"I'll be back shortly," I say through heaved breathing. I twist the knob of my front door, "I just need to change first."
"Take your time." Dylan rests on the doorframe.
I nod towards the entrance but Dylan's reluctant, so I make for the stairs immediately. Dylan's welcome here anytime and we've known each other for ages so, it's only fitting that he makes himself at home.
He does, usually. But it's different this time, he insists on waiting outside and I don't know why.
You're really that upset that a man isn't making himself comfortable in your home?
I pause, blink rapidly and then continue shoving clothes off my bed, frantically searching for —
Something nice to wear so Dylan will notice your features that you've been working so hard to build for a while now.
Please, I train because I need to improve my skills.
Or because it gives a decent outline of your body.
I picked up the faint yellow airy dress. The kind that makes it seem like you're lost in a fairytale when you stand and well, the only clothing I have with colour.
As a member of the third line of Eldarda's defence, my life consists of just two important aspects — hunting and eating. If I'm not training, I'm stuffing my face with all the glorious creation of the kitchen workers.
So because I'm always training, my clothes are mostly brown and black leather. Though, I don't have many.
I reach the last of the steps and I'm not even halfway through my door when I hear my name.
"Miss Dina Caswell," Dylan turns to me. I recognise the red Griffin woven into the chest of their damned pale yellow fabric. I resist rolling my eyes.
They just wear it everywhere like it's a badge.
The council says it's a symbol of pride, but there's nothing to be proud about.
You're upset.
I am not, I'm just telling the truth. My truth.
It's because of Anna, isn't it? You've been avoiding your feelings like you always do.
I inhale deeply, my lips cut to a forced smile. "At your service, good sers." My eyes close sharply and I mentally scold myself.
Even Dylan glances at me like he just saw me pull snakes out of my mouth.
"You are to report to the council members at once."
They think you killed Anna.
My eyes widen and I feel a surge of ache spread through me like a disease. My hands fly to my chest, trying to soothe my pounding heart.
There's a rustling beside me, I don't have to ponder about it to know it's Dylan.
"The council members," I repeat through haggard breaths. "Why?" My gaze flickers on one officer before darting to the other. The first one has a tense smirk on his face and the other just seems like he wants to get this job done and go piss himself off a bridge or something.
The first guard shrugs but the second one snaps right at me. "Just go, dammit!"
I open my mouth to speak but Dylan is swift, standing right beside me now. I try to focus when his arms slightly graze mine. It leaves me hot and a bit empty.
Trouble calls and you're horny? Way to go, Dina.
I groan mentally. I am not horny.
"Hey," Dylan's voice is clear. "That's no way to speak to a lady."
"Careful, hunter." He steps forward, letting the sun highlight the glint of his blade at his side. But I'm thankful for the first guard who stretches out an arm right in front of him, stopping him.
Better, because if he tried anything, I'll —
What, Dina? You'll what?
Never mind.
My fingers reach Dylan and he turns to look at me immediately. His eyes search's mine continually, filled with worry. But even then, with the way the beams fall on his face, his worry is nothing but a striking green that makes my blood sizzle.
"I'll go with you." I'm reluctant but it doesn't take a half brain to know what I'm being called for.
Anna.
It's for Anna.
So the guards lead the way and I follow. Surprisingly, so does Dylan.
I haven't had the time to process it; Anna's death, I mean. One moment she's dead, the next moment I'm fighting for my life, get knocked out, wake up in the infirmary that's far down Ambre –by the way– and has a responsibility to Eldarda since I brought in a lycan.
Or maybe…..
Gosh. Just shut up.
…..you're distracting yourself. Come on, Dina. I know you too well. You feel responsible for Anna's death, that's why you're scared of this meeting with the council members —
I scoff softly. I am not scared.
Yes, you are. And you're just beating yourself up because that's all you do. You never see the good things you do, you concentrate on the wrongs and then you just begin this loop of self destruction where you numb yourself and get yourself addicted to the pain.
Yeah? And why would I do that? Since you've got all the bloody answers, why would I do that?
Because it's predictable. Somehow, you believe it's safer, because you're just used to it.
There's a reason I don't let you speak.
Why? Because I say the hard things? This….lycan isn't your fault, and neither is Anna. So going down to the dungeon like you're on some sort of mission is just….distracting yourself.
Whatever.
You need to release whatever you're feeling. Emotions don't go away, they just build up overtime. And you will blow up to pieces if you don't control it.
What freaking ever. I just need to get this council meeting done and that's fine by me.
It wouldn't kill you to give your emotions a chance, Dina. Feel your emotions, don't dwell.
The large steel doors open with a screech, shutting up my mind. I couldn't be more grateful for its very uncomfortable sound because the dweeb never stops talking.
The moment there's silence, she takes over.
The guards leave me at the centre of the hall, right above the —so called— grand mosaic symbol of Eldarda; the Griffin. I look ahead, the council members are seated at least twenty long feet from me.
The hall is dark, the only light that breaks through the window — definitely ten feets above me — is the sun. I've never visited this place frequently enough to question why there's multiple widows yet just one isn't coated with black paint.
"Dina Caswell." It's a calm sophisticated feminine voice that immediately makes me straighten my spine. Nothing makes me pant like a starved dog than seeing women in power.
I look ahead again, squinting my eyes as I can barely see their faces.
My voice comes out raspy. "Yes?"
Gosh, what was what?
What was what?
You sound like a sex crazed maniac about to be unleashed.
I control my breathing. If my mind was a living punch - able being, I would absolutely make her pay.
"What am I here for?" I ask politely, hoping it isn't what I've been avoiding all this while.
"You're here because we are discussing the future of Eldarda," Grand Keeper Pae
l June's voice has me wishing I can throw myself off a cliff. I forgot he's a council member.
"And…" he continues, "your death."