"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.347Please respect copyright.PENANAIB6pnORwSS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbqTKH74aTU
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdjme1mydh6
I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANAYhkxvHLiYR
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5MBVrxVk31
347Please respect copyright.PENANAuxla7CXIwr
"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.347Please respect copyright.PENANAmYZ8yFIGzH
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqmoxEAVgzr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAR64pCTGxGm
"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."347Please respect copyright.PENANAWNieGEGnHq
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzgdGUw36Yh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzQA0gFSaof
I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.347Please respect copyright.PENANAbgu4n17TRp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAL1dukCg4Kh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAurAnnLMlHf
"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."347Please respect copyright.PENANAaRXBxTaCm3
347Please respect copyright.PENANA6sxVPRXpv4
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfAKOnmp8cL
"I'm fine," I said.347Please respect copyright.PENANAgrxIauz6hh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAL7EqIC5OKl
347Please respect copyright.PENANADXE3i7IL7r
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.347Please respect copyright.PENANAp2fMDefYKi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEozEoLTWe1
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhw4IhOGsWg
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.347Please respect copyright.PENANAjU9IgxJ841
347Please respect copyright.PENANAL74oVETC4Q
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzHxG4KwCmP
"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.347Please respect copyright.PENANAF3uvmPBOVJ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAuHtBot4lKA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAiLgCIAQ05N
The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?347Please respect copyright.PENANAdPOW0gY7Q8
347Please respect copyright.PENANALlsNZA3nK3
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMsT8NBdyBk
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."347Please respect copyright.PENANAgHwZ3LVecM
347Please respect copyright.PENANAElW3IhUtQB
347Please respect copyright.PENANAo2Yh90woF9
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.347Please respect copyright.PENANA6YRQOb71Az
347Please respect copyright.PENANAxHb7mMgBw6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAW09N9o2NGK
After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAu8uUpFB0DJ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAySPJbYeox3
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFiRZupT6Bt
"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.347Please respect copyright.PENANAxt1Pg2OkZZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANARTv4KM11OT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJbIuRrvyAf
"It's really nice," I commented.347Please respect copyright.PENANAovPMFRnOBF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAS6gDE3Uiqn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAeo5S50jllG
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."347Please respect copyright.PENANApDbcqDDA1G
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOLJIo2lj3Q
347Please respect copyright.PENANAt2ZCePdXDf
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.347Please respect copyright.PENANAnewCpU5Rml
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPVrt8PX2f2
347Please respect copyright.PENANATB7aQg5acg
"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."347Please respect copyright.PENANA6AFtqKMr4z
347Please respect copyright.PENANAV1qBERR4Xa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHo8bDF7MGG
"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.347Please respect copyright.PENANAz4OIi9VrV3
347Please respect copyright.PENANANFyjH3CxWR
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHQp2M0qBgl
"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."347Please respect copyright.PENANA3sezlUTSKi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAKYsAiy2Mjm
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtg8yfHfDuv
She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.347Please respect copyright.PENANAKdVWG0ORg2
347Please respect copyright.PENANAi88deh5ns8
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXOGtGA7fM5
"You better eat up," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANAtl9tSfL9da
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOc5aOv8s3F
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAdMTsPSxkj
"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.347Please respect copyright.PENANANhwP6P1Zgy
347Please respect copyright.PENANAyzMsYOIo8A
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUvcf0WbmV0
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."347Please respect copyright.PENANAZKC5qVBjNh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAuWZ0zPnMzU
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmsl7gQUTpf
"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.347Please respect copyright.PENANALUlPXtqzkR
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0m5B7G97An
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhklw0PyqRl
Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."347Please respect copyright.PENANAkufExWMaw8
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4oZhYJzq6p
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPgYfqO8G5J
After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?347Please respect copyright.PENANAryDEG10k9m
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXa3IVbxKRT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwyNYhKG3bG
"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAWVXbv9R3hi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHLg7Wkw70L
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHeUKDR4MsB
I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.347Please respect copyright.PENANAXuCgVK8lqX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAq4EVueYCVu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAegCxJXJRfE
"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAWxcwYHkpRr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgfF8WuO6FN
347Please respect copyright.PENANANMNIsGCymn
"What is it?" I asked.347Please respect copyright.PENANAW3Optomf8k
347Please respect copyright.PENANA82ge1yZtLp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAV5NWn7qnNz
"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.347Please respect copyright.PENANAyHD9N3Ns4r
347Please respect copyright.PENANApFZp7gOCVj
347Please respect copyright.PENANA7YrwANBhuF
I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.347Please respect copyright.PENANAeex6bLdrXU
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEcNETdSTYG
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvKrB97utjX
Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?347Please respect copyright.PENANAJKjASf3UYC
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvvfmka2nNv
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWHQNFJUIKs
"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."347Please respect copyright.PENANAD4r3UHBISu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFYvjzrJ5gN
347Please respect copyright.PENANADgPxlZufqN
Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.347Please respect copyright.PENANAYY3SkTwonJ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUvXgA8Fb7o
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJOgB7Lrms1
"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.347Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2sMmhOpOH
347Please respect copyright.PENANAjBdMJ82uck
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWnHOxNi7LL
"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.347Please respect copyright.PENANA6jd9Ubky9z
347Please respect copyright.PENANAosJZZYdZWT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAE8a4rSSp6K
The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."347Please respect copyright.PENANAeIx9hWOtki
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXX4nR3MPjO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAIJpgtZE7ZY
"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.347Please respect copyright.PENANAiL3AO1CGcL
347Please respect copyright.PENANAID8Vv84gz8
347Please respect copyright.PENANABKcUaS4gBT
"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAE6CJvlpnte
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUeDYrxFl0J
347Please respect copyright.PENANAS39CwMxyao
I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.347Please respect copyright.PENANAOzPEajSVMD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAN9fwFsILJe
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0sYXJixCdS
Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANAo7pDyIwl20
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3J91cf1AIm
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbQDSItkFw9
"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.347Please respect copyright.PENANAeNn0KPZ0ms
347Please respect copyright.PENANAq9uzfKN7tl
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEeZo6fEyMP
"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.347Please respect copyright.PENANArVXg98qiOh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAN1zSseE0kY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAH8q2yVKuMS
I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.347Please respect copyright.PENANADcqcLOu0Kk
347Please respect copyright.PENANALMqudIJf1o
347Please respect copyright.PENANAVM97fUbKFv
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."347Please respect copyright.PENANAq0Grm5CGgV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAW5ai9T3P79
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkjOXKLj6iG
"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.347Please respect copyright.PENANAxTSPc27hno
347Please respect copyright.PENANAIpsfmkV7Ox
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXooCghXvVS
"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.347Please respect copyright.PENANAqmB6dkMEGK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkP7pMLRKA1
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfrAR6Dh0fp
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."347Please respect copyright.PENANAcQZoVCrzTK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQ04jf9JZkD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAyI8Ik5evv8
"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."347Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ5gPHGp9r
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzkRkm700n3
347Please respect copyright.PENANAxxU6vueBvZ
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.347Please respect copyright.PENANAENMZGxL5sD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAGg9XdQDahA
347Please respect copyright.PENANADvMOeIN7LL
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAbo1bQi1Tg7
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYLMC0DOpiO
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2JL6VpNxPp
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAbscUCaDskh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAVPvfFNgdjE
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZUIXLHDzFA
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAnjiLHyfi7F
347Please respect copyright.PENANAiucR49gHoR
347Please respect copyright.PENANAl62OVDhvdC
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.347Please respect copyright.PENANAc3WMnvo6MT
347Please respect copyright.PENANASS4JZLLsEX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwZO4SV8y5D
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAp5jMbuUjPj
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoxcJq5DJyB
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzFTJGOW0Nk
She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.347Please respect copyright.PENANAshFVrjZXTO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJL0xXmzhqu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMPRAJXxpGX
"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"347Please respect copyright.PENANA6vIEpSyXBK
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5fPHrqWLcS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMmLxZUAUBB
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.347Please respect copyright.PENANA8kXY3ykQBF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvq0eqNnzBg
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzHjrQBSYIs
"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.347Please respect copyright.PENANABkklbU0hQy
347Please respect copyright.PENANAlEJS6UVP2e
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3WXoD5eqjq
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.347Please respect copyright.PENANAre1htKtTE9
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFBB4l4QURX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvctBhJMFTB
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"347Please respect copyright.PENANAbHRe0dSnUl
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFiJIXS6uVi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQbQqW8EmiF
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAovHJyUFL4G
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdlnTz7hOAI
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQMvpC3O8T4
"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.347Please respect copyright.PENANA4KekTjNRmU
347Please respect copyright.PENANASNuTi9grRR
347Please respect copyright.PENANAanrcVACxGk
I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.347Please respect copyright.PENANAToSDVBrcjy
347Please respect copyright.PENANAGmRA6Hbn3e
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbFwqFultLo
We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.347Please respect copyright.PENANA2anQtnQErV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkbt6zJQhnX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHf6KBAaowG
"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.347Please respect copyright.PENANA7dPiCnsRec
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmNUO3paBYO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgRFRjVTspB
I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.347Please respect copyright.PENANAm6JUKaimZS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAxUc8YaHUfz
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvoflHVssh9
"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAsYRD1FxoIW
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8BcZ5Z03Yl
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAKOtnoJUpt
No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.347Please respect copyright.PENANAQ10FwmQX6y
347Please respect copyright.PENANA37Csd764kz
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqZrDx0Oawq
I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.347Please respect copyright.PENANAJq0P6KUJzw
347Please respect copyright.PENANAGQMIJQoZiA
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0lHks0SGX3
"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.347Please respect copyright.PENANA0PTt95Z7So
347Please respect copyright.PENANALKXXt8fIOy
347Please respect copyright.PENANACUD78Ix6Cp
I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.347Please respect copyright.PENANAIaExZRUPyI
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhrXfzzKEAO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMaVYTJQMFq
"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.347Please respect copyright.PENANAE4KGJRH53T
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEgk9GkQo9Q
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJgwd7iYcbe
I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?347Please respect copyright.PENANAZUk3hDjfrD
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5TU6U8ICs2
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZgwh2Cn94c
"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."347Please respect copyright.PENANAOc9r0FcPms
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0CC7nWbLcH
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfJsvW9mAuk
I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.347Please respect copyright.PENANARdAf3zFFD2
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5wW5NN635J
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQENKqXdR29
"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."347Please respect copyright.PENANAqEg6p666OI
347Please respect copyright.PENANA7tzTVcjeJ6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAcE4jN3PHSq
I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.347Please respect copyright.PENANAxHdr2XALxP
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbs0LZ5yvwY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPCMYh3fU2W
"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.347Please respect copyright.PENANAC7wN2Hi2zI
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4OQPxVNrF4
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdq0JGszwyC
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAypO4ZEn56I
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmGaYmweWHX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAeyxXRTgI3T
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAwiB48oVrAv
347Please respect copyright.PENANAGXAGiRFVpa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAs9pgPcCwzU
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."347Please respect copyright.PENANANhakzaFggL
347Please respect copyright.PENANA1V6O6Kru1Y
347Please respect copyright.PENANAf1x0gHcLNs
"Ask me something else, then."347Please respect copyright.PENANAIptcsPYUFc
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOjz0tUyj04
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbBA9Iiximl
"Who are you?"347Please respect copyright.PENANASXwpOlHAcf
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqCVBW7xfU9
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFeML8UrjTv
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"347Please respect copyright.PENANARaCmyuUd9a
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEHybXVXYud
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8UDrMnbwW3
"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."347Please respect copyright.PENANAKTj4SBxaR9
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4tqqklXm19
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqv0Q8rDxnd
The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."347Please respect copyright.PENANASSTMLTFrrk
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhsv3Ee3Mtx
347Please respect copyright.PENANA80efGAEN4u
Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.347Please respect copyright.PENANAMneRvOY9Tu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHPAaHhExPZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANA51qvEj65XR
"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."347Please respect copyright.PENANAHipzabxHXT
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4n9azANNYY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHlzRSZfFS2
"How do you know my name?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAygLKu8JLJ0
347Please respect copyright.PENANAw3XWGWkJCN
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZjwfi9bJw0
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.347Please respect copyright.PENANAsylmCC2g68
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOaj96zOw7d
347Please respect copyright.PENANAxtamWHvoYe
"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."347Please respect copyright.PENANAzx1GIrKP4A
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQMSK6LYdP7
347Please respect copyright.PENANAnkHNtixgF8
Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAAEkKGF1IcK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAlnD9FFihVK
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2OpOXe78F9
"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.347Please respect copyright.PENANAnljSvmHitA
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2R7qlnQ5K8
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfue7RQGqXP
"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAD7JJAzky7b
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOIF9NDcpFg
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXjiuvlJqh5
Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."347Please respect copyright.PENANA5n9LIAFMdc
347Please respect copyright.PENANAIOT6L8YtUx
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPtR0d31vOu
I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAjlcFkrjTYZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAjeIzqdtsNT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAb6jpGoPXDi
"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."347Please respect copyright.PENANA5hPmccbX2s
347Please respect copyright.PENANAKeQHFCiOVa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAhuWNFNgqJ
My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."347Please respect copyright.PENANA9r2FZOGEYC
347Please respect copyright.PENANAc4PUhWNI3o
347Please respect copyright.PENANAyphm4X880v
"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."347Please respect copyright.PENANAMWnUcD7Ise
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0AxyYEJOqh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgQhz4Zz2SI
I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.347Please respect copyright.PENANAoatDC0aFfj
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOBFWrujGVU
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2bh56pL5Bz
"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.347Please respect copyright.PENANAhYfQ8e00Nc
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoHwgiAHJyB
347Please respect copyright.PENANAl1Fm2Q8Y0N
"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."347Please respect copyright.PENANA7s172gYxU6
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8Lc0oetbUr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAY7pobFsugu
"What are you going to do to me?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAenyfOyLQQM
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2CvQ46z6Yr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfYPlc3cGmb
Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."347Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7gwyzedqf
347Please respect copyright.PENANAU7c9V9EJlo
347Please respect copyright.PENANArArr6E7Uhg
"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."347Please respect copyright.PENANA6wBPxvxYFP
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkywjTIR9dQ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAio2j4JWnDS
He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."347Please respect copyright.PENANAud3Wd42vaL
347Please respect copyright.PENANA1d203E0cgy
347Please respect copyright.PENANAcaPxjtNGMp
I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAspzV1u5cnX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHiMb2SVGHi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzkKERvXfTw
"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.347Please respect copyright.PENANAtvRvPgAkRX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqUWp7Hn6mf
347Please respect copyright.PENANA80aeHCaHsN
"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."347Please respect copyright.PENANAajtGEEwiwF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhNKN3aAFdt
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwu9TMcEjfI
He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:347Please respect copyright.PENANA2ysXzUqaYN
347Please respect copyright.PENANArSt7Xhg0gS
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2FTKc7yd3y
The birds.347Please respect copyright.PENANAIabiBTwUqI
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4OQZQEYIXa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhGpHmnlF0a
We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.347Please respect copyright.PENANAbBeqPLrU7U
347Please respect copyright.PENANA1EtXQR4XdO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoQxTaiAlZI
I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.347Please respect copyright.PENANAwEsXEsQZHY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfo9ATkvuVC
347Please respect copyright.PENANAnhRc6MC1Tx
"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."347Please respect copyright.PENANANdhw2l5JqA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAGn4bGpuHJu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAATx94pUoWW
"I beg to differ."347Please respect copyright.PENANAqVsbr5InMf
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtJSiovi2Wh
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ss7R4l3k2
A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.347Please respect copyright.PENANAzPdZd92ZUO
347Please respect copyright.PENANA6JyuqLqIo6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAi39XAC1u2v
"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.347Please respect copyright.PENANA5FAwsHsQaM
347Please respect copyright.PENANAS88xrYpCLW
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkXl2Ja2g7h
He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.347Please respect copyright.PENANArDn4PcN517
347Please respect copyright.PENANA1KrGd51Mok
347Please respect copyright.PENANA9WbJaBZeIj
"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.347Please respect copyright.PENANADNjA9fqZVK
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3QNZZzwrWN
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzv5AEJwpoG
"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."347Please respect copyright.PENANAciFXknxvP4
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXD2AWxTJld
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEngEjif7Ds
Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.347Please respect copyright.PENANAIE5ewhhr49
347Please respect copyright.PENANAnmgD39yPdu
347Please respect copyright.PENANA80oWPdsbPt
I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.347Please respect copyright.PENANAgv7cdaC6O7
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbwQBragGIC
347Please respect copyright.PENANAl2lc8EbeGq
I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.347Please respect copyright.PENANAAc9exj8n5j
347Please respect copyright.PENANAY1n08rDKe9
347Please respect copyright.PENANAACtkQUq197
Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.347Please respect copyright.PENANACHELYG9phX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAugsIojyLzM
347Please respect copyright.PENANApJGJFtLws8
"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."347Please respect copyright.PENANACUr0o1lMk7
347Please respect copyright.PENANAbFhIKjLzHb
347Please respect copyright.PENANA6RBNCR6plK
The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.347Please respect copyright.PENANArnnSs8OnOY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAaplAy1pMLc
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkq1zDGIgRa
"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.347Please respect copyright.PENANA8fedBPMR7U
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8Nmp5j4FVY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAVV41Tt20SV
"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANASzYkg0rGKu
347Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ve6sBW88Q
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5nNFg6v4oQ
"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."347Please respect copyright.PENANAbEn52z7yrs
347Please respect copyright.PENANAcovfXMlXTZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3nGWZkkaeS
I winced. "She can do that?"347Please respect copyright.PENANANjL8XZtJhK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHwzbCTlwX4
347Please respect copyright.PENANAz51IgurNXR
"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."347Please respect copyright.PENANAtWeQWnog3z
347Please respect copyright.PENANAIJdNWbayRV
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5JbeyDYyXY
"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.347Please respect copyright.PENANAVPQsENfBYu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYJ7AguRaYS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAuteqA0qtsU
"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.347Please respect copyright.PENANAFiUfDcwGLK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAK08FcNX5rS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAsJtYWKNswE
"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."347Please respect copyright.PENANAByZYSrxVIn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkT16XYamit
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgzTP6b8YmN
"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.347Please respect copyright.PENANAKokqPHdbV6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFkgw8bDD7C
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOPqxGtZ6be
"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."347Please respect copyright.PENANAx7u79zu5xp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAldglSSXaaV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFe0ZCNMQzw
The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.347Please respect copyright.PENANA0obpQEMn6J
347Please respect copyright.PENANAajAqsLYixU
347Please respect copyright.PENANAywCD0Y2uiV
"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."347Please respect copyright.PENANAhTA6bquxDP
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHIASrRJw4i
347Please respect copyright.PENANAk8h2VE08Ao
"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."347Please respect copyright.PENANA2d5T157r3n
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqnKJGLVBLl
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUMS90ZhoLt
Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.347Please respect copyright.PENANAR1DvA0dgbK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgUhuIOsXxY
347Please respect copyright.PENANADqkNFWCNTM
"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.347Please respect copyright.PENANA3iK6mlIDPj
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWC0h8Pogl6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAyH4eJmUsa9
Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.347Please respect copyright.PENANAc9COglvvy8
347Please respect copyright.PENANApRwohocpPX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzjlcAgZOii
"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."347Please respect copyright.PENANANnrGsLlAWD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAf7LOHRRiAS
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZk1LQcPYFo
Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."347Please respect copyright.PENANAaGxm5MrEPB
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWD5MCtPLnx
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAcNGwY040Z
I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?347Please respect copyright.PENANAUqtApFSmvr
347Please respect copyright.PENANATNYhtXHoEc
347Please respect copyright.PENANAii216yrO8Y
"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANAttlHrYcqca
347Please respect copyright.PENANAKGjiL0f0DA
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0OHw9n55Nf
He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.347Please respect copyright.PENANAMIXfpIYq10
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtag4R9RemJ
347Please respect copyright.PENANALZjWKHpFiu
"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"347Please respect copyright.PENANA17qqeqWluV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAiBhOPMfLrV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAsQbqIjgArC
His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?347Please respect copyright.PENANAYpmWK11INT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtU90oJMTf2
347Please respect copyright.PENANAT6o3sljATj
"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.347Please respect copyright.PENANA7WpZbUpZD4
347Please respect copyright.PENANARESTNzRmAM
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvlpKqrwy80
I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.347Please respect copyright.PENANABoSQEfyWW6
347Please respect copyright.PENANALdPQRUt85W
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXSPM1N1oiE
"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.347Please respect copyright.PENANAFSUaBpkowT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmgqUzat918
347Please respect copyright.PENANA66B77EIgy9
"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ8iwuQKqe
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQSU50X1JUX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAka4GI8WTPz
"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.347Please respect copyright.PENANAvBiuboStIV
347Please respect copyright.PENANA4VZI9gNX3n
347Please respect copyright.PENANACxEYZx7EIv
"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."347Please respect copyright.PENANAZgU7H95B4w
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOw7DderYyA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAjOUJcO88FF
Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAEXMwyo3IIK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZ53zV5f5a8
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZvRbcfL4SW
I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAZEZHtn67fO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzpuJoLniju
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYun9ZHwUaw
"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."347Please respect copyright.PENANAXJFd8TOq4q
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWoromzmnRp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWXGH4Rfda8
"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.347Please respect copyright.PENANAGz1PaHez4H
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUNsJXvzE4t
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8CqptZyuDb
I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?347Please respect copyright.PENANAM9PurJLvPy
347Please respect copyright.PENANABkHWBVfOmn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfrUyyKUU2S
"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"347Please respect copyright.PENANACoBaqUa2Fb
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqtXy1Y3Oke
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmSzJJN3DMV
Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAUutlmLkSQB
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmetvkZd6mu
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3kbAmYfVpD
What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?347Please respect copyright.PENANAGZZApBKhkg
347Please respect copyright.PENANA0VTDFeciUU
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHdAa4Lc9u1
"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."347Please respect copyright.PENANAnrFBJcoZoB
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8XLaRFanz5
347Please respect copyright.PENANAd2QUW0J0f3
"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."347Please respect copyright.PENANAaXSPwTUwOe
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWuMbknvn8M
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXya6HG3MGs
"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."347Please respect copyright.PENANAtNnVF7keHb
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvurtglguWD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYWrY62HTyW
"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAUguJT77vWj
347Please respect copyright.PENANApJ7QzRMNdJ
347Please respect copyright.PENANA9mTxxrnAiC
"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.347Please respect copyright.PENANAphcOK2BJPN
347Please respect copyright.PENANAX8y0i7pptG
347Please respect copyright.PENANAthT2qR2UmJ
"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."347Please respect copyright.PENANAlcTumjBq70
347Please respect copyright.PENANAHcIvAQ2fr3
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfWxqnUQe5q
"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.PENANAzu4o63x7KK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAj0TWpizUdW
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ej0wFdSPv
"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.347Please respect copyright.PENANAlHPXFeByeK
347Please respect copyright.PENANAq3bPfm6F49
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoIGtqWBh46
I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?347Please respect copyright.PENANADqjnvB0EiG
347Please respect copyright.PENANA5RwPrrGQuh
347Please respect copyright.PENANAABhAPpaCO2
Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?347Please respect copyright.PENANAOtzhLMyN7y
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8Kgs0VdFGR
347Please respect copyright.PENANAiIrgvwn01l
"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.347Please respect copyright.PENANAQiCkmvxYfh
347Please respect copyright.PENANARuafefkkw9
347Please respect copyright.PENANA2SvV7Ug6hB
"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAETcyrgkoNA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYUniCyKNQM
347Please respect copyright.PENANABrO6vgsdxX
"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."347Please respect copyright.PENANA9aNhMnkkZM
347Please respect copyright.PENANACV4JUnAxbr
347Please respect copyright.PENANANYWhRfT3ri
"Come on, Diana," said Stella.347Please respect copyright.PENANAXpCdmOFiqD
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAoRKrCF7Hd
347Please respect copyright.PENANAreNQQTXecv
"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.347Please respect copyright.PENANATqF0EBhOjF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAZZSjvcYtG
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8hXRpzBeF0
"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."347Please respect copyright.PENANAZfazU2ikmd
347Please respect copyright.PENANA6mxM3cdEWR
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwAsmsJf7wl
I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?347Please respect copyright.PENANAGuoxjzl3HZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAV6tWodL5Q2
347Please respect copyright.PENANA9lCjtc69Qu
I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.347Please respect copyright.PENANAQRMYvObhZa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYiPEX1QgWp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAEmC5aCHtZZ
"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAJRMh7BXq3o
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvGFLBSGBYZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAsBus3hN0Ia
"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.347Please respect copyright.PENANA0fJeVq4WZ1
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQPiaQ4UsLe
347Please respect copyright.PENANAINXbji5ZG9
"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."347Please respect copyright.PENANA6tmL3VhX5i
347Please respect copyright.PENANAocaBUUMHom
347Please respect copyright.PENANAX3T8ZQJOhr
"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"347Please respect copyright.PENANABOo0pTj6Yl
347Please respect copyright.PENANA182JePyWmh
347Please respect copyright.PENANA260UjZuLXX
Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."347Please respect copyright.PENANAtkFegIX7on
347Please respect copyright.PENANAewBjbUUAGO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkqddCXIgio
Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.347Please respect copyright.PENANAoA2h2hagIv
347Please respect copyright.PENANA7myndj5Rn4
347Please respect copyright.PENANA96XL9LsOeJ
Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.347Please respect copyright.PENANALdPYUrr7T2
347Please respect copyright.PENANATGszc3ocr8
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYZMEgfe6pr
"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.347Please respect copyright.PENANAJpL2iwLIoL
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPOmteOiduY
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgfCeWJsXDl
"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."347Please respect copyright.PENANAF7IQFRLgQ4
347Please respect copyright.PENANARZAhscJZ50
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4sv2KutuI
"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.347Please respect copyright.PENANAVwIw7jGfjT
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdxKL3vB7mo
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoM5BmeO5RR
Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?347Please respect copyright.PENANAo540EHKfk6
347Please respect copyright.PENANAe3RviLWffu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAZALEWy0Boa
I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?347Please respect copyright.PENANAlOqJGGxLjp
347Please respect copyright.PENANAROOZb7R3U1
347Please respect copyright.PENANAiTWGHtvjv6
"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.347Please respect copyright.PENANAfTpUBKLf5x
347Please respect copyright.PENANANZWURNxZrb
347Please respect copyright.PENANAklCrcdnI0P
"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"347Please respect copyright.PENANA7qxitHO6rz
347Please respect copyright.PENANAcXQtpvJn6i
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMmyfqoCwei
"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."347Please respect copyright.PENANAGFqKjGLjUI
347Please respect copyright.PENANAgsofpBLimF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUBOelok9mk
I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."347Please respect copyright.PENANAzgn8ba64wt
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQcIyYfJnC2
347Please respect copyright.PENANAfcw2jwMBgV
"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."347Please respect copyright.PENANADiCNPfjRdo
347Please respect copyright.PENANAMk6W7iHAHj
347Please respect copyright.PENANATipkahjuVE
"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."347Please respect copyright.PENANAt808REsNqq
347Please respect copyright.PENANAlZZa1tRl2f
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmT5kv4DjVY
"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAHpvoTb5hsE
347Please respect copyright.PENANAyu5qVrazt7
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOU5M0MlBHO
"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."347Please respect copyright.PENANAJNbUVYoMay
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtJnn1j0bUn
347Please respect copyright.PENANASdHs0OHNEm
"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."347Please respect copyright.PENANAz9TewrR9ub
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOl3qQjuHkr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhbytjHKfud
I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.347Please respect copyright.PENANAKqbzBqizwn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdqb50W8VNV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwr4Ok63x7y
I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.347Please respect copyright.PENANARRzbxl9VvX
347Please respect copyright.PENANAAdmfWf1XgZ
347Please respect copyright.PENANAOx8os20XeQ
"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."347Please respect copyright.PENANALSPk0aJBTi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAwZbmarQbSa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAdBx2GuBQSY
"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAgNLD5LZw74
347Please respect copyright.PENANApyYS1spiHa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUHw9uvPwmf
"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."347Please respect copyright.PENANAmlc6d4upC8
347Please respect copyright.PENANA3MFpqLbq1U
347Please respect copyright.PENANARFyCbkLZgg
Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.347Please respect copyright.PENANAKO8OAXn7Rs
347Please respect copyright.PENANAobfhQF5dNs
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoWEVKobkA7
I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.347Please respect copyright.PENANAUo38t2irSe
347Please respect copyright.PENANAG7YvOEDKLH
347Please respect copyright.PENANAoQsNCjpOP9
"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."347Please respect copyright.PENANAD3cVnHHind
347Please respect copyright.PENANAhAYXYEwzjl
347Please respect copyright.PENANA8TdCVkKEBg
I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.347Please respect copyright.PENANAnVonrcQkMi
347Please respect copyright.PENANASI0EQKR0BV
347Please respect copyright.PENANAqpmaJq8Z61
Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.347Please respect copyright.PENANAgcIuj0ZDoa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvYHqOYiA2t
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUpg3baZFUx
"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."347Please respect copyright.PENANAhreDZmAc56
347Please respect copyright.PENANATSpDhMZKQa
347Please respect copyright.PENANAs12fILnxXD
I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.347Please respect copyright.PENANANxCUEogoux
347Please respect copyright.PENANACTHsLQeOlG
347Please respect copyright.PENANANHJ8Bu83Pp
I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."347Please respect copyright.PENANAesPyUoUTHF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAXnsrJI82nG
347Please respect copyright.PENANAx8ZAw8kyn6
"Before we start, you better get patched up."347Please respect copyright.PENANA0cniAAhAAu
347Please respect copyright.PENANAFuw5tyd9l1
347Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4OYtYBrQl
"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.347Please respect copyright.PENANAszigVUgdKW
347Please respect copyright.PENANAmlvjDbPbmX
347Please respect copyright.PENANADNVKN0Fs41
"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.347Please respect copyright.PENANAgoCThiuBug
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtel62T3p9W
347Please respect copyright.PENANAtE44SjcI3U
"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAG8BqDRRwoG
347Please respect copyright.PENANAagHEAb2hIn
347Please respect copyright.PENANA9AWywzxH51
"Did you summon them?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAmMQDbcWlJA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAjtyPOjRxkA
347Please respect copyright.PENANAUJvkrHDYKX
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"347Please respect copyright.PENANAVi2EdUp7zO
347Please respect copyright.PENANAs7a60UcCpF
347Please respect copyright.PENANAYNhsgTa9sm
"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."347Please respect copyright.PENANAgzw5Acpb1o
347Please respect copyright.PENANAs5y45iC8rw
347Please respect copyright.PENANAvoA5Rbhfvr
There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.347Please respect copyright.PENANA8lJq6IHE5p
347Please respect copyright.PENANAPWkgOYLF3h
347Please respect copyright.PENANAkWbED6j73P
"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.347Please respect copyright.PENANA7e31Mp6Fub
347Please respect copyright.PENANAW1SD4dP9Hn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAq6FEBwNSnA
Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."347Please respect copyright.PENANAO1NBHj2czr
347Please respect copyright.PENANAL08ANHf8K3
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJQtmWEUwEm
I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."347Please respect copyright.PENANAX6ATzdNHk8
347Please respect copyright.PENANAJdFZ4Nfink
347Please respect copyright.PENANAzgdyULFJcI
Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.347Please respect copyright.PENANAQxiZsey2my
347Please respect copyright.PENANAALkl7HG1Dx
347Please respect copyright.PENANAWGPrGE4rxJ
His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?347Please respect copyright.PENANAEPkev12dYz
347Please respect copyright.PENANATJdlSixlZP
347Please respect copyright.PENANARVCCHHf4wa
"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.347Please respect copyright.PENANAoCOLgelffi
347Please respect copyright.PENANAieiChqjE1Q
347Please respect copyright.PENANAl06JkCiwNi
"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.347Please respect copyright.PENANACuhQ8YNlmn
347Please respect copyright.PENANAlSxDswhuzV
347Please respect copyright.PENANADIM3DN4R0C
It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
arrow_back
A Dark Destiny
more_vert
-
info_outline 資料
-
toc 目錄
-
share 分享
-
format_color_text 介面設置
-
exposure_plus_1 推薦
-
打賞
-
report_problem 檢舉
-
account_circle 登入
X
A Dark Destiny
作者:
Namwezi

篇 #23
Chapter 21
喜歡 0
閱讀 343
書籤 4
campaign
催更 0
打賞
提出編輯建議

按此加載下一章
X
每次催更後,作者都會收到通知!
smartphone100 → 催更
×
寫下你喜歡這個故事的地方
×
對此喜歡的人