Scarlett & Ethan

Xaviers betrayel?

POV ------

Two weeks Later

I'd seen Kieran in passing a couple of times. Not once had he tried to approach me. He had seen me and chosen to walk away every time. Sometimes, I'd catch him simply watching me. Once, he was on the phone, screaming at someone. Then he saw me. I had lowered my head. He stood there, watching for a couple of minutes, then started speaking in a normal tone before leaving. He walked away. It didn't make sense. That had been deliberate. His coldness wasn't because he thought I wasn't his sister. And apparently, he had it in him to be thoughtful. Then why did he keep ignoring me?

I asked the twins about Kieran. They shared a look before Kazimir said, "Usually, he does his own thing. We aren't that close."

I hummed softly, a small frown on my face, hoping it would prompt them to elaborate further.

"Don't worry. Mostly, he's a nice brother when it comes to you," Kazimir added.

When it comes to me... then why is he ignoring me? Maybe he doesn't think I'm Hajya after all

"He's ignoring me," I said, my voice tinged with sadness. I looked away, pressing my lips into a grim line.

We disagree, right, Idris?" Kazimir said, glancing at Idris as if urging them to explain.

I picked at my nails, waiting.

"He's never home—not since you disappeared," Idris replied, looking at Kazimir as if seeking confirmation.

Kazimir smiled faintly, then turned to me. "When he found out what happened to you, he almost collapsed. We hadn't known what the call was about." Kazimir grimaced.

I turned to Idris, hoping for more information

"We, and I use that lightly—mostly Kazimir—freaked out," Idris admitted. Both of them looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

"We've never seen him cry," Kazimir said quietly, "let alone thought him capable of it.

-.-.-.-.-. The next day

I walked into the dining hall with the twins in tow when I saw him. His back was to me, but I'd never mistake it for anyone else. Xavier.

When I stopped walking, the twins went quiet and followed my gaze. "Oh, that's just Xavier."

Just Xavier. I wanted to scoff. My frown deepened as I turned to Kazimir. "Why is he here?" I took a step back toward the door. I had to leave.

"He's Dad's right-hand man," Kazimir said.

This was the moment it really hit me: Xavier might be the traitor. And I'd stupidly offered him information—offered myself on a silver platter. The possibility should have crossed my mind sooner. After all, he was the man at the cliff.

I took more steps toward the door, slowly backing away from the scene in front of me. I masked my anger with distress. The twins froze. They shared a look, then turned to Xavier with expressions so deadly it sent a chill through me.

Kazimir moved to escort me out, while Idris glared at Xavier with new suspicion.

Kazimir asked, "Did Xavier have anything to do with your disappearance?"

Are you selling me?" I asked in a daze, ignoring whatever he said next.

I tensed, staring at the ground. Tears I hadn't noticed were falling were wiped away by Kazimir. My mind flashed to Orion. No, not his best friend.

Kazimir was saying something, but I was lost in my anger and pain. The next thing I knew, I was sitting against the wall. Idris was holding my face, saying something, but the words didn't register. My chest burned.

I realized I wasn't breathing. Honestly, breathing seemed overrated at the moment

When did Idris join us?

They walked me to my room. Kazimir was furious, Idris worried. They exchanged a look before Kazimir pulled out his phone.

Idris turned to me. "We need to know if he's involved, Hajya. We need to know."

It would've been so easy to say yes, to rip Xavier's life out from under him. But I didn't want easy. I wanted pain. I wanted truth. I wanted answers.

I wanted to know why and how and, most of all, where. Where is Orion?

"No," I said. And for the first time, I started breathing normally again.

I stopped walking and stared at Idris. I need to be Hajya.

"Are you sending me there again?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Idris looked heartbroken. "No. Of course not, Hajya. Never."

I hugged him for the first since I slept into this house. I contemplate what to say next, the first thing that comes to mind is to say, 'men terrify me' and get it over with. but not only do I refuse to say so, but its cringe as hell. so instead I say "I don't like surprises" I whispered against him.

Kazimir joined the hug. "We're not forcing you to meet him, Hajya. You can do as you please. We'll ban him if it makes you feel better." Yeah right, and ruin my plans of possible assassination.

I sighed. "That won't be necessary. I want to be normal, I just...can't. Not now." normal my a**.

They took me to my room. Neither of them felt comfortable leaving me, and I was grateful. I was still processing my feelings. The alternative to my numbness was fury, and I couldn't be that with them here.

When they finally left, I looked around the room. I really wanted to break something. I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch someone.

But more than that, I wanted answers.

So I stood still. If I didn't move or breathe, if I could just freeze, maybe I could fight the feelings brewing under my skin—feelings looking for an outlet. I needed to erase my impulses.

I couldn't rage here. At best, they'd call for psychiatric help, assuming I'd finally lost it. At worst, I'd blow my cover.

I heard the door open and one set of footsteps enter. Still, I didn't move. I was terrified of what I might do if I did.

I was too on edge. I felt too deadly.

The haze was the same as the time Orion disappeared. That didn't end well. I didn't remember half of what I'd done then. Maybe I had gone mad. Maybe I wasn't fine even now.

Whoever entered reached for my arm but didn't touch it. They thought better of it.

I'd think better of it too.

Adrenaline made me shake. Anything could set me off. But me and the intruder had different understandings of "set off."

They probably thought I'd freak out.

But I knew I'd most likely kill whoever had the misfortune of wondering to my vicinity.

I'd never felt such a need for blood before.

-.--.-.-..--.-.--.-..-.--..- Authors note

Hope You enjoy.