Evan

Coming from someone who has hidden their identity for ten years, I was proud of her. I watched as she pondered how to say it. I really didn't understand her obsession with keeping her name a secret, it's not like she's a spy.

I watched as the realness of the situation dawned in her eyes. Then she straightened and pressed he lips together. I saw her stormy eyes harden.

"My name is Princess Amberley Da Ville, daughter of King John and Heir to Adana's throne," she announced. I scowled, stepping forward to scold her for not joking around but I felt my gut drop as Joshua glared at me. Amber was, serious.

My eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. We found her in the castle. Her beauty was unparalleled, just as Amberley's was rumored to be. My hand racked through my hair. I was furious. This couldn't be Amberley, Amberley was dead. Huffing, I saw red. I didn't care how beautiful, how sweet or how powerful this girl was, she wouldn't disrespect my old friend. I surged forward, yanking the girl from her seat.

I ignored her yelp and I spun her around so her back was to Joshua. Her blue eyes were wide and fearful as she flinched in pain. I tightened my hands around her arms. I saw the terror in her eyes but I no longer cared... she doesn't get to take my friend's identity like nothing.

"Evan! Put her down, now!" Joshua bellowed.

I growled as I yanked up the girls cotton shirt, revealing her scarred back to Joshua. Joshua's eyes widened. I guess Eli hadn't told him about those. "She's a liar! Who would whip and beat a princess?"

The girl was shaking uncontrollably, trying to rip herself away from me. I held tight. "Please stop... Please," she sobbed. I felt her tears soak through my t-shirt. I jerked away from her. Her small body collapsed with a weep. Joshua caught her in his arms. He glared.

"Get out now!" He demanded. I didn't hesitate before surging out the door, slamming it behind me. I pounded my fist on the wall besides it, falling to the ground. This was unbelievable. How could she lie like this? I thought back to the girls appearance. She did have Amberley's thick black hair and crazy blue eyes. I recalled the girl staring at me and realized I had made a big mistake. They had the same eyes. It was Amberley and I had thrown her around like a doll, revealing her scars like a good movie.

I placed my head in my hands, waiting for the girl. It felt strange saying Amberley after I had thought she was dead for years. All those times I had wondered about her, listened to the boys talk about her like a ghost and now she's really here. She was really here. I was shaking all over. I was snapped out of my daze as the door cracked open. This can't be real!

Amberley snuck out and closed the door behind her. She hadn't seen me yet. I stood up from the floor and winced as she flinched, backing away hastily. "Please, I'm sorry I lied to you. Please don't hurt me," she sobbed.

I felt my instincts take over and I enveloped Amberley into a bear hug. I squeezed her small frame and slightly lifted her into my arms, wishing desperately for the sobs to soften. I couldn't take it. She went stiff at the contact and sucked in a breath. "What are you doing?"

I sighed and released her. "A I'm sorry I'm such a dick hug."

Amberley furrowed her full brows and hugged her arms around herself like she couldn't comprehend what I had done. Something told me that she had never had a hug. As we walked back the reality sunk in. Amberley Da Ville was my shadow, would sleep next me and I would have to take her everywhere. I still needed to complete the mission, Amberley or not. I silently vowed to not let her or my feelings for her get in my way. And what if she recognized me? She could send my mission straight into the dirt and my ten years here would be for nothing.

"Did Joshua say when you would get your own room and classes? No offense but Princesses aren't my type," I drawled, throwing as much venom into the sentence as I could muster. It physically pained me to see a hurt expression take over Amberley's face.

"Two weeks and you'll never have to see me again," she said, biting the inside of her cheek and wringing her hands.

As we went back to our room, I knew I had made the right decision to push her away. She hasn't been here two days and she's threatened everything!

I didn't get much sleep as I laid in bed that night, I listened to Amberley sob and jerk around in her sleep... no doubt in a bad dream. Who had hurt her this bad? This wasn't the Amberley I remembered. This was broken version.

I fell asleep with the memories of blue eyes and knobby knees.

♚

When I awoke, I nearly ripped the blade from underneath the mattress at the sight of Amberley. Ugh, it wasn't a dream! Her knees were tucked up to her chin and her eyes were haunted. She didn't even look at me.

"Good morning, Amberley... I suppose breakfast is not royal enough for you either?"

Amberley's eye drift to mine defeatedly and I frown when she only rolls back onto her side, facing away from me. Good, she hates me. It's for the better.

Amberley didn't come to breakfast and was still laying on the bed when I returned for her. I didn't miss the tears streaming down her face. She hates it here already... that's apparent. I left once again and quickly found Eli... he agreed to help me with the princess predicament. He wasn't surprised when I told him about her true identity... he told me that it was announced during the last half of breakfast I had missed. Everyone knew who she really was. I watched from afar with a horrible feeling in my gut and Eli crouched in besides her bed.

"Amberley Da Ville... you're just a beautiful as the rumors say," he murmurs. I feel a growl erupt in the back of my throat.

"He hates me now, Elijah," she whispers to Eli, aware I have God-like hearing. Add it to the list... but her words don't make me feel godly though.

"He doesn't hate you, Amb. He's only frustrated... he has a God complex, you see. And he really was fooled into thinking you were just a normal girl. He doesn't like being wrong," he replies. Well thanks semi-true I guess...

Amberley sniffs and hear her metal bed squeak as she shifts. "I'm sorry for lying... I hope Jeffery doesn't feel the same as he does."

I scoff internally. Why is she worrying about Jeffery when he's only been rude to her? And what's with the excessive use of pronouns?

Eli chuckles slightly and I wonder why I can't be that smooth around Amberley? I'm usually smoother than Eli, Jeff, and Jackson combined but I get so confused and emotionally wrecked when I see her. And it hasn't even been two days.

"I'll be your shadow for the day... let's leave Evan to think about how he's been acting like a little boy who didn't get what he wanted for Christmas. Sound like a plan?"

I scowl at the girl, letting my eyes finally drift to her tear stained face. My pride was suddenly wounded. She doesn't want to be my shadow?

"Okay... only if you don't mind," she says, reaching to push her thick hair behind her ears.

"It would be an honor to accompany you on your first official day as a Clandestine Institute Altru," he says, offering her a hand. She seems to sense my gaze because her eyes drift to mine. She seems hurt as she takes Eli's hand and stands from the bed.

Oh so she'll touch Mr.Fixer but she cries at the sight of me? Yes, my pride was definitely wounded.

Eli turns to me and offers me a apologetic smile. "Evan... looks like you'll be shadowless for the day. Find something to do today that doesn't involve being a big dick."

I scowl at him but my eyes find Amberley's once again. She doesn't meet mine this time though and follows Eli out the door and into Clandestine. I had to repeat 'it's for the best' a thousand times before I did the same.

~

Amberley had made it her life mission to avoid me at all cost. She had obviously taken a liking to Eli and I knew that because I was walking by myself to my classes.

I knew when these damn Altrus were up to something the second I stepped into the halls. They were whispering today... and whispering Altrus were never a good thing.

"How dare that bitch come into our home when her family never made a move to help us?" I heard someone say. That wasn't even the worst of it.

"Oh, so now she wants our help? How ironic!"

"Maybe she'll learn how it feels to be treated like an animal when Joshua throws her ass right back outside."

"She looks crazy, no wonder Evan didn't want to be her shadow."

For some reason, the Altrus I had lived with all my life had become ruthless. They had always hated King John for never giving sanctuary or helping the Altrus after my family waged war against our kind but I hadn't known they hated Princess Amberley just as much. My muscles tightened and my fury grew at every snide comment I heard as I traveled the halls.

I had walked past the girls locker room and Eli was standing outside of the door. He called me over.

"This isn't good, Evan. She's on the verge already and know this? I don't know, maybe Joshua should send her back."

I laughed at that. "So she can go back to whoever had been starving and abusing her for ten years? No way, Eli. Don't worry, it'll fade away... it always does."

Eli's next words were cut off as the door to the locker rooms opened. Amberley emerged and I immediately knew that she knew exactly what was going on and she wasn't taking it very well.

"Amberley..." I start, taking a step closer to her. "I can help you, be my shadow."

She only shakes her head silently and steps away from me and behind Eli. Her eyes survey the Altrus moving to their next classes with a deep fear.

"We have next class together... let's go," I announce.

Amberley walks between us with her head hung defeatedly and her arms wrapped around herself. I hate this... I usually like the spotlight, but not this kind of spotlight.

As we entered our Specialty Arts class, Eli excused himself to go talk to the teacher for a few minutes. I watched Amberley from afar, admiring her. Her hair was something else, it flowed behind her like a cape. She stayed away from me and I was grateful for it. I don't think I would be able to diss Amberley so openly again if she approached me.

As more people walked into class, I realized with dread that we would be practicing partner dancing today. Great, to add to my already crappy day, I would have to dance with some broad who would drool at me the whole period.

Amberley had made her way over to the girl side of the room and I realized with a pang in my heart that they were openly ignoring her and whispering among themselves. My feet ached to go over there and yell at Amberley to do something.

Eli pushed my shoulder and I stumbled. "I don't know your deal dude, but you're making a mess and I suggest you fix it before she does something she regrets," he snapped at me before walking over to stand with Amberley. She smiled at him gratefully and I scowled.

This wasn't going to work. Maybe I should just accept the fact I can't stay away from her and live with. I didn't want her to suffer and she obviously was. I had to somehow get people to accept her too? But how do I do that when I can't even accept her?

I had told my father's communication about the Princess and her powers. They only said that they would give instructions tomorrow. I had a small device that sent and receive messages tucked into the coils of my mattress and another one a hole in a corridor hall that allowed us to communicate.

"Partners are listed," someone called. I strolled over and scanned for me name. My stomach dropped. Amberley and Evan. I stared at the board, wishing with all my mind that the names would just disappear. I had no such luck.

Amberley hesitantly walked up to me with a small frown. I would love to kiss that frown away. Wait no I wouldn't, I'm supposed to hate the creature. I couldn't help my stare, she just was so beautiful.

"What's the frown about, Princess? Am I not royal enough for you?" I question. Hurt flashes in her ocean-filled eyes and I swore I saw a storm brewing behind them. I wished she would unleash it upon me, I wish she would do something.

"Considering I'm not Royal anymore, I'm allowed to dance with anyone I please," Amberley stated in her sing song voice. Something told me that she wasn't trying to convince me but herself.

I huffed and grabbed her waist and whisked her to the dance floor. As we moved, I couldn't help but feel flustered at the feel of her waist and her hands around the back of my neck. I closed my eyes, counting the seconds until it was over.

"I'm tired Evan," Amberley. I rolled my eyes and stared at her. She had slept in my room last night and had obviously had a hard time having peaceful sleep.

"You'll get used to the sleeping schedule soon," I offered.

"I'm tired of people not listening to me. I tired of being a small little breeze when I know I can be a hurricane. Do you think I could be a hurricane?" She rants. I'm surprised to say the least, these were the most words she has ever said me. I'm shocked voiceless.

"I don't think that anyone can be a hurricane down here, it's too confining. Once you enter, you never leave, it's simply a early grave," I announce, speaking the truth for the first time in years.

"So I traded a prison for a new one?" She asked. I dipped her slightly and pulled her against me. Her small body seemed to complete my puzzle and I was slightly dazed as I stared into her churning irises.

"I won't let this be my prison. The worst fate is being taught to think you're powerful and that you mean something only to realize on your death bed that you did nothing more to change the world than the average scum," I announce, suddenly passionate.

Amberley knits her eyebrows together... thinking, deliberating.

"Power is a prison," Amberley says. I ponder this... she's right in a way. It was our powers that made the Iniquitous, my family, hate us and force us to hide but our powers are also our biggest ally and the only key to escape. Without them, we would just be ordinary. But then again, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

"But it's a damn good one."

We were silent for a while, our gazes speaking novels as we stared at each other. I could never write the feelings that come to me when I'm around Amberley. If I felt this way only after a few days, how would I feel after years of being down here together. But I know that I will be leaving soon. My mission needs to be completed. Especially with the attack on Adana coming.

"I don't have many friends here," Amberley states, a sad frown distorting the symmetry of her face.

"I've noticed."

"Will you be my friend Evan?" She asks me. I glance down at her, our feet moving on their own accord. If I was going to complete my mission, did it matter if I was friends with her or not? It's not like I was in love with her or anything.

"How can I resist a damsel in distress?" I drawled, flashing her my signature smirk. We would be a good team.