Hi guys, like I said before in my other story, sorry for the slow updates. I have camp now, and my grandmother died a few days ago, and I've been really busy and/or not in the mood to write, but, here is chapter 37.

Maureen's POV

Blinded by rage and anger, and I desire to complete my task of kidnapping this girl, I slice my knife across her arm, spilling blood. I only meant to scare her into being obedient, but I cut her too much.

I bite my lip when I see how much blood is spilling.

Ugh! I didn't have time for this! I throw her some gauze and tape and tap my foot as she covers her fresh wound.

When she's done, I yank her towards the door and snarl at her to stay put, then, I go outside to deal with the guards.

I wasn't afraid of the number of guards outside, I was a tough cookie, trained to be strong by Devon and my instructors from the rebel camp.

I dart outside, and before they can react, I shoot the closet guard point blank, dead. The other guards react, two of them, one shoots me, and hits my arm.

Ow! I grunt in pain and grit my teeth from screaming out loud and calling attention to me, which I had enough of with the loud gunshots.

I shoot the guards, boom, boom, and hit one in the shoulder, the other I miss.

The standing guard shoots at me, and I duck and shoot him, target acquired. One dead, two unconscious. I did quite good.

I dart back into the room to find Cassie near the window, looking out.

Damn! This girl does not give up!

I yank her sharply away from the window and give her a threatening look. Was her bandaged arm not convincing enough? I would hurt her if necessary to get her to Devon alive.

"I told you to stay put!" I scream at her.

She flinches, and I just sigh, pushing her forward and out of that dreaded infirmary.

Her eyes take in the fallen guards outside, and I see her gulp.

There, finally, she gets it, I'm dangerous.

I hear screaming and yelling and footsteps everywhere, and I don't know how to get out of here without being caught.

That's when the rebel alarm goes off.

Dammit! I've been discovered, once again.

I grab Cassie's arm and pull her in the direction of the rebel door, the one that we use to get into the palace all of the time.

We make it, breathless and panting. Quickly, in one smooth motion, I take out the key and open the lock, shoving her in.

I click on a flashlight, and put the gun away, giving her a 'don't try it' look.

We reach the end of the passage way, and Devon is there.

Relief is etched on his face when he sees me.

So maybe he does love me? I was so confused! Did Devon love me or was he just using me? Sometimes, I couldn't tell.

He gets up, giving me a brief kiss on the lips.

Cassie wails loudly upon seeing him. What's up with that.

Devon takes her in, shooting me a look when he sees her arm, and his face spreads into a slow, and real smile.

"Why hello there princess, I told you I'd be seeing you again." He says.

Cassie looks at me, hatred etched in her features, "Why? Why would you work with this filthy piece of trash?" She asks me, her lip curling up.

I look at Devon and his hands are on his chest in mock offense.

I roll my eyes at his playfulness with her, and get close to her face.

"I don't have to justify my reasons to you." I say, adding mentally, 'not when I don't know the reasons myself.'

"Girls! Relax!" Devon says cheerfully.

He wraps his arms around my waist and gives me a slow and long kiss.

"Guard her." He says breaking away and going to check if the coast was clear.

I nod seriously.

When he returns, he takes my gun and prods Cassie forward.

She gets up, sighing, and follows Devon, me behind her, making sure she didn't try anything.

We walk in silence for a while, and I'm wondering what Cassie is thinking.

Then suddenly, without warning, Cassie crumbles to the ground, I halt, nearly tripping over her.

Devon whirls around.

"What happened?" He asks eyeing me, like I did something wrong.

"I- I think I hurt my ankle, it just crumbled underneath me!" She wails crying loudly.

I was pretty sure that she was just lying, but I didn't say anything.

During the walk, I made up my mind that once we headed out of the palace grounds, I'd separate from Devon and try to take Cassie with me.

I knew that once Devon was done with her, he'd kill her, and I couldn't let that happen.

"It hurts!" Cassie wails loudly.

"Shut up!" Devon whispers, "You're going to get us discovered!"

Cassie makes a show of getting up, only to fall back down again.

Devon closes his eyes briefly and then hands me the gun.

I point it at Cassie, as Devon lifts her up and carries her.

Cassie whispers something, and Devon just ignores her.

When we reach the door to get out, Devon motions for me to unlock the door.

I start to put my gun down, since I couldn't use my other hand, which shit, was really starting to hurt!

Devon shakes his head at me. He takes the gun, and puts Cassie down on the floor.

The minute his back is turned to her, Cassie takes off running.

Devon whips around to shoot her, but she's pretty far ahead.

He chases after her, shooting at her, and missing, then they disappear from sight.

I finish opening the door, and am ready to slip out, but I'm tackled to the ground by guards from behind who lock me in a bear hug.

No! This can't be happening! I was caught, and would be punished for what I've done, in the monarchy's eyes, I was worse than Devon! I think of crying, but want to remain strong, so I don't.

I hang my head in shame, as Devon is restrained as well, cursing out the guards and the princess at the same time.

We're carried to the jail cells, which Devon knew pretty well by know, and thrown in jail cells on opposite sides of the room.

A guard tells me that I will be questioned along with Devon in a few days time, after the funeral and royal visits from the selection.

At least I would live for another few days. And then, I knew what would happen, both Devon and I would be executed as traitors to the crown.

I decide to break down then, quietly, so Devon wouldn't hear his strong girl crying, and weep for the life that I was going to lose.

Cassie's POV

Maureen and Devon were going to be interrogated, and then most likely sentenced to death after the funeral and royal visits, which Jacob finally agreed to.

The funeral was settled for tomorrow, in the royal families private funeral plot in the back part of the palace.

I just felt so guilty for not telling Jacob about Maureen and Ashley. Should I tell him now? He would hate me, but it would help in giving out punishment maybe. But what about Ashley? Should I tell him about her?

The decisions I had to make whirled around in my brain, and I decide that there shouldn't be any more secrets between me and Jacob.

I'd tell him after the funeral and royal visits, if Ashley didn't get eliminated by then, because there was a chance that she might still be.

The palace staff were all busy, getting ready for the funeral, and then two days after, the visit of England, Russia, Germany and Italy.

Vivian told me secretly that the selected were all going to be paired up with a partner, and had to entertain and serve each country's representative for half a day each, since they'd be staying with us for 3 days.

On the third day, they'd all cast their votes and the winning team gets immunity from elimination, while the others were at risk. Jacob was going to eliminate two girls that day.

England's chosen representative was going to be their queen, with of course, lot's of her guards coming.

Germany was sending their young princess who was 18 and engaged to the prince of France with an ambassador.

Russia was sending, well, the King, the queen, and the prince and princess were coming, to take Johanna with them. Their marriage was to take place in Russia, as soon as Jacob ended the selection.

Johanna was pitching a fit about going, but when Queen Reyna and Jacob said that she must go, she complied.

So the Russian representative was going to be their princess, who was 15.

And then Italy was sending their young 16 year old prince, and along with him, he was going to take one of his friends.

At first, Italy, Germany, and England, were reluctant to send just one member of their royal families, but soon warmed up to the idea when presented to them by King Dominick's advisors.

The event was going to be televised, and the public as well was going to vote, though their votes wouldn't count towards the final score, they were just mostly for gossip magazines and such.

After dinner, Vivian and I would explain to the girls their duty and partners, as well what was expected of them at the funeral the next day, which they would be attending.

I wasn't looking forward to the funeral, because I knew that I would cry a lot, and it would be so sad and I wouldn't be able to stand seeing Jacob, Johanna, Lindsey, and the Queen all upset.

After the meeting with the advisors, Jacob, Johanna, and the queen, I head to my room to change for dinner, it had been a long day, and I was very tired.

When I walk in, I page my maids to come and help me, and sit on the bed to wait for them.

Josie runs in, followed by Kat, and Vicky, who was starting to show a little bit, that she was pregnant.

Josie has a letter in her hands, which she presents to me with flourish.

"Cassie! It's from James!" She says excited.

As I open the letter, Kat takes out my new dress that she brought in. The girls started making all black dresses while I was at the meeting, and for now, it was just a simple dress, they not having time to make anything more with the time they had.

Kat promised though, that they were working on my funeral dress and that it was almost done.

I would be wearing all black from now on, at least until the Queen proclaimed it ok to stop.

The selected were to wear black dresses only for a week, which included the funeral and visit from the other countries.

Anyway, I had a letter from James in my hands! Oh James! I really wished he were here right now, I could really use his help getting over my grief.

James, I missed him so much. I hadn't had much time to think about him for the past few days, and he never wrote to me, or called.

I rip open the envelope with newfound energy, eager to hear from my beloved boyfriend.

Aha! I take the letter from the envelope, and unfold it carefully, but quickly.

I read the contents of the letter, and then sigh.

Thanks to Missamerica208 for following and faving! And thanks to Kiren for reviewing! Please if you like my story, leave a review, will ya?

Girls left- Ariel, Bree, Lana, Courtney, Ruby, Allison, Juliana, Ashley

So the royal visit will be in the POV's of the Selected, one from each group of two, which makes four different POV's.

Remember to FAV, FOLLOW, and REVIEW! Please!