Ch. 8 Her Everything
Rhea's heart hammers in her chest as Levi grins down at her. She's positive he can hear it too. Rhea has never willingly been in such an intimate position with a man. Given her history, she should be terrified. But it isn't fear that makes her heart stutter. She knows that Levi is a dangerous man. Everything about him screams danger. And yet, the predatory gleam in his silver-blue eyes doesn't frighten her. She's embarrassed sure, but also…excited? What is wrong with her?
She turns her head away with a deep blush, as Levi leans closer. He taunts her, lips ghosting over the shell of her ear, and Rhea feels an electrifying sensation surge through her entire body. The wolf in her awakens as she grazes her sharp nails down his chest. Levi is careful not to show his reaction, but Rhea's heightened sense of smell detects his immediate arousal, and it sets her blood on fire. What in the walls is this man doing to her?
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
The sudden knock and a man's booming voice shocks Rhea from her thoughts. Her excitement is replaced with dread, and she sinks into the water. Against her better judgement and all her experience, she inexplicably trusts Levi not to hurt her. But he is just one man. If this commander decides she is a threat and turns her over to the government, there isn't much he can do. Levi's promise of safety eases her dread, if only slightly. She dresses in a daze and follows Levi into the office. She can feel his eyes on her as she takes a seat next to him on the couch. His confidence, which rolls off him in waves, soothes her frayed nerves, and she unconsciously scoots closer to him. Rhea turns her gaze to Erwin as he addresses them, and a faint spark of recognition ignites her curiosity. She has seen this man somewhere before.
Rhea is barely listening as Levi explains the events of the last four days. She is focused on the man in front of her. His golden hair is styled in an undercut and parted neatly, not a single hair out of place. His features are sharp, and even sitting she can tell that he would tower over most people. It is his eyes though, that has Rhea searching through her memories. They are a bright shade of blue and burn with an intensity she has seen only a handful of times.
Levi finishes his explanation; Erwin's electric gaze focuses on her, and Rhea remembers where she had seen him. The ball. She remembers musing that he would surely become commander one day. She tenses as Erwin's eyes sweep over her form, and the dread seeps back into her body when recognition lights them.
"I know you. Rhea Vaughn. You were the daughter of a dangerous mafia boss. Wyatt Vaughn controlled all of Karenes district from the shadows, up until the night he was stabbed to death."
Rhea bristles, baring her teeth with a snarl.
"Wyatt Vaughn was a monster who assaulted his own daughter. I was cleared of all charges related to that incident, commander."
"Yes, I am aware. There is another incident that occurred four years ago, however, that you are still wanted for questioning for. It involves the death of your sister, her husband, and four men who's ravaged corpses were found in the woods behind your sister's home."
"Why are we even talking about this? Levi has just told you that I can transform into a giant wolf. Isn't that a little more important? That incident has nothing to do with this."
Erwin's face is stern and his voice full of underlying threat as he speaks his next words.
"It has everything to do with it. If what Levi says is true, and I have no reason not to believe him, then you could potentially be the most dangerous person within the walls. But you could also prove to be our greatest ally in our fight against the titans. Levi has vouched for you, but we have no clue of the true limits of your power. If you decided to turn on us, I am not confident that even Levi could cut you down easily. I am inclined to trust Levi's judgement. But the fact remains that you are wanted for the suspected brutal murder of six people. It speaks volumes of your potential danger."
"So, you're going to label me a threat, even though you have no idea what really happened?"
Rhea is standing now, eyes blazing. She can feel the power thrumming on her veins, wanting to be set free. She did not come here to be threatened.
Levi's long, thin fingers close around her wrist. His grip is firm, but not painful. His cool touch settles her slightly, and she glances to his face. His expression is carefully blank, but in his eyes, there is a warning. Erwin speaks again.
"No, I am not. I am only saying that it must be taken into consideration. If you would be willing to tell us what happened, I would have a better understanding of your intentions. Like I said, I am inclined to trust Levi's judgement, especially if it could lead to a step forward for humanity."
Her anger dissipates, replaced by surprise. The gold fades from her eyes and she retakes her seat. He wants to hear her side of the story. He's willing to accept her into the scouts, just based on Levi's statement? Are all the scouts like this, or just the leadership? Rhea glances at Levi again, unsure. She doesn't know why she's looking to him for reassurance; but his simple nod, and the hand still wrapped, loosely now, around her wrist, somehow gives her comfort. Rhea inhales deeply through her nose and expels her hesitation with a sigh. She meets Erwin's gaze again and slowly nods her acceptance.
"I'll tell you what happened. I'll warn you though, it's not a pretty story, and it's a long one."
Erwin leans back in his chair, settling his arms comfortably on the desk.
"Murder never is, and we have plenty of time. Whenever you're ready."
Levi lets go of her wrist, his legs fall open in a relaxed manner, and throws an arm nonchalantly over the back of the couch. His fingers begin to subtly play with her hair, grazing the back of her neck lightly. She wonders of he realizes he's doing it, but the gesture soothes her none the less. Rhea relaxes into the couch and closes her eyes as the awful memory comes to her mind, and fills her heart with an old, but still deep ache.
"It started shortly after wall Maria fell…"
…
The acrid stench of cigar smoke fills the hazy room. Rhea leans against her desk, arms crossed, and takes shallow breaths. Three men sit across from her on a plush leather couch, the source of the foul air sitting between their teeth. Each of them is dressed to the nines, and they are staring at her with matching contemptuous expressions. An ash haired, older gentlemen, sitting between the other two, pulls the cigar from his lips and ashes it in the tray on her desk. He is thin and wiry, an unusual trait for a nobleman of his status. His companions are both round faced, and bellied. His face and hands are set with deep age lines, and his dark gray eyes are glittering with unspoken malice.
"Ms. Vaughn, I implore you to reconsider. Given the state of things, it could only be advantageous for us."
"No. Karanes district is barely managing to stay afloat after the fall. Flooding the market now would only cause chaos. Besides, people barely have enough for food, let alone drugs. We wouldn't even make a profit right now."
The noble's disdainful expression deepens. He rises from his seat, staring down his upturned nose to appear threatening.
"It's not always about profit. This is an opportunity to strengthen our control. Your father would have—"
"My father isn't here. He has been dead for years now. This business belongs to me."
Rhea glides to the door, holding it open and gesturing to the men.
"If you don't approve of the way I run it, feel free to take your business elsewhere. Now, if you have nothing else you wish to discuss…"
The nobles appear appalled to be dismissed in such a manner. They huff and make their way out, sniffing derisively as they pass. The ash haired noble is the last to leave. He pauses in the doorway and looks over his shoulder.
"You should be more careful of how you treat your father's associates. Now is not the time to be making enemies. Your sister has a young child now, correct? It would be a shame of something happened to her."
Rhea's eyes flash and her growled reply is full of dangerous promise.
"Get. Out."
The noble smirks and takes his leave, and Rhea slams the door behind him.
Rhea smiles down at her niece, Evelyn as she opens the door and throws herself at Rhea's legs. She bends down and swoops the toddler into her arms, spinning her twice and delighting in her giggles. She snuggles Evelyn against her chest as she makes her way into the modest house. It sits on the outskirts of Karenes, and a small patch of woods lies behind it. Rhea had given the house to Riley as a wedding gift.
Evelyn babbles excited nonsense in her ear as Rhea steps out from the back door. She spots Riley quickly, pulling in the last harvest from their small garden. Riley looks up when she hears her daughter's excited babble and smiles warmly, honey eyes bright. There is a fine sheen to her bronze skin, and streaks of dirt over her cheeks and nose.
"Mommy, mommy, look! Auntie's here!"
Riley laughs gently at her daughter and stands from the garden. She embraces Rhea tightly and squeezes Evelyn between them. Evelyn in turn, shrieks wildly and tries to squirm out of the embrace. Rhea breaks from the hug and sets her niece down. Her sister nudges Evelyn toward the house.
"Go wash up dear, and we'll make lunch."
Evelyn sprints back inside, and Riley shakes her head with a laugh, before smiling at Rhea again.
"What brings you here? Don't you have that big military event tonight?"
"Yes. We haven't hosted it since… well you know. But they insisted. It's not for several more hours though, so I wanted to check up on you and Evelyn. When is Thomas supposed to get off duty?"
"He gets relieved just before sundown. He should make it home by dusk. Why?"
"I just wanted to make sure he'll be with you tonight. I'll send someone to look after you until he gets home."
"No, please don't Rhea. I don't need one of your bodyguards creeping around. You know I can take care of myself."
"But—"
Riley grabs tightly on to her shoulders, pressing their foreheads together. Her beautiful honey eyes shine with love. They are her mother's eyes, and they never fail to ease the ache in her heart.
"Rhea, I know you want to protect me. Everything you've done until now has been for me. The only reasons you continued father's work was so that you could support me. And I will always be grateful for everything you've done. But I don't need you to protect me anymore. Evelyn and I will be fine."
Rhea smothers the tears threatening to spill and pulls her sister to her chest.
"I know you can take care of yourself. And I know Thomas will protect you. I just…can't help worrying. You and Evelyn are my everything. If something happened to you—"
"I know, Rhea. Now come on. Let's get inside before Evelyn decides to cook lunch herself."
Rhea releases Riley and follows her into the house, where she can hear her niece singing some made up tune, and she smiles softly.
The feeling of Déjà vu clings to Rhea's mind as she listens quietly to the clap of horse hooves on the cobblestone, and the gentle rocking of the carriage as it makes its way to the concert hall. She can't shake her apprehension. She had truly hoped never to set foot in the concert hall again, but the mounting pressure from her "associates" finally became too much to ignore. So, after five years, she is once again hosting the military ball, and the thought that something will go terribly wrong refuses to go away. Rhea smooths the fabric of her dress skirt, which she had unconsciously been twisting in her tight fists. She really wishes Riley would have let her send a guard, but she must respect her sister's wishes.
The carriage comes to a stop and Rhea straightens her spine and rolls back her shoulders. The door opens, and a familiar face with ash blonde hair greets her as he holds his arm out for her to take.
"Good evening, Miss Vaughn. Allow me to be your escort this evening?"
Rhea rolls her eyes but accepts his arm and holds up her full skirt as she steps down. The crisp fall breeze is a welcome change from the stuffiness of the carriage.
"Emmett. How many times must I ask you to call me Rhea? You know I hate being called that."
"My apologies, Rhea. It's habit. You look very beautiful this evening. How is your sister?"
Rhea glances down at herself with a slight blush. She had chosen a traditional A-line gown, with a small twist. The skirt is floor length emerald satin which stops high on her waist. The top is overlaid with black lace, with a bare shoulder straight cut chest and three-quarter sleeves. She is once again wearing her mother's gold and moonstone pendant, and her curls have been pulled up completely, in an intricate updo. She even applied a dark shade to her eyes, and a deep red rouge to her lips.
"Thank you. It's too bad you have to wear that ridiculous dress uniform. Riley is doing well. Thomas is good to her."
They have made it through the entrance hall, and Rhea tightens her grip on Emmett's arm as they step into the familiar gilded main hall. Emmett guides her directly to the refreshments station, and she gratefully accepts the glass of red wine he offers her. She takes several sips and her nerves at last begin to ebb.
Rhea has lost count of the number of introductions she has made. It's been at least an hour, but she is still roaming about the hall, playing her part as hostess. Emmett has stayed dutifully by her side, and she nods her head in thanks as he hands her a fourth glass of wine. Rhea's cheeks are slightly pink, and her face feels hot. Her feet are aching, but she can't sit yet. Emmett leans into her slightly and whispers.
"How are you holding up?"
"Just fine, thank you. Shouldn't you be out there mingling? As section commander, it's part of your job to secure funding, which is the whole point of this silly farce."
Emmett chuckles good naturedly.
"You know the military police never worry about funding. My place tonight is here with you."
"Section Commander! Major Parker!"
Rhea and Emmett, along with most of the room, turn toward the source of the outburst. A young MP with shaggy black hair runs up to them. His face is slicked with sweat, his breathing comes in labored pants, and his expression is rife with panic.
"What is it cadet?"
The cadet springs into a stiff salute and shouts his report.
"Sir! The garrison captain sent me to find you. You are needed immediately at the east gate. A garrison soldier was just found dead! His throat was slit. It's murder sir!"
Emmett looks at her, shock written across his features. Rhea isn't paying attention. She grips the cadet's arm so tightly that he flinches, and she fights quickly building panic.
"Has he been identified!? What was his name!?"
The cadet falters, looking at Emmett, who nods his permission.
"Uh…yes, Mam. The victim has been identified as cadet Thomas Hughes."
Rhea's blood runs cold. Riley. Evelyn.
"I have to go."
"Wait, Rhea!"
But Rhea has already left the main hall and is quickly approaching the exit. She opens the heavy oak doors with a shove and sprints into the courtyard, where a single bay horse is tied. She unties him, and after struggling with her skirt, climbs onto the horses back and urges him forward.
"Rhea!"
She ignores Emmett as he calls out to her, pushing the horse into a gallop as she prays, desperately, that she makes it in time.
Notes:
There's chapter 8! I have the second half of this chapter written out already, so I will type it up after my daughter goes to bed and you will get chapter 9 today :) Thank you for all the comments! Hope this chapter was enjoyable. Levi can't seem to keep his hands off Rhea can he? ;p. Don't forget to tell me what you think :) Love you all!