"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANA1ia5FeEqvQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAleuI2LaKJ1
131Please respect copyright.PENANAC495KmWP0Q
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAIwDIfdYLzd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxkVFoGFOvH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAObtFxCDSL1
"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.131Please respect copyright.PENANAg6duQ4y7Qs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkOWPjfLivU
131Please respect copyright.PENANAX64MnYFbdC
"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..."131Please respect copyright.PENANAaIXz1BI05m
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyxACBwRNwe
131Please respect copyright.PENANA4K7cimaJnq
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAnGfrw5PiWr
131Please respect copyright.PENANAD3KAPRVT6D
131Please respect copyright.PENANAFMRv7nd5Vf
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAlYU8rezR6D
131Please respect copyright.PENANAZfSbsDimeW
131Please respect copyright.PENANAe2nj4x6jdL
"I'm fine," I said.131Please respect copyright.PENANAuqmt3oEyVP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAo8RYkGIyhO
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkSO9cy8qE0
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.131Please respect copyright.PENANA2PyQnXA5PQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlaYFJD1hdA
131Please respect copyright.PENANAXw6CSLa5Q8
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.131Please respect copyright.PENANAFSOkDd43II
131Please respect copyright.PENANALRXqIlcXlI
131Please respect copyright.PENANA607LQ4QrFo
"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.131Please respect copyright.PENANA6oCggNpgKT
131Please respect copyright.PENANA46nK2CyoNW
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaU1MxUn0bs
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAcsam8ODRpw
131Please respect copyright.PENANAM8DyQx4xkF
131Please respect copyright.PENANADaOgJdd8ui
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."131Please respect copyright.PENANAP7k3xpfpyC
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUtRQw6Azur
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2rtBufwkDT
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.131Please respect copyright.PENANAxz2Mdrr3b7
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8E9zXzgi82
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHSarx4ZT7z
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAIXaudinL8e
131Please respect copyright.PENANAV2pNKf7ucZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyb4FJWT1Ck
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAvmcajgZiGe
131Please respect copyright.PENANAcdZGCxHRHu
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxMfEawh3mu
"It's really nice," I commented.131Please respect copyright.PENANATUVkA0zeyB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAad9T4JCX00
131Please respect copyright.PENANAW29vVqagvA
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."131Please respect copyright.PENANA9TQktQKPmQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAF5CqhpW3XN
131Please respect copyright.PENANA26KNexPfou
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.131Please respect copyright.PENANAOOFapYn5hK
131Please respect copyright.PENANArOhjgvtETV
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAR3EXQRen4
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAneEob2PzGn
131Please respect copyright.PENANAe6npniV6X3
131Please respect copyright.PENANAYwBh7Ilzk5
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7ePS401uD
131Please respect copyright.PENANAXovGiKItzK
131Please respect copyright.PENANAau23w6L0gA
"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."131Please respect copyright.PENANAAZd53aphh5
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3WaI1u84GZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANA6lBhBwZjm2
She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.131Please respect copyright.PENANAKxssS3wFZt
131Please respect copyright.PENANAd0Guqg0vzB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAI5RO7o6D2w
"You better eat up," said Ariana.131Please respect copyright.PENANAjm1sh9VnC6
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9BMnC2gmcP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEilPRNMb2q
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAskFvuinaUw
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaW1O5twsUB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbpgAouST4w
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."131Please respect copyright.PENANAbiXEMAWGiA
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlx2WwSEr7H
131Please respect copyright.PENANAZj4vpMOq7W
"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.131Please respect copyright.PENANABuQcsWAXZI
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKD9JSUHVQl
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaOI6sm1w8F
Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."131Please respect copyright.PENANABuV5drmnOL
131Please respect copyright.PENANALVjF46Y9xh
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKRgTScfvJM
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAg1whrrn0g7
131Please respect copyright.PENANARo8bvtfKKT
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9ldpoNmfhV
"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.131Please respect copyright.PENANA4WABxaSk2K
131Please respect copyright.PENANAsADjAAJwcs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjDYd9tyz7l
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAsCwLwEDvOW
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKdrNiSHHlz
131Please respect copyright.PENANAzPpAfIk7ao
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANALxBOnOksIK
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyNNYfUl7ay
131Please respect copyright.PENANAiSeCf55gbG
"What is it?" I asked.131Please respect copyright.PENANAsB1lXVF3cU
131Please respect copyright.PENANA28dGkcIbo0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAT1aaUAGG5E
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAtcaqgrYDbZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANACCIqb4rBjP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnAo5eocXSc
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAnsBl1W2Hnv
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHAQeVSgXu8
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1YfI70RXd7
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAW1EhKP9nY8
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIdApNSli6G
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1XNYAD4tiO
"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."131Please respect copyright.PENANAAw8OfFAsaM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHDv0nGvvpq
131Please respect copyright.PENANA5ERWi0aFDS
Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.131Please respect copyright.PENANAgRtIosahpP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAn0y8PXAocq
131Please respect copyright.PENANARF6aUbtDdc
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAegyDAP6eny
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9Jt5vww5e5
131Please respect copyright.PENANAI7j56i27zp
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAI4ePuwSVOk
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnLsxAix8le
131Please respect copyright.PENANActvJqsjJ96
The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."131Please respect copyright.PENANAvcmAwomMlR
131Please respect copyright.PENANA7R2U7TO8LH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyz68Gxm1y5
"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.131Please respect copyright.PENANAfvpUXUKg1F
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8XPGeKnSeh
131Please respect copyright.PENANAvAoMfdHAUJ
"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.131Please respect copyright.PENANATPcqd4PvQh
131Please respect copyright.PENANA0GLWDwLDL9
131Please respect copyright.PENANAggEuIge4VQ
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAxf0vbicnrJ
131Please respect copyright.PENANANsAg9quvO0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAYIFKPdzetb
Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.131Please respect copyright.PENANAfGVSkljJJ4
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaQwfAEvYWm
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmQHVLIIhEK
"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.131Please respect copyright.PENANA33AWaVZ5cL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAWDXYxa5g26
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEPXNobFaLx
"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.131Please respect copyright.PENANA8vdIsLHp5S
131Please respect copyright.PENANA4bNRHKLPie
131Please respect copyright.PENANAWuHye4LDg0
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANArCiTL37jmG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQz28mrkKMI
131Please respect copyright.PENANAimQH1injtE
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."131Please respect copyright.PENANA3i6KodoMf0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHddEHhAN22
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjFCU43Ksp1
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANACVNiDDeWZM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAK3ghePzYD0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAByyUM1XXkR
"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.131Please respect copyright.PENANAH16tY2dXJY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMHzFnQMucC
131Please respect copyright.PENANAtNPu1BWbZD
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."131Please respect copyright.PENANAtsAS08COqI
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEgLostx1dO
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkZT1tYuf4T
"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."131Please respect copyright.PENANA5sHlYlp4PQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKr7QFQytk7
131Please respect copyright.PENANAGTZDzCivRm
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.131Please respect copyright.PENANAzLzwfBXw5E
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJmbxiosGnF
131Please respect copyright.PENANACUg7sbruZm
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAoiKYHGqHwd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKEfIsDS4rr
131Please respect copyright.PENANAygEBlqcwri
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAAxx9Y0NfpG
131Please respect copyright.PENANACqKQ8FmCGZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANASduYN32sFK
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAnOnnuMaZCc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPfOZlS16uK
131Please respect copyright.PENANAigApzxlbBj
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.131Please respect copyright.PENANAGNbaeyV3Dd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAdJAKDmVRR0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUugjRQSKf1
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAQUhILSfTal
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKSwQ3gPGLM
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1moLTNLpIt
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAf3d31qUjSP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJayRAokyfd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAcoGzifLeBG
"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"131Please respect copyright.PENANA5AOIIOp3sc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAylfWBzu3rN
131Please respect copyright.PENANANei009sdoH
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.131Please respect copyright.PENANApbte5d9hA8
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlBBuU3vWYe
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnnZtpNsZvm
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANABNCvsFSzu4
131Please respect copyright.PENANAD1ICeR8NDC
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxaN9WT0dqF
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.131Please respect copyright.PENANAzF5jOInGfm
131Please respect copyright.PENANATDe9xsKE5H
131Please respect copyright.PENANAt6PFJN0mX8
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"131Please respect copyright.PENANAW00ZdCYBkU
131Please respect copyright.PENANAk2EAuOc9LE
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2lcOioK6WF
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAKhP2vn9KCQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQZKhiLFI6Q
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkkuyFChtEq
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAgLl6SRpQKX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqHSiarjLkh
131Please respect copyright.PENANAWdSa3OeTqu
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANA4dlE96TCHQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANA0Os8ni3WZL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAhBKyaxh7XJ
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAaQt8UOqXJE
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3N3XUxwKzv
131Please respect copyright.PENANA245996nv2i
"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.131Please respect copyright.PENANAZaMQN6zmg7
131Please respect copyright.PENANAeVYPX8i3wQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAVUfa4OHjtT
I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.131Please respect copyright.PENANA157bEfMmJX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAFDqn9Fuq5Q
131Please respect copyright.PENANAsjMun01rVj
"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.131Please respect copyright.PENANAlXrrsRzGjz
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAhLMay3uNX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmce8ZXZdLk
No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.131Please respect copyright.PENANA2rtgVL32ZM
131Please respect copyright.PENANATDHOXaLmnq
131Please respect copyright.PENANA5RqK7f1UPg
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAp8C8s5mmSq
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKLGh1nt9e6
131Please respect copyright.PENANATn4RSrtMo7
"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.131Please respect copyright.PENANA3s7MIIYtun
131Please respect copyright.PENANAan9B6p2buX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAXcCDFazX4E
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAqqFPuC3Ie3
131Please respect copyright.PENANAtawsTu4tpT
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKQ1hv2gTxJ
"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.131Please respect copyright.PENANAXaL0nj69DA
131Please respect copyright.PENANADINY84JkXv
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPJtTMXxAXB
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAJh8ujWKSHQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAc0N89wO7F9
131Please respect copyright.PENANAq4R2XtP132
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAeycyrRlVcv
131Please respect copyright.PENANANpdO2Ab9I0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAOm3HSdMmKS
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAXfUApOrucr
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQlJKY6gVmy
131Please respect copyright.PENANA7z3IgENRRN
"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."131Please respect copyright.PENANASFJ7Kokg1b
131Please respect copyright.PENANAdHm5B8X4Ie
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnapgQIWVIX
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAdyTWehy7Xq
131Please respect copyright.PENANAOCWwRkHC05
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbNBVEj9hu1
"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.131Please respect copyright.PENANAquiLpeoU0l
131Please respect copyright.PENANApPs8mJx9KS
131Please respect copyright.PENANA4g8eDPURAt
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.131Please respect copyright.PENANAhTwCw6gKiv
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8G6NQSF5RS
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEvAcG7Y02E
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAaJ5gaYav2p
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaWg35miiVi
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjQqckYHEZh
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."131Please respect copyright.PENANArXoE7dA0GB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqHDVntOe4o
131Please respect copyright.PENANAntylQ0APlB
"Ask me something else, then."131Please respect copyright.PENANAwx2ZhTISAh
131Please respect copyright.PENANALZWEVqVTqu
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8UCt1vEqbw
"Who are you?"131Please respect copyright.PENANATCQe54q7M6
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9F5BtWUPHD
131Please respect copyright.PENANA73UI6ZBpLa
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"131Please respect copyright.PENANA79UqcInTRv
131Please respect copyright.PENANAZofLIiY7PB
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3nnTsWFvsN
"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."131Please respect copyright.PENANAsDInbrt3CS
131Please respect copyright.PENANAuLfryUzG3f
131Please respect copyright.PENANAc4oH6SFSHG
The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."131Please respect copyright.PENANAvWMrT1IbWx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAfOAhjnNp7n
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIYIirJZf6K
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANA3lpX6ZxCuf
131Please respect copyright.PENANASliKi5ugLh
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1cHIZzcv6v
"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."131Please respect copyright.PENANASEUuA2qCqs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAldUDcRzgp5
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJmjkYnpmyw
"How do you know my name?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAsbDfZeraAd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAb4SWtID0nE
131Please respect copyright.PENANAixEVATgJat
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.131Please respect copyright.PENANAIGABBqRxVm
131Please respect copyright.PENANASQyfoT1tgP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAe8LD9awV3g
"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."131Please respect copyright.PENANA2F8cjqtkz3
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyXXsRx4saS
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3XbvOhjqBM
Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAujvJoIw2JE
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKaA7jvxBXY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAD7y9H8IHPu
"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.131Please respect copyright.PENANADT4YI3wYtM
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1wPgRvS0xE
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8mVq6iJ3R3
"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAaO4cqyq4TG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAgXEyQYyHW7
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9OnlVqSQvC
Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."131Please respect copyright.PENANAspTVqehswN
131Please respect copyright.PENANA473QUGhqVa
131Please respect copyright.PENANACE7831IXfE
I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAnyhhIW3OAE
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8FDzvGEFeZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAb36UdwZJBp
"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."131Please respect copyright.PENANAkZFGeZZa8P
131Please respect copyright.PENANAZlr9wsTjwz
131Please respect copyright.PENANA47hDOTbWWJ
My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."131Please respect copyright.PENANAeRtpgRdsfd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbFIUfMOShZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQczCoRCSvF
"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."131Please respect copyright.PENANA5bBC8mppsj
131Please respect copyright.PENANACu6iBF4omI
131Please respect copyright.PENANA06nASARCox
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAMxF5pbMVEc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAD73IGy6ZFb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxietNuNHxZ
"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.131Please respect copyright.PENANAYEp3nCOrpa
131Please respect copyright.PENANAakiKgHe5Av
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbOlVPusBol
"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."131Please respect copyright.PENANAoLA3tiQUW7
131Please respect copyright.PENANAGCA6BGrjT5
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUhagRkGQSD
"What are you going to do to me?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAHvgiNwCvEk
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxRcaIsSTJV
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQ47WID28MF
Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."131Please respect copyright.PENANAWyKtDyBDzE
131Please respect copyright.PENANAt7o99e2eo1
131Please respect copyright.PENANAy6uqIjmMam
"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."131Please respect copyright.PENANABXUpt8GxCR
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmQvBaQgRbx
131Please respect copyright.PENANA6uBN7pNtzY
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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAPSmB7e5sMy
131Please respect copyright.PENANAob7txnwPGx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAwUbuARfscz
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANABi6iXEzU6g
131Please respect copyright.PENANAC8wd0sPUt5
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8zxV3pIUXP
"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.131Please respect copyright.PENANAmE4Y9K3Loq
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqzoTnEtOLd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqOCElJkZVp
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANATEdqEoFFVZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAX9eznaUiE6
131Please respect copyright.PENANA07s2UVl4lb
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:131Please respect copyright.PENANAkwlG8W2Hs4
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQuLDDoPmTM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPzq8BKcJV8
The birds.131Please respect copyright.PENANASOhDo8y2p6
131Please respect copyright.PENANAl846BlWNSW
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUxJHnoRteH
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANA05AMAIyO4y
131Please respect copyright.PENANAu1g4T6kSkL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbatrDUbJ25
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAVieFOkHfOa
131Please respect copyright.PENANAM90FwpNE6p
131Please respect copyright.PENANAE6RpqghyVS
"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."131Please respect copyright.PENANAJLYOiadGRR
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPpUsNAMJm7
131Please respect copyright.PENANA4TxG5BZSx9
"I beg to differ."131Please respect copyright.PENANAeTNLHmm3vA
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIWbRX074y0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAdJkrdifobb
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAcpk5XfQE5Y
131Please respect copyright.PENANAocnFRUYKmo
131Please respect copyright.PENANAc2epCBi9Bk
"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.131Please respect copyright.PENANA4cKTLLbTtc
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3fI406UbAn
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPBzYfWVPHE
He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.131Please respect copyright.PENANAwBKcRu2YHS
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEJZXE26HvO
131Please respect copyright.PENANAu2Dx2lrw9R
"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.131Please respect copyright.PENANABdehS8JEpL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAOWg6VBHlAs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPbGvzhurVu
"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."131Please respect copyright.PENANAoOMlnFx6G7
131Please respect copyright.PENANABebyy1LCYM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAklnUwZHh6D
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAJXLvL222Wt
131Please respect copyright.PENANAdqMltasu1n
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmyPgnc09yP
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAq8dzqv4XRp
131Please respect copyright.PENANAewK2zlo5Ni
131Please respect copyright.PENANA44TMpNkn7k
I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.131Please respect copyright.PENANAyjTbDfZGGL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlxWz53BAQx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAg4ktDoQWfU
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAIpgZwcs683
131Please respect copyright.PENANABi45tt61ik
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAMhEuOSAQ6
"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."131Please respect copyright.PENANARU3zYFJuiS
131Please respect copyright.PENANAt4YUFsxvOl
131Please respect copyright.PENANAP9oKTYKZ4k
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAvG3U6bxAMB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAVPaeZRQv7f
131Please respect copyright.PENANAFQbfTYh4b2
"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.131Please respect copyright.PENANAr6uc6WoK7s
131Please respect copyright.PENANAuNwPJ9iAp1
131Please respect copyright.PENANARcMziVJuny
"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.131Please respect copyright.PENANAAMpsW14L6e
131Please respect copyright.PENANAr655Voz3uJ
131Please respect copyright.PENANASsAcouAvMO
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAQb9sRi23mY
131Please respect copyright.PENANANw28aSOTgr
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxlgq1rgS88
I winced. "She can do that?"131Please respect copyright.PENANASNlmFi6Prx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAr6mXnGyD9X
131Please respect copyright.PENANAayQ5JseyFF
"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."131Please respect copyright.PENANAoxXJSF1ULY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKLhrumkP9q
131Please respect copyright.PENANAhNSQRwtY8Y
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAzCU33Z4pAg
131Please respect copyright.PENANAh5y2kEMb76
131Please respect copyright.PENANABMP2qXxI18
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAv6G4Huy3qD
131Please respect copyright.PENANAcIv53aHz40
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlOnx3Vzulp
"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."131Please respect copyright.PENANAkV62K7Ii1e
131Please respect copyright.PENANAidI61VDgz0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjJP5AdiB2P
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAbdBQS95ica
131Please respect copyright.PENANAWyZZ387RIS
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPRQEMEtTR5
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAkvKMsIlKzE
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAduIAQiuVU
131Please respect copyright.PENANApfXfql4CRP
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANA3EpHGkUXqK
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIAVONOgy3S
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9usZPtiLR3
"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."131Please respect copyright.PENANAd11NREZYGg
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8aMi3xHcA0
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2Gy2Sy0c7M
"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."131Please respect copyright.PENANA2IVFvJcMaY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkjQIsmhOZR
131Please respect copyright.PENANABmP9O2BMuG
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAN32WGBr1XG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAfp1hqEziiM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbVE8F28DC9
"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.131Please respect copyright.PENANAeGQLEol1lX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAj2KAH0lyGY
131Please respect copyright.PENANACRMKV0HzQg
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANApHqDOWkWpb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjNwtQDM2gQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJejXsuK5k5
"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."131Please respect copyright.PENANAZxrQ3XoyhV
131Please respect copyright.PENANAvHJidpRbDO
131Please respect copyright.PENANAg88naCvkei
Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."131Please respect copyright.PENANAd8zXYW3ktb
131Please respect copyright.PENANASzqev9SLzx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAdB252BlH6p
I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?131Please respect copyright.PENANAzg4Pwu9vr3
131Please respect copyright.PENANABDHLpPrTNH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAWcON2xf8cx
"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.131Please respect copyright.PENANAnYpDDmjEDc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAztClDkduBJ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUSSiCVnzUJ
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAlNBVtF1KQP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJtn8eWT68E
131Please respect copyright.PENANA7q91GiNR9I
"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?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAcayDynXYyX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbGgHiqKkkl
131Please respect copyright.PENANAFtbLeKQ6yh
His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?131Please respect copyright.PENANAkd9RHR8RYN
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkBVmhix78Y
131Please respect copyright.PENANAorgelFVaTl
"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.131Please respect copyright.PENANA4fU3GEVMrA
131Please respect copyright.PENANACmciHhb6qL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAGtUOcacJyi
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANARMHALNRURn
131Please respect copyright.PENANASp6SfBBogm
131Please respect copyright.PENANA7pFMzLsuot
"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.131Please respect copyright.PENANAbHDSuRrIeH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAXD1yGAd12V
131Please respect copyright.PENANAiJqqLX3Epp
"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAbPBByNGRwN
131Please respect copyright.PENANANoC8BAtN58
131Please respect copyright.PENANA11Bxr3w2sb
"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.131Please respect copyright.PENANAq7L9hlbeTM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPo1eREcl4M
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJm9wwjFRrN
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAeSugcD1GYk
131Please respect copyright.PENANASi6WxrNYfa
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlB0YEFOtUb
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?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAdENPNBjW8X
131Please respect copyright.PENANA1jcsw33S4N
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxFK80TxP2t
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAi1VmrnLeAR
131Please respect copyright.PENANAm0aiME3jEc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAK5wEFCVoiH
"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."131Please respect copyright.PENANARi1T8iZBxA
131Please respect copyright.PENANARQCPR5RGsl
131Please respect copyright.PENANAZpNXQcCRSr
"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.131Please respect copyright.PENANA3SCPa1ZZfA
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2JcPGglRKw
131Please respect copyright.PENANALqRXFdX6a0
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANA4vqgxOawHq
131Please respect copyright.PENANADfJtkP26ui
131Please respect copyright.PENANAxkpsCxRX5l
"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAZEPI1aYIuk
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHJTeArJ5xU
131Please respect copyright.PENANAvpb0hzbW1l
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?"131Please respect copyright.PENANA0zXrTw02gX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIoxlYHpdls
131Please respect copyright.PENANArCx9wSowus
What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?131Please respect copyright.PENANAFAWtoiUkoK
131Please respect copyright.PENANA7HkWI6CdoC
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9xTYqTS1OG
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAiL69hRw7xm
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnsx1pQkNDY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6z7LKDtP9
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANANdZaMHQYN1
131Please respect copyright.PENANAsZXmOQvQHY
131Please respect copyright.PENANAeWAzwm8pAZ
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAOMEM4j8lKA
131Please respect copyright.PENANArCSjBVBJFX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAYoIsGJ2PvF
"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"131Please respect copyright.PENANA6K1daN2Ey3
131Please respect copyright.PENANAnQL65nKoW7
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQkBNcyUjd1
"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.131Please respect copyright.PENANAgc2fHdxYTb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAFd1IqSVjg
131Please respect copyright.PENANAXhLyUDIhAx
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANADcTeAK17eH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAjFPa7jvSYe
131Please respect copyright.PENANAPB8u0qLgg4
"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.131Please respect copyright.PENANA5IMrwWfCGu
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKq93LA4xIG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbG9UxLM6hQ
"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.131Please respect copyright.PENANAsGLNcM9TRn
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQlXb45c8wN
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3U0c9hA0pD
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-?131Please respect copyright.PENANAdWCvUlSJdl
131Please respect copyright.PENANAC7FrmFj0wM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAvBQljrXXYQ
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAxcKSYE4Hoh
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHU7m1wVlYo
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMoSHsQozvw
"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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAGT9tRIFfUF
131Please respect copyright.PENANAblavfgq26h
131Please respect copyright.PENANA01GZH8zeVl
"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAHVYHkh7q3u
131Please respect copyright.PENANAI89YnD812V
131Please respect copyright.PENANArznOyx0nFS
"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."131Please respect copyright.PENANAD1EJWjODd2
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqZh4to5Mg7
131Please respect copyright.PENANAyECCTJEnEA
"Come on, Diana," said Stella.131Please respect copyright.PENANAlIS4HCKObs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAfd9c8aNRMf
131Please respect copyright.PENANA6HxxAKlcov
"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.131Please respect copyright.PENANA8wpzfjFtcs
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMfQxUhCA6o
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIREIAPHkY8
"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."131Please respect copyright.PENANAb0mEZTeAUb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAuyMO8Nz09b
131Please respect copyright.PENANAiP7VTpJzAT
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAUfOclJlpq6
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHWqFGUU3WQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAep2Iqwr1eA
I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.131Please respect copyright.PENANAwu309T7B81
131Please respect copyright.PENANArJ1Vyv7ai7
131Please respect copyright.PENANA09TnDsjf2O
"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.131Please respect copyright.PENANAQi7uFjKWiA
131Please respect copyright.PENANAhraQ4LuNTg
131Please respect copyright.PENANAGbK6eoePG0
"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.131Please respect copyright.PENANArWGWONKomO
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIVzpAsz5Cx
131Please respect copyright.PENANA6SZs0vW2F4
"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."131Please respect copyright.PENANARpWAW0zpxG
131Please respect copyright.PENANA5vvgSZtRFd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAT1RmkiQ9jx
"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"131Please respect copyright.PENANADgb9xSLPWH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAaDBRsWYQX0
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIJB6Mj3gmV
Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."131Please respect copyright.PENANAiRcmG8f7L2
131Please respect copyright.PENANAOHQcAdfkwq
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAtMS5MYVKe
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANASJrhTlRurQ
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2AdRr0E0am
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKdsG8yYOgi
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAPnukc6rKrI
131Please respect copyright.PENANAfNVtez8X0D
131Please respect copyright.PENANADbAnF16U29
"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.131Please respect copyright.PENANAqsygbs5SfP
131Please respect copyright.PENANA8577yHwZSu
131Please respect copyright.PENANAgFtgo0F81m
"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."131Please respect copyright.PENANAqkXmMCNKdi
131Please respect copyright.PENANAiEmg2NAbjp
131Please respect copyright.PENANAtZ0kVCoLF5
"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.131Please respect copyright.PENANAUUjhfcONyl
131Please respect copyright.PENANABXjWOt2Faf
131Please respect copyright.PENANAa1CLyIVYGZ
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANADeFmGdHooa
131Please respect copyright.PENANAh6si9E6lT1
131Please respect copyright.PENANAN0Zgd90GZC
I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?131Please respect copyright.PENANA0y5edIiAck
131Please respect copyright.PENANADzlqB21QzO
131Please respect copyright.PENANA3rlYCoyEdG
"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.131Please respect copyright.PENANAtNFxqFsyMc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAVLwAEyjyDd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAtBatjQakYR
"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?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAqV2hCr1tcA
131Please respect copyright.PENANAehdj0OjAX1
131Please respect copyright.PENANAau073Ctxe9
"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."131Please respect copyright.PENANAfzOWvDaH4z
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUcP7ZZAJXo
131Please respect copyright.PENANArlU31k8voS
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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAMzkSiiCOQ2
131Please respect copyright.PENANAATnapbfNau
131Please respect copyright.PENANAz09MI4LaRY
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAGAkSbMt3Gx
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmaOiIiGKTa
131Please respect copyright.PENANAzesGoMZQxu
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAtv4Xz9uUqp
131Please respect copyright.PENANAYXB3jYPPrb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAN1dRaOt8mU
"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAWGNIF1wM8J
131Please respect copyright.PENANABQhWTQPkBN
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMmgD5f8gxj
"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."131Please respect copyright.PENANA2FtTnQUUnZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANABMFvTjfMFD
131Please respect copyright.PENANA0vqqcV7X5F
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAt13jvupq8s
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIbkIn9J4i5
131Please respect copyright.PENANA9oPLBRigcK
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAaV6AZAwHSL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAVRtYcodCsb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAc2WwIeRLDV
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAapY8VqVXgL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAytZr60e3Ft
131Please respect copyright.PENANAqC49jOvegu
"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."131Please respect copyright.PENANA86DotwtHuP
131Please respect copyright.PENANATS8u48pPl0
131Please respect copyright.PENANA2J0X62synR
"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"131Please respect copyright.PENANA9pcpns8RUp
131Please respect copyright.PENANAD64pkhbyk8
131Please respect copyright.PENANAwIFtb3S1UB
"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."131Please respect copyright.PENANAjdD2OjQhu2
131Please respect copyright.PENANAmxFhC6KOI4
131Please respect copyright.PENANAi556g6i4I0
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAe0MHKmOIzv
131Please respect copyright.PENANAtwirr9L1Cc
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHM1GWNo6sp
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAbGYkZkpBaw
131Please respect copyright.PENANAFfQ4tGJyLu
131Please respect copyright.PENANA5nkMI3nPF0
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAYXqnXYgrXP
131Please respect copyright.PENANAHmnLDi2I1w
131Please respect copyright.PENANAAmrR5H3MeC
I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.131Please respect copyright.PENANAhLHISjbL1i
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEiuBXmSUkl
131Please respect copyright.PENANARex8ftRfo1
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAt6dzEMN05R
131Please respect copyright.PENANA46gy5jqH5K
131Please respect copyright.PENANAG0OuTZUJs4
"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."131Please respect copyright.PENANAPgKrpTKTC8
131Please respect copyright.PENANAunei3gXSMx
131Please respect copyright.PENANA6bnWrfpj0r
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAHpVAqMo24V
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkzKQNoElsB
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMdqa5sdFm3
I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."131Please respect copyright.PENANA8Q1py1czol
131Please respect copyright.PENANAeRR9YjN2sd
131Please respect copyright.PENANAJTMqRkUa1E
"Before we start, you better get patched up."131Please respect copyright.PENANAWX4yb7Hf5k
131Please respect copyright.PENANAW3AVT8WxNk
131Please respect copyright.PENANAkH0BkPX8hy
"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.131Please respect copyright.PENANAaFpmwKyV1L
131Please respect copyright.PENANAC1T02m9BcZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAH5MHhNI2ZT
"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.131Please respect copyright.PENANAwkHJnMDfYp
131Please respect copyright.PENANAlR7R3Oz3Ht
131Please respect copyright.PENANAScrHFirF0C
"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAzi3MnxsPOL
131Please respect copyright.PENANAuM9hR9EeoI
131Please respect copyright.PENANA48YMo9cjEv
"Did you summon them?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAVqy2wiakr7
131Please respect copyright.PENANATQX25zbbYH
131Please respect copyright.PENANAEg7hhWL0TW
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"131Please respect copyright.PENANAlyvoiRkJRq
131Please respect copyright.PENANA777ipXXvsr
131Please respect copyright.PENANAX9AzAxjKxr
"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."131Please respect copyright.PENANArPyTmOXuyI
131Please respect copyright.PENANAX2SdyzmPdA
131Please respect copyright.PENANABVs4R4nqCk
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAk972xQFYmH
131Please respect copyright.PENANACmwX29kgUg
131Please respect copyright.PENANAwD2kSUxKEi
"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.131Please respect copyright.PENANAwvCJ0wabOX
131Please respect copyright.PENANAauqjTtlo5U
131Please respect copyright.PENANAUzWYrysSfu
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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAwwl0BXtoPr
131Please respect copyright.PENANApuKusckTWN
131Please respect copyright.PENANA4ECespKKnj
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."131Please respect copyright.PENANAIILB9yqMeZ
131Please respect copyright.PENANAW54sde0U06
131Please respect copyright.PENANAMapPrxLzW3
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.131Please respect copyright.PENANAYhECtc53Tl
131Please respect copyright.PENANACSEj53n7AG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAklOnTb20y2
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?131Please respect copyright.PENANAB9Bmyq5RqM
131Please respect copyright.PENANAknpdBiBr6x
131Please respect copyright.PENANAKKYTjOsjlb
"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.131Please respect copyright.PENANAO915UspILf
131Please respect copyright.PENANAQZJlyfuu20
131Please respect copyright.PENANAIULxa56lvm
"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.131Please respect copyright.PENANAweD8FgymJG
131Please respect copyright.PENANAbESZe4UAQb
131Please respect copyright.PENANAziZL1UXz7x
It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.