Talia's POV



In less than ten minutes, Vance was back and wasn't smiling.

I quickly left, trudging behind him towards one of his cars which was already on with a driver waiting.

We hopped in. No one dared start any sort of small talk.


While Vance definitely did look pissed, he was not boiling like I thought he would. The energy he had when he ordered me to eat poisoned food wasn't there. He had his emotions under control and I didn't like it.

I kept my gaze fixed outside the windows, enjoying whatever scenery there was to enjoy. Vance's head was in all along, and his eyes were closed, but from the constant twitching, I knew he wasn't asleep.


It was a weary ride. Many times, I wished I could jump up and run all the way to Silverhaven without stopping.

But I had already tossed myself neck deep into Vance's business and I wasn't done till I was done.

I kept directing the driver to a location we all seemed to know all too well. As he was supposed to make the next left, which led directly to our house, the one Landon now occupied, Vance told the driver to stop.

'Wait!" Vance said. It was his first word since we both entered the car.

The car grounded to a halt and everyone focused their attention on him.

'Describe how the house looks." He addressed me.

The drivers, who always acted like they never heard or saw anything were stoic.

'Uh. It had a really big window from which you could see anyone who was seated in the living room." I said, hoping it would be enough.

'That's alright." He said without any emotion. 'Let's be on our way back to the palace now. I have an appointment by noon." He commanded and the car turned right back, headed for the palace.

The ride back was even more scary than the ride to Landon's.

Vance didn't look pained. He looked evil, very evil. From time to time, gasps escaped his lips.

I didn't know what his mood spelt for either me or Nadia. He was as quiet as a stone.

We finally got back to the palace.

'Do you want to come in?" Vance asked.

He didn't look like he was in the mood for shit. The answer was no. I didn't want to face him. And Nadia. None of all of them.

'That's answers it. Once he drops me off, he'd escorts you to your apartment somewhere on the outskirts. It's a nice place with a good view. Thank you." Vance was too impatient.

I didn't fight it. It wasn't such a bad thing after all.

To think that Vance already had the arrangement in mind before offering me, did say that he was steps ahead of me though.

There was no point exchanging greetings as he git out if the car.

I knew since he was the one who made arrangements for where I was going to be staying, he definitely would py unwelcome visits, that was the only thing that made me scared.

The driver rounded out of the compound again.

I had my gaze inside all the while. There was nothing to look out for.

We got there in less than an hour.

According to Vance's word, it was fully furnished, with everything a lady would need. But unlike the basement, I didn't think I was the first lady to stay there.

Without anyone to tell me, I made myself feel at home.

It was quite a posh apartment, with lush and extensive rugs abd indoor decoration, the last floor on the building of about six floors, it had a very perfect view of what outside Moonstone looked like.

That apartment only fueled my desire to get done with what I was there for and get out.

A really beautiful life awaited, and I had to remind myself of that every time.

I look through the very non-personal portraitsthat graced the wall. There was not a single soec of dust on any of them.

Finally, my legs gave way from exhaustion and I collapsed to the chair. It then occurred to me that I no longer was at the mercy of Tracy and I could go ahead with what I wanted to do.

Since Nadia had nothing too deep on the surface, I'd use Tracy.

She was a drug addict, and information which proved very useful to me.

I needed a mask though. I didn't want her recognising me. And getting into the palace was going to be far harder. At least now, she didn't know where I was.

I decided to solve my problems one after the other. The mask first.

Any piece of cloth and scarf would would work. All I needed to hide was my hair and my eyes. It didn't seem like so much of a problem. With enough clothes I could do that.

I bolted to the door immediately I remembered that I hadn't locked in on my way in. Little did I know I was in for a surprise.

The door was locked! I didn't want to believe it. I almost screamed my lungs out.

I knew there were others in the building, I also knew that for a building this sophisticated, the walls would be sound proof, but I decided to try either ways.

As I expected, I had no luck.

Vance had done his job neat and clean. And like everyone else, I was at his mercy.

I felt stupid for falling for such an obvious trap.

I begun to get hysterical and started kicking the door.

There was so much anger in me and I needed to spend it.

I pulled the table clothes off the very fancy dining table, sending all the fancy ceramic bowls and dishes flying north, west, east and south all at once.

It wasn't enough for me. I threw my shoe at the window, but it didn't budge. It was stronger than I gave it credit for.

Here I was again, Vance's slave.

I dragged my raggedy self to the window to watch the sunset, it was the best I could do.