Word Count: 1583

~Kezziah

Sermon woke me the next morning, appearing at the door, but not passing the threshold.

The expression on her face told me something isn't right. She seems wary, peering into my room as if someone, or something, would jump out and attack her. It takes my groggy, waking mind a few moments to piece together why she might be anxious about stepping into this room.

Time.

I'm not sure what it means to me if she saw what happened last night. The memory seems to dip in and out of my conscious, but what I do remember, are those piercing golden eyes, and the sharp pain digging into my back makes it impossible to forget the mark.

It only becomes an issue if Alden finds out. This will keep me above him another step, if he doesn't find out, nor see it.

"Good morning," she says slowly, "breakfast time."

We are both watching each other warily, unsure of what the other is thinking. She hasn't had security guards for me in a long time, however, when she wanders into the room, two follow her in. It's not daunting, although I am curious as to why this is necessary. They saw something last night, and if the cunning look in Sermon's eye means anything, she isn't going to tell me what it is.

She waits without a word said, while I wash my face, brush my hair and dress into my tracksuit. I decide the only way I'm going to find anything out, is if I push her myself.

"So, why the guards?" I question, as she herds me out the door, the two men, a good few feet taller than me flanking both my sides. I want to ask for space, but I know I won't be given that privilege.

Sermon adjusts the bun atop her head as we walk. "I thought it might be needed. Just for today."

"Why?"

"You've been reacting to your medication rather strangely, so to ensure the safety of other patients, you will be joined in the breakfast room by a little tighter security," Sermon explains promptly, refusing to look at me. Is she scared?"

I scan her response through in my mind multiple times before I answer again. "Is this about my heart attack? It's not contagious or anything...Is it?"

Sermon takes a suspicious amount of time to answer me. She seems to be formulating an answer, and for a moment, I swear I catch her looking up at a camera we bypass. Either someone is watching, or she doesn't know what to say without causing a riot. I'm just relieved this doesn't seem to be about Time.

"We are just concerned that the medication is giving you hallucinations, or perhaps night terrors," Sermon tells me hurriedly, her tone low and hushed. "After last night, we are cautious, is all."

I can see the cafeteria door approach quickly. Before I'm forced to sit through breakfast wondering what she saw last night, from what I assume was the camera feed, I need to get answers.

"What did you see?" I whisper.

Right before the entrance, she pulls me to a hard stop. "You were wandering around your room all crazy like. Like someone on drugs, talking to yourself and staring blankly in the mirror. Might I say, it creeped us all out, especially since most of the footage was blank, and cut in and out. Higher authority ordered that you take a week's break out your medication."

With that, Sermon pushes me into the cafeteria followed by my guards.

My mind whirls. They didn't see Time. Whatever magic he used, shielded him from their gazes. And cut footage out, which must have involved him branding me. I'm not sure if I should feel relieved, or terrified. Time can do whatever he wants to me, and no one will be able to witness it.

Melena was back sitting with the group today, although she didn't look pleased to see me. Those pretty emerald eyes raise to meet me, and instantly flicker back down to her oatmeal.

"Nice show," Amilia says, a cheeky smile greeting me as I sit down.

My mind is so encompassed in worrying about what Sermon meant, and what she saw, that Amilia had to repeat herself, and Etta had to nudge my side for me to sink back into reality.

I have no idea what she means by 'good show' to any extent. "Oh...Ah, thanks?"

"All the guards think you were hallucinating last night, but we all doubt it. I think it was a statement, because you've always been against this place," Amilia says, eyes gleaming at the gossip she has just been fed. "I'm impressed, girl."

I blink a few times, trying to understand what she is insinuating. Conspiracies have been raised and discussed already. Nothing in here can be kept a secret. That means Alden must surely know. Does he have any idea that perhaps it was Time? I haven't been summoned to his office yet, so my hopes are high.

"Thanks," I repeat, tucking my hair behind my ear. I need to divert the conversation, in case they realise the truth behind it with more thought. "So, how far along are you guys with your medication."

I sit there, in my own thought while they talk.

It's better they talk about themselves, rather than me. I'm still formulating my own plans. Should I stay here? Should I leave? Where am I safe? Clearly not in here, and not out there. I need someone's help, and in my mind, there is only one person I could finesse into assisting me out of here.

An immortal himself. I need to speak to Cian.

***

It was as if he could read my thoughts. Or perhaps he wanted something else from me, but as night fell, as Sermon locked my door after me, I was summoned to his office, surrounded by his personal guards.

Cian was his pompous self, sitting behind his desk, feet propped on the surface.

I'm not sure how he manages to look like he just got the better of me at every moment. It's that smile, I can tell. That smirk has clearly been manufactured to get what he wants out of everyone. Now he has me where he wants me. He saved my life, and now I owe him. I hate that.

Because I want something else from him. And I have a feeling I'm not going to get it from him without a catch.

"My favourite patient," she purrs, as the office door closes behind me.

As much as want to hate Cian, for being Greed, a Sin no one should admire, I can't bring myself to. Not after he saved my life, despite it being for his own gain. I just need to use that now. I'll get what I want from him, and it will benefit both of us, I just have to figure out how.

I come to stand in front of his desk, placing the palms of my hands on the surface of his glossy desk. There's nothing on it, no paper of any hint of his plans for me tonight. This isn't a legitimate operation in here. He's running this within Alden's institute without him knowing.

"I want something from you," I say promptly. I have to come off confident in order for him to take me seriously.

His grin widens. "Is that right?"

"Maybe after this, you'll regret keeping me alive," I tell him, much to his enjoyment.

He leans forward in his seat, staring up at me from where he sits. His eyes glow a mix of golden and brown under the dim light above us. I've lured him in, I have him listening. Perfect.

"I want something from you too, Kezziah," he says, raising an eyebrow. I knew it. "So I think we can come to some kind of agreement."

Cian pointedly watches me, as I pull up a chair, easing into it. I'm nervous, and I'm trying to ignore the fact that he can see right through me. I need this. Cian is the only immortal I know, who might be willing to help me. If this falls through, my last hope will be relying on Alden.

"I need protection, from Time," I tell him, to which he raises both eyebrows in surprise. "I want to make sure he can't come back, into my room. At least here. There's more I want, but later."

Cian seems to toss that idea around in his head. "Okay. I'll think about it. On the condition you do something for me."

I swallow uncomfortably. I've come to the conclusion that I have no other choice. For this one thing, I'm going to have to be at the mercy of whatever he plans. "What is it?"

"I was invited to a party, and I want you to be my eye candy," he offers, that dangerous smile gracing his features again. 'I'm sure everyone there will love you."

I have an impossible amount of questions, which will in no way will be answers.

"Okay," I say finally. "I'll do it."

🖤••❤️

If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

Hope you like (:

Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼