Vol 2- The lost heir .
-ONE YEAR LATER-
Meredith adjusted her handbag on her shoulder as she blew out air. She had closed from work late and unfortunately she wasn't getting any taxi so she decided to walk.
Atlas had left earlier with Ace to solve some issues and she didn't want to bother him.
"I will be fine." She muttered to assured herself
Fleeting footsteps behind her drew her attention. She turned quickly, curious to see who was following her on the pavement, but there was no one in sight, the road was busy as cars rushed past her.
She continued to walk, but a sense of discomfort
pricked the back of her neck as she heard the faint
crunch of gravel and the sound of snapping twigs.
Meredith stopped and looked back again, scanning around but everyone was going on about their business and she was the only one walking on the pavement.
Unease roiled in her stomach. She hurried her steps and breathed a sigh of relief when she finally reached her neighborhood.
Suddenly she became aware of how alone she was.
Eerie silence greeted her. She inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and rubbed the nape of her neck.
Everything had been going so smoothly lately she couldn't help but be paranoid.
She continued to walk, her eyes constantly scanning for the slightest sign of life, the sound of a car, the bark of dog, anything that would reassure her that she was not alone.
Meredith walked faster down the road, gripping the handle of her bag. The street bulbs flickered and a wave of apprehension washed over her and her heart hammered in his chest.
She was so close to home yet so far. Her conscience screamed at her to run and to get out of there.
Meredith started running, fortunately she was wearing flats today.
A shadow flickered across her path, she gasped and turned, seeing nothing, but feeling for a fleeting moment something brushing against her legs.
Scared, she paused and touched her legs and glanced around quickly.
Meredith removed her phone from her bag. She wanted to call Atlas.
She wanted to convince herself that everything was in her imagination but knowing her background she was sure something was definitely wrong.
She looked at her phone and nearly cried. There was no signal. If Meredith was doubting at first now she was absolutely sure something was wrong.
She stiffened at the change in the air and slowly looked up from her phone. A shadow passed by her and she bolted in terror.
There was no thought, her primal fear propelled her to run faster than she believed she could ever move. But it was not fast enough. A shadow flashed across her path, turning into the figure.
He was wearing a cloak so she couldn't see his face just that he was tall and masculine.
Meredith swallowed and tried to sidestep him, he reached out with lightning speed and grabbed her arms.
"You should learn some manners. Don't you know how to greet?"
He said with amusement laced in his voice.
Scared, Meredith tried to shake free but his grip was iron.
"Well, she really lacks manners. How is she going to be the queen?" A voice chuckled darkly behind her.
Queen.
Meredith's heart jumped in her chest. Now she was regretting not listening to Atlas to take a bodyguard. She had forced him to even remove the one who was protecting her in the shadows because she hated the feeling of being constantly watched. It made her paranoid.
She turned to see two other men standing close
behind. Both of them were wearing black cloaks too.
"What do you want? I-I have to go." Meredith said, trying to hide the tremor from her voice.
"What's the rush?" the man smirked under the cloak.
"Surely you can spare a moment? I'd like to
introduce myself." He said and removed the hood of his cloak.
He bowed. "I'm Micheal. The man who rudely stepped out in front of you is Nicholas. You can call him Nick."
Meredith swallowed and blinked. She would have believed that she was dreaming if not for the grip on her arm.
"I need to go now. My brother might be worried." She said, trying to wriggle free from Nicholas's grip.
"I haven't finished the introductions,"
Micheal said.
"We are waiting for you to introduce yourself too."
The fear beat in her even louder than her heart. She took a deep breath and replied, "I'm Matilda."
She replied. Meredith knew it was bad to lie but it was the only thing she could think of.
Maybe if they think they have the wrong person they will leave her alone.
"Matilda, ah. What a nice name." Micheal chuckled.
He bowed and softly kissed her hand, his glinting with amusement. The electric contact of his lips sent chills down her spine.
The ring on his hand gave a faint glow and Meredith's eyes widened in shock.
What the hell was that and why was it glowing?
"Ah for a minute I thought I had make a mistake for the first time in my work." Micheal said.
Suddenly Meredith felt a hand around her neck and she gasped. The cold light of fear shone in her eyes.
She struggled and fought to break free but Micheal's hand on her throat was too strong. Tears formed in her eyes and just as she thought she was about to collapse, he released her, making her fall on the ground.
Meredith took in large gulps of air as she coughed.
"I really hate liars princess. They get on my nerves and I want to kill them so bad." Micheal said, crouching beside her on the ground.
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ears.
"Okay I think you get the message now don't you princess?"
Meredith choked on fear like a fist down her throat. She couldn't speak.
Micheal grabbed her hair and tilted her head back.
Meredith nodded, tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Good, now what is your name?"
Meredith swallowed the lump in her throat,
"Meredith."