Chapter 6

The rest of the week passed in a blur. I did notice a few new faces among the streets and within the dining hall’s kitchen, but nothing substantial until three days before the equinox. It began that morning while in the kitchen. I overheard an argument between Willow and some unknown male.

“This is my kitchen!” Willow growled, “and I will not serve undercooked food. I don’t care how the lord prefers it, the lowest I will cook it is rare.”

“This is simply unacceptable; you knew we were coming.” The man replied, “Alpha Lucas brought his own blood slaves, as your pack requested. Out of courtesy, he is making a point to join your meals.”

“So you want me to slap a completely raw steak onto a serving platter and give it to him?” Willow challenged, her hands balled in fists on her hips, and her lithe frame looked ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

The man sighed and shook his head, loose honey-blond curls bounced around his face as he did so. “Will you at least have one of your cooks make a blue rare?”

“Fine,” Willow consented, her nose wrinkled in disgust. Willow turned to survey who was present in the kitchen, her eyes locked on me. “Emilia, come here.”

I approached Willow, I didn’t bother to put down the crepe batter I’d been folding. “Ma’am?”

“You’re off pastries.” She stated as she snatched the bowl from my arms. I looked at her in surprise but kept my lips sealed. I knew better than to protest, particularly when the head chef was in this type of mood. “You’re on meat now, go cook the tomahawk blue rare. You remember how to do that, right?”

“And Emilia,” Willow called, as I turned to scurry off to my new assignment. I paused and looked at her over my shoulder, “Don’t screw this up.”

I nodded before I ran off to complete my task. As I fired up the stove I placed a large cast iron skillet over the burner to heat before I added the meat. I held my hand over the pan as I waited for heat to radiate from the surface to indicate it was ready. With my other, I reached for the olive oil. I about dropped the glass dispenser when the stranger from before leaned over my shoulder.

“That won’t be necessary.” He commented. My eyes widened in shock as I whipped my head to stare at the intruder. After a moment I was able to find my words and replied. “If I don’t it’ll stick, even with the sear.”

“Very well then,” he stated with a sigh. To my surprise, he plucked the dispenser from my hand and sniffed it. He then poured a dollop onto his finger and popped the digit into his mouth.

“I’m Eskal, by the way,” I looked at him irrediculously as he continued to grasp my olive oil, which prevented me from being able to sear the steak. “That way you at least know my name if I die of poisoning.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. This man was ludicrous to the point of delirium. “Why would I poison anyone? “

“You can never be too careful,” Eskal replied with a grin that flashed his elongated canines. He offered the oil to me, “I suppose this is safe.”

I hummed in response as I snatched the dispenser, oiled my pan, and placed the olive oil back in its home. I glanced at the curly-headed blond from the corner of my eye as I grabbed the salt grinder. He simply held out his hand expectantly. I said nothing as I passed the item to him and he repeated the same process as with the oil.

“Satisfied?” I inquired. Eskal nodded, his curls bounced around his face as he did so. “Yes, but no other seasonings, Alpha Lucas likes to be able to taste the meat.”

I shrugged, unconcerned as I seasoned the meat. I felt the tension build in my shoulders as Eskal continued to tower over me. He watched my every move. If he knew he made me uncomfortable he made no comment, so I chose to ignore him and gave the meat a hard sear on each side. After the meat was heated, because honestly with the amount of blood dripping from it, no one could call it cooked, I placed it on a carving board to rest.

“Emilia, was it?” he asked as I killed the heat to the cooktop. I nodded. Satisfied with my response he continued on, “Are you a werewolf?”

My body stiffened at his question. I glared at him as I replied, “Does it matter?”

Eskal shrugged nonchalantly, “Not particularly, I was just curious.”

Willow appeared in front of me and shoved the tomahawk into Eskal’s hands. Her hackles raised, and she spat, “here, you have your lord’s breakfast. Now get out of my kitchen.”

Her words were punctuated by low growls. A sly grin split Eskal’s face as he replied. “Very well, but Emilia is henceforth the only one allowed to cook for Alpha Lucas while we remain your guests.”

He spun on his heel, his hard-soled boots clacked as he made his way toward the door that adjoined the dining room. Right before opening the door, he added, “Honestly Willow, I don’t know why you’re so protective of that girl, it’s not as if she’s one of yours.”

“GET OUT!” Willow snarled. She threw her hand towel at him for effect. Eskal chuckled lightly as he disappeared through the swinging door. The towel landed on the ground with a soft paff, a small cloud of flour dusted the air around it. All noise had ceased within the normally bustling kitchen as everyone glanced between the towel and Willow.

“Back to work,” Willow barked as she grabbed my wrist and stalked out of the kitchen. As an afterthought, she added, “River meat, Will pastries.”

Once we were outside Willow released me from her strong grip. Confused, I rubbed my sore wrist. Willow seemed agitated. Her normally perfect bun was falling down around her face and her wide, dark eyes shifted around the area uneasily as she spoke. “I will bring you a plate, you will eat it. Don’t protest- I’m not going to charge you. Stay out here to eat and go to the garland booth until I call for you. And whatever you do, stay away from them.”

“What’s going on?” I asked softly, my arms wrapped around my shoulders for comfort. “I don’t even know who you’re talking about, Eskal?”

“Yes, Eskal!” She hissed, “Eskal, Lucas, all of them! Emilia, you may not be one of us, but we raised you and we will protect what is ours.”

I nodded, bewilderment settled over me as I mulled over Willow’s words.