-Dark Places

(Caroline POV- 11:30 p.m.)

I ran through alleyways, back streets, and anywhere the street lights couldn't reach. Using the cover of dark as my own personal highway for getting around town without anyone seeing me. I dressed in a blue, long sleeve dress, with my blue running heels, and a dark blue velvet cloak wrapped around me, the hood up hiding my face. I only dressed up because if someone did see me or asked why I was out, I could say I was going somewhere 'important'.

I continue to run through the back alleyways until I reach a big metal door, which is completely invisible in the dark alleyway. In an alleyway no one ever has used, anyone who doesn't do my type of dealing won't know this door is here. Of course unless someone somehow stumbled upon it. Highly unlikely.

I knock twice on the door and it pops open, creaking slightly. A big, muscular, bald man comes out and looks me up and down with a straight face.

A deep, grumble of a voice comes out of his mouth saying, "Password."

"There is no password, you bumbling brain dead buffoon. You must be new, let me talk to Sanchez. If he asks who it is, tell him it's Caroline." I say rudely and roll my eyes.

I have to look and act tough or they'll just push me around because I'm a girl. Being a princess means nothing here. I am not letting that happen. At least not now. The man disappears back inside without another word and comes back out a minute later allowing me in this time.

I walk into the room that is dimly lit and automatically take notice of the four guards, one in each corner. They are obviously armed very well. At least two guns and a few throw knives. I might have taken them on a few times. You'd be surprised how badly trained they are. I hope he fixed that by now. I walk up to the desk that sits in the middle of the smoke filled room.

"Awww, Caroline. Nice to see you darling." He says, his thick Italian accent shining through his deep, dark voice, as he turns around in his big leather chair to look at me properly. "I see you have befriended the prince. Wait, no, king. He's taken you under his wing I see. Why have you chosen him over me?" He asks.

"Didn't know you knew I was in town." Is all I say.

"You know I have people everywhere. But when your the talk of the kingdom and a TV sensation here, I don't even need my man power to know that." He says, bouncing the fat cigar in between his index and middle finger. "Now answer the question. Why him?" He asked again.

"Come on. You know me, I don't just go around conquering kingdoms by marrying into the families. And no, I'm not married to him. I'm filling a temporary spot." I explain.

"I see. Very well, what do you want?" He asked in a kind of rude tone.

"Was it your men?" I ask vaguely, folding my arms.

"My men? What are you talking about?" He asks leaning forward in interest.

"Did you tell them to kill that princess?" I ask.

"Awwww, Princess Victoria. No, I had no reason to have my men kill her." He says taking a breath of his cigar.

"Do you know who might have hired a hit man?" I ask.

"No. But there has been talk of her people getting her back for the terrible treatment she gave them." He explains.

"Why didn't anyone know of this till now?" I ask.

"Probably scared them into silence. Royals have a lot of power, you of all people should know that." He said taking another breath of his cigar and puffing it back out.

"I thought we said we would never speak of that again." I say, venom now seeping into my words.

"I wasn't talking about that darling. But, maybe it's your guilty conscience that's got you thinking I am." He says, a smirk on his face.

"Shut up with the endearment and tell me who was spreading these rumors." I say now annoyed.

"It was at one of my card games." He says.

"Ok, and?" I question.

"Everyone is shady, and no one uses their real name." He says.

"Can you get me in?" I ask.

"I can do more than get you in. I can get you to the boss." He says smiling, leaning his elbows on the table.

"Really? The boss?" I ask not believing a word he said.

"Yep. But your going to need a party dress and a huge bundle of cash." He says.

"Easy. I have that stuff everywhere." I say casually. "Don't I need to disguise myself? Won't they know who I am?" I add.

"No, royals do this type of dealing all of the time." He says.

"Ok, when do you want to do this?" I ask.

"When ever your ready to." He answers.

"Ok, I'll meet you here then. Bye Bruce." I say and walk out and start the journey back to the castle.

-----

I walk quietly through the castle trying to make as little noise as possible. I thought I was doing good until...

"Caroline?" A familiar voice ask.

"Gabe. Your still up I see." I say turning around and smiling.

"Yes, but why are you? I thought you said you were tired." He asks.

"I did say that, but I couldn't fall asleep for some reason. So I went for a walk." I lie.

"Makes sense." He says, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, I'm going to bed now." I say faking a yawn. "Night Gabe." I say.

"Night C." And with that I headed back to my room.

I got to my room and got undressed. But without Celeste's help it took me a long time to get my zipper down. I don't want to wake her up for a zip. Arrgg! Once I was done fighting with the zip I put on my night gown and left the front room of my bedroom and actually went into the room that had my bed.

I fall back onto my bed but notice out of the corner of my eye something bounce up. I see a small envelope with my name on it and a long white box. I open the envelope and it says...

"I'm watching you..."