Inside the Beast's Castle

Chapter 9--A Dinner

"I've got a bad feeling about this." --Star Wars
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Terror surged through me. I stood in front of a large wooden table, the length of it stretching almost from one end of the room to the other. I was going to meet the monster. I wasn't ready for that yet; I still hadn't gotten my bearings in the palace.

I slipped my hand in the small pocket of my dress, a pocket concealed by the many folds of the skirt. A hard surface met my fingers. The knife I pocketed earlier was still there. My heart jumped at the thought of killing somebody.

I wish I didn't have too. I wish I had refused the deal with the king.

Now, it is too late.

Unconsciously, I fiddled with my necklace. I saw Raul across the room. I looked at him and mouthed "What now?" 

He just shrugged.

Some help that is.

Raul's eyes widened when he saw my necklace out and he quickly dragged his fingers across his throat, telling me to tuck it back in. I remembered his warning from earlier in the day of not letting the master of the castle see it. Quickly, I tucked it under my dress.

"Are you just going to stand there all night, or will you do yourself a favor and sit down?"

I jumped, sucking in my breath. The voice seemed like it was coming from behind me. Whirling around, I looked, but no one was there.

"Where are you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

I can't be afraid. I need to suck it up.

Deal with it, Zara.

The voice growled from the other side of the room. I turned again.

"Do not search for me. I'll show myself to you when I wish. Now sit," he demanded.

My heart pounded. "I'm fine standing, thank you." Sitting was the last thing on my mind.

I'd rather face him standing up.

"That wasn't a question. Sit." Warning laced the speaker's words.

I grabbed the chair next to me, yanked it out, then sat, throwing both my arms in the air as I did so.

Stubborn. Then again, so am I.

"I'm sitting now. Feel like coming out so I can see you?"

A noise that one might think was a chuckle came from behind me.

"So you do have some spunk to you."

I started to look, but a hand grabbed the back of my head, forcing me to keep still.

If I could have thrown up my heart, I would've.

"Do not turn around." Then, added as an afterthought, "Close your eyes."

"Not planning on killing me, I hope." I was surprised at my nerve. A few minutes before, I never would have spoken like that.

 I guess the fear of death makes people do stupid things.

"No." The word was soft, as if trying to make my guard come down. I took a deep breath, then very slowly my eyes closed. I heard a rustle and the hand moved from the back of my head. A few clinks of metal followed, then the voice spoke again, "You can open them."

My eyes fluttered open. I gasped, unable to believe what was in front of me. The table, which originally had nothing on it but a black tablecloth, was filled with plates piled high with food.