Chapter 9

Bon Appetit

Blindly following my youngest Awoken escort through the complex structure, did little to put me at ease as I once thought back when I was at the Vestian Outpost. The Reef much like her Queen was grander and more mysterious than any outsider could have imagined. As I followed Lucinda I noticed a small impression in the small of her back. Tucked away quite discreetly under her wide fabric belt was a knife. This I was certain of. Under my breath, I chuckled as I watched her confidently make her way onward, I thought that she would not hesitate to pull it on me if I gave her any trouble.

Making our way down several corridors, I questioned the adolescent girl again. "What do you mean I'm expected for dinner?"

"I am confused why you are confused Guardian." Stopping on her heels, she turned back and looked at me, "Do you mind if I call you Guardian?"

Shifting my weight a bit due to my tight black cat suit, I was taken by the first person who asked what I preferred to be called. "If you don't mind Lucinda, you can call me Warlock."

"Warlock. I like it." She beamed as she continued back down the pathway. "I will call you Warlock."

"Um, Lucinda may I ask you another question?"

Whimsically but close to being sarcastic she responded, "You mean other than the one you just asked?"

"Yes…"

Glancing over her shoulder as we rounded the next corner, she said, "Go ahead Warlock."

"OK" Tugging at my collar hoping she could answer, I asked, "Why can't I contact my ghost?"

"Ghost?" she said with a puzzled look on her face. "Oh yes, your little light." We waited at a wall which appeared to an external elevator. "Don't worry about your little light." A moment later we stepped inside a frosted glass box. "He is fine."

As the confined space rose upwards along the wall, I asked, "Why can't I contact him?" Sounding a more worried than I should of I nearly squawked, "Will he be alright?"

Never taking her eyes off me Lucinda revealed, "I was instructed to tell you the truth. You have been in injected with a neural inhibitor that will prevent you from communicating with you little light."

Shocked I gasped, "But why?"

As innocent as a five year old little girl, the awoken servant smiled just before stepping out of the elevator, "So he can't beam you away before the Queen is done with you."

For a minute I felt like an idiot standing there with my mouth gaping open. How the hell was I supposed to suppress that or take my frustration out on an innocent servant girl.

"Warlock!" sounded from around the corner grabbing my attention.

"I'm coming."

Rounding the bend, I saw Lucinda standing before an enormous round door with of course, the Queen's logo on it. "Follow me please" she asked as pleasant as possible.

Still not happy about my absent life saver I begrudged, "Sure thing."

The slow moving door finally opened enough for us to enter. Once inside, I was taken by what I saw. Stunned for a second, my eyes could barely believe what they were seeing. Just on the other side of the entrance was a large spacious room with the night sky soaring above it. The view inside was just as amazing at the view outside.

Nestled in each corner of the room were tall, multi-tiered candle sticks; each one standing nearly six or seven feet high. Surrounding those was a multiple of other smaller candles ranging in size. Combined, the candles generated a soft amber light that reflected off the glass above creating a perfectly eloquent atmosphere in the space. Further accenting the room were several blood red curtains hanging down from the ceiling over various parts of the room. It was truly breathtaking.

As I followed Lucinda across the great room, I noticed that nearly everyone in there was staring at me. It didn't take long before I felt less like a dinner guest and more like a prized possession being shown off in the Queen's honor. Glancing over in the patriarch's direction confirmed my suspicions. Man, if looks could kill. I'm glad I had forgotten about the cat suit I was wearing at the time or I would have surely died right there on the spot from embarrassment.

I was led to the middle of the room where another faceless Royal Awoken Guard dismissed the young escort. Beneath me, engraved in the floor, was a large spiral design spinning outwards with the groove starting at the feet of the Queen's pedestal. On either side of me were three large curved tables that seemed to hug the large image below me. Blanketing each table was a white silk tablecloth that appeared to host at least 4 guests per table; notably all Awoken.

Before I could continue to survey the room further, I was taken back by whom I saw next. Dressed exactly as the last time I had seen him, the Queen's brother, Prince Uldren Sov slowly began to approach me. I had a feeling he was going to continue to speak to me as if I were the lowest form of life in existence, like he did last time and I figured this encounter would be no different. Swaggering towards me like he was on his way for a shot in the ass, he snarled at me before clearing his throat.

"I trust you slept well Guardian?"

"I trust, about as well as anyone else whose been drugged."

The Prince circled around me. He obviously hadn't liked my tone, but too bad; I didn't like his either. I also did not appreciate his blatant scrutiny.

"Quick and bold...hmmm...this might prove to be somewhat entertaining after all."

You know what else would be entertaining? You having a mass infestation of fleas in your pubic hair you condescending pr-

"Guardian!"

Prince Uldren glared at me with such despisal that for a moment I wondered if I had actually vocalized my thoughts.

"You find this amusing?"

"I'm not even sure what 'this' is...and I don't wish to be impolite but considering the effects of your recent hospitality, you'll forgive me if I'm a bit reluctant to sample the food."

"No worries there, Guardian. We have finished with the main course." The Prince unexpectedly leaned into me; hissng in my ear, "But your impertinent ass will most definitely be joining us for the next course." He backed away, his curled lip morphing into a sneer. Despite my bravado his words still managed to send an involuntary shiver through me.

Pleased with himself, the Prince turned to resume his seat at the royal table, pausing only to fire one last salvo, "I do hope you enjoy our Blood Pudding."