"Finnegan, Brian, Aayan". George called out the three collaborators of Nobles sweet and they immediately straightened up, paying rapt attention with the question of why the ticking time bomb had called them out of the hundred.
"Tell me".
Tell himwhat? They were confused but dared not voice that out after a life practical had been displayed for all minutes ago.
"Your second rule built with this establishment". This time, they froze.
"I-Information should never be leaked out?". Brian spluttered, flustered making George hum and nod, tilting his head to the side.
"And which of you ordered the leak out? Do not let lie cross your tongue because we all know there had to be a backing". The way he said it made them want to wet their pants from fear, it was almost like a snarl escaping the mouth of a ferocious beast with horns and claws- but only if they knew it was more than that.
"Pfft. Not like you keep to your own rules Senior George ". Marlon mocked, liking the attention he was getting. Out of the hundred seated, not one had spoken a word but their ears were open, waiting for the right moment to lay down their compliant.
"What are you getting at Marlon?". Finnegan asked with a frown. They were all of higher authority and because he was a Noble without position but a title, he wasn't given respect and regard.
"Didn't you hear the rumors of today that circulated within the establishment?". He asked and when he got no reply but stink looks, he laughed, side glancing Aayan and leaning forward so his jaw was almost touching the table.
"What I never expected was for you to change your direction of fucks". He lowered his voice like he was almost whispering but he was heard clearly and those that were unaware stared at George's neck or shoulder because of the predatory gaze he had in his eyes. Marlon although scared never let it show as he matched George's gaze which made him smile and Marlon confused.
"Sleeping with scarred abominations". Marlon shook his head and leaned back into his chair out of fright. Everyone stared at Marlon like he was courting death while his gaze lingered on Autumn standing behind Landmark and she gave him a smile instead of bowing her head like others would do in shame or remorse which made him seethe in anger.
Landmark snickered, his long tongue peeking out to lick the side of his mouth.
"Says the one who's mother slept around to get the title 'Noble' with no position. Isn't that the reason why you bear her first name?". Landmark taunted in place of George and asked like he was interested. With shuddering breaths and wandering weary eyes that watched his every move, Lady Genesis tried to direct a glare in Marlon's direction.
"Don't talk about my mother in that manner". Marlon's fist came down hard on the table which made Landmark excited almost on the verge of clapping both hands.
"Marlon please stop". Lady Genesis pleaded, drained of energy by her brother's behavior.
"Don't you see how they treat us? How they treat mother?". At the mention of her mother, her gaze darkened and her fist clenched, suddenly feeling her back hurting. Only them knew what they went through; she could see the pain in his eyes but hers wasn't just only pain, it was an ache that would live with her. Being a Noble with no position but the notorious and famous story of their mother sleeping around, the humiliation was haunting and painful; a mere slave could disregard them because of that. Being a Commoner was better than the position they held, they had to get things in a different way and being a lady, she had to use her body. A whimper escaped her mouth because she felt like trash.
"To resolve this issue, I honestly think cutting her tongue would be the ideal punishment given the fact that she had heard every information but that would only be carried out if you're done with her Lord George". Delilah spoke up, trying to lighten the suffocating mood only to bare her neck when he gave her a ferocious look that made him want to rip out her throat.
"I asked not to be called that title".
"But-". She tried to refute but stopped dead with his shuddering warning that sounded like a threat.
"Say one more word and I'll have you nailed in place of a mannequin". Saying that, he gestured in Marlon's direction, beckoning for him to continue like he was watching a show of clowns but his eyes snapped open and dark aura began to form when he heard the thought even before the mouth spoke the words.
"Is it because the Almighty George couldn't save his sister?, allowed her to die with a man's stick in between her crooked legs-". He didn't get to finish that statement.
The world around her swirled and she swayed, gripping the headrest of Landmark's chair tightly with a hand while the other massaged her temple as her vision split and her labored breathing echoed harshly in her ears. She couldn't hear anything else apart from her own breath unknown to the crack that had formed at the latter end of the headrest. She blinked, Once. Twice. Thrice. Bringing her focus back to the meeting room and her heart stopped. She could swear on the day she was born that she saw it, that she saw black shadow almost resembling a beast crawl from under George's seat but when she blinked, it was all gone like she had imagined it, leaving her with split vision and a pounding unfocused head.
Lady Genesis stared at the spot where her brother was supposed to be in shock. Looking around, everyone seemed calm and collected but the warm liquid on her cheek told her otherwise, not to believe denial crawling up her mind.
"Be a darling and send his head as a gift to his mother". She heard him well. She heard George well and she had seen the double doors open and close, she had seen him being dragged out and she had heard gurgling sound.
Denial slapped her on the left cheek while confusion slapped her on the right on what she tried to deny as her fingers slowly crawled up to touch the warm liquid on her cheek, bringing it back to her line of vision with stiff neck.
BLOOD