Their Obsession Rose

Chapter 18 Rose : The Vicario Gala

I'm taken to the bathroom by the red cloak to get cleaned up. I don't register where I am and what is happening. My brain refuses to function.

We move again, this time I know where I am, when I see the chosen standing in the Vicario cycle, all dressed in white. This day can't get any worse. The sick feeling that has taken root in my stomach, after my rescue, forces it's way back as I am being led to the only remaining spot in the centre of the Vicario Cycl.

The red cloak whispers softly in my ear' Behave or else it will be your friends last breath', before she moves away and leave me on my own in the centre.

I don't understand what she means. My eyes scans the room frantically and I forget to breath as my eyes meets a firmiliar, pair of green eyes. Grey...how I have longed to see him, but now I wish not to see him, wishing that he is not here. He is one of the chosen Vicario and behind him, the beasts men are standing. I realise that they are there to keep me in line, to keep me in submission.

As our eyes lock, his with relief and mine with trepidation and despair, I try to be brave and give him a small smile. I want to go to him, grab his hand and run away from this place, as far and fast as we can go, but I'm rooted in my spot as I notice who stands next to Grey. It's her, the beautiful red cloak with the sky blue eyes, her eyes trained on me and her hand resting on her sharp blade.

I'm pulled into the presence by the voice of the announcer as she mentions all the security that is set up in the arena. She rambles on about VIP guests from the Immortal world and then in the same breath she announces : " This year we have two of sector 13 with is ! Rose and Grey! , she shouts", as the crowd, boo, at the latter part of her announcement.

The arena is packed, as always. Since I can remember I wanted to be in the main city for the Vicario. I never dreamed of being here as one of the chosen and I never dreamed that a monster of a beast would enter my world.

The rest of the chosen are all in awe. Their big fat smiles shows the world just how happy they are to be here. All of them from the cream of the crop, their parents standing behind them in the cycl. Grey and I have no family standing by our sides. The announcer goes on and on about Grey and I, our whole families that will receive elevated status and prestige. As I look at Grey I know that is the last thing he wants. His eyes are trying to tell me something but what I don't know.

As the ceremony is about to start, the red wolf warriors, dressed in black, adorned with his emblem, takes position in a tight outer circle, leaving no room for anyone to approach the Vicario cycl.

My mind frantically starts to search for answers. Why are they after me. Why am I here. Why am I given the sacred centre spot in the Vicario, cycl. This has never happened. Always 12 never 13.

Why me?

I cannot think of one single answer.

The bidding ceremony has started. As each Vickry are chosen for their new house, a cloak with resembling the colours and emblem of their new home, is draped around their shoulders. The colours blue, green and yellow are in the run each year.

Grey gets a bright orange and black colour, a colour that I have never seen being worn by any Vickry before. The host goes mad with excitement as she wonders and speculate with the audience what these colours mean!

As the black and orange cloak is draped over his shoulders, the red cloak steps away and her men in arms fall away as well. The crowd whispers and I'm sure it's all got to do with the new colour being dished out at the Gala!

Finally it's my turn. It takes longer, I wonder what is going on. The announcer herself does not know what is going on and speculate that their is a bidding battle for Vickry number 13, me, Rose.

All of sudden the drums start to beat at a faster pace and I see,blue eyes, slowly making her way to me, followed by a massive bulky warrior. She stops in front of me, removing my mother's pelisse and in its place she drapes a long white pelisse around my shoulders, covering the red dress they made me wear. The crowd is pointing towards me. I don't know what is going on, until my eyes found the emblem of the black wolf on the pelisse.

I want to rip it off my body, but the clasp that secures the pelisse, does not want to give way.I'm taken hold by the bulky wolf warrior, he gives a command in a language I don't understand and a troop of his men forms a circle around us.

We walk pass Grey, I want to reach out and touch him, but the bodies surrounding me, forms an indestructible buffer between Grey and I, between me and the rest of the world. I desperately search for Grey's eyes,but his back is turned towards me and there on his back, a big majestic Phoenix, looking at me.