Scarlet Rogue (Book One)

Chapter Thirty-One: Treachery

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Kaelynn

"It's doctored," I state, lifting my gaze to meet Ayden's.

He raises his eyebrows at me, his lips curved ever so slightly downwards. A look of accusation, as if challenging my words. An expression speaking volumes as he, himself, remains quieter than a church mouse. My eyes continue to peer into his through this ordeal, as if challenging his challenge.

It's only when the door creaks that we break our gaze to see Kurt re-enter the room, alone this time. He takes a seat close to us, not daring to say a word after his last outburst. No doubt Ayden will find a way to get back at him, maybe putting him on night shifts at the border.

"It must be," I say breaking the tension, looking to Ayden to confirm my words.

"I trust the source, it's a genuine photo," Ayden finally breaks his silence. "Baden trusts the source and I trust Baden."

"But it's a lie, this photo is a lie. She's not a murderer, I am!"

My outburst once again, has Kurt moving closer to us, as if once again he had something to spill. He looks towards me, his dark eyes softening.

"She pushed us down the stairs, those pointy stairs where death was highly probable. You saw it. You saw the dungeons, the way they tortured the weak, the defiant, just anyone. After all of that, how can you defend her?"

Kurt's words strike a chord with me, everything he said cannot be disputed. There's no way to argue his facts, but something in me tells me we are missing something. None of this makes any sense. Mother isn't a monster, she loved Father and she loved me. I know she did.

"This is a lot to take in," Ayden cuts in, "Just take some time to think about it, okay?"

I nod towards both boys, letting a breath out as I get up to exit the room. The tense air did none of us any favours and I for one, was relieved when the conversation ended. The crazy thoughts running through their minds, almost remind me of Edon and Caleb's words.

Wait, maybe that's it. They got into Ayden's head and now he believes the lies he's been told. That's the only explanation to it.

The long corridors feel longer than normal as my drained body forces itself towards my room. I say my room but it's Ayden's, and a nice room it is at that. The warming scent of my mate lingering through the air, the fresh silk sheets, natural light streaming in. Everything that makes me feel at home, as if anything other than this would be emptiness.

Picking up the telephone on the bedside cabinet, I dial the numbers that come most naturally to me.

"Ayden?"

"It's me, Caleb. Why would Ayden call you?"

He lets out a chuckle, "You're right, I was confused for a moment."

"You were? You haven't been talking to Ayden?"

"Why would I talk to the guy? I can't stand him; I only tolerate him for you."

My suspicions were almost confirmed with Caleb's first words, but the more he speaks the more chances of the picture being fake are erased. After some small talk, Caleb hangs up needing to get on with training after which I am convinced Caleb would be as clueless as me on the whole situation.

Sprawling my body across the bed like a starfish, I stare up at the ceiling wondering about life, about the past and about Mother. I don't get far into my thoughts when a knock has me back my feet.