DUSK - Esther Machethe (best book club books txt) 📗

been nice to me. I haven’t seen Ilana but word is that she was expecting company. I also hadn’t met my babysitter yet and I was growing anxious at that. The servants here acted like I was a vampire and would drain their blood if they came close enough. Psh, they were idiots. I also kept tabs on Jared and even though I told him my plan, only because I needed his help, I didn’t think he would be loyal enough to keep his promise and not tell the HQ. Things home were calm, despite the search on me and everyone was safe.

“Darling! I want you to meet your new guard, who will also be your closest friend here, Alex. Isn’t he handsome?” Ilana burst into my room and almost scared me to death. She was beaming and that was never a good sign. “Come on honey, look at him.” She cooed and I only looked at him for a brief second because I knew I had to. “Alex, meet my daughter, Chloe. Isn’t she a beauty?” she cooed and I almost reminded her that I didn’t consider her as my mother but I held my tongue.

“It’s very nice to meet you Chloe.” He dragged on the two words which made me look back at him. He wasn’t someone familiar but his green eyes reminded me of Leo but too bad the idiot was hot headed.

“I knew I made the right choice. You should get to know each other better and I’ll see you both at dinner.” Ilana explained in a happy tune that only made me roll my eyes at her retreating figure. I swear that woman was crazy.

Alex brushed past me and walked directly towards the mirror on the wall. And here I was thinking that at least he would be friendly and for once I would have someone to talk to.

“I’m as delusional as she is.” I mumbled lowly but not low enough since he turned to face me. His eyes held controlled anger and another emotion that I couldn’t explain.

“What was that princes? I didn’t quite get that.” He almost sneered and I felt my anger rise. Oh no, not this time.

“What’s your problem? I get that you don’t want to work for Madam C but you shouldn’t take it out on me either.” I countered in a calm tone and watched as his eyes widened before he gained control.

“You know who I am?” he asked but I only shook my head no. how does he expect me to do that?

“I don’t but from the way you looked at her, I guessed you weren’t a fan of hers.” I explained and watched as he relaxed further.

“So, from what I know, you’re her lovely daughter that has to be protected from the big bad wolves out to get her.” He smirked at me and at the moment I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face.

“Ha ha, it’s quite the opposite actually, you’re not my guard; you’re here to keep me from running away or from ratting her location out or better yet, from killing her in her sleep.” His smirk dropped from his face and I smirked.

“Judging from your look, I know I’m right especially since she told you to inform her of everything I do and to never leave my side.” I observed my nails like they were made from gold and watch from the corner of my eye as his brows furrow like he didn’t know that. Aww, how cute.

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in on the first day.” He chuckled and I sent him a small triumphant smile.

“Your turn.” I nodded to him to tell me more about himself.

“I never knew my parents and I need this job. It’s that simple.” He sighed and I got the feeling that there was more he didn’t want to talk about it. It’s his life anyway and he doesn’t have to tell me everything. Just like that, our conversation was over as fast as it started and we lapsed into silence each to their mind.

“Dinner’s ready and the mistress wants you in the dining area this minute.” One girl addresses us with her head bowed like she’s talking to the royals.

“Lift you head, I’m not like her.” I told her softly and watched as her head snapped up and her turquoise eyes met my hazel ones and she sent me a gentle smile which I returned wholly. “I’m Chloe,” I introduced myself and waited for her to do the same which she didn’t disappoint.

“I’m Jess.” She introduced herself and I nodded. She peaked behind me and I turned to see what she was looking at but I only saw Alex.

“Oh, that’s Alex.” I introduced him on to which she only stared. I have to admit he was very good-looking but never would I ever tell him that.

“Is he your boyfriend?” she asked in an awed voice but I only snorted.

“Alex, no, I just met him. But you can have him if you want.” I answered her and winked her. It gave me a lot of pleasure to watch her face turn a shade of darker red. Two friends in a day. This is not so bad.

“So, I’ll talk to you later, I’ve got to go before Dragon lady comes for me.” She murmured before she scurried along. 

  I called Alex over and headed towards the dining area where Ilana was seated with a frown on her face which increased the moment she saw us.

“You took too long.” She almost sounded mad but I could care less. I was about to answer her when Alex beat me to it.

“It’s my fault; I was so caught up with Chloe’s story about fifth grade that we ended up being late.” He lied so smoothly that she actually bought it.

“I’m glad you’re getting along but next time, please follow my instructions.” She smiled but I think both of us could tell it was forced. Nonetheless, we both nodded and she started talking about something but I was too busy listening to Dusk’s daily report to pay attention.

“Chloe,” I turned distractedly to Ilana only to find that she was looking at me expectantly.

“Sorry?” I asked and feigned innocence.

“I was asking you if you are excited for tomorrow’s training but clearly you’re lost in your thoughts.” Her eyes held a warning but my mind was repeating one thing

“What training?” I asked trying to hide my surprise.

“Weren’t you listening to anything I was saying? Tomorrow you’ll be starting physical training as well as testing Dusk’s abilities.” She repeated but I only stared at her like an idiot. “Teenagers these days, what were you thinking about?” she asked trying to fix a fake laugh but it was all too mechanical to be genuine.” She stared at me and I realized I had to answer.

“You really don’t want to know.” I mumbled, praying that I sounded embarrassed enough to fool the idiot.

“C’mon, don’t be shy darling.” She egged me on and I was tempted to talk about my family but judging from her looks, I know it’s not possible so I go for the next best idea. Oh well.

“I was thinking about my kiss with Alex.” I blurted and watched as her face morphed into one of pure surprise. Alex chocked on his food and burst into a coughing fit making me pat his back while praying silently that the blush on my face looks genuine enough.

“Ah, young love. He is your first love, right?” she exclaimed like a love-sick puppy. Whoa, I didn’t see this coming

“Uh…n-no. I don’t want to talk about this” I mumble and I can’t believe that for once she left me speechless.

Dinner was awkward, to put it mildly, Alex and I avoided each other’s gazes and Ilana was smirking at her food like she had done something so good. Well, if only she knew.

“If you wanted my kisses you only had to say so.” Alex smirked as we entered my room and I was about to blow a fuse if he uttered one word about what happened at dinner.

“I was faking, you idiot. I couldn’t tell her what I was actually thinking about because she would’ve been pissed.” I explained in a harsh whisper but he didn’t look the least bit convinced.

“Uh huh, you don’t have to lie to me princess, it’s written all over your face.” He shrugged like he just told me about the weather. I did a double take and almost agreed with him especially because of that cute face and those very kissable lips, not forgetting those eyes…

Wait! What the hell was I thinking!

I turned away from him.

“You see, I’m always right” he said smugly and I made sure my face was expressionless when I looked back at him.

“Why would you think so?” I tried to sound nonchalant

“You were staring then you started blushing. My only reason is because you were fantasizing about my lips and how good they would feel on yours…” he trailed off and got that far away look, his eyes were hooded. I smirked; payback.

“Uh huh, that’s why you’re fantasizing about it yourself.” I stated and enjoyed watching as his ears turned a shade of pink which could only mean that my guess was spot on.

“No, what gave you that absurd idea?” he tried to lie but we both knew it was useless.

“Uh huh, you don’t have to lie to me because it’s written all over your face and besides if you wanted my kisses that bad, you only had to say so.” I smugly threw his words back at him and walked towards my room which shared an adjoining door with his. I guess it was her way of making sure I don’t escape.

 As I got into my bed, I could only pray that the ‘training’ she was talking about wasn’t her way of killing me and hiding my body.

 

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Hello everyone, sorry for the delay. school's been hecktick. forgive my errors in all the above chapters; I'll edit them later when school closes. Bear with me

CHAPTER TWENTY

 

 I was a mess.

The things they’d done, ‘exercises’ they called them but they were methods of torture. They tested Dusk’s capabilities and their results pushed them even further and they did even more tests.

It’s been a month now, four weeks of pure torture. The first week I said no but they promised the needle won’t be painful and it would’ve been an easy task but what I didn’t know is that it would break me.

The second week I became stubborn and I wouldn’t cooperate but the witch promised to kill everyone I know. I told her we made a deal but she reminded me that I promised to submit myself to her. She got me there.

The third week I had to beg not to go through it again but they only laughed at my face and carried on like I was some lab rat. Every night I cried myself to sleep but I also reminded myself that this was so that everyone else would be okay. This was my choice and I couldn’t complain about it like a child.

This week I’ve been passive. I tried to swallow the pain and ignored all their small talk. I was done