Chapter 259: Book 3: Chapter 50: Lexy

Lexy

“We’re in danger here,” I told them, forcing myself to take another step away from Kris and returned to the bags I had packed for them.

“You’re shaking,” Annie said as she moved closer to me as Seth moved toward Kris.

“They came while you were gone, thank god you weren’t here. But we have to get out of here. It’s not safe.” I tried to keep my voice light, but it felt heavy. Everything felt heavy.

“Wait, Lexy,” Annie started in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“The protections on the house failed. We have to leave.” I answered,

“Stop moving!” She shouted in frustration and I stilled. “Sit down and talk to me, right now. Tell me what is going through your head. Who came?”

“My dad. They made some threats. They came into my room. We’re not safe here. I should have never come back. This is all my fault.” I could hear the panic and hysteria in my voice as I spoke.

“Lexy, first off, this is not your fault.” She stated firmly. “Second, you can’t leave. We got you a hearing at the castle for your freedom, and if you leave here, you’ll lose it! They asked for you to be on house arrest until it gets settled!”

“Don’t you get it?” I stated, frustrated and panicked. “I can never be free, Annie! Whether I can step on this ground or not doesn’t make me free. I gave my freedom up a long time ago. I gave it up to protect you, to protect my family. A hearing can’t make me free. They will always come after me. They will always take away anything I find valuable. I can’t be free until they’re dead or I am. And if we stay here, we’ll all die, and it will have all been for nothing.”

She looked at me, shock written on her face.

I took a breath, “Here’s your bag, grab whatever else you want, but we can’t stay here. I’ll take my chances of prosecution.”

And with that, I left the room, my panic over, and my chest lighter, but fear still raging inside, and thousands of thoughts racing through my mind.

“You okay?” I jumped at the voice, and turned to see it was Jake, the last person I had expected to ask.

“I’m fine,” I answered, my voice totally normal as I stood by the window at the sink. At least I hoped it was...

“You’re not fine. I can see the hand print still on your face, and Seth mentioned that Kris walked in on you guys with assumptions, and if you’ve forgotten, I’ve been to the prisons before. We’ve been held hostage together. I know you’re scared.”

“In the beginning,” I started, “In the beginning, I was so good at evading them. I just lived my life without them having a clue where I was. I didn’t even have to move. Then, I got a letter from Alex, saying that there was an emergency, but I had known even before that, I could feel it. Annabeth was in trouble. So, he asked me to do the unaskable, he asked me to come to the castle, then put the strongest link on us, so she couldn’t be touched, but it would mean more danger for me. So, I went, and I said I had to think about it, but the answer was yes, it was always yes. So, when he came by my room the next morning with a grave face, I told him the good news, but he just shook his head at me, sadly. ‘My mother sent us, she wants you imprisoned,’ he told me, and then the guards grabbed me, and I was imprisoned in the dungeons of the castle for three days before I saw anyone. No food, no drink. Nothing. On the third day, Alex brought me clothes that they wanted me to wear along with food and water. But I was already weakened. The damage was done. Later that day, I was summoned to a meeting with the Queen and her Council. No one knew anything about me, except Alex. She asked me some things about my new life but then told me what she really wanted. She told me to find Annabeth. I told her I was already doing my best, I had people looking. I wasn’t dumb, I had made connections.” I took a breath. “I also had done the unaskable, and she told me, it was not enough. She then proceeded to tell me her plan, which had already been enacted. To give me more incentive, she had given them my sister. She crossed a line. I already had put my life in these people’s hands, I gave up my freedom, but she sent an innocent child straight in their hands, all because I was playing a different game. So yea, I’m not eager to go back there. I’m still angry. It happened years ago, but it was the moment I lost what little I had left. And now, there’s no choice but to just keep going.”

Retelling the story made me feel sick. I didn’t know why I had just told Jake. I hadn’t told anyone. But once again, a relief filled me, as though I had needed to just get it out of me. When I turned around to face Jake again though, he looked as though he was about to cry.

“What?” I asked in surprised.

“Thank you,” He whispered. “Thank you for protecting her.” And then he turned away and left me standing by the sink alone.

“You good, kid?” Matt asked, as he came down. “You look pale, and your cheek, it’s still red.”

“I’m fine.” I told him, but this time I tried to smile.

Matt was my saving grace most days. He had done so much for me, and I owed him so much for the past, even if now things were a little different.

“Do you have a plan?” He asked.

“Have you met me?” I tried to kid, “I always have a plan.”

“That’s my girl,” He smiled.

“Everybody! Meet in the kitchen, let’s get this show on the road!” He shouted, and he was right, it was now or never, and I was sick of being dragged along by the twists of fate.