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After we finished, the Knight signaled that we were allowed to sit down again.
"It is with great pleasure that I now introduce the most distinguished brother of the Order! Please welcome with a warm round of applause Mr. John Adam Nash!" he shouted, visibly excited, as a handsome, tall gentleman with mottled gray hair and piercing eyes stepped onto the podium.
John Adam Nash?I thought thoughtfully. I had heard this name somewhere before. Startled, I opened my eyes and stared at the man who had just stepped up to the microphone. The realization hit me to the core. John Adam Nash was the name I had read in Edward’s Koran. Nausea and anger rose up inside me. What did this mean?
CHAPTER 31
So many emotions hit me at the same time. Uncertainty, disbelief, and confusion made me waver. Anger, betrayal, and mistrust rushed hotly through my veins. Sadness, disappointment, and betrayal of trust clutched my heart ice-cold.
Meanwhile, John Adam Nash had let his gaze wander over the tables and guests. He remained fixed on my staring green eyes for a fraction of a second. Trepidatiously, I tried to get a grip on the chaos in my head and quickly lowered my eyelids.
"Good evening, gentlemen and …" He cleared his throat hastily. "… and ladies. It is my pleasure to welcome you here to New York City today. Before I discuss today's program items with you, let me briefly introduce myself. My name is John Adam Nash, and I am the first Knight of the Brotherhood. I live with my family in beautiful London. Five years ago, when we realized humanity needed to be protected from the threat of the fulfillment of the apocalypse, my recently deceased fellow Knight Michael and I decided to overthrow the unreasonable rulers of the time. At first, it was a difficult time, but the struggle and our faith helped us get through it."
Devoutly, he bowed his head. "But today, we can say the decision was right. The sacrifices have paid off, and we face a new future. This also brings me to the program for the evening. Later, we will convene a meeting of New York's premier league to discuss the economic situation on the second floor. Also, one room above this one, all the clergy will discuss the possibilities of preventing an opening of the next seal within the church structures." Chris, next to me, took one nervous breath.
“Most of all, however, I am delighted to meet your young daughters and wives in person in the Great Hall,” Mr. Nash pressed out with apparent effort. “They are our future of a life of peace, prosperity, and following God’s commandments.” During the last sentence, he contorted his face into a creepy mask of friendliness. “But I don’t want to keep you from the wonderful meals the chefs have prepared for you. Bon appetit.”
His departure from the stage seemed like an escape, while his supporters burst into rapturous applause, unmistakably demanding from the rest of the audience to do the same.
When it became quiet again, the waiters hurried over with filled plates and poured wine into new glasses. Despite my resolution not to drink anything, since alcohol had already gotten me into trouble at the last gala, I downed the champagne in a few gulps. Chris looked at me reproachfully from the side. But I needed something to calm my nerves and cool the heat in my veins. I wasn't going to drink more than this one glass, though. I was certainly not doing the Knights of the Seals that favor.
Nothing could melt the ice surrounding my heart at the moment. Taking a deep breath, I mentally pushed aside my discovery regarding Edward's Koran and wiped my sweaty hands on my napkin. How was I going to get through this evening?
The appetizer was a soup that had been seasoned very spicy and salty. Continuously, one saw the guests reaching for their wine glasses to wash down the spiciness. The men at my table were no exception. Anne was already quite drunk after the soup, giggling into her napkin the entire time about something hilarious only she could see. I remained steadfast to the alcohol even after the salad, which was also heavily salted, the chili-spiced appetizers, and the salt-crusted fish. But when a steak with boiled potatoes and vegetables tossed in chili was served afterward, my mouth was like a desert on fire.
The need to finally have a drink became overwhelming, and the wine glass seemed more and more attractive to me.No, you can't put yourself in such danger again!You need a cool head!I tried to convince myself, but my body almost ached so much it craved a sip of water.
Dad's cheeks were already red from the alcohol, Rick had hiccups, and Jordy, meanwhile, was laughing along with Anne. Only Chris had avoided the wine as much as I had but looked as thirsty as I felt. In desperation, I grabbed my wine glass, but Chris shook his head, barely visible, and that's when I understood why everyone got drunk so quickly. Burning, the smell of strong, high-proof alcohol assailed my nose. Apparently, a clear spirit had been added to the wine.
Hastily, I put the glass back and pushed it even further away from me as a precaution.
"Excuse us both, please. Myrina has to go to the bathroom, and I don't want to let her go alone," Chris suddenly said, stood up, and pulled me with him. No one paid any attention to us.
As calmly as possible, we walked to the exit of the hall. I didn’t know what my brother was planning, but I trusted him completely.
When will I tell him about my discovery with the name?it flashed through my mind. Frustrated, I pushed the thoughtaway again. Right now was really not the right time for that. Surprisingly, Chris was really heading for the restrooms. These were the same ones I wanted to use during my visit a few weeks ago. My gaze wandered uncontrollably in the direction of the hall where I had danced and was subsequently discovered by the two men disguised as waiters. A tremor ran through my body. Not again would I roam the halls here alone.
"Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly," Chris advised, winking at me and then disappearing through the door of the men's restroom. Confused, I entered the ladies' restroom, but as soon as my eyes fell on the sinks, I finally understood Chris' plan. Like one dying of thirst, I rushed to the first available faucet and turned it on full blast. Only single drops fell from its opening, which I greedily caught with my tongue until the water dried up completely. The same happened with the five other taps. Obviously, the water had been purposefully turned off in the toilet rooms. These last remnants from the pipe had not been able to quench my insatiable thirst but ensured my tongue no longer felt so incredibly dry.
Frustrated, I left the ladies’ room a little later and looked around. Where was Chris? Had he already returned to the hall? Or was he still in the men’s room?
“Your brother has already gone back to the American Court,” I suddenly heard a familiar dark voice behind me. In disbelief, I turned around and caught sight of Mr. Baldur leaning casually against one of the pillars not far from me with an arrogant expression. His caramel-colored eyes turned to liquid gold as he slid them down my dress. A pleasant shiver followed this trace, which burned hotly on my skin.
You have to get out of here!a voice deep inside me urged, and at the same time, I was magically attracted to this man. Before I realized it, he stood before me and offered me his hand.
“Can I show you something?”
His words were pure seduction. A dark seduction permeated by the foreboding of danger, which should drive me to flee.
"I think I'd better get back to the table. They'll already be looking for me," I replied in a firm voice that didn't suit my soft knees.
“I promise you won’t be missed. Or do you really not want to miss the spicy steak, boiled potatoes, and spicy vegetables?” he asked, amused. His face softened, and something youthful glowed in him. Hesitantly, I glanced at his hand. My curiosity, which had gotten me into trouble far too often, just defeated my caution and now faced my reason in battle.
“Please. Do me this favor,” he asked me gently. “Don’t you think you owe me a favor for my rescue effort from our last encounter?”
Mr. Baldur had already protected me from danger once. Why should he put me in any now? Before I could change my mind, I put my hand in his. Warmly and surprisingly softly he enclosed it, then pulled me to the elevator already waiting for us.
"Do you know the roof terrace?" my companion asked, pressing one of the buttons. Only now, when the doors closed, did I realize I was in an elevator similar to the one at home. Immediately, I felt sweat on my forehead, and my heart began to race. The walls of this much too-small room were closing in on me.
