It takes a few days for me to settle in. Adam has given me as much space as possible. I have tried to calm myself down and build up some courage to get out of the suffocating room. Apparently, according to Adam, no one has questioned my stay at the palace, which is good. I've locked myself in here for the past few days trying to figure out what to do next.

Today I finally woke up with the courage to step out of the room, not being worried about whether I'll be recognized as a traitor or not.

After having breakfast here I stand, in front of the mirror. A feeling of deja vu hits me as I grip the small container of the colored lens tightly in my palm.

I've cleaned up all the mud and dirt that was stuck on my face and in my hair a few days prior and am now wearing a long dress as any traditional Syrusian would wear, what with them insisting on keeping their old ways and such.

At first, I was adamant about wearing a dress. It's not easy to move in meaning that if we were suddenly in the middle of an attack I could hardly protect myself. But in the end, made me wear it because he said it was the only proper way to dress at the moment. I hate him for it.

I must admit the dress is beautiful, with intricate designs of different colors, mainly blue, red and gold; the colors of the Imperium flag.

I look at myself one last time before opening the container and taking out the small and delicate lens. I take a deep breath before slipping it into my right eye. I don't even feel it hurt this time.

I look up at my new self. A lot has changed since the last time I slipped in a lens. Not just everything around me but me also. I missed my 20th birthday. Well not exactly, it's today. It's funny how time passes so fast. It seems like it was just yesterday when I found Etan and the day before that when I lost Elon. It truly is scary how time has so much power over us.

I check myself one last time in the mirror before slipping out of the room.

At first, I don't know where to head to but then I remember the small garden I've been looking at for the past few days from the window of the room I've been staying at. It's the same one I saw on my way into the palace. But as soon as I have that thought, I dismiss it; the sound of the rain tapping on the windows of the hallways suggests me to do so.

I look to my right and then to my left. I can't decide on where to explore first. I am in the heart of the enemy, meaning that I should know my surroundings. Right now, all alone in the hallway, I don't feel safe at all.

I also don't want to get lost. What if I turn down the wrong hallway and see or hear something I shouldn't? Even though I don't like Adam I wish he was here to show me around. At least then I wouldn't have the fear of getting lost.

I turn down different hallways, randomly choosing which way to go. It takes me a few minutes before I arrive in front of a set of doors, tall with golden engravings. Something about them makes me want to push them open and see what's on the other side.

After looking down the hallways for someone who might be approaching and being sure that there's no one, I slowly push open the doors and walk in.

The room is big with a tall ceiling. There are high windows on each side. There are a few stairs to each side with small balconies that overlook the room. The rain still taps softly on the window and the dim light of the sun, blocked by the clouds, shines in the room, lighting it up a bit.

The room looked magical. A set of low, wide, steps leads up to a throne, situated exactly in the middle.

I leave the threshold and walk up to the stairs, the doors fall closed behind me.

Now that I get closer I notice there are three thrones, the big one in the middle with two smaller ones to each side. They remind me of the last president and his family, but it shouldn't. The president wasn't the king he was just a president. Imperium hasn't had a monarchy in years, eons.

I keep walking until I arrive at the steps and look up at the thrones. They are a reminder of a time when there was a king; when the people first started to protest for their own rights, not wanting a monarchy.

I start walking up the steps but don't get close to the thrones.

"They are beautiful, are they not?"

I jump and turn around to see who said that. I expected to find Sekuum there, having always appeared out of nowhere, but I don't. Instead, there's a tall man with striking red eyes; they remind me of Erik's. Somehow I can feel that he's a Vampire.

"Too bad they're just left there all on their own. Maybe one day they will be put to good use." He turns his gaze from the thrones to look at me. He straightens up from where he was leaning against the wall and starts walking towards me.

I don't move. I don't speak. A few strands of my hair fall into my face and cover my right eye. I don't want him to see it. Even though I'm wearing the lens some of the color seeps out from underneath.

He smiles as he gets closer and I see that he's wearing a set of armor, with a shiny sword gripped in his hand.

Why is the sword in his hand?

"I don't think we have met." He's now in front of me, looking down at me. "I am Acair Wintercrest from Arventa." He bows down.

Arventa is a small country to the north of Imperium. It's the smallest in Kosmos. It's also the only country where the Supernaturals are able to rule, without any Humans interfering.

"And who, may I ask, are you?"

I am not giving my real name.

I stay silent trying to think of a name to say. I need to be quick.

"My name is Eve," I say, suddenly remembering the nickname Sekuum gave me.

"Eve. It is a pleasure to meet you." He smiles at me. "But I don't think I've ever seen you here in the palace. Are you new? Did you come with someone perhaps?"

God, he's so nosy.

I stay silent for a few seconds, contemplating on whether or not I should give Adam's name away. But it seems like I take too long because suddenly Acair's face turns serious and he stands up straighter.

"I see. It must be a secret then." He gives me a small smile. I keep my mouth shut. He starts saying something else but the sound of the door opening makes him stop and turn to the door to see who entered.

"Acair," Adam says, his expression tightening.

Acair smiles widely. "Adam! There you are. I was looking for you."

Adam raises an eyebrow at that, his gaze switching between the Vampire and me.

Acair continues. "But then I met this young lady and I forgot." He chuckles. "Let me introduce you! Eve this is Adam, the grumpiest person you'll ever find," he says the last part lowly but Adam hears it and his eyes narrow. Acair clears his throat. "Exactly my point," he says pointing at Adam. "Adam this is..."

"Eve," Adam scowls at me. "What are you doing here?"

The Vampire smiles. "Oh, so you're with him. I imagine that must be boring."

I ignore him and turn to Adam, silently thankful that he saved me from the Vampire's constant questioning. "I was just looking around."

"Well, I'll take you to your room now." I nod my head and start following him but Acair stops me.

"I can show you around if you'd like. I know the palace very well." The Vampire smiles at me.

"No. Eve," Adam looks at me expectantly, wanting me to follow him.

I turn to Acair. "Maybe another time." I smile politely.

I follow Adam out of the throne room. Not because he said so, but the Vampire was creeping me out.

When we're far away enough from the throne room Adam grabs my arm to stop me. I turn to look at him.

"What were you doing in there?" If looks could kill, I'd be in Hell with Enon right now.

"I was just exploring."

He narrows his eyes. "If you want me to keep you safe you need to stop doing that."

I frown. "What? Exploring?"

"Yes. Or else I will have to send you out of town to your little Venum friend."

I grit my teeth but don't speak. He's still the enemy. He's just helping me because I saved his life. I don't want to say something that will make him snap so I nod and follow him back to the room.

The day ends quickly with me trying to figure out how I would be of any use to the Resistance if I'm locked up in a room. I don't find any solutions.

The next day I set off into the halls again. I know Adam said not to do this but I need to make myself useful somehow even though I don't know how I'll be able to do that.

I turn down a dark hall and suddenly hear footsteps behind me, following me. I stop dead in my tracks and the footsteps stop with me.

Before I can decide whether or not to turn around and confront the person, they talk. "Are you lost again?"

I turn around and find myself face to face with the Vampire again. Acair, I think his name was. I look around for any sign that Adam or anyone else might be around to save me from the Vamp but the halls are empty.

"I told you I could show you around, you know. That way you won't ever get lost," he says with a charming smile. I look at him warily, afraid that he might try to kill me any second now. Unconsciously I start thinking about how to kill him if it ever comes to it but then shut the thoughts off. I will not kill him. I've never killed anyone and I will never do it. Until when I have to.

I shake my head. Where did that come from?

Acair raises an eyebrow. I frown at him. What was he saying? I don't remember anymore.

"Shall I show you around then?"

I could risk getting killed. I would find out things that might be helpful. Mentally I prepare all the questions I need answers to and nod at Acair. He smiles and turns to lead the way.

Before long we find ourselves outside in the gardens, one of them. There are many here. We pass a few statues and I look at them curiously.

"Who are these?" I ask Acair.

"Oh, these are all the people that have ruled Imperium in the last 2000 years, more or less." That's almost the whole life of Imperium. The Beginning was 3346 years ago. It was around that time when Imperium first appeared. He points at one of the statues. "That's Stewart Ceapmann. His reign was around 2127 years ago." Ceapmann stands tall, as a statue, looking forward with his hard marble eyes. "He was the King of this country until Arwin Thorndyke murdered him and seceded to the throne." He points to another statue; a bulky man with long hair. His eyes also remain facing forward.

As Acair talks and points to different statues, I recall everything I learned at school; all the history lessons I thought I will never need.

It takes a few minutes to arrive at the end of all the statues where one is placed with a cover over it. I look at it curiously. Why would they cover it?

I feel Acair stepping beside me and looking at the covered statue. Suddenly I understand whose face is hidden underneath. It's Imperium's last king, the one who made us start the first revolution; the one who killed and tortured so much that the people decided they had had enough and started fighting for a Democracy.

The scary part is that he wasn't killed. He just disappeared into thin air. No one knows where he is or whether or not he's still alive. There are rumors about him not being Human at all. They say he was a really powerful Supernatural, able to shapeshift into anything he wants. That's what scares people the most. We're scared that he might come back and take what he thinks belongs to him.

Some say they have seen him. His face is deformed and it will bring you nightmares if you see it even from far away with scars running across his cheeks. His eyes are endless black holes of dark blue and he is really tall, making you have to crane your neck to be able to look him in the face. Many believe these stories and think he will come back one day. They even think he's in the country and in the countryside, where they're surrounded with nothing but woods, they leave sacrifices outside their houses as to not get attacked and killed by him.

These are all legends though. They're just scary stories to tell kids to get them to behave. Parents tell their children that if they don't behave he will come for them. I would know, my parents told me the same thing.

The white material of the cloth sways softly in the wind, hiding underneath the horrifying face of King Selwyn, first and last of his name; no one would want to name their children after a monster like him.

Acair turns to me. "I'm afraid I must leave you. I have important matters that call my attention. Will you be able to find the way back on your own?"

I hesitate before nodding and he disappears.

After he leaves I stay there in the garden. I look back at the path with all the statues lining up until the covered one and go over their names in my mind. There are many, each statue is made with great care to details; every single crease in the Kings' or Queens' clothing, the wave in their hairs, every line on their faces. I find myself admiring the artists who built these. I'm sure April would've appreciated it too.

When I finally say every single name in my head and arrive to the final King, I stop moving, breathing and blinking altogether. I'm really curious to see how the monster's face is. Does he look as scary as they say?

I look around to see if anyone's watching before taking the soft material of the white cloth between my fingers. I take a deep breath and pull on it and it comes crashing to the ground in a soft thud as it reveals what it had hidden underneath.

King Selwyn's expression is hard, lips pursed, marble eyes staring right into my soul. There are no signs of visible scars or anything that might make him scary or not normal. One of his hands is on the hilt of his sword while the other remains fisted to his side. He stands straight, his body stiff, his hair cut short and eyebrows curved down in a scowl. I feel a weight on my shoulders as I stare into his marble-eyes.

I try taking a step back but it's like I'm trapped, rooted to the place, never to move again. For a second I think I see his eyes glow a dark blue, as if a black hole sucking the life out of me, before fading away and becoming marble again.

I shake my head, feeling dizzy, and then hurriedly throw the fabric on the statue again before turning and walking away.

I vow to myself right then and there that I would never return to that garden and I will definitely not get close to King Selwyn's statue ever again.

Hmm who's Selwyn? How's he relevant to any of this? Patience! You will find out soon. I think. At this point I have no control over the characters and their story. I just created them an they're taking control so I wouldn't know. Um oops?

Anyway! I hope you enjoyed! If you did make sure to vote and comment what you think. Point out any mistakes you see! It would help me improve the book.

-Sam