I Choose All of You

Chapter Fifty-Seven

I sat by the doorway, watching Avalon and Hannah sleep peacefully from afar. The sound of fighting was muffled due to the fact we were deep in the ground, but every loud band or rattle made me jump. What could it be this time? Who was hurt? I tried thinking of ways to apologize to Kalum and Jeremiah, but I knew it would be pointless. I wasn't supposed to catch feelings for either of them. That was the whole point.

Soon a hoard of soldiers and maids entered the cellar, surrounding the Queen. She stopped in her tracks, once she entered the room, and scanned it. Her eyes were sharp and I unfortunately knew exactly who she was looking for.

"You," her words were venom and she pointed her sharp finger directly at me.

I stood up quickly, dusted myself off, and gave a hurried curtsy, "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Where are my sons?"

"They just left. They went out looking for you."

"Well I'm right here, aren't I? Where did they go? It's a bloodbath up there!"

"I'm sorry, but I don't-."

"-This is all your fault. I knew there was a mole among us. I just didn't want to believe it was the girl I handpicked as a candidate," For the first time since I've met the Queen, she sounded emotional.

She was angry for sure, but she was wounded. Guilt rushed through my veins and I tried to speak up.

The Queen interjected me, "I will forgive, but you have to find my boys, ALIVE."

 "Y-yes, of course Your Majesty!"

I quickly ran past her. My feet echoed along the empty tunnels and I let my mind work. I know these tunnels. I've sketched them multiple times before, trying to get them right. What's the safest way out and to the boys? The kitchens? No. The library? Out of the question. Harrison's office? Probably not.

My mind filled with options to venture into. I spun around myself trying to come up with the best option. Think Sarah, think!

My eyes widened. The music room. It's locked. The rebels might be on the second floor by now, but it's too far down the hallway for them to have gotten to yet.

I felt around in the dark lighting, till I approached a familiar scene. This was it. This was the backside of the hidden bookshelf into the music room. I placed my hand on the cold wood and felt around until I touched a small handle, then pulled. I made sure the opening was barely noticeable and peeked inside.

The room was dark. I could hear people shouting, but it didn't sound like it was coming from inside the room. I took a deep breath and counted to three, before pulling the bookshelf open enough for me to slip through and closing it behind me. I listened for the sound of it locking, then tip-toed into the darkness.

The air felt colder than normal. Was a window open? I hugged myself, trying to let my eyes adjust to the darkness. A small beam of light, from the moon, emitted into the room. It casted a shadow of the piano, which stretched onto the floor.

I blinked at the shadow. Was there two shadows? I blinked again. The shadows retuned to one.

"Kalum," I called out, "Jeremiah? Are you guys in here?"

 A jolt from the door being slammed into, made my heart skip a beat. Roe's men must have made it here. I need to get back to the passageways and find another way to get the Princes.

A cold sweat was beginning to form in the palms of my hands. I spun around and felt a chilling presence behind me. I tried to turn and face them, but in a flash, a cloth was clamped over my mouth.

Their low voice made me take a sharp inhale and stand straighter, "Destiny continues to shine on us, my dear."

In my burry vision, I saw it again. The warrior tattoo the man's forearm. Roe.

My legs started to go numb and I felt myself getting dragged further into the darkness. I tried reaching for my waistband, to grab my dagger, but my world was quickly growing black. I tried fighting, but it was no use.

I was too late.