Ashes of Vile

023

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Feelings In A Hostage

Oceanna had captive eyes that mirrored exactly like August's did. They had such an enchanting delight to their faces that anyone could miss their disastrous complexion. She was giving Cassidy a small smile,. but not an enchanting or welcoming one. Cassidy sighed grimly thinking, hasn't she got all the power in Ashgrim?

But Cassidy was not used to the attention she had gained. She was a source of power easily attainable with the a strong upper hand. And Oceanna was the truest of trues who could acquire an upper hand. She had thought this would be it. She'll have a full force in taking me away and turning me into a weapon for Vermithis' knows that. She knew the Vile family ran a long line of power thick bloods who had a knack for running Ashgrim. And not a single one would approach someone with true intentions: their only motive to be in their favor. Cassidy had suspected that the Valkyrie would go looking for her, even if that meant at a party.

The party lights and the people blurred into merely just a background. Oceanna was innocently giving her a small smile. "Are you enjoying the party?" Cassidy suddenly felt her socks roughly touch the cold thick layer of snow. She had been so interested in divulging into the scenery of a normal life in Ashgrim that she had completely forgotten her role, and even her own look. She was wearing a lilac cardigan straight out of Lilac's closet undoubtedly taken by someone other than Lilac who refused to speak to her. And she was wearing shorts. She then shivered, realizing she was out at night in the extremely cold snow. The group of youths smoking noticed the confrontation and whispered to each other, frantically going inside, most likely thinking they'd be next in trouble. "I'm not really in the party," Cassidy said with a thin smile.

Oceanna mirrored her smile, but it looked more derisive. "Cassidy Idgen" she said in a declaring matter "─We've met before. Do you remember?"

Cassidy who couldn't remember, gave her a worried look. She would've remembered if she had met her. She was the Valkyrie. "No." Oceanna nodded with a thinking look although she really wasn't thinking given that she always knew what to say next. It was in her blood. Just like August Vile. "It was during a time of tragedy. I'm not surprised you don't remember it. It's a good thing you blocked it out of your mind. Suppressing trauma at such a young age, it's incredible." Cassidy felt her mood lift up a little at even the tiniest recognition of her battles since she was young, but half of her knew Oceanna Vile was just trying to get her to play into her favor.

"Regardless, I know the roots you have come from." And so do I, Cassidy thought. The Viles were a long bloodline of fearless, catastrophe, darkness, and power. "Why wouldn't you? You're the Valkyrie." Cassidy said.

Oceanna gave her an irked look, but immediately washed it away with her version of pretentious care. And although Cassidy was well aware of being dumbfounded sometimes, she knew that the care in Oceanna's eyes were insincere. "What I'm trying to say, dear girl, is that you seem to hold something rare. And I know you wouldn't pass a chance to do Ashgrim service?"

"I do Ashgrim a service everyday. I live. Not much would want to live in here, trapped." Cassidy retorted, but a part of her said it with regret because she had truly considered Oceanna's offer. She would be out of the hands of Chase Creed and 'his people'. But she thought of Lilac. And she also thought of Oceanna being August Vile's mother, and that'd mean leaving a Vile just to be with another.

Oceanna who had a flicker of fury pass visibly in her face seemed to be losing patience. "Young people nowadays seem to have no manners. Lost sight of true meaning." She irritatedly looked at the watchmen who were alert and fixed in their own roles and convenient spots. "Take her."