I felt the darkness creeping in. The death tugging at my heart. I refused to ease into the intoxicating pull. My body drifted, but my soul fought back. Falling to the oblivion of death was not an option.

I woke with a jolt, feeling the blood rush to my head. I collapsed my body in, clutching my head. I was in a bed. Looking down I noticed the sheets were
an expensive material, and the rest of the room was covered in rich gold colors and fine furniture. I could recognize this room anywhere. It was my parent's room, just lacking in the presence of my parents. It felt strange to be in there room again, I had only been in here as a child when I could not sleep, which was often, but after I started sleeping I had stopped coming.

Suddenly, the doors slammed open and Madden stepped into the room surrounded by guards and black armor. Madden walked to the edge of the bed and sat down. The pounding in my chest echoed in my ears.

"It's been too long my dear sister."

Something about the calmness of his voice scared me. I didn't know this Madden, this was not my brother.

I managed to nod still in complete awe of seeing my brother walking and talking. Madden was so sick last time J had seen him. I thought I would never ...never see him again. He slicked back his her black hair and had a stressed expression on his face.

"There are probably many questions you have to ask me, such as why you are here. Well, I will answer any and all questions that you may have, I owe you that much for causing all the trouble."

"Why am I here?" I asked cautiously.

"Simple, I have to kill you."

The words slowly sank in and I scrambled back, to the head of the bed.

"Now, I told you I am giving you the answers you deserve. I'm going to be blunt with you my dear sister. Your follow up question is most likely 'why?' so I will tell you," his crossed his hands encased in black gloves, over his lap, "I'm taking full control over this castle, so in order to do so, I must kill the heir so that I am the next heir."

My heart started pounding. I scrunched my fingers around the fabric on the bed. Madden leaned closer and I flattened myself as close as I could. Madden realized my craving for distance and moved back.

The realization began sinking in. If I was his last step to becoming king.... Dad must be gone, Mother too. I but my lip until the coppery tang of blood filled my mouth.

"This is the way it must be. I'm sorry you have to be in the middle of all of this Scarletta. I will come for you second, I must handle some other affairs first. It will be painless, I swear."
He stood and multiple guards escorted him to the guard at the door.

"She will be no trouble, so I'm leaving you as my only guard. She's weak and if it comes to it and she isn't behaving.... kill her. I wanted to do it myself, but if you deem it necessary, you may."

He nodded coldly, and soulless, as if he was under mind control. It scared me, I was very scared. I'm all alone with no one to save me... no one but myself. Everyone filed out, and the guard stood outside my door I'm assuming.

What do I do? I'm just a helpless little girl. I have no skills with weapons or anything to defend myself with. I useless. No wonder I need to guarded so heavily all the time, I would die on my own. I am going to die on my own

No, no I won't allow it. I'm the future of this kingdom and I will not allow myself to die, especially like this. I need a plan. Come one, think.

An idea sparked in my head. Hastily, I shuffled through the cabinets and chests. I came across a small chest sitting on top of the dresser. I opened it up and found a sharpened dagger inside. It shined against the moonlight pouring in from the window. I grabbed it by the handle and ran beside the open space near the door. My plan was going just as I thought of it, but here's the hard part.

Now for the plan to begin. I hope this works.

I screamed at the top of my lungs then hid into the corner beside the door silently. The guard bursts through the door and ran into the room. His confusion began to sink in, but before he was about to turn around, I pierced him in between the metal of his body armor and head armor, right in his neck. Blood sprayed my face and jerked back.

The man collapsed to the floor, staining it with the thick, red blood. I heard gurgled cries from the armor, and he jerked violently. Tear ran down my face out of fear of my own ability. I didn't expect this to actually work. Eventually, the jerking slowed and the body became oddly still.

I wracked up the confidence to yank the knife out, half expecting him to awaken, but he did not. He was dead. I snuck out through the door, noticing the hallway was desolate. It tentatively began walking down the hallway. There was not a soul around. I decided I wasn't going to get anywhere at this pace and began running.

What was the plan now? I have no clue where Kai is, or Julian, and for all I know they already escaped and are looking for me. We agreed to go to town, maybe I should head straight there or maybe....

Suddenly, I was yanked into a hallway to the left of me. The person covered my mouth with their hand and held me tight against their chest. I tried to struggle free, but the grip was too tight. Panic raced through my body, stiffening all the muscles, yet I still squirmed found some energy to move.

The person leaned over to my ear, "would you knock it off it's just me. God, you're acting like I'm some kind of rapist or something."

The voice was as familiar to me as the sound of my own voice. It was Kai. The tension released and I leaned back on Kai. I took a moment just to enjoy the safety I felt this very second since it probably would not last.

"I was just coming to get you. The guards all headed towards one wing, and when I noticed I was able to escape the cell..."

"Cell?"

"I'll explain later, anyway I overheard that dirty rat of a brother talking to his guards about you and his plan to ...

"I already know his plans for me Kai, he told me."

He nodded and quickly changed the subject, "so I went to get you, but I spotted you running by and caught you. Sorry I was so forceful."

"It's okay. What's the plan now?"

"Same as before, get you out if here."

Suddenly I realized what someone was missing, "where's Julian?"

Kai but his lip and turned away for a moment. I was getting nervous, did something happen.

Kai turned back," we got seperated when they locked us up, I have no clue where he is. I'm sure he's out considering how little defense they had, but I honestly don't know."

"We can't leave without him."

"We won't.... I'm getting you out first then I'm coming back for Julian."

My face reddened with anger,"what! There's no way I'm allowing that to happen. I'm going with you to find him and that's that."

"No Scarletta, you're the main concern here and I need to make sure you are safe before Julian."

"No Kai!"

"You don't have a choice in the matter," Kai forcefully grabbed my wrist and began dragging me down the corridor.
I couldn't get my hand out of his grip no matter how much I struggled. I was stuck, like some kind prey about to be feasted upon arrival to the predator's den.Eventually, I gave in and allowed him to haul me away.

I have no clue where exactly he's going to be completely honest, but I trust him. Kai has never given me one reason to doubt him. However, I'm keeping my eye out for Julian, but if Kai says he's going back and getting him for me, I believe him.

Suddenly, a large bang came from the entrance. Kai stopped abruptly. he peered around the corner slowly. Without warning, I was surged forward by Kai into the entryway. I solider had grabbed ahold of Kai by the neck. Kai's grip weakens as he was choking to death. I cried out and grabbed the guards sword from his holster.

I shoved it hard into his stomach. Blood began putting out and the man collapsed to the floor. I then realized I had my own dagger sitting on the ground beside me. I must have dropped it while in shock.

Kai crumbled to the floor. I shook him violently, but he refused to wake. I checked his pulse. Nothing. Tears welled up, but I shoved them back down and laid him flat in the floor. I began CPR I had learned once because my tutor's assure by choked and I watched him do it. I wasn't experienced, but I had to do something.

I pushed on his chest, then blew air into his mouth. I got a pattern going and continued for several minutes. I was losing hope, maybe it was useless on suffocation victims.

All of a sudden, Kai jerked up coughing and choking. Tears if joy streaked my face as I toppled him. I hugged him tightly playing with his hair with my fingers.

"Space... I can't breathe," Kai choked out. I jumped back and released him. I apologized with a beaming smile on my face. For that one moment I felt useful. Kai touched my cheek and stared deep into my soul with his starry purple eyes. The heat was warming my body. I then realized what was happening and pulled back sitting on my knees.

"Thank you Scarletta. I owe you my life."