Hearing footsteps near the door, she turned to it, fully expecting Vail to burst in and attack her in some sort of pre-emptive strike. Although he did not, he remained cautiously distant and near the door. She could not blame the man for being suspicious. It would look that way to her too if she were in his shoes. “Vail..” she stood from the chair, keeping her cloak covered around her by holding it together. Her eyes were weary, full of concern and innocent. 

“Are you alright…?” She asked him as guilt plagued her expression. She felt like crying but she fought back her tears. She didn’t meant for any of this to happen. “I..I am so sorry about last night…I was careless…I slipped up somehow and Gerald…he found out.” She didn’t even know where to begin to explain. “Gerald is…my father’s former comrade in The Order. I was looking for him the day before as usual, to find out what he knew about him. He found me instead. Before I knew it, he’d knocked me unconscious and I woke in that basement!” She shook her head in disbelief, she didn’t even know what happened there. She wasn’t being careful enough. 

Victoria sighed and gazed down with a heavy heart. “He is very protective of me…to the point he’s keeping me under lock and key. Another Saint, Ray, helped me escape the manor tonight. I think there is something going on between The Order and the Wynters. Gerald knows about Spencer, yet he hasn’t done anything about him. And Ray told me I wasn’t safe there, he knows something is very wrong within the organisation since my father’s death.” It was all too much of a coincidence.

“I realise that…I’ve nearly been the cause of your death twice now…and I wouldn’t trust me either. That’s why I gave you the chance to back out of our deal. I’m a huge risk for you.” He knew it wasn’t going to be that easy, surely? He did say she was worth it, god only knows why. “But I had nothing to do with that trap he set for you. I begged and begged him not to hurt you or your family. They aren’t safe either now…all because of me…” She turned her back to Vail and sniffled, she didn’t want anyone dying because of her. She was only a burden, a nightmare.