Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

18 ~ Clarity

"So, what are you in for?" asks the woman sitting next to me, her long bleached blonde hair tied back in a ponytail that shimmers like golden seaweed. Her eyes, a striking aquamarine, glisten as if reflecting the ocean's depths. Her presence feels like a cool breeze on a scorching summer day, and for some reason, she reminds me of the sea.

"What am I in for?" I ponder, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of trying to connect with another person. This new feeling is strange, like trying to grasp water with my fingers. Her sea-like aura is both intriguing and refreshing, like the first sip of water after a long journey in a desert.

"Come on, don't tell me you don't know this is the correctional facility for those with magic," she says, her voice laced with a mix of scepticism and curiosity.

I'm at a loss for words. She looks serious, her expression unwavering. Does Elijah think this is what I need?

"I know why each of the others is here except you," she continues, her tone softening. There are about thirteen of us in the room, each of us caught in our own thoughts and fears.

"This is an actual jail?" I ask, the words feeling foreign on my tongue.

"Of course." She pauses, letting the weight of the situation sink in before asking, "Who sent you here? What exactly did you do?"

I wanted to attack the king, but he deserved it. "I got very, very angry and wanted to attack someone," I confess, my voice trembling slightly. I remember how empowering that rage felt, like a storm brewing inside me, waiting to unleash its fury. Too bad he was fast enough to knock me out.

"You must have some serious power, because no one gets sent here just for wanting to attack someone. Who sent you?" she asks again, her eyes boring into mine.

I hesitate to mention Elijah, the name tasting bitter in my mouth.

"It's usually family that betrays us," she sighs dramatically, her shoulders slumping. "I'll look out for you while you're here, so don't worry."

"I don't need someone to look after me," I reply firmly, my voice hardening like steel.

"If you say so." She writes down her number with a flourish. "I'm Penelope. Call me if you need help." She slips the paper into my notebook with a deft motion. "Someone like you needs protection."

"You know why everyone else is here?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

She nods. "The people in this room have done crazy things." She points to a young man with black curls that look like they've been sculpted by the wind. "Ron used his magic to make someone give him all their assets. He lived the dream for over a year." Then she gestures to another young man with short brown hair, his eyes scanning the room warily. "Lesley ran a cell that robbed people." She indicates a young woman with a fierce gaze. "Ina ran a prostitution ring from her mother's mansion while she was out of town. Ina is only seventeen." She points elsewhere. "Greg and Kelsey were on the run for two years. He can teleport anywhere, and she can morph into anyone."

"Did they all come here voluntarily?" I ask, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.

"We have no choice. Once caught, our loved ones end up on a list. They'll face punishment if we try to escape or misbehave," she explains, her voice tinged with sadness. "How can you not know this?"

"What about you? Why are you here?" I ask, my curiosity deepening.

"I can morph into a mermaid. My mother arranged a marriage for me. I didn't want to marry, so I spent a few months in the sea. I got caught and brought here," she explains, her voice softening as she recalls her past.