Chapter 24- Inconspicuous

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A chill ran down her spine and Alia suddenly felt self conscious. She was an absolute mess, her legs and hands covered in blood, her shirt wrinkled, and her hair wasn't much to look at either. Tangled strands wafted into her eyes every time she moved.

Alia didn't want Luca to see her like this. It was the only thought she was unable to push from her head.

Alia furiously rubbed her hands on her thighs, watching as the dried blood flakes and fell from her fingers.

Every room in the compound seemed to be white, emanating a cold loneliness. This room was no exception and the vermilion flakes stood out like writing on a blackboard, further cementing Alia's desire to not have the first thing Luca notices when he awakens be the blood covering Alia.

Not to mention the blood on Alex and Mutine.

So much had happened in such a short time that Alia would need a lot of time to explain what had happened .

"Are we going to let him out?" She paused, reconsidering the question. "Can we let him out?"

She stepped close to the tank, letting her fingers run up and down the smooth surface. It was warm, a comfortable temperature not too hot to touch.

She withdrew her fingers when she noticed the red smudges marring the surface in the shape of her fingertips.
She wiped furiously at the marks with the only clean part of her shirt.

Alia really didn't want Luca to see her like this. But she needed to get him out. It was an important part of a not-really-existing plan.

She turned away from the tank, hiding the smears behind her back. Mutine was examining his fingernails and Alex looked as confused and grey as she had a few minutes ago. But now there was a hint of worry.

Alia glared at Mutine.

"Can we?"

Alia was beginning to wonder why she had ever been scared of him. Except for the fact that he had killed a couple dozen people and kidnapped Alia and Luca, and now Alex, Mutine just seemed really eccentric.

No. He really was terrifying.

Mutine stepped up to the machine and punched a series of numbers into its keypad. Alia watched in bewilderment as the door slid open, letting all the water drain out. Luca coughed to life, his eyes still closed.

Alia resisted the urge to ask King Presariom what he was doing. It was a stroke of luck.

Who was Alia kidding. There was no way that Mutine didn't have a plan. It was just a matter of what it was.

Alia rushed over to Luca, helping him up.

"Alia? W-where?" Luca caught a glance of Mutine and Alex.

"Who? Why?"

Alia took his hand, dragging him over to Alex. His hands were slimy and Alia had to hold him tightly.

"Why is Alex here? And why is she grey?" Luca squinted. "Grey like me, nonetheless."

Alia did her best to sum up the events, with Alex occasionally interjecting. Luca didn't say a word, only raising his eyebrows on occasion. His expression didn't nudge an inch when Alia mentioned the murder of his parents.

When she had finished, the air was still and silent for a few seconds before Luca spoke.

"I think I understand. Well, not really, but there's something I need to add."

Mutine had adopted his overbearing personality again, making his presence known so suddenly that Luca jumped.

"And what, my dear boy, is that."

Luca took in a deep breath.

"I can promise you that the king and queen are not dead. There are safeguards in place, runes to keep them safe everywhere. They are so safely hidden that even Carrin couldn't find them."

Alia's heartbeat skipped a beat at his name. He was probably worried about her. He would search for her. Alia knew he would.

Mutine linked his hands together comfortably in front of him.

"Who is this Carrin? Why is he able to find runes? Honestly, he is almost as fascinating as Miss Alia's ability. I only thought a Rune Smith could find runes."

Luca waved his hands dismissively.

"He's not important." Alia applauded Luca's ability to remain unperturbed by Mutine when talking to the king.

"The point is, they're not dead. And if they are, then whoever said that is wrong."

The look on Luca's face told Alia that Luca probably thought they would be better off dead. His father would, at the very least. Not something a child should think about their parents.

Something else had happened between Luca and the king. Alia wanted to know what, but she knew better than to ask.

Mutine glanced down at a nonexistent watch, completely ignoring the fact that Luca had said that there was no way his parents were dead.

"Well, look at the time! It's time to go!"

He smiled like he had just made the funniest joke ever.

Alia's skin crawled and Luca looked like he wanted to be somewhere else.

Knowing what he knew now he wanted to be as far from this man as possible.

No one wanted to be here.

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