The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

"So Cassandra, what are your plans?" My aunt asks from her place at the table. After the food had been brought to the living room, she suddenly remembered that we're not 'peasants' and should always eat at a table.

"I don't know," I answer truthfully. "I'm just taking everything one step at a time."

"Well, what do you want to do when you grow up?" She asks. "What was your dream before.... everything?"

"It's a little stereotypical but I wanted to be a doctor. Saving lives, protecting the community. It all sounded nice."

She squeezes her face. "A doctor, but doctors don't make any money."

"It's not just about the money," I tell her. "But also doctors do make money, some earn as high as six figures."

"Six figures." She repeats. "And in your currency no less."

Blame myself, forgot who I was talking to. "I'm still figuring things out. I don't even know if universities back home recognize Brimstone as a school."

She drops her fork abruptly. "You're going back to Earth after you graduate?" She looks between me and Seb. "I was led to believe you were here to stay."

"We haven't discussed it yet, she's only been here for two months," Seb tells his sister.

"I've already told the council she doesn't plan on leaving. What do you want me to say now?"

"Well, you could have just told them that we're not sure yet. Like I wanted to." He retorts.

"And how would I have done that? I needed a plan or something might have happened. You know how fragile things are right now." Her voice is getting higher. "With your secret child and Greyson's bad reputation and Kat's mental issues, they're going to look for a way to get rid of us."

The tension in the room is getting thick. "Maybe if Maxon came back, things would be better." Seb bites back.

Aunt Freya gasps. "How dare you bring that up? You know that his leaving was out of my control."

"It was your actions that drove him away. Actions like this." Seb looks very angry. "We've all done things we're not proud of, at least we're buckling up and facing the consequences. Things you are not doing."

I wince, that really hurt. When he looks at me, does he see a mistake? Have his actions these past two years been sincere or just out of duty?

"Excuse me for a minute." I throw my napkin on the table and stand up.

"Seriously, dad." I hear Grey say as I leave the room. In my haze, I get lost and end up wandering around. I find the door that leads to the garden and take it. The sun is almost set and is casting its orange hues all over the backyard. I follow a pathway that leads to the pool and take a seat on one of the lounge chairs. I lay down and close my eyes, the peace and quiet is nice.

What am I doing here? I'm not entirely sure if I'm wanted in Illyria and I can't go back home. I'll have to go to our town's high school and I've already burned all my bridges there.

I always ruin everything by being stupid and weird and different. My chest feels tight and I struggle to breathe. You're nothing. Seb sees it and he's no longer sparing your feelings. It's only a matter of time till your friends see it too. You're always going to be a tragedy nobody wants. Even Tristan can't stand the thought of being with you. I take deep calming breaths.

I hear someone coming and feel even tenser. I don't open my eyes, I refuse to acknowledge whoever it is. The figure draws closer and the chair beside me creaks. I still don't talk, the person doesn't talk either.

A few seconds later, I hear the last voice I expected to hear. "You don't have very thick skin, it wouldn't have served you well dealing with the press and difficult politicians." Saying the words I expected her to say.

"Words of encouragement, your majesty?" My eyes are still closed.

"No point sugarcoating it now, is there? You really would have been eaten alive." I don't respond, I see no reason why I should. "I've always loved this house." She sighs. "I used to tell myself that if I didn't become Queen, at least I'll have it. It belonged to my aunt and uncle, they had a daughter, Marie. We were best friends. We did everything together."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Don't interrupt me." She says in a stern voice before continuing her story. "Marie and I were best friends. We were competing for the same crown but we didn't let it bother us. Our parents hated each other but we didn't let it bother us. The media constantly pitted us against each other but we didn't let it bother us. Marie was supposed to be the next monarch, everybody knew it. She was smart, intuitive and a natural-born leader." She pauses and takes a deep breath. "She and her parents died in an accident when we were 18. Everybody blamed my family, that we knew we were going to lose and we wanted them out of the way. I lost my best friend and was immediately blamed for her death, couldn't even mourn publicly. They used every single one of my movements against me. I guess that was the moment I realized that appearance was everything." She exhales. "If you're not careful, you'll be caught off guard. And if you're caught off guard, well...it's over.

"I asked my father if he had anything to do with it, he denied it. He always did. When he was dying, I asked him one more time. He told me that sometimes you have to make difficult decisions and he doesn't regret any of the ones he made. I was crowned a few weeks later, it was one of the worst days of my life." I finally open my eyes and look at her. Her eyes are red. "You asked me why I'm telling you this story, Cassandra. It's because being a Harrington is not easy, it's not all smiles and handshakes and most times it's not morally right. It's not a name you can just bear, it's a name you work hard to maintain. We've all done things we're not proud of, my brother and Lilian have done a lot to cover some of Grey's more serious vices. And Katya?" She chuckles humorlessly. "She didn't tell you what she said to Jamison to make him get back together with her. She told him that she'll make me block every single one of his father's promotions. And she'll do the same for every member of his family, including him."

I shut my eyes tight, I want to believe that she's lying but deep down, I know she's telling the truth. "You can go to Brimstone and possess the dragoit, but until you're ready to embrace the dark sides of this family. You will remain hidden, when you 'get yourself together', tell me." She says that mockingly and gets up. "Good talk, Cassandra. We really should do this more often." I open my eyes and she's looking down at me with her diplomatic smile. She adjusts her dress and walks back the same way she came.

I think about her words. If I wanted to be a Harrington before I certainly don't want to now. I just want to go home and move to a different city, start over. It'll just be a month till I screw everything up again so what's the point. I also haven't mastered my powers, my parents might not let me come back.

I stare at the blue pool, it looks so pretty with the sun bouncing light off it. I look back at the house and dread fills me when I remember what's waiting for me. My family. Lying, deceitful murderers. And the head just asked me if I'm interested in joining. Power comes with a price, a price I'm not sure I can pay.

I go back to the house and dining room. I take my seat and pick my fork, I continue eating like nothing happened.

"Cass, are you alright?" Kat asks. I can't help but think of Jamie when I look at her.

"I'm fine Kat, thanks for asking," I say in a clear voice.

"Are you sure? You look a little shaken up." She asks again.

"She said she's fine Katya." Her mother cuts a piece of steak. "She's just thinking about our chat and what it takes to be a member of this family." She looks at me. "Aren't you?"

"I am," I say quietly. "I am." The rest of dinner is relatively quiet. We all opt-out of dessert and soon Kat and my Aunt are gone. I go to my room to start packing, why do I always leave things to the last minute?

I hear a knock on my door. "Who is it?"

Seb offers me a small smile. "Cassandra, hi." He says. "Are you busy, I wanted to talk to you. Can I come in?"

"Why not, it's your house," I say. "I'm just a guest passing through."

He sighs and takes a seat at my desk. "I want to apologize for what I said. I didn't mean to say that."

"And that's what makes it worse. It's like you've been carrying that thought for a while and you unloaded it the first chance you got." I drop my clothes on my bed. "It doesn't matter, don't worry about it."

"No, it does. You're right, when I first found out about you, I was angry. I didn't want to deal with you." Ouch. "But then I met you and I was so happy. You're the daughter I never had."

I cock my head to the side. "Really?"

"You know what I mean, of course I was skeptical at first. I was scared, for me, for my family, for what Lilian will do when she found out." He's really not helping his case. "But now, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love having you in my life. Cassandra, I said you were staying here because deep down I want you to. I want you to decorate your room and stay for more weekends." He says desperately. "And most of all, I want everyone to know that you're my daughter. I am not ashamed of you, neither am I hiding you. I just want you to make the choice to tell the world, I want you to make choices I never got to make. I don't want you to wake up in thirty years and hate me because I made you do something you weren't comfortable with."

I stare at him. "Did your parents kill your aunt, uncle and cousin?" He looks away from me and that answers my question. I feel suffocated. "Your parents are murderers, my grandparents are murderers. I'm wearing a murderer's necklace." My hand instinctively goes up to my necklace and I unclip it. It drops to my lap. "Aunt Freya told me about this family, about Kat, about Grey, she asked if I want to be a part of this."

He massages his forehead. "We didn't choose to be part of this. Yes, we've done things we're not proud of, but we're not bad people."

"Of course you're not, who admits that they're bad people," I sigh. "I need to finish packing, I'm going to school early tomorrow."

"I'll get the driver to take you earlier. What time were you thinking?"

"The school opens by 10 am, so 10 am." I don't look at him.

"I'll do that. Do you need anything else?"

"No, is that all you wanted to talk about?"

He's silent for a second. "Yes, I'll try and call you every week, alright. If you need anything, just let me know."

"I will." He stays for a few more seconds before leaving my room. As soon as he's out, I pull out my phone and call the one person who could understand what I'm going through.

"Hello." He says says from his side of the phone. "Cassandra, I wasn't expecting your call."

"Um hi, General," I call him his preferred title.

He laughs. "You remembered, how are you?" I hear him clear his throat and say in a distant voice. "Lieutenant, have you done what I asked?"

I can't hear the other voice. "I expect that on my desk before morning. Get to it." Max continues in his strict voice. "Hello Cass, sorry about that. One of the soldiers almost saw me laughing. Give me a second, let me get to my office." He's quiet for some time. "Okay, I'm in the safe confinement of my quarters, what can I help you with?"

"I need some advice. I talked to my aunt and she," I pause. "She told me what it means to be a Harrington. I just thought you'll be the only other person who understands."

He's quiet for a long time. He finally speaks but in a low voice "Cassandra, that family is toxic. There's a reason I'm not at the capitol anymore."

"So I shouldn't be a part of the family?" I ask. "Is that what you're saying?"

"No Cass, you are not going to put that decision on me. I made mine years ago and despite what I just said, I don't regret it." Pick a side, I want to yell. "I have an amazing daughter that I love more than life itself and my career definitely got a boost. What I'm saying is there are good sides and there are bad sides. If you want to be in the family, you have to be all in."

I groan. "This was not at all helpful," I complain. "Can someone please just tell me what I should do?"

"Growing up is making decisions about your life. This is one of the most important ones you'll ever make." He pauses. "Yes Lieutenant, they were spotted where?" His voice sounds rushed. "Cassie, I need to go, but think about what I said." And the line goes dead. Great.