The Bloody Crown ||Sanders Sides

4. The Secret Hideout

I still have no idea when this book is going to be posted, but damn I'm getting a lot done.

TW: Remus, metions of black market invention selling, swearing, talk of death, talk of what happened to Remus,

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Remus walked out of the back room in clothes that he would never admit were comfortable. They were nothing like he was used to, but they felt freeing compared to the stifling prince outfit he usually had to wear. He felt an odd sense of relief to be out of his prince clothes.

The man behind the counter gave Remus a small smile while helping a customer, before turning towards him fully. The man had scarring on the left side of his face, and two different colored eyes. The right one was a rich brown, and the left was golden.

"I'm Dolion," the man said with a smile. "I've heard stories about you before, but I have to say I've never met the now ex prince in person."

"Yeah, I didn't get out much," Remus said. "It's nice to meet you, Dolion." Remus found himself wanting to ask about why Paranoia was after him, but decided that it may not be the best option to ask someone you just met that. "How long have you been working here?"

"I've been here for about two weeks," Dolion said with a shrug. "You get used to lying under the radar eventually. And with Patton it's not so lonely."

"What's Logan like?" Remus asked curiously.

"He's a little bit of a loner, but I'm sure he's nice. I've only met him once and he seemed a bit distant, but then again he had never met me before and knew I was running from Paranoia, so that's not exactly good for him."

"Can I ask why he's after you?" Remus asked quietly. "I get it's kind of personal, but... I don't know. You don't seem like someone who would've gotten King Thomas that pissed off to send Paranoia after you."

"Oh I didn't piss off King Thomas," Dolion stated. "I pissed off Paranoia. And once someone is on Paranoia's death list they don't get off of it. He'll hunt me until I die, I'm afraid."

"I don't even want to know what you did to get him that pissed. I'm not even sure how you're still alive," Remus mumbled.

"Honestly I have no clue how I'm alive," Dolion said with a sigh. "I have a feeling he knows exactly where I am, but I'm not going to hide forever. I'm just going to live out however long I have before he comes to take my life."

"That's kind of depressing," Remus said quietly. "You never know what day will be your last." Remus sighed. "I guess I'm kind of in the same boat now. There's no guarantee I'd get killed, but I doubt Roman would take my presence as welcome."

"You ready to go, Remus?" Patton asked, walking down from the loft. Remus assumed that was where Patton lived. Remus gave Patton a small nod. "Then let's get going."

~

Remus wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but this wasn't it.

Patton had brought him to a modest house; it wasn't that big, but it definitely wouldn't be described as small. He couldn't see what was so under the radar about this house.

"Patton are you sure this is the right..." Remus trailed off as someone came out of the house, looking angry but ushering them in all the same. The man was wearing glasses and a black lab coat with the sleeves rolled up to his arms.

"Patton I told you to stop taking in any stray you find on the street," the man snapped, looking around the street before quickly closing the door. "Some day you'll get caught, and then where will that leave you?"

"Logan, you know it's there right thing to do," Patton said with a sigh. "I know you don't agree, but I hoped you could take this 'stray,' as you call it, in. He needs some place to stay and he isn't leaving."

"You could jeopardize my whole job here," Logan snapped. "Why is this person so important that you aren't sending him on his way? Why the hell are you trying to get me caught? I'll die for this Patton!"

"Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here," Remus said with a groan. "Look, I get this is probably inconvenient for you, but I'd really appreciate it if I could stay here."

"I will not have someone who can turn me in to get into the King's favor," Logan said coldly. "My business is mine, and no one is staying here."

"If I go back to the palace I'll die no matter what information I have, so it's not going to matter," Remus said curtly. "So your reasons aren't valid anymore."

"And why would you be killed?" Logan asked, narrowing his eyes. "What did you do that's so bad that you wouldn't be allowed pardon for information?"

"I was born." Logan looked confused, so Remus just sighed. "I'm the ex prince, Remus Sanders."

"Ex Prince?" Logan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? And how come no one ever saw you in public?"

"Let's see," Remus snapped. "I'm the twin of the King, and therefore a threat to him in his opinion. I've never been meant to rule, and frankly don't want to, so there was no point for me to be in public. Everyone's heard of me, but no one has seen me. Roman threw me out without a glance, and even let Paranoia follow me out with the threat of death looming over my head if I even try to go back. So don't you dare try to assume my situation."

Logan turned to Patton, but his expression gave away nothing. He gave Remus an appraising look before sighing and shaking his head, like as if he couldn't believe himself.

"Fine. You can stay."

1002 words.