Chapter 33

The store is a small tent that's connected to the dining hall. One of the older ladies that serves the food is organizing some of the items they have. My eyes catch on what I'm positive are biscuits in her hand.

Maybe it's because I haven't had good food in a while, maybe it's because I'm hungry. Either way I go a bit crazy. Everything that catches my eye I ask for. Everything!

Once my bag is stuffed full with food, snacks, and drinks, Onda and I head off to the beach. The dark clouds that were over us earlier have already passed so there's no fear of us getting rained on.

Onda’s eye drop to my bag, and I can feel his judgment. He only got two things, but he’s been there before. I earned this.

The bounce in my step falters when I spot three men by the shoreline. I've never seen them before, but based on the way that Onda flinches, he knows exactly who these people are.

Let me guess…these are the bullies.

A muscled man with tan skin, in leather armor spots us and gives us a grin that unsettles me. “We were wondering where your new hiding spot was.” When he stands up, there’s a predatory grace to his movements that sends warning bells off my head.

I step in front of Onda on instinct blocking their view of him.

The one that approaches us is the blonde guy with delicate features that don’t match his large frame. “Did you get food for us? And look at that, we didn't even have to ask you Onda.”

He reaches for the bag Onda’s holding, but I stop him before he can make contact. “That's not your food. If you want some, the store's still open.”

I point behind us in the direction that the store was at. He doesn't look that way. Instead, blondie stares at me with a curious expression. As if I am the strangest person he ever met.

Onda tugs on my sleeve but all my attention is on the man in front of me.

“And you are?” he asks.

“Em. I'm Onda’s friend. Nice to meet you.”

I hold out my hand to shake his, but he doesn't take it. “Oh. You're the one that caused trouble when she first got here. You broke the stone platform.”

It seems like I left a strong impression on him. “I didn't break it, it broke on its own.”

The man offers a smirk before directing his attention back to Onda. “Are you really going to pull somebody else into this. I know you're a coward, but hiding behind a woman is a new low for you.”

I can feel Onda shaking behind me, but he steps next to me with his head held high.

“Hey Kael. Here.” Onda hands blondie his bag of food.

I want to tell him that he doesn't have to do that, but something tells me that if I step in now, it's just going to make things worse down the line.

The other two men come strolling up to us. The weasel looking guy searches in the bag with Kael and they seem almost disappointed by what they find. Crazy that people stealing food get the right to be disappointed.

“You didn't buy anything we like.”

Onda head dips slightly at the rebuke.

The other guy in leather hand back watching Onda. I’m forcing my shoulders to relax so it doesn’t appear that I’m tense. Next to Kennedy, I think this guy is the most dangerous mythic at the camp. I’m not sure how I know, but I do.

Kael and weasel guy throw a few more insults Onda’s way, but he doesn’t apologize which must be out of the norm given how annoyed they get.

“Are you going to apologize you useless rat?!” Weasel guy screams.

Onda like a badass doesn’t, so when weasel guy raises his hand to strike Onda, I decide it’s time to do my part.

I grip his wrist and glare at him. When he doesn't pull his hand away, I use more force. Maybe it’s the headache that’s been getting worse, but I misjudge my strength. My intention was to bruise, but something ended up crunching in his wrist.

Cursing at me, weasel guy pulls his wrist away cradling it in the other hand. When I glance his way, poor Onda looks almost as bad as his bully. Maybe it’s because he knows he’ll be answering for that later.

Blondie watches his friend with disappointment in his eyes. “Shut up Ivan.”

Since I already started, I figured that I might as well go all the way. “Why are you picking on Onda? Are you guys the ones sending him to the medical tent?”

“We’re not picking on anyone. Onda belongs to my family. So, his money, his food, his life. They’re ours. That’s what a slave contract is kid.” As he says this, Kael Steps closer to me invading my space.

I'm about to tell him to back off when I feel someone behind me.

“What are you talking about?” Kennedy's voice comes out like a purr.

A part of me isn't sure if her showing up is a good thing or a bad thing. But while I'm confused, every man including Onda looks terrified.

“Hello Kael.”

Kael takes a step back before addressing Kennedy. “Hello my lady. I was just talking to my chore boy.”

“No. I believe you were talking to my roommate,” she counters.

The tanned dark-haired man steps forward. He doesn't seem as afraid as Kael, but he's still wary of Kennedy.

“We were just having a conversation with her. It seems that she forgot the difference between ranks. We're offering her a gentle reminder.”

“She knows Jay. But she also knows that as far as Royals go, I outrank all of you. So, she can do whatever she wants here. Just a reminder.”

Jay isn't happy, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, he shoots a glare at Onda as if he was the one that caused the problems.

“Don't talk to her again. Any of you.” They nod their heads and prepare to leave, but Kennedy stops them. “The bag. Hand it over.”

Kael looks over at Jay who clenches his jaw but eventually tilts his head to Kael telling him to hand Kennedy the bag of food.

“Now you can leave.” At her dismissal, all three of them walk away.

While Jay shoots Onda one last pointed glare, Ivan stares me down as he passes. It's probably due to Kennedy being behind me, but I'm feeling brave. Brave enough to cut my eyes at him and act like he’s as insignificant as the dirt under my feet.

When they're far enough away, Kennedy grabs my bag of food as well before stepping away for me and giving me once over. She makes a, mmm, sound before spinning on her heels and leaving with our food.

Onda and I are left standing on the small hill that overlooks the shoreline as both parties leave us.

“So, those are your roommates?”

Onda nods his head before asking, “Are you and Kennedy friends now?”

“I think friends is a strong word. Also, sorry she stole your food.”

Onda shrugs as if this is a common occurrence for him. “Sorry she took yours too. And I’m sorry if I disappointed you.”

Leaning away from him so that I can take him in, I ask Onda what he’s talking about. What does he mean disappoint me?

Onda pulls at his sleeves bunching the fabric in his palm for comfort. “I didn’t tell you about them because I didn’t want you seeing how I give into them and thinking less of me,” he confesses.

“Onda, the only reason that I’m keeping my head above water here is because of you. And if you think you’re a disappointment, then so am I. Don’t forget that I’m just as scared of my roommates as you are. Also, I thought you were pretty badass back there.”

Onda blushes into the fabric of his sleeves that he has bunched in his palm. “Thanks Em.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, let’s try this again. To the store we go.”

Having mixed feelings after being saved and then robbed by Kennedy, both Onda and I go back to the store to buy more stuff. As I purchase only one-third the amount I did before, I deeply regret splurging. Even if it’s to celebrate, it’s really not good to be greed.

Just before the sun goes down, I walk back into my tent ready to curl up on the ground and finish up some orders when I realize something. My cot is no longer there. There is a cot, but there’s no blood on it.

My gaze sweeps the tent, but my old bloody cot, Lonnie’s cot, is nowhere in sight. Thinking that this has something to do with Kennedy, I plop down on top of the cot. It creaks, and the material is a bit scratchy, but it feels like I’m lying on a cloud.

With my work forgotten, I close my eyes and for the first time since I got here, I allow myself to sleep without any reservations.