The Shadow of Gloom

Chapter 33 - Unexpected Entertainment

My head nodded before I could think, but it was only out of habit. I swore I had to nod in agreement so much just to avoid getting scolded by him repeatedly for dumb shit.

When he'd settled and appeared not to want to go on a tirade, I scooted my chair out and stood, planning to save this boring night. Leuthar glanced up at me as I passed him by, and surprisingly he looked pretty alert despite having drank half of the wine pitcher that had been set near us. He'd proved his reputation of not being a people person tonight by ignoring everyone and turning away even the slightest advances. Part of me wished he wouldn't though, because maybe having fun would make him less... rigid.

As I finished placing my chair back, the same familiar voice spoke up, just as I had planned.

"Where are you going?"

I grinned to myself and spun around, back towards Ronan. "Why don't you find out?"

Leaving behind the stale hall and the unexciting ball, I headed towards the doors out of the hall that led into the corridor outside. I'd made an effort to avoid the Misonte circle, by going the long way around them, but I still felt their gazes on me and even saw Cassian glance my way. That one second glance lit fire under my feet and had me shuffling quicker out of the hall. Something about him spelled out danger in bold red letters.

After I walked into the chilly corridor, the lights dim and little to no light shining in through the windows, I made my way over to the balcony door nearby and exited out of it. I stepped out onto the balcony, instantly chattering when a breeze blew past me carrying the tiniest flakes of snow along with it. Snow wasn't magical anymore to me because it was an everyday occurrence now.

As my eyes squinted out above the city that looked small and forgettable from here, I released a long sigh and pushed my hands into my pockets. My fingertips brushed the soft cotton of the patches in my pocket, the ones rejected by Ronan and Leuthar. I'd been immersed in trying to fit in here and be a part of everything that I'd forgotten that these people had been here longer than me and that painful memories were brought up easily. They weren't like me, in where everything was fresh and like an adventure to me.

I really was too quick to grab onto something, and maybe that was because this was all I had...

At the sound of footsteps from behind me, I shook the thoughts away and smiled to myself. Ronan had to have followed me and together we would make this night a lot more tolerable.

"If you think about it, this is the beginning of a new chapter," I stated as I turned around, only biting my tongue when I came face to face with someone I hadn't been expecting.

Eirith stared me down, eyes wide, legs unsteady, and a putrid smell of ale wafting off him. I crinkled my nose and side-stepped away from him, but he wobbly moved in front of me. He raised his pudgy finger, wagging it as he sneered at me.

"That sna—snarky attitude and man—mannerless demeanor is... unmistakable. Gloom thought he could... fool me, but I'd know you anywhere." He stumbled towards me and reached out, grasping for my hood before I caught his wrist, stopping him. He curled his lip and jerked out of my grip. "Unhand me or you'll find yourself at the bottom of... of a well, mongrel."

And tonight had been going so well too. Ronan was going to be pissed and I was never going to hear the end of it, but I didn't care. Eirith had run his course and I was over catering to him. I'd catered to him ever since Aegar and that had costed enough lives already. Fuck waiting for lightening to come down and strike him when I could bring it myself.

"Me? A mongrel? I'm not the one who fucking sells people for his own wealth and puts down those trying to protect your goddamn sorry land," I stated bitterly, not even denying who I was. I put distance between us, worrying that I'd slap him baldheaded if he got too close. I was tired of him talking down on me, especially Ronan. "I will never understand how people like you manage to stay in power when you are nothing but cowards who hide behind your money."