30: Searching for answers

I was practically gagging on water as it filled my mouth and lungs. When Sebastian told me that I would be training for the water elemental round of the game, I didn't know he meant that I would also be drowning... numerous times. The room had filled up to the brim with water and all I'd been doing the past few hours was drowning. I hadn't picked up a weapon, I hadn't kicked anyone in the face, and I hadn't even had the chance to catch my breath before being brutally shoved into the room again and panicking as it filled with water. It was then that I began to realise why exactly no one else seemed to be exploring the water rooms.
I was just about on the brink of death when the water level began to lower again, and I basically gasped for air at the top of it. Crying was no longer an option; I'd cried so much I was afraid that my tears contributed to the water in this room and I now no longer even had it in me to shed a single tear.
Once the room was completely drained Sebastian entered, much to my surprise, and said, "I think we'll take a break."
"A break?" I panted out. "I nearly died numerous times."
"But you didn't, now did you." He said, helping me up off of the ground.
I scowled at him and then shoved at his shoulders. He responded by crossing his arms, sighing and then cocking an eyebrow. "Are we seriously going to argue right now."
"It seems so. Are you trying to kill me?"
"Kill you? My God Phoenix get over yourself. I'm trying to save you! Vampires can last hours in the water, do you know why? Because we're almost dead already. We can last without oxygen longer than mortals or werewolves. If you can't make it for an hour at least, you're as good as dead in the water challenge. You need to access that dead part of yourself, and if I have to drown it out of you, I will. It's not like this is fun for me Phoenix, the last thing I want is to hurt you."
And when he said that something in me snapped and I yelled out, "So then why don't you give me some Goddamn answers!"
His eyes widened and he stood there for a moment, just staring at me before asking, "Answers?"
"Yes. Why did you bring Demetri here when you knew full well, he was my mate...? You can't even stand Liam being close to me, and yet you decided to bring the one person I'm practically bonded to for life. Are you punishing yourself... and are you punishing me?" I said the last part a little softer and looked down, afraid to meet his eyes.
Sebastian stayed silent for a while before he began nearing me. As soon as he reached me, he placed his fingers underneath my chin and tilted my head upwards. The look in his eyes, that lost, forlorn look had me completely silenced, and I just listened as he spoke.
"You asked me if we could avoid eating in the dining room because it made you uncomfortable, and I obliged. Since yesterday, you haven't had a single meal there despite it being rude and unprofessional on my part. You asked me to keep this relationship professional despite the clear connection you and I have, and I obliged then too. Have you ever thought that maybe I do what I do simply to make you happy? You had no family available to come and support you, and so I made it a point to find something as close to family as possible, despite it driving me absolutely insane. I did it all for you, all because I hurt you these past few days. I know that I can be a difficult, cold and confusing man. I know that I shouldn't have feelings for you, and I know that I said I would never get involved romantically with anyone I advised. But I can't help the things I do for you. There's nothing logical about my actions towards you... in fact, there never has been anything logical regarding the both of us. Since the beginning of time, you've been the most confusing little puzzle and I am not even close to figuring you out."
"Since the beginning of time?" I asked.
"This is supposed to be the part where I deny ever saying anything suspicious, but you and I both know that there are things you are totally in the dark about. I won't encourage or entertain your questions, but I won't stop you from attempting to find the answers yourself. After all, you've always been such a curious creature."
With that he cleared his throat and said, "You have two hours to grab something to eat and get a little rest. Afterwards, I'd like to see you back here. The next element we will be tackling will be fire. If you thought drowning was bad, imagine being burned alive."
I shuddered at the thought but made no effort to protest as he began exiting the room.
*Since the beginning of time?* The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if Sebastian had known me since I were a little girl. I myself could not remember him ever being a part of my childhood, and when I first met him, I never once thought he looked familiar. But perhaps he could have been there, right from the beginning.
Curious and in need of some answers, I began leaving my little room and searching for Liam. He was the only source of information I could rely on... most of the time. Perhaps he could shed some light on Sebastian. I had been meaning to speak to him, but with everything bombarding my already complicated life, I found it difficult to even find a single second to myself.
"Felicity, have you seen Liam by any chance?" I asked as I passed her. She stopped for a moment, wiped away the sweat from her brow and then shook her head. "I haven’t seen him recently, no. The last time I saw him he was talking to a blonde werewolf. By the way, are the wolves with you?"
I'd been so caught up in my drowning, and then my quest for answers that I'd forgotten about the rumours floating around- rumours to some and subtle problems to others. Demetri and Alice were supposed to stay inside most of the time, and so when she mentioned the 'blonde werewolf' I began shaking my head. It seemed I was not the only one who loved defying Sebastian's orders.
"And where was that?" I asked, avoiding her question.
Felicity thought for a moment before nodding to herself and then saying, "It was on that very quiet corridor, the one near the hall of the portraits."
Or perhaps he did listen, and Liam was just a touch more observant than I thought he'd be. I wondered for a moment, if Liam would still be there, and so I began making my way out of the training room and into the palace.
Once inside, I wasted no time in trying to find Demetri's room. But before I even reached my destination, I was stopped by Liam who smiled at me gently.
"My little pet! Aren't you supposed to be training?" He asked with raised eyebrows.
"I am, but I'm on a break from drowning so I thought I'd come and see you." I said.
When I said it, he looked taken aback for a moment. After he'd recovered, he repeated, "See me? Why would you want to see me? A quickie perhaps?"
I almost choked when it left his mouth, and then shook my head no. "It's not that. I was kind of hoping that you'd give me some-"
"-Answers?"
I was surprised for a moment, but nodded, nonetheless. "How'd you know?"
"It's written all over your face. You're not very good at hiding your... expressions, pet. It's why you're so great in bed." He said with a wink. Trust Liam to grab at every opportunity to flirt with me. "The attic then?" He suggested and then held a hand out for me to take from him.
I stared at it for a moment before wearily taking it into mine. And as he began leading me towards the attic, I almost whispered, "But only for answers, nothing else."
Liam chuckled. "Answers, she says. We'll see about that."
I chose to ignore his little statement. When it came to my body, Liam knew exactly how to get it to react in the way he wanted it to. Take this simple gesture of holding my hand for example. As he did so, I could feel him rubbing at my knuckles. Even the smug look on his face right now, and the way he smirked, all of it had my body aching in want.
Once we'd reached the attic, which was now cleaner than I'd left it the last time, Liam instructed me to sit on one of the sofas and took his own place across from me.
"So little pet, what is it you'd like to ask me?"
I hesitated a moment before asking, "What can you tell me about Sebastian... about who he was before I met him?"
----
Will Phoenix finally get the answers she so desperately wants to find?
Also, important announcement! I've released a few chapters of my romance novel called "Teaching River". You can use the following link to find it: https://anystories.page.link/W9JJ. It's a hillarious romance with its fair share of love to hate and hate to love characters! Also I will be updating bonus chapters for "The Alpha's Vixen" soon so keep an eye out for updates!
Stay safe! Stay healthy! Sending my love!