Chapter 90

The others were training in the living room so Alistair decided to use the back door. She ran along the aisle, Luna leaping behind her. She would visit the castle today and no one would stop her. The back door which hasn't been used for centuries creaked on her first touch. She was about to walk out when she felt a hand dragged her back. She tried to struggle but froze in place when she saw who it was. Ethan!

"Where are you going miss?" He asked.

She flinched from his hold. "None of your business." She spat and headed towards the door but he grabbed her by the waist and held her close to himself. Their faces were just a inch distant from each other and in some way Alistair felt her brain would stop its work if she didn't act fast.

"Let me be Ethan!"She shrieked. He only held her closer.

"Huh?"He murmured. "You want to go out. Should I remind you that you are the most wanted in this territory and this is the only safe place you can be huh?"

Alistair wriggled out of his hold and slapped him. "You sure don't know how to handle a lady." She said. Ethan was dazed. "I need to go. I'll be fine. Tell the others to stay in." She walked out. Ethan ran after her. In an instant, he swept her off her feet and carried her back in. He took her to her room and locked the door, against all her struggles. Luna only trotted behind them.

"What?!" 

"You!" She could only gasp.

Ethan dropped her on the couch and locked the door.

"You will not leave this building today. Gush! Are you out of your mind?!"

Maybe I am. Alistair thought.

"You!"She swallowed. "You don't have any right..."

"I don't have to. You were just being suicidal!"

Alistair was about to give him a piece of her mind when they heard a sudden explosive noise. A noise that shook the building. They rushed to the living room to check on the others. They all looked terrified but were safe. Alistair sighed.

"There are some people outside 'listair" Emiliar said. "It's like they threw a bomb here."

Alistair walked over to a window to check. She saw hundred of bodies, most of which were already burnt in ashes.

"Oh, massive destruction" She muttered, biting her lower lip. She turned to her fellows. "Be calm, we are safe. They, obviously, are not." Slowly and carefully, they joined her at the window. "Don't fret, our attackers only got themselves killed. This is the sacred house remember?"They sighed.

But this only means something to Alistair. Katrienair is out there in more danger than she can imagine. She ran back to her room, shut the doors and prayed.

*

"I'll leave you now Katrienair. Be careful when you make decisions this time. War is coming. I know you're ready." He disappeared because I could say a word. I blinked my eyes to life. I was still chained in the vacuum cage. "War is coming." He had said. What does he mean? I had a lot to think about. My comforter always gives me something to think about. A lover marked me. What the hell?! I was drunk that night. Julian took advantage. How dare he?! How long was he going to hide it from me? He surely has passed his limit. Now I'll have reasons to hate him.

Julian! You are a Jerk!

The door of the cage flung open. I felt my chains get lose and I was carried out. "There's no point struggling" I told myself. They can do to me anything they want. I won't feel bad but Julian, I'm not going to forgive him that easily. I'm so disappointed. How could he? I have a big war ahead of me, according to my comforter, but I could only thing of one person.

*

I was tied to a post, amidst an assembly. It's a familiar position. I've been here countless times. The only difference now is my familiarity with the people of the assembly. They were all strangers to me before. I saw the king on his throne, a usual grin on his face. I'm just a piece of rubbish to him, that's how he looks at me. I saw Julian by his side on a smaller throne. His head was bent low, cupped in his hands. I don't know what to think of him anymore. He is here to watch me die, what the hell is he thinking? Isn't that what he wanted? He marked me, what else did he do? Gush Katrienair, you were so naive. Why did you fall so easily? Emiliar warned. "He is a demon. Demons can't be trusted."

Julian, I trusted you with my life!

"Claudia!" Roger began. The once noise room fell grave silent. "No more negotiations. Because I have chosen to cancel it. Our deal ends here. You would go down today."

I was quiet. There was nothing to say. Besides, Roger and his threats were the least of my worries.

"Well, I have a questions for you." He paused. "First, who are you?"

I was quiet, not listening anyway.

"Who are you Claudia?!"He roared.

I swallowed, my dry throat ached. "Me? You mean me?"

He was seething. I stifled a laughter. Gush, he's so ugly when annoyed. 

"I'm katrienair. You named me Claudia. Do I always have to remind you of that?"

The assembly gasped. I've just spoken rudely to their king. Do I even care? Gush, Gabriel was right. The demons, all deserve to die. 

Roger clenched his fist. "What do you know about the sacred house?"

This time I saw Julian raise his head in shock. Though he tried as much as possible not to look in my direction. Is he shy? Or damn pretence? He must really have taken me for a fool. 

Sacred house? Who told him? Julian? How many heartbreaking news will I get in one day? Julian, no, it's not true.

"Why do you ask?"

"You don't question me! I'm the king here."

I winced. "I read books a lot. I could teach you a bit about the sacred house if you want to."

"You visit the sacred house. I know of every of your moves. I know you are hiding something there. Talk and you might be freed."

"And if I don't?"I challenged.

"You'd die. I mean it this time."

I gave a slight chuckle. "You give me no choice. I've got no time for small talks with you Roger. You should ask those who spread the rumor to explain what they saw."

Roger broke into a long scary laughter, one that shook the pillars of the building. I could tell it was mixed with more rage than happiness. "I wanted a slow death. I guess I'll have to make it quicker." He pointed to the direction of fiery furnace, the lake of fire. "There, your powers whatsoever will burn to ashes."

Just then I saw Julian rise from his seat and walk out.

Jerk!