♚ ♔ ♚

T R O U B L E D

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Why are you coming out of there looking like that?" Xavier stared at Kaleb, who had sauntered out of Irina's room with nothing but a sheet coiled around his hips. He clenched his jaw, trying to contain his anger, the veins running down the side of his neck protruding out. It couldn't be. There's no possible way. With quivering fists, he peered over his friend's shoulder and found Irina getting dressed. It wasn't difficult to put two and two together. "You bastard." Overtaken by rage, Xavier then threw Kaleb up against the wall only to have the latter laugh at him. On his face sat an arrogant grin and it took everything in Xavier not to rip his lips off.

"What are you two doing?" Irina asked as she stood at the doorway, her arms folded against her chest.

Xavier turned to her, his eyes narrowed. Not the least bit intimidated by him, she held his gaze. It was almost as though she was challenging him. The audacity she had. How could she allow Kaleb of all people to lay a finger on her? Had she gone senile? "You slept with him?" he hissed in disbelief. He thought she was by far more intelligent than Kaleb and his sweet lies.

"I did," she replied without even batting a lash. "It's not like I'm in love with him," she continued nonchalantly, unaware of how cruel her remark was. "Once I've had my fix, it'll be over."

Kaleb looked at her with an eyebrow quirked. "You don't actually believe you'll ever get enough of me, do you, darling?" he mused, patronizing Xavier even more.

"Shut that damn mouth of yours, you asshole," he spat as he raised a fist toward Kaleb's face. "She's not one of your toys. Don't speak so vulgarly."

"As touched as I am by your concern for me, I don't think it's necessary," Irina cut in. "I am more than capable of handling this on my own." Why was she acting like she knew what was best?

His face grew red, his blood hot, but he refused to back down. She had really outdone herself this time. "Clearly, you're not in the right state of mind to handle anything on your own if you're sleeping under the same covers as the Devil!" the man retorted.

Irina stood tall and her expression hardened. "I'll do what I want and that's final," she declared in a firm tone. "Nothing you do or say will make me reconsider either. You aren't my brother, Xavier. So why don't you quit playing this silly game of house now and move on with your life." He should be accustomed to hearing her spew such hurtful words to him since she's done it so many times prior yet he wasn't. Was there really no hope? Had the old Irina he once knew disappeared forever?

* * *

Down came the axe as it split the piece of wood into halves. Skin slick with sweat, Xavier used his forearm to wipe his forehead before he picked up another piece and set it on the tree stump. He was trying to get rid of his frustrations and with each swing, the burdensome feeling was becoming lighter and lighter. Once he had chopped enough wood to last him two long winters, he decided a bath would do well in soothing his aching muscles.

With no destination in mind, Xavier wandered through the vast forest he had grown up playing in as a child. He needed to clear his head and, as Mickey had told him on several occasions, stop spending every second of every day fretting over Irina. She was a woman now and what she decided to do with her life was nobody else's business but her own. However, things like that were always easier said than done. Xavier couldn't just let her go. Not for her sake.  If he stopped looking out for her, if he stopped caring about her, who knows what kind of trouble she'd get herself in. He needed to save Irina from herself because it was evident that she had strayed far from the path her family had paved for her.

No matter what it took, he had to remind the girl that there were still people out there who were depending on her. She may no longer need Elysium, but the kingdom needed her. Her people needed her. She could say she despised the place a million times over but Xavier was well aware that a small part of her hardened heart still belonged there. It was where her home was after all. The wall she had erected around herself may be composed of steel, but even that could be melted down if the heat was strong enough. He just had to find that particular flame which would be able to do so.

* * *

Lucas suddenly jumped up out of bed with his heart slamming against his ribcage, the sound of his heartbeat ringing in his ears. Cold beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face while his chest heaved up and down in a rather ragged pattern. For a few seconds, his vision was hazy and when everything cleared up, he scanned the area and realized that he was still in his room. "So it was only a dream," he whispered, combing his slender fingers through his sandy brown locks. He then climbed out of the covers and walked over to his balcony. Why did it feel so suffocating in here? He opened the doors and stepped out into the cool and brisk night air.

Above him, in the raven-colored sky, were thousands, if not millions, of small sparkling stars. Amongst them sat the full and luminous moon. Lucas allowed his eyes to flutter shut and inhaled deeply. As his lungs absorbed the fresh supply of oxygen, he could feel the tension in his body disappearing. He had managed to calm his heart down but then there was a sharp aching feeling. His eyebrows kissed in displeasure while the corners of his lips curled downward. He clutched his chest with his right hand and fell forward. His fingers coiled around the railing and he was able to keep himself on his feet, despite the agonizing pain.

He didn't know what was going on and to be frank, he was shaken. He had never encountered such a problem before and the fact that the cause was unknown startled him all the more. The searing pain lasted, at most, two minutes before it finally subsided. Lucas regained his composure and straightened his posture. Standing tall, he tilted his head back and, again sucked in another breath of fresh air. "What's happening to me?" he murmured, perplexed. Over the last few weeks he's been experiencing similar, random attacks and it's getting worse each time. He should consult a physician just to ensure it's nothing serious.

From somewhere down below him, Lucas swore he had heard something moving. He squinted his eyes, thinking it would somehow improve his sight. He spotted nothing out of the ordinary though. He wanted to tell himself that it was nothing; that is was probably only the wind but as he continued to stand there, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. His ears picked up some more rustling and then a low, feral growl.

Intuitively his guard went up and Lucas was prepared to defend and protect himself. Ever so slowly, he tried to retreat back into his room. However, the growl grew louder, immobilizing him. He had been trained on how to handle hostile situations like the one he was currently tangled in. He had to remain calm and level-headed. Panic and reckless actions would not end well, especially since he had no idea where the enemy was or what it was.

Searching the garden he was towering over, Lucas caught sight of a pair of icy-blue eyes staring straight at him from the shrubs. His eyes widened yet he did not dare to move another muscle. In a flash, the creature leapt out of its hiding spot and landed on the balcony in front of Lucas. Lucas's breath was trapped in his throat as he came face to face with a full grown Rogue. "What business do you have here?" he spoke out softly, not wanting to anger the beast.

The Rogue did not growl or reply. All it did was observe him with keen eyes. After, the Rogue began to walk around the human. Lucas thought it was going to be the end for him and clenched his eyes shut. He expected to be screaming in excruciation once the razor sharp teeth sunk into his flesh but instead, he felt a gust of wind.

He opened his eyes and watched as the Rogue easily jumped over the iron bars that stood twelve feet off the ground, separating his home from the outside world. Before the wolf left, it peered back one last time at Lucas before running off. "What was that?" Lucas was utterly baffled and when he peered down, he found a piece of cloth by his feet. He picked it up and was stunned to discover it had words written on it. It was a message!

You have to save her. You're the only one who can. Please, I beg of you. She needs you. If you're willing to do so, meet me at the border two miles from here tomorrow at midnight. I will be waiting for your arrival. If you don't show up, I will understand. Just know, you will, however, regret it if you do not.

"Her?" he repeated. "Could this possibly be a threat to a citizen's life?" Although Lucas's mind was pushing him to call Baxter and report this, his heart was urging him not to. It didn't make much sense to him but he decided to think more about what he would do once the sun had risen. Who knows, maybe this was only some bad dream and when he opened his eyes in the morning, it would all be okay.

Unfortunately, that had not been the case.

The beaming rays of the sun infiltrated Lucas's room and filled the confined space with bright light. He was stirred from his slumber due to a knock from a maid. Groggily, he sat up and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. He looked over to the analog clock beside his bed and realized it was nearly ten. He had overslept! Scrambling to his feet, he scurried to the washroom. After he freshened up, Lucas bolted to his closet. He selected his outfit for the day in less than ten seconds and quickly got dressed. Just as he was about to sprint out of the door, he stopped dead in his tracks. For a second, his heart stopped beating. He walked over to the nightstand with steady steps and picked up the piece of cloth. His blood ran cold and he tucked it into his pocket, a look of determination on his face.

"So it wasn't a nightmare after all. I was hoping it was."

As Lucas mounted his stallion and rode toward the precinct, he felt deeply troubled. All that occupied his thoughts were the Rogue from last night and the mysterious note it had left behind. What could it have meant? Lucas did not wish to jump to conclusions of any sort. If he brought this up to Baxter and the rest of the squad, they would surely assume that the Rogue that had visited him was the same one that had been going around slaughtering their people. He didn't want to accuse someone who could be innocent, despite what the knowledge he might have of their background. Not all Rogues were bad and not all of Elysians were good.

After handing the reins over to the stable boy, Lucas trudged up the steps of the building. Inside, everyone was running about. Dozens of people were speaking to the detectives and officers all at once and it was a complete chaos. "It's a good thing you're here." Baxter grasped onto the taller man's wrist and dragged him toward a room where a third party was waiting for them. Baxter then closed the door and rushed over to the files stacked on the table. "There's been another victim," he announced hastily. "And this time we have a body."

"What?" Lucas gasped, astounded. "Details."

"The body was discovered at 8:47 this morning by Grievous Lake. Well, at least what remains of it. Here are the crime scene photos," Baxter said.

Lucas frowned, looking over the gruesome and stomach-wrenching pictures. "Why didn't you call for me sooner?"

"I tried but the maid said you were busy. Did something happen? You're always available," he pointed out.

There was a pause exchanged between the three of them before Lucas shook his head. "I was just exhausted that's all. It won't happen again."

"So what are we going to do? News of the body has gotten out and now half of the kingdom is enraged while the others are petrified. They're demanding that we capture the savage Rogue who did this immediately or else all hell will break loose," the Chief Medical Examiner, Lee informed, his voice dripping with anxiety.

"Hold on, let me just think for a second," Lucas said as he tried to gather his thoughts. Something didn't sit right with him. "Where is the body now?"

"In the morgue."

Lucas examined the torn and shredded body and shook his head, eyebrows furrowed. "This doesn't make sense," he muttered.

"What do you mean?" Baxter inquired, curious to find out what his friend was thinking.

"There has never been a body discovered before. Just subtle evidence that implied death. So why now? Why did we find a body now?" he wondered, very much suspicious.

"Maybe the killer is starting to get more careless," Baxter suggested.

"No, that's not it," he denied. "Who did you say found the body again?"

"We don't know. We just got an anonymous letter," Baxter replied.

"And that didn't set off red flags for you?" Lucas balked. "Look at the way the body was positioned"-he held up the picture and exhibited it to both Baxter and Lee-"Laid flat on his back with his arms by his side. Does that look like carelessness to you?"

"You're right," Lee agreed as he snatched the photo from him for closer examination. "It looks like he was deliberately placed that way."

"Just think about it," Lucas prodded. "Nobody ever visits Grievous Lake because of its reputation and how isolated it is. So how did the person who tipped us off know that the body was there?" Lucas stopped and allowed them to come up with the answer.

Baxter snapped his fingers. "Unless he's the killer."

Lucas mimicked his actions. "Precisely. Whoever is doing this wants us to think a Rogue is behind it all. Lee, as soon as you finish the autopsy report, bring it directly to me and no one else, all right?"

Lee nodded. "Got it."

"So you really believe someone from Elysium is killing innocent people to frame the Rogues in order to start a war?"

The door closed after Lee left and Lucas didn't hesitate to nod his head. "It's the only thing that makes sense to me. Think about it, Baxter. After the Peace Treaty between us and the Rogues was enacted a hundred years ago nothing like this has ever occurred until now."

Baxter heaved out a deep breath. "That is true but how are we going to explain this to everyone?"

"We aren't. As of right now, we can't trust anyone but each other and Lee," Lucas whispered as he glanced out the door.

"What are you saying?" Baxter muttered.

"I think there's a mole in our precinct and I'm positive they're linked to these cases. But for the time being just be careful with your words. Understood?"

"Understood."

* * *

The bustling city of Collier was finally at rest. It was almost midnight but due to the warm weather, the night air wasn't too brisk, it was actually rather nice out. Nearly every household was asleep, their candles all put out. Lucas had abandoned the safety of his own home twenty minutes ago. He was walking because if he had taken his horse, he would have surely attracted attention. There was no doubt in his mind that his father would end up questioning him the following morning if that were to happen. 

The closest border he could think of was the one near the stream. If his guess was correct, that was the designated location the Rogue wanted to meet at. He didn't know whether or not going alone was a smart thing to do. Most people would have labeled it as completely moronic, especially with a murderer on the loose. There was a chance that Lucas could be heading straight into trap but then again, if the Rogue had wanted him dead, he could have carried out the deed last night. 

So with that fact in mind, the man kept his nerves in check and continued forward. It was dark when he arrived, the only source of light coming from the shining moon and stars peeking through the canopy of trees. All he could hear were the chirping of the crickets before rustling followed. His guard went up and he stared at the bushes that were trembling in front of him. He thought a Rogue was going to leap out at him but instead he was greeted with the sight of a man who looked like he was only a year or two older than he was. There was something strangely familiar about him, Lucas just didn't know what it was. "So you came," Xavier stopped at the edge of the stream and eyed him. The small body of water separated the two of them. However, if he wanted to he could easily cross over it. 

In all honesty Xavier wasn't too confident about Lucas. It had been years since he had last seen him. He wasn't sure if the lad still even kept Irina in his memories. But if he could play a key role in bringing the girl back to her senses, he was willing to give it a shot. He was desperate. "Who are you?" Lucas questioned carefully. "Where is the woman you were talking about? Are you, perhaps, a serial killer?" 

Xavier scrunched his eyebrows in distaste. Serial killer? What in the world was he talking about? Did he look like he was a psychopath? "Do I look like I'm a serial killer?" he answered bluntly. "If I wanted you dead, I could have done it last night. Does that answer your question?" 

"Then why did you tell me I had to save her and if I didn't I would regret it? I'm no genius but that sounds like a threat to me, does it not?" Lucas swiftly countered with his head held high. 

"Is it my fault you humans seem to misinterpret everything?" Xavier scoffed as he folded his arms against his chest. "No one's life is being threatened," he assured. "But someone's life could become threatened if something isn't done about it." 

It was Lucas's turn to knit his brows together. "Can you stop beating around the bush and get to the point? What are you trying to say?" 

"Irina," was the only word that escaped the older man's lips as he paid close attention to Lucas's reaction. To his liking, the man's eyes widened while his mouth fell ajar. So even after all of these years he never forgot about her. This-this was definitely a good sign. This was what Xavier needed. 

"How do you know Irina? Where is she now? What have you done with her? Just who the hell are you? Answer me dammit!" Lucas's chest tightened as he quickly grew agitated. What was going on? After all of this time he had finally gotten a lead on her whereabouts! What kind of twisted fate was this? Was this a sick joke somebody was playing on him? If it was, he was definitely not going to let it slide. 

Although he never disclosed this information to anyone else, she was one of the reasons he had become a detective. He had kept it secret from everyone, including his most intimate companions. Whenever he worked late, Lucas was busy investigating her disappearance. It was then that he had stumbled upon the truth. It didn't take him that long to uncover Irina's identity. With all of the news about the royal family and the missing second princess constantly buzzing in his ear, he was able to solve the jigsaw puzzle. It all made sense now. He hated himself for not realizing it sooner. Why she was so weak and fragile the first day they had met. Why she was rushing toward Collier in disregard to her declining health like a madwoman. It was because she had wanted to be with her family. He couldn't believe how cruel fate could be. 

Having knowledge that his father also played an active and vital role in her family's persecution only burdened his conscience even more. He didn't do anything wrong but he swore he was going to make it up to her. Atone for the all of the sins his father had created. He never got the chance to do so, at least not until tonight. Of course his skin was crawling with nerves. He had to know where she was. How she was. There were so many things he wanted to ask her. So many things he wanted to tell her. How funny was this? He'd known her for less than three days but here he was acting like they had been acquainted for centuries! It was completely unfathomable, even to him but he didn't care at this point. He just needed to see her. He felt like he had to explain himself

His opportunity was here. He had to seize it now. Who knows when another chance like this would come. The guilt had been gnawing at him, eating him up alive, ever since he had discovered the cold, hard truth. It was time to clear his conscience and move on with his life. Lucas was certain that there was no way he was in love with Irina or harbored those kinds of feelings toward her. That would be ludicrous and absolutely absurd. He barely knew the girl so the only other explanation he had as to why he could never eradicate her from his thoughts was because of the immense guilt he had toward her and the royal family. 

Once he apologized to her and begged for her forgiveness, he was certain that everything would go back to normal. Well, that was what he was hoping for anyways. After they bury the hatchet, he could return to where he belonged, get married to his fiancée, and carry on with his life. 

At first her face had been so vivid in his memory. He was able to recall every single detail about her. From her golden waves to the tiny freckles scattered over her nose. But as time flew by, her image started to become more of a blur to him. If he remembered correctly, Irina was a sweet, refined and compassionate young lady. She might be upset with him but could she really stay mad at him when he didn't even have a clue as to what had been going around him? Surely she could not be that petty or blinded by rage. 

"So you still care about her I see. I have to be frank, I didn't think you would have even remembered her name since humans are so fickle with their emotions." Xavier was definitely impressed with the girl's mate. He displayed loyalty despite her absence. Their bond must have been stronger than he had imagined. If that was the case, it was possible that Irina could very well be carrying a soft spot for Lucas. He had to use this to his advantage. It was wrong to go behind her back and do this but it was for her own good. She'd be grateful to him in the future. 

"I'm not in the mood to dillydally around. Tell me where she is and everything you know about her," Lucas growled, his patience wearing thin. 

"If you want to see her then cross the border," Xavier replied haughtily. This was the moment of truth. If he passed this, he would be deemed worthy. "It's the only way you'll get to see her again." Was this a sham? Possibly. Lucas knew what could happen if he was to set foot on Savage Rogue territory. He'd basically be risking his life, the odds of him returning to Elysium breathing being slim. Inhaling deeply, Lucas started to retreat, his eyes never leaving Xavier's. So he wasn't as loyal as Xavier had assumed he was. He had such high hopes for Lucas. He thought that he could be different. He was wrong. 

Next, Lucas charged toward Xavier at full speed before he launched himself into the air and landed on the other side. "I hope you aren't lying to me." He dusted himself off as he straightened his stature. "What are you waiting for? Lead the way." 

- - -

Author's Thoughts: Is this the moment we've been waiting for? I don't know, you tell me. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to solemnsoul- and emaskywalker. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Still can't get over Xavier <3 How do you think the reunion will transpire?