hand a light squeeze.

"He usually latches on till he gets what he wants"

Keira was surprised at how she put it to her bluntly.

"None taken" She passed him a questioning look.

Amy smiled "I love your hairstyle, Japanese?"

They locked arms and Amy pushed Logan aside as they strolled toward the entry.

Keira said "Without a doubt" As they wandered, she gazed at the lights, everything was far from Spartan, the outside was good but the inside was even better.

  It was a palace, the plain ceilings developed into a huge dome with paintings of cherubs cushioned on clouds and a woman with flowing brown hair that reached her feet, from her palm, a wellspring of water flowed into the vivid blue sky to the ground manifesting as rain where people strived to get their fill with bowls.

Brown tiles were patched to the walls with galleries secured with metal hedges up above.

Amy leaned closer "The least you could do is be yourself"

"I'm not sure how that works in this situation" Amy gave a soft laugh, she looked about Sam's age.

"This is where I leave you"

Keira swallowed hard when they arrived, there were a few people at the dining table. All were put on cool or dark outfits except for her. She guessed he planned the theme as well. Son of a bitch.

A woman in a plain blue dress with a big bun on her crown bundled with a silver scrunchie.

Her face radiated joy and she hugged Keira. Keira blushed taking back her words quickly.

"It's good to finally meet you"

"You too Mrs. Daniels"

She withdrew sharply "Call me Joanna, there's no need for courtesy. Come on, sit darling."

She ushered Keira to her chair beside a woman with really short brown hair only reaching her nape. She was in a blue pantsuit with a black silk vest. She glowed

"I'm Melissa"

They shook hands, Keira sensed his overpowering presence when he slipped into a chair next to her. The hair on her neck stood when his fingertips brushed her nape while he put his hands on the top of her chair.

Next to Melissa was a man with dark blond hair in a blue frock that outlined his muscular build perfectly, he nodded at her.

On the table was set a heavily dressed turkey meal in the middle with plates of kimchi and steamed kale adorned with lettuce and a side of lemons, creme bruelé as dessert. The appetizers were kebabs with diced beef and olives, with fizzy cups of effervescent drinks.

  The food looked divine. 

Sam and Amy were chatting like best buddies (While Darby was struggling to reach for a knife) Keira held her breath, Sam's arm came around him pulling him back to a safe distance, the knife clattered and he smiled cheering up at her.

Keira exhaled then looked at her plate and her lips parted when Logan inclined to whisper into her ear.

"The Kimchi was all Melissa's idea" 

Melissa glared at him "I heard that"

Joanna cleared her throat and the chattering faded

...