Kiran walked straight to the throne and sat down. Talbott produced a golden crown, bedazzled with all sorts of jewels, from who knew where and placed it respectfully on Kiran's head. I stifled a laugh, before being forcefully pushed closer to Sebastian by the throng of people trying to get as close to the Crown Prince as they were allowed. Since the pushing and shoving was done more in a passive aggressive, more civilized and snooty way, than reminiscent of a mosh pit, I couldn't really complain. But I still did not enjoy the intimacy Sebastian and I were forced to share.
"I'm thirsty," I drummed up an excuse and reclaimed my arm from Sebastian. I turned around without waiting for him to respond. I wiggled my way through the Immortal crowd in a much less sophisticated way than any of them would have, but I was irritable. All of the Immortals were older than me, obviously long out of high school. I wondered what types of complaints and issues they found so important that they needed to bring them before a Prince. Where did they go when he wasn't here?
I still had so much to learn.
I made my way to the bar and stood impatiently, tapping my fingers forcefully on the glossy wooden counter top. When the bartender gave a glance my direction and began to make his way towards me I realized I had no idea what I was going to order. I needed to know how to ask for something brown, disgusting and kind of like liquid smoke without sounding too much like a minor.
"Liam, two Scotch whiskeys, one ice cube each," Sebastian called from behind me. I turned with embarrassment, but grateful for his assertiveness.
The bartender, Liam, poured an ample amount of whiskey into two snifters and I took it pretending I knew what to do with it. Sebastian inhaled the rim of the crystal glass before taking a long swallow. I followed suit, smelling only for a moment the heady, woodsy liquor before taking an equally long drink.
The Scotch made its way slowly, too slowly, down my throat leaving a trail of burning fire. I used my magic quickly to quell the flames and keep myself from choking the dangerous alcohol back into Sebastian's face. I imagined this was what a forest fire would taste like.
"I don't understand this place," I said bravely, allowing the whiskey to dull not only my senses, but my fears too.
"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked, narrowing his eyes with more suspicion.
"I mean, is this a court? Is this a club? What do the Immortals do when there isn't a Prince to solve their problems? Does he come here every night? Is every Immortal allowed in here or is there an age limit? That's what I mean," I set my empty tumbler on the bar, and folded my arms in defiance, daring Sebastian not to answer me.
"Oh," he said simply, a smile creeping into the corners of his mouth.
"Raised human, remember?" I used the excuse I so hated, but I was determined to get answers.
"Well, let's see. It's both a court and a type of social club I suppose. When Kiran isn't present, this is where the elite are welcome, where they come to get away. And there are obviously ways of solving problems when the King or Prince aren't present. Each region of every country is appointed a Regent and under him a team of judges to handle smaller and more menial concerns. If ever a large problem were to arise, then an audience with the King is requested and travel arrangements made. I think King Lucan sees this as an opportunity for Kiran to gain experience and, well, perspective. He is here several nights a week, although not all. He would never allow that. Kiran enjoys his freedom way too much to also enjoy the duties of royalty," Sebastian shook his head as if he was in some way disappointed by this. "And yes, there is an age limit, unless of course you're considered VIP." His smile widened before he drained his snifter as well and then signaled to the bartender for another round.
"I see," I frowned, digesting all of the information that turned out to be far easier to obtain than I had expected. "So who was the Regent of this region before Kiran graced us with his company?"
"Who else? Amory Saint of course," Sebastian's eyes narrowed into a disapproving glare and a sour frown replaced the smile I found so disturbing.
"Why do you say 'of course'?" I asked, honestly out of ignorance.
"Well, he's the only one we can count on not to die," he shook his head as if clearly annoyed before continuing, "You know, because he's the last...."
"Oracle," I finished, proud of myself for finally knowing something.
"Speak of the devil," Sebastian's expression turned even darker and I looked up to see Amory making his way towards us with the same angry expression on his face.
I took my second tumbler of Scotch in one gulp, as if having it taken away from me by force would be the ultimate insult. I still hadn't forgiven the Resistance for their less than welcoming attitude towards me, and grandfather or not, Amory basically summed up the Resistance as a whole. So as he approached, clearly on the warpath, my irritation with the evening only worsened.
"Ms. Matthews, I believe you were asked not to return here not long ago. May I ask what has possessed you to be so bold this evening?" the way that Amory phrased the question left me positive he was not only referring to my presence at the club, but my behavior over the course of the entire evening; starting with my quick getaway off of the farm.
"She is my guest, Sir," Sebastian offered quickly. "I insisted that she accompanied me tonight." He turned to give me an arrogant smirk, as if to say he had this under control.
"I was just leaving," I said dryly before any more fuss could be made. I placed my empty glass on the bar roughly and pushed past Amory and Sebastian. The rest of the Immortals were still deeply involved in Court, whatever that meant, and so there was no audience to witness my exit this time around.
I took the stone stairs two at a time and found myself on the old, brick streets of the Old Market in a huff of displaced anger. In my head, I realized that Amory was not trying to punish me, and Kiran was not trying to abandon me, although Sebastian was probably actually trying to torture me, but I couldn't help it.
I had no control over what I was allowed to do and what I was forbidden to do. I couldn't be with the guy I was in love with, at least not easily or publically. On top of it all, frustrating, irritating and creepy boys had been sent to spy on me, well one boy that fit that description anyway.
Outside, in the cold November night I realized that I no longer had a ride back to my car. I walked, or rather stomped begrudgingly, towards the direction of Kiran's downtown loft, and Avalon's truck. The night just kept getting better.
Chapter Ten
Where are you and where the hell is my truck? Avalon's irritated voice rang in my head as soon as I was headed away from the club.
I'm on my way home now. My response was more irritated than Avalon's if that was even possible and the only response I got back was some kind of mental "Pssshht" sound.
"Excuse me," A man's voice called to me from the shadow of an ally and I was instantly gripped with fear. I reminded myself that I was Immortal and strong enough to take any mugger out.
Despite that, I picked up my pace and kept my head down. I didn't want to take any chances. My magic flared in self-defense and I pulled my tweed coat around me tighter.
"Excuse me, ma'am," The low voice called to me again. This time I heard a faint accent underneath his deep tones reminding me of something familiar. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I seem to be lost."
I squinted into the shadows and vaguely made out the form of a large man leaning against the brick of an office building. He was standing on one leg, while the other was bent and propped against the wall. His hands were pushed deep into the pockets of a coat and he wore a baseball hat low on his forehead.
After noticing my pause, the man pushed off from the wall using his bent leg and walked briskly towards me. Finally his face was illuminated by the soft glow of a streetlight and I was quickly aware of his magical current.
I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that this man was an Immortal and in all likelihood probably trying to find the very club I just vowed never to return to. He walked purposefully towards me, never slowing his pace and I wondered for a moment if he was in a hurry.
"Are you looking for the club?" I asked, relieved and sure of his intentions.
"Not anymore," He stopped short in front of me and I could feel his hot breath on my face. I had no time to react before he reached out his hands, grabbing me tightly around the neck.
I fell weak instantly, overcome with panic. He was choking me, trying to kill me and I was too stunned to fight back. I was losing oxygen too quickly to think straight. My magic was lost in a torrent of fear and I fought against myself to move…. to defend myself. Slowly, I began to scratch, claw and kick to get away. Then suddenly I was surged with overwhelming alarm. I would die if I didn't fight back.
The harder I fought however, the quicker I lost what was left of my dwindling supply of oxygen. My strength was waning in the battle and the attacker, whoever he was, seemed undaunted by any of my self-defense attempts all together.
The man gripped my neck tighter, seemingly crushing my throat between his strong and magical fingers. I felt my magic begin to drain into his hands and panic over took me once again. I realized then, that this man wanted my magic; that he was willing to kill me to obtain the eternal life that ran through my veins.
He lifted me effortlessly off the ground, shaking my limp body and pulling my magic out quicker with his own. My eyes began to close without my permission and my breathing had nearly stopped all together. It wouldn't be long until I lost consciousness completely.
I only wished I could have said goodbye to Kiran first, and Amory and my brother.
Thinking their names was all the reason I needed to remember myself. Finally my survival instinct took over. Flight was not an option here, only fight or death. But I would much rather fight.
Though my magic was fleeting, I still had human instincts I could rely on. My body was raised off of the ground, my Immortal attacker holding me victoriously high in the air. With one surprisingly swift and strong kick of my right foot, I found my target squarely between his legs. Even if he was Immortal, he was also still a man.
Unprepared for that strong of an attack from me, he dropped me roughly to the ground and doubled over in pain. Weakened by my depleted magic and lack of oxygen I struggled to my feet, stumbling around as if I were drunk. As quickly as I could and remembering every self-defense move I had ever seen in a movie I used my foot again, kicking upwards into his face and knocking him backwards.
I summoned what magic I had left and inhaled a large amount of air, sending it straight to my brain. My attacker was also recovering quickly, using the magic he stole from me, I guessed. I could feel Avalon pounding at the door to our shared consciousness but I refused to let him in, until I had finished this.
The man turned to face me, and as soon as he did, I shot a strong burst of magic his direction. I was faster than he had given me credit for and I caught him off guard, knocking him once again off his feet. Before he could recover, I pulled the bricks out of the office building he used as cover, down on top of him. My magic willed them easily from the building, leaving a gaping hole into a clean, but dated lobby.
I heard him grunt with the effort of recovery and began to feel hope that I had won this battle. Well, until I was knocked off of my own feet by a large slab of concrete ripped from the sidewalk. Apparently, the man was only feigning weakness. I heard the sickening crunch of bone from the back of my head after I flew twenty feet backwards, landing in a crumpled heap.