"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAcGysULDtAv
335Please respect copyright.PENANALFRnkNCW2S
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFeJvUiFygF
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANABcBvEwUyzZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANASWRyhSFIEE
335Please respect copyright.PENANAuh5R3aamjz
"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.335Please respect copyright.PENANAO4Wpg9cC4J
335Please respect copyright.PENANAseUp2WiTKZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1mTo3nhwlm
"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..."335Please respect copyright.PENANAVh266KfbNl
335Please respect copyright.PENANAOZhR5K49Hs
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5JeLEdCmL6
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA7LIginhOSt
335Please respect copyright.PENANAl8G8NdLQJn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAi0imsSRHMR
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAMhYwnZjIvo
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvK7JUckICW
335Please respect copyright.PENANAboSPbVXQSf
"I'm fine," I said.335Please respect copyright.PENANAKXzpgdJJQX
335Please respect copyright.PENANATHC0JLIklh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAO7mL4HUl6x
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.335Please respect copyright.PENANArGQPCaSyhz
335Please respect copyright.PENANABlTl2rYhpU
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlNL4LPfSCi
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.335Please respect copyright.PENANA9rdTvfcSql
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlAHdEGnT2R
335Please respect copyright.PENANAIayKig3eGY
"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.335Please respect copyright.PENANAAL3B3siKoX
335Please respect copyright.PENANA72WWcjkYsl
335Please respect copyright.PENANAa4aHl0UC2E
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANABNzi4aNZIY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoLNappOz77
335Please respect copyright.PENANAKP9nlpvWgk
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."335Please respect copyright.PENANAonXZu49P9v
335Please respect copyright.PENANAm8qmqeEE4T
335Please respect copyright.PENANAwCAFooT9Cw
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.335Please respect copyright.PENANAcSjrzHvo5j
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnwawz9Zpg0
335Please respect copyright.PENANAx33vv7CEX6
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAAnBXax9l48
335Please respect copyright.PENANACtQoRwQs0C
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqNAUVJzxiW
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAgLAJeyIlC6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcMfqNkE76N
335Please respect copyright.PENANAjRX4epInCW
"It's really nice," I commented.335Please respect copyright.PENANAnhm2MRZko5
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8Cjpi4PoOD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAwzZfbEGCes
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."335Please respect copyright.PENANADfSxWARjG9
335Please respect copyright.PENANArrXTES48eo
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnHS2wJQbxJ
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.335Please respect copyright.PENANATleruYT8Ou
335Please respect copyright.PENANAG9RvFVVwfh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAp9NS37Yedx
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAdncCVtMkfL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAR8qIvEwdcz
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvSMXjHhLEh
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANATYLMaqqHvD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAfHcm0JYbZU
335Please respect copyright.PENANArNXvlS77Sd
"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."335Please respect copyright.PENANAJbf1BRxc8m
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHaUWVxnyaW
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3NbrFOenGT
She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.335Please respect copyright.PENANAeRgTqOW9s4
335Please respect copyright.PENANAuEzfW37cVb
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2jjXzyAVC9
"You better eat up," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.PENANA4XOKdjYOmD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAb0pdxqp7Jj
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5boH4SDxK0
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJOGqIyRoYC
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlNWhks8BBL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAsQI7INssGc
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."335Please respect copyright.PENANAbwtoNTqCll
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZM1b0NzHV5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMbWIfeI42O
"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.335Please respect copyright.PENANAtbFVjBzQbx
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMBjimzqQHE
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnJYiJdHBS3
Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."335Please respect copyright.PENANAK1GnbqZPSg
335Please respect copyright.PENANANJU6LgFuId
335Please respect copyright.PENANAp2eDAqBsml
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANA8sHZcrSt3P
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5LKCVIzCeZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANARcyMqUQQD6
"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAp9VfF2oZEe
335Please respect copyright.PENANAkBdzPM10fp
335Please respect copyright.PENANA19ECf5BiZZ
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAE5DFnyhlOW
335Please respect copyright.PENANAK0MMmAlizo
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnl6x7waQzf
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAPOY3FHorcr
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyoYXWF92UE
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFQKUqSq0Gx
"What is it?" I asked.335Please respect copyright.PENANAU3DTWc2cB3
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2B2Dq71xFx
335Please respect copyright.PENANArAOildgoJK
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAAfW1c2zD4P
335Please respect copyright.PENANAs2EGn50LMf
335Please respect copyright.PENANA79HG036LVJ
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAUMXetpbTuN
335Please respect copyright.PENANAON4vVjhFKG
335Please respect copyright.PENANAxunPNrwk5b
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANAgDmCDRGfK5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAt93gXjLZjY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyUTEnSwJii
"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."335Please respect copyright.PENANAfpjxcVyWap
335Please respect copyright.PENANArE4MJcjA91
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqTkMG1eJUx
Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.335Please respect copyright.PENANAFWfYI3kFgJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAwNWxmVrw30
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2m5OCmbB5c
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJxyOCFHHGf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoczM8Qd9HK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAdWAIX00FLV
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAbXQfWQQpMM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAjX7pRZnhIR
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFesFw9AjcS
The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."335Please respect copyright.PENANAR6JraN2Xiq
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoHksyH8Zkx
335Please respect copyright.PENANAmcHHtvdjIq
"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.335Please respect copyright.PENANAgWyGv8X8lL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAbwEbcQC7Gu
335Please respect copyright.PENANAeCJA0yUCaP
"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAcinVUuTBes
335Please respect copyright.PENANAKCGmDbfYgF
335Please respect copyright.PENANAF0xFlFEsnp
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAW2dzASAQcg
335Please respect copyright.PENANAKtJKC1N7w6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAphivCVS3X2
Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.335Please respect copyright.PENANAvJRb3vnQWr
335Please respect copyright.PENANA9AokEmDr4V
335Please respect copyright.PENANAVjZmHUJnDq
"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.335Please respect copyright.PENANAVKoKLRQk1u
335Please respect copyright.PENANAPaufymV5Pk
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1f4KLUgGSM
"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.335Please respect copyright.PENANAHSV95DbB5O
335Please respect copyright.PENANAXvfipjbHXp
335Please respect copyright.PENANA0OxYWo0Ydk
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAzbwYC0AkzO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAUHtG1o5M5p
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEQgv7FbR0N
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."335Please respect copyright.PENANAldUCyrF8b8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFTzKlXg7D5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAGFR507SXYW
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAnNZ0b1jYjQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANANLuxG9yo4s
335Please respect copyright.PENANATHBYLdcBbY
"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.335Please respect copyright.PENANAQZyYGDWjfD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqjSeZ4ky3U
335Please respect copyright.PENANAS9rdeBgXlQ
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."335Please respect copyright.PENANA2oB3uJebb9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAN84VxJWYs1
335Please respect copyright.PENANAskXcF54RcK
"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."335Please respect copyright.PENANA0XMQLebHWG
335Please respect copyright.PENANAijBD0ywTTw
335Please respect copyright.PENANAeENNaovdkS
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.335Please respect copyright.PENANALwZfb95dNW
335Please respect copyright.PENANAuRclB9YoFM
335Please respect copyright.PENANArMOAv1BIg1
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA2pnAT1nys6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAmVaHS6OyUn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcJlko2f2XO
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAOe0rt5Cmz6
335Please respect copyright.PENANA56wTkkMSzx
335Please respect copyright.PENANA859o1TXXGu
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAQXrLXtGoyu
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcUcfxRO6xI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJqtH1fIQWD
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.335Please respect copyright.PENANAKRtpPcqjIl
335Please respect copyright.PENANAz2feK8bBfo
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEji9pMMf3Y
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA2rbD7nT5U9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMANh0OVs5P
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7hTUU9zpL
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAb0X9qDfMkJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAp1XR1Z7HJ6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAps5xMYVWsl
"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"335Please respect copyright.PENANANWmchYcABI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHzSYO8Px2E
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8rWjtlOLFF
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.335Please respect copyright.PENANAQnfl8j7dxW
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnhIRQqAIzP
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1dNLRgUEf
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAWPYv8u2wT9
335Please respect copyright.PENANApT3LU1N7gX
335Please respect copyright.PENANAzyJpp7zQsH
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.335Please respect copyright.PENANAtC9qXDFMLV
335Please respect copyright.PENANArcBH1Itv4c
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEayWy3xwIA
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"335Please respect copyright.PENANArQ0kiCRgXA
335Please respect copyright.PENANAxUNMF7vAP5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFtsOLOTLm8
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"335Please respect copyright.PENANACKWD970i8W
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWsdCFXbVpK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAW9VhHYvwNG
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANASEmKqiXAK8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAM0f8hlFYbH
335Please respect copyright.PENANAuVmYyEZmPf
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAv2f2aahGfV
335Please respect copyright.PENANAAkmYlLhW3b
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2cISMQJQ7Q
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAOTkozoX6rV
335Please respect copyright.PENANAy1xYX5Gmlf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAg9z6XvbrgH
"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.335Please respect copyright.PENANAXDPByHwXay
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqk4vG6F9j6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHruvgHfwHp
I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJbUzNiUzde
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5VuwrQ99Sh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvj5Xvi1qTD
"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAE50KWL5Ei5
335Please respect copyright.PENANA6afDl9dYrm
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8wreUE5Dok
No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.335Please respect copyright.PENANA2UKrAc9x5a
335Please respect copyright.PENANA9uQAOgB0CQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA43pyjyTTJU
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA6vDghijCWT
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5HsMJD3g86
335Please respect copyright.PENANAa2HvuCyXNN
"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAw3tcSEKwfl
335Please respect copyright.PENANAXfNeDYEVZ6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWLarQkSQ78
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3Pp3Yp3CE
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5njGn5tnIY
335Please respect copyright.PENANABt2SccHlBM
"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.335Please respect copyright.PENANAKz4ZtExd7p
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8ciLeBfVQn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAs63X7nq3MD
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANAVqMeR1WQ67
335Please respect copyright.PENANATbXInoOlZZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAeuk64zRipu
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAz0JGxiNLc6
335Please respect copyright.PENANATnRUHjIovI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMoKmwxoMKJ
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAV1XCjK20El
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFiHkSpHsp6
335Please respect copyright.PENANADRpPpkBOsH
"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."335Please respect copyright.PENANARbDyKzNUxS
335Please respect copyright.PENANAO0dzFDbdOn
335Please respect copyright.PENANATmuihAauH3
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAlvaDUw9fcK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAAvHyyUbIcj
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2jdQ7yoSb2
"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.335Please respect copyright.PENANAtaBrRG3SRz
335Please respect copyright.PENANAmwF4m4FNPD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAftpDrTnB8o
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJLwbr9KGgX
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2dzguqLye7
335Please respect copyright.PENANAh5Lzo7caFj
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAru6zJ8b5DJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAsIw92KVsyp
335Please respect copyright.PENANAs0DxDs1nCe
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."335Please respect copyright.PENANA2at8Q77nfW
335Please respect copyright.PENANASdcK7pu7CG
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3dhVwXwiCG
"Ask me something else, then."335Please respect copyright.PENANAjoLIFvMgwe
335Please respect copyright.PENANAxL9WpWMJaK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAf7psEOTXVv
"Who are you?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAb7Wi2xTolU
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcJkBGKhcMc
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqq2bUdCkJh
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA9mG3yGF4QC
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqeLmgUp0g0
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3Wu94VeXH0
"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."335Please respect copyright.PENANARHj5Cebv0U
335Please respect copyright.PENANAiimRh6SXte
335Please respect copyright.PENANA76fHW3vzfj
The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."335Please respect copyright.PENANAekajDN2BXc
335Please respect copyright.PENANAkjArIjQvGf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHEUB3uGhWf
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAiyZplV8pUF
335Please respect copyright.PENANApFKOgz3tPe
335Please respect copyright.PENANAzsq5EnKybX
"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."335Please respect copyright.PENANAh2SrERkIf0
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEVlcUXx1Wo
335Please respect copyright.PENANAD2JgYZenGt
"How do you know my name?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAxKskko7Z3r
335Please respect copyright.PENANAxjqiiBDQOp
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEUYQ9j7K4a
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.335Please respect copyright.PENANAoIC98LuTYJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA6hKc7s4hBM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAtRIOZW50Jm
"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."335Please respect copyright.PENANAmjJnaE9AvT
335Please respect copyright.PENANAGCF5ccjIJh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAbkXqjtIU5i
Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA9WXSoC0un6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAugZ5jqOYS5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAa22jOxjAbJ
"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.335Please respect copyright.PENANAPbpSgiz5um
335Please respect copyright.PENANADPzEWbgUfb
335Please respect copyright.PENANAsB3jgn0ylE
"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAfIMPc7elxu
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWKtRj1Zbft
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHnRRL1ovfr
Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."335Please respect copyright.PENANAq6oSeU7Y92
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZjQUEG5jk9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAukMqQn3w8l
I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"335Please respect copyright.PENANArQXwVpbPte
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMwCDSLMLDH
335Please respect copyright.PENANAM3jJgXZVji
"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."335Please respect copyright.PENANAKhxvCDraLL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWcDNIrUjqS
335Please respect copyright.PENANAIUE22tBIUj
My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."335Please respect copyright.PENANAAyoXCDaVfS
335Please respect copyright.PENANASYWuSWBjMj
335Please respect copyright.PENANAOdr74WWm6M
"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."335Please respect copyright.PENANAre5xYf7klQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnQl2XfDkVH
335Please respect copyright.PENANABgyu7r4M5A
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAX1y2Q2d4IU
335Please respect copyright.PENANAOHxGpdO8yv
335Please respect copyright.PENANAF0ne81628Z
"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.335Please respect copyright.PENANA2yYqTstgl9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAVHoMxeGTJi
335Please respect copyright.PENANAfkGDN7LFfi
"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."335Please respect copyright.PENANA2jKqGmnhKf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvnzMk4LwDj
335Please respect copyright.PENANACD6qqXXLaC
"What are you going to do to me?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAO9UB87qnsQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAovvbgdGXRp
335Please respect copyright.PENANALj745lZoLf
Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."335Please respect copyright.PENANAE15Kp1G4xB
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnodcqHq2gE
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZEXsI01IhJ
"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."335Please respect copyright.PENANA2dzyJOyUVf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyzxJdf32pI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnI4X1ZAG0W
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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAWACA25SeB9
335Please respect copyright.PENANARhsOIDDI1Z
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJdfWzPDU0M
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANALlZK9TenMX
335Please respect copyright.PENANAv6vlhBKgWJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAk2i6cQboNW
"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.335Please respect copyright.PENANAe0bwAHVkhF
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlqpw9DSn8O
335Please respect copyright.PENANAf015qJbAF1
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAuLsB1LVPMj
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJ86bOZtlnX
335Please respect copyright.PENANASUm5UDPVJ1
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:335Please respect copyright.PENANAS5UTL43Stn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAwz3jfHnDop
335Please respect copyright.PENANAOPJvqMm5hV
The birds.335Please respect copyright.PENANAiqp8WnykY2
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFA75zR2VSQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAk9Y03X9msk
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA3OXlm7RtPd
335Please respect copyright.PENANAdzW3bjaoos
335Please respect copyright.PENANABN5sTblhcA
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAihisCXU45q
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1o51Ue85q6
335Please respect copyright.PENANA9zeFjfXila
"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."335Please respect copyright.PENANAmDvjQJpgvn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAbAbun4MmLs
335Please respect copyright.PENANAYKBXl3oOG6
"I beg to differ."335Please respect copyright.PENANAiKH1kt5OiQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA05m3KPuYmO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAv7k4jW4HbO
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAgtcF48m2yM
335Please respect copyright.PENANA4ztxupcvaq
335Please respect copyright.PENANAw5sB8UmEWV
"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.335Please respect copyright.PENANA6IOfbHPbau
335Please respect copyright.PENANAYWgirbRoRE
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3FBRu1y8PN
He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.335Please respect copyright.PENANAnnYyxb9zZx
335Please respect copyright.PENANAfYwVdTiunm
335Please respect copyright.PENANA05UbW61lHb
"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.335Please respect copyright.PENANA8ADGTNGYKA
335Please respect copyright.PENANAzM8CDLRbG9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFkLZkXfO5c
"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."335Please respect copyright.PENANAlLkBA0DgWf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAd9AhzjxcZA
335Please respect copyright.PENANAse5SIImvDb
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAKT2K5fljxt
335Please respect copyright.PENANALXpz8j1pG1
335Please respect copyright.PENANABjDuxOsg7M
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAeN9sQFyp8G
335Please respect copyright.PENANAhjA6qInbe6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcELszLAH9K
I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.335Please respect copyright.PENANA8rCigrJ5Ru
335Please respect copyright.PENANAum1bbjqWXK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyL3AybGSbL
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA6pIBqfMZNU
335Please respect copyright.PENANAReU7JtLM0Z
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcwhMFqqSyT
"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."335Please respect copyright.PENANAZiWQT3JleY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAY5WxX4rkQa
335Please respect copyright.PENANAb6AiHi025w
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA5Fts5t3NtO
335Please respect copyright.PENANATPZXk2MK13
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoq9ne4x2Er
"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.335Please respect copyright.PENANAjMFEMAxWO1
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoULhBmRWKg
335Please respect copyright.PENANA9oGN9X1MBf
"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.335Please respect copyright.PENANAHzDPyVO2sL
335Please respect copyright.PENANARhlWR1g8x2
335Please respect copyright.PENANApxhaLzktCZ
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAMsQwqyzldw
335Please respect copyright.PENANAPANqjp8Iih
335Please respect copyright.PENANANeNz7qvTyl
I winced. "She can do that?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAyBDIGqDxlf
335Please respect copyright.PENANA6RJzvGh9yB
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoGPf91YpHv
"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."335Please respect copyright.PENANA3FD1gytJZy
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcYOY7h7W1W
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3jtX8fy5Lg
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA7fTUH3ZABD
335Please respect copyright.PENANANYoJBQPLH2
335Please respect copyright.PENANA66txNQJPXp
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAzjopSUacMG
335Please respect copyright.PENANATDXMjuuhaO
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1qxB8cgMB0
"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."335Please respect copyright.PENANAOvtjOzxd2O
335Please respect copyright.PENANAaTQkoE2bgy
335Please respect copyright.PENANAs9jzsVB2fM
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAgTcEnuF0QS
335Please respect copyright.PENANA7T66Qd8FXv
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlt3TsEOzmc
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAbKTuy488la
335Please respect copyright.PENANAXepFtBe4w4
335Please respect copyright.PENANAAqmdCmLt5b
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA57pxHtgNyi
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5yeECBUPWd
335Please respect copyright.PENANA7KemLFdQmH
"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."335Please respect copyright.PENANAI2mY3gM0XK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAGWwYeoilnL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAbA2cghBZC4
"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."335Please respect copyright.PENANAf0ShaCqG1Q
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQFRZmi19n3
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcKwkaR0hsm
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0Q3ZzIF7S
335Please respect copyright.PENANApUGa9oDBL5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZNAejKFgEL
"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAW1zzRO8oBG
335Please respect copyright.PENANArLJv4tmUsM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAan2NGrWnOc
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAsSpv23Ccw5
335Please respect copyright.PENANALqedN47nQT
335Please respect copyright.PENANAY2bvQ5xTW9
"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."335Please respect copyright.PENANAbCkzOJS5zx
335Please respect copyright.PENANAC1rF6u3GcS
335Please respect copyright.PENANAkBzmtQgW6J
Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."335Please respect copyright.PENANA9V5Xub4TIn
335Please respect copyright.PENANArtw4tO2uaA
335Please respect copyright.PENANAS3Iw6Sd750
I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?335Please respect copyright.PENANAq8Kw0VjWfY
335Please respect copyright.PENANArWoJE9TzxG
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZvp9ZbcZqB
"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.PENANA79NNnFmLmV
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJYT5o7tamJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAP0M8oTJ0d6
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAVbuvNgBJdl
335Please respect copyright.PENANAX8CgST2fAm
335Please respect copyright.PENANAbi1fWRmVXB
"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?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAgrekfiI5LR
335Please respect copyright.PENANAI95R1vxykN
335Please respect copyright.PENANAgFgA9QNKru
His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?335Please respect copyright.PENANAbbhz72tSyg
335Please respect copyright.PENANADvD48n4Tw7
335Please respect copyright.PENANAhazvhN43V3
"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAzodQo2SzKV
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFuQgjNNUa9
335Please respect copyright.PENANABKZzSCmsIE
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANApeYFy2FVX9
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2ABM1Hf8zn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAomcngYlyZ9
"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.335Please respect copyright.PENANAUCaHEdSSTy
335Please respect copyright.PENANABBlAITeXt6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlgeCZOf8KH
"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAft3R1zKmS2
335Please respect copyright.PENANATKM7Hobr51
335Please respect copyright.PENANAoReiDBGVSY
"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.335Please respect copyright.PENANAN8IvtFp5My
335Please respect copyright.PENANAk7srFWW3L7
335Please respect copyright.PENANAt7F6xEDDyP
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANA6jb1XMA9My
335Please respect copyright.PENANAsmXs4lTKAK
335Please respect copyright.PENANA21M1zSsvTM
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?"335Please respect copyright.PENANALHHux2USk0
335Please respect copyright.PENANA0qj2Yil4si
335Please respect copyright.PENANAcnxvTKxzPx
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAE6GpBk4TMH
335Please respect copyright.PENANAFLVCZKyUNZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAdUABOJTvlH
"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."335Please respect copyright.PENANATEyruAlmoI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAp3AOzNEm6F
335Please respect copyright.PENANAobNJdBGiTF
"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.335Please respect copyright.PENANAYMV3W4j8BO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAzdadEQB2mi
335Please respect copyright.PENANANConI9iHUQ
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANAe98gGuVIB8
335Please respect copyright.PENANA6RPOZNVQVY
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5uKqIBB9Iz
"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA29KMlPe3O9
335Please respect copyright.PENANAo3Ga0sEpFU
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMueyxcdzUh
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?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA73PIU6hcpb
335Please respect copyright.PENANARrulCW1QjC
335Please respect copyright.PENANABJwuH7XTWj
What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?335Please respect copyright.PENANAS2YnH5FEna
335Please respect copyright.PENANARSiG8XYwuh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAc4UHJIIKx7
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANACzeuTVrbqh
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3i4yhguLnO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAgbmf9XLy8j
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAuZPkm7Dfbt
335Please respect copyright.PENANAu8R9BSpNBI
335Please respect copyright.PENANABAb2pcSoHl
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANADfEFkD8Ozp
335Please respect copyright.PENANANeFBVYYts8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAmb2FGaMyhF
"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAtWglNaN1HI
335Please respect copyright.PENANA0F82cmvxOQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqiCHEaV8vI
"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.335Please respect copyright.PENANAHW3xLI9h5o
335Please respect copyright.PENANALGvNwkH07o
335Please respect copyright.PENANALQDMgDe4P7
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAhRiQtqdEQJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHA22IpVovB
335Please respect copyright.PENANAUGTmyzkrsc
"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.PENANAEgBLOqcNxj
335Please respect copyright.PENANALt00A62qhI
335Please respect copyright.PENANA0KtE2gWylY
"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.335Please respect copyright.PENANAr1JUs1qwlK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQYOuRnJCUO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZTO7xjFJ6x
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-?335Please respect copyright.PENANAzPSQneVKTq
335Please respect copyright.PENANAAMtEFB0PfB
335Please respect copyright.PENANA6CMPReqshJ
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANAoU0yzokVhK
335Please respect copyright.PENANAADFkuh4siZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWdCOrZPNsW
"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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAgEG68SYpYp
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHg4TLmxxCM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAsEUpAcbLWH
"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAAS8fmWirZS
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8BmvS5K1vk
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvAo1ugrIci
"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."335Please respect copyright.PENANAiDUHepcPoy
335Please respect copyright.PENANAiCkokZFWym
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHcJWO8N9Nu
"Come on, Diana," said Stella.335Please respect copyright.PENANAQZY0sDsTkq
335Please respect copyright.PENANAw3Cvi7qfu3
335Please respect copyright.PENANANtqW8WlLxM
"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.335Please respect copyright.PENANA4ezxc2GO45
335Please respect copyright.PENANAT2JZ3qxncg
335Please respect copyright.PENANAVsEGkMRiKT
"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."335Please respect copyright.PENANAtbSmZ4WzhH
335Please respect copyright.PENANAG2JP5zc9Dd
335Please respect copyright.PENANA88nDyjWE2H
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANAWdIbo5ICBy
335Please respect copyright.PENANANh2r5e7XVw
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnwjENa6fky
I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.335Please respect copyright.PENANAirF87WHZPy
335Please respect copyright.PENANAWwg0z9Aljc
335Please respect copyright.PENANAm5F2butUg6
"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAUamzX07hSp
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnSjbh7E8dd
335Please respect copyright.PENANAslwwoVtFul
"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.335Please respect copyright.PENANAl5SCnzd3RO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlJgcmFIy2H
335Please respect copyright.PENANAN25GrthgGm
"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."335Please respect copyright.PENANAuVL0zrmYCX
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3n84WBtNy8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAiKxpZvuTqj
"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAVBs6UrqcWW
335Please respect copyright.PENANApZRoBSLHNW
335Please respect copyright.PENANALMtBkmP7Xw
Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."335Please respect copyright.PENANAjOXsZYr8U5
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ahj3wJmbU
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8743rnp4nf
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAII8fdoVRBF
335Please respect copyright.PENANAAm2Oet9QSH
335Please respect copyright.PENANACUR1fEqHx3
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAMr1ftnuA4d
335Please respect copyright.PENANAqI4J22ZDrO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnV3aboOiqs
"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.335Please respect copyright.PENANA7xBKQEz4av
335Please respect copyright.PENANAfSsk41YeHC
335Please respect copyright.PENANAP3MRUpbeYl
"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."335Please respect copyright.PENANAdAYllKckAP
335Please respect copyright.PENANAooYUyz0JnC
335Please respect copyright.PENANAKLVdGM1tiy
"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5r2DzT7uu
335Please respect copyright.PENANApjy01e5iln
335Please respect copyright.PENANArQmkJKrDgF
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANALxAsepbJwn
335Please respect copyright.PENANAVHD7Vq6i2e
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEtnUovIsJr
I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?335Please respect copyright.PENANAdZOD7Grjma
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8zhntqiaTB
335Please respect copyright.PENANARSrtep4i6s
"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.335Please respect copyright.PENANAg3ZMLP7WmI
335Please respect copyright.PENANAPOLJ1wrlWS
335Please respect copyright.PENANAo0wEeuN4D7
"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?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAiDzLHPaZNZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1XUW9lxFP3
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3TS9eBGQrM
"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."335Please respect copyright.PENANAp6aXrvmKVQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAr0XFZjzarM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAN4g9GLdyoe
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."335Please respect copyright.PENANA7FGB6nX3J8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAuG8NRds9dV
335Please respect copyright.PENANADAWTAyCA2C
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANA7gCOZ3c44U
335Please respect copyright.PENANABIGrMn2WoM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnRVRTdVB2b
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAMbd4IZ3llH
335Please respect copyright.PENANA2OvlOn321n
335Please respect copyright.PENANARkUE8y14dH
"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAxGkKg2q0SA
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5EkWnle9yE
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3UL0RyTeaM
"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."335Please respect copyright.PENANA7IRhwOElfn
335Please respect copyright.PENANABU4DtaoiEr
335Please respect copyright.PENANASiPZ7vIYWZ
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAgeuanRSJOX
335Please respect copyright.PENANAS2ioMpd5J6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAVS7fUTNHQz
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAWRbiaOeotB
335Please respect copyright.PENANAGHogltXMC2
335Please respect copyright.PENANAn8JMHcLwx3
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA4Yw9VXbXsR
335Please respect copyright.PENANAGkUl7ADkZZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA8qJNYnBbjt
"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."335Please respect copyright.PENANAtjQd6HBBIa
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHFinG4amsY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAH2lOntlRhs
"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAZmlhDbK23f
335Please respect copyright.PENANAB9yDbOsddu
335Please respect copyright.PENANAARtbukrlor
"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."335Please respect copyright.PENANA15gnG3y4it
335Please respect copyright.PENANAHsS0rXNfFt
335Please respect copyright.PENANAz2vGCNH1E2
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA2yk5MNd7Jk
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEeeU7WMyXx
335Please respect copyright.PENANAdWEQw7cHa5
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAfng1Z5XwOO
335Please respect copyright.PENANAYqx9HB2wl6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAIbVymaG2PV
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANALA1ax2g7oX
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQmX16R7P77
335Please respect copyright.PENANALsAvZwgURS
I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.335Please respect copyright.PENANALxXYLXAE0A
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQpkwnJhllX
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2AqUzAfFC
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANALdMhKgjuXf
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMiI9snniOZ
335Please respect copyright.PENANAiSCDw67ymE
"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."335Please respect copyright.PENANAwruvBkBVYu
335Please respect copyright.PENANAhErbD7nFk3
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyBAxm4SWSO
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAxpldTlXOk6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEg2Ak1I6Dr
335Please respect copyright.PENANAezEoucSRTW
I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."335Please respect copyright.PENANA1dmmBCyjJN
335Please respect copyright.PENANAQcQDs9jMn3
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEn75c5S7Cl
"Before we start, you better get patched up."335Please respect copyright.PENANAMETtWZCEVz
335Please respect copyright.PENANAt5O9zrqFp8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAdOGo5XYoN8
"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.335Please respect copyright.PENANAOS7KvHFjWM
335Please respect copyright.PENANAkIBA5NPNjb
335Please respect copyright.PENANAkoGSquIdDN
"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.335Please respect copyright.PENANAEZe7jRSShc
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJLP0YujFT6
335Please respect copyright.PENANAyyp35vYxQJ
"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"335Please respect copyright.PENANA3gCfyCFYy3
335Please respect copyright.PENANAmcnGTsyXaJ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA3IbAjlvM5y
"Did you summon them?"335Please respect copyright.PENANANY2weiUfis
335Please respect copyright.PENANAabLWjcizVv
335Please respect copyright.PENANAvW8RPHgLiN
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"335Please respect copyright.PENANAOYJtTYLCEh
335Please respect copyright.PENANAafhozfUGEm
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5waGjV8Mkx
"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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAMmHTwjkAGY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAZwjnBVW0KD
335Please respect copyright.PENANAEqfJul9nnQ
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANAprVliz5fjx
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5ppzUrjQhy
335Please respect copyright.PENANAnJ69HCvAt0
"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.335Please respect copyright.PENANAJmspjJdRyu
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZgX7WoFYQ
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5Q6kOdX7r0
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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAmV637OwYBV
335Please respect copyright.PENANA56IxiPV6TY
335Please respect copyright.PENANAMjZTLNeFbk
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."335Please respect copyright.PENANAwmwtDqgDKx
335Please respect copyright.PENANA5c2nqa7kQb
335Please respect copyright.PENANAlmBldUOFRT
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.335Please respect copyright.PENANA15vqPDwS8p
335Please respect copyright.PENANA1ckSZCcMN8
335Please respect copyright.PENANAhV8i7MGi1K
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?335Please respect copyright.PENANACLjY0qWgOE
335Please respect copyright.PENANAl2lT9ZFtQj
335Please respect copyright.PENANApEJIVa8pT1
"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.335Please respect copyright.PENANAxmFxqErDFL
335Please respect copyright.PENANAidOhaYegl5
335Please respect copyright.PENANAJEza7RpucF
"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.335Please respect copyright.PENANABn7RSESuGG
335Please respect copyright.PENANASSKyIjGwim
335Please respect copyright.PENANAPpXoMxleoT
It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.