He grabbed her upper arm and her voice returned to her. "Julius, let me go!" She screamed.
He released her. Her knees buckled and she fell to the floor in a heap. He stood over her still, tall and menacing. There was no worry or concern in his stance. "What did you hear?" He asked quietly. His voice sounded dead.
She didn't speak. Nothing she said could help her now. She rubbed her upper arms with her hands, trying to fight the chill creeping over her body. She felt sick with it. She focused on not throwing up on his antique carpet.
"You heard something, or you wouldn't have run." He said. And she flinched at that icy tone, as if he had physically struck her. "What did you hear?"
Still she remained quiet. She was frightened senseless. She didn't want to be here, with this stranger. Where was her Julius?
He stepped away from her. "No matter. I can guess." He pulled his keyring from his pocket and locked the door to the main hall. He pocketed the key again. "Let me see..." He mused slowly, crossing the room and locking the conference room door. "You've probably figured out by now that I have been smuggling weapons to the Rebel forces. Yes, the same side that killed your parents in battle..."
She couldn't take this any more. Rebel forces? Smuggling? She didn't care about any of that. Didn't he notice the change in his behavior? How it was affecting her? She just wanted all of this to go away.
"I've never said my parents died in the war!" Claire yelled suddenly. "They were shot to death by carriers in this city's junk yard! I'm not a liar like you!" She felt her face grow hot with anger and grasped at it desperately. Anything to fight off that bitter cold... She didn't care about the damned war, or what was going on. She just wanted her Julius back.
Julius stopped short, his dark eyes turned to her, looking over her carefully. "The junk yard?" He strode over to her swiftly. Then he grabbed her by the front of her dress, raising her body into the air and pressing her back against the door. "You're not noble?" His voice was a shocked whisper.
Claire struggled helplessly, feeling only air under her feet. "I-I never said I was...." She gasped. She didn't think to kick him or defend herself. It would shatter her heart to intentionally hurt him, no matter how he acted towards her.
His free hand shot out, grabbing her chin. He forced her head to one side, then the other, continuing his inspection. An unfathomable expression crossed his face. It was something close to pain. That awful coldness in his eyes flickered.
He released her and she slid down the wall to the floor, where she lay and whimpered. “It doesn't matter where you came from. The entire city is trash anyway, junk piles or not. You're the one perfect bloom in the entire heap. It doesn't matter where your seed fell. You're here now." He was talking rapidly, but it seemed to her that he was just babbling. Saying one thing, while his mind was on a completely different track. He wasn't troubled by her lack of blue blood. He was struggling against something inside of himself.
Claire sat up. She watched him with wide eyes. His white gloved hands kept clenching into fists, then unclenching. He seemed to have trouble controlling his own arms. Her jaw hurt from him gripping it so hard. "I don't want to be here." She said miserably. She wanted to be back to this morning, when she had been happy.
But he misunderstood her words. "You can't leave." He told her. Claire gave him a stricken look. The cold had come over him again. He was calm now, and completely alien to her. "I apologize immensely, my dear. But you belong to me until you turn eighteen.” He took a seat on the white sofa. “Besides, you know too much now. You could destroy me with what you know. I can't take that chance."
Claire shrank away from him as much as she could, sliding away from the door, closer to the windows. She back was pressing painfully into the wall. "What will you do with me?" She asked, afraid.
Julius saw that the front of her dress was torn. He felt something inside of him wrench. Warmth flooded suddenly through his body, under the ice. "Oh Claire, nothing." He said gently.
She continued to slide away from him, fear and instinct had taken over completely. She was confused, and hurt. Her mind rebelled, rejecting the soft look in his dark eyes.
"I am deeply sorry for my behavior towards you. Everything happened all at once, and I overreacted. I would never hurt you." He rose from the sofa, walking over to her slowly.
Too late. The words ran through his body, not just his brain. He had not harmed her physically, but he had still hurt her immensely. He had fractured her trust. The frozen layer of ice over his heart cracked.
"You don't have to be afraid." He knelt in front of her and she flinched away. He reached a hand out to her. "Claire, I-" Panic wouldn't let her go that easily though. She was much to frightened to think clearly, She was only a child. "No!" She shrieked. "Get away!"
Suddenly the tall window nearest them shattered. A dark shape flew into the room, rolling on the carpet. In less than a heartbeat, Beast was on his feet. His yellow eyes were hard. Julius rose, facing this sudden threat, unconsciously backing away. He blinked at Beast, surprise plain on his face. Beast stepped in front of Claire, hiding her from Julius' view behind his long cloak. His yellow eyes were determined. He seemed to be waiting for something
Julius' eyes were wide now. His hands were balled into fists, and they were shaking. The tremors went up his arms, to his shoulders. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come.
His head was pounding, throbbing against his skill. There was a roaring sound building in his ears, drowning everything. He had forgotten Claire for the moment, entirely absorbed in those yellow eyes.
Eyes he recognized.
“Nightmare...” He breathed.
The cold was entirely gone now. Rage boiled though him, suddenly and powerfully. His eyes narrowed. His fists tightened, making the fabric of his gloves strain. He was shaking with rage now. “You...” He hissed through gritted teeth.
Claire looked up at the back of Beast's cloak. Her confusion had increased tenfold. What was going on now? She heard Julius' voice. Julius recognized Beast? How?
He barely got his arms up in time to defend himself. Beast's kick connected with his crossed arms and Julius was knocked back. He flew across the room, landing on the sofa. The frame collapsed and the entire thing crumpled inward. Julius fell to the floor and didn't move.
Beast turned to Claire, kneeling before her. She scrambled to her feet. "Beast!" She sobbed, wrapping her arms around his neck, shaking all over. She peered at Julius. "Is he going to be all right?"
"Hold on." He said to her, ignoring her question. She gripped her arms tightly with her hands and wrapped her legs around his waist. She buried her face in his neck.
Julius' head was pounding. He opened his eyes slowly. His vision swam, then cleared. He saw the black figure, and Claire.
"You..." His breathing was ragged. His muscles and joints ached but he managed to get to his feet. "You!" He yelled, rage filling his whole body. Beast turned his tawny marble eyes on Julius, eyes that were as cold as ice.
He ran at Beast. Claire screamed and he paused. Beast attacked then. His legs whipped out faster than the eye could follow. Julius brought his arms up in front of him again, blocking the kicks. But Beast kicked again and again, relentlessly, and he could feel his body shaking with the repeated impacts. Finally his legs collapsed and he fell back.
Beast's attacks stopped. He glared down at the man before him. "Cantor." He said coldly. Then he turned and ran silently to the shattered window. He kicked out more of the glass and stood on the sill. "We have to get away from here, Claire." He said, his voice still again.
"Away?" She said weakly from his neck.
"Yes. It is dangerous here for you." He paused. "Do you trust me?" He asked. She nodded, her face still buried in his neck. "Then hold on as tight as you can." She scrambled to renew her grip as he jumped from the window. She caught just one glimpse at how high up they were, far too high, before she squeezed her eyes closed and held her breath.
They were
falling, fast, too fast, and faster still. She could feel it. The wind pressed her hard against Beast's body. Any second now they would hit the ground. A pained sound rumbled deep in Beast's chest. His body jerked and their fall stopped short. She nearly lost her grip then. She hung on him with everything she had. She felt wind pressing her in a different direction. They were still moving swiftly, but forward rather than down.
After a while, she opened her eyes, then gasped. Beast now had pure white feathered wings sprouting from his back. They were huge, and seemed to glow in the twilight. "Claire, please don't let go." Beast said in a strained voice.
She felt her grip slackening then and tightened it. They flew up over the buildings. She suppressed the sudden urge to look down. Her hands were sweating and her muscles were aching. Everything had happened so fast. She was being carried away from Julius. Tears sprang to her eyes and she sobbed.
Beast scanned the horizon. A long patch of green sprang up on the horizon. He headed straight for it, dipping down, flying close to the ground. He began to slow down.
It was then that Claire's grip slipped. Her exhausted limbs just could not hold on any longer. She fell three feet and skidded along the grass for several feet. Beast folded his wings quickly, landing beside her fallen form. His wings flared out again, wrapping around her protectively.
She lay there, unconscious. Her dress was ruined. Her hair was tangled. There was a cut across her cheek. The fall had completely knocked the wind out of her. She wasn't breathing.
Beast watched her intently. After a long second she gasped and shuddered as her lungs forced themselves to open and fill with air. She turned to her side and began coughing. After a while she lay back, breathing deeply.
Her blue eyes stared at the blank night sky. Tears spilled from the sides. "Julius..." Beast moved then and her attention was brought back to him, and his wings. She sat up, gazing at him. "How..."
It was then that he doubled over in pain. His entire body jerked and shook. The gorgeous white wings turned black, the feathers falling away like ash. Soon, they were gone completely, scarring the grass with black soot.
Claire reached her arms out to him. He sagged against her weakly. She supported him, wrapping her arms around his chest, his head rested on her shoulder. He was thinner now, She could see it. His ribs stuck out more and his cheeks sank in more, giving him a gaunt look.
"Beast..." Claire's eyes were wide with concern. "What happened?"
"I used too much." Beast's voice was a whisper against her neck. "I need to rest. I need to feed."
"I don't know what you eat." Claire said desperately. "I have never even see you eat anything." She started to get up. "Just tell me what you need, I will go get it." She said.
"No. Don't leave me." Beast said. "I can't move right now. I'll be fine, just, stay with me."
Claire held him tighter. "I'm right here." She whispered to him. She had never seen Beast helpless before. Even without his arms he was always so capable, protecting her.
For a long time Claire sat there holding him. His eyes were closed and he was absolutely still. Her muscles were sore to her very bones. She wanted to lay down and stretch her legs badly.
Beast stirred against her neck slightly. "Claire." He whispered, turning face up to hers.
She looked down at him. "Yes?"
"Do you love me?" He asked her softly, his tawny gold eyes seeking her clear blue ones.
Claire nodded, looking into his eyes. "Yes." She began to feel dizzy with weariness. Her eyes closed, her head fell forward.
Beast sat up and she fell against his chest. "Claire." He called to her, his voice back to it's usual dullness. "We have to move. Julius will find us if we stay out in the open."
She opened her eyes wearily. "I want to go back." She said. "I want to see Julius."
"I don't think you will be able to easily. At least not by himself." He told her. "Come and look." He rose to his feet.
Claire climbed to her feet as well. She swayed a little, but the cool night air revived her somewhat. "Where are we going?" She asked.
"Just a little ahead." He said.
They began walking. Claire realized soon that they were in a park in the Silver District. They had really flown far.
They exited the park, sticking to the shadows and the sides of buildings. There was a big square up ahead. Beast stopped on the outer skirts of it. There was a giant light screen set up against the side of a tall building. Claire had seen it a few times as she passed through this part of the district in the hovercar. Right now it was displaying the news. Claire read the headline and gasped.
Regent Attacked In Own Home, Hospitalized "Julius..." Claire whispered. She scanned the text scrolling the bottom of the light screen. She read it aloud. "Earlier tonight, the Regent, Julius Cantor was the victim of an attack in his own home. Various sources believe it to be an assassination attempt by the Rebel Army." A video played in the corner of the screen, showing Beast crashing through the window and attacking Julius. The video cut off there, and looped over and over. From the camera angle, Claire could not see herself in the video.
Suddenly the light screen blanked, then switched to a full screen video feed. Audio began playing from speakers set into the side of the building as well.
The video showed Julius attempting to brush off medical aid. There was a bloodstained bandage taped to the side of his head. "Just hold on one damned moment." He said severely, then focused on the camera. "The perpetrator of the attack against myself is not a Rebel terrorist." He told the reporter. He straightened up, giving the camera a level, cold look. "I was attacked by the very same man that killed my father, the previous Regent, sixteen years ago."
Claire stiffened. She turned to Beast, her eyes wide. His eyes were focused on the light screen. There was a deathly calm over him. His eyes burned with some strange emotion. His black lips bared over his white teeth in a grimace. "Cantor." He whispered.
Julius continued speaking without pause. "Not only has this monster attacked me, but he has also kidnapped my young ward, Claire Cantor. I am hereby now offering a hundred thousand unit reward to anyone for any information on this man's whereabouts, and the whereabouts of my ward." Finished speaking, he turned away from the camera. A set of metal double doors closed, cutting him off from the camera. The live video blanked out. To be replaced by a new headline:
Regent Offers Reward For Information Leading To Attacker/Kidnapper Claire backed away from the square. Her eyes softened and fresh tears slid down her cheeks. She fell to her knees, staring at nothing.
Beast stood over her. "I apologize Claire, this is my fault. I should not have revealed myself to Julius."
Claire closed her eyes and shook her head violently. Her shoulders hunched and she sobbed. She gripped her upper arms tightly, as if her small frame might suddenly fly apart at the seams.
Beast knelt down in front of her. "I will go." He said. "You can return to Julius then." He said.
Claire threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "No!" She cried out. "Don't leave me!" She cried into his neck. "I'll make him understand. I'll make him see. I won't let you go!"
"Claire..." Beast began.
"No!" Claire refused, hanging onto him tightly. "Please..." She whispered. "I need you. I need the both of you. I can't have one without the other! I will make Julius see."
"Claire." Beast said evenly. "Julius has valid reason for hating me. I-"
"No!" She screamed again, refusing to listen. "It doesn't matter, whatever it is, it doesn't matter..." Her voice was then drowned out by her crying.
Chapter XVI - Escape Beast and Claire watched the Sword and the Rose from the roof of the Bathhouse a few blocks away. The restaurant was under watch. Claire couldn't tell at first, as the street looked deserted. But Beast pointed all the sentries out to her.
"He thinks we might return there." Claire said. "We have to avoid him for now, until I can talk to him alone."
"That will be difficult." Bea
st said to her. "The High Empress will have him guarded well."
Claire's face was set in determination. She stood up on the roof and turned to leave. "Beast, can you do me a favor?"
*** Mrs. Kennie woke with a start. "Light." She said, and the lights flared on.
The room was empty. Why did her heart race so? She sighed heavily and turned back to her pillow. Her hand closed over a scrap of paper then, just under her pillow. She pulled it out. It was folded tightly. She carefully unfolded it.
Tears sprang to her eyes when she read the words written inside.
"Oh child..." She whispered to no one. She carefully folded the paper up again, holding it tightly. Holding the words to her heart. Inside of the paper was neatly printed:
"Thank you Good bye."
***
Beast returned to Claire, kneeling on the roof. "It's done." He said. Claire nodded. "We have to go back to the Manor." She said.
"Julius will not be there." He told her.
"I know." Claire said. "But I left some important things behind. I need them back."
"Climb on." Beast told her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to his back. He rose and jumped from rooftop to rooftop, heading towards the Gold District.
*** Claire dumped out her schoolbag. She left her phone behind, the chip inside could be used to track her. Instead she took the digital picture frame Delilah had given to her for her eleventh birthday. It contained copies of all of Delilah's pictures, plus a few more taken since then. She grabbed some underwear next. Most of her clothes were too frilly and recognizable, but she did find the denim dress she usually wore to art class because she didn't care if it got messy.
She grabbed the snowflake necklace Julius had given her, so long ago. Also her e-paper. And the silver earrings Mrs. Kennie had given her for her tenth birthday. She also had a few silver cards scattered around.
She moved through the crowded wreck of a room as swiftly and silently as she could, even though the entire castle was as silent as a tomb. Claire had never seen it so empty and still before.
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