Chapter 6

  “Mom, guess what…?” All the lights in the house were off. The lights are never off, unless no one is in the house. But I remember both mom’s and dad’s cars were parked in the garage, did the power go out?

  “Mom? Are you home? I saw the car in the driveway.” The silence in the house was deafening. It was about 6 pm and it was horrible dark outside as well. I clung to the wall adjacent to the front door and made my way to the emergency breaker. The lights flickered twice before turning completely on.

  I looked around and the house looked off. Mom and dad’s suitcase and case files were all on the living room table, while 4 sets of shoes were by the nightstand by the door. One of those shoes, being mine. It is Briella home as well; she told me that she was going to pick me up from school if she was still here.

  “Oh no, did they get into a fight again?”

  If mom and Briella got into a screaming match again, mom would be still sulking in my room on my bed. She likes to do that if I am not home.

  I run up the stairs when I feel this gnawing at my chest. I stopped in the middle of the staircase, at first the gnawing felt like I just got punched in the chest. As I walked up the stairs it felt like something was pulling me back down. Tell me not to go, saying it’s not safe. Like there is something I shouldn’t see. As I make it to the top of the stairs, a deep sharp air of despair hit me as well as the gnawing pain in my chest. Tears had already formed in my eyes, something was wrong. I walked to my room balling, I cracked the door open slightly. When I saw my converse shoes riddle with blood. I pushed the door open all the way, when someone put their hand completely over my eyes.

  “We need to get out of here, Scarlett. It’s not safe. I have already called the cops.” Briella’s voice came from behind me. She had no emotion in her voice.

  * * * *

  My head feels like I was hit by a car about four times. I try to open my eyes, but there is so much guck around the outside of them I can’t even see anything. I sat up a little, but the bed seems unfamiliar to me. I can’t tell where I am and I can barely remember what happened before now. My mouth is very dry; I rub my eyes and realize it’s just eye guck caked on them.

  As I got enough off of my eyes, I noticed I was in the Maiden’s room. This is one of the older rooms were, women would stay in here for 7 days before their wedding so they wouldn’t be influenced by outsiders to have second thoughts. Now this room is mainly used for the sick or injured. Why would I be in here… Wait wasn’t I supposed to help Lady Blackwood… Eli Blackwood. I remember him trying to … trying to … another one trying to kill me.

  It felt like my body was used to this feeling of being the enemy to all. No one can love someone who is as broken as me, who comes from a family who kills. In these times I just want to climb that fence just like Hadley but actually get over and wait for the detonator to go off. Why am I still here, I have no one.

  I kicked the covers off of me and pulled myself into a sitting position. I put my legs over the edge of the bed, unfortunately I became extremely dizzy. I took another minute to snap out of it, but the dizziness wasn’t fading like it normally would. I got up because I knew if I kept sitting, I would never get anywhere. I clung to anything that was sturdier than I was and made my way out of the room.

  The Maiden’s room is 2 doors down from Lady Blackwood’s bedroom. It is an easy fix for the employers to make sure the wounded, or the sickness is healing properly but also if they are screaming in pain, coughing from being sick, etc. They are far enough away where they are not bothered.

  I managed to get past the first door, but I started to really struggle by the next. Suddenly, I heard Lady Blackwood and 2 other voices coming from the room I was coming closer to.

  “Aubrey, was all this really necessary?” A woman’s voice, that sounds slightly familiar to me, came from the room near me. I do know this person is close to the family since she had called Lady Blackwood by her real name.

  “My daughter has barely come out of that room she calls a pet room. The problem is she knows damn well only her father, and Micheal will step into that hell’s nest willingly. However, she forbade both of them to come in. She will only allow Scarlett in, but Scarlett is still resting in the sick room. Avalynn won’t come out unless necessary.”

  “And that is your fault! … I understand you’re odd but very old attachments to the Blood servants, but they are what they because…”

  “Because what Meria! Please inform me why they are what are they!?” Lady Blackwood Raised her voice.

  She said Meria, that’s one of her older sisters. Why is she here? She lives in the District of Asia.

  “Let’s just settle down. Aubrey, you know very well what Meria meant. I thought you were done with the incident at the funeral.”

  I moved closer, trying not to give myself away, which at this moment felt very hard.

  “Did I say anything about that. No, I just wanted my third sister to just clarify what she was trying to say just now.”

  “And, you know, there is no need for her too. We are here to help you. Not fight, right Meria?”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Look I’m sorry, I just want what’s best for my niece. I don’t want her to get too close to Scarlett just in case something does happen, okay.” I heard someone suck their teeth.

  “I understand your concern, but I will handle it if that ever comes to be.” I was surprised Lady Blackwood told her sister if that would happen, not when it happens. I know Lady Blackwood roots for me in front of me, but I’m happy she truly roots for me when I am not there as well.

  “So, Eli is coming with me for 6 months, what about your other problem?”

  Wait, is there another person in the room?

  “Hadley-Aria was killed 2 days ago. Under the 2908 Law of Direwood, A Blood Servants betrayal. Her Husband and sister were executed yesterday. She’s no longer anyone’s problem.”

  “Did you find the paperwork she stole?”

  “Yes, it was in a hamper, near the back door where she ran out from. I feel bad for Scarlett, she didn’t even realize Hadley-Aria had tried to frame her. Unfortunately for Hadley, her plan backfired with Aaron’s statement and the security footage in her cottage. The cutthroat survival skill of a Blood Servant.”

  What do they mean, Hadley tried to frame me, but we were friends.

  Haha. Why am I so gullible? Why did I think we were friends? Blood servants are friends until they need an out for something, then its survival of the fittest.

  Hadley-Aria rest in peace, don’t let me meet you in the afterlife.

  I pulled myself up right and knocked on the door. I was done listening to this.

  The knock was weak, but I knew they heard it. I heard someone say, ‘What was that.’

  I pulled myself up right, now the dizziness was not the only thing affecting me. My ribs felt like they were being kicked in. I pushed the door open a little more so everyone could see me.

  “Well, look who’s awake.” Someone grabbed the door and pulled it open all the way. I fell over.

  “Scarlett! Why are you out of the sick room?” Lady Blackwood gasped and helped me up.

  “I was disoriented when I got up and I felt like… I’m not sure. Can someone tell me how long I have been in the sick room?” Lady blackwood looked down, she looked ashamed.

  I looked around to see Meria Hendien (Third sister), Bastian Grimshaw (Eldest brother), Zahra-Rose Diamond (the eldest sister), Caius Grimshaw (Second Brother) and Harrison Blackwood (Lady Blackwood’s Husband). I didn’t realize majority of the family was in this room. There was one person missing and that is her youngest brother, Hael Grimshaw.

  “You were out for about a week. Eli gave you a concussion, he never should have hurt you the way he did.” Harrison Blackwood said his demeanor was unreadable.

  I looked at Lady Blackwood and she looked away.

  “I’m okay. Avalynn is okay, right? He just went after me. She wasn’t hurt?” I asked.

  “Avalynn is fine, physically. Nevertheless, she saw everything that happened to you that day and she felt like it was her fault. When Aubrey had called someone to come to get you and to take you to the sick room, Avalynn wouldn’t leave your side. She was scared that you would die. When the doctor said you had a concussion, it eased Avalynn’s nerves. Then you were sleeping for multiple days you, she started to isolate herself in that pet room. At first, she would just bring her food inside and stay there for a few hours, but now she is in there until it is bedtime. We know she sneaks out to get food, but she is very clever to avoid the family.”

  Zahara-Rose said in a monotone voice.

  Zahara-Rose stared at Lady blackwood as she spoke and not me. It was like she was taunting her. I could feel it was getting on Lady Blackwood’s nerve by the way she gripped my side as she held me up.

  “Okay then, I will go tell her to come out. I will show her I am fine and she will come out. I cannot tell if she will be better or not, but she won’t be isolating herself to become worse.” I looked at lady Blackwood.

  “Is that okay?” I asked, feeling like I was in between a rock and a hard place.

  There was a dead silence in the room. Everyone looked at each other, but I only stared at Lady Blackwood. She was the only one who truly mattered in instructing me on what to do. The only other person who has control over this decision is her husband, Harrison, and he doesn’t usually get involved with Blood Servants. He speaks up from time to time. I am never usually the ones he is speaking to.

  “No, Scarlett, you are too weak for now. Right Aubrey.” Harrison spoke up, which is shocking to me. He looked at lady Blackwood with an understanding look.

  “Avalynn is strong, she has just had a traumatic experience, something we all can understand. No one copes the same way. However, that doesn’t mean the other hurt should be taken from their rest in their time of need. No matter who they are. Now, my wife and I will decide what we want to do in this situation. We understand your concern but let us judge what is and is not the best for our children. Please and thank you.” Harrison was stern in his standing, which made the room tense.

  “You are welcome to stay for a length of time. Eli’s and Zahra-Rose’s Flight doesn’t take off for another 3 days. We have no problem housing everyone until then. If you wouldn’t mind, we would like to get Scarlett back to the sick room.” Harrison walked over to Lady Blackwood and kissed her on top of her head. He then moved to the other side where my body slumped over pulling both me and lady blackwood down.

  Harrison lifted my other shoulder and motioned us to walk. Neither one of them looked back at the room of people. They both knew everyone left in that room was pissed off.

  As we all walked down the hall, there was again silence from everyone.

  “Aubrey, if you don’t mind, I would like to instruct Scarlett on this matter.” Harrison asked.

  Lady blackwood didn’t answer as we walked back into the sick room. They sat me down on the bed and stood in front of me. My legs throbbed and head felt like a hammer hit it. We are not talking about my ribs.

  “I don’t mind you taking the lead. Harrison, thank you for having my back.” Lady Blackwood said quietly. She looked so shy and awkward like she was a teenager talking to her crush. Harrison looked the same way.

  “You know I will. Let’s talk about it later.” He had a genuine smile on his face when he looked at Lady Blackwood. Which is how I know very well that he married her because he loved her.

  “Scarlett, I understand that you want to make sure that Ava is okay. However, the condition you’re in now, you would faint in front of her and make her more anxious. You can stand, but your body is still weak. I need you to at least be mobile, mobile enough where you don’t have to have assistants every 30 steps. Do you understand? When you want to see Avalynn contact me or Aubrey, Aubrey can let you in but she won’t go in herself.”

  Harrison said.

  “Yes, Sir I understand.”

  “Also, until the other siblings are gone. Stay as far away from them if possible. Don’t let them corner you. Especially Zahra-Rose, she will do anything to get you killed. No one wants or needs that. We are on your side, as much as we can be.” I stared at Harrison. This is the first time he has ever said anything like that to me. Lady Blackwood seemed shocked and impressed as well.

  “I understand, thank you. Thank you both.”

  “Go to sleep we will have the nurse come in and check on you soon.” I nodded and laid back down. I need to save strength for Avalynn.