There were two empty seats at the head of the table nearest me with slightly higher backs than the others – almost like dual thrones. Marlena and Parnell traversed the entire length of the table, came around to stand behind each one, and very deliberately sat down. When they did I could see from between their heads everyone there. Their varied expressions ran the gamut from deepened confusion to outright shock.
Marlena and Parnell were just mere feet away and I held my breath, afraid that my exhales in the iron maiden would give me away, but no one else was concerned if by any chance a slave might be tied up inside. No, their focus was on the two obvious upstarts at the head of the table. Their sitting there was what seemed to disturb everyone else, but apparently not Marlena and Parnell
