The Sins of Anna

Chapter Ten

Lately the manor has been restless. Whispers of having a spy amongst us has set many of the men on edge.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to pick a fight with your comrades!" I'm so tired from continuously breaking up stupid fights like this one, day after day. I decide to try to see about gaining audience with Ren. I haven't seen him much other than when Lady Brittany is with him. She's been different since she got back towards me. I feel hostility when we are with Ren I will find her glaring my way as she clinging to Ren more than normal sweet talking him blatantly for me to see. There has also been a lot of accident around me too that seem suspicious. The other day I was walking outside into the garden at the south entrance when a giant pot that mind you had no flowers even in it fell from above. I barley dodged it. If it wasn't for all Mikes, and Maliki's training I think I would have been severely hurt or dead by now.

I see Mike signing papers from a lower subordinate, I call out to him rushing over before he takes off again.

"Mike, is there any way I can speak with Lord Feng, there has been a lot of hostility among the men, honestly I'm getting tired of trying to stop all the chaos." I try to sound professional around the other men. They all still think I don't belong here I'm not to be his wife so to them I'm just an outsider. Maybe they are behind the accidents but I still can't help thinking it's someone else.

"You know you don't have to ask to see him you serve him Anna." Mike says slapping me across the back with his clown face smile.

"I'm not like you and Maliki I don't have the position to just walk to his room and talk to him." I say in disbelief that he's telling me to just go.

"So sad, I feel so used." He hugs himself wiggling around.

"Using me as an excuse to make goo goo eyes at our lord yet; you won't even abuse me. I want some fun to Anna dear." He starts making kissy faces at me pouncing my way, reflexively I punch that damn face sending him falling backwards. I'd worry but he just gets up laughing. He's back to his creepy self today.

"You really are a creep you know that right!" I yell at him but he just laughs more.

Coughing he finally clears his throat trying to come down. "Alright let's take you to our Lord though I don't think there's much he can do for you in this department. Also, I wouldn't go sticking my head to far in or these guys are liable to revolt against you. Just so you know at the moment they are not allowed to lay a hand on you, as ordered by our Lord but if you keep butting in I don't think they will take it too long." I didn't know Ren order that and here I been beating them senseless what the hell does he think of me treating me as a child I don't need his protection I'm his damn bodyguard. I take Mikes advise though and keep it close at mind.

As we near Ren's room I feel nervous suddenly. Mike lifts his hand to knock but I grab his hand to stop him.

"Never mind, now that I think of it this isn't important he has other problems to deal with." I say jokingly waving my issue off.

Mike lower's his fist smiling at me then suddenly knocks and pushes me through the door without warning. That jerk what if Lady Brittany or the elders where in here. I stand facing the door dumb struck.

"What you came all this way for me and now you want to flee." Ren's voice behind me makes me jump.

"I'm so sorry to intrude My Lord." I stammer bowing my head.

"Cut the crap Anna we're alone." Shocked I look up there was no one here at all but Ren and myself. Now I was wearier of the situation. Mike must have known he was alone. I looked into Ren's eyes his face said it all, he knew what I was worried about as he walked closer to me his hand suddenly slamming on the door behind me as I turned to leave. I heard the lock click and Ren chuckling behind me. "You look like a scared rabbit about to be eaten." His mocking voice rang in my ears. "Don't worry even if I wanted to this isn't the place or time for me to have my way with you angel face. His expression relaxed into a gentler smile as he patted my head. Hearing that, why did I feel let down?

"Can you be any more readable Anna." He suddenly says laughing. Could he tell I was disappointed before I could say anything his gentle lips where pressed against mine for a few seconds before he backed away.

"Now why did you want to see me so bad Anna." His expression changing so fast it was hard to keep up. I try to explain about the men and about all the incidents around me lately. I can't just go accusing his Fiancée though, but I also can't help getting a strong feeling she's after me.

"It can't be helped when there is talk of betrayal among us. Honestly, I have had my hands full, my men on patrol are getting jumped. They seem to know where the patrol is going to be every night. We are on high alert at this moment so much that I sent Brittany back to the Black Panther Clan so she would be out of dangers way." Hearing him say her name and worry for her safety like that I can't help feeling down. I move away from the windows he was looking out of while we talk and go sit on the couch. I can't help feeling sad that he doesn't stress over me being hurt but he does with her. Which is stupid because if he worried about me I couldn't be here.

"Hey Ren." I call him halfheartedly. Despite that he looks over fully focused on what I had to say. I almost wish I had put my foot in my mouth because he will be expecting the rest of what I wanted to say, and there's no way I can ask if he had to choose between Lady Brittany or me who would he choose.

"What's up?" He walks over and sits beside me dropping his arm around my shoulders waiting for me to finish what I was going to say. It's not fair when he knows how I feel, least he should know by now and being so close makes it hard for my to keep my bearings.

"If I was ever in trouble like really in trouble that I couldn't get myself out of would you come for me even though you have Lady Brittany now?" Feeling stupid I asked, I start laughing scratching my head. "Never mind, forget it, I'm just being dumb."

"You're an idiot." Ren mumbles but I hear it clear I feel my heart sink more.

"Yeah, I know, sorr…"

"Whether you can protect yourself or not of course I'd come for you I shouldn't have to say it. What's this even though you have Brittany bit. Those are two totally different matters." Ren blares in my ear suddenly standing and going back to his window. I'm so stupid.

"I'm sorry Ren I didn't mean to upset you I shouldn't have asked I forget because so much has changed, we've changed." I say sighing.

A knock suddenly comes from the other side of the door Ren swiftly moves to unlock the door. Maliki is on the other side he blinks surprised when he's let in and sees me sitting on the couch.

"Sorry I was just leaving." I get up to leave them alone when Ren slams the door shut almost hitting my face keeping me from escaping.

"We are not done with our talk yet Anna. So, hang around won't you." His evil mischievous smile reappears.

"Actually, you can't."