ELORA
Lucy and her brother were born slaves. Her mother had died trying to flee during the slave era and the reign of King Nathan. Lucy had explained how horrible his reign had been. She’d grown up under his reign and the only protection she’d had from evil nobles that tried to exploit slaves was her brother.
She’d told me that she was a twin. Her mother hadn’t known who their father was but Lucy said she had told them that a noble had slept with her. They knew they had Lycan blood but her mother had never told her who the noble was. All she’d done was arrange for her to get a job at the palace. And somehow, she’d been very well treated in the palace.
Her brother had hated the palace job. He’d said he detested working under people who were the very oppressors. Lucy said she knew he had taken the job so he could protect her and watch over her.
But years later her twin brother had run off to the South during Nathan’s reign and she had not heard a word from him since. He had become a Blackfoot.
She’d said her brother had gotten into trouble many times growing up. One time he was drunk, he had walked into a bar full of Lycans, and called them all pieces of shit. The ten Lycans who had attacked him had struggled to knock him out.
“He came home with a black eye, he did,” Lucy recounted.
“Well, why did he do it?”
“Something about the entire thing becoming too much to bear. He said he had to let off steam.” She smiled sadly and I knew she was thinking about him now.
“I’m sure you’ll see him one day. I’m sure he misses you,” I said and my mind went to my Father. Then I remembered mother and felt the all too familiar surge of pain. I hoped she was fine. I had to find a way to send her word.
Lucy and I had walked into the Main house – King’s quarters of the palace, taken a flight of stairs and got to the second floor. The first floor seemed like a sort of welcoming area. Wide room with chairs, flowers, and more chairs.
When we had walked in, the guards had questioned us, looked through a list and we’d had to wait to gain access to the next floor. They’d had to call a higher ranking palace guard who handed over some keys to me and threatened to poke my eyes out if anyone else laid hands on the keys.
The second floor was more private. It had a long lobby and rooms on either side, of which many were locked. I ran the keys I had received through my fingers right now. Caressing it lightly and wondering which it would be.
And suddenly Lucy yelled. “Here!” And then she clasped her hand over her mouth. Then she whispered, “I mean, this is the door.”
I laughed lightly. Then I asked her, “Why are we whispering?”
One of the workers approached us at this point, in long boots and a jacket. His jacket was the same shade of grey that Lucy and Denise had on. He had some cleaning brushes in his hand.
“What is your assignment here?” He demanded. His face was stern yet it contrasted the funny look his mustache gave him. His voice was unusually deep, it made me assume he feigned it.
“Oh, Kano. You shouldn’t do that. It frightened me.” Lucy laughed.
And the palace worker, Kano, joined in the laughter.
“Hi, Lucy. Is this her?”
“Who?” I asked. Wondering what had been said of me.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Lucy said. “Everyone’s heard someone’s finally been assigned the job of handling the library.”
“Is that big?” I asked, wondering why the King had given me this particular job.
“My dear…” Kano said matter-of-factly, taking off his cap to reveal and fine head of hair that fell to his shoulders now. “I’ve worked here since I was a pup. Not anyone just handles this job. The King’s sister had handled it until she became head of the army.”
“Well…why me?” I wondered aloud.
“Well, I guess we’ll find out soon,” Kano said, waving his cap at us and walking off. “See you later, Lucy.”
Lucy turned to me. Her eyes sparkled with wonder and mystery, making my heart begin to race. I wondered what we’ll see within the Library and why I had been given this job.
“Ready?” Lucy asked.
**********************
ROME
Rome walked across the lobby and descended the flight of steps. He knew he had to make a strong case, otherwise they could decide to get him a mistress of their own choosing. Those people were ruthless. It was within their rights and he couldn’t let that happen.
“You piece of shit!” Someone yelled.
It sounded like a fight or a brawl.
He walked briskly in the direction of the sound and that’s when he saw it.
A palace worker was sprawled on the floor, beside the table in one of the parlors of the lobby and two Lycans were standing over him.
Those bastards!
He barged into the room, and found that the two young males standing had been kicking the worker. Across the room, sat their sister, calmly drinking from a glass like nothing was happening.
The children of the whore had already arrived for the meeting. Jace, Kate, and Henry, were the children of the old king’s mistress, Monica. They had been spoiled and had absolutely no regard for anyone whatsoever. Every time they got their hands on a palace worker, they treated them like slaves.
Rome grabbed Henry and threw him across the room, letting him crash against the wall and drop to the floor. Then picked Jace by the neck, letting his legs hang from the floor. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Kate drop her drink instantly.
“Your Majesty,” Jace managed to get out, as he choked further.
“Kate, why aren’t you kneeling right now?” He asked and she instantly fell to her knees, as if compelled.
“Your Majesty,” She hailed, bowing her head.
Still holding Jace up by the neck, Rome turned to Henry and saw him getting up from the fall.
“Henry, would you come over here.” Then he decided to be a bit pettier, “The faster you do what I ask, the quicker your brother gets to breathe freely.”
He rushed across the room immediately and fell to his knees.
By this time, the worker was on his feet. He’d taken some cuts to his face but otherwise, he looked fine.
“Henry and Kate, quickly apologize to the worker you just beat up.
“What?” Kate asked in shock.
His hold on Jace’s neck tightened to get his point across, Monica’s son in his arms squealing from lack of breath. His face had turned red and Rome was sure it wouldn’t be long before he was pissing himself.
“We’re sorry,” Kate and Henry chorused wearing matching worried expressions.
Still not satisfied, he turned to both of them then put a hand in Jace’s jacket and pulled out a wad of cash.
“What’s in here? Five thousand Incas or so?” he asked.
Jace couldn’t reply at this time, he was almost out.
Rome gave the cash to the palace worker. “Here,” He said, “For your troubles.”
“Your majesty…I shouldn’t…” He began to say and Rome glared at him. “I’m sorry. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Good. And if they trouble you after this, do tell me. And if you don’t, you’ll have me to deal with. Run along now.”
The worker left the room in a flash.
He dropped Jace to the ground, letting him thud the marbled floor. His hands stayed on his neck as he curled up, gasping for breath.
“You three. Behave yourselves.”
And as he walked out of the room, he met their mother; the whore Monica, about to enter the room.
“Your Majesty,” She said and curtsied.
“Monica.” He muttered, barely even looking at her as he breezed past.
The last thing he needed now was their bullshit.
*********************
ELORA
The library was breathtaking. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever set eyes on. There was a desk just by the door, with registers of all kinds. The room was magnificent, with carvings and oil paintings of the old Lycan Kings and Queens hung up on the wall. The stained glass windows caught my eye. It showed a picture of a Lycan royal family in the past building this library. Odd since the royal family barely lifted a hand around here.
There was large gold plated shelves all over the room, way more than I could hope to count, that contained books of all kinds, history, music, mysticism, astrology, and books of Lycan law. The spines of each book was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but touch each one I passed.
“Elora! Isn’t this delightful?” Lucy squealed like a happy child.
“This place is beautiful,” I replied, absent-mindedly. I was lost in the beauty of the books.
Each shelf stood taller than a Lycan’s full height and I was wondering how I would deal with the books at the top of the shelves when I noticed the ladders at the edge of each shelf.
“I’m never leaving this place,” I sighed. The smell of the books was comforting.
“Oh I can’t wait to learn to read,” Lucy said, winking at me.
“Yes, yes!” I laughed. “I won’t forget. I promised.”
“Do you think the King meant to give me this job?” I asked. “Because this is his library. I mean, things in here must be important.”
“Very important, actually,” A voice said from the door, causing Lucy and me to jump. As we turned, my heart began to race as I sighted the familiar heart-stopping red hair and piercing sapphire eyes.
It was the King.