Chapter Ten
I woke up in a room of white under a thin, linen sheet. I was clothed in nothing but a camisole and shorts. The room smelled of rubber and synthetic material.
"You're up." By my bedside was Elise. She was in her Silver Police training uniform, so I figured not too much time had passed since this morning, though since there were no windows in the room, it was hard to say for sure. At my drowsiness, I pulled the sheet over my head and wondered how long I've gone unconscious. "You've been out a good thirty hours, or so I've heard." It was as if she could read my thoughts.
"An entire day?!" I spoke from under the covers. I couldn't believe I had been out for so long and groaned at the sound of it.
"I heard you attacked Lord Samson Merandus." I pulled my sheet down, revealing myself and corrected her.
"I silenced him. Not attacked." She stiffened. "No one got hurt. Well, except me, I guess."
"He's a higher up. You can't just use your abilities whenever you like on whomever you wish." I wasn't sure if it was because I had just woken up, or if it was because she was telling me what I could and could not do, but irritation began boiling.
"He was in my head first, Elise. I wasn't doing it for fun." She shook her head.
"No matter. He's powerful, status and skills." Apparently, Samson recently became a government official who worked directly with the Nobles. It was just now that I started to realize how important he really was. He held a position even high than Ptolemus. "You have to rest now. For a few days even. Lay low."
"Because of Samson Merandus?" I sarcasted.
"Because the doctor said so." I sat up as Elise briefed me on what had happened. I fell unconscious before even leaving the conference room, and Alseth Gliacon brought me to the infirmary. My lightheaded was caused by lowered oxygen levels in the brain, which was likely because I had strained myself silencing Samson. Mentally, the task wasn't difficult at all, but physically, it was draining. "You're not to be bothered or stressed for the quickest recovery." She handed me a paper cup with two pills: one pink and one blue.
"What are these?"
"Vitamin capsules." I shrugged and took them down with a glass of water.
"When are we to leave back for East Archeon?" It turns out we weren't because we're safest here in West Archeon with the Scarlet Guard being more active than they ever were. "But my mother."
"Everyone in Harbor Bay have been informed of our extended stay. Cars have been sent to retrieve all personal items. All those who left the ball yesterday are now staying with their families here." As she continued to speak of the security measures that are being taken across all of Archeon, I brought my attention to the television, mounted on the wall across from me. The coverage was about a speech given by the lost Princess, Mareena Titanos, daughter of Ethan Titanos, former general of the Iron Legion. They say because her father was an Oblivion and mother was a Storm, somehow, she was born with a rare ability.
Mareena Titanos, princess who possessed electrokinesis, the ability to create and manipulate electricity. She was bland, but beautiful. Brown hair and brown eyes, but simplicity at it's finest. She truly did look like a princess, someone who could rule lands and lead an army. The difference between the two princesses, Evangeline Samos and Mareena Titanos, is that Evangeline is all about power. She wants to control and rule, to be superior. Mareena on the other hand, looked genuine, uncertain, but honest. It could just be because she was nurtured as an unfortunate Red, but how did she not know she was Silver? Did she never bleed as a child? The moment she saw her own face flush pale, she should have lept at the opportunity to live a better life. A Silver life.
The more attention I paid to the segment, the more familiar her face became. It may just be because she looked like another Red, plain, but decorated in purple and silver silks and accessories. The shape of her face, the arch of her nose, the shade of her hair, the attempt to straighten her posture, something about her was clawing at me, but what? She's just as primped as the rest of us, just as pale and exquisite. Her voice was unfamiliar, so I was sure I've never met her personally. But her familiarity ached.
"Are you even listening to me?" Elise's question snapped me out of my daze.
"Huh? I mean, yeah." I cleared my throat. "Yes, I am." She shook her head in disbelief, and began making her way out of the room.
"I'll let you rest, but you have to start taking things seriously soon, Aselia." Elise has always been a difficult person to read. Whether she was simply ignoring one or plotting an enemy's revenge, her body language wouldn't give anything away. That is precisely why they wanted her in the police force. Yes, with Ptolemus as the head of the guards, she had the advantage against other prospective officers, but even if she didn't carry the Samos name, there was no doubt she would easily advance in that field on an exponential level. "Oh, and one more thing…" Just before she left the infirmary, she turned back to look at me. "That necklace of yours, the one you were wearing last night when you returned with Haven?" I nodded. "I'd keep it hidden if I were you." Before I could ask any questions, she was already gone, and for once, her unease was shown. Right as she walked out of sight, her fists were clenched white before relaxing once more. Now, it was me who grew uneasy.
Throughout the evening, servants came in and out to check on me, just to make sure I didn't need anything. The doctor visited once or twice to make sure I didn't present any more symptoms. Before long, the lack of activity caused me to fall asleep for the rest of the night.
The sound of dripping water woke me. I inhaled a breath and almost drowned as water poured into my lungs, for I was centered in an ocean body. Struggling, I swam upwards with all my strength, muscles sore. When I finally reached the surface, I coughed the fluids out, glad to be alive, breathing fresh air. My glee faded quickly when I noticed the setting. Suddenly, I'm on all fours, the water below me no deeper than a foot. I felt the solid ground beneath my palm and knees, unsure of what had just happened. All around me was an endless darkness. I stood up at the sound of another echo, like a single droplet dripping from a faucet.
A fog of breath released from my lips, and the room's temperature dropped drastically. In no second at all, the water froze, my feet trapped inside. I screamed at the pain brought upon by the ice as it slowly traveled up my legs, freezing every inch of skin, and without a doubt, my blood was turning into ice as well. Alseth. The thought of him disgusted me. The ice covering my body continued upwards. Slowly, it crackled, crawling up my neck. Panic washed over me. I couldn't think clearly nor speak, not only was I mentally frozen, but physically.
There was a static shock at the tip of my right, pointer finger. Then one spark turned into two, and soon my entire hand was buzzing. Both hands were. I let out one last scream before the ice could conceal my face, and light flashed, filling the entire room. It was bright, rapid. Stunning. Every chunk of ice on my body shattered and fell apart along with the breaking ground. I could feel the warmth of blood rush through my veins once more, and at my fingers, a trickling sensation stayed afloat. When I looked at my hands, there were little sparks of purple and white just dancing in my palms. Lightning? I managed to shock myself, and jumped, stepping on a shard of ice. The pain caused me to wince, but my eyes grew wide at what I saw below me. Where the shard stabbed me was blood. It was my blood, but simultaneously, it wasn't.
"You're one of them," a familiar voice said. I shook my head. "Useless and pathetic." I finally realized that Samson was in my head all along, but I couldn't shut him out. Why? "You're weak." I began bleeding. Blood trickled from my eyes, ears, nose and mouth. It hurt. I was in pain. I couldn't fight back. I wasn't strong enough. I wanted to scream, but couldn't even bring myself to do it, frightened of what he might do to me if he heard me. I crouched down and held myself tightly, afraid of what was to come.
"Rise," another voice whispered. It was almost inaudible, but I heard it.
"Shh, he might hear you," I thought, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.
"He can't hurt me." Somehow, this voice was able to bypass Samson. "He can't hurt you." Our entire conversation couldn't be heard.
"He's already hurt me,"I said to him.
"You are weak," Samson's voice boomed once more.
"You are strong," the second voice followed, even more powerful. I looked down at the shattered ice I rested on and saw my own reflection, except it wasn't me. I was Mareena Titanos, the lost princess betrothed to the Second Prince of Norta, Maven Calore. A memory was recalled, and I was standing in the dark with Kira, outside of a bar. An unfortunate Red girl was pickpocketing from drunks, and when I caught a small glimpse of her face, realization hit me. That's why you looked so familiar. But she's a Red. How is it possible for her to have abilities? In the hollow of the situation, the mystery intrigued me.
"Who looks familiar?" Samson asked. I sat up and wiped the blood from my face, smiling.
"Nobody." Footsteps sounded from behind me, and I turned around. There, he stood. The infamous Whisper, Samson Merandus. "You're wrong, you know."
"Oh? Enlighten me," he said aloud, no longer just a voice lurking inside my mind.
"I'm not useless nor pathetic." He cocked an eyebrow. "And you're here because you know it."
"Here?" In my mind, you jackass. And he smiled. "I'm here because you're… fascinating." His compliment made me uneasy, but since he was already in my mind, there wasn't much I could do to shut him out, especially after this morning. "You hate both Reds and Silvers alike." My body tensed at his statement. "Reds because although inferior, they somehow find a way to fit in. You're superior, yet you don't have a place in this universe. Silvers because they are self-attentive and overpower others with their abilities. You have abilities, but what can you do other than make other Silvers like you for a short period of time? You don't belong anywhere. You're higher than Reds, but lower than other Silvers." I tried to shut him up, but I couldn't move. "You don't belong, Lady Aselia." Now, I was standing, and he was only inches away. "But you can." He held out a hand to me. I stiffened. "Alongside myself and the next King."
"Prince Tiberias Calore VII." Samson shook his head at my response.
"Tiberias is a fool, just another tool like his father and the father before him." But Cal was the heir to the throne. Samson was speaking in tongue. "But my cousin…" Instantly, I knew what he was implying.
"Maven Calore, Second Prince of Norta," I confirmed.
"Soon to be King." This was the unspoken fall no one ever spoke of, the reason why Convergings existed. Whatever he was planning, I didn't like it. Is Maven plotting against the King? What of Cal? Does the Queen have a role in this? What is happening within those castle walls? "I know you have questions, and I have the answers."
"Mavey…" The second voice again. I finally realized, it was Cal. He must have seen the Red girl at the bar that night. There was no way he couldn't have. If that was the case, then he knew Mareena Titanos was a Red. Cal's loyal, born and raised as a soldier. If he knows, then so does his family. That means the King, he's keeping a Red under his roof, hiding her as a princess, but why? My body was now burning.
"I need to know, Aselia Chariot Arven…" Samson leaned in and took a whiff of my hair before whispering into my ear. "Where does your loyalty lie?"
I woke up in shock, out of breath, sweating, confused. It wasn't a dream. I told myself. I tried my best to recall every event that just took place in my mind. Mareena Titanos is a Red, Prince Cal is no longer in power, and Samson Merandus is going to stand alongside the new King of Norta, Maven Calore. All of this confused me, but I knew it wasn't anything to be taken lightly. It's real. I paced from the infirmary to my room, avoiding everyone on the way there. It was mid day. I threw on my combat suit as soon as I arrived, ready to march to the Merandus House for answers. When I opened my door, a servant was standing there, hand up, ready to knock.
"My lady," she said, surprised to see me in such a frantic. I nodded, giving her permission to continue speaking. "I was sent to deliver a message, but you weren't in the infirmary."
"The message, girl. " She informed me that all of the adults have gathered at the Capitol building for a meeting, and I was to attend as well. "It's crucial that you be there," she said, but it wasn't a priority for me, at least not at the moment.
"I'm to see Lord Samson Merandus. Life and death matters. Inform them of my absence." Before I could turn back around to put on my boots that I had almost forgotten, she quickly commented,
"He's the one who sent me to deliver the message, my lady." Not only was I looking for answers, but he wanted to be the one to give them to me.
I ran into Kaius upon my arrival.
"Ase!" He ran up to me and hugged me tightly. "I heard you collapse, are you alright?" I nodded. "You never cease to stay out of trouble, do you?" He laughed. We walked into the conference room together where many of the others were already waiting for us. Rayla, Lester, Elise and Eragon were a few of the notable faces. Eragon. When I looked towards him, his gaze shifted to Kaius before quickly looking away. A pang of guilt nicked my chest, but I tossed it aside. Priorities, Ase.
"Shall we begin then?" Eragon spoke. At the round table, they discussed matters as far as threats to target the Norta Castle. The threats that they spoke of were only in regards to the Scarlet Guard. Just recently, the castle hosted a ball, but it was a disaster. Many were killed during a bombing that happened directly in the ballroom. Lieutenant Macanthos, a Stoneskin, was one of the notable lives lost. Along with Belicos Lerolan, a father and diplomat and Reynold Iral, a financial genius. This all occurred while I was out unconscious. "Aselia, your cousin was attacked as well."
"What?" Elise stiffened.
"The Scarlet Guard also tried assassinating Ptolemus." I was not a fan of Ptolemus, but hearing that they targeted him brought me even more bitterness towards them. "They targeted people of status. Silvers who play important roles in the Capitol."
"And what of the royal family?" He hesitated at my question and replied,
"They're safe. For now." As the meeting went on, I wondered where Samson was.
The servant from earlier told me he was the one who said I needed to be here, so where? I tapped my fingers against the table annoyed, irritated, curious, and unsure.
"The Scarlet Guard," Rayla started. "How did they get inside the castle?" No one wanted to admit it, but we all knew the answer.
"They had someone on the inside," Kaius finally admitted.
"Who's to say there isn't more than one person either?" Lester asked. At the end of the discussion, the room stayed silent. Some people were scared, and others were nervous, unsure of what to anticipate. Aside from the broad range of emotion in the room, one thing was certain, everyone here wants the Scarlet Guard dead.