***
Song: New Americana ~ Halsey
***
2am is a fairy ominous time of day. Most people, just like Kara and Autumn, lay asleep, the blonde only stirring once or twice with a slight whimper before returning to the deep silence. Others, either the lonely or lustful, will no doubt be crawling the earth still, looking for a solution to their needs, usually resulting in fake friends and regrettable sex.
However, tonight 2am is the start of something divinely unknown.
***
As soon as Kians body had fully disappeared leaving only ashes, bones and the distinct smell of burnt flesh, Alec and I had returned to the house, the letter opener slid securely between the tight belt loop of Alec's trousers as we avoided any attempts at small talk. Thankfully, general chitchat wasn't known to be our forte so - although slightly irritated - suspicions remained low.
It's safe to say, my bother was more than a little perturbed at his findings, practically throwing himself onto his bed whilst running a long finger over the sharp object every five seconds until I snatched it from him, briefly letting my fingers brush over the engraved 'CS' before letting it drop into my coat pocket.
"We need to do something, Athena. The sixth anniversary and then this? He must have been in Silvers office before he died-"
"I know."
"Oh, I'm sorry, your complete lack of emotion is slightly misleading. Care to tell me the plan?"
"Are you up for a little breaking and entering?"
***
Slipping out from between the girls, I open the door with practiced grace, allowing it to click closed behind me whilst I make my way towards Alec's room. Desperately hoping Seth's a heavy sleeper, I lean against the opposite wall, gripping at my side lightly as the recurring pain sets in, a consequence to be paid when I move too quickly.
Suddenly, their door opens, revealing two large silhouettes instead of one, Alec's head bowed in some kind of apologetic show. Throwing my hand in Seth's direction I release the hold on my side, no doubt losing the usual unfazed look we'd been trained to carry.
"Alec!" Almost in a stage whisper, I manage to meet his eyes, tilting my head at the annoyingly unbothered giant stood less than thirty centimetres away from him.
"He was awake!" Shrugging, Alec dodges my arm and makes his way down the corridor, expecting us to follow, no questions asked. Eyeing Seth, I debate my limited options. There's no way in hell he'll go back to bed, not now he has the scent of something shady. In this business, it's better to be in the know than not. However, Seth's ambiguous relationship with his father had yet to earn any basic level of trust, this man may be on our team, but he's not our friend.
"C'mon, Princess." As he heads after Alec, I let my forehead rest against the cool wall for another short-lasting second, absorbing the relaxing sensation before going with them, briefly wondering if he knows where he's going.
The dimly lit halls make for good cover, allowing us to slip into the shadows when students, some barely teenagers, head back to their dorm, unaware the people meant to be protecting them ultimately have better things to be doing. Here, time is merely a concept, day and night means nothing but routine and practiced ideals. Classes start and end at hours where most are lost in dreams.
It's easier to think time doesn't exist when you don't have a lot of it.
Eventually, delayed by spouts of tired students, we reach Silvers office. The place radiates power, from the intricate designs running along every piece of furniture, to the red carpets and ceiling high doors. It's a place of wealth and wealth is something to be scared of.
Alec begins working on the lock, kneeling on front of the door with a determination that's rare of him, whilst Seth studies his surroundings, running a hand over the secretary's desk before leaning against it, folding his arms and releasing a humourless scoff.
"Why are we here?" Seth's eyes glimmer in the dark, the light green almost emerald with an indecipherable emotion, clouded with conflicted energy. Obviously, his loyalties with his father are few and far between yet they still live, sparking something defensive and letting it run through his every pore. He's angry, but he's curious and I can work with that.
Retrieving the letter opener from my pocket, I throw it at him, watching as he catches it effortlessly, twirling the object around with subjected fascination before looking up and meeting my eyes.
"Where did you get this?"
"Apparently, Kian Lawson was a kleptomaniac."
Unsurprisingly, this catches his attention, his head snapping up to register the shock. With narrowed, calculating eyes he lets them trail down my body, stopping abruptly at my scar, a constant reminder of Kians seemingly revenge fuelled attack. Licking his lips, Seth nods, almost in agreement with his thoughts as he straightens, moving a hand to his neck and tracing the outline of a thin chain. Dragging the chain over his head, a small key weighs it down, identical to Carson Silvers.
Unapologetically nudging Alec out of the way, Seth unlocks the door with ease, earning himself a irritated smack from my brother, who stays knelt on the floor frowning as the door swings to reveal our target.
Stepping over Alec, I go into the room first, taking Seth by surprise as I mimic his previous move on my brother and push him back.
Flicking on the light, a large chandelier comes to life, illuminating the room in detailed light, exposing the offices every secret to wondering eyes.
"What are we looking for exactly?" Seth shuts the door behind him, twirling the lock with pent up frustration before giving the room his undivided attention.
As I move towards the desk, mentally thanking Mr. Silvers for not being so paranoid as to put locks on each drawer, I wave a hand towards two large filing cabinets.
"Anything. Me, Alec, Kian. If he ordered Kian to kill me I want to know why, and I want to know if he'll do it again."
Nodding again, Seth moves over to the farthest cabinet, Alec following his lead quickly.
Starting at the bottom, I root through every drawer, feeling each side, underside and top for a hidden compartment. Rolling my head back, I open the last drawer, bottom left, and undeniably the most well-kept, no scratches lining its handle or edges. All the signs point to it being unused, useless.
However, on opening, a thin file sits mostly in pristine condition aside from a few creases. 'TIB' stamped across the front in large black letters. Pulling the file out carefully, I place it on his desk, strategically trying not to move anything further out of place.
Flipping open the first page, I blink, re-reading the first three words a dozen times before letting out a breath.
The Iventrov Bombing.
And under it; a picture of Amelia, her arms around her lover, a smile plastered over her face as he kisses her cheek.
The issue?
That man was not her husband. Daniel had seemingly been replaced by Mr. Valentin Iventrov himself.
The bombing that took the life of our parents best friends, the bombing that took the life of Amelia's secret love affair, the bombing that killed our goddamn babysitter, every detail was sitting in a file, in a place that to the minds of most doesn't exist, in a notorious assassins desk.
Scanning further down, there are copious amounts of notes, memorising every detail of the ball, every detail of Amelia and Valentin's affair, every detail of Daniels gullible naivety.
Every detail, including the one in which Valentin Iventrov transferred $2.5 million dollars into Carson Silvers bank account for the completion of a service. The service of his competitors untimely demise.
Valentin Iventrov paid for his political competition to be removed yet that wasn't enough for Carson Silvers after the job was done.
It seems like Mr. Silvers was implicated in The Iventrov Bombing.
YOU ARE READING
Adrenaline
Action"You're an enigma, Athena Rose." "Maybe I just want someone to try and understand me." "Some would say thats impossible." "That's because no-ones ever tried hard enough. No-one but him." *** On the Rose siblings 13th birthday their parents are bruta...
