Fears

It was already dinnertime yet Alex didn't feel hunger despite not having eaten since morning. His thoughts were a mess as he kept recounting the specifics of Sia's kidnappings that made his body shiver uncontrollably. Just thinking how desensitised she had become to pain filled him with heartache. Even as an adult he might not have been able to take all that Sia went through as a kid, yet here she was, smiling as if she had the most worriless childhood, as if the world was a beautiful place untainted by the ugliness of people.

He thought about how he would have never known about her past had he not confronted her to tell about her meeting with Cain. He felt ridiculous… he previously had thought that Sia's story brought them closer to each other, making him someone that understood her. But he had underestimated the girl. He now knew that he did not know or understand her at all.

His father's words kept haunting him through the night. Thinking about how people used her as a tool made him furious and disgusted at those that claimed to be humans. He wished he could have met her earlier, been there for her at her darkest hours. However, it was clear that someone else had taken the place a while back, protecting her from the shadows ever since knowing the girl...

He felt helpless, no, more precisely, he felt useless. He knew very well that if people of that caliber were to target his sister again, there was not much he would be able to do. With his reputation as a designer he could at most publicize the issue and bring the media's attention to the matter, but would these families stay still and not do anything? Of course not! With the power and authority they possessed these people could easily silence the media outlets and bring all that he had done to naught.

His mind wandered to all sorts of scenarios and possibilities that could occur. The more he thought, the more his fears overwhelmed him. For the first time since he learned of Siana's relationship to Cain, he felt grateful to that man. Afterall, he clearly knew that while he was a useless older brother that could not do much for his sister, her boyfriend had the capability to turn the whole world upside down so as to not let even a single hair be touched on her head.

His thoughts subconsciously reached Will, and the latter's affection for Sia. He now was glad having chosen to support Sia's choice and not pushing her to his friend. Afterall, Will could not provide her with the protection Cain did, as at this moment all he cared about was her safety and her happiness. Cain was the perfect person to give her the most of both. There was probably only one person among their peers that held as much authority as Cain did, however, Cain would never let the Lion and his sister cross paths, so there was no need to worry unnecessarily.

The more he thought of Cain and Sia, the more approving he became of their relationship. His worked up nerves finally started to relax considerably. He, who was never interested in the underworld, now wished with all his might that Cain took control of it and purged the humans-turned-monsters that were residents of that darkness…

—

- Ribekia -

It was already past eight in the evening when Siana finished her work, howrver, she was nowhere near done with the day. This was why without further ado, she organised her table, locked the room and left the hospital.

After arriving home, she quickly changed into a gray loose hoodie coupled with black trousers. She then wore a brown wig to cover her prominent platinum ones and put a black cap with a matching face mask to cover her face. Finishing off her look with black rimmed glasses, and headphones around her neck, she took a final look at herself, ensuring that no one could recognize her.

As she left her apartment, she didn't leave the building from the main entrance, but rather used a secret exit that Cain had shown her during his last visit. Coming out near the street, she walked a bit and then fetched a cab that was passing by. Once seated, she rested her eyes in preparation for what was to come… afterall, the experience and allies she got today might be of help to Cain tomorrow …

—

- Somewhere near Ribekia -

Robert had gone from hell to high water in the past 2 days, and it was only now that he felt alive as he looked at Q's greeting. He was tasked with contacting Q, but Q was way too unpredictable. He hadn't been online after their conversation, leaving him a nervous wreck with his life on the line.

Everyone working for the Lion knew that he was not an easy boss to have. He never tolerated any failure. Those who failed would either meet their maker somewhere not visible on the world map, or live a life worse than death.

This was why, despite being the head of Luke's intelligence unit, Robert knew that even he was not exempt from failure. Even though he was vital to the team, the moment he failed he would be replaced to serve an example for others to see. Hence he had no choice but to succeed, even if it cost him his life, as his life was not his to begin with.

While Robert prayed he succeeded, Luke stood behind him enshrouded in the darkness. Though his signature smile was still hanging on his face, he was not as calm as he appeared to outsiders. Only his fingers gave away his nervousness and inner fears as they continued fiddling around with the lighter in his hands. Nevertheless, his small gestures remained unnoticed under the tense air that filled the room.

At this moment Luke couldn't help but recall his conversation with his grandfather. There was this unpleasant feeling that had been nagging him for a few days now. The feeling itself made him angry, as he could not admit that there was a chance that he would lose to Cain. However, it was becoming increasingly clear that the Herondale's vote might as well become the decisive factor in the final selection for the emperor.

The situation coupled with his feelings of uncertainty had forced him to give in to desperation, forcing him to use something he could not control.

As much as he didn't want to disclose his rationale right away, the time constraints didn't leave him with much of a choice. As such all he could do was to come up with means that would help him deal with any damage that he might face.

What he could and had to do, was to find Q no matter the means… he had to find ways to control Q… and if Q refused to abide by his rules, well, there would only be one ending awaiting him…