Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 43

  The ceremony is held in the ballroom. It’s beautiful. Damien is allowed to escort me by orders of the Dean, but Zeke has to stay behind because he didn’t pass any of his classes this time around.

  The decorations are tasteful and bright. The music is coming from a small band of strings in the corner. The Dean is on a throne in the center of the back wall.

  There are tables placed around the room, with waiters serving champagne and hors d’oeuvres. There are buffet tables placed along the opposite wall of floor--to--ceiling windows. The crystal chandelier sparkles above the dance floor. I feel like I’ve stepped into a scene from Cinderella.

  It’s everything I could have hoped for. The Isle has built a special place in my heart, and I will be sad to leave this place.

  We spend time dancing and eating before the ceremony begins. I’m nervous when my name is called to accept my Passing gift. The Dean presents each student with a personalized gift for each class that they pass.

  When my name is called I approach the throne and take a bow. Dean Worthen takes my hand and whispers his congratulations to me.

  I am presented with a wand for Witchery and a single sealed potion for Potions and Spells. The potion is presented in a necklace. The directions are to use it when I am in grave danger. I take this to mean that I can only use it when I truly think I’m going to die. I guess I should probably find out what it does sometime.

  I accept my gifts and make my way back to my seat to show Damien. The amount of student celebrating makes for a long night. The list of names is never--ending. I would compare it to a high school graduation at a large inner--city school.

  After the last name is called, they announce a final dance that will take place in ten minutes. I take a moment to slip off to the ladies’ room to reapply my makeup. I want to look perfect for the final dance.

  I’m touching up my lipstick when I hear the bone--chilling voice of Anna, standing behind me.

  “You had me expelled?” The anger is prevalent in her voice.

  “I didn’t do anything. You had yourself expelled by ordering a hit on me.” I don’t want to throw gasoline on the fire, but I won’t take the blame for her actions.

  “I didn’t order a hit on you. I just had them rough you up a bit. You stole my boyfriend!” She is flailing her arms around in accusation.

  “I am still with Damien; Zeke and I are not a couple.” It’s true in everyone else’s eyes.

  “What do you and Zeke have going on? I’ve heard rumors of your unhealthy relationship with both Damien and Zeke, but I don’t understand why you have to have both. Can’t you be happy with just one, or are you that big of a slut?”

  A slut? This is really starting to piss me off. What right does this psycho have to call me a slut?

  “I didn’t steal your boyfriend; he ran from you once he found out the type of person you really are. You need to take a good long look in the mirror before you start pointing fingers!” That should teach her.

  I turn to walk out when she grabs my shoulder and spins me around. “It’s not enough that you stole my boyfriend; you had to go and get me expelled through no fault of my own. My father is upset at me for ruining his image. You will pay for that.” She smacks me in the face.

  I catch her wrist and twist it. “Damien is right outside and probably wondering where I am, so if you are finished threatening me, I need to leave.” I see the redness of rage in her eyes. In the blink of an eye, she throws an orb at me.

  It hits me in the stomach and pushes me up against the countertop. I hope she’s not trying to start a fight; she’s not worth my time, and there’s no way she can beat me in a battle.

  “We can settle this later. I need to leave now.” I dust off my dress and grab my clutch.

  “You aren’t going anywhere until I say so.” For the first time, I notice two bulky women blocking the exit to the bathroom, leaving me trapped inside. Panic and rage fill me. I don’t want to be stuck in the bathroom with her for another minute.

  How dare she try to ruin my Passing Ceremony?

  “You really don’t want to do this.” I try to reason with her.

  “On the contrary, I have been waiting to get my hands on you.” With a swift blow to my ribs, the bathroom breaks out in chaos.

  The two bulky women grab my arms to restrain me, leaving my body open to Anna’s abuse. I know that it will only be a matter of minutes before Damien knows that something is wrong and comes to find me. I send out a probe, but his wall is up and I can’t concentrate enough to get through it, not with all of the commotion.

  Anna is hitting me anywhere she can reach me, taking special care to mess up my face. I struggle against the bulky women, but it’s useless; they’re much stronger than I am.

  I try to clear my thoughts and focus, but I’m coming up blank. The pain in my midsection is becoming unbearable.

  I take the only course of action that I can think of and slouch down, pretending to be defeated. Her henchwomen buy it enough for me to free my arms and wiggle out of their hold. I know there’s no getting out without help so I run to the unoccupied corner of the bathroom.

  With my back against the wall, I have seconds to formulate a plan before they are on top of me. I shoot out a weak orb, which is all I can muster at a moment’s notice. It knocks back Anna, but doesn’t seem to affect the women.

  “Get her; she’s mine!” Anna’s voice is shrill and sinister.

  They are on me at the same time, punching and kicking and dragging me away from the wall. I buck and kick, to no avail. I catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror and see the blood dripping down it, my eye swollen.

  The look of defeat is upon my face. I need to hold on until Damien comes for me. I know that he will come. Where in the heck is he?

  As Anna attacks again, I bring my knee up, knocking the wind out of her. One of the women rushes to her side, leaving me to deal with the other one.

  I round on her, getting in a few blows as my head is jerked back, her fingers clutching my hair. With fear of losing a chunk of my hair, I back off.

  I turn to Anna and find myself looking down the barrel of a handgun. It’s pointed at my face. I freeze. All I can think about is Damien and Zeke. If I’m going to die, it’s going to be with them.

  At that time, the door to the bathroom swings open and hits Anna, knocking her off her balance as the gun fires.

  Time stands still. In slow motion, the look of horror crosses the face of the unfamiliar woman trying to enter the bathroom. Anna turns around and slams the door closed, clicking the lock to avoid another person witnessing the incident.

  I can only stare, paralyzed as the bullet flies into my chest. The most intense pain I have ever felt radiates throughout my whole body as my knees crumple and I fall to the ground.

  Anna fumbles with the lock before she and the women run from the room. I hear a beep and look around. Anna yells, “Bomb!” as the door to the bathroom opens, and the women in line run from the impending explosion.

  I try to crawl away as the third beep registers. The only thing I can do is curl up into a ball when the light of the explosion surrounds me. The noise is so loud that I’m sure that my eardrums are bleeding.

  The heat hits me with such force that I can’t breathe. I grab for my necklace, but I can’t open it. The smell of charred flesh is the last thing that registers.

  I feel free of my body, but the pain is still there. It feels like I’m a spirit. I’m standing over myself when the blast dies down. I can see the damage done to the bathroom, and to my body. There’s blood everywhere.

  Damien and Zeke run into the bathroom, and fear rolls free. How did Zeke get here? They wouldn’t let him in the ceremony. I fade away as they hover over my body.