8

~Avia 

I’ve decided not to stay long at the compound tonight, wanting to finally get a proper night's sleep instead of gallivanting all about the city the whole night long. 

My hands tightly grip the window sill to my room here in Isaiah’s estate, as I pull myself up. I’ve gotten quite good at coming in through this window, as leaving through my door has recently become too much of a risk. Mercifully, a trellis laced with climbing ivy aids me in my climb up to the second story, even if I can feel the soft bend in the thin wood as I make my way up. 

Wincing, I pull myself through the last part of the window, ducking my head below the window to avoid smacking my head. 

A small gasp causes me to look up to the corner of the room, a girl standing with her back pressed against my dresser, arms piled with clothing stares at me, large brown eyes wide. Isaiah doesn’t enforce any clothing regulations on his staff here, aside from the guards, but there’s no doubting this girl is a maid. My maid, to be exact...I never thought I could ever say that.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kenna,” she rushes, turning around to open the dresser, shoving the clothing in haphazardly. I’ve come quite familiar with this girl, who has tended to my rooms since I moved in. I’m still not used to someone coming into my room to tidy, since I’ve never been afforded a luxury like that, so almost every time she has entered, I’ve stopped what I was doing and helped her. 

"No, it's okay," I say breathlessly, slightly winded from my climb. I hop down from the window, feet landing on the soft carpet.  "You're up late, Caiya."

I must look insane. I’m wearing all black, a hood pulled over my head, which I now tug down to my shoulder meekly. Kenna wouldn’t be climbing through windows in the dead of the night like this. Caiya likely thought she could come in and put some laundry away without me waking, and here I am, looking like a criminal. 

A rebel.

"Your window was open and blowing things around. I was walking past and thought I better close it,” she says warily, noting the clothing she must have spent time folding that was left on my bed, that is now back in my dresser. 

My throat is painfully dry as I slowly tug my leather gloves off. "Thank you."

Excuses pour through my mind, yet not a single one I can grasp. Is she going to report this incident to Isaiah? Maybe I can account for me being out, blaming it on homesickness, but my clothing...I’m wearing my clothing, none Caiya’s seen before, that I keep stashed under the bed for nights like these. 

"Are you scared of him?" she whispers, fidgeting with the hem of her cream coloured shirt. Her eyes are almost too big for her face, giving her an innocent, doe-eyed look. She’s been polite, never maintaining conversation with me for any longer than I ask her to, so it’s a surprise for her to ask such a striking question.

"Who, the Alpha?" I question, shrugging off my jacket now. Caiya watches me carefully, apprehensively. 

She steps away from the drawer, coming toward me, wisps of light blonde hair tumbling down from her bun after a long day's work. "I've heard rumours about him...Terrifying ones.”

"Me too.” Here’s my chance. "Tell me yours."

"Other staff have mentioned he leaves her in the dead of night to go kill people with his bare hands, and then their ghosts haunt this castle,” she says under her breath, glancing at the door left ajar. I’m tempted to close it, to press her on everything she knows, but I don’t want her to think I’m trapping her in here, especially not when I look the way I do. 

"That's a bit far-fetched,” I dismiss, because that’s what Kenna would do, even if Avia wants all the answers. 

"I've also heard that he seduces every powerful woman who comes here," she notes, a slight smile quirking at the edge of her lips, as if she finds it amusing. I can imagine the staff here find great entertainment with gossip.  "I'm surprised he hasn't..."

I shake my head. "Him and I haven't had sex..."

"I just encourage you to be careful around him Kenna. You are far too innocent for this place,” she says finally, giving me a tight smile before she strides toward the door, brushing past me. I watch her go, half-expecting her to turn around and start accusing me. Will she return to her co-workers and tell them I also escape into the night to murder like they think Isaiah does.

But if he is escaping in the night, I would like to know where he is going. 

"Thank you for your concern,” I say.

"And these rebellions going on..." she murmurs, glancing back over her shoulder at me. She doesn’t sound accusatory; in fact, her tone is dead-pan, bored even. "It's terrifying stuff."

I run a hand back through my hair. "I couldn't agree more."

She gives me a lasting look, before sliding out the door. "Goodnight Kenna."

"Goodnight Caiya."

I collapse on the bed. All I can hope for is her silence, and her willingness to side with me. 

***

The next morning, I’m awoken by a loud knocking on my door. 

"Who's there,” I demand, irritated at the sudden intrusion into my morning sleep-in. The best thing so far about being Kenna is her requirements here are low, aside from the odd broadcast I need to stand in for, or a reporter who needs to be spoken to. 

Rubbing my eyes, I blairly look as my door opens. Zire looks into the room, his bright red hair nearly making me wince as he leans rests his shoulder against the doorframe. At least I’m dressed decently this time..Zire isn’t the one I’m wanting to seduce. 

"Just your friendly neighbour,” he grins, stepping into the room, letting the door close behind him. 

"It's a bit early, don't you think?" I mutter, throwing my sheets off my legs. I’ve decided I don’t like Zire, so to have him in my personal space like this is bothersome. He is dressed nicely, wearing a silk long-sleeve top and tidy pants. I hate how much wealth he so effortlessly displays. 

"I wanted to see you before I go into the city,” he muses, tugging my curtains open. 

I shield my eyes against the light. "Why?"

"You are very pretty.” His tone is dripping with fake charm, the sardonic nature of it triggering my unease. 

My expression falters, my lips pressing into a firm line. "Get out."

"You're not my type," he assures me, holding his hands up defensively. I roll my eyes, turning around to rip the dresser drawers open, tugging out some leggings. My skin is crawling knowing Zire is looking at me in my night clothes, even if they are a little more conservative than what Isaiah has seen me in. "But you may be Isaiah's."

Pulling my leggings on under my nightdress, I hold Zire’s dark gaze steadily. A challenge glimmers in his eyes, and I realise he’s not here to flirt with me, or to try to impress me, but to get a message across. My stomach turns uneasily. Is he suspicious of me?

"I'm here to work, Zire," I snap.  "Now get out."

"I just thought I would warn you,” he sighs, sounding wounded like he was trying to do me an actual favour. He doesn’t make to leave my room though, despite my fiery demands. He just stands in the centre of the room with his arms crossed over his chest, strong stature towering over mine, but I’m not intimidated. He may be Isaiah’s second-in-command, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him walk all over me. 

"I don't need your help,” I hiss. 

"The idea of being in the bed of an Alpha may be thrilling, the idea of this all powerful man choosing you so delightful.” His grin suddenly vanishes, replaced by a dark, almost uncomfortable to look at expression. "But I have to suggest you stay away from him."

"What business is it of yours?"

"I'm his second in command. I have to ensure his mind is on the right things,” he reminds me, to which I roll my eyes. How presumptuous of him, to think I’m in the wrong, that I need to be told to stay away from him. I want to yell at him, to tell him he should be taking this up with Isaiah and not me. I stop myself, though, knowing Isaiah is the last person I want to hear about this, since Zire is right, I am trying to seduce him. 

"I get you're trying to protect him, but you need to leave my room right now,” I growl, my patience wearing this. 

Zire steps forward until I can practically share a breath with him. "Or what?"

I’m not sure what has compelled me, but I’m angry. "I kill you."

Zire opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps in the hallway, stopping right at my door makes him stop. It’s Isaiah, looking at us both with a frown etched into his forehead. He is also dressed lavishly, his jacket a dark green colour, hugging his frame perfectly. 

"You are fascinating,” Zire doesn’t take his eyes off me. 

"What's going on?" Isaiah asks warily. Zire finally turns around, giving me a chance to finally breathe. "I was looking for you."

"Just getting to know Kenna," Zire says warmly, looking back at me to wink. "I think her and I are going to be great friends."