He was in front of her in seconds, fury burning in his eyes,

"What?" He gritted out, his hand twitching on her neck.

He moved so fast, she hadn't noticed his hand until then. As soon as she had asked, his hand reflexively shot up to her neck. She gulped.

"You—you heard me."

Eros' grip tightened, his eyes burning with rage and yet, with something else she couldn't decipher.

"Move out." He gritted out again, looking like he was trying hard not to break her neck.

"I'm not scared of you, Eros." She said, though her body was telling her otherwise. Her eyes were teary and her knees were wobbly, but she refused to acknowlegde it.

He smiled.

He actually smiled. But there was nothing humorous about it. It was a malicious smile, that should never be accompanied by such a handsome face, and yet it suit him,

"Really?" He paused, his grey eyes searching hers with a new intensity that Ashley hadn't seen before, nor wanted to ever again.

She suddenly let out a cough, running out of breath. He really was choking her. The more she tried to gasp for air, the harder it was to actually get any.

His smile dropped before he straightened up and released his hold on her . He looked down at her pale self as she sunk to the ground, gasping for air; her hands around where his had been. He felt a sharp jolt slide across his chest; guilt. But it had to be done, she needed to be scared of him from this point on. His jaw ticked as turned and walked out of the dorm room without another word, not caring about his bloodied shirt and the heads that poked out of the other rooms eager to know what all the commotion was about. He couldn't blame them.

***

Eros understood Gregor's message loud and clear. It was a warning for him. Somehow, he has found out that he's been getting a bit too distracted and needed to be reminded about the situation he was in. He did not have time to sit around and pursue a woman, he had far greater things to worried about, like his father, for example, and finding Kayden.

Eros gritted his teeth and walked to the man's office. Even so, what was the point of scaring her to that extent? What would have happened if he hadn't been with her? What was he going to have the man do?

He pushed the director's door open and walked in, immediately greeted by his bodyguard who stood at the very back of the room; with a rifle pointed at the door. Gregor was seated behind his desk, typing away on his mother's laptop. He clenched his jaw as he shut the door behind him.

Gregor had a shaved head, and was about 5'9. His green eyes—identical to Ally's—lifted and met Eros' grey ones with a smug look in them, knowing why he was standing in front of him,

"My, my. Does this girl mean this much to you? You're a raging bull." He began with a chuckle and a tilt of his head.

"There are some lines, Gregor," Eros paused, and approached him, "—that should never be crossed."

His bodyguard, Kennedy, loaded his gun, his brown eyes watching Eros' every move. He was the one who shot the man from the rooftop.

"Well. You hardly show interest in anyone. Can you blame me for wanting to play with her a little?"

Eros stopped and leaned over the desk, his palms on it and his eyes narrowed at Gregor.

"Leave her be." He warned, his voice deeper than usual and dangerously calm.

Gregor stood up then, a sadistic chuckle escaping his lips, and fully exposing the numerous tattoos on his neck and arms from beneath his white dress shirt. He was a fit man, but so was Eros. Both of them looked tense and were very aware of the each other, waiting for someone to make the wrong move.

"You've actually threatened me, boy." He paused and met his cold, hard stare, "—we are witnessing a new side of him, Kennedy, isn't it fascinating?" He continued, his sadistic smirk dropping from his face, "—I would love to, dear boy, however, some very surprising news was brought to my attention."

Eros' hands balled into fists and his shoulders tensed up.

No.

"You see. She's Kayden's daughter, and I simply cannot have her snooping around for him."

***

Ashley tightened her grip on her right forearm, feeling incredibly conscious and aware of her surroundings as a group of men filed into the room. Her heart pounded actively and loudly in her chest as they wordlessly went to the bedroom.

She decided not to look any more than that when they approached the deceased body, and kept for eyes ahead. Is this really it? Is this where their paths come to split apart? She didn't want things to end like this, but something within her told her that doing as he said was the right move. Even though he almost throttled her to death, Ashley still believed in him, she believed that the Eros she's just witnessed wasn't the real him.

It could be, but she chooses to be optimistic and believe otherwise. So this is what Casey had been trying to make her understand. Why he's feared, and why she needed to be careful. She was wrong about winning this battle. The quiet, reserved Eros she thought she knew was only half of him.

He had a much, much darker side to him and she wasn't sure if she was ready to explore it; if she would ever have the courage to-let alone if he'll let her.

🔱🔱🔱

"Christ." Casey said, rubbing her friends back as she placed Ashley's letter beside her. She was just from the office, getting mail sent in by parents or whoever bothered too when she got a desperate call from her best friend.

Ashley sniffled, wiping the tears in her eyes furiously, "I get why you were so worried about me being with him. But you don't have to be anymore. I want nothing to do with him."

Casey didn't say anything, but frowned and meet her eyes in the mirror, "Have you ever found out why he calls you blondie?"

Ashley narrowed her eyes at her, "Did you not hear my last statement?" She asked disbelievingly.

"I know, I know, but, did you?" Casey pushed on.

Blake met Casey's eyes and shared a warning look at her but Casey waved him off, "Well, you should—you should ask him about it because—there's so much you don't know—."

"Casey." Jason warned, leaning on the door frame as he shook his head at Casey, who frowned.

"What? I'm just sick of it."

Blake shut his eyes and gripped her forearm, "Come with me."

"No, cause this is so stupid. We should just fucking tell her." Casey said as Blake led her out of her bathroom, leaving Jason and Ashley alone.

"You guys clearly know something." Ashley commented as she grabbed the letter that Casey placed beside her and stuffed it in her pockets.

Jason nodded, "No point hiding that now obvious fact."

She turned to face him, "Tell me." She said, her eyes narrowed.

"I can't. I'll be beheaded."

"Seriously?" She said, sending his a deadpan look as she turned back to the mirror in front of her and flattened her hair.

He chuckled, chewing his gum, "But I honestly can't. For your sake. It's not—."

"—your story to tell," Ashley continued, sighing, "—lemme guess, it's his?"

He nodded and pulled back the corner of her lips.

"Perfect." She turned back to the mirror and begun doing her makeup all over again, with Jason watching her as if she was using her feet to do it. A few beats passed between them, before he broke the silence.

"But—." he begun, but trailed off when she suddenly turned with a grin.

"Ha! I knew you'd cave in."

His lips twitched, "It's not about that. What I can tell you is that he didn't mean it. Any of what he said. He'd never hurt you."

"Yet here I am, with bruises on my neck. Courtesy of him."

Jason watched her momentarily before he shook his head, "Shit Ash, I wish you knew. You're like—like—an undiscovered, empty, seclude island to him. I'm not even exaggerating."

"First of, that was very detailed—," She paused, "—and It's only been a two days since I moved out." she trailed off, "—you're already picking sides?"

"I'm not on anyone's side. You both suck ass." He remarked, a smirk on his stupidly flawless face.

"Why does he call me blondie?"

"I can't tell you."

She raised an eyebrow at him, "Mhm. You're on his side."

Jason licked his lips and ran a hand through his hair, looking extremely conflicted, before eventually, his lips parted and, "Fine. You didn't hear it from me though."

Ashley nodded and waited, anxiously as she sat up straighter and faced him,

"You have a death wish." An all too familiar voice said.

"Goddammit Brock!" Ashley exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration.

Seb leaned on the door frame, as Brock walked in and pushed Jason inside the bathroom. He held her gaze briefly before she looked away from his sky blue eyes; Seb clenched his jaw.

He didn't say anything and only stood by the door, casually leaning on it. Brock wrapped his arm around Ashley then patted her head,

"Looks like she's doing okay." he said, ruffling her hair.

Ashley inhaled sharply, "I spent half an hour on my hair, you gift from God. Why are you like this—"

"Say that again, but use Daddy." He teased with a gorgeous smirk resting on his face.

Ashley looked at Seb for help but he was gazing at the ground with a frown on his face and his arms crossed. She blinked, noticing how down he looked.

He slowly lifted his head, "He's told you it's because you remind him of someone, right?"

It took Ashley a moment to realise what he was talking about, but once she did, she nodded.

"That was half the truth. You are that someone, I mean, he calls you blondie for god's sake. You've seen the tattoo. You know the answer, Ash, all you have to do is remember. We can't tell you because its a sensitive topic for both of you." He revealed, before he walked off without as much as glancing at anyone.

"Honestly, should I just lock those two up in a room alone and leave them for a week...?"He mumbled to himself as he left.

There was a couple beats of silence as everyone tried to process what just happened.

"You were wrong, Brock. He's got the death wish. Not me." Jason said, breaking the silence.

Brock shook his head, "He's right though." He paused, "It's all in there, probably forgotten because it affected you." He finished and poked her forehead before he ruffled her hair one last time and went after a ticked off Seb; understanding where he's coming from.

"All the students are needed in the auditorium, by the way. We should get going." Jason said.

Ashley blinked, "And you're telling me this, now?"

He shrugged then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they both walked out,

"Wasn't sure if you would go with or not."

🔱🔱🔱

Jason wasn't kidding. All the university students were seated at the front in the huge, main auditorium that was apparently usually used for main Academy events that need all students from all the sections to be present and to participate. Everyone held mixed expressions on their faces. Some looked confused, others looked bored and others ticked off; majority of them being the latter. The auditorium was so big, that all of them took up four and a full rows.

Ashley hoped this would be quick as she fidgeted with the envelope in her pocket. She was seated in between Blake and Jason, watching the Dean of Studies approach the stand and clear his throat.

As he begun to speak, no one seemed to paid any attention to him. He comically talked about the coming end of semester exams, what was to be expected and touched on the demotion or ascension of the three grounds. Long after his speech, he introduced the director and the atmosphere completely shifted.

Everyone went dead silent and turned their full attention towards him, people sat up straighter, turned their eyes to him and didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave as they were a few seconds ago.

The man responsible for the instant reaction replaced the Dean on the podium and swiped his eyes past everyone, the tension in the room building. Ashley noticed how stiff Blake and Jason seemed beside her and grimaced; their uneasiness rubbing off on her.

Gregor Huxley. Ally and Eros' dad and the reason why Eros, Seb and Brock do what they do. He looked nothing like his son, but more like Ally. His green eyes resembled hers so much, it was almost freaky. Ashley squinted her eyes and saw the tattoos peeking out from the end of his sleeves and the ones on poking out of his collar.

Well, she thought, he just got even scarier.

He stood tall in front of everyone and took his time; his hard face revealing nothing in his eyes. His lips finally parted and his raspy voice seemed to echo when he spoke,

"I will keep this short and to the point. In two weeks, you will all be leaving for a week long school trip. This was not to be held, I have received all your suggestions to reconsider. You are expected to be packed and ready by 6 a.m. in the morning when the date arrives. You will go in different groups and in different dates; this however does not apply to the Elite students. They have the liberty to choose which group to go with and when. Any or all details you may need will be in the school's portal. Access it with your student IDs and code given during admission. That will be all." He announced, then walked off the stage and sat back in his seat.

Ashley cocked her head to the side, the events of what happened in Eros' apartment playing at the back of her head as she watched him sit down with a permanent scowl on his hard face.

Hadn't the man from that night mentioned him, before a sudden bullet shot right through his skull? She wondered and shuddered in discomfort. He was the one who sent him? Why would he try to kill his own son—?

She shook her head, an uneasy feeling flooding through all of her senses.

This is definitely not my business.

She concluded that the safest way to go about the new information was to act like she hadn't put two and two together. Before she could look suspicious in case he was watching her, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter Casey picked up for her.

Ripping it open, she pulled out the tiny, folded piece of paper. There was something else inside but before that, she read the note:

I found this is the basement. I thought you might need it there to help you understand. Your father doesn't know about this, so let's keep it that way for now. Call me if you need anything.

P.S

—It was your father's idea to keep it from you. I'm practically snitching on him, but I believe I need to, seeing what the boy has become. 

Find him, Lee.

—Mommy dearest.

She frowned. Understand what? What boy? Ashley wondered as she turned the envelope over and shook out the remaining contents. A cold, golden necklace fell on her awaiting palm. Confused, Ashley untangled it and examined the pendant. It seemed like it was supposed to be a Yin and Yang pendant, but it's dark half; Yin, was missing.

She frowned, wondering why her father would want to keep this harmless object away from her. Feeling gazes on the side of her head, she looked to her right in time to catch Blake's eyes on the necklace before looking away. She then sub-consciously looked ahead, her mind trying to come up with an answer to the many questions her mother left unanswered in her extremely short letter.

Honestly, it wouldn't have hurt her to explain a bit more. This was so like her. She unintentionally met Seb's gaze, before he too looked away, his jaw locked. She raised an eyebrow at that in question, once again asking herself if these people knew something. How many secrets were there to them?

How much of her life did they know about that she didn't?

"What's that?" Casey asked, bringing Ashley back to her thoughts.

She looked up to find Casey facing her with her seat turned around. Ashley raised an eyebrow at her, but then looked around and realized that nobody seemed to be paying any attention to the Dean as he spoke anyway.

"It's a necklace. I had completely forgotten about it. My grandma gave it to me awhile back." Ashley answered, her attention once again drifting to the necklace.

I wonder if he still has it. Wait, is that who she meant? How the heck am I supposed to find him and why?

"But where's the other part? Or was it like that from the beginning?" Blake asked, seeming too interested in it.

In fact, Casey seemed unusually interested in it as well. Guiding from how she was nibbling on her lower lip, Ashley could tell that she knew something, and that she was trying not to spill. She narrowed her eyes at her while answering Blake's question,

"I gave it to someone."

This time, Jason slipped into the conversation too, "Who? Why? Were you close?"

Casey and Blake sent him a warning look before looking back at Ashley, who looked between them skeptically, her eyes narrowing suspiciously; getting the feeling that Jason was being obvious on purpose.

"A boy. I don't know, I just gave it to him when we were kids. His name was Alexander." She answered, then flinched when they all simultaneously looked over at Seb as soon as the name left her lips.

Ashley let out a sigh, "You guys suck at being discreet. Seriously, what's up? Do you know him?" She asked, gritting her teeth.

I know Alexander isn't Seb, but why were they looking over at him? Does he know him? Do they know him?

"What's up with what?" Blake asked, a clueless smile on his face as he leaned back and draped his arm over the back of Ashley's seat.

Ashley threw him a deadpanned look and sighed, "I feel like you know more about me than myself." Ashley remarked, her bottom lip pulled out into a pout, "It's sucks."

The three looked at each other before looking back at Ashley, soft expressions on their faces,

"Come on. Let's ditch this place and go get food." Jason suggested, hoping to distract her.

Her eyes lit up at the mention of food. She was the first one up her seat and out the door. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, he looked at the rest, before trailing behind a skipping Ashley down the hall.

"This is tougher than I expected. I'm seeing myself telling her everything one of these days." He whispered and speed walked ahead, catching up to her and wrapping an arm around her.

Casey looked at Blake then, seeing his sunken look, "Can't we just tell her? I mean, why the fuck not?" She asked.

Blake shook his head which cause his hair to fall to his forehead, "We can't. Alexander doesn't want her to find out, you know this."

"You always call him that when she's not around. It's weird dude." Casey remarked, pursing her lips. She watched Jason ruffle up Ashley's hair before she smacked the back of his head, hard. She scoffed.

"I need to learn to respect him. He will end up as our King, Casey. Not just our friend and alumnus." Blake retorted, licking his lips with a frown on his face.

"Move to Lesihvrydah, they said, it's a neat place they said." Casey complained, letting out a breath through his nose, "—she doesn't even know such a place exists. How are we supposed to tell her, without actually telling her?"

Blake's eyes suddenly lit up, a slow, devious smile spreading on his lips, "We can't tell her." he paused, "—but we can show her." He looked at Casey, "—he didn't say we weren't allowed to take her there." He finished, and looked at Casey, gauging her reaction.

She grinned, smacking his on the back, "You evil genius," She somewhat complimented, "—looks like we have plans during the break." She finished and walked ahead, leaving Blake furiously rubbing his stinging back.

Goddammit, woman! He exclaimed, shaking his head as he watched her skip ahead of him in an attempt to catch up to them.

As if on cue, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Fishing for it, he unlocked it and smiled at the caller.

Alessio

Blake pursed his lips and answered it, a single thought rushing through his head,

There's a new ship on the dock, but the Anchor needs to be there, for it to set sail.

He snickered. This will be fun.

How long has it been since they talked to one another?

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