Chapter 43

~Athena

Everyone rose to their feet as soon as Richard and I walked in and bowed curtly in greeting. I stared at the faces that stared back at us. Sabrina and Jessica were together, occupying the two front seats on the right-hand side. The two front seats on the left were empty. Shrewd-looking elders filled the seats from the second row to about the sixth one.

I could feel several pairs of eyes glaring daggers at me. If only looks could kill, I would have probably dropped dead the second I walked in.

I looked at the podium, and there were two seats there. This was my first time being in the conference room. I wondered whether there had always been two thrones or if another was added because I was going to be here today.

The room was painted white and had two windows draped with beautiful blue curtains. The ceiling was very high with a chandelier dangling in the middle, being the most prominent source of light illuminating the room. Other tiny fluorescents surrounded the four corners o