[SILVER RAYNE WILLIAMS]

I'm going home?

I stared at him, unable to wrap my head around what he had just said.

"Home?" I echoed, my grin faltering, "I-Is this some kind of joke?"

My eyebrows drew together searching his eyes for some kind of resemblance of humor. Because this was absurd.

This... Everything he had just said had to be some kind of twisted sense of humor that these Vampires had.

Lord Graydon's jaw ticked, letting out a breath, gaze low and jaw rigid.

My grin faltered.

"I-It—is a joke..." I prodded, eyes searching his.

His gaze wandered for a moment, a ragged breath.

"Silver, I cannot protect—" he cut himself off, his tone soft, before clenching his jaw shut.

A soft tick as he runs his hands through his locks. His eyes snapped back to me suddenly hardening— voice a breathless command.

"Everything Silver. Pack everything."

No emotion in his eyes. No further words to ease me. Nothing to explain why I was being kicked out.

I stared at him dumbfounded.

His gaze swept away, back straightening, adopting that famous rigid Vampire stature. One that mirrored no human emotion. Only logic, only stupid logic.

He said nothing more before turning away toward the large door.

I stood there staring at his retreating frame in disbelief.

Standing here like a damn idiot.

Moments ago I was this close to giving him a chance...to actually trust—I cannot believe how stupid I was.

That I had even graced the idea.

That maybe I had been wrong about the Fang.

And perhaps in some twisted way I thought he and I may even be some type of friends...or friendly—to say better.

Against all common sense, against personal judgment, I was going to trust...

I was about to trus-

But I was just a stupid girl thinking he would be of any help.

My throat ran dry as I helplessly watched Lord Graydon walk off.

Once again. I'm the fool. I, the human drenched in these feelings, feelings of absolute hopelessness, helplessness, and betrayal, and he, the High Lord, untouchable Fang remained unhurt, uninjured, and unbroken.

My fists clenched. Anger echoed in each curled finger.

"You're just walking away?!" I yelled after him. The sound quadrupled around the whispering hall.

His footsteps echoed with them, steady and unaffected, with not so much as a turn of the head to address my outburst.

This only made me more furious. More helpless. More angry.

"You promised!"

He froze at this, a statue in his footsteps.

"You promised." I gritted.

I could hear our breaths, my breath. Loud and desperate.

His shoulders fell, but remained unturned, keeping his gaze on the door.

"You said you would put in a word for me.." I trailed off, my voice was shaking, and I couldn't control my feelings.

"If you do not want me here, I-I can go to West House," I babbled rather desperately, "You won't have to see me, or hear me. I would do my very best to not cause any kind of problems for you. I would be good, very good-" my bottom lip quivered but I clenched it shut, bidding myself not to cry.

I could hear my heart rattle within me, as I stared at his back.

I was angry but more desperate than anything. I was ready to beg, "Please.." my tone was solemn but quiet.

"I just need—"

"You need to leave, Silver."

His blunt words burned and I found myself hesitating for a moment but I took a step forward, deciding to push my feelings away. I needed to think logically to understand what was happening. With my head and not my heart.

I needed to know why I was suddenly being kicked out. My gaze flashed to the door that led to the Lord's Chamber.

"What happened in there? Did someone say something? Have I done anything wrong? Is someone not happy with me being her? What is going on? Is it Lord Valcone? That son of a—"

"Silver-" he quipped, a low warning in his tone.

I held a breath, leaving the sent eve hanging off a cliff. Biting my tongue, watching his jaw tick.

"Tell me why," I gritted instead, staring at his back.

I tried to stop the sting of tears beneath my eyes, "J- Just tell me why I have to go."

He finally turned to me, eyes cold and lifeless.

"It's simple. Your time is up Silver. There is nothing for you here. Nothing that is of concern. Not anymore."

I stared at him dumbfounded at those words, "B-but Vella-"

"You will refer to His Majesty, Prince Hunters Sworn as Lady Vella, And she..." he paused, eyes stiff in mine, "is a Veridian. She is already at home."

He was still for a moment, and I thought I caught a glimpse of the Lord Graydon I was familiar with but the short glimmer in his eyes was snuffed.

"You are human and fragile. Go back to where you belong."

My jaw tightened, a tear slipping down my cheek which I angrily wiped off in frustration my gaze snapping back to his.

I wasn't going out without a bloody fight.

Over my cold dead body.

My jaw hardened, unclasping my helmet, and walking towards him. My gaze held his detached one.

"As you wish, my Lord-" I coldly mocked, thrusting the helmet into his arms, before storming out the door.

I could only count the sounds my footsteps made as I thundered out of the whispering hall, whilst ignoring the feel of Lord Graydon's eyes on my back and the ginormous storm swirling within me.

Betrayal was not a word sufficient for what I was feeling right now.

Helpless perhaps, but coupled with a burning desire inside me that was fuelled by rage.

This wasn't the end.

They could not get rid of me this easy. He couldn't get rid of me.

I would never leave Vella.

But If I cannot stay. If I must leave.

Then I will do so as I came.

With Vella.

•~•-•

Dad's Kit lay spread before me, my fingers trailing each vial. I had no time to study all of the vials in Dad's emergency kit as in-depth as I wanted. The clock was ticking, my hands were shaking, and my feet wouldn't stop tapping the floor impatiently.

My jaw was locked in a tight hold.

It also didn't help that I could barely see the labels through the blur of angry unshed tears.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid,"

The only words I was able to mumble every time I remembered. I was stupid for thinking I had a chance. Stupid for thinking Lord Graydon was different. I hated every bit of him.

Fragile?

My eyes dropped to my hands, watching the shake in them.

Yes, I had panic attacks whenever the prince or the King was near but why would that make me weak? It's not like it wasn't because there was a threat over my head at all times.

My gaze traced back to the jacket of my uniform I had tossed aside.

Was he right?

I was so angry but I felt so hopeless. How the heck was I supposed to beat this?

I was just a teen girl in a big world ruled and controlled by Fang.

I could go home. I could go back to my mundane life. I could finally take a proper breath, not looking over my shoulder for a sign of the King or the Prince who thought I was...

I shook my head sniffing.

I could do that. I could regroup back in Crescent, with Dad's help that would be easier... right?

Wrong.

Crescent was hundreds of miles away from Fang Court. And what would I tell Dad? That I failed? That I had lost Vella? And what would he do then?

My gaze fell back to the kit In front of me. He would lock himself up in the basement as he had done when Mom was gone. He would spend hours looking for a solution he was too fucking emotional to find.

Heaven forbid he takes up drinking again...

"If he hasn't already.." I mumbled in reply.

I bit my bottom lip, staring at the Vials.

He would ask me if I tried. Had I tried my very best?

I sighed running a hand through my wild locks.

My best was not enough. Ignoring my shaky breath, my eyes dropped to Dad's kit.

But before me right now.. this was Dad's best.

All the formulas he had come up with over the years. Every last one from that brilliant mind of his. Formulas he would never have allowed me to use at home, but he had given me this kit for a reason.

It was all or nothing.

I was all in.

We were not supposed to lose this time.

Not like this.

I picked up one vial raising it to the sun: I could barely see the label through the blur of emotions sitting in my eyes, but after a moment, I was able to get a read on it.

Project K

H.E:

I frowned at the initial.

H. E.

Highly experimental.

This was one of Dad's last lines of defense. He never allowed me to take any Vials labeled H.E.

He warned me they could be very dangerous because of how unstable and not adequately tested they were.

But they were in his kit because he was willing to take such a risk if the need arose. If his back was forced to the wall. If his hand was forced to play.

That's where I was.

Back against the wall. All or nothing.

I turned it around reading the loose instructions.

Temporal death,
2 minutes

I stared at the description for longer than 4 words is worth.

Temporal death. My hand instinctively found my neck, rubbing it softly. I placed the vial down-

He would have done this?

Letting it go for a moment, I focused on the next tube right beside the first.

Hushgas
Temporal silence
maximum 2 min, 30 sec

My eyebrows arched at this, placing Dad's kit to the side as I got up, marching toward the window. I held the vial up to the sunlight, marveling at the light green particles that floated around in the tube.

It looked so odd and yet so cool.

My gaze floated forward when I spotted sleek black cars driving out of Fang Court in the far-off distance. Probably Lord Graydon and his other Lord Selects.

My jaw ticked.

Gaze flicking in the direction of West House.

I needed to see Vella.

Stomping back in my room, I put on the guard's jacket knowing it would be a better blend in than jeans and a shirt in a palace where women had dedicated themselves to the regency period.

Zipping up my boots I walked to the door, flinging it open and coming face to face with a red guard.

I froze for a moment staring at the guard.

He looked back at me with no emotion. Not one to say much I figured so I gingerly sidestepped, only to have him block me from all sides.

"What the"

"You are not to leave this room. Orders of the Lord Select, Graydon Colin's."

My mouth dropped open.

I was a prisoner now?

"I'm hungry-" I stated.

"Lunch will be delivered  within the hour-"

"I want to see my mother-" I huffed.

"You are simply not able at this moment," he retorted.

I tried to move past but his hand blocked the other way with a notable tick in his jaw,

"I have been forbidden to use force, but there are many other ways if you do not comply." He threatened, his immortal a ring in his eyes.

I stumbled backward, shutting the door quickly.

I let out a loose breath. Taking a moment.

Great. Just Great.

Fuck, Lord Graydon. Fuck them all.

Taking off the uniform I threw something much more me.

If I was going out, I was going out with a bang. Not scared of some stupid Guard, not forced by Lord Graydon.

I grabbed Dad's kit, tracing the vials swiftly packing a few inside my jacket. I threw the kit in my back, moving toward my wardrobe which I stared into, pausing at the barely filled wardrobe.

There's not much to take, to be honest.

Stuffing my belongings which fit into a bag, I moved toward the balcony, opening it wide.

Stepping out, I peered down below, searching eagerly.

My eyes trailed the narrow ledge that ran up the side of the castle, the sun bright in the sky.

I leaned forward noting it folded around the corner.

An idea sparked in my mind. I could follow it, and then maybe I would find another way out off a balcony or something.

It was big enough for me to escape.

I peered downward, jaw clenching at the height I was at, the wind probing through my hair. I did not do all too well with heights.

But, this was not the time to fear. Taking a deep breath, I glanced one more time at the shut door, before sliding over the balcony, and onto the ledge.

The rush of wind against my face, made me tilt forward slightly to which I quickly scrambled back against the brick wall. I stared down at the plummet which was supposed to be my death.

Shutting my eyes. I try to calm myself down.

Deep breaths Silver.

Deep.. deep breaths.

When I felt more stable, I began to move.

•~•
She's Determined... I'll give her that 🙄
•~•