268 Letters

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXII

I cover my ears as another horrifying scream fills the air. Landon screams something but I can hardly hear. I dare to take a peek from my tightly shut eyes, though I wish I didn't. One of the maids crumples on the floor like a deck of cards, but her fall wasn't gracious or dramatic. It was a simple fall. Blood immediately rushes out of her chest, flooding the floor. The night Dad whipped me came by my bedside crossed my mind and I squeezed my eyes shut, silently wishing this was one big nightmare. I felt someone grab my hand and I turned around to slap them, but realised it was Landon. His eyes looked frantic and pleading, and he grabbed my face with his hands.

"Come on!" he screamed, and I shook my head. My feet were scared stiff, almost bolted to the ground.

"Damnit Eiffel, come on he's-" another scream filled the hallways.

"Landon I can't..my feet..." I couldn't finish my sentence, because the roar of someone screeched through the hall. It was Rom. His voice ripped through the air, causing almost everything to silence. Landon slammed me into the corner of the hallway, just out of sight, but enough to view what was going on.

"King Romany! Alas, it has been a while." a deep voice reverted from the walls.

"How dare you.." Rom snapped, and I almost thought I heard fear in his voice.

"I quite like the new color of the walls, don't you?" the mysterious voice was scarily nonchalant, like he or she were talking casually.

I peeked a little further to get a better glance, though Landon hissed at me. I almost fell back. That man was horrifyingly handsome, with slicked up brunette hair and tanned skin. He was tall with a bulky body. I couldn't make out his eye color, but it wasn't a light color.

"Who is that?" I whispered to Landon, who had placed his hand around my waist.

"Paris." his voice sounded deadly serious, like he was revisiting some bad memories.

"Who? Why is he here?" I hiss, as I strain my ears to hear what Landon was saying.

"An infiltrator." Landon replied, and when I turned to face him, his eyes were also concentrating on Paris.

I decided not to push further and rather listen to Rom and Paris.

"You should've never come here, Paris." Romany said, his voice much lower than usual. "Terrible mistake."

"Mistake?" Paris chuckled with no humour. "I wouldn't say it's a mistake. Look at this," he points all over "Look how many of your people I so easily managed to kill. "

"You surprised attacked us." Rom said through gritted teeth. "I wouldn't consider that an achievement."

"Just shows how underprepared this kingdom is for any invasion. Or should I say..how unprepared the king is?" he smirks, as Romany glowering at him.

Romany brings his arm up, and I know what's coming. He pushes his arm down, and time stops.

Paris doesn't seem that affected though, and he slowly gives another smirk, before he whispers something to Rom, making each hair on his arm stand up.

Suddenly, time starts again. I look farther, puzzled, and Landon holds his breath.

"He wouldn't-" Landon's sentence is cut off by a red and orange explosion that appears where Rom and Paris stood.

Heat. Heat slaps me in the face, hard. I gasp for a grasp of air from the rain of smoke everywhere. Landon calls out for me, and I cough up the smoke that are invading my lungs.

"Landon? Landon?!" I scream, my eyes watering from the smoke.

I hear his voice getting farther and farther, and try to find my way back. I blink rapidly, trying to protect my eyes from the sheer amounts of smoke. I walk around aimlessly, until I bump into a wall. I gasp as I bounce back, just to be realise it wasn't a wall, but instead was a man. He turns around in a sharp movement, his eyes are blazing red and orange, like the flames surrounding me, and his hair is slicked up. Wait..it was Paris.

His eyes widen when he sees me, and his gaze is adverted to my face. Unsure what to say, I just stare back at him. I know I should flee while he's stunned, but I can't take my eyes off him for some reason. His eyes reminded me of something I couldn't remember.

We just stared at each other, the silence weighing down on me. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out.

"Who...are you?" he finally broke the silence. His voice was deep and accented, just like the voice that was talking to Rom.

"E-" I begin to tell him, but suddenly feel a cold grip in my wrist, long fingers wrapping around, before pulling me deeper into the smoke. I yell, just to be greeted by another hand clasped around my mouth.

"Not another word." I hear a whisper in my ear, and I immediately realise it's Landon. He slowly drops his hand from my mouth and momentarily meets my eyes.

"Landon,-"

"Don't you ever run away like that." his voice was deadly serious, his eyes stone hard.

"Sorry..I freaked out." I admit, look at my feet. He gingerly lifts my chin using his long, thin fingers. My hearts thumps loudly, and I feel like my insides are having a seizure, because something is buzzing inside me.

"Let's get out of here." he whispers, dropping his hand and the buzz is gone. I nod repeatedly, as we silently try to find the exit. His hand is still wrapped around my wrist, and it's the only cool thing in the middle of the fire. I sigh, letting him guide us out of this place.