Chapter 19

                                    

                                          
warnings: violence, language
Chapter 19:
402 A.V; Month 10; Day 24

Luck would have it that Sabre would find me before I could sit with Andon. He slipped up beside me as I walked out of line. He said nothing and walked quietly along with his hands in his pockets. 
"Don't you want dinner?" I asked. 
"I'm not hungry," he answered. I stopped and looked at him, slightly mystified. His clothes hung off him a little more than I was used to. I wasn't sure how I hadn't noticed it before, though.
"You look thinner," I stated. 
"I'm fine, really." I frowned slightly and he was eyeing me in a critical manner, "Or was that a diversion? To get me into line so you could get just a little closer to death?" It had been a diversion, but I wasn't going to let him know that. 
"Sabre, you're thinner," I stated. 
"So?" 
"Fine. Never mind," I stated and continued towards Andon who was watching casually. Sabre lightly took my elbow, stopping me. 
"Yes?" I asked. His eyes flickered toward Andon and then back to me. 
"He's dangerous," Sabre muttered. 
"Dangerous how?" 
"He'll get you killed, Alloy. Priam has a target painted right on his back and if you get in the way, you could die." I let out a breath. 
"Look, Andon has already warned me about all this several times over," I told him. Sabre's expression became guarded, like he was hiding what he really felt.
"Then why keep going back?" 
"Because," I said, "We're friends." Because I needed him. Because I was sure that somehow Andon needed me as well. Sabre would never understand the connection. I wasn't even sure if I understood it. 
"You're in denial," he stated, "But whatever, don't listen to me." He put his hands up in mock surrender as he spoke and backed away. I watched him go before slipping into the spot across from Andon.
"What did he want?"
"He didn't really want anything, just to warn me that you'll get me killed because of the target you have on your back." Andon stopped eating and looked at me.
"Well he's right in a way," he stated. I let out a breath and started eating. 
"Look, I understand the danger, and as you probably already know, I don't care." 
"I assumed as much." 
We were quiet for a little while, eating in silence. I thought of Sabre's loose clothing. He'd eaten the last time I'd been with him. Had it been for show? It took me a moment to realize that I was worried about him. The behavior. The not eating. 
"Andon," I said.
"Hmm?" 
"Sabre's lost some weight." He eyed me for a moment.
"You saw that too?"
"Well, yeah, it's kind of hard not to notice." Andon looked back down at his food as if it were no big deal.
"I think it's a ploy. I think all of it is a ploy. Sabre had you in his claws and then he lost you. Sabre knows what you are, he has the whole time—," I cut in.
"He never told Priam, though," I said, "And he seemed to completely forget about it too, what I did to him in the hallway when we got here." 
"I have a feeling Priam knew all along, he was just letting you get comfortable, letting me get comfortable." I sat there a moment studying him. I couldn't deny that he was probably right. Priam always had a suspicion, but he never knew.