The following day, as before, Alexander was gone. I knew I couldn't expect him to sty at my side since he had so many things to do, a part of me still hoped he'd stayed. I tried talking to my parents about Micah and how that situation was being handled but they refused to tell me anything.
'We'll let you know what happens,' they'd said. 'Don't worry about it. Focus on your work.'
How was I not suppose to worry if they didn't tell me anything? I couldn't help but think that this was punishment of not telling them about the letters. It's not like I blamed them or anything. However, being locked up in my room like some criminal made me feel restless.
Sighing, I spread out on my bed and looked up at the ceiling. With only homework to occupy my time, the day seemed to drag on. For the most part, I'd already completed more than half on my homework so it wasn't like I was just being lazy. It just seemed like no one seem to be able to tell me how long I was going to stay locked up in my room.
I trusted Alexander and his ability to get everything solved but for some reason, I was still uneasy. The Micah I knew was dangerous. He didn't care about anybody else except himself. Then again, Alexander used to be like that. If anybody could match Micah's arrogance it was probably Alexander.
"So, I have nothing to worry about," I said aloud.
And yet, those words sounded empty even to me. After everything that had happened, couldn't Micah just stop? Alexander had changed. He cared about people even though he would never admit it. Now more than ever, I was convinced that his vampire prince persona was just a facade. I knew the real Alexander and yet Micah was doing everything in his power to sabotage him. It wasn't fair. Plus, I knew Micah had to be behind the Purists. It all made sense now. Orchestrating more hatred between vampires and humans, that would just be something Micah was capable of doing. There had to be something I could do to help but what . . .?
Then it came to me. It was simple really. Why hadn't I thought about it before? I knew what Micah wanted. It would be easy to get Alexander out of this mess.
Plus, it was my fault that Alexander was in this mess to begin with. If it wasn't for me, Micah would have never tried to frame Alexander. The least I could was help him, right?
I never once thought Alexander would continue to appear before me. He'd said he wanted my undying devotion. It wasn't like I didn't believe him when he said he cared about me. I cared about him too and yet, what was the point?
He wasn't going to change the image of the vampire Prince who aimed for world domination. He couldn't. I was still convinced that he did all that to keep the King on the throne. Where was 'our relationship'this heading towards?
Honestly, I had never given it much thought. I guess that would mean that I was the one who wasn't taking this seriously. Alexander had put in the effort and I was the one who refused to see it.
I was no good.
Sighing, I sat up and grabbed my phone. Even after all this time, I still remembered that cell phone number. Alexander was going to be furious to say the least but this was all that I was capable of. I couldn't do anything else.
Even if I did this, I was going to be alright. It was for Alexander after all. He had sacrificed so much. It was my turn to repay him. And yet, why were my hands shaking? I took a deep breath trying to calm my raging heart.
Before I could change my mind, I dialed the number. It didn't take long for him to answer.
"Rin," Micah said. "I was wondering when you were going to call me. Did you miss me?"
Hearing his voice made my eyes blur. How could I ever forget that terrifying voice? It sounded as cheerful as always but underneath that cheerfulness it was void of all emotion.
"I-I can't say that I have," I forced out.
A dry chuckle came from the other end. "That's sad to hear. You wound me."
"Cut the crap!"
There was instant silence on the other end. A shiver crawled down my spine. I could feel myself shaking and yet, I couldn't do anything to stop it.
"Is that any way to talk to me?" he asked.
I swallowed thickly. Even if we weren't in the same room, I could sense his anger. I opened my mouth to reply but caught myself before I said anything. He didn't control me anymore. He didn't have any power over me.
I took a deep breath. I could do this. For Alexander's sake, I had to.
"I want you to leave Alexander alone."
Micah chuckled. "So, you're on first name basis now." Every word was underline with poison.
"Leave him alone," I continued. "He has nothing to do-"
"Shut up, Rin."
The words died in my throat.
"His highness deserves everything that's coming to him. He dared to touch my belongings. What sort of master would I be if I allow that?"
"I - I don't belong to you."
"Oh, but you do. You just don't know it yet."
It seemed that no matter what I said, I couldn't get through to him. I made up my mind, hadn't I? I knew Micah didn't control me anymore. Even if a part of me was still frightened, the other part didn't. I had Alexander if only for a while longer.
"What do you want?" I asked. "For you to leave Alexander alone, what do you want?"
Micah wholeheartedly laughed. "What makes you think I want anything?"
"Because you're acting like a jealous brat," I retorted.
Yeah, anger was good. It would get me through this.
"Honestly, it's just pathetic really," I continued. "I've found someone better than you and you can't accept it. Get over yourself. You're only doing this for attention anyway. Now tell me. What do you want?"
I clenched my free hand into a fist. While it wasn't smart of me to make Micah furious, I was also sick and tired of all of this. Why did he have to barge into my life again and take everything away? I was done being frightened.
"End it with him."
A pit formed in my stomach. I was prepared for this and yet, hearing it . . . My heart was ready to burst. There wasn't enough air.
"And if I refuse?" It took everything in my power not to stutter.
"You'll see you're beloved Prince behind bars. You don't want that, now do you?"
"If I end it with him then, he won't be wanted by the police anymore? How do I know you'll keep your word? You know I can't trust you."
"Hearing you say that, truly wounds me."
"Micah -"
"I've waited to hear you say my name for such a long time. You know, I regret how our relationship ended up. I really do. If you had such continued to be obedient, you would have been happy. I could have made you happy."
This time, I shook with rage. If I could punch him into a bloody pulp, I would. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he said such a thing. He never really cared about me.
"You better keep your end of the deal," I forced out angrily.
Even as I said this, I couldn't stop the tears from overflowing. I was powerless to help Alexander. This was the only thing I could do for him. Even if I couldn't be with him, it was better this way. This nightmare would end and he could go back to how it was before all of this.
"I look forward to seeing the anguish on his face."
With that, he ended the call. I stared down at my cellphone for a long time. There was no going back now. I had to do this. I had to for Alexander's sake.
There was a soft knock at the window before Alexander appeared in my room. I felt numb and the tears wouldn't stop. He was quickly at my side, holding me and wiping away the tears.
I'm so sorry.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
I'm sorry.
"Rin, did something happen? You know that you can tell me anything right?"
I shook my head, unable to speak. I'm sorry. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself.
"I-I need to talk to you," I forced out.
I looked up at his face. His eyes held warmth. How could I do this to him? I didn't want to but I had to. I didn't want him to end up in jail.
"What is it?" he asked.
I'm so sorry.