The Chemistry of Lies

Chapter 1

The most unsettling thing about the ball isn't that tonight people will die, but they will be announced as they enter the room. Announced and then they will make their way to meet and talk with the king and us. The waiting line moved quickly, with tons of congratulations to me and Maven - I was glad to have him next to me reminding me to breathe. But soon it didn't matter how comforting the person next to you was.

The line began to thin; we were almost done with the pleasantries. The Sentinel announcing all the arrivals spoke with a slight smile his same voice, but everyone froze. "Lady Titanos; House Titanos." She was flanked by two Sentinels and walked holding the arm of a red haired Sentinel. I recognize him as a person that was more weary and distrusting of me than most. But then  I realize they are different than other Sentinels; they wore black masks but they molded to their faces instead of tying behind their head. The differences didn't end there. They wore black cloaks that reached just below their knees. The top of the cloak reached across the breast and was fastened by a crown pin that resembled the Sentinels, except the ones standing at the entrance were made of black and gold. Not red and gold.

"King's Guard." Maven breathed out, barely loud enough for me to hear. I glanced at Cal and saw him bringing a foot back to his straight standing position - there was a smile in his eyes. He was about to go to her. I had almost forgotten about her - how you forget a woman walking with security and grace, I do not know. It was a warm grace, not the kind a Silver woman perfects in Protocol. The kind of grace of a swordsman with his perfect sword. My eyes finally looked at her face.

Long brown hair flowed down in a waterfall of curls. Her dress was a richer purple than mine; a dark amethyst. Intricate lacing that looked flowers went down to mid-thigh. The sleeves were off the shoulder - it was a pretty simple dress really. Her silver looked like tear drops of diamond woven into the lace. It sparkled in the lights, and made her tanned skin look warm. How the colors danced made me feel like a child in my puffy gem covered dress. My eyes dart away from her as I see movement.

Cal was walked down the steps of our platform towards her and offered her his arm. Red head stepped aside and she accepted Cal's arm. He said something and she smiled, rolling her eyes. I looked down the line of royals: Maven's face was unreadable, Evangeline was trying to suppress a smile, the king looked broken, and the queen's smile quickly faded as her eyes turned to me. I am dead. Maven sensed my discomfort and squeezed my hand.

"What are her powers?" I ask cautiously. Maven swallowed, but said nothing. Cal lead the girl toward the line of royals himself. Her smile looked nothing like a Silver - but the worst part? She let go of Cal's arm and the king hugged her with tears forming in his eyes. Even Elara embraced her. She held her like the world would fall apart if she let go of the girl. They all have feelings. The got down the line to me and Maven. She still smiled at me when Cal introduced me. Me. A fake. What kind of Silver is this? I feel like she is what Cal's mother would be like.

Cal fully left his position on the podium as he lead her into the crowd. The king announced the start of the party with a smile. Horror gripped my heart. They all have feelings. Maven threw me a smile, but it didn't calm me as I watched her. Lady Macanthos smiled at her in a way that declared she is my favorite. The prince and princess dance came, and she left my mind. Mavin commented about how pretty I was, but also reviewed over the plan. It kinda calmed me until the music stopped. A tune I had never heard filled the room. The music seemed to be alive, breathing.

The houses gathered, circling the dance floor. They clapped to the beat of the quick paced music. Ptolemus pushed Cal onto the now empty dance floor, Evangeline moved to step forward. But to my absolute dismay, Maven spun the girl in. Her and Cal studied each other for a moment, but time seemed to unpause when he reached a hand out to her. They flew around the circle, in a dance that took my breathe away. They couldn't have seen each other in a long time, based on the name I was given, but he spun her on his hip and neither hesitated nor faltered on a step.

Memory of the night he danced with me played in my head, and it made me frown. Never did he dance like this. Never did he smile like this. He kissed me - but this smile is way different. He views her as a sister. That is really the reason for his outburst when I got my new identity. She exists. There was a girl that made me wish things could be different. A lot different. Sadness filled his eyes when he told me that. It was the only thing that gave me comfort when the music changed and the circle disappeared, but they stayed in the middle with those perfect smiles.

"Would you care for a drink, ma'am?" I turned towards the voice but I was met with a crown pendant glaring at me with it's golden outline. I looked up and met the brown eyes of the red head. They looked like melted chocolate and cream. They made my heart flutter even when his hand sat on his sword hilt.

"Are you alright, m'lady?" His brows knit in genuine concern.

"Y-Yes. Thank you. I see you are of the Guard." I nod to the pin. "Could you not make it to Sentinel?" Maven grabbed my arm, but the Guard smiled. I might die before this conversation is over.

"King's Guard is higher than Sentinels, Lady Titanos." I flinch hearing the name off his lips. "We were not trained by birth, either. Maybe I could give you a little more history later?"

"I would absolutely love that. Why not now?" I didn't realize it but I had stepped closer to him. "May I at least know who I am speaking with? So I may call for you later?"

"Duties. I am called Rylan." If Maven hadn't pulled me back and snapped me out of my daze, I wouldn't have noticed the amber eyes belonging to a guard that threw an arm over rylan's shoulder to walk away with him. His eyes were on Maven with a respectful nod but his brown hair made my eyes fill with tears. He looks like Shade.

"A drink, m'lady?" The voice called again. I turned and met the green eyes of Kilorn. I drain the golden liquid as Kilorn offers it to me.

Couples dance across the floor, and Evangeline laughs with this girl. Nothing is making sense anymore. Nothing but the plan. I curl my fingers, feeling the electricity under my skin. Kilorn hurries out. Cal meets my gaze and smiles at me, he starts pushing his way towards me. Too late. Gunshots ring out, and I shut the lights off. Sending the room into chaos - but I stumble. The lights buzz back to life and I look to Maven with wide eyes. Someone else is willing them on. But the lights flicker.  I am stronger. I plunge the room into darkness again. Screams intensify. I step onto the dance floor, but I slip. I release a scream of my own as I touch warm blood. I cannot get up. The blood seems to try to drown me, like it knows what I have done.

What seems like an eternity passes, and a warm hand touches my shoulder as the lights come to life. "I can't hold it... I'm sorry." I turn to see Cal instead of Maven.

"Get to safety." He ordered, no warmth in his voice. I could see tears in his eyes. They were lit with a flame of anger and hate. That is when  I saw it. The perfect curls spread across the floor. Blood poured from a wound on her neck and her lips seemed to lose color; the amber eyed boy holds pressure on the wound. I can't breathe. Why will her body be numbered?

"I-I don't understand."

"Go with the royals to safety. Lucas!" He pulled me to my feet. "Healer!" His voice almost broke as he saw the white hair scurrying by. Blood stopped pouring. Lucas lead me away, but not before I saw Cal kneel next to her and gingerly put his hands on her face, tears in his eyes reflecting the flames flickering to life.

"Lucas? What is her name?" He glanced at me.

"Adelina."

"What are her powers? Is she a burner? Is that how she is resistant to Cal's flames?"

"You can ask her later, if she makes it." The if  was so heavy, it silenced me. Metal door through metal door we went in silence.

I never want to see Cal look broken again. Never again will he feel the pain of losing a sibling as I have.

***The picture is what the dress looks like, but the color is different and the diamonds are white and brighter if you know what I mean. Had to leave you with some room for imagination haha