“As the women of Sacred in the Sinclair household-” started Arianna, but Maeve cut her off.
“Yeah, not going.”
Abraxas swirled around the ice in his drink, looking up at Arianna. She huffed and walked away, muttering under her breath.
Maeve and Abraxas turned their attention back to Mr. Iantrose.
“You should go,” said Roswyn.
“What?” Maeve said, turning towards him.
“To the cake cutting,” he said in an affected voice. “Where the women belong,” he spat.
“Shut your mouth,” said Alphard calmly.
“What the hell, Al?” Asked Roswyn, clearly thrown off.
“Nothing to get worked up about,” said Alphard, “just can’t have you talking to her like that.”
“I don’t need you to defend me,” said Maeve, cooly. “You’d think after Mal’s last warning to him that he’d learn to keep it to himself.”
Abraxas suddenly looked away, hiding behind his drink. Roswyn glowered at him nonetheless. Abraxas could never be trusted with gossip.
Roswyn stormed inside without another word.
“What on earth did you do to that poor bloke?” Asked Alphard with a laugh.
“Nothing,” said Maeve. “Nothing intentional, at least.”
“He does not like you,” said Alphard.
Maeve noticed Leslie Loxerman, the current Chair of the Committee of the Sacred, was slowly making her way over towards them.
“Shit,” muttered Maeve.
Maeve turned around to where Abraxas was only moments ago, but it appeared that he had already fled. In a desperate attempt to escape, Maeve turned to Alphard.
“Would you care for a walk?” She asked.
Alphard finished off his drink with a long swig. “I’d be delighted, but let me get another-”
“Let’s go now,” said Maeve, standing and shoving him along.
Once they were out of sight on a secluded dirt path, beneath the hillside, Maeve relaxed.
“So, who are we running from?” Alphard teased.
“Shut up,” said Maeve.
Alphard laughed, and they walked silently for a moment.
“My parents are up there,” said Alphard, gesturing towards the house, “eating out of the palm of Mal’s hand.” He chuckled.
“Everyone is,” she said with a laugh.
“Even you,” he said without looking at her. “He’s brilliant, no contest” continued Alphard. “He has all the leadership qualities, all the charisma, and charm. I’m sure your father and the Double O already have him marked.”
Maeve kept her face emotionless, knowing just how different Mal’s future was than anyone here could predict.
