Page 5 of Chosen (The Registry #2)

Chapter

Three

JAMIE

I f one more person tells me everything will be alright, I think I’ll scream.

It’s why I’ve spent the last five days in my isolation, with the lights off in the luxurious room I was given when me and my parents came to this manor.

I don’t care about the large bath soaking tub in my bathroom, or the biggest softest bed, I’ve ever lain on.

I don’t give a single fuck about the window that opens up to a spacious balcony that looks out over to a lustrous garden filled with every color imaginable. I didn’t even care about having access to all the entertainment I could think to use, not even the books which most homo sapiens didn’t have.

Paper books were such a rarity that most people had never seen one before.

When Noah had shown me the library the old me would have been in awe of so many old treasures because reading was a luxury many of us couldn’t afford.

But this broken and hollow shell, could barely muster up even a little excitement.

Noah had given me an e-pad with a hundreds of books she thought I’d enjoy downloaded on it. I took it to my room and laid it on my night stand. I haven’t touched it since.

I’ve spent the last few days lying in bed staring at the ceiling, the only illumination in the room is the sliver of light that seeps through the slightly open curtains. No one bothers me out of fear I’ll have a breakdown.

Noah, will pop in sporadically to make sure I’ve eaten the meal left by her personal maid, Maggie.

I eat just enough so that she won’t make a fuss.

My parents attempted to talk to me after that day I’d been informed of my new assignment but I didn’t want to speak. They haven’t been in my room since.

I understand my family is worried but I feel if I interact with them, knowing I’m heading into another nightmarish situation, I think I may mentally fall apart. It’s taken everything in not to scream and keep screaming. I feel like the tiniest think is capable of setting me off.

I don’t want to be this way, but I can’t help but think of what awaits because when I remember of what I’ve already gone through quickly dispel all those thoughts.

He’s coming today.

At least I think it’s the 5 th day. I’ve lost track.

“Curtains opening,” the automated voice echoes through the room without warning.

As the curtains slowly move along the tracks, I’m hit by a burst of light. My arm flies up to shield my eyes against the bright onslaught of the sun.

“Close curtains,” I order.

“Command cannot be overridden,” the voice taunts me.

The only person who can override commands in any room is the Sector Leader himself. But why would he do this after keeping his distance since I arrived at the manor?

I didn’t have time to dwell on that thought when the bedroom door opens. “It’s me Maggie. May I come in?”

“Would it matter if I said no?”

“If you’d like a moment to get yourself together, I can come back but I’d be back. I’ve been sent to get you dressed and ready.”

My heart speeds up and I run my tongue over lips that have suddenly gone dry. “Is…is he here?”

Maggie steps into the room with a tray in hand. I presume it’s my breakfast. She always brings me delicacies that I had once dreamed of trying but everything I’ve eaten in the last several weeks tastes the same.

She places the tray on the table at the center of my room where I have my meals. “No, he’s not Miss Jamie. But Lord Magnus would like to see you in his office within the next hour.”

My brows furrow and a frown turns down my lips. “Did he said say why?”

Maggie raises her shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “The Sector Leader does not explain his orders to me.”

“Will my sister be with him?”

“It’s not likely. She’s been put on bedrest. There was a bit of an accident the other day.”

I jump off the bed, alert for the first time since I woke up. “What happened with my sister? I know she hasn’t come by my room for the past couple days but I thought it was to give me space.”

Maggie places her hands on my shoulders. “Please don’t panic, Miss Jamie. Miss Noah is doing well.”

I shrug her hands off me. “But you said there was an accident. Tell me what happened?”

“She was plucking some fruit from one of the trees in the orchard and tried to pick something out of her reach and ended up falling and landing on her stomach.”

My hands fly to my mouth as I gasp in horror. “Was the baby harmed?”

“The baby is fine according to all the test that have been run. Miss Noah is carrying a strong superious child.”

A heavy sigh of relief tumbles from my lips. “Thank goodness. I’m just surprised the Sector Leader allowed her to do something so recklessly.”

Maggie shakes her head with a heavy sigh. “May I speak freely Miss Jamie?”

“Of course, Maggie and please just call me Jamie.”

Again her head shakes from side to side. “You know I can’t do that Miss Jamie. You are a member of the Sector Leader’s family.”

“When we’re around everyone else you can add the Miss to my name but when we’re alone just call me Jamie. Can you at least do that for me?”

“Of course…Jamie.”

“Now what were you about to say?”

“Well, you’ve known your sister longer than I have so I’m sure you’re aware that she can be…stubborn. I wanted to accompany to her but she insisted on going on her own. I relented because she wanted me to stay behind in case you needed anything.”

“Yes, my sister can be stubborn, that’s for certain but I’m surprised her husband allowed it. From what I can tell he’s very protective of her.”

“This is true, but Lord Magnus has a soft spot for Miss Noah and gives in to almost every request she makes. However, after her fall, he’s been firm about her staying in bed, and under the doctor’s supervision, at least for the next few days to assure himself that she’s okay.”

“Knowing my sister, she’s probably not happy being in bed all day.”

“You parents visit her regularly when she’s not sleeping and she keeps herself occupied with her e-pad. Now, at the risk of sounding pushy, I think you should wash up and get dressed so you can visit the Sector Leader in his office.”

I still don’t understand why he’d call me to his office.

Since I’ve arrived at the manor, the two of us have barely exchanged more than a few sentences with each other.

I had no desire to have a conversation with him but knew better than to defy this order even if he was my sister’s husband. He’s still the Sector Leader.

“Oh.” I finally respond for lack of anything better to say. Assured that my sister is fine, the anxiety that was gnawing at the pit of my stomach returns as I remember this is the day I meet my doom.

“Well, I think it’s best if you wash up before changing into something more appropriate. If I’m still speaking freely, I would suggest you make use of some of the scented oils for your bath. The air in this room is a bit stale.”

If nothing else, Maggie is one of the most diplomatic people I’ve ever come across. These past several days, I’ve been shrouded in a cloak depression, so bathing has been the furthest thing on my mind. I’ve become so use to my own odor, I can only imagine how I smell to other people.

There was a time when I took pride in my appearance and actually cared about how I presented myself to others.

Since I was a child, I’ve been told I was ‘cute’.

And as I grew older, ‘pretty’. On the commune I got more than my fair share of male attention.

My sister always referred to me as the beauty in the family even though Noah is one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen.

But now, I couldn’t care less about how I look.

I allow Maggie to usher me to my private bathroom.

“Go ahead and get undressed while, I prepare your bath,” Maggie instructs.

It’s pointless to argue so I shrug out of my clothes.

There a large mirror that covers one side of the wall, and though I haven’t seen my reflection in weeks, I take a proper look at myself of the first time and barely recognize myself.

My vibrant dark brown skin which used to glow with health seemed dull and washed out.

The spark in my eyes was now absent and they stared back at me lifelessly.

Since the raid on the commune, I’ve lost a significant amount of weight.

My once round face is thin, my now hollowed cheeks almost gaunt.

My crowning glory which I once took so much pride in was gone and in its place was short course curls.

I shudder as I remember how my long hair was brutally chopped off as punishment for some offense I didn’t realize I’d committed.

Despite gaining a few pounds since coming to the manor, I’m still thin enough to see my ribs. My breasts were always large for my petite frame, but even they’ve shrunk, not a whole lot but enough for me to notice. I run my hand over one of my hips, feeling bone.

My last assignment had practically starved me and my body still showed the effects of those nightmarish months. There were still some abrasions around my knees and legs where I’d been ‘punished’. I didn’t dare turn around to examine my back because I would probably start crying.

The family beauty indeed.

“Miss Jamie, your bath is ready,” Maggie calls out of to me.

My shoulder sag in resignation as I walk toward the in-ground tub. It’s the type of luxury someone like me could have only dreamed of when I was younger. But now as I sink into the hot bubbly water, it no longer matters. Maggie discretely averts her gaze until most of my body is submerged.

“I’ll scrub your back and wash your hair. This shampoo has done wonders for Miss Noah’s hair. It’s so healthy, and thick now.”

I don’t bother to reply because nothing I say right now matters.

My mind drifts off to a place where I allow no thought to enter. It’s best when I don’t remember the horror I experience, the screams, the pain…the blood.

I squeeze my eyes shut and take several calming breaths to stave away the images I’ve fought desperately to rid myself of.

I focus on the gentle pressure of Maggie’s fingers as they massage my scalp.

A pleasant floral scent mixed with honey wafted to my nostrils.

Whatever was in the shampoo made my skin tingle but it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation.

It felt nice and for the first time in weeks I found myself relaxing ever so slightly. “Mmm.”

“Feels nice doesn’t it?”

“Yes. Good. I’m going to rinse this out now so keep your eyes closed.”

Maggie pours water over my head and repeats the process a few more times.

“Now, I’m going to wash your back.”

Seconds later, my ears are met with a loud gasp.

I open my eyes, fully aware of what she’s seeing. “It’s okay. You don’t have to wash my back. I can take care of it.”

“No, it’s fine…but…does it hurt?”

“Not really. It used to bother me a lot but not anymore. When I first came to the manor, one of the doctors gave me some ointment to help heal it but I didn’t want him to apply it. I said I’d do it myself.”

“But clearly you haven’t. Tell me where it is, and I’ll apply it after your bath. I’m sure there are spots you aren’t able to reach properly.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it but could you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

“Could you please not mention this to my sister or parents? They would freak out if the saw this or even knew about it.”

Maggie doesn’t answer right away and for the first time since I’ve entered the tub I turn to look at her. I grip her hand. “Promise me you won’t say anything.”

She opens her mouth, closes it and then sighs. “You do understand you’re putting me in a difficult situation, don’t you? Miss Noah is the Sector Leader’s wife which makes her the second highest ranking official in the entire sector. To lie to her would be tantamount to treason.”

“I’m not asking you to lie. Just don’t say anything about what you’ve seen.

Besides, you and I both want her to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

If she knows, it would cause her undue stress and I’m leaving anyway.

Even if she knew there wouldn’t be anything she could do about it because I’d be gone.

Knowing my sister she would make herself sick worrying about me. ”

Maggie purses her lips and furrows her brows. After a pregnant pause she bows her head. “Fine. I won’t mention this but maybe you’ll tell her one day when you’re ready.”

“That’s if I survive sector 10.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I’m not stupid Maggie. I’ve heard about the leader from that sector. He’s known to kill people for looking at him the wrong way.”

“Has that been confirmed as a fact? The last Sector Leader summit was held at this manor not long before you and your parents arrived. While, I didn’t personally serve any of the other leaders I spoke to a few of the workers who did.

From what I’ve learned, Sector Leader Draken was quiet and kept to himself.

He only really spoke to his advisor and I believe he and Lord Magnus had a private meeting.

But that’s all. He didn’t cause any problems for the staff unlike a few of the Sector Leaders.

One of Leaders challenged Lord Magnus and was killed on the spot. ”

“Did you tell me that to reassure me? So what if he’s able to control himself while the other Sector Leaders are around. That means nothing. There’s a reason why the homo sapiens are shipped off to Sector Ten when they’re labeled as undesirables. They get sent there to die.”