16 Chapter 16 (1/2)

It only takes a few minutes to find the pinks. They are all following a woman with a clipboard. She looks like she is walking a tightrope while someone is shooting at her. I hear Lilith say, ”Mrs. Carith, I think you should take a breather. We know you are worried about something going wrong with the princes visit, but everything will be fine. You need to calm down just a little. Nothing good happens when you stress over every little thing.

I see the woman smile at her. ”Thank you, Lilith. I needed that.” I think back to how nice Lilith was to me, how genuinely nice she is to everyone. When I see Mrs. Carith start to look my way, I turn my back to them and start to walk slightly away, looking around frantically. When I hear her coming towards me, I start to mutter underneath my breath. ”I had one job, to find the pinks. How can I even do my job when I can't find my people?” Mrs. Carith taps my shoulder, and I force myself to jump slightly and turn around. ”Yes?” I as using my fake voice. ”Why are you looking for the pinks and who are you?”

I put a confused look on my face. ”I am the newest recruit.” She looks at the clipboard in her hand. ”Name?” ”Kiya Farsaye.” She looks back up at me. ”You aren't on here. So why would I believe you.” I plaster one of those hurt smiles on. ”I...I uh...I don't know. I guess they forgot. I got this job yesterday.” She looks at me with disbelief. ”They don't forget.” I let tears prick my eyes, then fall down my face. ”I am sorry. They probably told me to go somewhere and do something to get my job finalized. I guess I forgot. I mean I was just in such a hurry to get here, finally have a job again. I am just a big mess.” I keep rambling on and on.

I feel a hand land on my arm gently. ”Hey, calm down. It's okay. We are all very busy right now. It's okay.” Mrs. Carith says. I give her a small smile. ”Thank you.” She nods and calls the other girls over. ”Girls, this I Kiya. Why don't you introduce yourselves and make her feel welcome? I see someone I need to go talk to.” She rushes off to who I think it is the leader of either the greens or the reds. Lilith puts an arm around my shoulders and Janel grabs one of my hands with both of hers.

”Hey, Kiya. Don't worry about it. We all mess up.” One of the other girls say. I feel another one wipe my tears away. ”Thank you. All of you.” They all take turns giving me the names I already know. When Mrs. Carith comes back, I am actually feeling more confident. I can't help but think, ”And Garret says it is scary how I can fake cry so easily and be manipulative. It really helps sometimes.” We all follow Mrs. Carith. ”Where are we going?” I ask. ”We are going to get our ball outfits made. Everyone is getting one specifically made for them. To match them. Since there are ten of them and were ten of us when the plans were made, we each get to show them around.”

I nod. We keep going forward and end up in the room that has the beds and nightstands. There are some other girls in orange uniforms. They are all already drawing designs. There are only nine of them. Mrs. Carith speaks immediately. ”We need another orange.” One of them nods and runs off. Lilith turns to me. ”Follow me. I will show me what my designer has come up with.” I follow her and we walk up to her bed. There are several designs on the bed.

The one that catches my eye looks like it would be perfect for her. Great to keep the heat from, and the gold coloring on it makes her hair pop.

I smile and say, ”This one would be perfect for you. Not only will the heat of this place not effect you, but you will look gorgeous.” Her eyes light up. ”You are so right. I love it too.” She looks up at me. ”You have good taste.” Something catches her eyes. She is staring at my stomach. ”What happened here?” She asks. She point to a small thin scar that follows the length of my side. I remembered her asking the Jaycie me that. ”Oh, I am very clumsy.” She looks at me quizzically but shakes her head. ”Well, you don't seem clumsy.” I hear someone call my name. Lilith and I both walk over.

An orange is staring at me. ”I am going to make a couple of designs. Just do as I tell you, and this won't take that long. Please don't be stubborn.” I nod at her. ”Okay.” She looks at me shocked. ”You are going to listen to me?” I nod and and she smiles. ”Thank you.” Lilith watches her draw. Every now and then I am told to turn this way or that, hold up some fabric against me, even hold different beads in my hands. After about an hour, she places four different designs on a table. That is when I realize there are only six beds in my room, I mentally tell myself to ask why later.

”Call me when you pick which one you like.” The orange says, then walks away. Lilith and I both stare at the different pictures. The one that we both agree on the one that will look best on me. Lilith says, ”Your eyes will pop becuase of the color.” I smile and agree.

When the orange comes over, she nod takes the one I want and goes off to do her next job. I watch the room and ask Lilith, ”Why are there only six beds?” She looks over towards me. ”With everything that has been going on, they needed more beds in other rooms. They have been having to put some guards and helpers together. Usually the ones that are together.” I nod and she says, ”Don't worry we, they always make sure you are comfortable with the guard you are with. They don't just stick you with a random one.”

This sends relief through me. We only have a couple more minutes to sit there, when Mrs. Carith yells, ”Girls. The Princes will be here soon. To the reception room. You will all go to the bottom of the dais and stand there, five on each side. Okay?” ”Yes ma'am.” We all course back. Then we all rush to the reception area. I pretend to be following. When we get in there, we all take our places, it feels weird to be standing there. Mrs. Carith goes to Xalem and says, ”You new girl is here. Please tell me next time. I almost called the guards on her.” Xalem looks confused. ”New girl?” She nods and calls me over.

I walk up and bow my head. ”Hello sir. Your guard told me you would be notified about me.” He stares down at me. ”When did you get here?” ”Today.” I answer honestly. ”You must have come in with the wave of new guards.” I nod, grateful for the excuse. ”I am sorry if I was suppose to come here. He shook his head and said, ”Don't worry. Just follow what everyone else does and you will be fine. Stay in your spot until you are called on.” I smile, bow my head, and walk back to my spot.

After a few munites, guards walk into the room, then ten people, and more guards after them. I watch as they stop about ten feet from us. ”Hello Prince Azeel, how are you?” Xalem asks. ”I am doing fine. Though it is a bit warm up here.” Xalem gives a forced laugh. ”Yes, but you will get used to it.” Azeel looks over the ten of us, and I see his eyes stop on me. He tilts his head to the right slightly. ”And who may these beautiful girls be?” Xalem follows his eye line and then looks back at Azeel. ”Well, these are out pinks. They are our most trusted helpers, so we have decided to have them show you around.” Azeel nods. ”Girls, would you like to split up and like to pair off?” Xalem asks. We all nod and start to make our way towards them.

I try and head to a side one, but Azeel says, ”You, come here.” He is pointing right at me. I look over at Lilith and she gives me a thumbs up. I walk up to him. ”Hello.” He smiles down at me. ”I am Prince Azeel, who are you?” ”Kiya.” I say in a small voice. All of his brothers are starring daggers at him. The last thing I want is to be the center of attention next to him when I am trying to kill Xalem.

”Prince Azeel, shouldn't you pick one of the other pinks. They have been here longer and know the place better and-” He holds up his hand and raises an eyebrow expecting me to stop talking. I feel my fist jerk up the slightest bit, wanting to punch him, but I force my fist into a flat hand. Garret, Avi, catches my eyes and shakes his head slightly. I and so see Lilith cock her head to the left and lift and eyebrow.