Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Miatta

“If you want your collar, meet me at this spot tonight as the last horn is sounded. Come alone.”

His words resounded in my mind when I returned to my spot in the messy kitchen. Elena had questioned me and after I had explained myself, she had asked if I was okay. I was fine and I told her so. She allowed me to get back to work and I picked the brown rag meant for drying the slabs. My survival depended on my ability to hide my unadorned neck from the sights of others and my long hair made that task a little bit achievable. However, I remained on guard. No one could be trusted anymore, not concerning such a delicate issue. Ryan finding out so soon was a mistake. I could not afford to let it happen again.

It took two hours to finish up the disgusting job and we filed out again in a straight queue. I searched around me but there was no sign of Luke in the area. I resolved to ask him who he was the next time we met. Back in the room, the meal had been served and there were mostly bones with bits of flesh hanging off them. Others rushed at the wooden tray but I could not move myself to approach the unattractive meal. Yvette was not in sight thankfully; I was not in the mood for her attitude.

When I could get Addy alone, barely managing to send Ramona away, I confided in her. She listened in silence and didn't say a word till I was done speaking, only nodding occasionally.

“Right now, I don't know what to do or what to think. I don't even know who he is or what he wants. Do you think it's safe to see him?” I wondered, requesting her opinion. Addy licked a bone clean and added it to her growing pile of bones. She was probably used to the meagre food unlike me who had a delicate stomach. I preferred my meat fresh and in great quantity.

“I can't tell you to go or not to, Miatta but I can tell that you are very curious to know why he is requesting your audience. If you go, there is a great possibility that you will be caught by the lycan warriors and if you don't go, you will never know what he wants. . The ball is in your court. Play wisely.” She no longer smiled in that annoying yet polite way she used to. She was radiant and had piled her hair in a bulky ponytail. I could almost see the vivacious energy radiating from her. Something was off about her, not in a bad way though but in an overly nice way. Nice wasn't even the word I was looking for but it had to do.

“Are you saying I should go to him as he asked?”

She shrugged, sipping briefly from a cup. “I’m saying you should make up your mind. Cheers.” She raised the cup in a mock salute and got up to return the utensils she had made use of. I wrapped the tail of my hair around my neck, careful not to draw anyone's Members of Group Red were just arriving from the gardens with their tools, their bodies caked with dirt. Their share of the assumed meal was left in a big wooden bowl, left open for flies to make merry with. Addy returned with Ramona and two other girls, Salma and Rebecca. They seemed to be discussing something of importance.

“I just can't wait!” Rebecca exclaimed, clapping her hands in satisfaction and beaming with pleasure. “I got her just in time for it last year and it was so exciting.” Her partner listened with quiet longing, relishing in Reb’s sheer joy.

“It must have been, judging from how excited you are. Now I can't wait either and it's only a week to go.”

I was puzzled and no one appeared to be interested in elaborating on the good news. Ramona was always handy with information and I turned to her in my distress. “What are they so excited about? What's happening in a week?”

Ramona toyed with the strings on her white bracelet, weaving the loose ends together. “They are excited because the Moon Festival is in a week. It's the only event of the Lycans that werewolves and even slaves were permitted to partake in. We are limited to an area though and we are not allowed to mix with the natives. It's usually a lot of fun because we eat to our satisfaction and...”

Addy was speaking to someone else and suddenly burst into loud laughter. I cringed inwardly at how much she had changed and how much I hated it. Ramona was more emotional, her eyes brimming with tears.

“You see it too, right? Addy has..changed. It's like whatever happened to her yesterday damaged something vital in her system. She is not herself and it worries me.” She paused and blinked, suddenly frowning. “Where is your collar, Miatta?”

My breath hitched at once and it was then I noticed that my hair had fallen off my neck and it would be obvious to anyone who looked. I couldn't go on that way. I had to get my collar back and to do that, I had to see Luke again.

Luke/Lucas

When the last horn signalled the end of the day, I stood by my window, waiting for Ryker to leave. He was suspiciously taking his time to finish up and I was getting pissed by the minute.

“Goodnight, my Lord,” he finally concluded, bowing before he took his leave. At that same moment, I saw a shadow dodging behind one of the columns on the palace grounds. It caught my eye and I leaned on the silly, watching avidly. The interloper hesitated briefly before making another move and running to the next column. It was dark outside so I honed in on my supernatural sight, the darkness powerless against my abilities. It was she, Princess Miatta and she was doing her very best to avoid being caught by the guards. Her hair was loose, falling along her shoulders. It was time and I left my room, doing final touches to my costume. The workman clothes were dirty and so they itched yet I could not get anyone to wash them for me because it would reveal my second identity. Luke was my alter ego and I liked it that way.

Not wanting to keep her waiting, I hurried over to the spot where I had arranged for our meeting and seeing her, I froze on the spot. Her silky dark hair fell past her waist, her cotton wears haggard and worn but her simple clothes could not conceal her elegant beauty. The moon shone for her alone, bathing her in its light. She raised her hands to the moon and touched two fingers to her forehead, smiling briefly at peace with herself.

“You’re late,” she pointed out without looking back at me and her voice was low and husky. Goddess, I was in trouble.