Hidden Runes

by G. Bailey

  “People like me? Seriously?” I question, and the guys all chuckle under their breath.

  “It’s not hard to like you, love,” Nix comments, and I glance at him just as he winks at me. “Yes, there are people who like you in the city. Though we need more to make sure your reign is long and peaceful. Now, your apartment only lets me, your men, your demon and Star in. That’s it unless I lower the barrier, or you do. It is safe, I promise you that on my honour,” he tells me.

  “So, my guys get to stay there with me?” I ask him.

  “Yes. It will be frowned upon, but I can sway people into believing you have a tight friendship with them, and that you are nervous in the city. I would like for you to refrain from showing more than a friendship in front of others. It is important,” he tells me.

  “You don’t have to worry about that. Apparently no one in this room is attracted to me, and they avoid me like I have the plague,” I reply, raising an eyebrow at Nix’s grumble, and Connor’s light growl of annoyance. Trex crosses his arms, openly glaring at me like I said something untrue. Out of all of them, Trex has been the worst. The only time he has spoken to me in these last few weeks was for training and to say thank you for helping Nix with his injury. Though the way he looks at me sometimes, I don’t know, it feels like more. I hate how I look at him because of how I feel. I’m sure my feelings are written all over my face, and I literally have not got a clue how to stop it. I keep telling myself that I need to focus on revenge and not guys who would make everything complicated. Especially not these Protectors and a certain demon I owe my life twice over to now. One day, these Protectors are going to leave, and I need to be ready for that. Why does it hurt in my chest when I think of any of them walking away?

  “Okay…that is good to hear. You have a lot more important things to focus on. I suggest you all pack, we need to be heading back to the city,” Keeper Grey says, and I nod, standing up with the others. Star purrs as she moves out of the way and goes over to sit in front of Keeper Grey, who leans back in his seat a little with wide eyes.

  “What in the world do you feed her?” Keeper Grey asks as I pick up my leftover bacon, as you don’t leave any bacon. Bacon is life, after all.

  “Bacon,” I reply, winking at the confused keeper before following my guys to pack the few things we have.

  Sixty

  Evie

  “We aren’t avoiding you, love,” Nix says, making me pause as he gently grabs my wrist as I step out my room with my bag. I look over at him, raising an eyebrow at his statement. I call bullshit on that one.

  “Yeah, you are. We went from secret, stolen kisses to whatever this is now. Unless I’ve missed something, you are holding back. I don’t play games for anyone, Nix,” I say, pulling my wrist out of his grip and walking over to where Keeper Grey is still sat, not being able to move as Star is nearly sitting on him, enjoying the keeper rubbing behind her ears. Star loves when Azi fusses her like that. I really miss the annoying demon recently. Not that I’d admit that to him if he asked. Hopefully, he finds the note on my bed that I left so he will know where to find me.

  “Star, come here,” Trex says, stopping next to me. His sword is clipped to his belt, alongside some other daggers, and he has a bag slung over his shoulder. My sword is in my bag, with anything else I’ve picked up recently and a few daggers I had hidden under my pillows and in the bathroom. Star stretches as she gets up, her long tail whacking Keeper Grey in the face, and I chuckle as he pushes the tail away and stands up, looking flustered.

  “Are you ready to leave, princess?” Keeper Grey asks, and I nod, glancing at the others for a moment. Each one of them looks fierce, attractive and mine. Wait, not mine. Maybe mine? This shit is confusing. When I look back, Keeper Grey is opening a massive portal next to the fireplace which is big enough for many people to walk in at one time. He walks straight in, and I follow just behind him. The portal leads to a gigantic room with a wall of ceiling-to-floor glass windows that showcase the Protectors’ city outside. The city keeps my attention for a moment, the way the sun shines down on the gold towers, and I walk to the window, ignoring the sounds of the guys and Star following through the portal behind me as I look down at the city. There are hundreds of people walking around outside, so very unusual from the last few times I was here. They wear a lot of gold coloured clothing, with flashes of silver clothes here and there. Gold must be the Protector colour, for sure.

  Our building looks like it is right in the middle of the city and, considering how high up we are, this must be the top floor or close. Usually, it would bother me being so high up in case of an emergency and needing to escape, but my wings now solve that issue. Oh how I could have used these wings in my thieving and demon-hunting days. It would have been a game changer. From assassin to princess…great. Princess doesn’t sound half as fun.

  “I will give you some time to look around your suite, princess. I have to inform everyone that you are here. Please do not leave until I am back, as we have things to discuss,” Keeper Grey states, and I turn to watch him leave through a door, a blue glow covering his body as he walks through the threshold. I draw my eyes to the massive, grey sofa in the room just as Star climbs on it and stretches out, taking up the whole four seater sofa easily before going to sleep. If Star isn’t concerned about this place, I guess I shouldn’t be so on guard like I feel right now.

  “Do you want a cup of tea?” Connor asks, setting his bag down on a kitchen counter which is pressed up against the one wall by the door. There is a fridge, cooker and a big breakfast table in front of it with six seats around it. I meet Connor’s eyes eventually and nod.

  “Sounds good. I’m going to check out the other rooms,” I reply.

  “I’m coming with you,” Nix says, picking up Connor’s bag. “I will put your bag in your room as well.”

  “I feel it’s best I check out the building while you wait for Keeper Grey’s return. As much as I trust the keeper, I feel best if I check out the security and get a feel, in case we need a quick exit,” Trex says before dropping his bag by the sofa but keeping his sword with him as he walks out the door while we all watch him go.

  “Is it me, or is Trex grumpier since you guys were attacked by the Protectors?” I ask no one in particular, but I hear Connor chuckle, and Nix walks over to me, taking my bag out of my hand.

  “That isn’t why he is grumpy. Haven’t you figured out why yet?” Nix asks me. “It’s why we are all out of sorts.”

  “I don’t get it,” I say, bunching my forehead together in confusion.

  “So skilled at killing people but not understanding people, huh?” Nix jokingly says, and I roll my eyes at him, still not having one clue what is making them all moody. I don’t want to admit it, but Nix’s comment strikes home a lot more than I would like. I’m better at killing people than understanding them because that is all I know how to do. Hali’s mother, Rita, tried to teach me how to make friends, how to deal with emotions and people, but I somehow never really took most of it in. Though when I was taught how to use weapons, sneak around and lie, well, that seemed easier. I shake my head as I walk to the two doors in the room. I open the one to see a large bathroom, with a large hot-tub-looking bath in the corner, a shower, two toilets and matching his and her sinks.

  “Niccceee,” Nix comments, looking over my shoulder at the bathroom. He is right, in a way, but this bathroom and this whole apartment are more than nice. It’s expensive and shiny, and I think I prefer my little flat in Scotland. I shut the door and open the one next to it, which is a bedroom. Except this bedroom has five double beds, all with small gaps between them, and a walk in wardrobe I can see because the door is open. The shiny looking dresses hanging up in there don’t fill me with hope. I sigh and walk in the room, letting Nix see as I chuck my bag into the wardrobe.

  “We should push the beds together and make one huge one,” he suggests with a big grin that makes me want to throw a pillow at him.

  “I don’t see Trex being co
ol with that,” I chuckle as he jumps on one of the beds and pats the space next to him.

  “The moody bugger will snap eventually, and everything will be okay,” he says as I sit on the bed and lie back, my arm pressed against his. “We will get our happy ending. I won’t give up until we do.”

  I turn my head to see Nix looking at me as I wonder what his idea of a happy ending is, and that growing tension between us makes me forget what I was going to ask him about Trex anyway. I sigh out loud as Nix places his hand against my cheek, his thumb slowly rubbing across my bottom lip.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful, love,” Nix whispers.

  “Then kiss me, and show me how you feel,” I whisper back.

  “You already know, and maybe you should tell me,” he says, and I stare at him for a moment, taking in every little detail of Nix as my heart pounds in my chest. I know what he wants me to say, but I’ve only ever said those words to two people in my life. One is dead, and the other is only a child. Besides, what I feel for Nix and the others makes me vulnerable, and everything about admitting my true feelings isn’t something that comes easily to me.

  “Guys, Keeper Grey is back. With company,” Connor shouts, and I jump off the bed, thankful for the distraction. Who the hell would Keeper Grey bring back with him?

  “When you say it to me, I’m yours, love. I will break all the rules I’ve promised to know you feel the same way I do.” Nix winks at me before walking out of the room, his words making me confused as I pause just behind him, holding the bedroom door open. What rules?

  Sixty-One

  Connor

  “What the fuck is she doing here?” Evie protests the moment she walks through the door, and as I suspected, she pulls out a hidden dagger and runs for her. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her to my front as I grab her dagger-filled hand, and Evie glares up at me as she turns her head. I try to ignore how amazing her body feels pressed against mine, how she smells fucking amazing, and how it is killing me not to act on how I feel. I gulp as she struggles to get free, the wriggling not making anything less hard.

  “Sheath the dagger, Blue. You can’t kill her, remember?” I tell her, staring into her stunning blue eyes that are framed by her silky, dark blue hair which falls around her angry face. Everything about my Evie makes me want to pull her to me, kiss her and never fucking stop. Even as she holds a dagger in her hand and is trying to kill someone. “Blue, come on. I want her dead as much as you, just not at this moment.”

  I watch as she calms down, relaxing in my arms and lowering the dagger to her side. I let her go as I look over at Erica, stood with her arms crossed in a white dress which I assume is meant to make her look innocent, but it doesn’t work. Erica and Evie might be half-sisters, but they share little in looks other than their eyes and maybe their cheekbones. Evie gives off a royal feel, a feeling that she is something so much more than what you can see, and Erica has only ever given me a creepy feeling and a spoiled brat one as well.

  “I did not bring Erica here to have you two fight. The people are very distressed with the changes in royalty at the moment, and I want you to come to some kind of agreement not to publicly attack each other. Neither of you will have a throne to sit on if you cannot be in the same room with each other without looking like you are seconds from stabbing one another,” Keeper Grey explains his reasoning.

  “I’ve already stabbed her a few times, as you well know, but the bitch can’t seem to stay dead, and now she dares to try and take my throne. I am the rightful heir, not her!” Erica whines, and I’m not shocked that I have to tighten my arms around Evie as she tries to attack once again.

  “ERICA!” Keeper Grey snaps as I fight to hold on to Evie who tries to escape, and I look to Nix for help.

  “She is winding you up. Be the bigger person,” Nix says, stepping in front of Evie and me, blocking Evie’s view. He places his finger under Evie’s chin, making her look at him and holding her gaze. “Come on, love. You’re better than her.” His words are spoken softly, in almost a caressing way that seems to do something to Evie as she stops wriggling. I know deep down she wanted us to stop her, because she could have easily cut my hand to escape my arms.

  “Fine,” Evie bites out. I let go of Evie, trusting her not to do something stupid as Nix and I move to her sides.

  “In these tests, I get to fight her? Correct?” Evie asks Keeper Grey, who stands ever so calmly near Erica with a relieved look on his face.

  “Yes. The first test is one of strength and power. The second test is one of the mind. The third is unknown to us all. Winning two of these tests will mean you will be crowned as queen,” he explains.

  “Good luck, sister. I agree to behave in public, but I doubt it’s me you have to worry about. After all, I wasn’t brought up on the streets like the trash over there,” Erica says, sweetly smiling at Evie who is shaking in anger as Erica leaves the apartment. Star growls at her, baring her teeth, which all but makes Erica run out the door. Keeper Grey goes to the wall, presses a button, and a keyboard illuminates on the wall. He types in a code, and the walls glow blue, presumably putting a barrier back in place.

  “I swear to all gods, I am going to make her death painful and slow,” Evie says as Star comes over to her, and I place my hand on Evie’s back, getting her attention as she strokes Star’s head.

  “Erica wants to rile you. She knows she won’t win the tests,” I tell her. “And nothing she said is true. No matter where you were brought up, your blood and heritage are anything but trash.” Evie nods, still looking mad, but more worryingly, she looks calculating. I dread hearing the plan that she must be cooking up in that beautiful head of hers before she smiles at me.

  “Why did you bring Erica here?” Nix asks Keeper Grey, who sits on the edge of the sofa.

  “I’d prefer Evie and Erica saw each other for the first time in weeks in private. The next event is very public, and that kind of reaction from Evie would only feed her non-supporters and make my job harder,” he explains.

  “What event?” she nervously asks.

  “A birth ceremony, one very late in the princess’s life but which must be done. The ceremony is set up for tomorrow, and it is publicly held in the middle square where every royal baby is blessed. Evie, you will wear a royal dress, a royal crown fit for a Protector princess, and attend the ceremony. There is also an after party in the streets, which might be good for you to attend and show people you aren’t as scary as they all fear,” he explains. “You could dance, drink and have some fun. I dare say you have not had much of that lately.”

  “Brilliant plan!” I say, clapping my hands together, and Evie glares up at me.

  “Princess dress? Crown? Public party? Dancing?! Dude, you are listing all my worst nightmares in one place,” Evie protests, and I can’t help the chuckle that leaves my lips. I’m pretty sure all royals have to wear white dresses or suits with silver runes stitched into them. She is going to hate that. Whereas I can’t wait to see her in a dress. Or anything. Or nothing.

  “This is tradition. Something you must uphold if you want to be queen and do your mother proud. Your mother was blessed there, and every royal before and after her. Your mother danced in the square when she was only three. She danced with the people, stole their hearts, and that was the start of them loving her. I know you don’t understand our ways, but let us show you who Protectors really are and how we look after our own,” he tells Evie, who thinks on it for a while before looking up at me with worried eyes.

  “You’re not alone anymore, Blue,” I whisper to her. “We will be at your side. Always.”

  “I know,” she replies, clearing her throat before looking back at Keeper Grey.

  “I would be honoured to attend the ceremony,” she replies, sounding more like a royal Protector. I wonder if she is curious to see ceremonies her mother attended once.

  “Thank you, Princess Evelina. One more thing before I leave you for the night,” Keeper Grey states.

  �
��Yes?” she asks, tilting her head to the side slightly. I think I’ve spent too much time watching Evie’s every move; I feel like I know her better than myself now. She is that enchanting.

  “The court does not know who your father is, and Erica doesn’t know about your wings either. I would suggest hiding them until the tests and using them as a surprise weapon,” he tells me.

  “Good advice,” Nix comments, and I agree. Evie doesn’t say anything, but she nods her head as she crosses her arms. Keeper Grey stands up, walking to the door and pausing just in front of it before looking back.

  “Erica has been missing most afternoons since you’ve been gone, and I sense an overlord demon around her apartment. Be warned, she will have secret weapons of her own to use. Be careful, and do not leave this apartment alone. I do not wish for Erica or her demon to harm you in secret,” he warns her.

  “She could try…but things have changed. Erica might have tricked me once, but never again,” Evie replies. “I would love any chance to get my revenge. So let her try.”

  “I hope that you get your chance, princess,” Keeper Grey states and bows his head before walking out, shutting the door and leaving the room in silence.

  “So…awkward silence…erm…bacon sandwiches, anyone?” Evie asks, clapping her hands and walking to the kitchen with Star following her. That’s my girl.

  Sixty-Two

  Evie

  “Shh!” I harshly whisper, pulling Hali close to my chest as I close my eyes and hear the sound of my friend’s screams in the distance. There is so much screaming until there is a deadly silence, and everything seems to freeze. Until the screaming was gone, I didn’t know I preferred it more. It meant she was alive. The silence now…well, it is worse. I look down at Hali, her young face wearing a kind of heartbreak I wish she didn’t have to bear at her age. Or ever. I shake my head, hoping she understands we have to be silent because the people who killed Hali’s mum will be looking for her next. I slide a dagger out of my coat, and pull Hali behind me as she sobs silently. I wipe my own tears away, ignoring the sharp pain in my chest as I look around the corner of the wall we are hidden behind. Rita is lying on the floor, her body bent at an odd angle and her mouth parted open as wide as her eyes. I slam my hand across my mouth as I fall to the floor. I failed to protect her. I failed…