He was making his way toward me. Holding a cup of glass that contained vodka. My heartbeat echoed in my ears.
    I must have been thinking too hard that I haven't noticed he was already in front of me. He was looking past me and not down at me at all. As if I was invisible. I swallowed hard before saying, "Hey I want to say thank-

"Excuse me but you're in my way".

My words were cut off like a knife. His were harsh. His facial expression would be like describing a blank sheet of paper. When he glanced down at me, his eyes were cold, like nothing in this world could melt them.

My jaw tensed. I was staring up at him in confusion. Looking over me as if I wasn't there, he placed a hand on the side of my arm, giving me a small push to the side. I quivered. The touch stung my arm like hell. It was a cold burning sensation. I was unable to describe it.
    Without taking another look at me, he continue his way as if nothing happened. 

  "Wow". I suddenly felt dizzy. I stumbled to the side, being caught by some muscular arms.

"Wow there, you okay?".

I looked up at the man and gave him a slight smile. "Duncan, yeah I'm fine".
My stomach growled noisily and I had to swallow back a pool of saliva. "I just haven't eaten anything for two days".

"I'll go get you some blood then". He sat me down on a stool and turned to walk away but I took hold of his wrist. 

"No, please not that", I said softly.

  "Omg! Sienna you okay?". Adira came running towards me. "You look so pale and drained".

"Well, lack of food in my stomach sure is the problem here".

"Duncan go get her some blood to drink!".

He looked at her with wide eyes. Adira bit her lip. "Please".

"She doesn't want that".

  "I need real food. Like spaghetti, a sandwich, eggs and bacon, pancakes-". I held to my stomach tightly. It grumbled louder just thinking about it.

Adira and Duncan looked at each other. "Well I can head out and get some food then", Duncan suggested.

"Yeah, there's no other way".

"Out where?", I asked.

"Out into the human territory", Duncan answered.

My eyes opened wide. "I'll come too!".  I quickly got to my feet. The world spun around me as if I was on some rollercoaster.

  "Oh no, you're not". Adira pushed me back down on the seat. "Besides you need Jax's permission to be able to leave". 

"How can I get a yes from him, when I asked him if I could go home, I got a big fat no".

  "Trust sweetheart. Everything is based on trust. He needs to see you won't run away. He needs to see you are loyal to us and wouldn't go snitch us out".  

"I wouldn't!".  

"Well he doesn't know that. Besides saying you wouldn't doesn't quite mean you wouldn't. It needs to be proofed by your actions here. Simple as that".

  I didn't know what to say. I crossed my arms and looked away.

"Alright then I'll be back in a few hours", Duncan said taking his leave. 

   Bam!

   The doors were flung open. Startled, I quickly turned towards the noise and so did everyone else.
    He had confidence, the authority, the audacity, the insensitivity, and above all that arrogant look. My heart skipped beats. My anxiety and hunger were making me want to puke.
    He was announcing his arrival to all without ever saying a single word. Walking so fearlessly, so untouchable.

"I think I'm going to-

I held unto my mouth and stomach. 

"You better not!", Adira whispered harshly.

I gave her the fearful look. Looking again towards Jax, I see his eyes lock with mine. As if he had found his prey. A grin was spread over his face,  showing his white teeth. At that moment his motives were laid bare. Someone who enjoyed whatever torment he could inflict on others.
    In a quick second, Jax was in front of me. His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern my father used to have. He laid his hand lightly on my shoulder. He left his hand there and spoke with such a soft voice but I knew it was all an act.

  "Are you okay? my love". He then placed his cold hand on my cheek. He was admiring my face while Caressing my cheek.

  "You look a bit too pale".

I pulled back. "I'm just a bit hungry".

  "You didn't eat earlier?", he asked.

   "No".

He glared at Adira. She quickly got to her feet and took hold of my wrist.

  "I'll take her now".

"Why didn't you take her earlier!", his voice echoed throughout the room, and heads were turned once again.

  I can feel Adira's small hand around my wrist tremble uncontrollably.

With my fear of him, I still had the guts to speak up for her. "Prince, she did take me but I stepped out for a few. I guess I didn't have the chance to eat. It wasn't her fault, it's mine".

   "Okay love". He gave me the sweetest smile, it petrified me. 

  "Take her to fill her thirsty soul, Adira. Once you are done with that, get her ready. Today is the day you will be with me". Jax slowly whispered the last word, while looking at me. He abruptly took hold of my hand and kissed the back of it.
   Fixing his vest, he walked away. Two girls quickly came to his side and he wrapped his arms around them.

   Time ticked.  It was as if nature conspired to keep me in the dark, not daring to whisper the reassurance I craved. I lay there, staring up at the ceiling as if I was paralyzed.

  "Um thank you".

I slowly sat up to look at Adira. "You welcome. You would have done the same if I was in your position".

She smiled saying nothing more. We were in our room waiting on Duncan to come back with my food. Of course, Adira was not going to force me to gulp down a cup of blood.

"Continuing our conversation-".

"What conversation?", Adira asked.

  I crossed my legs, fidgeting with my fingers. "About Cyan, the social class, and the royals".

  Adira frowned. "I thought we were done with that".

"We are. I just have one question".

Adira knowing she had no choice said, "alright ask away", with little enthusiasm.

  "Why doesn't Cyan take his rightful place in the social class? I mean he is above everyone else. Everyone fears him, wouldn't it be easy to do so?".

  "He can't until the prophecy comes to pass".

"What prophecy?".

"The prophecy in which a halfer and the last ice weaver come together to take back what is rightfully his".

My face washed blank with confusion. I processed it in my mind a couple of times. "If I was him, I wouldn't wait for some halfer to come. I would just take what belongs to me out of those royals' hands".

  "It isn't that easy. I haven't even told you the whole thing. I only just told you the central idea".

  I crossed my arms, "Then enlighten me".