118

Alexander

Sneaking into the crown prince's estate is surprisingly easier than I expected. Of course, he no doubt has never dealt with someone like me breaching his security. If dad's to be believed, then my unique skills which allow me to avoid detection from wards and other security measures are due to my status as a demi-human. If Esme really is here of her own free will, and is safe and well taken care of, then I will have to work with the prince to make sure their security can be effective against people with skills like mine.

I sneak past the main ward, slipping into the shadow of a building as a guard passes, before slinking into the main estate through the back gardens. I'm not terribly certain where to find Esme, so rather than wander aimlessly and risk getting caught, I hole up in a supply closet near the main hall and listen to conversations as people walk by.

It's a long, tedious process, waiting for the information I need to properly navigate the mansion and find my sister, but the wait is well worth it when I finally discover what I'm looking for, plus a little extra. By the time I discover that Esme is in the main wing, sharing an oversized room with her circle, seven doors down from the main corridor, I've been hunched up in a ball behind some cleaning supplies for nearly three hours.

Once the steps of the last person fade, I slowly stand, stretching out my stiff muscles, and peak out of the door to find a darkened front hall. Clearly, the majority of the house has taken their rest for the evening, leaving me mostly free to wander. I have to fight a brief desire to skulk about, learning more of the layout of the estate. After a moment's hesitation, I decide that finding Esme and learning about her wellbeing is more important than anything. If she really is at home here, then I won't need to sneak anymore. And if she's being held against her will, which it's sounding less and less likely that such is the case, then I will have to find a way to help her escape.

I slink up the stairs and down the hall towards the west wing, which I beleive to be the main residences from what I've heard throughout the evening. All I really know is, that if I'm wrong, I really, really hope that Esme is here as the lady of the house, and can save my ass from whatever trouble I find.

When I make it to the seventh door in the corrider, I breathe a sigh of relief, only to find a new dillema. I don't know which door, the one to the left or the right of the hall. You'd think that the main residence of the circle would be at the end of the hall or something, but it seems not. I don't want to open the wrong door and alert someone who might wish me, or Esme, harm to my presence.

When I finally decide to twist the handle on the door to the right, another thought sends shivers of fear racing up my spine. This entire thing has been too easy. Sure, I don't expect them to be able to detect me via the wards, but for nobody to notice me moving around in a house full of the most powerful supernaturals in the known realms is a bit...unlikely. Is this a trap? Do they have Esme here, held against her will, and are using her as bait to slowly collect the entire McKnight clan? Father did say that he planned on joining her here in time. Perhaps his information is worse than I had first assumed.

Yes, I ran off thinking father was off his rocker, but somewhere deep down, I beleived that he knew the truth, that Esme is here safe and sound, protected and loved. But what kind of protectors allow an unknown factor to stroll into the depths of their estate unimpeded, unless it's a trap.

The sound of a chuckling behind me has me stiffening. *Of course it's a trap, I'm so stupid.*

"Don't worry so much, little McKnight. One of your sister's flames had a vision of you arriving. We've been instructed to let you do as you will. She's in that room waiting to talk with you, but asks that you be quiet as three of her loves are resting."

"Three? How many flames does she have?" I ask, twirling to face a surprisingly young looking vampire.

He smiles softly.

"My name is Pierre. I've been trailing you since you came in to ensure you didn't receive injuries from some of those unaware of your impending presence. Esme is the central to a circle of five, including herself. Three men, one woman, all incredibly powerful. She's eager to see you again."

"I always expecter her to end up with Bellamy."

At that, the man laughs, the sound surprisingly hearty for such a small frame.

"What's so funny."

"Apologies, young Alexander. Bellamy *is* one of the flames. In fact, it is he who had the vision, which is how we knew it was you coming. None other than he or Esme would know you by sight."

"Oh. That... makes sense, I guess. How do I know this isn't a trap?"

"If it was, you'd be captured or dead already. I've had eyes, my own or those of my most trusted personell, on you since you entered the estate at dusk. In fact, we've been tracking your progress through the wastelands for about three days now."

"Well shit."

He smiles and opens the door, ushering me inside. As promised, Esme is sitting there, smiling towards me. Bellamy is by her side, grinning like a madman.

"It's true."

She chuckles and dips her head towards Pierre, who retreats, closing the door behind him.

"Oh, Alex. I've missed you so much."

"But how? Why?"

"I knew you wouldn't believe daddy when he told you everything." Her face darkens as she leads me to the sitting area.

"But you're safe, nobody is making you stay against your will?"

"No, Alex, nothing like that. I'm safe, and as happy as I can be in the midst of a war."

"So it's true?"

"Everything father told you, I'm afraid. He's been holding out on us."

"Did you know?"

"Not until recently. I didn't take it much better than you did, when everything was said and done. I just didn't have the room for a breakdown, since I was undercover."

"Of course. Dad told me about how you were part of his escape. It's amazing, the things you can do. I thought he was lying. Wait, mother. Do you know about mother?"

"He didn't tell me, but our grandmother did."

"What do you mean?"

She lets out a deep sigh, taking my hand and launching into a tale almost more fantastical than the one father told all those days ago. Isis is our grandmother, or great grandmother. She can't be certain how distant, only that we are descended from her, and she gave her essence to imbue Esme with the power to form an anchor point in this divinity chain of hers. She tells me of what they know, Bellamy chiming in here and there to fill in some gaps. I'm startled and terrified of what's to come, but clearly, I'm where I need to be.

"Then we need to deal with your security. I know Pierre said I was unimpeded, but I felt the wards brush over me without me being keyed to them. That's a vulnerability."

"I know. Part of Pierre's job was to see how they reacted to you. I'm not sure if it's our blood tie or something else, but it's a weakness that can be exploited. I'd really appreciate it if you helped us to close the vulnerabilities, and if you would train with us so we can learn more about your goddess given abilities."

"Of course, Es." I yawn, and she chuckles.

"For now, your room has been prepared. It's two doors down towards the end of the hall on the same side as this room. Bellamy can show you the way, and we'll introduce you to everyone tomorrow, alright?"

"That sounds lovely. Can I get something to eat, too?"

"Of course. Bel?"

"I'll let Ariel know."

"Thanks, love."

She kisses his cheek before pulling me into a hug and ushering us out of the room.