Scarlet Rogue (Book One)

Chapter Thirty-Five: Shadow of the Valley of Death

Kaelynn

"Jam?" I ask.

Kiara's apathetic expression tells me that's not the answer.

"Cheese?"

That's not the answer either.

"Marmite? Chicken? Peanut Butter? Ham?"

None of them. I tap my fingers on the marble counters as Kiara continues casually sitting on a high-stool giving me no indication of what she wants. With the only person that can help me here out of bounds, I'm left with no choice but to continue guessing.

"Nutella?"

Her face remains unaffected but her form sits up straight at my words, the only change since she sat down. I guess Nutella sandwiches it is, that should have been my first guess. What kid doesn't love Nutella? Maybe I should just pack a jar of that and forget the bread.

"Now where is the Nutella?" I say aloud hoping for Kiara's assistance.

Within seconds, she is on her feet dragging the high-stool to a corner of the kitchen. She looks to me as she clutches her stomach taking deep breaths after that little exertion. I make my way over to her, opening the cupboards in front of her one-by-one until the jar is in sight.

Slathering the Nutella on to the bread, I say, "I hope your Uncle is back to his normal self soon, nothing beats his sandwiches, does it?"

Silence, as expected from Kiara. Packing the sandwich in the fridge for tomorrow, Kiara settles on the sofa with a movie and I leave for home. They say home is where the heart is and I'm finding that to be increasingly true as the days go by. Through the corridors, the route deeply engraved into my mind, I reach the wood carvings and enter, no hesitation.

"Any news on Kurt?"

Ayden looks up, his tired eyes giving me the answer before he responds, "He just needs some time, it's not easy being away from your mate."

Being away from Hannah, not knowing if she's safe every minute of the day, not being available to protect her, not knowing when he'll see her again. I'm not surprised at his state but with the kingdom in a vulnerable position, I hope he can pull himself together for the sake of the pack.

"Edon sent more pills for you," Ayden takes out the familiar blue pills laying them on his pristine desk.

The pills full of memories of my last mistake, of almost killing Kurt and of those dreadful chambers. The pills that have no business being near me. Only the Moon Goddess would know what atrocities I would commit given the strength of those pills.

"We should get you shifting."

I saw Ayden's words coming, but hearing them still makes me take a step back. His delusions of my innocence are going to have repercussions, dangerous ones at that, if I don't set him straight.

"Ayden," I move closer to him meeting his eyes. "Please stop this, I killed him. I know I did and the last thing I want is to hurt anyone you care about."

"Fine," he says, shaking his head as if silently arguing with me.

The uncomfortable air right after leaves me little choice but to leave. I trail to the bedroom, huddling into the sheets. My mind racing with memories of my last shift once again, cursing myself for not remembering everything.

The only memory before being surrounded with the blood and gore of the night was sitting at the table with Father and his aides. Dinner as was the routine every night, discussing pack matters that went over my head and making jokes that I never really understood but as the only heir it was my job to nod along and laugh occasionally regardless. The memory ending when I hear the violent cracking of what I'd describe as pottery being thrown on the floor.