Chapter 19: Woken

If only I could have a drink...

The day had been grueling as Claire sat in the Senate and continued to listen to what was left of the rulers in Vega. She knew that they had to appoint others as replacement Consuls, but all she wanted to do was stop the bickering. It was giving her a perpetual headache.

It also didn't help that growing a baby was taking its toll. The exhaustion was like nothing she had felt before. After closing the bedroom door and securing it from the inside, she didn't bother to change out of her clothes as she crawled onto her bed and lay face down with an exhausted sigh. The Archangel Corps had doubled their sentry duty, especially for the heads of Houses and Claire knew that Ethan was currently standing outside of her door. A friend of Alex's was keeping watch over her. It made her feel better somehow. Closer to Alex. Even if that made no sense at all.

Within moments, she was fast asleep with face smushed into her pillow, breathing deeply and letting her aching body rest. A few hours passed and there seemed to be a calm to the din outside of her window. The din that earlier had been Vega citizens protesting or plainly clamoring for any kind of support from Vega's Senate. The quiet took hold and suddenly Claire jerked awake.

Her breath caught for a moment and her confused mind tried to make sense of where she was. And then she remembered the day she had and tried to reclaim her sleep, only to open her eyes once more. What had woken her? Something must have. Claire wasn't sure if she was being paranoid, or if the strange warning bells going off in her head were actually on point.

And then suddenly, a heavy weight pressed down on the bed and hands grabbed her head, covering her mouth with a foul-smelling cloth. She struggled, making it hard to pin her down. Immediately using her elbows, she jabbed up and knocked the cloth away from her face. She scrambled off the bed and away from her attacker, loudly yelling out, "HELP! ETHAN!"

She scurried away as her attacker continued his onslaught only to be joined by a second man climbing in through the now open balcony doors. He was also dressed in all black with a facemask that only allowed his eyes to be seen. Claire almost froze in a panic as she looked at both of the advancing intruders in her room. Her brain raced as she tried to think of a way out of the situation. Glancing at the door, she saw that it was blocked by a chair shoved under the handle making it difficult for Ethan to barge in.

She could vaguely hear Ethan shouting through the door. "Lady Claire?!" There was a loud banging on her door as if someone was trying to break it. More voices were heard as walkies were used to call for backup.

In the meantime, one of the intruders lunged forward and tried to grab her once more. Immediately, her instincts kicked in and she fought back, all kicking and throwing of elbows. But the intruders were large men, and in moments, one of them pulled her upright and tightly held her arms to her body as the second man once again attempted to place the cloth over her mouth and nose. But feisty Claire leveraged both of her feet against the second man and pushed off, tipping the other guy backwards, and making them both stumble about while loosening his grip. Her tactics bought just enough time to give the soldiers a chance to finally get through the door.

Ethan and several other soldiers came barging in with guns drawn. Immediately, the intruders rushed toward the balcony doors, pulling at Claire. But she was resourceful, grabbing whatever she had nearby and hitting the man's arm as she yanked herself away. Immediately, he let go and she scrambled to safety as they flung themselves over the balcony edge, using grappling lines to descend below.

Without delay, Ethan called out an alert on his walkie, sending others to pursue the suspects as the rest of the room was secured. Sitting wide-eyed on the floor, Claire gasped for air as she held her abdomen and attempted to calm down.

After a moment, Ethan kneeled down in front of her and patted her hand, awkwardly comforting her. "It's going to be ok."

She stared at the open balcony doors and then glanced up at Ethan. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you're okay, Lady Claire."

Claire sighed and looked at the broken bedroom door. Her stomach hurt and she wondered if her child was still fine. And then the shock set in. Someone had tried to kidnap her. Her eyes landed on the rag that was on the floor in front of her. One of the other soldiers picked it up, pausing to look at it. Claire said, shakily, " Chloroform."

Ethan nodded, "Not good."

Claire remained seated on the floor as her hands shook. "I wish Alex was here," she said more to herself, not realizing that she had said it out loud until Ethan looked at her and solemnly agreed. "Me too. Me too."

~~*D*~~

The Med Wing was busy that night. There were many panicked people and quite a few soldiers who were hurt in the pursuit of the two intruders. The medical staff was rushing about, keeping track of the incoming patients and their various ailments, some more dire than others.

Claire sat upright on a raised table with one hand self-consciously draped over her lower abdomen. A saline drip had been set up to keep her hydrated as her body calmed down. Claire had been afraid to disclose her pregnancy to the emergency doctor. Only one doctor, her personal one, knew about her status and that doctor was on a house call, dealing with another serious matter. But when she went to the bathroom, the blood she found made her think of the worst. She immediately asked for a full check up and was reassured that both herself and her unborn child were fine. The bruises she currently had would superficial and would heal with time.

The doctor finished checking on her one last time before leaving her to attend other patients. She had reassured Claire that once the saline drip was finished, she could leave. Claire nodded and tried to relax as she sat waiting.

Moments later, while watching people come and go, she glanced across the room and noticed Arika being helped into the Med Wing by one of her high priestesses. Arika sat on one of the beds and closed her eyes, pushing away the blonde woman's fussy hands.

Resigned to leave Arika alone, Laurel glanced Claire's way and smiled in recognition. Immediately, the woman walked over, presumably to check on her. "I'm glad you are all right, Lady Claire. I heard that you were attacked and had been hurt."

Claire shook her head, attempting to smile, "I'm fine. Just a few bumps and bruises." She paused. "Is Arika hurt?"

"No, not hurt. She had a terrible migraine, however, so we decided to come here." Laurel paused and leaned in as she lowered her voice. "And the idea of people being attacked was too much for her. I think she feels safer here."

Claire nodded. "I understand the feeling."

"I think the only way to feel safe is to be at home. Our security patrol would not allow for such occurrences." Laurel paused and realized she might have over-stepped her bounds. "Offense not intended, Lady Claire!"

Claire studied her, trying to gauge the woman's sincerity. "I'm sure you miss your home in times like these."

"Helena is…very different. There is a different standard and code. Vega has many things to offer though, but home will always be home," she said, wistfully. Focusing on Claire with intensity, she offered, "Perhaps you may visit Helena one day? Perhaps vacation for a time? It would be wonderful for the Lady of Vega to also understand our culture. If we are to partner with each other, yes?"

"That would be lovely. But it would have to be a long time from now. Vega is in dire need of leaders at the moment. I don't see a vacation in my near future." Claire patted her arm, lightly. "I can't leave the city without a leader. I can't abandon it during this time."

"No, of course not." Laurel nodded.

Claire slipped off the table in order to stand, carefully moving her arm with the IV attached. Laurel steadied her for a moment, her arm gently holding Claire's elbow.

"Thanks," Claire said as Laurel let go of her. "I hope you two stay safe. And that Arika feels better soon." Claire nodded at Arika who responded with a smile.

A nurse stopped by and checked Claire's chart. Pointing to her arm, she said, "Time to take that out."

Laurel patted Claire's shoulder and said, "Perhaps one day."

Claire smiled half-heartedly at her and nodded. The nurse worked on her arm, gently removing the tape and taking the needle out. Claire made sure to keep her eyes averted by studying Laurel instead. With a smile, the priestess squeezed Claire's other hand and then moved away, heading back to Arika who had been watching their exchange. There was something curious about the way Arika watched her. As if she were waiting for something.

"All done," the nurse announced, dragging Claire's attention back to her own situation. "You're free to leave, if you wish, Lady Riesen."

Claire nodded as the nurse moved away, already working on another patient. There was a part of her that didn't want to return to her quarters, but she couldn't sit in the Med Wing all night. And she definitely didn't want to be scrutinized by Arika and her high priestess.

Feigning more strength than she had, Claire held her head high as she walked past the two women. "Be safe," she said as she walked past them, keeping a small false smile plastered on her face. Both ladies nodded in return, murmuring similar sentiments.

Once she was out in the hallway, Claire released the breath she didn't realized she was holding. A sense of gratitude and relief came over her when she discovered Ethan and another guard leaning against the wall. They were waiting for her in case she needed their assistance. Ethan offered her a small smile as he stood at attention and began escorting her down the hallway.

Glancing back briefly, she wondered how long it would be before another death in Vega would announce itself, and how soon before Arika would be invited to sit in the Senate room. Sighing, she turned her gaze forward and briefly squeezed Ethan's arm. He glanced down and gave her a reassuring smile as they walked away from the Med Wing.

~~~**D**~~~

Evelyn remained still, sitting on the bed and looking rather annoyed. Uriel's eyes followed Claire as she disappeared from the area. As soon as she was out of earshot, Uriel turned to her partner with a beaming smile and picked up Evelyn's hands.

Her smile faded immediately, noticing Evelyn's icy response. "What is wrong, my love?" she said, quietly, mindful of those moving around them.

The dark-haired queen studied her and finally responded with a clipped, "Apparently, it went well."

"Yes. The baby is still alive. The heart rate is good." Uriel squeezed her hands once more. "And she will be fine."

"What did you tell her?" Evelyn asked quietly, searching the blonde's face for signs of deceit.

"That you had a migraine and wanted the safety of numbers. She believed me." The blonde straightened, poised as if she were royalty. "Do you not believe me, my love?"

Evelyn responded only in silence, quickly placing a smile on her face as a doctor approached. Uriel immediately stepped out of the away, allowing for the doctor to work. But her eyes never left Evelyn as she stood nearby, watching her like a hawk.

Perhaps her royal lover wasn't as satisfied as she had thought. It would not do well for the petite queen to begin acting on her own. She already knew more than she was letting on.