Chapter 17 A pet

The next day I found myself inside a giant conference room. At least that's what it looked like. There was a long table with empty seats on either side with giant glass windows overlooking the destroyed city below. I laid my forehead against the glass watching drops of water slide by one after the other. The darkened sky shed its tears solemnly. How long has it been since I saw the sky rain like this? I can't recall.

"Be careful Aurora. If that window opens you die."

I dragged my eyes towards Azreal who sat at the head of the table. He was reading some sort of scroll, his expression blank as always.

"Maybe that won't be so bad," I mumble absentmindedly making him cast his gaze at me immediately.

I keep my mouth shut tight afterward. I didn't like the intense stare that was directed my way.

The metal doors opened quite suddenly and multiple Zakerians started to flood the room one by one.

My anxiety resurfaced and I quickly made my way toward where Azreal was seated. I'm not supposed to feel a sense of safety around this devil but I trust him more than I trust anyone else in this room.

"Your Majesty you're early. We didn't expect you to be here so soon." I heard Zelda speak in their strange language.

Oh yeah, I wondered about that. I mean it would have been extremely rude to keep Azreal waiting especially if he is some kind of royalty. Looks like he decided to show up before anyone else on purpose.

"We do not have anything else to do in this dull ship so let us get this "parley" over with soon as possible," He spoke without looking up from his readings. Everyone including myself noticed that he used the term "we" instead of "I" and suddenly all their stares turned to me.

I felt extremely uncomfortable. Being invisible in these situations would be a delight honestly.

Everyone took their seats at the long table. Zelda decided she would use the seat closest to Azreal. She sat down and smiled at him coyly. Weren't they supposed to be enemies? Why is she all over him like that? Not that I care of course.

The conference was about to begin and I moved to find an empty seat.

"Aurora."

I froze and looked at Azreal.

"You do not get to sit at the table. Sit here," he said pointing at the floor next to him.

I gaped at him as the aliens in the room chuckled mockingly.

My face heated up in humiliation.

For a second I wondered if I should just spit at him and jump off the nearest window. But his eyes told me that, if I do not obey his command he would do things that would be far worse than death.

I swallowed my pride and sat down crossed-legged on the floor next to him, scowling. He gave out a dark chuckle and ruffled my hair.

The conference began and I heard them speak in their strange language. Most of the time they would suggest something to Azreal and he would give a blank no. I avoided looking at anyone in the room because quite frankly it's terrifying to look at aliens. The Zakeriens looked frightening but they had no resemblance to Azreal with his long silver hair and green eyes. I was basically inside a lion's den with Azreal as their leader.

"We do not wish for this war to happen. Earth may have some disgusting inhabitants-" My eye twitched at that one. Do they know I can understand them? I guess not.

"-but this planet also holds one of the many sacred portals that cannot be found in many places in the universe and making it a battleground would be against our interest."

I honestly did not understand a single thing they were saying. Why are they planning to fight if they dont want a war? Yeah I mean they already won the war with the humans. We're the slaves now. But why do they have to go to war with Azreal? I do not understand. I assume that two alien races are fighting over the earth. Azreal is the leader of one race and the Zakerians the other race. It's the only explanation I can think of.

"If you could relocate to a different part of the universe that does not have any life forms that would be beneficial for all of us. If you choose to stay on earth we will have no choice but to fight you." an older-looking Zakerian spoke his voice quivering. Everyone in the room looked terrified. Were they trying to threaten him? It was obvious that they feared Azreal. Well except for Zelda cause she's insane.

"I have no intention of leaving. I'll do so as I please."

It's good to know that his arrogant stubbornness is not only directed toward me.

At one point I got bored listening to them. I adjusted the dress Azreal put me in today wishing I was in something more comfortable. Like pants.

My stomach grumbled to my dismay because I haven't eaten since yesterday.

I felt something fall on my head and onto the floor. I looked at something that seemed like leftover food. I looked up and caught Zelda's stare.

"Oops. My bad your highness I accidentally dropped it. Why dont you let your pet eat it she seems hungry. I'm pretty sure she's used to eating off the floor am I right?."

Did she know I can understand what she says? I don't think she knows. If so they wouldn't have this conference in my presence even if I was a weak human. I'll keep this secret to myself.

I faked confusion and looked at her and she laughed.

My blood boiled.

I felt Azreal reach down to brush off some of the food that was tangled in my hair with a disapproving frown.

A sudden sense of anger came over me as I realized how pathetic my situation is. My will is stripped away from me and I'm reduced to being treated as some sort of dog. Sure maybe I should be grateful that I'm alive but what's worse? dying or being treated as a slave?

I decided that I was sick of sitting around so I pulled azreals hand away from my hair and stood up. walking back towards one of the windows.

I could feel his gaze on me.

"As I was saying, your majesty-"

"Aurora. Be careful. Do not touch the glass." I heard Azreal say cutting off the Zakerian who was talking to him.

I grunted and continued to stand there knowing this is going to piss him off but I rather piss him off than sit on the floor like a dog.

I could feel his intense gaze on my back even though the Zakerians were talking to him. It was unnerving to know that he was interested in watching me rather than listening to what they had to say.

Ignore me damn it. So I can escape.

"If you are against our agreement we can settle for a temporary peace treaty until-"

"Aurora, come here," His tone was sharper than before. He simply didn't care that he rudely interrupted someone who was talking to him.

I ignore him.

"looks like your pet requires discipline," I roll my eyes at Zelda's words and gazed outside the window. Calculating the distance towards the exit on the opposite side of the room. How fast can I run? very fast if the adrenaline in me complies. I have to be sneaky. But everyone's gaze is on me because Azreal is distracted by my every move. I want him to focus on the conference. I thought he'd be distracted by them so that would give me enough time to slip away but what I didn't expect was the unrelenting and intense focus directed onto me all the time and everyone is starting to take note of it. I am not that interesting damn it. Why can't you let me be? I ponder furiously.

I hear Azreal sigh and the conference continues. I could still feel his gaze on me like a sixth sense tho.

Trying to shake off my annoyance I looked outside the window and there was a bright light that seems quite similar to a shooting star. How strange. what was that?

I realized what it was the very next second as it got closer.

"Your highness you seem distracted. Maybe if we return your pet to your rooms we can continue with our-"

"Azreal," I say cutting off the Zakerian that was speaking. I could feel everyone's startled gaze directed at me.

Maybe it's because I used his name so freely. Pets aren't supposed to do that I guess. But I didn't care at this point.

He appeared behind me instantly as if I summoned him. A hand going around my waist possessively.

He looked outside and his emotionless green eyes widened a mere fraction.

I was right.

It was a missile created by the humans and its heading straight towards us.

Before I knew it there was a massive explosion and the sound of glass shattering reached my ears.

My world tilted once again.