The Stars of My Heart [Completed]

Chapter Twelve

   I sit in a chair, Axil and Crista across from me. They have decided that I am healed enough now to talk, my wounds finally scarred because of Crista's magic. I can tell by their faces and crossed arms that they have thought long and hard about their assumptions.

Crista starts, "Firstly, what did you mean by, I got the job done?"

I knew this was the biggest thing, along with the gang comment. Do what is right, even if it hurts. I take a deep breath, preparing to tell them everything... and I do. I tell them about the museum and what Damian said afterward. I leave out anything involving John. He may be angry with me, but I did this mission to keep him safe, and I will finish this mission with him being safe. I tell them about the history of Damian's gang, when I started to do jobs, and what was expected of me.

They listen, not interrupting me once. Their faces have gone blank, a numbness rolling though my body.

"You mean to tell me, you got a job at the palace to rob us!" Axil stammers, his fist hitting the chair he sits on.

"I didn't want to, but I didn't have a choice. I would die either way by refusing or fleeing. Once I got to the palace, I realized you weren't like I thought you would be. I thought it was going to be easy, like any other job. Just another company to rob for Damian but I... I couldn't do it."

"What about John? What is he up to?" asks Crista, her arms dropped at her side.

"John has nothing to do with it. We lived together at the mansion, but the truth is, he was the only one to have a day job at the prison. I just used his job as a cover." I hate it here. Half-truths still filled with lies, but I can't do it. I can't tell them the truth. It wouldn't be fair. Damian had put me in charge. He made that clear several years ago, and I will always try to protect the family who protected me.

He threatened my life, just like Damian had done. Just like Damian had executed. But I can't shake the feeling that something is off with him. Like he is acting in a way that is not fully himself. I wish I could tie him up, question him myself, but I would never do that because for him, I would do anything, even if it means putting up with his attitude.

I glance over at Axil, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. "All I want to know is why. Why rob us?"

"I didn't. Why Damian sent us, I have no idea. Because he's Damian? Because he wanted his name stamped on the palace walls? I... I don't know."

"Was anything real?"

"What do you mean?" His voice registers in my ear. Low and dangerous.

Waving his arms he continues, "This... everything... us. Was anything real?"

I hear the hurt in his voice, as if he were the one that was shot in the chest. "Of course it was," I say raising my voice. "I tried. Tried to be good for my father, but I have never enjoyed what he turned me into. It was either work or starve. I had no resources, no way to take care of myself, so I agreed. I'm... I'm sorry."

I see Crista holding back tears, shifting in her chair. I think she understands the situation, then again the memories probably helped.

"It's okay—

"No it's not!" Axil shouts, standing up. "We have welcomed a criminal into our home, treating her with nothing but kindness, and still she plans to steal from us." He turns his attention away from his cousin to face me, and looking me in the eye, he says, "You know I feel sorry for you. Your whole family is messed up. No wonder you turned out the way you did."