Chapter 39

Chapter 39
Lila’s POV

I stood in Caius’s room with a pounding heart. The air between us is tension-charged. 

His undead eyes stared at me. This was the moment I had been waiting for finally.

I pulled the letter from my sleeve, and my fingers shook as I held it out.
Caius grabbed it and spread it out.

Why the rush I thought.

His lips pressed into a thin line as he scanned the page. My stomach twisted with raw fear.
 Would he help me? 

Or would he tell Ronan? 

I was so scared. My heart beats so fast, a lot of things were going through my mind.
I was sweating profusely. 

The time felt slow, like ancient train dragging across the track. I swallowed and waited for him to finish reading.
Finally, he did and then he looked up at me.

His eyes were hard like stone. He crumpled the letter and threw it at my chest. 
I was so shocked.

It hit me and fell to the floor. I gasped, my mouth hanging open.
“Why?” I asked, too stunned by his reaction to say more.

He stepped closer. “Do you know what you are asking? You want me to betray the king? That's madness.”
It's not just possible.

I swallowed. My throat felt dry as dry as sand in the desert. 

“I thought you weren’t happy with him. People say you two are not on great terms.” 
Yes, your absolutely right but those are just rumors.

His eyes narrowed. “That’s not your business, human. I may have my issues with the King, but that will never make me side with your kind."
I'm pretty sure you don't know the reason for my disappointment with him 
"Maybe we can. . ."

We can't do anything Lila I'll like you to leave now as soon as possible.
"Get out. Now!"

My chest burned. I felt a rush of anger. Anger mixed with fear. I grabbed the crumpled letter from the floor with trembling hands and then stuffed it back into my sleeve.

I shouldn't  have come here, I should have just listened to my instint.

My eyes stung, but I wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of him. So he won't be right about seeing me weak.

“Fine. Thank you for granting me audience," I said sharply and then turned to the door.

Caius didn’t move or say a word. His stare felt heavy on my back as I walked away.

I yanked the door open and slammed it so hard the heavy wood creaked. My shoes clicked as I hurried down the hall.
 My breath was all shaky and tears threatened to flow now.

I was full of regrets and disappointments.

I kept going, blinking back tears. Caius’s words hurt, but I couldn't dwell on it. I had to find another way. I wouldn’t give up.
Not now not ever.
“How could he be this cruel.”

Why did he save me in the first place from the undead attendants in the kitchen then.
The thought of Caius made me wonder the kind of person he is.

I wish I had an opportunity to ask him, but he wouldn't listen to me.

I went through the darkened halls where burning torches flickered on the wall. My shoes echoed loudly with every step. My skin prickled. Damn it, I couldn't wait to be back in my room.

I'm so tired.

I rounded a corner and my heart jumped as two undead guards stepped out of the shadows. Their glowing eyes were locked on me. They looked so damn scary.

I was really scared.

“Where are you coming from?” one growled. His bony, gray hand rested on his spear.

I lifted my chin and crossed my arms on my breasts. “I don’t answer to you."

The second guard stepped closer. “King’s orders. We check all movement after ten. Answer now. Where are you coming from?"
“That's none of your business.”

“Do you realize who your talking to ?

Fear seized me. After ten? 
I looked at the watch on my wrist. 

Oh I didn’t know I had been out that long.
 "I was at the drone control class. . ."

"That class ended an hour ago. Did it take you an hour to get from there to here?"
Yes it did, I haven't been there for a while now.

My heart beat faster. “It was my first day. I got lost.”

The guards looked at each other and then nodded at the same time. I swallowed, waiting for what they were going to do.
The second guard pointed at me. “Raise your hands. We have to do a search.”
"What?"
"You heard him," the first guard grunted.

“But I just told you were I was coming from ,why do you need to search me.?

My blood turned cold. The letter in my sleeve would ruin me. If they found it, Ronan would know.
Everyone is going to know.

My throat tightened. My palms pooled with sweat.
"We're waiting for you." One of the guards replied.

"Okay," I nodded, pretending to cooperate. I raised my hands slowly.

The first guard stepped forward. His gray fingers reached I didn’t hesitate. I had to get away.

Before he could touch me, I spun. My shoes slipped on the marble as I ran, but I didn't stop. My heart pounded in my ribcage and my breath was ragged. The guards yelled at me to stop. Their boots thundered behind me as they gave chase.
I ran as fast as I could.
I sprinted down the hallway. My dress caught on my legs, making me stumble. But I kept going I won't stop.

I rounded a corner, panting. My room’s door was ahead. I had to keep moving till I could stop in a safe place.
My hands fumbled with the key. The guards’ boots were close. Almost behind me now.

I jammed the key in and twisted it. I stumbled inside and slammed the door just before the guards got to me.
 With trembling hands, I locked the door and pressed my back against it. 

My chest heaved and sweat trickled down my face. Damn it, that was so close.

I yanked the letter from my sleeve and peered at it. My hands shook as I held it up to my face. As crumpled as it was crumpled, it was still dangerous. I couldn’t let them find it.
My reputation would be forever ruined.