A knock at the bathroom door made me set my phone down and I walked towards it, opening it to see Xavier holding a bag. "Syn asked me to give this to you."

I took the bag from his hands and gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

He nodded, moving to leave, but hesitated, tapping his knuckle against the doorframe. "Umm," he started, and I raised a brow. "Be careful with him, please."

"With Syn?" I questioned, put off at his request. From the day we met, he seemed to be the one pushing us together, and now he was warning me?

"Yes. Don't hurt him."

"You're worried about me hurting him?"

"Not that I think you will," he said. "He's just already acting out of character. I've never seen him go out of his way to help anyone as he has with you. Meaning that I have no idea how to handle the repercussions of this if it goes wrong."

"There is nothing going on for me to 'not hurt him', Xavier," I assured him. "I'm not looking for a relationship and he's...him. I can't hurt someone who doesn't care."

"He shopped for you, Queen. I wouldn't say that he doesn't care. He doesn't know that he does, but he cares. I know him," he urged. "All I ask is if you plan on up and leaving one day, then back off now."

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek and sighing. "You're a good friend, Xavier. But he and I won't be going anywhere...in that way."

He sighed, a slow grin spreading across his lips. "I hope that's not the truth."

I laughed, not knowing what to say to him and he winked at me before turning on his heel and leaving. I closed the door, walked to the counter, and put the bag down. I winced as I pulled out the feminine products, embarrassed that he had to get them at all.

I picked up the bag to move it away when an item inside weighed it down. What? I flipped the bag over, letting the items clatter onto the counter and when I looked at them, I tilted my head in curiosity. I sat them upright on the counter, stepping back and studying them like they were some bomb.

Which they might have been because there was no way in hell Lucifer's son bought me medicine, candy, and ice cream.

I kept a suspicious eye on them as I got dressed, and when nothing peculiar happened, I carried them out of the restroom with me and laid it on my bed for further inspection. It wasn't that I didn't trust Syn...but it was that I didn't trust anyone. Especially not with medication or things I would potentially eat.

Finally deciding on what to do, I picked up the items and opened the room door with my elbow. I headed to the living room where Xavier and James were watching television and gave them a smile. "Hey, have you guys seen Syn?"

"He's in his room," Xavier answered, his eyes still on the TV.

"And where is that?"

"Last one down the hall."

"Thanks." I headed to where he instructed and as I stepped closer, my anxiety grew. The lights were dimmer as I got closer to the door and that didn't help ease my nerves at all. I knocked on his door with my foot, still holding the items, and waited for him to answer.

"Come in." I walked inside, kicking the door behind me softly and walking to the table he was sitting at. "How may I help you?" He looked up at me, tapping his pen against his lip.

"With this." I set the ice cream, candy, and medicine down in front of him and he watched me, intrigue dancing in his eyes. I picked up the ice cream, opened it, and held it out for him with a spoon. "Taste this."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't like vanilla."

"Hmm." I eyed him suspiciously, setting down the ice cream and picking up the candy. "What about choco-"

"Not a fan either."

"Not even a bite?" I questioned, his strange behavior making me believe he was actually trying to poison me.

"No, thank you. I got it for you."

"Right..." I nodded. "What about the medicine? Do you have a headache or-"

"What's this about, Queen?"

"You wouldn't poison me, would you?"

"Are you serious?"

"I mean...yes?" I said, uncertainty eating at me.

He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head and turning back to the computer. "Throw it away then."

"But...I want to eat it."

He sighed. "What do you want me to do? You clearly don't trust me at all to think that I'd poison you after everything that happened between us. I don't want you dead, I want you in my bed."

"That rhymed."

"Get out."

"Okay, I'm sorry," I said. "I would've asked anyone though, it's not just you." He glanced at me, his eyes disbelieving as he shook his head. "Here, watch." I sat down on the chair near him, taking the pint of ice cream in my hand, and taking a scoop. I ignored the anxiety I received from eating it and looked up at him. "See?"

"How is it?"

"Pretty good," I muttered, taking another scoop. I couldn't think of the last time I even ate ice cream, but I had to admit that it was amazing. So much so that I didn't notice Syn watching me. "What?"

"Nothing." He looked back down at what he was doing, tearing his eyes away from me.

"Do you want me to go? I can let you get back to work."

"It's alright. Just don't be annoying."

"I'm never annoying."

"One could argue that."

"I believe you're more annoying than I am, Syn," I muttered.

"You didn't seem annoyed with me last night." He glanced at me.

My cheeks heated and I swallowed a lump in my throat before removing my eyes from him and looking at the ice cream. "Last night shouldn't have happened," I admitted. "It- it was a-"

"You're going to severely piss me the fuck off if you say mistake, Queen," he said lowly. "You did not come all over my face just to turn around and call it a mistake, got it? It would be a mistake for you to let me hear that shit ever come from your mouth again."

My body tensed and instead of fear coursing through me, there was desire. I pressed my thighs together, sitting up on the chair as I placed my feet back on the floor. I didn't think my words would get such a reaction from him, but I wouldn't test his patience...not over a lie. "Sorry," I mumbled.

His gaze on me lingered for a silent moment before he turned back to his work and typed away on his computer. "What do you do, Queen?"

"What do you mean?"

"For work..." He raised a brow. "Unless you don't have a job? That's fine too, I'm just curious."

Shit. "Umm no...I'm a writer." It was the closest thing to the truth I had without giving everything away. And it was an excuse I used with everyone I didn't need to be in my business.

"What do you write?"

Articles, blogs, magazine- "Books," I lied.

"What genre?"

"Would you read it if I told you?"

"No."

"Then don't worry about it."

"Hmm," he hummed, writing his signature on the line of one of the papers in front of him. I watched him curiously, wondering what exactly he was hiding. Surely a man such as him had plenty of secrets, but the question was how they would help me do what I needed to do.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out, frowning at the unknown contact flashing across my screen. I hesitantly unlocked it, clicking on the notification, and what I saw made my heart drop.

NO CALLER ID: Never leave the palace without telling me again, little one :). I'll let it slide this time since I found you, but I won't be so nice next time.
12:37 pm

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12:37 pm

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12:38 pm

With shaky fingers, I swallowed a breath and clicked on the attachment to the message. The first picture was of a white door, and I frowned, exiting out of it. I clicked on the second picture, and my blood ran cold. My phone dropped from my hand as the room seemed to close in around me and I buried my face in my hands.

I could hear Syn faintly calling me in the distance, but I couldn't bring myself to look up at him. My head throbbed as I thought about the picture, and I swallowed a lump in my throat. The second photo was of me in the bed...in this house...sleeping.

"What the fuck is this?" Syn snapped. I looked up at him to see him stand from his chair and pace the area in front of me. "Who is this, Queen?"

"I-..." My vision became blurry, and I tried to blink it away, yet it was useless. The floor in front of me sea-sawed and I groaned, setting the ice cream down on the table, yet hearing the spoon clatter on the floor. I think? My chest ached as my breathing became shallow and I held a hand over my chest.

"Queen, you're having a panic attack," Syn said, crouching in front of me and taking my cheeks in his hands. "Focus on me and breathe, okay?" I did as he said, and he guided my breathing until I was calm again. Everything went back to normal, the dull ache in my chest was gone, and I could see clearly. Now taking notice of the ice cream that didn't make it onto the table and was spilled on Syn's floor.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Don't worry about it," he said, pulling his chair in front of me and sitting down. "You need to tell me who sent this to you."

"I-I don't know," I admitted. "Just some weirdo. They've been doing this for years, but I don't remember them ever getting this personal." He ran his hands through his hair, glancing at my phone in confusion. I explained the events at the palace the other day, and that only pissed him off even more.

"Hey, is everything alright in here?" Xavier asked, opening the door.

"No," Syn said. He explained the entire situation to Xavier, showing him the photos in my phone, and I remained quiet, wishing I wasn't such a heavy sleeper. When Syn finished explaining, they both looked toward me and I averted my eyes.

"Queen," Syn said. I looked up at him and raised a brow, waiting for him to continue. "Nobody could've gotten into your room without me knowing. I was awake on the couch all night."

"Well, maybe you're not as attentive as you thought." I countered, noticing his jaw clench. I wasn't trying to be rude to him, but I felt like he was insinuating something and it pissed me off.

"That's impossible."

"So you think I texted myself and took a picture of myself as I slept. And chased myself down a hall and wrote myself a note?" I asked with a scoff. They both looked at me as though they were doubting what I was saying, and it tore my heart apart.

"It's possible. We did just meet you so we don't know what you're capable of," Xavier said as he crossed his arms. Syn remained silent at his accusation and looked everywhere in the room except at me.

I let out a bitter laugh and walked past them out of the room. "Where are you going?" Syn asked.

"I'm leaving," I said. I walked into the room I was staying in and grabbed my bag, stuffing my clothes inside. I slipped on my shoes and headed to the door, but Syn grabbed my wrist to stop me. "Don't touch me!" I snapped. He called after me, but I hurried out of the room, ignoring him.

"Queen," Xavier said as I walked into the living room.

"What do you want, Xavier? You don't believe anything I say, so why are you talking to me?" I walked past him to the front door, but I was stopped when Syn grabbed my arm once again.

"Just wait," he said looking into my eyes, and my anger slightly subsided. "If you say it wasn't you, we can figure it out. I have people I can get in contact with that will trace the call and-"

"Syn...she's clearly lying to us. There is no possible way. The guards at the palace would've heard someone 'chasing her' and yesterday you would have heard someone in her room. None of this makes sense unless it was her," he said as he gave me a disappointed look. Syn's grip on my arm loosened at Xavier's words and my frown deepened. "We've been through this before, Syn. Don't make the same mistakes I did."

Syn looked away from me, dropping my arm and I scoffed. "Wow." I knew Xavier was trying to protect his friend, but it was at my expense, and it hurt. Especially when I was the one who had no idea what was going on.

"Just go," Xavier spoke. "We don't need a liar in our lives."

"Oh, fuck you."

"What's going on in here?" Xyla asked as she walked up to us. I shook my head, looking at the floor that became blurry from my watery eyes. Xavier explained the situation to Xyla, not forgetting to mention that I was a liar and I sniffled.

I prepared for her to side with them and push me over the edge, but she grabbed my arm. "Both of you. Never speak to my sister again," Xyla snapped, pulling me towards her room and slamming the door behind her.

"Fucking assholes," she muttered.

Feeling emotional and not knowing what else to do, I wrapped my arms around her and cried on her shoulder. "Thank you." My voice broke as tears spilled down my cheeks.

"For what?" She pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself and glancing at me.

"For being on my side."

"I'm not on your side."

"But-"

"But nothing. Felix broke up with me and I'm not in the most giving mood. I don't believe you, I was just giving you the opportunity to leave with your dignity instead of being kicked out," she said.

"Xyla, you know about this stalker. You've found notes with me. How do you not believe me?"

She shrugged. "For all I know you could've planted them."

"Since I was twelve?!"

"I don't know, Queen," she said, sighing and looking down at me. "But you should go home, back to Heaven. You aren't wanted here. You can see that, can't you?"

My heart broke into a million pieces at her words, and instead of dignifying it with a response, I wiped my tears and walked out. Syn and Xavier looked at me as I left, but I ignored them and left the house, quickly walking down the steps and holding back sobs.

I walked in the same direction for what felt like hours, thinking about everything that happened. I even began to doubt my mental health after repeating all their accusations in my mind. I would've thought it was me as well if it weren't for the text messages.

After a while of walking, the sun began to set, the orange skyline peeking at me through the tall skyscrapers surrounding me. I maneuvered through the crowded street, trying my hardest not to bump into anyone, all the while looking at the street signs which made no sense to me since I was never here on my own.

I felt my pockets to get my phone so I could call someone to get me but I came up empty. Shit. I sighed as I realized I must've left it at the house and I shook my head, looking around. I saw a tall man with sandy blonde hair leaning against a building in front of me reading a book and I approached him. He seems chill.

"Hi, do you have a phone?" I asked sweetly.

"Are you asking for my number, darling?" He said with a small smile as he kept his eyes on his book. I found myself smiling at his accent and shook my head.

"I'm actually lost. I don't know anyone here and I need to get home," I said as I hugged myself, trying to bring any sort of comfort to myself.

He lifted his head to look at me and gave me a dazzling smile as he held his hand out to me. "My name is Cole. Now you know one person here." I shook his outstretched hand and gave him a large smile. "What's a pretty lady like yourself doing out here alone? This is a dangerous place."

"Just by accident," I admitted.

Cole gave me a sweet smile and shook his head."I'll let you use my phone if you let me buy you dinner."

"I'm not hungry," I replied, feeling intimidated by the extremely crowded streets which were a stark difference from the ones in Heaven. Not paying attention to my side, someone suddenly bumped into me and I landed in Cole's arms.

"Careful, sweetness," he said as he held his arms around me and smiled. "Don't want you falling for me just yet."

I began blushing as I removed myself from his arms and stood up straight. I had no other options so I reluctantly agreed. "You can buy me dinner. But something quick please?" I requested. It was getting dark and I was a human in a supernatural city.

There was no good end to this story.

He gave me a small smirk and agreed. "I need to stop by my shop and get my phone real quick. It's only a couple blocks down." He said as he pointed his thumb in the direction. I nodded and he led the way.

We began walking and fifteen minutes later we still hadn't reached his shop, and I was getting antsy. "I thought it was close," I said.

"We're almost there, sweetness."

The streets where we were walking were a lot less crowded now and were not as brightly lit. My paranoia began to surface and I stopped walking. "What type of shop do you have again?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He asked and I froze.

"You said we were going to your shop to get your phone," I said slowly as I took a step back.

A look of realization flickered across his features for a quick second and he quickly replaced it with a smile. But it was too late, I had seen it.

"Yeah, we are. We're not far." I don't know if it was the lighting in the streets or just my eyes because his previously charming smile was gone and in its place was a contorted and chilling one. "It's just down this way," he said as he crooked his thumb at the alley next to us.

"Okay, you go get your phone and I'll wait here for you," I said with a shy smile, trying my best to hide my uneasiness. As soon as he was gone, I'd take my chance and run.

"Come with me," he said.

I shook my head and plastered a smile on my face. "I shouldn't." I looked around the street again and now noticed it was empty. There was only one street light lighting the road and the alley was completely dark.

"Come on, Queen," he said and my eyes widened in fear. I hadn't told him my name. When he noticed his mistake, his warm facade dropped and he gave me a death glare. I turned from him and sprinted away, but a second later he appeared in front of me with his fangs extended. "Where do you think you're going, sweetness?"

Before I could answer, I felt something hit my head and my world went dark.