The States

it looks ugly, but it's clean (don't fuss over me)

twelve times Evangeline didn't run, and one time she did

(one)

Jackson orders them around like they're less than him, like a collective century of experience is beneath him.

"Daniel should be making the war plans-" Evangeline offers after three minutes of Jackson pretending he has the training to do it himself.

Alfred had never raised a hand to them as children. He'd grounded them, taken things, made them sit in corners, given them extra chores but he had never hit them.

He said all beating them would do is teach them to obey out of fear.

So when Jackson slaps her, Evangeline doesn't expect it.

She raises a hand to her cheek. For once, she's glad she's as dark as she is, dark enough that her face doesn't show a red hand mark.

The room is silent.

Evangeline doesn't wait for any of them to defend her. She doesn't want to risk that they won't.

She smooths her expression out and tilts her chin up to meet Jackson's gaze, and at that moment it doesn't matter that she's at his feet.

Evangeline is one of the most dangerous creatures in this room.

She curves her mouth into a smile like a bayonet. "Elizabeth isn't the only one here with empire blood thrumming in her veins and I never forget, Jackson."

She stands, head held high and spine straight, a girl made by an empire at its strongest.

And she walks away, knowing she has won this battle.

(two)

Drew's lip is split and Evangeline does not go blind with fury or shake with righteous anger.

It isn't in her nature. Every decision is calculated.

Her rapier is in her hands and she holds it in her hand, feeling the familiar weight.

Jackson goes still when she presses it against his exposed throat. Hard enough that a thin trickle of blood traces a path down to his collarbone.

She can't kill him unless she wants to sign her own death warrant. Pity.

Evangeline makes her voice unaffected and detached. One of her greatest weaknesses are her emotions, and if she wavers she's no longer a threat.

She almost sounds bored. She gives him the sharp smile no one likes to counteract that. "Hit me if you like. I warned you already. But touch Andrew again and I will gut you like a pig."

Jackson manages to smile back despite the blade pressed to his throat. "I wouldn't doubt it, Evangeline."

Evangeline dips her head in recognition that she has made a deal with the devil.

The rapier is away from Jackson's neck and held loosely at Evangeline's side again.

She doesn't put her back to Jackson as she leaves.

(three)

Evangeline stops in the doorway to stare at the ruin made out of her bedroom.

Someone has taken it apart to find something.

She goes back downstairs and finds Jackson lounging on one of the living room couches, her rapiers on the table in front of him.