Sterling

I woke up and then I died all over again. I looked around at the rubble that surrounded me, Amberley no where to be seen.

My heart tore in two. I fell to my knees with a scream. I felt tears streak down my face as I cradled my head in my hands.

I had blood on my hands, none of it mine. I had hurt her. I had made myself break her heart and use my powers on her. I had made her feel the pain of the belt on her back all over again.

She would hate me if she was still alive. Was she still alive? Or was she buried in Clandestine somewhere? I rocked back and forth for hours.

I was silent when my father came, placing a hand on my back.

"You did good son, she's dead and Clandestine is destroyed. You did it, you saved the Iniquitous," he said.

I nodded and stood. My father looked so much different. His blonde hair was grey and his smooth face was now aged and mared with the scars of war. His Iniquitous red cape looked so similar to the blood on my hands.

"Father," I said. He only clasped a hand on my shoulder again. I was nearly as tall as him but I had never felt so small.

"Son?"

"I killed her."

"Yes."

"Is there something wrong with me?"

"Yes. But it is the same thing that is wrong with all of us."

~

The Iniquitous headquarters were no longer home. After nearly a decade in Clandestine, I felt like a stranger.

I was escorted to my room. Two of my fathers personal Unfeeling guards walked on either side of me.

I was no longer surprised by their blank stares and voiceless opinions. I knew better than to start a conversation with a trained animal. They wouldn't understand.

My room was the same as I left it. It was so much bigger than my room in Clandestine but it felt like the walls were closing in on me.

I could smell her every breath I took. I could feel her walking besides me. I could feel her hair between my fingers.

I blocked out all feelings. I couldn't think of her again. I wouldn't even say her name ever again. I had made my decision. I would rule this world and I would be a hell of a ruler.

I stepped into my bathing chambers and turned on my shower. I stripped out of my grey clothes. I glanced disdainfully at the jumpsuit. My last pair of Clandestine greys. They would soon be switched out with Iniquitous crimson.

A maid came walking into my room. She didn't even notice my naked state and simply strolled towards me without glancing my way. She picked up my grey clothes and turned to leave.

I felt alarm sing through me. "Where are you taking those?" I demanded.

She finally turned to look at me. I saw her glance at my body and a blush crept to her cheeks.

"You're father wishes them to be burned."

I shook my head and surged to rip them out of her hands. She looked startled and scramble out of my naked vicinity.

"First of all, knock before you enter my chambers. Second of all, you don't touch my belongings unless I personally give you permission to."

Her eyes blew wide at my outburst.

"My apologies, your grace. I will never make the same mistake again," she stumbled.

I turned away from her. "No you won't. Now get out."

She stumbled out of the room and quietly closed the door behind her. I scowled at the clothes in my hands.

I silently folded them and placed them behind the rest of my Iniquitous clothing. They were hidden from the lurking eyes of maids. I don't know why I didn't want to burn them. It just didn't feel right.

~

I spent a whole hour in my shower. I scrubbed at my body as if the expensive soaps could rid me of any of my memories at Clandestine.

I washed away Eli. Washed away Jeff and Jackson. Washed away Coach Lawley and Samara Valar. Washed away Joshua. Washed away her.

Amberley's hair looked so black as the water wet it, I was scared it was all shadow and it would disappear when I grasped it.

She turned to me, a shy smile sneaking onto her lips. I couldn't help but glance at her naked body. Her body was amazing, so much better than any girl I've ever seen before.

Her cheeks burned red and she turned away from me, letting the water run along her back and down her butt. Her butt, was quite nice.

I smiled and grabbed some soap from the rack besides me. I squirted some in my hands before rubbing them along her back.

Amberley stilled and visibly flinched. I grinned as my hands went lower and lower. The grime and dirt from her power outburst earlier came off underneath my hands, revealing her smooth skin.

I felt my hairs stand up on end as my hands traveled past her butt and onto her legs. I bent down and rubbed them seductively. I felt her shiver.

"Amberley," I rasped as I stood up.

She turned, wide eyed. She seemed just as flustered as I was.

I couldn't control myself anymore. I reached forward and crashed my lips upon her. Our lips moved together passionately as I pushed he against the showers wall.

Our bodies were pressed tightly together. Her breast were pressed against my chest and my length was pressed against her stomach. I had done this with many girls before but for some reason this felt so different. More intimate.

I hands reached down and rubbed her breast gently. She shivered and I groaned against her lips as her hips buckled into me.

She was panting now. I moved my hands from her breast to her butt, my hands grabbing it firmly before hoisting her onto my waist. Her legs wrapped around my hips.

She pulled herself away from my mouth and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her blue eyes were stormy and filled with uncertainty. I smiled and pushed her against the wall. She gasped.

"Evan, I'm scared."

I only reached to push her dark locks out of her face.

"Why? If you want to stop, I'll stop. I don't want to hurt you, not ever."

She furrowed her eyes. "That's why I'm scared, I don't want you to stop."

I smiled and pressed my lips to hers.

"Then I won't."

I growled and punched the showers wall. The tile met my fist with just as much force and pain ripped through my arm. My knuckle came away bloody. Out of all our memories, why this one?

I couldn't think about her. Especially not her so intimately. That was one of the best days of my life. Her powers had finally shown themselves and my powers were placed at her feet. I gave my everything to her, and she gave her everything to me.

The way she felt as I moved inside her, her moans, her hair around my fist. I couldn't get it outside of my mind. I couldn't get her out of my fucking mind.

I already missed her so fucking much. I missed her laugh, her smile, her gentle hands. I missed everything about her. How would I live like this?

I yanked the shower off and stepped out. I toweled myself off and made my way to my dresser. I opened every drawer before I found underwear. I slipped them on along with a pair of black slacks. Next was a black shirt. I looked normal enough.

I turned to walk out the door. I needed to find something to do. Something to get my mind of her.

As I stepped to open the door, something caught my eye.

A blood red cloak with the Iniquitous emblem stamped onto it. Would I put it on? Would I give myself fully to the same people who made me kill the one person I couldn't live without? The one person I loved?

I made my decision quickly. The crimson wasn't my color but then again...was it anyone's?