The party was a disaster. Everyone was in a panic as security measures were being held. I couldn't even move. I wouldn't because I was already overwhelmed with fear. Someone did this to get to me. What did I do to deserve this?
"Come on, Rose." Ren squeezed my hand and that brought me back to my senses.
"Get her to my office. It has wards and only those who do not have an urge to kill can enter." The queen was suddenly at my side and placed a hand on my tear-ridden cheeks. "You will be safe there. I will meet you once this is settled." She smiled weakly.
I don't know what she's planning to do by staying here. Why doesn't she come along? What is she going to do? Murder the culprit?
"You heard the queen. Let's go." Nate gently pushed my back and urged me to follow Ace. My heart was hammering in my chest so fast that I couldn't even hear the shrill of panic as we left the party.
We finally arrived at the queen's office and I did not even feel the least bit safe. Ren opened the door and ushered me in.
"What the f&*^!" Immediately Nate and I turned to see PRINCE Ace and Ren stranded just outside the door.
"What are you guys doing? Get in here." Nate didn't seem annoyed. He looked amused as he looked at the two princes.
Ren grunted and started banging at an invisible wall. "I want to, but as you can see I cannot!" He started punching the wall in agitation. PRINCE Ace, on the other hand, simply rubbed his temples as he watched Ren trying to break the invisible wall.
"Calm down. If you, won't the more you can't get in." He said.
"The queen did say those who have an intent to kill cannot enter." Nate says. "Tell me. Do you guys want to kill someone?" At the mention of kill, I started to tense and wrap Nate's coat tighter around me as if it can protect me.
Ren saw my movement and his eyes hardened even more. "I want to kill whoever did this to our men. And to whoever is threatening Rose's life." He says and gives PRINCE Ace a look. "You also want to kill who's responsible for this, don't you?"
PRINCE Ace did not even look at him as he let out a sigh. "I just want justice for the murder. That's all."
"Really?" Ren asked. "Then if you want justice, why can't you enter then?"
"Because I chose not to. No way would my feelings be affected because of her." He says and simply walked in without any effort.
"Damn know it all." Ren huffed. Then he started to let out a really long sigh, which I assume is to calm himself and NOW he was able to enter.
The numbness from my adrenaline has finally caught up to me and I stumble on the ground. Nate caught my arm and gently helped me up to sit on the couch. "Geez, Rose. You're not a vampire but your fingers are cold as ours."
"Oh sh!t!" Ren let out a curse as an invisible force threw him out of the room. I immediately sat up in surprise and wondered if an enemy had somehow infiltrated the room. I was powerless at this moment and the only thing that I could do was to cling to Nate. As embarrassing as it looks I don't want to be mauled to death by our invisible enemy. Nate started to chuckle beside me. "Relax, Rose. Ren just went into murderous mode again so the room kicked him out."
"Rose!" The queen suddenly barged in the office carrying Custard with her. The queen handed me my MIA familiar since the ball started. Custard happily jumped on my lap and started to nuzzle my neck as if to give me comfort. "Are you doing okay my dear?" The queen gently touched my cheek and I had to hold back tears as I nodded. "You must keep your familiar with you. Always. He might not look reliable but he will protect you. And he can."
"Why were they after me?" I whispered. Ignoring the fact that my so-called familiar, who is now sleeping on my lap with his belly exposed, can protect me.
"We don't know that for sure. But whoever it is, I assure you that we will protect you. You can see how bloodthirsty the twins are." The queen now pointed to Dan and Ren, who is still stuck outside.
"Sorry, but you cannot blame me for what I am feeling right now." Says Dan as he clenched his blood-smeared hands. "And my queen. I am here to inform you that we were able to capture one of the rogues. Suppose to be two, but the other one committed suicide before Prince Frederick could stop him."
The queen finally stood up. "And where is he now?"
"In the lower cell. Prince Fred cast a spell on him so he cannot commit suicide.
"And did you find anything?"
"Yes. It seems that they were aware that if they were captured and were forced to talk that the only person that they could talk to was their target."
"No! Absolutely not." Ren growled and punched the invisible wall. "No way we would let them lay their filthy eyes on her after they threatened her."
I don't have to be a genius to figure out that they were referring to me. "So we have nothing. No other information other than the fact that they want to kill me and.....talk to me?" I asked.
Dan sighed. "Unfortunately yes. And he only wants to talk to you. No other person in the room. But don't worry, Rose. We will find another- "
"Then I'll do it." I said
"No! Rose, you have done a lot of stupid things and this will not be one of them." Nate suddenly looked at me straight in the eyes to let me know how serious he was.
"For once I agree with the other princes." PRINCE Ace mumbled. "Especially with a lot of stupid things part."
"Ace, don't start with me." I warned him before I pleaded with the queen. "Please just let me do it. Just bind him with chains so he can't hurt me. And I'll talk to him at a far distance."
"My dear, I cannot risk that. I thought I lost my blood relatives forever until you came-"
"Oh don't you start with that because you kidnapped me." I reminded her.
"But it cannot be a coincidence that it was you that I have to kidnap. It was your fate to let me kidnap you."
"Seriously. That sounds so disturbing." I commended. "But I have to do something."
"Rosalie. I told you that you are forbidden and that's that."
When the queen raised her voice, Custard stirred awake and jumped off of my lap when I got up. "I am sorry. You may be the Queen and my great whatever aunt, but my life is being targeted not yours. And I want to know - why one way or another." I started to walk past her.
"Ace, if you would be so kind. Please." As the queen spoke, Ace suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder to stop me.
"Hey, let go of me!" I yelled. Custard seemed to be agitated and started barking at PRINCE Ace. When Ace did not glance at him, Custard lunged and bit him by the leg. Ace grunted.
"Somebody do something about this dog or I will." He warned. Nate took action and grabbed Custard off of Ace. "That will leave a mark." Nate says eyeing Ace's bloody leg.
"Hold her still." The queen commanded as she stood in front of me.
"What are you doing? I am doing us a favor!" I told her as I tried to headbutt Ace from behind with no luck. He was too strong and my only ally was being held by Nate. "Please. Let me do this for myself." I pleaded. The queen only looked at me sadly.
"My dear, you have the spitfire of my brother-in-law." She says sadly. "And that is what got him killed. And I will be damned if I let anyone of my family die again. Now. Go to sleep. We'll keep you safe." The last thing I remembered was her opening her palm and blowing blue powder on my face. And then I went to sleep.