Love And Betrayal | ✔️

25. Discovery of the Key

THE NEXT FEW minutes of my life are an absolute blur.

I feel like we're in a high budget action movie, with enemies surrounding us from every side. Our current situation isn't too different; GreyHound's soliders have actually rounded up the room. Getting outside is nearly impossible unless you have an Aden Carter with you.

Yes, you heard right. You need an Aden Carter to get out of the room.

Well, thank God I have one.

Aden grabs hold of my hand with such ease and familiarity, it leaves me really no room for protest. What he tells me next, I hardly hear because my eyes are on my sister's panicked expression.

We're worried for each other. The underlying fact that we're about to be separated again doesn't sit well with either of us.

But, by the looks of it, we don't have a choice. Aden points out that four might appear more conspicious than two. I hate to admit it, but this is one of those rare times he's right.

Sensing my restlessness, he cups my face, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Kiara, I won't let anything happen to us. Trust me." He says with conviction. There's sincerity in those deep grey eyes as they stare back at me. "Can you do that?"

It takes me a few seconds to reply, not because I don't , but because it's difficult to find your voice when he's looking at you like that.

"Tell me the plan."

Aden doesn't waste time getting to the point.

"Taylor, stay with Arie. Use your invisibility talent to hide. I know it won't last long, considering the black magic in this place, but let's hope they're gone before it ends. Once they're gone, head towards the old kitchen. If we're already there, fine, if we aren't leave without us."

I blanch at the resoluteness in his voice. The mere thought that one of us may be left behind sends a wave of paranoia surging inside me.

"But they can't leave without us. I'm the only one who can teleport us all out of here."

"I didn't mean leaving this place without us, Kiara. When I said that, I mean leave the palace. Get out of this place and wait for us in some sheltered place in the forest."

Before I can reply, Ariana beats me to it. "Why can't I stay with Ki, while the two of you go together? I can't lose her again."

Her eyes mirror the anxiousness in mine as she says this. She casts a doubtful look in Ashton direction, before she turns away.

"Kiara stays with me." Aden's voice is firm.

"B-but —"

"You can trust Taylor, Arie. He won't let anyone hurt you."

Her eyes flash with annoyance. "I don't need anyone's protection. If anything, I think it's Ash who needs protection. His powers are way too weak to get us out of here."

I don't miss the way Ashton's face hardens when he hears this. For a fraction of second, I see hurt in his eyes, but then it's gone. Completely.

"At least I have my powers," Ashton snaps, "Right now, you don't have any."

"I know the all the ways to get us out of here. You know none." Ariana spits.

"Your excellent mind maps might not save us from being executed right now, but my power of invisibility will."

"Power of invisibility?" Ariana scoffs. "That's some power when it can't last three minutes, just like your . . ."

When Ariana doesn't finish and leaves the sentence hanging, Ashton's face turns from red to purple in a matter of seconds. I watch in growing apprehension as he takes an intimidating step towards her, but she doesn't back down. Her blue eyes flash with anger.