Genesis and Jess took their time showing me every single room in the palace. Even the ones I wouldn't be staying in or coming close to contact with. I observed everything she showed me with curious eyes and didn't mind when she got off track. The palace was stunning, and it was a nice change from the all-white ones in Heaven. My parents acted like if they had one item of decor that wasn't white or blue to symbolize purity, we'd all burn in Hell.

"This last spot is the library," she said, pointing to wide double doors. "Your parents told me you write so, feel free to use it whenever you please."

Not quite a writer. But...

"Thank you." I smiled.

"You're welcome," she and Jess said in sync, laughing at one another afterward.

"How long have the two of you been friends?"

"Oh wow," Jess said, looking up at the high ceiling in the hallway. "Almost what? Thirty years now?"

"In a few months, yes," Gen said. "We met when I first moved to the palace. She was my uhhh...assistant-"

"She means servant." Gen nudged her arm and Jess giggled. "What? It's the truth. We became friends after that."

"Which wasn't hard," Genesis added. "I was alone here."

"Well, I'm glad you both had one another. You're lucky."

"I guess we are." Jess smiled, locking arms with the Queen and laying her head on her shoulder. Her pink hair cascaded off her shoulder and exposed her pointed ear and I nodded mentally. I didn't think she was a vampire due to the life prominent in her blush, so her being a fairy wasn't very surprising.

"We'll lead you back to your room," Gen said to me. "I know this place can feel like a maze."

Unbeknownst to her, my mind had noticed every turn and painting on our way here. If I were to be abandoned right now, I could easily find my way back. As true as that was, I remained aloof and prepared to heed her guidance.

"I can take her," a voice from behind me said. Genesis peeked past my shoulder, and I turned around to see Felix walking toward us with a bag in his hand. "Her room is on the way to mine."

"Are you sure?" Gen asked.

"Yes."

"Queen, is that alright with you?" She questioned.

"I don't mind," I replied.

Genesis and Jess said their quick goodbyes to us and scurried away down the hall, leaving Felix and I alone.

"Umm, I don't believe we were properly introduced earlier," he spoke up, holding out his hand. "Felix SinClaire."

"I know who you are." I shook his hand.

"Does my reputation precede me?"

"Just a little bit." Felix SinClaire, son of Julius SinClaire and Tara Woods. My research on him previous to coming here was a breeze considering everything he did was online. From his charity works in the realms to his sermons in the churches, it was all one click away. I always wondered if he was as devout as he appeared to the public; I guess my stay here would give me answers to that.

"What have you heard?"

"Nothing much," I lied. "Just that you happen to be a very religious underworlder."

"What? Can a vampire not worship God?"

"I didn't say that. It's just rare," I said, glancing down the empty hallway. "Take me to my room?" I turned back to him to see my eyes on my chest, but he removed them and cleared his throat.

"Sure." He walked ahead of me at a snail's pace and I clasped my hands behind my back, a small distance behind him. "Tell me about yourself, Queen."

"What would you like to know?"

"Are you in Jeradua for business or pleasure?"

"Pleasure..." I bluffed. "Always pleasure."

He released a huff of laughter at my words and rubbed the back of his neck. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"

"When the mood requires it." Our eyes connected and his Adam's apple bobbed as a smile spread across his face. Footsteps approaching us made us both look ahead to see Syn marching in our direction like some sort of storm. His hands were shoved into his pockets and his long strides were that of a man on a mission.

"Move," he muttered as he walked straight between us, his shoulder bumping into Felix's, and making him stumble backward.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Felix roared, adjusting his clothing and standing up straight. Syn held his ringed middle finger in the air, not turning around and Felix scoffed. "That man is disgusting," he sneered.

"You're not a fan?" I teased.

"Absolutely not." He adjusted the jacket of his cream colored suit. "Are you?"

"No, but probably not for the same reasons you aren't."

"I don't doubt that," he mumbled. We spent the rest of the walk to my room in awkward silence, making it clear to me that the one thing truly able to get under the venerated man's skin was his brother. "And here we are," Felix announced, his pace coming to a slow at my door. "Before I forget...this is for you."

I accepted the white gift bag he held out for me and inspected it, my curious mind trying to guess the item inside. I gazed at the shimmer of the silver designs outside of the bag and moved my bag up and down in my hold, trying to get a feel of the weight.

"What is it?"

"You can open it once you're inside."

"Okay." I nodded. "Thank you for walking me, and for the gift." I dangled the bag between us.

"Always my pleasure, your highness," he said, throwing my words back at me as he walked backward. Once he disappeared into a corner, I sauntered into my room and kicked off my heels.

I set the gift down on the coffee table in front of the television and groaned as I gazed at the suitcases I had to unpack. I contemplated whether or not I should get it over with, and decided on getting around to it at another time. I didn't mind living out of my luggage.

I removed my jacket, tossed it to the side, and took off my dress so fast that I was shocked it didn't rip. My fingers wrestled with the strap of my bra for a few moments before I got tired and lifted it over my head, letting out a comfortable sigh now that I was free.

I'd been wanting to do that all day. The outfit was pretty, but I always felt claustrophobic after a while of wearing clothes. I preferred wearing none at all. At least when I was alone.

I stretched as I strode to my bags and grabbed my computer. With it in my hand, I tossed it onto the bed before hopping on and adjusting the pillows under me. I opened my computer, biting the inside of my cheek, and rolled my eyes as I saw multiple emails from my boss.

All telling me to call him.

My eyes drifted to the time, and I reached for my phone. "Ehh. He should be up." I dialed his number and set it on speaker before putting the phone beside the computer and exploring online shopping sites.

The phone rang only once before his voice sounded through the cell saying, "Queen, I've been worried. Why didn't you call?"

"I just got here a few hours ago," I muttered. Ooh, this dress is cute, I thought, looking at the velvet mini dress I zoomed in on from my computer.

"You should have called!"

"Calm down, sir." I snickered. "I am perfectly fine."

"You're in a palace full of Underworlders, Queen. I have a right to worry."

"Sure, but I specialize in kickass."

"Sure," he mocked. "But you don't specialize in having super strength and immortality."

"What a way to tear a girl down, Sebastian."

"I mean it."

"What are you so worried about? You're an Underworlder yourself."

"Okay, but I'm in Heaven. I was raised better than those infidels and I happen to care about you. They don't."

"Mmm." My mouse hovered over a pair of heels that I dragged to my cart as I cracked my neck.

"I miss you," he whispered. "I wish tha-"

"Let's talk about why I'm here, Sebastian."

The phone remained silent for a long moment and I bit my lip, waiting for him to continue. When he remained silent I tapped on my phone to see that we were still on call, and I furrowed my brows. "Fine," he sighed. "I told my bosses about the exposé you're writing and they're excited. If you do well enough, they'll feature you on the front cover of The Garden and there is a chance for you to get a big promotion."

"Woo-hoo!" I cheered in a small voice.

"That is IF you deliver what needs to be delivered."

"You know I will."

"Well, of course, you're only the best journalist I know...besides me."

"Please.

He laughed, filling the silence in my room and I smiled at the sound I used to love so long ago. Ohh, how the times change. "Please be discreet, Queen. I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate you meddling in their affairs."

"I know, I know. I got this."

"Call me if you find out anything," he said. "Vullons and Hughes are more so interested in Syn SinClaire which I'm sure they've told you, but I need you to stay away from him. A big story is not worth risking your life. A story on Felix SinClaire or his father would suffice."

"Right."

"You're not going to listen to my warning, are you?"

"Mmm, nope." I made a popping noise with my lips.

"You are going to get yourself killed." He groaned.

"Hopefully."

"Queen!"

I chuckled, my feet dangling in the air and he sighed. After knowing him for so long I could almost see his actions as if he were in front of me. I could visualize him removing his glasses, setting it on the table, and rubbing his temples at my humor.

"Please don't be stupid," he said. "I want us to pray for your safety before we get off the phone."

I picked up my phone immediately and held my mouth to the speaker. "Pssshhh I-...you're breaking up."

"Queen? Can you hear me?"

"Hello?" I called out. "Sebastian the service is really horrible."

"I can hear you just fine."

"Bye-bye!"

I hung up the call and tossed it to the side, burying my face into the pillow. As horrible as it sounded, I was tired of praying. Especially when it didn't feel right. How could I pray to a God that wasn't listening to any of us? He had been radio silent for the past two years and nobody in Heaven was upset about it. They just moved on as if shit wasn't going south, and whenever anyone mentioned his disappearance, all the angels would say is, have faith.

Having faith, wasn't my thing. I needed logical explanations and facts, which was something that could never be found in Heaven. With anything.

I spent the next couple of hours reading my notes from work and occasionally getting distracted by funny videos. Sleep seemed to be something that didn't want to come to me with ease tonight. When the clock hit twelve am, I realized that I wasn't going to be going to sleep anytime soon and got out of bed. Maybe I could actually do something productive instead of laying in bed and doing nothing.

I grabbed the pink silk robe from my suitcase and slid it on before slipping into my slippers and walking out of the bedroom. The lights in the hall were dimmed, but not dark enough that I couldn't make out my surroundings. The small light cast dark shadows on the paintings of Julius in the halls and a shiver ran up my spine.

They were the paintings that felt like the eyes were following you no matter where you stood. Normally I would've laughed at it, but standing alone in the dark halls with it made me want to run.

I wrapped my arms around myself and frowned, keeping my eyes straight ahead, avoiding the walls.

Rushed footsteps sounding from behind me made me whip around and look down the hall. "Hello?"

When no one answered, I turned back around and continued walking, my pace a bit faster than before. My skin crawled as the feeling of someone's eyes on me became overpowering. Every step I took felt monitored, and it wasn't just the creepy paintings...there was something else.

I heard the footsteps from earlier again, but this time it wasn't a quick pitter-patter. There was a thudding of footsteps, getting louder as it seemed to be getting closer to me. With the steps seeming to be a short distance down the hall, I removed my slippers and took off running.

The chandelier directly above me turned off as I ran, and the rest of the hallway lights seemed to shut off in sequence as the steps followed me. I peeked behind me several times to look for something behind me, but all I could see were the terrifying pitch-black halls.

I was never one to be afraid of the dark, but there was something off-putting about this darkness. Maybe it was the steps or the warnings Sebastian had given me hours ago, but I whipped my head around and continued running.

Left.

Right.

Right.

The directions I turned in the halls were lost on my mind as I tried to lose the steps. The lights continued shutting off behind me as if I were sprinting from being swallowed by the dark.

"Fuck!" I squealed, turning yet another confusing corner. I looked behind me once again, the darkness getting closer and closer until I was grabbed by something...my scream being muffled by a large hand.