A lot happened tonight. She figured the midnight assassin-or should it be assassins now? - shouldn't be her only motive, the Midnight Assassin's were their first step. Garlin was her birth place, the place she was to be distained to rule over. If the Judas Group must go down, then she'll be the one to do it.
Mr. Thomas knew Emmett really well. That meant Emmett knew who he was before going. Emmett was hiding a lot, and that was something she didn't want. She shouldn't complain, she was hiding many secrets from him. Still, she only hoped he wasn't hiding anything big that is connected to the Assassin's.
Mr. Thomas was a son of an earl in England, the Pembroke family was it? The story was that a group of children during the time where her father was a young, left to England to get out of Garlin's life. They intended to use their gifts to become successful in England. They exposed their gifts, and soon after admitting what Garlin was in the presence of the Queen of England. They fought their way to the top and got their place with the help of the Queen. It was told she was pleased they traveled and found their way to expose Garlin and respected her by giving valuable information of Garlin. Mr. Thomas Father was one of them.
As much as people in Garlin seemed upset, and the furious previous King of Garlin, everyone found it beneficial. Most new products, and new technology came from England, and the economy of Garlin grew immensely. Garlin became huge in population, and soon those who knew about Garlin in Scotland and England immigrated here at Garlin, although, it was only if you were accepted as it wasn't easy to get accepted.
Until she found out there was a secret way in. The name Golden State was given for a reason. When the oldest King of Garlin found that his people and the people on the outside were coming in and out freely, and the old gifts used for the worse in the world, he built large gates made with pure gold. After that, the law of leaving and never returning was given. Soon the law and exposing the gifts with a punishment came after.
It made sense why the economy grew, she had thought it was just amongst them and a few settlers, however now she figured people were leaving and returning as they please without going through the gates. It also made sense why England is now a part of this scandal with the Judas Group. Those in England who knew of Garlin, and those in Garlin must have come together to form this group and take out her father.
Her father… wasn't a big enthusiast of him, nor did she want to see him die. However….what matters most is Garlin. , she had a strong feeling the king would fall soon. Revenge was what she wanted, and she would get revenge finding the Midnight Assassin.
She also had a strong feeling she would need Mr. Thomas again. She wanted to make him an ally, and she planned to be close with the traitor. It made sense that Mr. Thomas, who his father was, would be part of the group. She figured most of the children of the greatest traitors in Garlin were part of the group.
She thought of Vivian. He was correct, they didn't currently need him. Not yet, and she was being aware until they do. Where on earth would she find him? She wasn't sure; though he made it sure it wouldn't be too hard.
Questions filled her head. Who was Emmett Jackson? What was his past? What type of person he was before her and what exactly is he hiding? She thought on what Mr. Thomas said, "That is correct. I can't forget the beautiful pianist child in all of England." And Emmett thought; "There was him," Who was he, was he amongst the Judas group as well?
The more they dig deeper, the more she realized how closely connected Emmett was part of. Vivian, Mr. Thomas. These two both knew who he was, his past, and his life before what he was to Emerelda. She realized Emmet's family was most likely someone who played a big part of this whole thing. She took another mental note of that.
"God save the Queen!" Emmett sang with a sluggish voice, his arms around her shoulders.
"Shh!" she snapped, forgetting that Emmett was on his shoulder, practically drunk, singing the national anthem of England. They were walking in the dark. Garlin was a small place, and a lot of those places are populated in order; the apostles, the rich, and the middle class. There were no poor families in Garlin, the old King made sure of that. Ever since the gates got closed and the trading between England started, Garlin became a rich state.
Emerelda haven't been around Garlin, as much as she hates to admit. The only time she left the walls were to train under a woman who trained other women in Garlin in secret. Emerelda had figured it out from her brother. Ever since after his death, she went and trained under her. That was what kept Emerelda going after her brother's death.
That part of Garlin was at the north, where the shops and busy jobs were, near the Palace. This part of Garlin was where the poor used to stay; it was the place where one would call the lost dark side of the city. The place died as the north became the work center in Garlin. People moved out, and this place was almost abandoned. Only a few hidden communities that held many illegal situations were here. The place was called Yront, a little far from Mainsgate, where the golden Gate was.
"Please, there's no on here." Emmett scolds.
He was in fact correct, and sadly he was the one leading them back to the cottage. They had walked here in the dark before curfew. Except during that time he wasn't intoxicated as he was right now. As much as she was sure no officers would be around here as it was the least populated places in Garlin. Although she wasn't too sure she could keep hope.
She sighed, "Doesn't matter, patrol is patrol. If we get caught, and you are in this state, things could go very wrong."
She also thought she could hear a murmur of a voice far from her, though she could be wrong.
He stood straight, stepping in front of her, "What state? Yes, I drank a few more glasses then I should, however I'm still capable of doing moral activities."
She looked around, and they were in an ally between two abounded houses. She sighed and shook her head, "I don't understand why I had to pick you up and force you to walk back the cottage."
After a moment of silent when Emmet placed his head on her shoulder, he started murmuring that Emerelda smelled like a fresh smell of grass. That made her concern since she didn't roll in the ground. She stood up and tried many ways to convince him to stand up. What made him started moving was her slowly heading back to the cafe saying she would call Mr. Thomas for help him up.
He frowns, "Emerelda…I beg you. Please don't listen to my thoughts every time. I…it hurts." He went to the wall and leaned on it, looking up the starry sky, "My thoughts would be overwhelming for you."
He wasn't wrong.
"I respect that Emmett. However…" she steps closer to him, "Who are you Emmet Jackson?" she softly asks.
He chuckles, it had no trace of humor in it, "I don't even know myself. Who am I? Am I the same boy from my past or am I a man trying to find revenge?" he sounded sad, it almost hurt since Emerelda never seen him like this.
She took another step, "If you keep your secrets, then what's the point of going around with me looking for the Assassin? Almost everyone we encountered knows you… well, the past you."
He took a deep shaky breath, "My past is tangled with this mess. Everyone who you saw that knew me…they aren't our enemy. They are a part of this all. Good and bad. In England, almost everyone there knows each other, especially those who know of Garlin."
She stepped a little closer, "I don't think keeping any more secrets would help any of us. This goes for you. You seem to know so much and still seem so surprised when you learn things from the others. If I'm going to work with someone, perhaps knowing their background might help a little?"
He looked at her, and his eyes are unreadable. He stared at her for a long time as if he was thinking and regarding her. Emerelda stood watching the gold eyes scan her up and down. Finally he laughs, "Emerelda, I only knew you less than two weeks. How is it that you have a full effect on me?"
She frowned, "What do you mean?"
He tilts his head, "I'm not sure. You have this way to get what you want despite the fact I don't want to oblige. Is it the royal background running in your blood?" his eyes narrowed down at her, "Or is it that fact your quite breath taking."
Emerelda blinks, "You must have drink more then you should."
He shook his head, "That wasn't my first time drinking like that, and I'm not practically drunk. I'm aware of everything. And I'm aware of what I'm saying. Although…I'm in a state where I would say almost everything on my mind because I believe I have confidence."
"Without alcohol, you have no confidence? That's a lie, Emmet, your very confident in almost everything you do."
He smirks and detached himself from the wall. He only had to take a step towards her. He looked down at her and something hungry was in his eyes. She remembers reading her educational book when she was young, painted on the side of the page was an African lion.
Emmett was the African lion hunting. She was his prey.
He lifts his hand slowly and touched a strand of her hair, "Your hair is the color of fresh strawberries. The color is so red, even the sun can't change the color to orange."
She stood very still, like of what a prey would do when they realized they are being watched.
His thumb starts creasing the strand of her hair, "I always wanted to know what your hair felt like. I was right. Like the silks sent from India."
It was the moment where the prey would fight or flight. That second before the lion leaps. It was the decision that would change the future for the both of them.
"You haven't told me…" she starts off.
He lets go of her hair, his eyes dazed, "Hmm?"
"You haven't told me why you leave at night, or only stay to play the piano."
He smiles, "You noticed." He said unsurprised.
"Where do you go?" she questioned, "Why do you leave me alone?"
His eyes widen. He didn't say a word for a minute. Then, he placed a finger under her chin, "Why?" he tilts his head, "I don't even know why. I guess…staying alone with a maiden isn't what the gentleman side of me wants."
"I have another place in Garlin, and I don't want to stay with you to make you feel uncomfortable…"
She got her answer from his thoughts. And he knew it. Emmett held onto her shoulders, turned her around, and pushed her against the wall. He was gentle and yet aggressive with his speed. Emerelda blinks up at him and he was glaring down at her.
"No women should stay alone with a male at night, particularly in the middle of a forest where no one could find them." He said in a low voice. He had one strong grip on her shoulder. The other hand was on the wall next to her head.
She was trapped.
Emerelda swallows, "That's not what you thought on the first night…" she whispers.
He smirks, "No, I did. That was before you could hear everything I could think of."
"Hmm, then I supposed this is all my fault." She breathes. She was uncomfortable with the fact Emmett's face was inches apart from her own. He was leaning his head down due to his height, and his hair covered most of his eyes. She couldn't see them, but only his dangerous smirk.
Emerelda was his prey, but she chooses to fight.
Emerelda did something she would never expect. She raised her hand slowly and pushed the strands away from his eyes. Emmett stood rigid, his eyes staring large as she gently pushed them away.
"You're in need for a haircut." She softly said.
Emmett's lips twitched. He starts coming closer his lips parted. Emerelda stood still waiting. Emmet's head tilts and in a hot breath he whispers in her ear, "You failed."
Emerelda smiled and Emmett pushed himself away from her. He dusts himself and crossed his arms, "If a man were to corner you that is the first thing you should never do."
Emerelda shrugs, "They wouldn't be able to either way. They'd be on the floor before they realized they could have done anything."
Emmett scoffs, "Unless they have speed."
"Mmm, I could read minds, forgot that already?"
He laughs, "A gift you're still trying to grasp."
"Oh do please stop making fun of me, it gets upsetting." She rolled her eyes and followed him away from the alley. She hugged herself to keep warm from the cold, "You didn't answer my first question."
Without turning around he said, "When the time comes, perhaps I might tell you my past, only if it's involved with the current situation." He starts to wobble and Emerelda rushed forward to hold onto his arm. He sighs, "Oh Princess, please, I'm a man. There is no need for a young lady to come and assists me."
"I want to go home," she said dryly as she wrapped his arm over her shoulders, "The faster we get there, the better."
"Sure, sure, it's certainly not an excuse to hold onto me." He said as they entered a street, "It's okay. I only did wobbled for you to do so."
She rolled her eyes, but froze. In the distance she heard a voice; it was loud, but still far away. She knew it wasn't Emmett as all he was thinking was about how ridiculous Emerelda's stubbornness was. The voice sounded just like those they had encountered.
"For goodness sake," she murmurs, "Officers, their near. I told you we couldn't be so sure."
Emmett shrugs, "I'll take them down." He removes his arm from her, "Don't move." And he vanishes into the night, leaving only a small breeze.
Emerelda continued hugging herself as she stood waiting. She looked around and realized they were at the end of Yront. Everything was dead. The stores were boarded up, and the houses had some roof falling in. Emerelda knew the King wouldn't bother to do anything with this side of Garlin, as nothing good nor money comes from it. She knew she might not be able to rule Garlin. However she would fight to get this place back into the light.
She heard another voice. At first she thought it was Emmett, however Emmett had a specific way of thinking, and it was mostly complaining. Emmett's voice was lower and sharper. This new voice didn't belong to the officers as well, they mostly thought of the streets, their family, and the laws while looking for something exciting. This new voice was a male, a male who was clearly drunk and looking for someone.
Specifically her.
She waits from them to turn from the alley, and saw it was the same man who had came upon her when she saw the hallway full of rooms. He grins when he saw her as he walked as straight as he could. She figured someone was following her; she wasn't sure as he kept a good distance from them.
"There you are." She said smiling.
The man frowned, "You knew I was following you both?"
She waved a hand, "Of course. Officers are around here if you're wondering."
He glared, "And why should that bother me? You got lucky back there. I had just come to finish what I started."
"And what was that?" she crossed her arms, "Yelping in pain?"
He clenched his fist, "You bitch." He stepped forward and tried to throw a punch.
Emerelda moved her head, "Missed."
He came again and Emerelda held onto his fist, "Please, Mr. Moore. If you wanted to fight with me, do it in a sate you aren't intoxicated."
He yells and reaches for her hair, the typical move. Emerelda ducked and threw her leg back to bring it forward.
Mr. Moore stumbles yelling as he held onto his stomach. Emerelda frowned, "Please stop yelling. I don't want to get caught."
He straightness upright in pain and reaches something from the inside of his coat. Emerelda realized before he pulled it that it was going to be a pistol. She wondered how he had got it and wondered how she might get away from this one.
"You're done for. You think you're all tough but you disgust me, dressing up like a man, and acting tough just because you think you can fight a man. I'll put you in your place." He held the pistol with both shaky hands.
Emerelda sighs, "Why do I get into situations like this?"
"I don't know." A voice said beside her.
She smiled up at him, "Perfect timing. How were the officers?"
Emmett smirks down at her, "Simple. Oh, I hadn't thought someone was following us." He looked back at Mr. Moor.
Emerelda looked at Mr. Moore who was moving the pistol side to side on each of them. He looked quite shaken up, especially his mind that was screaming the gift of speed.
"You kids think you're lucky because of your gifts?" he turns the pistol at her; "You're the Princess, the runaway Princess aren't you?"
Emerelda raised her eyebrows. She hadn't thought the word got out this fast. She shook her head, "You really are drunk Sir."
"He also talks a lot." Emmett murmurs next to her.
The man glared at him, "Don't test me. Let's see how fast your speed and this pistol are against each other."
He pulled the trigger at her.
Emerelda heard a loud bang, and her eyes saw something blur in front of her. It lasted a split second though it felt as if time went slow. One second she felt Emmett net to her, the next he had his back at her. She blinks and saw he wasn't moving, just standing there, an arm raised.
"Emmett!" she yelled worried. She went to face him and couldn't believe her eyes. Emmett stood there, a golden bullet held between his two fingers. He was unharmed, looking quite smug in fact.
Mr. Moore stumbles back, "How-"
Emmett threw it away, "Please, this gift is given from God. That pistol was made from man. Who else did you expect to win?" He steps forward, and Mr. Moore kept stumbling backwards, he was frightened to the core. "Next time this shall be a lesson. Do not bother young woman, and please, do keep to yourself. Going into another man's business and bothering their woman is not a pretty thing when the man finds out." He pulled his arm back and gave a good punch on his face.
Mr. Moore fell back and didn't get up.
Emmett's words came to Emerelda's mind; "The gift of speed is no joke."