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"Oh my gawd, meat! Come on!" She glanced at me, excitement etched on her face as she grabbed my wrist pulling me to the table where the men sat. My stomach rumbled as delicious aromas wafted up from the tables we passed and tickled my nose. Baby J finally let my wrist loose as she slid happily into a chair thankfully that sat in front of Jai. I sat in the one in front of Scout whose smile didn't reach his eyes. Alarm spiked through me, but was soon set aside as hunger pains nawed fiercely in my stomach, as a female Nuekdae walked to the table. She smiled at me, with kindness showing in her heavily black kohl rimmed eyes. As she set a heaping plate in front of me. All the Neukdae wore the blacked rimmed eye makeup and lipstick even Jai, except the older man who watched me intently.
I forgot everything as I concentrated on my plate. A pair of chopsticks and a pair of mismatched tarnished fork and knife sat by my plate. I was so hungry I knew I didn't have the patience to try my hands at the chopsticks, so I picked up the fork, which I stabbed at the brown hunk that sat beside a mound of rice mixed with Krill and seaweed. The fork slipped into the slab easily and I used my knife to cut a small piece, fighting the urge to just pick the entire chunk up with my fork and bite off pieces. I slipped the tender bite into my mouth and shivers ran through me. I moaned from how good it tasted. I hadn't had real meat in months. Even with my family being considered well off, with my father being head researcher for Caesar Corporation before he stepped down, after only telling us, the family, that the research at the corporation was going in a direction he didn't wish to go. So he left. But even previous to that, we only enjoyed real meat on occasion, it being reserved for the very elite. How did the Neukdae get meat? The thought slipped into the front of my thoughts unwanted. But recklessly I set them aside, just wanting to enjoy what was before me. I chewed allowing the warm beef juices to fill my mouth... I scooped in the rice mixture and closed my eyes at how good it all tasted, having survived for the last few weeks on Soy Rash.
"I think she likes it" Baby J said. I opened my eyes and found them all staring at me in various states of disbelief.
I gave an embarrassed close mouth grin, setting my fork down and wiping my mouth with fist. Baby J gave me a disgusted look and I quickly picked up the clean, frayed cloth that seemed to be meant to use as a napkin and wiped the grease from my mouth. I picked up the chipped mason glass that sat in front of me, and dranked down the cool water. I felt slightly more human as the hunger pains dulled. I slowed down and began to eat slowly.
Apparently noticing that I no longer behaved as if I was starved. The older man cleared his throat and said. "We don't get many guests. So excuse me if I seem surprised by your presence...Miss...?
I looked up and slightly glanced at Jai as he frowned while cutting his meat. Although she didn't act like an animal like I did. I could tell Baby J was very focused on the small bit of steak on her plate, apparently a rare treat for the Nuekdae. I realized the older man's question still hung in the air and I said quickly. "Dominique...Dominique Coutee". The man seemed surprised and afraid... then he seemed to get himself under control again.
"Everyone here calls me Scout." He said. That non-eye reaching smile showing again. I quickly grabbed my water glass and took a long sip to give myself something to do under his scrutiny.
Sitting the glass back down I said. "Hello, Scout. I'm not really a guest, I've been kidnapped." Baby J sputtered, water shooting from the glass she had been drinking out of. She put it down a while laughing. Jai smiled and continued to eat.
"Kidnapped? I see, well they're doing all types of things while I'm away." He glanced at Jai, who frowned slightly but still concentrated on his plate. "Well, if you have been kidnapped, I apologize. We usually do our best to keep those we don't know out. Not bring them in."
Jai's fork clanged against his plate as he spoke quietly." Like I've mentioned, you were not here. And I THOUGHT I was in charge while you are away. She was not kidnapped, but offered a place to stay seeing that she has all types of low lifes after her on the outside." Jai glanced at me, shaking his head.
"We do offer refuge to those who need us. But only after careful observation and voting as a community!" Scout said banging his hand on the table. The room quieted for a brief second. Scout, cleared his throat and waved his hand and the chatter broke out again. It bothered me that I seemed to be a problem between the two, but hunger was once again rearing its head and I had no idea when I would be kicked out again. Best fuel up.
I scooped up my cooling rice and shoveled in my mouth, not knowing when I might be shown the door. Jai seemed to be struggling to keep himself under control. I marveled at Scout being able to tame the beast I had seen lurk under the angelic face of Jai's. "She found Haven. No one finds Haven and..."
He became quiet, and anger slipped from Scout's face replaced by concern." What?"
Jai looked quickly at Baby J and I then Scout. They appeared to have some type of unspoken communication when Scout said. "The Dreams? She's a trigger?"
Jai seemed embarrassed and nodded his head quickly, "I think so" He said as he turned back to shoving food around on his plate. Scout no longer watched me with suspicion but confusion now. Finally finished and feeling as if I could communicate, I pushed my plate aside and wiped my mouth with the cloth before speaking. "I'm looking for someone Emile Caesar. He was the one who gave my sister and her friend the Somnium that killed them."
"What'cha planning to do?" Baby J , nslid a finger across her throat in the kill symbol.
"You're done. Go." Jai said quietly.
"Scout, it's not fair. I didn't get dessert." She pouted.
"Go" Scout gave a look at her, which caused Baby J to sulkily get up and leave the table without a word.
The question Baby J asked hung in the air between us three, awaiting me to dare answer it. I didn't know exactly what I would do when seeing Emile Caesar again. I just knew I had to make him and everyone connected to Somnium pay.
Answering honestly I said. "I don't know what I'll do. But I have to find him. He disappeared the day after they died. I know through him, I can find who else is behind this drug."
Jai quietly watched me, unlike other humans who was still but still made miniature movements. A shift here or there. A breath in and out. A scratch of a forehead, nose. Or rub of a forehead or cheek. Something. Jai didn't do any of these things. Not one. He was inhumanely still and his complete attention on me. Real fear shot through me. What is he? The question hung between the shallow breaths I took. I said. "I know Erica was here, she learned...something...something that can help me? I know you know...please tell me. What did Erica learn?"
"And what'll you do if I tell you?" He asked his voice so quiet that I had to lean in just to hear the question.
"I told you, I'm not sure yet. But if I know what she did, then I can make my next move." I said. Anger grappling with fear that I was close to losing my only lead. I could see the doubt in Jai's eyes. The closing down and the slipping away of the information I needed to avenge my sister.
"Without a plan. You plan to fail." Scout said. He went on. "I agree with Jai, there's way more here than we know. We can help one another. Before you need leads, you need training...Sue..."
"No. I'll train her..." Jai said.
Scout looked over at the younger man and the worry that shown before on his face, deepened, etched into every wrinkle. "Fine. You train her, but remember we have 60 days until King's battle. You must be ready."
"I will" Jai said.
Scout nodded and then stood. "Well Dominique, welcome to Nuekdae. Our 2nd in command can be slightly moody, but just give him time to warm up. I'll see you soon."
I watched the man leave. Only Jai and I remained at the table as the majority of the dining hall cleared out. I said." I want to know what Erica found out."
"Rest today. We begin training tomorrow." He said standing.
"I NEED to know Jai." I said. I hated the fact my voice slightly broke when speaking to him.
"You need to learn how to stay alive. We start in the morning. Early..." He said as he walked out the dining hall.
I watched him go, a new resolve hardening within me as the thought came into my mind. Fine, I'll do it your way. I'll survive whatever you throw at me, and I'll get the information I need to find those responsible for Phoenix and Jane's deaths. And I'll make them pay.