Mr. Lancaster lead them through the maze of hallways until they came to a door labeled "Mailroom." He knocked before entering. The noisy interior was full of people sorting through letters and typing away on computers. Serenah's mouth fell open. The scene reminded her of the Healers Guild back in their old home. She found it comforting that some things were similar no matter what world you lived in.
The noise ceased when Mr. Lancaster clapped his hands. All eight employees turned to look at the group. Serenah suddenly felt exposed to all the curious stares. She tensed, her anxiety threatening to rise. She was startled when Romeo took her hand and gently squeezed it. She glanced at him and calmed when he mouthed "It's okay." She knew he would never put her in harm's way.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Lancaster," the employees chorused with a wave.
Mr. Lancaster smiled. "As everyone knows our internship program started today. Here is the last group of interns."
A curly red-headed curvy woman came over to them with a grin. "Hiya! I'm Lisa Maddox. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm the department head for the mailroom."
Serenah instantly liked this woman. There was something about Lisa's energy that was welcoming and put a person at ease. She wouldn't mind working here.
"Lisa, Amy will be working with you today."
"What!" Amanah pushed past Serenah, nearly knocking her to the floor. Romeo caught her before she fell.
"Thanks," Serenah whispered to him, her gaze on her irate sister.
"Why would I work here? I'm better than some letter sorter," Amanah snapped, crossing her arms, and glaring at Mr. Lancaster.
Serenah was appalled by her twin's behavior. If Amanah weren't careful, Mr. Lancaster would kick her out. That would be best for Serenah. She wouldn't have to suffer her sister's presence. The law firm could become her haven from her family's abuse.
Mr. Lancaster frowned. "If you don't like this assignment, you can go home."
Amanah stiffened, her glare increasing. Serenah contemplated stopping her sibling. She wasn't sure it would do any good.
"You can't kick me out for wanting to work where my talents are best suited," argued Amanah.
"This department is suited to your skills. Stay here and prove that you can do the job assigned. Otherwise, leave. I'll make sure to mark it on your file if you do."
Amanah tried to intimidate Mr. Lancaster with her regal aura. Serenah was mildly surprised that her sibling was failing at getting her way. She believed that Amanah always got what she wanted. Maybe humans were tougher than she thought. That idea amused Serenah and she smiled.
"What are you smiling at, Sera?" growled Amanah, her focus suddenly on Serenah.
Serenah flinched. Crap! This was bad. She hadn't meant for Amanah to see her happy about anything. She gulped, her fear rising at the venomous glare from her sister. She was going to pay for this offense. She could feel it. She averted her eyes, dropping her gaze to the floor. She started to sweat from the heat of her sister's ire.
Mr. Lancaster stood firm. "It's here or home."
With an aggravated snarl, Amanah stomped to Lisa's side and crossed her arms. Anger radiated off her.
"Lisa, I'll get Amy's progress report at the end of the shift."
"You got, sir." Lisa turned to Amanah. "If you'll come with me, Amy, we'll show you how to get started."
Serenah made sure not to look in her sister's direction as they followed Mr. Lancaster to the next department.
~***~
Serenah was engrossed in filing away client folders. The case files room was quiet. She was the only one in the room at the moment. Romeo had left with his father after they dropped her off and explained what she had to do. Alaster had been put in the accounting room. His excitement at getting to work with numbers was funny to see. She'd always thought it strange he became an imperial guard instead of going into an office position.
Absently, she rubbed at her fate mark. It was a little warm. She wasn't feeling anything from Romeo. That was good. It meant he wasn't angry. He only ever got angry on her behalf. It made her feel wanted and protected. She hated being powerless. As much as she would love to let Romeo completely in, she feared her father would destroy the human. She longed to give her heart completely to him. She hated walking the tightrope known as her life.
She paused for a second, closing her eyes, and taking a calming breath. She didn't want her rambling thoughts to upset her. She would enjoy the respite from her less than ideal life. She was determined to do her best. She wanted to prove she was not useless as her family claimed.
The knock on the door surprised her. Her eyes flew open and she turned toward the door. The door opened and Romeo strolled in with a grin.
"Hello, beautiful. How goes it?"
She blushed at his endearment. This boy was bad for her heart. She didn't mind. She rarely received compliments. She knew she wasn't as pretty as Amanah. She was grateful Romeo even looked her way.
"I'm almost done with this stack." She pointed to the fifth stack of files she was putting up.
Romeo whistled. "Nice. You are good with details and organization. This was a good fit for you."
She smiled. "I agree." One of her dreams was to own a business. She wasn't sure what kind yet, but it would be something she enjoyed.
She jumped when Romeo's arms wrapped around her and he put his chin on her shoulder. "Where'd you go?" he whispered in her ear.
She shivered. Romeo was very touchy-feely. It wasn't a bad thing. She just wasn't used to it. Any physical contact from her family was in the form of punishment or inflicting pain. Gentle, loving, soothing touches were rare almost nonexistent in her world. She savored each one she got from Romeo.
"Nowhere. Well, just thinking about my sister and my father."
Romeo's arms tightened around her briefly. "Sera, the offer still stands. We can get you out of there."
She turned around to look him in the eyes. She cupped his face in her hands. She truly loved this boy. Even without the fated mark, she would've fallen for him.
"Thank you for the offer. I'm okay for now."
When he started to object, she placed a finger on his lips. "I promise to say something if it becomes too much."
His face was full of so many emotions it hurt to see. Was it selfish and crazy of her to be happy that he felt so much toward her?
The knock on the door interrupted their moment and Serenah reluctantly stepped away from Romeo. The door opened. Alastar, Mr. Lancaster, and a disgruntled Amanah entered.
"Good job, everybody. We will see everyone tomorrow and Wednesday, same start time. Tardiness will not be condoned. Have a good evening, interns." Mr. Lancaster smiled and left the room.
"I'm out," snapped Amanah as she stomped from the room.
Serenah sighed. This did not bode well for her. "Al, let's go."
Alastar nodded and went out the door first. Serenah slipped her hand in Romeo's and he interlocked their fingers. They walked to the parking lot and hugged. He kissed her forehead and she got in the car. She was sad to be going home. She could only imagine what awaited her tonight.
~***~
Serenah and Alastar had barely gotten inside the castle when they were summoned to her father's study. Her heart started to race. Was she going to be punished? She hoped not. She hadn't done anything wrong to deserve such a thing. Not that that mattered to her father. She took a deep breath, steeling her nerves for the upcoming confrontation.
They entered the study and she spotted Amanah lounging on one of the couches, her gaze full of malice. Her father stood near his cabinet. That gave him proximity to her and Alaster. Serenah's breath hitched and fear slowly bubbled up. She didn't know what lies her twin told their father but it wasn't going to go well for Serenah. She could feel it.
"I do believe, I told you, Serenah, to make sure that your sister worked with you."
"Your Majesty, I," she started to explain but stopped at the imperious wave of his hand. She clamped her mouth shut.
"I grow tired of your constant lies, Serenah. You always attempt to blame your sister. This is unacceptable."
Serenah wanted to scream her frustration. This was so unfair. She glanced at Amanah and saw her twin's smug smirk. Even though it was pointless, she tried again to explain what happened at the law firm.
"Mr. Lancaster assigned us to the departments he felt suited us best. I had no say in his choices."
Her father growled and was in motion before she even registered the danger. She reacted too slowly and couldn't avoid the powerful backhand that knocked her backward into Alastar. Tears streamed down her face from the blow. The throbbing and fiery pain raced through her jaw pulling a hurt whimper from her mouth. The metallic tang of blood in her mouth reminded her that before her father she was weak.
She yelped when her father grabbed her hair and pulled her forward to him. His fingers threaded in her hair, yanking painfully on her scalp. He stuck his face in hers. She stared in terror at the fury glowing in his eyes.
"Tomorrow you will make sure you work in the same department or I will revoke my permission for you to be an intern. Do…you…understand?" he demanded, using his grip on her hair to violently shake her head.
Serenah felt dizzy and nauseous but managed a strangled, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good." He released her. "Get the hell out."
She stumbled into Alaster, who caught her and helped her from her father's study. Alastar took her to her room. She sent him away and went to her bathroom. She cried even harder when she saw the mess her face and hair were. The bruise on the right side of her face was already darkening. Her father never held back when he hit her. He was one of the strongest warriors in the kingdom and could kill her easily if he put his mind to it.
She did her best to cool her face and clean the blood from her mouth and nose. She couldn't stop her trembling. Finally, she left the bathroom, grabbed her cell, and called Romeo. She wanted to hear his voice and forget her father's violence.
She sat and waited for him to answer, her heart wishing for her to be somewhere other than the nightmare that was her life.