Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy Page B

table straight across from her was Captain Dylan, he stared at her and smiled, a softer look on his face as he held his cup up in the air, nodding to her. He set it down and was then interrupted by a guard to his left. Shade glanced at the man who now was leering at her, and he was speaking softly to the Captain. He had similar facial structure, looked a bit younger than the Captain.
    Shade was betting they were related somehow. She barely noticed that they were both looking at her now. The other guard’s dark stare was just that much colder than Dylan’s. She probably had stared too long. Shade felt her cheeks flush and turned quickly away, hiding behind her goblet of sweet punch. She pushed her plate back and looked at her friends; praying that they would be heading to their rooms soon, to sleep.
    “Shade, are you done? We are being led to our chambers soon. Ready to go now?” Braelynn asked as she nodded at her and smiled. Relieved, Shade stood and followed as all of them began to file out. A dark haired and paled skin Teleen woman stood in front of them and waited for them to gather around. She smiled broadly at someone and held her arms out. Shade craned her neck to see whom she was smiling at. Jack came into the embrace, hugging the woman and began pulling back but the woman hung on a little longer, long enough to whisper something in Jack’s ear. He then pulled back abruptly and frowned at her, shaking his head and answered her sternly but soft enough so that no one else was privy to the conversation. Shade wondered who that woman was and how she knew Jack.
    Jack turned back to the group, now composed and had a face of calm. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly for them all to hear. “Okay guys, Sylphi here is going to join us and show us to our rooms. We might be spread out for these are natural caves and are quite large. Don’t go wandering either, these tunnels travel far and it is easy to get lost. If you absolutely must, please only leave your room accompanied by someone else.” He waved to them to come forward and they all filed in by twos behind him and Sylphi. Sylphi kept trying to inch up near to him but he avoided her advances by stepping back and cramming in by Shade and Braelynn. “Shade, how is the trek finding you? Getting too tired?” He smiled down at her and completely ignored Sylphi’s raging glare. The woman turned back towards a large tunnel that they all filed into. Joining her were Captain Dylan and his near relative guard from the table.
    “Um, it’s ok, my muscles are killing me, I‘ve never felt so sore in my life. I think I might have some blisters on my feet that are hurting something awful. I’m really not an outdoors type; this is really a big push for me.”
    “Ah, you will need Sari’s famous foot soak, that’ll take care of anything on your feet for sure. I am sure she will have something for your muscle aches; this journey will take a toll on us all. I’ll have her stop by your room after she gets settled,” Jack said.
    Sylphi was giggling and turned back towards them. “Shade, you might like Darren’s famous massage. He will definitely make you forget any pain you ever have felt and more…” Her voice had a singsong way, but with a definite malicious tone to it. She patted Captain Dylan’s comrade’s back.
    “Thank you Sylphi, I will try to make myself, useful, for anyone who wishes so.” Darren, Captain Dylan’s sidekick snickered. Shade swallowed, somehow the massage did not sound like something she might need at all.
    “That’s enough from both of you. I am sure our friends are much too tired from a long journey and just want to get some shuteye. Just show them their rooms already,” Captain Dylan snapped. He grumbled under his breath and gave Shade a dark look. She wondered why he didn’t seem to like her much. He doesn’t even know me, why would he be so mean?
    It’s because the unknown is a thing to fear Shade. Never forget that, the voices