Chapter 30: Erin

The Council’s Sanctuary had holding rooms for trials that extended for several days. After my denouncing Tatianna as my representative debacle, I didn’t want to return to Cal’s dimension. I also wanted a space bigger than a bedroom, so I stayed in one of their suites. It wasn’t a bad gig, with another expansive bed, soft mattress, full-size jacuzzi tub, and living room. It was more of a luxury resort, and I could almost forget I was in a courthouse fighting for my soul. Almost.

To my relief, I didn’t run into Dez, Cal, or Tatianna, and no one came knocking or barging into my room. Llewyn told me the Council protected these rooms so I could at least sleep in peace, and with Cal’s blood, I could have a good night’s rest without any nightmares.

My short-lived peace and quiet ended on day two when my stomach grumbled. While there had been spare clothes and hygiene materials in the closet and drawers, there had been no food, and I didn’t spy a silver slate anywhere. Either humans rarely stayed in these rooms, or the Council expected its guests to leave occasionally.

Throwing on a spare white button-down dress I found in the closet, I took a deep breath and exited the room.

I passed other beings in the halls, asking if there was room service, but they all ignored me. I guess I had to settle for the bar in the party room and pray I didn’t see any familiar faces.

The party room looked the same and held as many beings as the last time I was here. I couldn’t tell the time as there were no windows, the layout reminding me of a casino. I slid past purple humanoid beings and a double-headed dog to approach the nine-tailed cat at the counter.

“Excuse me,” I said.

The hairless cat continued to whip out drinks as if I hadn’t spoken at all. I tried again, but got the same response. Cursing under my breath, I left the bar when Henrietta, Jaslynne, and Savenellus entered the room. I darted behind a white pillar, judging the distance between here and the entrance if I ran, but they stood in my direct path. Would they even recognize me? Did I want to take that risk? Dezmandaro wasn’t with them, thank goodness.

A masculine figure joined them, and judging by his height and abnormal beauty, I knew he wasn’t human. His hair fell in a single blonde braid down his back, but the most unusual thing about him was the doctor’s robe he wore.

I inched closer around the pillar, cursing my luck. If I had come a bit earlier, I would have avoided them. Or, at this rate, it would’ve been better if I hadn’t left my room at all, as my trip had been fruitless.

Jaslynne laughed at something the blonde being was saying when a girl approached the group. Her black dress did little to hide the black and blue bruises up and down her arms and legs. Her black-cropped hair barely veiled the lifeless look in her eyes.

Saya. It was Saya.

The doctor snatched the drink out of Saya’s hand, dumping the contents over her face, and pure rage pumped through me. The others laughed too loudly for me to hear what he said. Saya nodded, her head bowed, and turned away when the doctor grabbed her hand. I heard the snap from here when he twisted it. Saya screamed.

I was already halfway across the room, my hands balled into fists, my vision red. I snatched a glass off a nearby table, hoping my aim was still as good as when I helped Megan coach softball one summer. The group of them turned to me when I stood a few feet away. I waited for the bastard to fully turn around before I shot the glass as hard as I could at his face.

He caught it before it connected with his perfect nose, only a few drops sloshing out the side. “What do you think—”

I kneed him right in the groin.

He collapsed like a folding table, wheezing in shock. I latched onto Saya’s arm and ran.

“No, Erin, what have you done!” Saya yelled behind me, but she didn’t slow down.

We exited into the foyer when someone snatched a fistful of my hair and yanked me back. I yelped, whirling around to face a pair of cruel brown eyes so dark they almost appeared black. The doctor’s perfect face twisted into a rage that matched my own.

“You’re going to pay for that dearly,” he spat.

I swung out my leg, but I wasn’t as lucky the second time around. He caught my foot and twisted. It cracked. Excruciating pain shot through me, and I collapsed to the ground with a gasp.