Chapter Twenty Seven
1167 Words
NINA
“What are you wearing?”
I glanced at my tattered gold hued dress that had survived a kidnapping, a mental torture and a free fall, for some reason I viewed it as my personal armor.
“It has seen me through thick and thin.”
We were currently in a cramped room that had what looked like multiple changing areas and dimmed lights. I had opted to follow Guzman after Tamara’s disturbing commented about Rupert. I was positive I was not falling for the guy; this was not a soap opera after all where terms like “love at first sight” prevailed but he was, for a lack of a better word, mesmerizing. Despite my current predicament, I couldn’t help but whip up crazed fantasies of the two of us becoming an item.
You wouldn’t know what that was Nina now would you? When was the last time you were even a part of an item?
“You need to change…”
Once again I looked briefly at my crumpled, grease, torn dress and back at Guzman. He did not know the story behind the dress perhaps if I told him what it meant to me…
“Look, I have never been invited to a party much less been thrown one…This was my first and this dress, this dress proves that there is nothing wrong with me…it proves that I can be a part of something…”
I did not know if I had imagined a flicker in Guzman’s eyes or if he had actually felt my plea in my voice. Taking two large steps towards me, he bent to my level so that his warm breath was fanning my nose.
“You need to change…You smell awful and dresses are not recommended while on a mission…”
I gulped and bobbed my head before turning successively to scan my surroundings for clothes. I pinched the bridge of my nose, there were none.
“Behind the light drapes…Choose one changing area and pick one attire…take the least amount of time…We still have to find you a weapon…”
Wait what?
“Excuse me?”
Guzman sighed exasperatedly before encircling my wrists with his large, clammy palm and dragging me behind a particular changing area. Breath hitched in my throat as my eyes appreciated the assortment of clothes laid out behind the silky, light drapes. I squinted my eyes under the dim lights to examine the fabric of these clothes. They were all made out of leather. In one fluid motion, I shoved Guzman away from the changing area and pulled back the drapes. I had a feeling he let me push him. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t heard him snort. I almost wept when I spotted a bathtub at the corner. Unzipping my dress, I let it fall with a quiet thump on the ground and proceeded to sink my feet into the bathtub. Once I was settled in, I let out a contented sigh.
“I thought the dress held some sentimental value to you…”
“You did point out it was dirty…the last thing I would want to do is make you guys uncomfortable…”
“Guys?”
“Sorry…I meant mage and beast…”
It was meant to be joke. Why wasn’t he laughing?
“Where are you from human?”
I swallowed, those words had been gritted out. I did not understand, why did the behemoth not like me? Had I offended him in some way?
“I am from a big city called New York…There it is 2027…”
Silence.
Poignant silence.
“City? 2027? You are genuinely not from here are you?”
A chuckle escaped my throat. I dipped my curved hands to collect water and splashed it on my back. A shiver ran down my spine.
“Why would I come up with such an elaborate lie in the first place?”
“Humans hardly surprise me anymore…They are deceitful and conniving. The moment you turn your back, they run it through with a sword…”
“I think you mean a knife?”
“What?”
“You mean being stabbed in the back right?”
“What nonsense are you spewing?”
He had meant it literally. A human had driven a sword through his back. A human he had trusted enough for him to turn his back in their presence.
“I am sorry Guzman…”
A chuckle sounded from the other side of the drapes.
“No one has ever apologized on their behalf before…”
“Not all humans are evil…though most of them are…”
“I suppose there is a story behind that?”
I kept quiet. My father’s reign of terror and broken bones was not something I talked about. It was hard not to mention shameful to admit that the person who helped birth you did not care for you. I had never understood his hate for me and boy did I try. My mother had not died because of me. She had chosen to salvage my life at the expense of hers. She was there and I hadn’t been. I had played no part in being alive today. So why did my father insist that it was my fault?
At times I couldn’t help but despise her for letting me live.
“Are you ladies ready?”
“Go away Rupert, she is changing…”
“Why do you get to stay here with her and I do not…”
“Because she could have chosen to follow you but she did not…What does that tell you hmmm?”
I held my breath. Surely they would not fight over such a small matter would they? The sound of clashing objects and muffled groans answered my question. I swiftly stood, my eyes frantically scouting for anything to put on. Pulling back the drapes, I reemerged from behind the changing area bellowing for the two magical creatures to stop their childish fighting. What if they harmed themselves severely? Barry was relying on us and according to Tamara so was the world
.
And I needed to get home to Seth.
Everything had stilled. Both Rupert and Guzman were staring at me, no, they were gawking at me.
“Nina, I think you need to change…”
Confused, I glanced down at my outfit. I immediately let out an embarrassed yelp before scrambling back towards the changing area. I looked like I was running a brothel in my red, tight and partially transparent apparel.
About five minutes passed before we all broke out in bouts of laughter.
- Writer
