{•Lynette•}

Luckily there was a chalkboard here, but a dry erase marker seems less messier, and has magnets.....

Oh well.... Better than nothing....

Leda and Billie helped me bring in some files and other things from the library in here so I can work in the office.

I told them to take the rest of the night off so I can focus.

I stuck up the two pictures of the Visigoths side by side on the chalkboard, labeling them both.

I stared at the picture of Lilith and took a deep breath.

(Picture: Lilith Visigoth - artwork done by XOBillie)

Jeez, and here I thought Alexander looked like a psycho. Lilith looks bedlam ready.

What made my skin crawl, though.... It was how similar she seemed to look like me.....

I took a deep breath and sighed as I shook off that feeling and  grabbed the article and pinned it next Alexander's mugshot before writing some stuff down in chalk with my good hand, despite the sloppy writing.

Visigoths versus:
-Blackwell Dynasty
-Lieseil Co.
-Warhol Stars
-Me (Connection: Unknown?)

I then sketched out the same shape of my birthmark by my name, but then looked at the other options.

"Larisa mentioned that it always seemed personal between the founders and the rebellion, but it was never known why....." I mumbled quietly to myself as I tried to think as I had an idea. "That means I have to start from the very beginning, with the founders themselves...."

I drew two arrows from the list at either side and wrote:

ALISTER WARHOL

BARTHOLOMEW LIESEIL

"It has to start with one of them..... Maybe Warhol...... But.... Lieseil was the last one they attacked... Hell, the most brutal one....... Yet, it seemed more against Warhol, too.... Both men were still two sides of the same coin, though......" I said to myself, trying to think, then sighed and rubbed my temples.

I'm usually so good at critical thinking and stuff, but.... Even this is giving me a migraine.....

I walked back over to the table before suddenly hearing a knock and turning around, seeing Remington walked in.

I slowly put the journal I grabbed back down as looked over as he carefully approached.

"Is it safe to come in.... Or are you mad?" He asked.

"Why would I be mad?" I asked

"Larisa mentioned you might say that.... Or say you are not mad when you actually are...." he said. "Women can be confusing, especially when angry..."

I sighed and looked down, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I am upset...." I admitted as I paced towards him. "Not angry, though.... I shouldn't have said that crap to Sebastian, it wasn't fair to him......"

"He shouldn't have accused you without probable cause, if there even is one at all," Remington said.

"He got stuck with protecting a whole empire and now the stray he took in has a death mark and a target on her back...." I sighed. "He's freaked out, and I was no help saying all of that....."

"You are not a stray, Lynette," he said sternly.

I scoffed and shook my head. "Be real, Remington... I'm practically that cat you found on the side of the road or something....." I sighed.

"Stop!" he scolded, making me turn.

"Its the truth, damn it, I'm a stranger here!!" I snapped.

I then sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, wishing I hadn't and automatically feeling like a jerk.

I looked over at him with a frown, seeing he looked a little bit upset. "I'm sorry..... I.... I'm as much in the dark about this as anyone else.... I don't know how I have this mark on m hip when I never even heard of Obsidian until I met you....

"I know..... I believe you..... However it is still very strange, Lynette....." he said. "A logical explanation would be that you actually were born here, but...."

"No.... No, its impossible.... I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada.... On Earth..... My parents may have left me for dead in some dumpster in a dirty old alley, but I know for sure they gave birth to me there, and I'm also pretty damn sure they were born on Earth, too... " I said.

He was quiet as he tried to think, then noticed the chalkboard.

"What are doing?" He asked.

"Research, I guess..... Just trying to make some sort of sense of everythi- OW!!" I sighed, about to reach for a book but accidently bumping my bad hand against the table and making me hiss in pain as I held it. "Damn it!"

He looked over worriedly before hurrying towards me and carefully holding my broken hand.

"Leda did her best...." I said with a sigh. "Lesson learned in my part, never punch a vampire no matter how much he pisses you off."

"To be fair, Sebastian has a really sharp jaw," he said.

"Yeah, made out of lead, " I scoffed.

He chuckled and rolled his sleeve up before biting it, then holding it up to me, two bloody holes on it.

I took a deep breath and leaned down, beginning to drink.

I felt the pressure on my hand start to grow as it healed back into place and the pain dulled to nothing.

I pulled back, wiping blood from my mouth as I looked down at my hand, pulling the bandages off.

I moved my fingers and wrist to test movement.

"Good as new," I said softly, then looked up at Remington. "Thanks..."

He smiled softly and nodded.

I looked up at him and sighed before stepping closer and holding his hands close to my chest.

"Its a scary world... Incredible, but scary...... That much I'll admit....." I said. "And after everything, I'm only trying to keep it together... For you...."

He looked down at me as I spoke.

"Remington, I.... I really do love you... And I want to be with you....." I said honestly, then pointed at the pictures on the chalkboard. "And if these people.... If they're as dangerous as they sound.... If they are after us, I.... I need to know everything, more than just what you've told me...."

He sighed softly and pursed his lips. "I know....."

"And I.... I need to make sure that I'm not losing you to this.... That you or anyone else here for that matter is not going to die....." I said.

"Lynette...." He frowned.

"I have nothing left, Remington.... Okay, nothing..... I have no family never really had one... I barely have friends, my co-worker's the only one I even had a small bit of trust with..... The one guy I thought I could love would beat me black and blue on a daily basis, and he's even dead....." I said, feeling tears. "... You're all I have left..... And if you're gone, then...."

He slowly reached up and stroked my cheek, making me lean into his touch.

"Just... Promise me you won't leave me...." I begged.

He leaned closer and then pressed his lips against mine.

I relaxed into his arms as we kissed.

We stayed like this for a while before he pulled back.

"I can't promise we'll be safe from danger....." He murmured. "..... But..... I can promise to you that I will always be with you, no matter what....."

I looked up at him, feeling like he was saying that just to comfort me.

"Then make me yours....." I mumbled.

He furrowed his brows, but seemed to realized what I meant and his eyes widen.

"Lynette....." he said.

Before either of us could say anything else, the doors opened and Sebastian had walked in, Larisa and Emerson behind him.

I looked at him as Remington stepped in front of me protectively as he stared cautiously at his older brother.

"Whatever you do...." Remington started before Sebastian held his hand up.

"Don't worry.... I come in peace," Sebastian said calmly.

I slowly reached over and held Remington's hand. "Remington.... Please... Its okay..... I don't want anymore fights between you three...."

He looked back at me with a frown and sighed.

Larisa then nudged Sebastian with a scold, and he sighed quietly.

"I came to apologize to Lady Lynette for my behavior, and how I handled the situation, " he said, then looked at me. "It was unfair to accuse you of such a thing.... You know nothing of this world, much less our battle with the rebellion, and despite this disturbing revelation of yours, we should have handled it peacefully and not accuse you."

He stepped up and bowed to me, making my eyes widen.

"Please forgive me for my behavior, Lady Lynette.... It was wrong of me...." he said.

I frowned and sighed as I stepped up past Remington, and stood before Sebastian.

"Stand up straight, Sebastian.... You're not the only one that needs to apologize....." I sighed.

He stood up straight, looking at me in confusion.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you.... All you want is to keep the people you love safe.... You never asked to be in charge of everything this way....." I said.

He pursed his lips and looked down, Larisa looking up at him from nearby.

"I'm the one who's sorry," I said. "You were worried enough, and then all of a sudden this...." I said, placing my hand over where my birthmark is. "I can't explain why I have this mark... Why I'm suddenly so good with a bow and arrow..... I want answers as much as the next person, because none of this makes zero sense at all...."

He nodded in understanding. "Can I really be able to trust that you are good, and have no ill intentions, especially towards my family?" he asked, looking both serious and concerned.

I then looked over at Remington, who looked at his brother with a small furrow to his brows, but then looked at me.

I then remembered something and got an idea and looked back at Sebastian before placing my hand over my chest and kneeling to him.

"I swear to you, Sebastian, that I want peace and safety for the people of this empire and castle as much as you do, and wish no harm on you or anyone else here...." I said, looking up at him. "You have my word, as an unofficial lady of this court....."

Remington's eyes widen as Larisa smiled at me.

Sebastian pursed his lips and took a deep breath as he then reached into the inside of his jacket and pulling something out.

"Consider yourself official...." He said, handing it to me. "Duchess Lynette Smith..... Of the Royal Council...."

My eyes widen as I stood up and he placed the item in my hand, making me look at it.

[Picture: Blackwell Keys Pin]

"Those keys......" I mumbled quietly.

"Our emblem...." Sebastian said. "Letting everyone know what you are a part of... Also, considering your skills, I decided to have our newly appointed duchess train her archery skills with the guards, under my supervision of course...."

"Brother...... I-I thought...." Remington said.

"Yes, I did suspect of her.... However, her being born on Earth obviously clears her of anything at all...... I was too stubborn and worried at first to see it...." he said.

I then peered over, seeing Remington, who seemed relieved at what Sebastian said.

I then saw as Larisa motioned me quietly as she pointed at the pin, and I realized what she meant.

I gulped as I then proceeded to place the pin on my shirt, and took a deep breath.

"However, though she may not have known about Obsidian until she arrived, her birthmark means she may still have some sort of connection... We have to look into it, nonetheless, especially since it has made her a target now," Sebastian said.

"Way ahead of you," I sighed, motioning over to the table full of papers. "I already stocked up on my knowledge of Obsidian with studying, but I want to know a lot more of what we're dealing with and why I was born with their mark while being from another realm."

"A crazy wall...." Emerson asked, seeing some documents. "Any information or clue your police look for in a case goes up on some sort of board.... So you think of doing the same...."

"Yeah... I figured that way, it also helps us answers every question that needs an answer...." I said, then pointed to the two photos I posted. "I considered starting with them... They wanted to rule Obsidian and targeted the kingdom..... However that seemed to have suddenly changed, and I noticed."

"How so?" Sebastian asked.

"Don't be mad, but..... Andrew told me about the information after your meetings," I confessed. "I was bored in lockdown and he and I had tea sometimes if Leda or Remington wasn't available........"

Sebastian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'll have a word with him on that later."

"Don't... Please.... I begged him, and I wanted to know more after I was attacked," I said. "Anyway...... I was told the attacks on the villagers stopped, robberies started becoming less and less, and the disappearances are also coming to a stop, even their propaganda was starting to dim down just a little..... Anything that could get your attention suddenly stopped when Bernadette told their spies about me, and they suddenly shifted towards breaking in and trying to kidnap me....."

Remington was quiet as he flipped through a journal looking up worriedly. "You're right.... But.... What theory do you have, Lynn?"

"They know about me. They know about my birthmark. Now they want to kidnap me...." I said. "Question is, why? Why are they suddenly changing targets? Why are they suddenly so interested in? It.... It couldn't just be because I'm from Earth, there's something more, especially with my birthmark...."

Sebastian was trying to think, then looked at me and chuckled quietly. "I'll be honest... The way your train of thought works, Lady Lynette, you'd give Lieseil and Warhol a run for their money...."

"You kidding?" Emerson scoffed with a smirk. "They'd love her."

I chuckled as I looked up at them, then Emerson spoke up again.

"Allow us to help you then, Lynnie," Emerson said with an interested smile. "I always did want to play detective."

"We'll all help anyway we can," Larisa smiled as she stepped up.

I smiled and nodded before looking at Sebastian.

"You must have known something, too..... Right? Especially since you arrested and interrogated Alexander...." I asked him.

Sebastian looked through some papers and then at me before he sighed. "Alexander is a sick, twisted man.... When he was questioned, it was clear he was a danger to all living things and we could not let him outside of a cell with a dead bolt.... He escaped while being transported to an asylum in another land, far far away from Obsidian, where he can never hurt anyone else...."

I furrowed my brows as I listened, but he continued.

"In your world, Lynette, the serial murderers there kill rarely without reason," He explained. "Rejection, childhood trauma, abuse, misogyny, even the circumstances of their birth can factor.... Alexander, however.... He was something else....."

"King of the Damned he called himself," Emerson scoffed. "I stood in watch outside the interrogation room, despite Sebastian saying no.... To say he was insane is an understatement...."

"I only wish we were exaggerating when we say he's the devil incarnate," Remington sighed.

My eyes widen as Sebastian then spoke.

"Alexander craves control and power, and will do everything in his power to obtain it..... The bloodshed and death he causes only fuels it more.... 'Collateral damage' he calls it," Sebastian added, scoffing in disbelief. "Lilith is no different, either, she's just as insane and manipulative..... Those two are cut from the same evil, twisted cloth...."

I let out a shuddered breath at the thought, before looking back at their photographs.

"Sebastian..... Larisa mentioned that it always seemed more personal between Warhol and Lieseil and the Visigoths than anyone else.... Warhol especially....." I said, then looked up at him.

"Well, to a degree, yes... It was always personal with everyone.... Larisa is correct, however, Alexander and Lilith seemed to want more to do with the founders themselves than even us.... Yet between both Warhol and Lieseil, Warhol was a bigger target to them...."

"Any idea why?" I asked him.

Sebastian sighed. "Alexander never said why..... Plus, Warhol was as much of a mystery as Lieseil was.... We weren't around just yet, we only arrived just as the rebellion was already on the rise, Lieseil was barely around...... Arresting Alexander was the first thing I ever did under King Buckminster's rule after us three got settled..... A week later, Lieseil manor and nearly the whole town was burned, our parents murdered, and they both disappeared..... as did Warhol's army...."

My eyes widen as I looked back at the picture of Alexander.

"So, Warhol he.... He just appears out of no where to help stop the Visigoths once he's trained?" I asked.

"So it seems...." Remington said. "Nothing is known yet of his past.... Whatever is known of him disappeared with him....."

"Then... Where does Lynette fit into all of this?" Larisa asked.

"That's a good question, and only Alister himself can answer," Sebastian sighed.

I sighed. Here's hoping Horus is lucky somehow.... But that could take forever.....

"Then we start this with him," I said. "Where Alister Warhol came from, and why the Visigoths wanted him more.... From there, we can find out if one thing connects to another..."

"Lynette has a point," Emerson said, taking a journal. "One thing those two loved was a good scavenger hunt, leaving one clue after the other. If we focus on Alister, find out why he was targeted, then things will fall into place and can connect, and it could explain as to why Lynette is a target as well."

"You're sure?" Sebastian asked.

"Of course I am, I'm the smart one," Emerson sassed.

Sebastian rolled his eyes as he looked back at the chalkboard, focusing on the two photographs I had pinned there.

He then stared at me and nodded. "Very well.... Where do we start, Lady Lynette?"

"Somehow like Emerson said.... The beginning of the end..." I said, taking out a picture of Alister from the pile. "Who he was, where he came from, and how he became Alister Warhol..."

"Once we find out his past, from there we look for what dots connect to him....." Remington said.

"Why not start with Lieseil?" Sebastian asked, motioning to a portrait of Lieseil hung on the wall. "He was targeted as well, and he's the one who disappeared after his manor was burned......"

"Like we said, if we find out more of Alister, we could find from there what connects him to everything, including Lieseil........." I said. "Including the Visigoth Rebellion...... Plus, Lieseil was a whole other mystery, and despite things, Warhol was more of a person of interest to them, which is key to everything else. We have a bit more on him if you think about it."

"She has a point....." Remington added. "We focus on Warhol, we find out more on Lieseil...."

Sebastian nodded as he started to think.

"Very well.... Let's get started, before it gets too late," he said.

I nodded as we all grabbed a file, paper, or notebook.

Hopefully we do find some answers.....

((( Meanwhile...... )))

《• Planet Earth Realm- Seattle, WA• 》

{•Tania•}

"Babe, its late... You should get some sleep...." Chase said softly as I stood at the window, looking at the starry night.

"I-I know, but.... I should have seen the signs.... I could have said something, anything....! Maybe then she would have been safe...." I said, trying not to cry.

"T...." Chase sighed, coming up and pulling me into his arms. "There wasn't much you could have done..... You heard your uncle, this guy, he... He was bad news.... Had Lynette told you, you probably would have been hurt, too...."

I sniffled and wiped my tears away. "There was so much blood... I-In those pictures.... Her blood.... What if she didn't make it?"

"I.... I don't know...." He said sadly. "The FBI are doing everything they can..... All we can do is hope..."

I sighed as he pecked my lips.

"Come on, you need sleep, you have a huge midterm coming up," he said.

"Yeah, l-let me just get some water," I sighed.

"Okay," nodded, kissing me one last time before heading off to our bedroom.

I sighed and headed to the kitchen.

I went to grab a glass of water before turning around and immediately met with a person I've never met before.

I gasped as I backed up, almost dropping the glass if he hadn't caught it.

He wore a burgundy suit with strange boots, had olive toned skin and broght brown eyes, and his hair....

Does this guy not own a hairbrush??

"You must be Tania.... So nice to meet you," The stange man said, then bowed to me a little. "I've heard many things..."

"W-Who are you?" I said nervously.

"Of course you are smaller than described....." he said, tilting his head curiously as he observed me.

I furrowed my brows as I stared at him. "Hey.... Wait, how are you in here? What do you want? I'll call the cops!"

"There's no need... I come in peace," He said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out an envelope. "I am here with a delivery..."

I looked at him in confusion as he held up the envelope to me, a weird logo made of three keys crossed over each other on top.

"For you, milady," he said politely as I took it.

I curiously opened it and pulled out a letter with familiar writing.

Tania,

I am writing this to let you know I'm safe, and I'm not hurt.
Its complicated to explain what's going on, or even where I am, but I know
Thank you for working to get the authorities involved. It means so much that you really care for me.
I only wish I can tell you everything, but I can't. I ask you please not tell anyone else about this, for me...
In case you don't believe its me, here's some proof of it.
Take care of youself. Hopefully I will see you again one day, but I for now, I am needed here.

With love,
Lynette

I then furrowed my brows as I read it.

"T-That's Lynette's handwriting.... A little bit shakey, but.... T-That's her's...." I said. "Is she okay?"

"She hurt her hand a little, nothing serious or alarming, but she insisted on getting a letter to you..." he said.

I then felt something in the envelope and looked in, my eyes widening as I pulled it out.

"Her necklace... The one I gave her before..." I said. "I-Is she really okay?"

"She is safe," The man assured. "I cannot reveal much, mostly because to an Earth human such as yourself would find it a little bit confusing... Nonetheless, Aldous is taking good care of your friend."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Earth human? What are you, an alien or something?"

"Of course not," he scoffed, then adjusted his jacket. "I'm better dressed than they are...."

I scoffed a small laugh as I looked at him weirdly as he then patted my head.

"Until then, Lady Tania... I shall send your regards to Lady Lynette," he said with a polite smile before walking off and out the door.

"Lady Lynette? Wha.... W-Wait!" I exclaimed, rushing out to catch up to him. "Who are you!? How do you know her!? Did Aldous-!?"

I rush out, stepping outside my apartment, but was shocked to see he was.... Gone....?

I nervously looked out the railing, but saw nothing, and looked around.

He vanished...?

"Who the hell was he.....?" I asked, looking back at the letter and envelope, examining the stamped logo.

I took a deep breath as I then looked at the necklace in my hand.

I took a deep breath and smiled to myself.

"Babe...." Chase's voice spoke, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you okay? What happened?"

I looked down at the letter and necklace, and held it close to me.

"Lynette's safe....." She said.

"What?" He asked.

"S-She's safe, I-I don't know where she is, but she's safe...." She said.

He pursed his lips and nodded. "Should... Should we tell police?"

"I don't think so...." she said, looking up at me. "Wherever she is, I believe she's good there.... She's with that guy, Aldous, he's keeping her safe... I know it...."

He seemed confused, but nodded with a small smile. "Okay.... I'll take your word for it...."

I smiled and nodded as I walked uo to him, hugging him tightly as he hugged me back, kissing the top of my head.

Hopefully, she really is safe....

~~~~~

Starting to get a little bit of writer's block, so I'm gonna do my best to get some ideas and avoid it. Fingers crossed the next chapter doesn't take so long! 🤞🏻

🎶Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Falling in Reverse "DRUGS"

https://youtu.be/sRAG2NG5bkQ

♡~ sapphire.