Adams’ P. O. V
“What is going on here?” I asked with my voice quiet and full of confusion.
Lilith frowned as she looked at the scene, shifting her gaze between the two women standing in front of us. “What’s happening Adams?” she asked with worry clear on her face. “Cara? Is that really you?”
“I-I’m the real Cara!” the hurt girl yelled while moving closer with worry clear on her face. “They hurt me! They-”
“She is not telling the truth!” the other Cara interrupted with her voice full of anger. “I’m Cara. You have to trust me, Your Highness!”
I quickly looked at Lilith, hoping she would help me in this crazy time. “What should we do?” She asked.
“Arrest them,” I said while feeling a shiver run down my back. The truth was hard to find, and the air felt heavy with doubt. “Take them both in for questioning.”
My men rushed forward, grabbing each woman’s wrists. The noise of rope tying filled the air as they were separated with both yelling that they were not guilty.
“I am the real Cara! Your Highness, please!” the hurt one begged with her voice breaking with worry.
“Don’t believe her!” the other girl argued while shaking her head like she wanted to get rid of the truth. “It’s me! I serve the Queen!”
Lilith moved in closer with her eyes clear and intense. “Hold on,” she said gently, while lifting her hand.
“What do you see?” I asked at the same time, sensing the nervous energy between us.
Lilith examined the two women with both showing a look of worry. “The one with you Adams,” she said while pointing at the hurt girl. “She’s… she’s the real Cara.”
I paused while feeling the pressure of what I was about to say. “Are you certain?”
Lilith nodded strongly. “Yes, I can feel it. Cara come over here.”
As the hurt girl stumbled ahead, I saw Lilith take the other Cara’s face in her hands with her fingers pressing into the shape of her skin. With a quick movement she pulled and what happened next made me feel sick-the face came off like a mask showing an unknown stranger whose eyes moved around in fear.
“What is going on here? What sorcery is this?!” I said while moving closer. I must have looked scary as I asked “Who are you? What did you do with the real Cara?”
The fake Cara stayed quiet with her mouth shut tight, her frustration mixed with fear. My anger burst out with my eyes shining red with rage.
“Talk!” I shouted.
Silence.
“Put her in the cell!” I shouted at my men, who looked uncomfortable with how I sounded. “Do it right away!”
Ronan stepped up. “Yes, Your Highness,” he said, while quickly grabbing the fake and tying her hands tightly behind her back.
I focused again on the real Cara, who looked like she might fall apart with tears streaming down her face. “Cara, what’s wrong?” I asked gently while feeling more worried at the fear in her hungry eyes.
“I… I was taken.” she faltered with her breath catching with every word. “A few days ago. Right here in the palace.” She grimaced as memories of hurt came back with each word pulling her down. “They grabbed me… asked me things.”
“What about?” I asked with a small feeling of fear creeping into my stomach.
“About you, Your Highness,” she cried. “About The Queen. They wanted to know her habits, how to reach her… I told them everything because I was scared.” She fell apart then, with shaking hands, hiding her face.
My heart ached at what she said. “You did what you had to do. No one is angry with you Cara.” I looked at Lilith, who was looking at her with a blend of care and worry.
Ronan moved closer to help Cara feel better. “Let’s get you cleaned up. You’ve had a tough time.” He pointed to the door. “I’ll take care of it.”
I nodded with my voice steady. “Ronan, get Cara to safety. She needs to heal.”
As they walked to the door, I looked at Lilith with my worry turning into anger that felt heavy in my chest. “What happened while I was gone?”
Lilith took a deep breath to calm herself, but I noticed her confidence slip a bit. “An assassin came for me. They got into the palace and single-handedly defeated the guards.”
“Where are the men I told to keep you safe?” My voice got serious and anger sparked in my eyes.
Three guards moved closer with their heads down in shame, looking at each other in fear. I could almost feel their nervousness heavy and bitter in the air.
“Your Highness, we-” one started, but I interrupted with my anger boiling over.
“Worthless!” I yelled while walking back and forth like an angry animal. “I believed you would keep her safe! Do you even know what might have happened?” My hands were tight at my sides with my nails cutting into my skin.
Ted stirred in me with anger growing like a wave while feeding off the mess around us. I tried to hold it back even as my sight blurred with fury.
“Your Highness!” One of the guards begged, but my anger blocked out thought and sense.
“Be quiet!” I shouted, pointing at the closest guard. “All of you! You’ve put my mate in danger!”
The guards backed away with fear visible on their faces and their surrender clear as they mumbled apologies.
“Adams please. I’m okay. The killer didn’t hurt me.” Lilith’s voice broke through the anger, calm and steady.
But I was too far gone. My nails stretched out with the wolf inside wanting to break free and eager to show its anger. My heart beat fast as instinct twisted inside me wanting revenge for this insult to my pride.
“Your Highness, please-” a guard said once more while holding up his hands to show he meant no harm. But I couldn’t hear him over the pounding of my anger.
“Let me take care of this!” I shouted with my voice strong as I jumped at the closest guard with my claws out-
“Ted Stop!” The order was strong and confident, making its way through the air. Lilith’s vibe held me steady as she took my hand with her grip firm and desperate.
At that moment, something changed inside me. I looked straight at her with my intense anger meeting her calm determination. “L-Lilith” I muttered with my voice quiet and unsure. “I-”
But my growl of purpose missed the mark going outward as I lost my grip and the claws meant for the guard hit her shoulder instead.
“Lilith!” I cried with shock, hitting me as blood started to soak her dress. The truth that I had harmed her felt like a punch to my chest. “I didn’t-”
“Your Highness!” The guards rushed forward, turning the room into a mess with shouts and cries everywhere.
“Step away!” I yelled while fighting the urge to hurt them like I said I would. “Leave her alone!”