Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Mila

Not long after, we bid goodnight, and after another final note, we all return to our designated chambers. I don’t see Karen anywhere.

Where in the heavens is she?

I frown and roll my eyes. Maybe she’s with the head of the minister again.

Just as I think that she rushes in, panting.

I can’t help but put my hands on my hips, “Where have you been, Karen?”

“I’m sorry, Mademoiselle, I’ve just been busy with...” she cuts herself off, “Um...busy with maiden work. Yes, maiden work in the chambers.”

Is she that dumbfounded?

I can smell that lie from miles away.

“You are well aware that I am your maiden work?” I raise my eyebrows. She glances at me, oblivious.

“You do not speak to me this way, Mila. I am your—” she stops herself and clamps her mouth shut.

“My what?” I glare at her. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Please excuse me; I think I’ve had a little too much to drink.”

“Obviously,” I cross my arms. “You never get worked up like this. And whatever this is,” I signal to her then back to me. “Is not supposed to be here.”

She takes one look at me before storming away.

…

I groan, for the fifth time of trying to get my dress off. I think it’s just because I’m so frustrated.

What’s wrong with me!? I’ve never had a single fight with Karen in my whole life. Well, maybe when I was a crying baby or before five years old. But that’s normal. Who would remember anything from before they were five?!

“Mademoiselle?” Karen’s voice rings out behind me. I turn around, my anger rising,

“I thought you were excused.”

“I am. But now, I’m back.”

“Oui, I’m well aware. What do you need?”

“Well,” she says, mocking my tone from earlier that makes me madder, but I force myself to keep my mouth shut. “I’m here to apologize for my behavior earlier.”

She clears her throat, “I’m sure I don’t have to start from the beginning. I’m sure Raven has told you about that in her letter?”

My eyes widen.

How could she possibly know about that?!

“What? How do you know about that?”

“I know a lot more than you think, Mila.”

My head explodes with a headache, a force so strong that I cry out. Karen makes no move towards me.

“That’s the side effect of the Project. I see.”

“What?” My voice comes out in a forced whisper. A million questions running in my head.

“I’m sure you have questions,” she says, her voice suddenly cold and lifeless. It sounds so dead, so not alive. But soon, that confusion is fueled by anger.

“Yeah,” I breathed—my breaths coming in shudders, in pain, in anger, “Yeah. I want to know the hell is going on.”

My eyes widen sudden change of language. Karen, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be affected.

“Another side effect. Most likely from Nolan.”

“Nolan? His Highness?”

“No, listen to me, Mila.”

As she says this, I feel a familiar tug. It’s like she’s playing with my heartstrings, pulling them toward her. All the anger turns into confusion. It’s like she’s manipulating me, someone, mentally—healing whatever scars that mentally had destroyed my already fried brain. But it’s in a terrifying way that doesn’t seem natural.

“I’m listening. I don’t know who you are or what you’re doing here, but I’m listening.”

“His Highness is not what you think. Nolan is a part of our team that is a part of something much bigger. We call it Project Transfusion, or in other words, APT, accessible Project transfusion.”

“What in the heavens is that?”

“Hmm. Improvement in language, that’s good. You’re waking up,” she mumbles, and I simply stare.

“Please do share your thoughts,” I say, but my anger doesn’t rise. It’s like restraints are holding it back.

Restraints...

That held me back.

“Get out of my head!” I cry out suddenly.

“I’m not in your head,” Karen says, nonchalant.

“I know!” I yell, my headache coming back. Her right hand travels up to her ear, and she mutters under her breath.

“She’s unstable, are you sure you want to do this?”

I couldn’t be a hundred percent positive but I did hear something, or someone whisper the word ‘yes’.

I could tell it was female, about her forties, dominant, and a bossy leader. It’s almost as if she’s standing right next to me; been living with me for years. I was surprised by myself to be able to analyze a person like that just by hearing one word from them.

“No time like the present, right?” Karen flashes me a smile. A smile that gives me chills.

“Euh...sure,” I say, uneasy.

“Do you remember Raven’s letter?”

When she asks this, I feel my headache coming back and I cry out in pain.

“Turn off all barriers, Indra.”

Indra? I thought as Karen speaks into nothingness, her right hand still on her right ear.

Right as she finishes, my headache evaporates, and memories fill my mind.

My mom abandoned me. My adoptive mother being poisoned. My father gone. My brother gone. My sister…gone.

Never existed…not in her lifetime. I’m taken at age five, 2328. I spent my entire life until then sleeping, aging slowly, 2340. Then it’s as if I see all current events play in my mind. Midnight, Nolan, Asher, Karen, now Indra. It’s all so clear to me now.

Except for one.

I murdered Nolan. But I don’t see him at all. I see Raven lying there, bleeding out as I kick her body. Her red dress is now turning darker with her blood as she clutches her stomach.

No…

No, it’s not real. I didn’t do it. I didn’t.

“Mila,” I look up at Karen with tears in my eyes.

“Tell me I didn’t,” I wrap myself in my arms. “Tell me I didn’t!” I scream, her figure blurring by the second.

“You did.”

My hands drop limply to my sides. I let out a trembling breath. That’s it.

“You killed your sister.”

I am a monster.

Want more chapters quicker? This book is available on amazon! Just click on the SUPPORT ME button on my profile!

Like ❃ Comment ❃ Share

Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆