Scarlet Heir

Chapter 3 - Scarlet

Vomit covers the metal floor beneath me.

"I need Silence!" I hear Clara yell. Surely enough a man clicks two silent stone manacles around my wrists. I ignore this - silent stone doesn't affect me only the weight of someone gifted with silence can smother my silence. I manage to lift my head to see Clara teleport away and return with her mother and Cameron. She teleports away again. Cameron sits down near to where I kneel over ready to vomit again. She pats me on the back.

"It takes some getting used to kid," She rubs my back gently and I put my hand on her wrist burning her.

"I suspected silent stone wouldn't work on you," She turns to face Farley. Farley quickly passes her something.

"What's that?"

She injects me with a needle.

"Sedative."

I suddenly feel my eyes droop but keep them open long enough to see Clara return with Alfie and Henry.

****

Little Henry cries in the corner, Alfie comforts him.

"Where are we?" I ask groggily.
"Scarlet thank my colors you're awake, I need you to get us out of here. The lock is steel so you could."

"No she can't."

Clara stands at the door.

"Why did you kidnap us?" I ask.

"All shall be explained," She clicks the door open and beckons to me.

"I do not have to do as you say."

"Stubborn much?"

"You just Kidnapped me."

"You have the upper hand here - we can't silence you like we can silence your brothers. All I ask is that you follow me and listen to what we explain to you."

I hesitantly get up and follow her.  This place is not shabby - most of the halls and corridors are one to rival Whitefire palace. Clara brings me to a room similar that of the great hall back home. Sitting around a mahogany table is: Cameron, Farley and Julian - there are others of which I do not recognise.

"Julian?" I ask. He gives me an encouraging smile - which is somehow less reassuring because it just confuses me more. Sharp, like a knife. A needle sticks into my arm, I see the sickly sight of my blood. I refuse to let myself faint in front of these people even though I am scared if seeing my own blood. Some may think that I'm just a squeamish wimp, but I've never really come to terms with actual red blood. I'm proud of the color if my blood is some ways but actually seeing the thick substance feels...wrong. I've grown up around Silvers and I've never seen the blood of the servants so the only place I've seen red blood is from me. When I can no longer stomach the sight I squint my eyes closed. I vaguely register Clara leading me to a seat.

"You can open your eyes Scarlet," Julian says taking my hand. I shake my head and hold my chin up definitely.

"Whatever you say I can listen to with my eyes closed." I sound almost like a child - I guess that in many views I am younger than one would expect one to be at Seventeen. Living and growing at the palace has not opened me up to the outside world - but I am well educated - I am well mannered and know all etiquette a young lady my age should, I know how to control my powers and how to use them to full advantage.

"Julian if she is-"

"I think you owe this to her Mare."

"I had enough of bratty Silvers!"

"She's not a Silver."

"She's still a bratt."

Daughter? Wait, no - she can't be my mother. I can feel myself heat up with fire raging inside of me. I lace my fingers together trying to silence myself - I doubt that the Scarlet guard would appreciate me putting this place up in flames. I open my eyes.

She is not as I expected. I assumed she would be kind soft and loving - but my mother has an air of pride about her, it reminds me sickeningly of Father. Her eyes are that of the same color as mine - a warm brown color. Her eyes transfix on mine. She raises one eyebrow.

"So."

"So."

She purses her lips displeased - by, most likely, me.

"You've his hair."

I shrug my shoulders. "What does it matter?"

"Because you should have been mine."

"I am no one's."

"Are you certain of that accusation your Highness?"

I scowl at the title, then I consider the question at hand and shake my head.

"I don't think anyone is certain of anything."

"I think that observation is accurate - perhaps your education was half satisfactory."

"I was educated by-"

"Can you read, Write?"

"I was educated as deemed appropriate for someone of my title."

"Can you?"

I dig my fingernails into my palms.

"To some extent, I can write and read letters."

"Can you do algebra? Geometry? Probability? Can you add? Subtract? multiply? Divide?"

"I was educated as deemed appropriate for someone of my title."

"You do understand that that title is as a red rat, a bastard and a girl?"

"YES I DO. I DO BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE! I DO KNOW BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPID MISTAKE OF HAVING ME!"

The words come out half as song and my powers rage out of control. My silence filling the room making all the Newbloods wince. The light bulbs burst. The air in the room boils. I feel the fear inside people's eyes. The nails jump out of the table melting to my uncontrollable will. As my spark of temper flicks out of my body I am no longer strong enough to house my power. Fortunately Julian catches my head as I collapse. Black dots swirl within my gaze. Julian brushes a black lock of hair away from my face.

"You can close your eyes."

I do.