CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Roxanne
What do you do when you're behind bars?
I kept looking for something to do. Something to keep me occupied. I was bored to death by the constant conversations the guards had and I could bet I could complete their last sentences.
Food had been sent to me and I was allowed to take my bath but it wasn't Kara who brought food to me. I longed to see her again. She had the kindest smile and was easy when it came to me.
But the people whose faces I was getting used to seeing everyday irked me. They had grumpy faces and complained when I requested for little things like a bottle of water or to use the toilet.
I mean crap! I could care less if they were having a bad day. It was easy- they could quit. At least they had freedom of movement and were not confined to this devil's lair like I was.
Bored to death from pacing the hellhole I was in, I took my time to observe it for the first time.
You never knew how intriguing it was to watch an ant crawling on the wall until you were bored as hell.
It was archaic, I could tell from the intricate carvings etched into the stone walls. They depicted scenes of wolves and humans intertwined in battles and moments of harmony.
A part of the ceiling and wall was black— like it had been burned. I traced my fingertips on it and noticed the ashes that clung to it.
I was right. It was burnt.
As I traced my fingers over the carvings, I noticed a small, hidden compartment within one of the wall engravings.
What could that be? I wondered.
I glanced around hastily, my heart thumping loudly in fear. Was this one of Ryker’s games?
With calculated movements, I pried it open and it revealed an old, dusty journal.
A journal tucked away in a place so discreet. Who could tell? What could the content be?
I opened the first page. It was crusty and faded and had cryptic writings. I was about to scale through when I heard approaching footsteps.
With speed as that of a lightning bolt, I replaced the journal where I had found it and sat down hastily on the bed.
Another guard, one I hadn't seen before, opened the cell door and frowned hard at me.
“It's time for your judgement.”
***
I fretted as I stood before the council. In as much as I tried to retain composure, my darting eyes and unsteady hands gave me off as guilty.
The elders were the ones to decide my fate, not Ryker. He didn't acknowledge the gathering. He was around, in his office or so but he wasn't present for the judgement.
The Elder whose name was Pippin fixed his eyes— no, his eye, on me. He glared hard with his one eye while I rolled both my eyes at him.
Who was he trying to intimidate? We were even. We had what we both longed for. He had the authority I wanted and I also had the eyes he needed.
“What happened on that day, miss…” He trailed off.
Great! He didn't even know my name.
“Roxanne,” another elder whispered to him.
“Oh oh,” he nodded. “Miss Roxanne. Could you explain what happened?”
I sighed. “Elders, if I explain, would you believe? Won't you think it's some made up story?” I asked, cocking my head back.
“You don't question the authority,” a voice croaked from amongst the gathering.
I nodded and lowered my head, “My apology.”
“Good, now tell us what happened,” Elder Pippin said and motioned for me to continue.
“The guard tried to rape me,” I said in a small voice.
“The deceased?”
I nodded.
They exchanged glances and whispers but their eyes never left me. I felt exposed and I knew the look that danced in their eyes.
It was disbelief.
“Rather than taking matters into your own hands, why didn't you call for help?”
“Help?” I scoffed. “I tried but the rest of the guards weren't on duty. He was the only one.”
“And you killed him,” Elder Pippin said in distaste.
I shook my head at him. “I did not kill him because I wanted to. It was only for self defence.”
Each word that left my mouth came with confidence. Of course, when your fate was about to be decided by foreign people, you wouldn't sit still while they fed you their vomit.
He nodded at me, and pulled out the shiny fork I used in taking someone's life.“And the weapon you used? Where did you get it from?”
Saliva drained from my mouth. My heart raced as my eyes remained glued on the “weapon” they waved at me.
I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't. Sweat trickled down my forehead. I had to say something.
Lie. It won't hurt anyone. Save yourself. Save Kara.
I cleared my throat and offered my most defiant look ever but still my voice failed me.
“He had it on him,” I say in a strained voice.
“And why would he have a fork on him?”
I stared at them in utmost bewilderment. I knew they didn't believe my cock and bull story but was I supposed to know?
“I have no idea.”
Elder Pippin chuckled. “Guards don't go about with forks woman. They hold more effective weapons.”
Another Elder turned to Pippin. “I believe her.”
Uh?
“Why would you think a fork isn't effective? That's what she stabbed him with and according to the guards, ever since she was brought here, she has been locked up,” the second Elder said.
I could kiss him right now.
Eew.
Elder Pippin shrugged. “Are you saying she's innocent?”
He shook his head and eyed me warily. “I'm not saying she is innocent. I'm only saying, for someone who has been locked up she wouldn't know the way to the kitchen. And we all know X loved food.”
Moon goddess, if this you, I can lick your feet right now. Humiliate me even. Spit on me and let me worship you.
Okay, too much. That sounded a bit gay.
There was a brief silence and I watched the elders whisper again. I needed to know what my judgement was.
Was I dying?
Elder pippin coughed and I stood straight with my ears perked. He locked an eye with me again but I didn't dare roll my eyes this time.
“Miss Roxanne. We've come to a conclusion based on your part of the story. The deceased can't defend himself neither can the guards but they did leave a statement saying you ran away after killing him.”
I swallowed and nodded.
“Why did you run?”
Was that even a question? I killed the devil's workman and they wanted me to do what? Run to the devil to seek empathy?
I remained silent.
“Does your silence mean you admit to being guilty and responsible for his murder?”
I sighed deeply and nodded reluctantly. They weren't going to believe me anyway. They needed me to take accountability for my actions and that was what I did.
“Yes, Elder.”
Elder pippin grinned. It was a mischievous smile. One that made me want to get rid of all the teeth in his mouth till he was all gums. “In Red Moon. Anyone who slays by the sword is dying by the sword.”
“It wasn't even a sword,” I countered.
The rest of the elders erupted into laughter while Pippin rubbed his forehead. “Not only is she frail, she's dumb too.”
Duh.
“Tomorrow, before dawn, in the courtyard, you miss …” He turned to the elder next to him, “what's her name again?”
“Roxanne.”
Tch. Yet he called me dumb.
“Miss Roxanne, tomorrow before dawn, in the courtyard and before the people, your neck would be slashed off. Kill by the sword and die by the sword.”
I was dying.
This was unfair.
I killed him with a fork. Why did I have to die by the sword?
I pouted and bowed. “Thank you elders.”
They whispered about how dumb I was to thank them for deciding to kill me but I couldn't care less. All I wanted to do was eat and wallow in sorrow.
They sure wouldn't want to kill me with an empty stomach. That would be unjust.
They were about to dismiss the gathering when that powerful aura congested the air again and he strode in, tall and mighty. He glared at me with vitriolic eyes and turned to the sea of Elders.
“In addition to your judgement,” He said in a cold voice and met my eyes, “I object.”
***
There he was, my saviour. Showing up again. It took me a while to realise I was smiling big. I quickly got my shit together as it dawned on me that he hadn't passed his judgement yet.
What If he wanted it to be more bloody for me, more perilous? He had a bitter look in his eyes and every now and then he shot daggers at me.
“But Alpha,” Elder Pippin started.
He held a hand out, “What do you have to say?”
He bowed his head. “You asked me to decide her fate. She admitted being guilty and her punishment is death, Alpha.”
“And I said I object,” He lashed.
Elder Pippin glared at me, irritated, “I'm sorry Alpha but it has been concluded.”
Ryker slammed his hand on the table, making me jump in fear. “No one tells me how to rule my pack,” He warned.
Elder Pippin shrunk and the rest of the elders cowered.
Ryker returned his attention to me, his nostrils flaring and I retreated.
“She stays and lives on, but in the dungeon,” he announced, “She will be segregated and until she shows a change of heart, she remains a culprit.”