"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAmRr57ETu5f
116Please respect copyright.PENANAQax1laYhrT
116Please respect copyright.PENANAX7gLafKFnL
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA4DC1cVHhKF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAy8zGgmaXkO
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9OThEadW7N
"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.116Please respect copyright.PENANADCz4P6aJAG
116Please respect copyright.PENANAirO9jH3so1
116Please respect copyright.PENANAVEEgf53LGv
"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..."116Please respect copyright.PENANAvfMmFqpYLo
116Please respect copyright.PENANAGLt25VACYX
116Please respect copyright.PENANArzIdnkq58X
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAeN4h1cfCvE
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFPWxfTJA3e
116Please respect copyright.PENANABFFS1pc85R
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANARhk65Is9w5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsOSaGozQtz
116Please respect copyright.PENANAkbu76cw9pF
"I'm fine," I said.116Please respect copyright.PENANAEQgmGucIqQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwPncAh1aL6
116Please respect copyright.PENANAC0prnvSCKn
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.116Please respect copyright.PENANAfyzBdmA6AX
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXq0lqwPk0H
116Please respect copyright.PENANAa63hqDbcQs
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.116Please respect copyright.PENANAUTAPdXQude
116Please respect copyright.PENANAH4NKBivbtw
116Please respect copyright.PENANARuDTxqwS95
"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.116Please respect copyright.PENANAquBavytLpi
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfe2aoS6VbM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhnx1io365Q
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANA9keVzsBF00
116Please respect copyright.PENANACCTMhHyvcz
116Please respect copyright.PENANAT7kQIewkuv
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."116Please respect copyright.PENANAsqod3eC69i
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIBR0I6E1SI
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1F0lmMR4N8
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.116Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zas8Lx2uX
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2P9M1I0Ehb
116Please respect copyright.PENANA8sJZx6xm91
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA96zkR7iUxk
116Please respect copyright.PENANArD8q0ZPhvS
116Please respect copyright.PENANAy7ykNbghxm
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAr4dHOnYOii
116Please respect copyright.PENANAjQmMUsxYRV
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFlWBQNRXu9
"It's really nice," I commented.116Please respect copyright.PENANATcyATiHrZl
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6sj4WALs2T
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvuo35E1a8g
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."116Please respect copyright.PENANA4tBSKb7xhG
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfnITfxR0Dw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFhfUFVgbnk
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.116Please respect copyright.PENANAaMJS4QgXTG
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlAgPidMw75
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIlxcbozwxb
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANACxmG5MRXFs
116Please respect copyright.PENANAK8qdqSGcY8
116Please respect copyright.PENANAjReAKiAE8e
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAkTg5oQMX5S
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2EmKym67XC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAw04GCVXUBd
"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."116Please respect copyright.PENANAC3NSEnnQ4Z
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtmjxRzAcby
116Please respect copyright.PENANArBZpU6Q9EW
She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.116Please respect copyright.PENANAHcWaClBHUn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfzm0w2uztL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvuxhj2y4ea
"You better eat up," said Ariana.116Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zw1oW2Tgg
116Please respect copyright.PENANAcObWwoXtke
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlQg4LVMkXV
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAOvrQYCz7oR
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1xTfCy03oJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvXdCLYs22N
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."116Please respect copyright.PENANADpehT5TXlh
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJx1EgGK0J0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXgaovhT9Qz
"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.116Please respect copyright.PENANA7wXu9ZnGaK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAKsGx5yYr24
116Please respect copyright.PENANAp7fTMuf184
Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."116Please respect copyright.PENANAmvVkQ1Ll3v
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMM9ocVAtBk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAiRNb7RB9yc
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAUtRG9FFNiM
116Please respect copyright.PENANARwuNqdQHVe
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwcVUUisYYG
"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.116Please respect copyright.PENANA2Kd9m2HKWM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAiGuqSh5Ddu
116Please respect copyright.PENANAT6rJj3G4WH
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANANMcPaXEbtH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAPOMQ8AYzWD
116Please respect copyright.PENANATqdep9htUY
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAHT4q35ROE0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxcmwkOIk2K
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsNGJqCxCCb
"What is it?" I asked.116Please respect copyright.PENANAPEpqr5MuGu
116Please respect copyright.PENANABywswLebF9
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdLGVMILMjS
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAUgylJooXJH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFiORulDxYW
116Please respect copyright.PENANABAnbNgCqOZ
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAQSNg9ReSiO
116Please respect copyright.PENANA4yJ79NhNys
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXxV58jq5WK
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAoUg0tcPfGA
116Please respect copyright.PENANA7hZfO9iYFY
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgbg9F2cR1w
"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."116Please respect copyright.PENANAMTjQ2e3HxO
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9xUhRTgSmc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAbIodowP3tc
Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.116Please respect copyright.PENANAbQgQ1Ioqh0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXennLWJzlQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2WlZJ1Q1ZA
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAg3OjvsGgMX
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFwOgffrtOd
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHTk9ix1fqF
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA6oNlS1j9bF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXdkghtjiuq
116Please respect copyright.PENANAP2IsoP4ZGj
The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."116Please respect copyright.PENANAPx1vI6xuJS
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfM4TJ2ZT2B
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMiGOl7j9jd
"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.116Please respect copyright.PENANA4RNLVwMYDp
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmhsnuDawIL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAckMDbxojLq
"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAEsfZZkbVCK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwF9kk31rkM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAq7wqep4coe
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAreotZWzIFc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlGSjq3o7yu
116Please respect copyright.PENANASyxTYWNGVG
Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.116Please respect copyright.PENANAURALd7Mzyt
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmJzdU24raX
116Please respect copyright.PENANAB2JV6HewLi
"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.116Please respect copyright.PENANAd2rL3edGk5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJq0EjZmibE
116Please respect copyright.PENANAroJ5ASjAvU
"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.116Please respect copyright.PENANA9RTOUn1TCs
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5qWIWDpk0l
116Please respect copyright.PENANAyXYc2Fkkry
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAPOSxxJqNbB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAzvV9wOdpkO
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIKl1PjK4nO
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."116Please respect copyright.PENANASXt7gS2Z7t
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfVV454fKdj
116Please respect copyright.PENANAbxqSLghJJZ
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAdfztP27BbX
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1BUO7FqDLr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfMAD3Sl6C6
"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.116Please respect copyright.PENANAHyF3f9IJKC
116Please respect copyright.PENANApHu02YtOUs
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdhPfM93vaI
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."116Please respect copyright.PENANAheSUdaEDUq
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMRjgHnUnmK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAWu2KERQRwQ
"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."116Please respect copyright.PENANAaclRWHSvgi
116Please respect copyright.PENANAG1thgg8Pf5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAksoJUfhVMB
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.116Please respect copyright.PENANAaORukkztWJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlQMiBZNFOv
116Please respect copyright.PENANAC6PF4CFu3W
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAnmkF9QJzfE
116Please respect copyright.PENANARZ5S3GF9V4
116Please respect copyright.PENANA7Cn98AxxBh
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAeV9hcaTOXc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtgyZ2hCFBp
116Please respect copyright.PENANAanJ3zGG3v9
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAryw8xKCfNt
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0PH6JlA1E1
116Please respect copyright.PENANAedpVFHPt6L
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.116Please respect copyright.PENANAfFuAn9u5L4
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3nlsZnY2MP
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHyxKWfdxen
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAECaDIWlvMv
116Please respect copyright.PENANAa4bAGaVPKq
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9llgUhXF5Z
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAhRwNkveUnC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAnWDCQsjzPA
116Please respect copyright.PENANAEH10TP1Qqc
"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"116Please respect copyright.PENANA6i5cz05mXY
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhxTttrXsia
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqxJxVhfWe6
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.116Please respect copyright.PENANAnovn3kSCTw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtZOkuXSH2g
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdWi1h5zCnx
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZBLdDw0At
116Please respect copyright.PENANAAZd7L6ivN5
116Please respect copyright.PENANA7J9zhmJRr6
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.116Please respect copyright.PENANAeqAgZtur1x
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5Bmliwadw4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAe9k34YsLE6
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"116Please respect copyright.PENANAmd35IOoNOg
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgNjsn88Q7t
116Please respect copyright.PENANAR3ji3Q3Geo
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"116Please respect copyright.PENANANwmtYI566J
116Please respect copyright.PENANANz2gYTNoHU
116Please respect copyright.PENANAnvvnHt4OeX
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAFDpJtC6XGb
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMWiz3rtIDc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAD1XMEYACac
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAg4OM6fNQc9
116Please respect copyright.PENANAAHcRAdCfqb
116Please respect copyright.PENANAz7Uap4N8Qn
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAqWH12G7Djl
116Please respect copyright.PENANAd1iqoTln0p
116Please respect copyright.PENANAOFkGLSzcTs
"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.116Please respect copyright.PENANAni6jTtaMBu
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0bLpWDli9P
116Please respect copyright.PENANAUiAPkgd7vz
I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.116Please respect copyright.PENANAYu6eca2M5M
116Please respect copyright.PENANARufswi7OvM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAeGX7gFaK4b
"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAlGWx3UFxmK
116Please respect copyright.PENANARM06UXSdIM
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9QGRVCw2i3
No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.116Please respect copyright.PENANAPr79Q0Gek6
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgTKf87T3ck
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdweEtcXDG1
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAY77qu7dqLA
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvOxOYGDgpZ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9WMs1q0KfX
"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAB6HolKqrKl
116Please respect copyright.PENANADEMNMlSSqM
116Please respect copyright.PENANA4oBrFAuHS9
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAnAxkjnxnHl
116Please respect copyright.PENANAKi0mf5zmYF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAkjKlLuncMU
"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.116Please respect copyright.PENANAGhZD96ZiHU
116Please respect copyright.PENANARFV4G4ljrh
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJzS7zfrTsx
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAkyONyydnep
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqxAr34lBut
116Please respect copyright.PENANAou7WTlwLpW
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAAhaCf0uK8T
116Please respect copyright.PENANAUOtEOOhL9Y
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvGsvEes2Er
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAfnxYEkYQHN
116Please respect copyright.PENANAQxWJmLlBAB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAv2mGQPoTYt
"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."116Please respect copyright.PENANAljNSvjowJa
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMFqGrKL98b
116Please respect copyright.PENANAT5w5mbYUyz
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAOGUMlU6q0k
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZmLcUA6XGL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAW8OAZQUVKu
"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.116Please respect copyright.PENANAB6QhkRaSsx
116Please respect copyright.PENANAWF53G9PPyS
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMdbYdG8N5k
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAFgcX9tmXxA
116Please respect copyright.PENANAy2L65hBkM3
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2d6d31KxzY
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAo8VynYPaMB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZb1Es0Eg6Z
116Please respect copyright.PENANAn7afHHOaRU
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."116Please respect copyright.PENANA9t7NuwDnmh
116Please respect copyright.PENANAclpeEs8Pl9
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5YoyO6u5vN
"Ask me something else, then."116Please respect copyright.PENANA4uEEKXpreH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlYu0hxxtH8
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0WikNVKi4v
"Who are you?"116Please respect copyright.PENANANKLmcDJCEN
116Please respect copyright.PENANACyPoO6ylZh
116Please respect copyright.PENANAogwQQXHndO
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAbTZPIOZGsM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqKBJuFtUmv
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0jaxuIJtcW
"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."116Please respect copyright.PENANA9A5MRVkfGZ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAiF4gWbLDrl
116Please respect copyright.PENANAg1e8BOK6a8
The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."116Please respect copyright.PENANAwY1WlVNcjs
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqskHZWXtDA
116Please respect copyright.PENANAQdL21BzQGr
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAtBy5BwHBA4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtHDfX1T9GO
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2fcDtGtmjk
"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."116Please respect copyright.PENANAEnjv8jJyOa
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtiVtbzJYSQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvpHrIqT0yn
"How do you know my name?"116Please respect copyright.PENANALiCgE4DktJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZLeRLTvVir
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIrHmAQ7YgR
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.116Please respect copyright.PENANACISu6y9Xmk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJjwVeYzHlj
116Please respect copyright.PENANASnI68bqgPO
"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."116Please respect copyright.PENANAVXvUJ28AI2
116Please respect copyright.PENANAyOaBIQ65iR
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmlzCN6ZxqC
Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAYxOtItyz5q
116Please respect copyright.PENANAMLrNokEvXJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZ25kQHOsji
"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.116Please respect copyright.PENANAuMqAxrQPFR
116Please respect copyright.PENANAPSR21oSnuk
116Please respect copyright.PENANADw0QCEInto
"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAWiv06cNs40
116Please respect copyright.PENANAf1alECzgTo
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0rg9KQ3uYf
Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."116Please respect copyright.PENANA7RDqilMRbc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAd1M9xQvjm5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIXmULEHPoM
I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAvhW7qH09yI
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvTCK4jvl6w
116Please respect copyright.PENANAy06TCW7aJW
"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."116Please respect copyright.PENANAZbbi37iDn8
116Please respect copyright.PENANAEVt0RhOtaY
116Please respect copyright.PENANAk69oAn2LxL
My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."116Please respect copyright.PENANAvyat2zck5O
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdFwtflkQ2j
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2hIK7sod9h
"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."116Please respect copyright.PENANAQLQ2nIpOSB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAS9Aq069vkf
116Please respect copyright.PENANAPlaLnEEz80
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAd0KaYFe2cu
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwJ5MwURuko
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5U3k5BI28i
"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.116Please respect copyright.PENANArpZuyIPEaN
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0pYqVy8S4Y
116Please respect copyright.PENANAYabLZHHDId
"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."116Please respect copyright.PENANA4GBWuH7qdK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAf5IvJwcR8b
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvZo8cU5jak
"What are you going to do to me?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAMLoPsKwVPl
116Please respect copyright.PENANAAjBW8cdLUF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAeHQTyFW9oR
Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."116Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4mMrzynbC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAkQkoixej71
116Please respect copyright.PENANA50CKWvcjIC
"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."116Please respect copyright.PENANASVAevq4zIn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAbJvub715ju
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtlaZLGEZts
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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAzjHgJ4rBbK
116Please respect copyright.PENANArXQISTTviJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdlo0oqsTn6
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAxYPNivKQ4M
116Please respect copyright.PENANA552DPlNiFc
116Please respect copyright.PENANA14OJqxMo2Z
"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.116Please respect copyright.PENANAJgtVmtPUZK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqtcgwNJucJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAE4dyl0EblU
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAormyzZ4Dd6
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhgtkv3KIMf
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9r3nF1DY4B
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:116Please respect copyright.PENANAJr9nEmwhfe
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0pXUsKiq7c
116Please respect copyright.PENANAQnV89R1Iyj
The birds.116Please respect copyright.PENANAAygPcmWkXr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAGvdgsqSYE6
116Please respect copyright.PENANALkmT2NuO3H
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANABNxEWAtrse
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXRSXR39BJP
116Please respect copyright.PENANA56X629ebIy
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA7pmfSIB1A2
116Please respect copyright.PENANAogdKMSrayx
116Please respect copyright.PENANAFowqVT3jw6
"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."116Please respect copyright.PENANA5zMDTWKAsB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAeSXGkGACRI
116Please respect copyright.PENANAGVaHDHDYXp
"I beg to differ."116Please respect copyright.PENANAWf0v4ffX8E
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmlw0nKTyyP
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmISkvrerJn
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAMJvLoMwnHb
116Please respect copyright.PENANABDQNxCMWgV
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHUyQEX2ZUy
"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.116Please respect copyright.PENANAuweZhRxfET
116Please respect copyright.PENANAka6k7tZqyL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAbJLSONBkDQ
He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.116Please respect copyright.PENANAbAfbKzKGZc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsDDbrGPqXz
116Please respect copyright.PENANAS26DNGfSoG
"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.116Please respect copyright.PENANAq152D8SsGA
116Please respect copyright.PENANACyHACReEAn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAkSYIldoU7X
"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."116Please respect copyright.PENANAGrulGwUpLr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAd9tRBMFxNJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZryaUMFO0
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA7sFoooLHSw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAnrFFL3bDOR
116Please respect copyright.PENANA97Yg7pYAP2
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAVV4kxh0LbX
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqLaonFfRiZ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAcu9O4YxqF4
I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.116Please respect copyright.PENANAwURyVaIV3x
116Please respect copyright.PENANA56KkWcwfDM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXFz5Pt18wZ
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAkKvzrCBzHM
116Please respect copyright.PENANA16fMUGbAAf
116Please respect copyright.PENANALGi54DyZqx
"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."116Please respect copyright.PENANAFnqc9ZtSnn
116Please respect copyright.PENANApjrV7Xywbk
116Please respect copyright.PENANACpuS3F5zj0
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANARvnNuSmlcS
116Please respect copyright.PENANAIWKNKDTiOT
116Please respect copyright.PENANAefwmLUMLue
"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.116Please respect copyright.PENANAxeS6En0aN7
116Please respect copyright.PENANAp2SqNiCtHb
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxY51js9maf
"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.116Please respect copyright.PENANAQFX0ovjnQ0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXgGDb20Mxx
116Please respect copyright.PENANAD0SvB45iQt
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAqmvxWup7fF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAYXjq3bGbzl
116Please respect copyright.PENANAx8KHxJNT0i
I winced. "She can do that?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAaJhnRafBec
116Please respect copyright.PENANAOZXYvVXUtr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAo5Ew34FT6f
"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."116Please respect copyright.PENANAYgb53320Sn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAG3y5In04q4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZlPGfQpxEb
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAD2p050kBf0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAoinhmr8PIJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAXMssNycC6H
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAhBog1xiPhF
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0xXGGMW6HW
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6kFVKJ6UZi
"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."116Please respect copyright.PENANA46poP8g59r
116Please respect copyright.PENANA7MEWOazoRn
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1NVVE2ZwY3
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANADGsl3T5KE0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAWKwmVBtwGe
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfsU81qajUR
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANALnOr22t9mP
116Please respect copyright.PENANA52qsxmj3mr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAo2cz4uD3pD
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAE1L0oc6h6G
116Please respect copyright.PENANA14dfH0frdo
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtz0prOHdDo
"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."116Please respect copyright.PENANAFlEVwi1nLd
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfpIu238aLq
116Please respect copyright.PENANApuRIa51E8C
"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."116Please respect copyright.PENANAX1l9ByjuJ7
116Please respect copyright.PENANAbv0rxzHeuJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6gjxfFZAkl
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAWY49VhDM3s
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJavsUcQ8VF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAo4oSxqa8jX
"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.116Please respect copyright.PENANA6jRhNyPSVU
116Please respect copyright.PENANANesPCA1u5b
116Please respect copyright.PENANAYIiWehQQVa
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAcYLiqVP0Dt
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2lQtt6VavH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAOF0C5HPyk9
"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."116Please respect copyright.PENANAqT6JSoNVTD
116Please respect copyright.PENANANtsxRyrJZJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA49hFyJWp1B
Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."116Please respect copyright.PENANAVvQnOBQAmn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsocdxbMTCm
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgbKQUymYsX
I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?116Please respect copyright.PENANAM1RGZmYYvQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAyulCYvCjyA
116Please respect copyright.PENANAnoeZB6YtE3
"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.116Please respect copyright.PENANAdMC1h1Wrrx
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHHD5xUJaTm
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3bjeLQUnli
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAZuu7cU1FA4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAe2lklrxRuF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAUaCM1iaTlB
"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?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAvMFDOXnqMj
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2VXETlVwPa
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3i9TKlYFfN
His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?116Please respect copyright.PENANA7pm4iHOn4M
116Please respect copyright.PENANA05nk5Sz9RY
116Please respect copyright.PENANA589cwR9wl1
"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.116Please respect copyright.PENANA83lcLT9lsN
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxTzDbhiPUr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAs6k98W7xni
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAdEL1Rcbxr4
116Please respect copyright.PENANANPQfSYRnkK
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2SPbUwVq5f
"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.116Please respect copyright.PENANA7zfdXF63q0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAzL40mKU3gV
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2REb3PKQEB
"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAcmPdHcEisK
116Please respect copyright.PENANAK36DBqORZb
116Please respect copyright.PENANASa0qAg6VCD
"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.116Please respect copyright.PENANAkkGl15T5Sk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAjcoCXpMGAp
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2qP716MvF9
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAEhh6JyvQkD
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsGhI0DZNKa
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsNYIcNzZAB
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?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAmN4prsexSy
116Please respect copyright.PENANABkDNknVS9r
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvmMfeV6X4a
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANALrzQZRVbGY
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdu1sg3Pptc
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3UKWp7bWZQ
"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."116Please respect copyright.PENANAtpMqMqX4T5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsMQkdw1pXk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHIcGIYpfGh
"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.116Please respect copyright.PENANAWzrI83TtF6
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1uBY6PDQ1M
116Please respect copyright.PENANAGNI42kMjVW
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAhVqwi9qkBc
116Please respect copyright.PENANATafkAaCWQf
116Please respect copyright.PENANAEOSBfLcpzh
"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAbAWJkQGGhC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqAmHIH6oKz
116Please respect copyright.PENANA8wLVzGQyy9
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?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAr7OuxARSUX
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxlMaxnJnDh
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3fgE0GHYSK
What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?116Please respect copyright.PENANAUdcrqMG41z
116Please respect copyright.PENANASpJh0lim4e
116Please respect copyright.PENANADp2szar8Jd
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAuN4mU1fN1t
116Please respect copyright.PENANAAOs73OOX7C
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5OUPWKE0Ag
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAgQXupa1MQN
116Please respect copyright.PENANAB7WhhDm3n5
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9ckwlugkMO
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANA24hKBbyFZ9
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqwxIoJib8V
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhnYJJmcwBL
"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"116Please respect copyright.PENANA0yZW6I2Znb
116Please respect copyright.PENANAV7LP1BPYaw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsIF1CYGykt
"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.116Please respect copyright.PENANA1XTYorkUjE
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2fgXp0vhmX
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9uHezcTu5e
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAHAZY8n6H6k
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6ljgCTm6Xa
116Please respect copyright.PENANAErQSqzeCc7
"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.116Please respect copyright.PENANARYcSIXb4lw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAM5fKr0U5kU
116Please respect copyright.PENANAnulYGKra1S
"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.116Please respect copyright.PENANAlrjJXHXLzZ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAc0yeiW2Bq6
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdmBs0WfkQH
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-?116Please respect copyright.PENANAqb7hogmsf5
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvr9xDTJX1c
116Please respect copyright.PENANA8k2vIMs2Wb
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANABXcScqxQAR
116Please respect copyright.PENANAoP22YsAs8w
116Please respect copyright.PENANAT2cVmHcDYv
"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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAmcAjOrEkXL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfpFJfd8igC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJubigHGE5R
"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAfGd4JnUO7l
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsIcmVCRHvF
116Please respect copyright.PENANALeocayQX5A
"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."116Please respect copyright.PENANAVwEKASAzAx
116Please respect copyright.PENANApPDCRcJx0G
116Please respect copyright.PENANAn0xJEHkXCR
"Come on, Diana," said Stella.116Please respect copyright.PENANAMrTotxchcc
116Please respect copyright.PENANABNYj4WavYn
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7zLCHHb2G
"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.116Please respect copyright.PENANAr35ZMGuMj4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAinEqWmTcF8
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtc9wWSXSJZ
"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."116Please respect copyright.PENANAgyP8jPCdK9
116Please respect copyright.PENANAjRcDdP4YCT
116Please respect copyright.PENANAL2KKtQbdGY
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAoEkmHwFx3i
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3tuareskNk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAuMVRuoehWc
I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.116Please respect copyright.PENANAgS6mppHuhw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAzY7QaY4C4r
116Please respect copyright.PENANAztj5GNUvX3
"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAbFukPOVU95
116Please respect copyright.PENANAOdqE8M8IYJ
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgVmHJ9ucIz
"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.116Please respect copyright.PENANAPR6E8aX7ZG
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1280NrsOj1
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfxlRJbQGXn
"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."116Please respect copyright.PENANAFchIgwIEt4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAtPYHxWMkUI
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHMXhuntJYi
"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAEMi1irqhhR
116Please respect copyright.PENANASFQLi5lxKw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmQbgmNOCJo
Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."116Please respect copyright.PENANAzyG6yhMR5o
116Please respect copyright.PENANA16aV9dJjQb
116Please respect copyright.PENANAlWlsitrMDD
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAtCXxcl34AB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAuhPlhkiPzB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAR1ItMRiY3W
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZiNZiE4GV
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhfxbmc30F0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAc82GS1OJbf
"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.116Please respect copyright.PENANAkqwbs6ypPv
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3H4AQMn1Sf
116Please respect copyright.PENANANmtvCBLDm3
"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."116Please respect copyright.PENANASlYoThBodg
116Please respect copyright.PENANAM7TCTNsko0
116Please respect copyright.PENANAUoAARghkqG
"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.116Please respect copyright.PENANAyzUjd5AAmD
116Please respect copyright.PENANAF06lOKmPDe
116Please respect copyright.PENANAE36BY5osh4
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAEny6UH4Z0B
116Please respect copyright.PENANANUXU1UmQZH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHDqWR0gVOv
I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?116Please respect copyright.PENANAtrlWYBokCY
116Please respect copyright.PENANAoQK4uPuS5a
116Please respect copyright.PENANANTpYak1YzX
"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.116Please respect copyright.PENANAhzW5DLQZGs
116Please respect copyright.PENANACaZGznHy1m
116Please respect copyright.PENANA2idsUJdCTU
"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?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAO85bFIayFO
116Please respect copyright.PENANA8F8c6vkSnv
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxrvzSqnl3o
"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."116Please respect copyright.PENANAYeK33ijFlF
116Please respect copyright.PENANASkr5cQUReG
116Please respect copyright.PENANAYqiN9hInlY
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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAezbW2Wb9lc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAoiHvblvsMd
116Please respect copyright.PENANAL8fYmILxv8
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAvrEOB8OkRC
116Please respect copyright.PENANAfUmoWZX7yr
116Please respect copyright.PENANAYdULnzux5z
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANA5jg6LUh5Mq
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqMcA5WV6Lu
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmByAVZN021
"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAiQAER0jZtw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmCIlckXlsr
116Please respect copyright.PENANApYq75ToKlI
"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."116Please respect copyright.PENANAgSEuT3XeHY
116Please respect copyright.PENANA69C8Wx3EgH
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5rFgsv2q02
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANA5SqtwNzaPT
116Please respect copyright.PENANAUhstJOxp8l
116Please respect copyright.PENANAaZU7KSZhHc
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAvDEm7WYWQD
116Please respect copyright.PENANAe5kCAnph97
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvXGWVnuuGo
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAzN1mIabfXx
116Please respect copyright.PENANAObQlATds6M
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgjbwrfvFJf
"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."116Please respect copyright.PENANAoV24QNRFho
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHl6k3uephA
116Please respect copyright.PENANA3rAdV2l4Wu
"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAKO3PPqwDrp
116Please respect copyright.PENANAuEhCQzZJTT
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxon7D1qk6t
"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."116Please respect copyright.PENANAt9F2iKB688
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6kvyoXntNk
116Please respect copyright.PENANAqGT1aPIerj
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAwszUOfqIw0
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1qJoH6BdOc
116Please respect copyright.PENANANDvEiggtIH
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAj50F0KYsVc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAZq2DRzuZ2x
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwYG8ntucbF
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAoFw5P3OHfI
116Please respect copyright.PENANAArUGkumHBS
116Please respect copyright.PENANAX8r4OK6cNT
I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.116Please respect copyright.PENANAlIk1xXwHiL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHGcKrklbQf
116Please respect copyright.PENANAGeHcXi2bND
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAzY54LvHWEx
116Please respect copyright.PENANArUjeejD3M4
116Please respect copyright.PENANAe4q2OKP2Ex
"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."116Please respect copyright.PENANAooHhSkCPu4
116Please respect copyright.PENANA1h00EeEx8v
116Please respect copyright.PENANAEaU7J1m5rf
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAFfHa1PoBeQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA5QwO454HUb
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6fMwNePzLN
I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."116Please respect copyright.PENANAQMeNHfn8Hg
116Please respect copyright.PENANAhdECf6YyJx
116Please respect copyright.PENANA0OIywjqjGr
"Before we start, you better get patched up."116Please respect copyright.PENANA7Bp22jpQZf
116Please respect copyright.PENANAxP6ZcBNTqm
116Please respect copyright.PENANAHLSei8Z9z5
"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.116Please respect copyright.PENANAKi4LH2CzUf
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgoBNZvUujW
116Please respect copyright.PENANAKX8ngF8WB2
"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.116Please respect copyright.PENANAHzviydcTuM
116Please respect copyright.PENANADfYGm2f2Wh
116Please respect copyright.PENANAV1JISeykI2
"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"116Please respect copyright.PENANASTjUtyhflU
116Please respect copyright.PENANAOWkW5BbUlF
116Please respect copyright.PENANAdCCugPlL4R
"Did you summon them?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAx4sImxIEfB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAB21p6fE1a9
116Please respect copyright.PENANArK5nyv3RhC
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"116Please respect copyright.PENANAKFVepbTm8d
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9TV2HutbaL
116Please respect copyright.PENANAkxQstg77jy
"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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAv0AhKNkulM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAc4ymkTnsiW
116Please respect copyright.PENANA6iIUGShXeu
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAHqZchCAwa7
116Please respect copyright.PENANAgFILAAyFj3
116Please respect copyright.PENANAVocrikULSD
"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.116Please respect copyright.PENANAriyTtTHATw
116Please respect copyright.PENANAe1x9xTnMsH
116Please respect copyright.PENANAE59dcGGuNv
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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAZxYkF91M7V
116Please respect copyright.PENANA9JxtPbxFbD
116Please respect copyright.PENANAsI9eM1bN01
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."116Please respect copyright.PENANAxZJSWl7P9t
116Please respect copyright.PENANAa4NMh0Exoy
116Please respect copyright.PENANAQNexJSKwbx
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.116Please respect copyright.PENANAGzRhxkW6eQ
116Please respect copyright.PENANA4D6xgMBhBB
116Please respect copyright.PENANAmZt8THHaCa
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?116Please respect copyright.PENANAET1Rj8foX2
116Please respect copyright.PENANAwJUoqrNCaj
116Please respect copyright.PENANADoy6X6sYYC
"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.116Please respect copyright.PENANA6THi0JexIM
116Please respect copyright.PENANAjDCDruRdbc
116Please respect copyright.PENANAvTk2nmyNqA
"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.116Please respect copyright.PENANA67kYl7u17y
116Please respect copyright.PENANAm5Vo9VPJic
116Please respect copyright.PENANAJi7JOEfhbh
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 Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
Sponsor
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
A Dark Destiny
Author:
Namwezi
ISSUE #23
Chapter 21
LIKES 0
READS 112
BOOKMARKS 4
campaign
Request update 0
Sponsor
Suggest Edits
Login with Facebook
or Sign up/Login to comment or bookmark!
Click to load the next chapter
X
After each update request, the author will receive a notification!
smartphone100 → Request update
X
Sponsor again
Click to login
Login first to show your name as a sponsor.
Thank you for supporting the story! :)
Please Login first.
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This