Wicked

Chapter X

Ella's POV

Noah looked at me in shock, which quickly turned into anger. The subject seemed to be on the sensitive side making me sort of regret even bringing it up in the first place. Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.

"I...I don't know what your talking about..." He stammered as his hand began to clench into a fist.

Hesitantly, I pulled out the crumbled up note I found a few hours back and handed it to him. He frowned while proceeding to take it from my hold.

I closely evaluated his emerald shaded eyes as they slowly grazed over the note. Noah's jaw set tight, emphasizing his sharp features.

"Where did you find this?" His eyes still fixated on the paper.

"In the basement." I muttered, tucking a loose lock of hair behind my ear as I leaned against the wall, waiting for the answer to my question.

"Who is Lucy?"

"She's none of your concern." He shot back, his eyes darting at me from above.

I looked down, my confidence suddenly feeling intimidated by his intense gaze.

He proceeded to walk away from me and towards the stairs, but then stopped, turning his back on me.

"Change of plans, you're sleeping in your room tonight." And with that, he left.

I stood there, still sort of disappointed and curious as ever. Just who is Lucy?

—————

I turned my head to the side for what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour. Ever since I've been here, it's felt like I had developed insomnia, but tonight was much worse.

Thoughts about Noah and that letter just kept repeating in my head over and over again.

I have to know who she is.

Slowly, I lifted the covers off myself and made my way to the door. I grabbed ahold of the knob, praying it would be open.

It was.

I tried my best to stay quiet as I tiptoed down the hall and eventually across the other side of the mansion to where I was sure to get some answers to my questions.

I noticed that the door had not been shut, with the small opening crack, almost inviting me in. I pushed it open while making sure to close it behind me.

I found myself in a dimly lit room, which resembled something straight out of a mob film.

A large area with books lined up against one wall and across it, tables of pool and poker. In the middle of the room, a large desk placed in front of a leather chair. Trays of cigars and a pile of papers placed in the center.

And a gray filing drawer right next to it.

Waking up to it, I pulled on the top handle to see if I could find any information. It was organized quite neatly, yet non of the tabs seemed like they were going to be any help. Closing it, I decided to move on to the one underneath.

"No...No...Nope- fuck!"

I cursed under my breath. I couldn't find anything. Not a single file that could tell me who she was. 

My hand glided over another set of labeled tabs and just as I was starting to give up my eyes stopped on a certain folder.

'Lucy Grace Coleman'

Just as quickly as I read it, I snatched it from the pile. Placing it on the desk I flipped open the cover, there I saw a photograph of a girl no older than seventeen. She resembled Noah in a slight manner, yet different at the same time.

Under was a paragraph of text.

'Daughter of James Arthur Coleman, killed at the age of sixteen by two men, claiming to work for the Devil's Head'

Before I could read anymore I sensed a shadow standing behind me.

I turned my head up, and there stood Noah with a glass of whiskey in hand and his usual stone cold glare.

"I left to get another drink, and here I find you, out of your room and sneaking around in my office."

My pulse started to rise as I attempted to come up with a convincing lie, but reality hit me once I realize the evidence was already in my hands.

"I wanted to know who she was."

Truth. There was absolutely nothing I could say but the truth. And I had never been more scared to face him while doing so.

"It said she was killed. By who?"

Noah placed his glass on the corner of the desk.

"A rival gang." He simply stated. Not a single bit of emotion in his voice.

"When?"

"Four years ago."

My eyes slightly lowered for a sec then shot back up.

"She was your sister... wasn't she?"

I knew the answer to that question. I just wanted to hear it from him.

His eyes darkened as soon as the words left my mouth.

"That's enough." He grabbed the file and placed it back where I found it.

"Let's go. I'm taking you back to your room."

Noah put his hand on the lower end of my back, making my legs naturally move forward.

"I can take myself back."

"Like I trust you roaming around these halls dead in the night now. Clearly you need to be escorted." He fought back.

A few quiet minutes of uncomfortable silence passed by and I couldn't help braking it.

"...Are you mad?"

I blurted out. Almost wanting to smack myself for being so upfront.

"I don't want to talk about it, Ella."

His voice sounded restless and on edge. I didn't want to make him any more angry than I'm sure he already was.

So I stayed quite the whole way back.

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