"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW3MD3VwQr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZoJhvn2sg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgEfRIQ91u
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj01Bbghg9x
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccEP14WgUA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgFZeSOPeh
"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RPT0lrz9x
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqQ9RFw0dg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABPohgBOZs
"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..."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzGFRAMhjE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmch38lAjMe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5wIcsUjKk
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwlaTmS5hb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sK7b61Mif
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO7DcVDQW3
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJZ0vJnDTK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzclrf08B1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND0BYGqebU
"I'm fine," I said.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y21u5j1d7
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D8POQPmrD
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKCsMblk5T
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPBH9A6hBd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX1VrQZPqX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBm67VKgG2
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoenpLwLYV
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfm7qTPB6N
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtK1Oj0vPW
"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmcELFd8pC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zSMlHTbj7
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVb7x0cccm
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUywxA0uGEG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEF2Eb23ds
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKz8LWhhGQ
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjDjfkOI00
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTMdzwyD4v
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12KnXqVTFI
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8IqYwkRQL
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH48Qb6HyF2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtZVIjUEES
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o6t2RgHVw
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyzeEQMXmg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlfQehZlZN
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd69ts8reC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjum4QJDZU
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Bhg4alOB
"It's really nice," I commented.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRgVKRk4Mn
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j5LNiztQf
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU2PiAhmrn
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyDVyf2zQF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqRlCI0JRD
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGiWi3raz6
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhnAJetDmm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTiUIgceTB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMHbi8Bef9
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz5oJ9uydh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsLoEYAYLH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuyLqm0Bps
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlsmeQ8y63
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡect8ZrBnFp
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJIHeLXZv8
"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN0j7uFYZ3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp69l7LJbd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGhB0EDZaP
She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7IzzZ2zmc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkh0kAdaOV
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pIV9fvvTG
"You better eat up," said Ariana.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj2lDdpSTd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZORQJETXB5
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3dkd3CT3G
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb8FzBWg3b
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaYGmaM4hC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZATs02vM8
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl4rAefbJ6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp27XGTEE30
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNnEClnRMQ
"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjHH6jfQcn
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXmwioIzr1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3XGaBoJTx
Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZw1LIWqRc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh6PqOinw4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0FTXIraw0
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U3eBtSZYP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstvHxh9vnl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxFQLk62pD
"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtKX1vmyAo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXVjuUg6N
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfiYydEQ5d
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyj7G9ktcN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSZGe697hI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGD4qzZJr8
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoQ7gUKUq1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36kvOGReQX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeZB97P6Wh
"What is it?" I asked.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3v31Xw2Ka
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGkkjxRCP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWK3HseF0L
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR8Ugks2zW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QsQ5cQ2K9
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMRYvXYNQd
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHp4nIBJBB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LXHxL7Xfr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHHZwLMCD6
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbMF1DMDL
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONt4pXl9Ua
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbDjBS7dCR
"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqaU8FgVJ0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069z4GXHz0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0UHqj7Fyp
Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjif37Be9r
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHL8zCFkbe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UA8NN1bbX
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeijh30dMA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj3tMTRbpB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9YQfjvIxz
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv3ppjlNVG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCJ0ZktTXL
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jrvzyOPRX
The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuczupMInqF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMtsdOp6rP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ApVZEm3G
"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmAoJdToWv
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYcZpZDGeB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZEgvwTw4x
"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2u39exRaz
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp9Gg12CSP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQEgTWA7uq
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstwCGfBP7H
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxTud9etVb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCos2tBEeh
Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlcJhQ1ByG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQY3oa7pC7
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlBgvRqSmg
"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YCFWAOW9h
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoLKbhmxce
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSQZh1ON19
"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYvfLdzdL
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gZMP1MIxm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVj6OZDS6Z
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU33UOrafaN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs2J3MQmDD
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52LrxiZwvz
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMk9sJhhst
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBxJYOQ1Fx
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBacewRQMa
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvNiZyRuQ2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4qoq3srHp
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudcpdRaGLZ
"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dX0YXCOaW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5l8YUTNBJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjRruay3Hi
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7sJVIPKyI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqoIVzlxo4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQlF71Lffy
"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog9rrGB6Qy
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEqZ1koi6u
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvC3f6ejnT
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTkL2sjd3c
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XqoSEa1tY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbuRzYm5NQ
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtMKX0WPu4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZAMPTIKmU
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaRtgUtrsS
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1vtqGIhoW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HqUz6mQbb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3fxQRUmKO
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB6QN5zEaQ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIuULPrWSf
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb7I11xdCI
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXhzorpl3L
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AR4CqGg9N
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJykvA2a6A3
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjxNbdl50H
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxxyvId4d3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyYaZoPXIc
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vjzhtwJkK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF96QtwoGrC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGHnPznW06
"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzWf1XonnP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n5PW1GO7E
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB9XNAwXxl
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEUtJRnvzC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc1060Co7S
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyJPpmebl6
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGWRYW42um
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYE34wbf0W
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNEJ7sB3dm
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT1FF7Ur7d
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmkWj99KOm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JOejCXKT3
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomFbaes5Cl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3T0jfsirk
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyG0z6m06Q
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuz58E0WNA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFjr7tbKvh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqK5MCJCh4
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7UyZyKjcc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkecvXiJYS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ggy6KZpGG
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0IlFR4lpP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyU4jRnkQM
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBA2VAP8jx
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrp19gMG0j
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvEDgYQAUm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWhfZrIn1p
"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsC9gvoaHb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDqfelMdnm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM824I5vtr
I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuuN9GDCe2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UhPw9Dc1d
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BGusCB4F7
"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlg2hyWwZg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jnTEHMOHH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm1FIzo1Fw
No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW3FHHlAeo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xcx5d5lPB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxnKhj4TzZ
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ374Bb7VnXZ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXv9l9fiLj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdMyve5Hma
"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVLULgVZOP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnh5ZiB5Ah
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sE4M84YvV
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmON6OYbhvr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAd6Qw2p45
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYLTxxmxGq
"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPOi1Ei209
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGCXF4MVP3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARpvoCwHBc
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuZhNXbHFi
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCznNWH7TH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHhcT93GsY
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XKKP4adi8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cm9SgufZT
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcPMKcVmux
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgqEHUUqQ7
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIYQzZlpdN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZv2NLckMo
"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdwzVAFu0Y
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B7tBH6RSC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd71qmtqih
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9u5PBRQi8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sAgHkqgMx
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtIPQfL8WD
"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxzkrRgMn6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0jbL8OafP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJrrxr7xNi
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcXDHzjWOq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7E4JLJVaJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIBgDe2bd
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbKW3kFOmC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1haO07wphT
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuUdTdIn4J
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa4RvdnmVa
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL9RxEM0Qd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfFdB10HFl
"Ask me something else, then."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYQCbgHHAC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUiOHXOPs6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCm437Bhnx
"Who are you?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuU6FUlVoO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXyPwGIdXd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr7IJIWUj5
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtldjbxpC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb3wQ0LOdT
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZOrSYQe53
"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgZHNvzJfq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ZRyVEODI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygCcjvjhQ0
The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoUbhur4Nc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZgBtXiEaQ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYfPOTVmYG
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSzErc8Y9W
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6cNIQB7jm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoYH2SeSgI
"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssaUCgUJAo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9oZOvWyv3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKglPwGB1kZ
"How do you know my name?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ06eqH8wuj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelxCtDbNeh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwlOTC6quS
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQjaGvLrBc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW4qszvG8y
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7hBR5lzjT
"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcJOaOJ5dv
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQqNE64REM
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh1hnXKJQ8
Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz25fmCHEFh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuczgAUL6QB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpw9HRXRyK
"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B92IBG94o
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhE6aKEzrX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztGK55UEHZ
"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4tRmKgLsI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrN5EMd54J
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm35ab2dzjt
Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeq2vvYvEj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjbhcdyZtt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsE2FxrZKs
I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7459wuUvO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvGCUDgmnp
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRFKPnU6Lq
"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseuLrw3LL5
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqyVAHT2Gi
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjiplOdW2l
My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JkTMxNIqe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTlpYOwI0b
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4JvNPemDm
"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDZOo0eJuj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpxB6gRlhi
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJen97hxe3
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wzXq9HKP3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswmn7a17tE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKG28953Hs
"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwwTQN74b3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMNQd1wESl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QM4frniZ
"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmfnwohYye
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGgcOonOXE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAjyoQqQym
"What are you going to do to me?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hq378XITp
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOUonVSelD
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCF2gKj4OY
Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6UgNDLQqU
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ASMSw296S
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjJHetFw42
"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uv62brCQE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjvdvq2Xa
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9gDn7uo4L
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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fRuiueOoC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqFLlk8YuS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVLUO3GSCe
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiizoOg5f
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrV6Shibc8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQS3yyMxsC
"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yGEk5LUpP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONHCZBzykX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqzV2PCGMH
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRameh21Ke
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRAouC4vFt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZJXRSScWQ
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:374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22u5gugFmm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rS5lLxKvR
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrso983Lzl
The birds.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2OjLOSoB0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabWkonncOI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEh9FM6FOu
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsZiqegnel
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRFpzjkWu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL4DvweGvs
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tPeP11uvd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKCGrggf8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJjdxz6JRl
"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1hc9n8Aid
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj4Z6u3xGS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7STHR9ZH1
"I beg to differ."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GzHdnF3QO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbqO9WPW0j
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2iFcALOPW
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotesPVuaAZ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EpoIRUF5x
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJAguVveEa
"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwEuCIgg0l
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7prZrxa3a
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYjoZXXnxD
He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgaKxjdymn
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot77cyxkC4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCqYOlxpXx
"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bgxbkBPPW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00mkQvFqlO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI4QvRnS3q
"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmAoN1pTTc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNrmD9frCk
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSHG8S7UOr
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHebcGtnbZK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaTfA59UI8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs1e31GNB9
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXah7AZPTs
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJATVuf4Sj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu30xURDugJ
I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLOJCDqA8v
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOd15OGkbM
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1QUJHxXpK
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBAL7HYGA3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z4m57ln6z
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0NfpyLl8K
"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqd8hcemIc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJUWaEhnq3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTGmlx9tSl
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUjC7eXqYm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv0EN6SQB6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhknw4SiZMx
"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOatgtNhQl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUgIl0XM4I
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vOshVCCUH
"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2pSG4OKhb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4c0UiJL3K
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76XojNPTFv
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwj0lepkNh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrLC8K1zJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeaFmXpiU4
I winced. "She can do that?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynWaWZDbLS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGASY43OUd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAVjEPtOPs
"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nod5B92Mx
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQvrAwNXqj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRTI8titDX
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPClj5kR6t
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDqRY7XjWo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOa0pbS0zv
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2w7L0v3VI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GYmBjAXEy
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuiZq6uT29
"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTlqMbJpcS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7XzJgb0vk
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc5PqCUMra
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsrrZro2jF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa1oHlyriR
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ90yqbeck
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NxqAOD1m4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sPDwZ02rI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmSK2mrmNy
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOvOIJRzEl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEXqSlDhkb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPuoCigBPz
"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cQU512B4Z
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKBwTSDDrr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4L3TwVGit
"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iVRbtA8ld
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYgcr9w0su
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcymeuSEt5
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv9ON19PRX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwixCA3GFxj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoqUYh4SHr
"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1A25sEJij
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJXrBvHDp6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9nLDc5Tle
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaUZDiUZjg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofhpy5TYIJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDlXtUbbWQ
"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXleqlLpiv
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSpxreEYIN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3aQtzNdN5
Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTLyD6xcpN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyARVCHZYaR
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqNlYrvY30
I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRckZF6T2id
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO5gtj70rY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KIaZ6LpP
"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqKk8dCJ44
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WHEKuqoMd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8ZjCcYbjU
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCwvDeQA3N
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiU1RPgDCk
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfU4obonz6
"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?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwq5C071BG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxpmhplEgA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vdexg91ic
His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsaeF90bwm
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0eo4wpFdp
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzzosl1YMK
"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQymc3hf1Q7
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjifXmHVreb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdFdMCjLdC
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8rYAQdg9f
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimy4ifZXMH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYLV3dgzAJ
"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rIJb4UHH6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO00DALqgF8
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbDWn7EYBR
"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0os1BeeeA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9yJSnOXRo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu93irfQUp
"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqpoQkshky
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHUtWAIYOl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71QFAM0gZC
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPQqNQbu2z
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvGAKOZ5IX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf1iNcRH8y
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?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhmtxbN0cN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OaOEYpSmJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATyLnBcCps
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrkd7knKdl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqjl5FjMpq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmXHkdunnM
"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKFpTFJCQ1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcGk93kvGh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYhM6Eu2my
"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVi2oNQePG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zb0raaFbu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfK2n5ozU7
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVqT9KIHY0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoBm7gGv3M
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nyvuq8Xpa
"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApQYU9gn1s
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLBCEt4fu0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhqsENyDfK
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?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR14s21lSV
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BqTfq1i3o
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHpGj0rG8q
What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlMGf6sMFc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtKBLlyTTY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0joq2JjZo
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj42K6Mk8Z3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0twZz7hOY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcnBO8ag3M
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhErTVJ2s3i
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeGi1X5rlK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Af9QcXjle
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxvnXtgFIe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoARELhuPZt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RsxMZAFyb
"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqV0rRr4Pv
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmixruh8H8Z
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WYGbDxgr7
"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSFoWBLpXE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZN3w8AV1x
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv4FENlo95
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQVxiWtg1m
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQud2eUpYf
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQZpRrBcQN
"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv7YMgxng2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWREXJkyGWO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslRZxYm6PB
"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5rIIXjNeT
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vPTAD5kQt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz5D3cE5SQ
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-?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoEMbPbUGH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WQ9DW8uFB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9BW8lkao9
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CDHUfyJuu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJBuy4tZQh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJvDqUqeit
"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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk123LHsGeR
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKyKCeFOIL
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtmNKOQ3XG
"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNafNhp4vj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2UzvDQA73
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosZi8RVdCT
"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjsoBWSRK9
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtExH4e6N2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6vtoNxkc6
"Come on, Diana," said Stella.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7cpPUZEaE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0e627kVfK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG698vXvD9Z
"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetcQ4jzdZy
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSenccZdWYe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5y7kXEXib
"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w1oPHk7zi
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtUzqQmV1n
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cOFGeow0H
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A1vWpJfbo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiapOofrkdd
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnIaEAGwTF
I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv2MpKbl8e
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFvtooGHop
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv59FMSvuO
"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiPXgpsvxK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHm2Rvn4Kr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNyWV1vync
"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTQtJVwAnU
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwgzYzqLhe
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoHF9c7X7a
"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZnB9DDINY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazhsSWXp3F
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pW5z0PkC2
"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5vmuBTTeO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTWbwrpbjc
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC0eXOeaYl
Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JhpaYhSb6
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwz87ypYgJ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpH4ucHlQl
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxfJmCOyYq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG6Za6hPO4
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMpS38pKOc
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8CkyA3AJu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlsHHqQXDg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo7mRSACCe
"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx3SIu5SNt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvMnfxG7ta
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2PUDDUPgP
"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03EODT5zeY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5CctMV7qN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUAlGyjdqT
"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6V1qg2hjX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jiSF1s0FV
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0b8v80hdC
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlmEvRXtiF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH99itxxDe5
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKTnI7EcL9
I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrftvSli6k
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxN4SXFnmT
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLLVBLQPNN
"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EWddOyt4D
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG1CCxNBi2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Vi7KENZr
"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?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG4Z3i3TWq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXaeTiugDI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qVgxVVRg5
"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUNWNhvLSl
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQMGe5wNIM
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI1wyhQ92C
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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1e2X4RBFt
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoacTFIAsK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAZEqDSjLc
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iWFK7pRrY
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOimfYS5wdI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0eCYE8T7O
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojZDu4wLeV
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx6K2VsyUb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf93v7bcqvS
"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthCsFKDLBG
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkklD6LnhkQ
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sasx7Enje
"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7pdEsedQa
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqcLLtbtWb
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdojGdcqBF
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlQovKQ8Aq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vkLPsb9fu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQqw43EKUR
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXsqegC7PB
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2I5A9tRTD
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDpkWkm5t4
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswn7X2nlJs
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGdf4LeMii
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nQigdT4n1
"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0Pk7PR4q1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXXWgRWjiE
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBOHSfRx4P
"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW7XskIdzz
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh3SXWVnVj
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxl8pAMklk
"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrZSBbtHPy
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3VGkC4I1f
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXsQLlg9SH
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3sbLDGUwi
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkJlCQIO2Q
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRyG5YEDQ
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2gLfEhoOz
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxdwXtG747
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs68MKwEqh
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO5cUEcMcP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdclMA3QjF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE4YH5zF5r
I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdxauElmg9
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8TWCEjnVR
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk5lrxXvjb
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wVj5JmELP
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡencrBkkHPf
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC8QZnBqfW
"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDYcgPRnwq
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TKMKurSHu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEztBKgLjO
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sgBgiItuH
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAejpxojj9I
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98UgH0aI6J
I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7iwrfBGkK
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpTeYKPiDO
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz14vequrny
"Before we start, you better get patched up."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU5kaczeG2
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzRBeMWEdg
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIhx4IThfg
"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBRAkEblLx
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOOgQg8EtN
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08VxAktpVm
"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp3FGCpenW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4eTVzZSkf
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskEfKWxacZ
"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7M1I2viUA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vWrJubBph
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7ZDWu2C09
"Did you summon them?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnYnwQqlF9
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QO7DQBE3v
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVmvl5Ad33
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL41TNT8BC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3dItrZJDA
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyvhjY9G9
"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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91pwRdaLKh
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK6IIsQSuW
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbelS41Nft1
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1nMpjq4Eu
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2dDQJtWYF
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEG8XzhJyM
"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP05aDPDw1
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qI43kaSJX
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr2Hk6tMCe
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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRDlr35nOC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ466Fjznc0
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGneZqrxEJ
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."374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnxbzDiQp3
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxyIwd0wrI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4OYtPtSbN
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.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlCAr7eXfo
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmknBECstzS
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwTQUhqsOB
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?374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRihHSN2Sx
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2ff3DoRk
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylopd8saJY
"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgD6BPtiBr
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0dfIHXDQC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP79CAneDU
"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadcjimncfC
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoCPtMmJVI
374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkR1gcuK21
It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
