~x~ Chapter 68 ~x~
My parents formed a perfect team. Almost anyone who knew them was aware of that.
The fact that they were a shadow-kissed pair probably helped with that. But it wasn't just that. I could remember Aunty Jules telling me stories of back when they were in school together and how even back then there seemed to be something that bound the two of them together. Call it fate. Call it chemistry. Whatever it was, it made my parents a fluid fighting duo, never getting in each other's way.
I could remember Maria sharing her stories of how the two of them were always just so in synch with one another.
They were also amazing parents.
They never spoiled me too much. But they weren't unfairly strict with me either. They always seemed to maintain the perfect balance in life.
They did what they had to do to protect family.
No matter the cost.
"Raymond, the others need to know. We have to tell them."
"Amelie, what are we supposed to say? That the Strigoi who killed you all those years ago wasn't just from an accidental attack? That it was my own brother who killed you because he went insane? How do you think they're going to react after all this time?"
"Something bad is going to happen soon. We might not survive whatever's to come. But she will. The others cannot protect her if they don't know the truth about what happened that night."
"That's why we're writing this letter. I thought we agreed on this."
"But -"
"Telling them now after all these years will only become a burden to them. They will be torn between the duty of revealing the truth and wanting to protect Kalani. We cannot put them through that. Ignorance will protect them. Ignorance will protect them all."
My father's last words echoed in my mind as I slowly became aware of my surroundings. My body ached. It reminded me of that time I trained in the mountains and rolled down a hill by accident.
More than my body though, my head hurt the most. The splitting headache was nauseating and for a moment I thought I was going to throw up.
"Little chick?" a familiar voice called out. I sensed that he was close but somehow his voice sounded like it was really far away. I heard his footsteps as it furthered from where I lay and I heard the gentle clicking of the door. Somehow, Axel knew that I had a splitting headache. That had to have been the reason why he was basically tiptoeing around me. Any other rational person would probably have yelled for a nurse to tell them that I was awake.
Soon enough, more people came into the room and I felt a hand press gently against my forehead. I sighed in bliss as the pain gradually faded until it was nothing more than a numb. Eventually, I peeled my eyes open and I took a glance at who was in the room before I spoke.
Joe, Crispin, Axel, Lady Drozdov and Nathan.
"Glad to see that you're okay, Nathan. Sorry we had to leave you up in the woods…" I told him. My voice sounded much hoarser than I had anticipated. My throat hurt more than I thought it would.
Axel was immediately at my side helping me sit up when he saw what I was trying to do. Lady Drozdov passed me a glass of water and I smiled gratefully at her.
"Thank you for keeping him safe, Valentine. You have certainly gone way beyond your duties as a student." Nathan stated.
"I didn't feel like giving him the satisfaction of the idea that he would occupy my thoughts every second of every day if I let him get kidnapped right in front of my eyes." I grumbled. "He would gloat more than I could handle when he eventually got rescued."
"Aw, little chick. I knew you'd miss my company!" Axel grinned, casually taking a seat beside me on the bed and draping an arm around my shoulders.
"I couldn't care less about your company. It's my sanity that I care about. With my level of pride, I wouldn't have been able to forget how I let them steal you away." I scoffed, trying to nudge his arm away but with no success. He seemed rather insistent on sticking unnecessarily close to me for some reason.
"Axel, give Kylie a moment to breathe. She has only just woken up. Now that she is awake and you can see that she's fine, I'm ordering you as the current Head Nurse here to go to the feeders."
Giving a dramatic sigh, he pressed his lips against the side of my head and stood.
"Alas, this prince shall have to leave you, my dearest knight." Axel gave a theatrical bow and left the room.
Thinking about her words, I began to wonder if perhaps Axel had been here by my side all this time… Something about that idea made me smile. That smile dropped the instant I remembered how we got out of that ordeal alive.
Axel saw me use magic…
"Gentlemen, you can ask your questions in a minute. For now, please leave the room. I need to make sure she's really as alright as she seems." Lady Drozdov essentially ordered. Her tone was the type that left no room for refute and even I didn't dare pipe up to reassure her that I was feeling just fine.
Either way, I was going to have to lie to her. I wouldn't be able to tell her the truth of why I passed out. I couldn't. Not without informing her who I was.
"How are you feeling? Axel mentioned that your head had been hit quite a few times during that fight out there."
"Surprisingly alright, Lady Drozdov. Really. The fight from last week was a lot more painful than this one."
"You sure do seem to get caught in situations where you save us time and time again, Kylie."
"Excuse my bluntness but isn't that my job? That is what us students are being trained to do, no?" I arched my brows at her.
"In most cases, even senior students have been known to run away at the last moment, Kylie. They have been trained alongside one another for years, you do not have that obligation enforced upon you, dear. Your sense of duty is quite startling and rather refreshing."
"Should I take that as a compliment?"
"It was meant as one," she told me warmly. "Now, are you really feeling fine? I can tell the Guardians to wait until later before they start their questions. Rosette will never let me hear the end of it if I didn't make sure you were really ready."
"Honestly, I'm fine. Besides, if I start feeling tired I'll just tell them to leave me alone." I joked.
"You are probably the only student who dares such a thing."
"I'm probably the only student who can kick all of their asses too." I grinned cheekily. "That's the only reason why I can get away with it."
"Well, there is that," she laughed. "Alright, I'll let them in. You can go back to your room whenever you feel ready. If not, you can stay here if you'd prefer to stay away from the other students for a while longer."
"I think I might just hide here for a bit longer… the idea of having all those questions thrown at me isn't really something I want to deal with right now… I might just start a massive fight." I grimaced.
Gosh… and to think that I was finally going to be able to get just a little break from drama and attention… not even a month back in this crazy life and already I've been caught up in so much…
I relaxed even more when I saw that it was just Joe and Crispin who came in.
Nathan was nowhere in sight.
"I'm supposing that Nathan has gone back to guarding Axel?" I asked as they shut the door.
Crispin pulled up a chair and Joe didn't bother. He simply settled for sitting where Axel had done earlier on the bed beside me.
"How are you doing? When I saw that text of yours I swear I had a heart attack right there and then. You really do need to stop doing this to us, Kai, or we're not going to live much longer." Joe sighed, resting his head on top of mine.
"It's not my fault." I protested. "This time has absolutely nothing to do with me!"
"No, you're right. This never should have happened." Crispin agreed. "The top Guardians are investigating how they let those hired men break in."
"Why not just ask them? We didn't kill any of them. Well… except for the Moroi who fell off the cliff…"
"Kai, they're all dead." Joe told me sternly.
I felt the temperature drop and I turned to look at him. "What?"
"Axel argued for your case but some of the Guardians suggested that you might have killed them by accident."
"I didn't kill any of them! That's ridiculous! I knocked them out, that's all I did."
"They all had their necks snapped when we found them."
"Axel and I didn't do that. I would never snap a non Strigoi's neck."
"We don't know who started that rumour. Most of us back you but there are some who don't."
"I'm not a murderer, Joey."
"I know, little Kai. I know," he wrapped his arms around me and drew circles on my back.
Why was this happening to me? This wasn't normal. Usually, regardless of the outcome, if a royal was saved they wouldn't care about whether the attackers were dead or alive. That was the harsh reality. If you messed with the royals, you were as good as dead. So why did they suddenly care this time? This was more than just wanting to find out who was behind the attack. It must have been.
"You'll be fine. Considering the reputation you've established for yourself already, not enough people are going to second guess your words. Certainly no one at the Academy and from the looks of things all of the members of the royal families would stand by you too." Crispin reassured me.
"We just want you to be prepared for when you see the other students. We tried to keep everything as non-disclosed as possible but you know what they're like. Rumours always seem to spread far too fast."
"Especially when they're about you it appears."
"Well that heads up was a good idea, so thanks. If anyone suddenly brought up that stupid idea I might have just knocked them out on the spot…" I admitted sheepishly.
"That's something we want to avoid, especially for now. Violence in this case is only going to make those rumours worse." Crispin sighed.
"Does Nathan remember anything about when he was attacked?"
Joe shook his head. "No, as soon as the exercise was cancelled he was about to head straight for Prince Zeklos when everything went black and the next thing he knew he was on a bed."
I braced myself for what I was about to say. I prepared myself for their reaction.
"Okay… so I'm going to need you to promise me not to freak out, okay Joey?"
He stared at me first in confusion before his gaze darkened and he turned serious. "What's happened?"
"So… Axel almost died. He nearly fell off the cliff with that Moroi who came to kidnap the pair of us."
"And?"
"Well… I might have saved Axel by using magic…" I murmured the last part quietly but loudly enough that the both of them would be able to hear me.
At first, I wasn't sure if Joe had heard or not. He didn't react at all. His face literally didn't move. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Crispin grimace and frown. The words: "Not good," instantly came to mind.
"You what?" Joe shouted, jumping up from the bed so that he could stand and stare at me in shock.
"Maxwell, calm down. If Lady Drozdov hears you she'll definitely tell us to leave." Crispin tried to hush him.
Joe stared at him for a moment before taking a deep breath and letting it out. Then he turned back to me and I shrank under his gaze. In that moment, he somewhat reminded me of Aunty Jules.
"Is that the reason you fainted?"
I nodded.
"I thought it didn't make sense when I heard you didn't faint during that Strigoi fight outside the academy."
"Sorry, Joey, but I couldn't let him die… he was going to fall, there was no other way."
"And you of all people would've done everything you could even at the cost of exposure to save someone," he sighed. "Kai, at the rate you're going, everyone is going to know who you are within another month. I mean just look at this situation. You asked us to keep it a secret and we have. But you already have two, and now almost definitely, a third person not within the family circle know your identity within, what? Two weeks? You've got to keep a lower profile if you want to stay at the academy as 'Kylie Valentine' for as long as you'd hoped."
"I know, Joey… I do know that. Hopefully, with the holidays coming up pretty much as soon as we get back I won't get into these situations anymore. I mean, most of the students won't be on campus so we won't have to worry about that. That's at least a couple of months for the hype around me to die down enough."
"I hope for your sake that happens, Val." Crispin sighed. "Otherwise, your most important two years at the academy could turn out to be hell."
"If people don't stop caring so much about what goes on in my life by the start of the new academic year, I'm seriously going to blow a fuse or two." I grumbled. "I mean, really. The final two years are meant to be the toughest and the most strenuous. They shouldn't have so much time for such stupid matters."
"They shouldn't, and yet they do anyway. That, unfortunately for you, little Kai, is the life of teenagers." Joe chuckled, ruffling my hair.
"We'll let you rest for a bit longer. Considering the afternoon you've had you should get more rest." Crispin cut in.
"How long was I out for?"
"About five hours. You've missed dinner I'm afraid but just call one of the staff and we'll have whatever you want made for you. Considering you saved a prince today I'm sure they'll make an exception for you."
"Considering the mess I made with the flour in that exercise before lunch, maybe not." I grinned. "Would I be in too much trouble if I went to the kitchen myself?"
"We'd prefer you to stay here for the night, Kai." Crispin told me sternly.
"Are you that worried about the rumours spreading amongst the students? I can handle them… probably…"
"That's not it. Prince Zeklos mentioned something when we brought you two back. He said that the attackers were there to kidnap the both of you. You said the same thing yourself earlier. If you were on their target list as well, we want you to stay here where it's safe."
"You can't keep me under house arrest for the next few days of the camp. That would look bad especially with the rumours floating around about me being a murderer. That'll just add to their suspicions."
"No. But we can have you stay here tonight. There will be subtle surveillance for your protection for the remainder of the time you're here." Crispin explained.
"Besides, it looks like Prince Zeklos has gotten rather attached to you. That means that Nathan will be there as an extra pair of eyes."
"This is ridiculous. Since when did hired guns start kidnapping students?"
"It is rare but not as much as you might think, Val."
"You need to understand, little sky. The underworld has been increasing in numbers since you broke out. We don't really know what's been going on but those at the top of security has suspicions that the old leader who had kept them all in check died and now there seems to be something of an internal war going on."
"Great. This is the perfect time for me to be immersed in this world again. Just perfect timing." I grumbled and fell back onto the pillow. "Why do I seem to have the worst timing in the world lately?"
"That is a question we don't have any answers to I'm afraid." Crispin chuckled and stood. He gently patted my head and told me to rest before leaving the room.
"So, I take it you've let the others know what happened?"
"I called Martin as soon as Prince Zeklos told us what happened when we first brought you back. I've brought your phone. You should give them a call or a message, whichever you prefer. But I know they want to hear from you."
"What are their thoughts about it?"
"Martin and Juliet are furious. This never should have happened. Prince Zeklos has been here before and the security has never been breached to such an extent before. They're demanding for a thorough investigation into how it happened."
"Oh boy… I kind of feel bad for whoever's in charge of the security here… having both Martin and Aunty Jules on your case at the same time is not something anyone ever wants to face…" I giggled.
"I was there when the call was made. The look on that guardian's face would've made you laugh." Joe smiled. "As much as I want to stay here all night to make sure you don't get kidnapped, I still have a patrol to make."
"See you later, Joey. I'll call you if anything happens."
"Good. I expect nothing less, okay?"
"Okay." I agreed. Warmth coursed through me as he leant down and left a kiss on my forehead. It really was so lovely to have family around me. "Oh! Just one more thing before you go. Am I allowed to have visitors?"
"I doubt we'd be able to keep the princes away if they wanted to come by but I'll leave the names of the other three girls with the guardian on guard duty as well." Joe nodded. "But don't let them stay too late. You need to rest up, Kai."
"Got it, Joey. Now stop being such a nag and get going on your patrol. I don't want those guardians accusing me of anything else."
He shot me a look when I called him a nag but he left the room with a small grin at the sarcastic tone I had. It seemed absolutely ridiculous to me that they would even consider that I had it in me to murder those people.
Killing someone was a terrible thing. That I agreed with. What I didn't like was the fact that this situation seemed to be treated and handled in a different way than most others. It really didn't make any sense to me where this rumour could have even come from.
It seemed that the sense of unease I'd had since I got here wasn't unfounded. Something terrible did happen. While it wasn't my fault this time, thank goodness for that, it was still something that was unconceivably out of the ordinary.
I hoped they manage to find out who was behind all this soon. As much as I loved playing the total badass, I really could do with a proper break from all this mess soon.
Sitting back up, I finished up the glass of water Lady Drozdov had left for me on the bedside table. Then, I took a deep breath, braced myself, and called Martin.
"Is this a good time?" I asked as soon as it stopped ringing and I knew he picked up.
"Your timing couldn't have been better. Almost everyone is here in my office."
"Gosh, we really have turned your private office into some kind of a family meeting room, haven't we?" I joked.
"How are you, Kai? Joseph just sent a text saying that you're awake and seem fine."
"I'm alright, really." I reassured him.
"Good, now I don't want you to be alarmed but word has already travelled to the royal couples. You've already met most them but Prince Zeklos' parents have also been in touch."
"You mean Axel's parents."
"Yes."
"And? Did they say anything that I really should know about or am I relatively out of trouble?"
"I don't know what Prince Zeklos has said to them but they would very much like an audience with you, timetable permitting, over the summer holiday."
"I'm supposing they'll be attending the charity event?"
"I would assume so."
"Then I'll see them there. I'll let Axel know about it. He'll probably bring it up before I do anyway. He's been stalking me you know. I was almost tempted to file a restraining order but I thought that might make your hands fuller than it already is so I decided against it." I joked.
"Yes, Joseph did mention something about the prince's interest in you. You sure do know how to intrigue them, don't you, little sky?"
"I don't do it on purpose, you know." I retorted dryly. "Anyway, swiftly moving on from that topic, has Joey updated you on what I told him and Crispin since I woke up?"
"Is there anything more to report? I was under the impression that you simply knocked out the attackers but for reasons unknown for the moment they are all dead."
"Well... there is one rather important detail he hasn't had time to tell you."
"What is it, Kai? That tone of yours is starting to worry me."
"So, long story short there is a high chance that Axel might now know about who I really am because I had to save him using magic. No one else was there, just him, but I'm just giving you a heads up about it."
I was met with silence at first but then I heard his heavy sigh.
"Has he confronted you about it?"
"No, he was ordered to go to the feeders as soon as I woke up."
I heard a little shuffling on the other side of the line and Martin whispering something. Rosette's calm but concerned voice drifted through the earpiece.
"Kalani, how are you really feeling?"
"I'm doing alright, Rosette. Lady Drozdov took away most of the headache. It's just a dull ache more than anything else now."
"How does your bracelet look?"
I silently cursed. I probably should have checked it as soon as I was alone. I glanced down at it and saw that it appeared fine. There were no scratches which was a good sign. I recalled the dozens of bracelets I had shattered when I was a child.
"It looks fine."
"Just to be safe, come straight to my office as soon as you are back, Kalani. Also, try your best not to use magic before then."
"I'll do my best. So long as there isn't another major incident there is no reason why I would have to resort to that. I'll explain more in detail why there was a need when I get back."
"That would be a good idea, sweetheart," she agreed.
"Skylar," Maria's teasing tone suddenly replaced Rosette's soothing one. "What is this I hear about the older Prince Zeklos being enamoured by you? I've seen that you are more than charming, yes, but that boy has a tendency to taint the most devout nuns if he were to put his mind to it. You need to remember to be careful."
"Trust me, I know how to handle him. I think I've spent enough time with him to know how to tell him to back off without having to knock him out."
"It's only been three days, how have you managed to bond with him so quickly?"
"We spent pretty much the entire day together, Maria. Didn't Joey tell you? He somehow strong armed his way into being my charge today. Even his guard didn't know what to do but let him." I sighed. "Not to mention, he's actually the composer for quite a few of my band's hits so we spent a bit of time yesterday bonding over music."
"You are one incredible girl, you know that, Skylar?"
"Thanks, Maria. Now, as much as I love you all, is there anything else you want to ask before I get back and make a more detailed report?"
"No, I reckon this is it. Oh, wait, Rosette has more to say."
"Kalani, it might be worth giving Alistair a call. He's been restless since news came through about what had happened. He's even got the kids worried." Rosette advised.
"Alright, I'll do that now. Thanks for letting me know, Rosette."
"Don't let him keep you too long, just enough for him to feel more assured. You need your rest."
"I know, I'll be sensible." I told her. "I'll see you all when I get back."
"See you soon, Kalani."
With that, I hung up and got myself another glass of water from the water tap before bracing myself for a tougher call.