Royal's Way

Chapter 15

I rubbed my sore cheek after such a hard hit.

Lily's devilish expression stuck for a moment. I didn't want to know what else she was going to do.

But surprisingly enough, her expression softened. She put a cold hand on my shoulder. "Percy, sweetheart. You know you don't have to worry about me." I frowned. "But I do. I worry a lot." "Which is your downfall."

She adjusted the collar of my shirt, folding it down. "You're weak. Your emotions control you. Remember what I said?"

Everything seemed to be different. She said this to me daily, but something about what's been happening lately is almost changing my opinion. "Let you take control. I know." "In this mission," she sneered, her voice hard, "You do only as I do." She sighed, running her hand down the center of my chest, before lowering it to her side as she snapped, "Percy, I love you, but you're such a weakling."

I shuddered. I didn't respond.

She adjusted her gloves as she turned away. "Levi is growing stronger. We're gonna have to hit both of them where it hurts. We plan tonight."

==

I woke up with a different feeling than I was used to. No cold, no emptiness. I felt warmth. Maybe some light was there.

I blinked the blurriness away from my eyes.
When I looked up, I spotted my living room lamp. Intact.

I groaned, trying to sit up again and cobble together what happened.

"Careful. You shouldn't have woken up this early."

I blinked. I didn't recognize that voice. I turned.

On the opposite end of the couch I was lying on, a woman I didn't recognize sat there. White hair, tan skin, wearing my brother's hoodie.

Pointy ears.

My eyes widened. Like theirs.

"Who-What-What are-" "Calm down," she said softly, holding up a hand, "I'm not one of them."

I breathed heavily, still feeling like I was going to pass out again.

"Slow breathing," she instructed, "You need to get fresh air into your lungs. Don't pass out again."

I tried to follow her instructions, swallowing through my scratchy throat. "Who... What are... Why do you look like them?"

She frowned. "You have every right to be scared. I apologize for what happened to you."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know who she was.

Until a thought came to mind. "Where's my brother?"

She went silent.

I scowled, sitting up. "Where is Levi? I know he was there." "He's..." "I want to see him."

She sighed. "Alright."

She stood, stopping and waiting for me at the end of the coffee table. I went to stand, only for my knees to buckle. She caught me before I fell, immediately asking, "Can you walk?"

I scowled, flustering to my feet and slowly regaining strength as I sneered, "I'm fine."

She frowned, continuing to lead me up the stairs.

The place was dark. It was early in the morning. Mom must've been gone already.

The woman pushed the door to Levi's room open, still dark.

There was Levi, lying on his back, with his blankets pulled to his chest.
I scowled, entering the room and kneeling at his bedside. I nudged his shoulder. "Levi?"