Blogging at somebody elses home!!!

Kk, 1st of all... Abbys keyboard is soooooo weird o_o makes it hard to type...
Fortunately, this computer haz w101!!! I'll be on later... Prob on Abby, then Mary.
So-- this is my newz-- My epic friend Nikki stopped posting her story becuz she couldnt get any ideas!! So sad... However, a lot of my friends have been writing stories as well, so make sure to read them, cuz they are super awesome as well.
0_0 Abby's dad has a bottle of chew stuff crap next to the computer, and its seriously grossing meh out. Its all brown and sick :P
I'll be posting later and tomorrow, so check in later!
Well, i gtg b/c this dang computer keyboard is pissing me off XD bye

No chapters for the weekend D:

Unfortunately for you guys and fortunately for me, i'm going to Abby's dad's house!!! Yay!!! I luv sleepovers :D
Anyways, i'm not going to be able to post or write any chapters on saturday and most of sunday... So i'm sorry!
I hope you guys have fun! :D I'll be on w101 a little...
Bye o:

ChCh 41 :P

Chapter forty-one—Slayer of the Bewitchers

I stared at her, gawking. Strands of my soaked hair stuck to my face, and I moved them back with my hand swiftly. Standing up, my black dress stuck to my skin. The wind whipped by cold hair around, and I shouted through the noise. “Angel of the Hunt?”

She nodded, and I saw a wisp of smile. “The name’s Sophia.” She glanced around her, worry creasing her face. “We need to get out of here before it attacks. Take my hand, and hurry.”

“Wait.” I gasped, still faint from the past events. “We need to heal Abby.”

Sophia scanned the scene, and she looked as though she just realized Abby was there, bleeding on the side. I saw that she had taken out the knife that pierced her stomach. Sophia rushed over, and tucked a piece of midnight hair behind her ear. When she touched Abby’s wound gently, she made a confused face. “There is gold in… Her blood. However, it’s so red…”

“She’s half Seraphina-Alleyen.” I answered, kneeling before her. “Can you heal her?”

Sophia didn’t waste any time on asking questions. “My main school is life, despite my Angel nature. Just give me a moment.”

Doing something very similar to what I did to Nikki back in Krokotopia, she performed it more gracefully and kindness. She didn’t sweat, pale, or look exhausted from the large amount of energy leaving her body. She only looked natural.

Abby opened her eyes in wonder. “Mary?”

“No, darling,” Sophia smiled, standing up. “It’s just me.”

Abby stood up, frowning. “You have her eyes.”

“Abby, meet our new sister.” I introduced her. “Her name is Sophia.”

Before Abby could say anything, Sophia cracked her fingers in a quick motion. “We don’t have time to wait; if it finds me, then it might kill you guys before I kill it again.”

“It? Another one of those clones?” I asked.

“No, the wolf. Oh, by the way, those weren’t clones. They’re called Bewitchers.” Sophia took my hand, and made me go down the ladder to the balcony first. When she attempted to go inside, I took her arm in protest.

“We need to stay outside.” I decided, “You won’t like it in there- trust me. Not with our things soaked.”

“Mary,” She looked annoyed. “If we don’t go now, the wolf will catch my scent.”

I shook my head in confusion. “B-but you’ve already killed the wolf? And what is a Bewitcher-”

Sophia interrupted me. “Many times, and I cannot explain what a Bewitcher is at the moment; we’re in great danger.”

Abby gasped. “Mary… Your spirit animal… It’s so beautiful.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Don’t you see my spirit animal when we are in danger?”

I saw Sophia pale, and all of a sudden she had her majestic bow in her hand. “Stay back.” She ordered.

I stepped forward, taking her arm. “You know I can’t do that.’

All of a sudden, it was as though I was experiencing the dream I had the other night all over again. The same, horrid and humongous roar echoed through the night, and all of a sudden I felt this large balcony rumble. I heard screams inside, and we rushed into the ballroom. Ladies and gentlemen and animals were scattering, trying to get away from the beast charging. I saw that the grand window showing off the night sky was shattered, and glass scattered the floor like ice. A wolf as big as an elephant was charging towards us. In my dream, the wolf would kill anything in its way. Right now, it only saw us in its devil eyes.

I heard a little shriek, and I saw Xena flying around the room in a dangerous way. It dove down, and scratched at the huge wolf. However, pulling out tufts of wolf hair wasn’t helping much.

Suddenly, somebody threw a dagger at the wolf’s head, near its eye. It slit the wolf’s skin, and it was enough to get the wolf’s attention. The wolf roared, and reared its body, and charged the way the object was thrown. Somebody screamed.

In order to save somebody’s life from their stupidity, I saw Sophia shoot the wolf with a bright golden flash of her bow. It landed in the wolf’s hind leg, and I had my citrine sword from my amulet. Using my sword to cut off the part of the dress that made it harder to run, my gown was now shredded and to my knees. Charging forward, I stupidly climbed up on the wolf’s back.

I held on tight to the black fur for my life, and it reared up like a horse. The wolf’s scream sounded like a dinosaur as I stuck the sword straight into its lungs, and blood began pouring out of both wounds. I jumped off the wolf with my sword, just as it fell. Its blood covered my right side, and I tumbled into the marble floor. I felt a snap in my wrist as I hit a nearby pillar, and I felt a new throb in my head. However, I felt pure satisfaction in saving a person’s life- even though I don’t know who that person was. The wolf lay dead on the floor, and it burned up like last time into ashes.  

I saw a flash of red, and noticed Nikki kneeling over me, her eyes glistening in worry. “Mary, please tell me your okay..?”

“I’m alright-“I sat up a little, and my shoulder ached. “I just think I broke my wrist.”

“Need me to heal it?” Sophia asked, also rushing forward. “You handled the wolf like a true fighter. Good job.”

“Err,” I responded cleverly, healing my own wounds with my life magic. “Thanks.”

It took a moment to realize everybody was staring at me. Abby was checking to see if Caspian was alright, and he actually looked like he cared for everybody. When I was gazing at Abby and him, he seemed to sense somebody was looking at him, and he turned his head and we made contact. Quickly, I averted my eyes, and stood up carefully. Trying to ignore the chills of Caspian’s gaze, I looked Sophia straight in the eyes. “You need to tell me why the wolf came back.”

She nodded. “I will.”

I saw Abby walk over, and she put her hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t get to tell you before, Mary, but your spirit animal…”

I raised my eyebrow at her. “What is it?”

“It’s a black horse with wings.” She smiled. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You mean… A Pegasus?”

She nodded. “But it’s different. More real.”

“Alright then.” I replied thoughtfully.

I saw Sophia chuckle, and Nikki was staring at her strangely.

“Is this..?” Nikki’s eyes widened and I realized that she hadn’t been told of the news yet.

“Sophia is the Angel of the Hunt and Battle strategy. She saved me from a… Bewitcher.” I responded, choosing my words carefully. Meanwhile, a large thunderous noise came out of the ballroom.

I looked up, and realized people were clapping for us. Nikki, Sophia, Abby and I. I smiled, trying to hide my sorrow, and a few servants escorted us out of the ballroom.

They took us to my room, and we all sat down feverishly. A maid quietly told us to wait, and that Queen Cecilia will be visiting our rooms. None of us shouted in excitement or felt anything. We didn’t know if this was a good or a bad thing, considering that a random wolf had jumped through the ballroom windows, and it could be our entire fault.

When the maid left, Nikki spoke up immediately. “Now is a good time to explain what happened. Especially you, Sophia.”

“Alright.” Sophia sighed, and she shifted into a more comfortable position on the plush couch near the fireplace. “What do you need to know?”

“How you got here, where you’re from, how you figured out about the S.A…” Abby spoke up articulately.

“Well…” Sophia frowned, as if trying to remember something. “My father was an adventurer. He had always said that there were Angels out there, and that he was going to find one.”

We nodded, and she continued. “One day, he comes back from DragonSpyre claiming that he found an Angel-“

“Where is DragonSpyre?” I asked, interrupting. I felt myself blush as they glared at me.

“It’s a world where the Titans had fought. Everything is very bad there, now. Oh, and by bad, I mean all in ruins and lava and…” Nikki trailed off, thinking.

“Like where Mary and I were.” Abby frowned, glancing at Sophia. “Right?”

 “Actually, the place did look like DragonSpyre, but you weren’t actually there.” Sophia explained. “Bewitcher’s are not demons; they are not part of the Enchanted race, either. They are creatures that can become anybody’s appearance they wish to, and the particular one that you guys experienced also changed the scene, so it would have been a very powerful Bewitcher.”

“Would have been?”

“I killed it.” Sophia answered, smirking. “Now, back to the story… My father had traveled to DragonSpyre, and had come back very different. Every day, he was becoming more and more insane. On his last days, he lost his voice, so he had to write everything down.” Sophia winced. I couldn’t imagine losing a parent slowly, even though I could imagine losing one very fast, like me.

“And he wrote you down something?” Nikki guessed.

“Yes,” Sophia replied, “He told me that my mother’s Angel was watching me, and that I had a big destiny. However, he told me that my dead mother told him to show me where I had to go. Then, my father told me to search for a girl named Mary Ravengem- and mind you, this is before your family’s death, Mary.”

I perked up, wondering why her father knew me so long ago. However, nobody noticed. “When my father died, I picked up my stuff and began my search. When I had seen in the newspaper about the big event with Sylvia Drake’s second death, and about Mary, I knew.” Sophia crossed her arms. “I knew there was something connected with Mary and me.”

I heard a squawk, and I noticed Xena cleaning her wings on top of my dresser. Nobody paid attention to her, however.

“And then, just when I was becoming confused, I got a dream.” Sophia smiled. “From the Fates… And I met one of them.

“You met…” I gasped. “You met one of the Fates?”

“Yes,” Sophia answered. “And they told me a lot of things we need to know.”

Chapter 40 (Terribly sorry that it was a short chapter D:)

Chapter forty— Mindful Awareness

“Abby!” I cried out, as she crouched over in pain. I saw a knife in her stomach, and she suddenly collapsed in pain.

“H-heal me.” Abby gasped, taking my hand.

“I will,” I replied weakly. “I just need to know we’re safe. Whatever attacked you is still here.”

At that very moment, I felt a cold breeze run down my back. Standing up slowly, I gave my full attention to figure out where we were. We seemed to be on top of a tower, and the sky was swirling red and black. Pavement was made of red and blue stone, and etchings of dragons seemed to be on every object. In the distance, I saw a waterfall and an ocean full of what should be water- but was hot magna instead. “By the Fates.” Abby gasped.

“Turn around, honey…” I heard a sweet voice, so innocent, so memorizing. Slowly, as if hypnotized, I turned around.

There was a slim woman, rather short, wearing a red sparkly shawl over her face and shoulders. I could only make out the bottom half of her face, which appeared to be unreal flawless skin, and lips as pink as a rose. She wore a white gown that stopped at her toes, made out of satin and tightly fitted her upper body. She held a purple tulip in her nimble hands. “Who are you..?”

“Nothing changed… Has it? You just started school… Hadn’t you?  Everything is so happy… It’s nice to have family around…” The woman spoke so innocently, so sweet and full of happiness. Deep inside, however, I wanted to correct her. I wanted to tell her that everything had changed, and I’m no schoolgirl anymore. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I wanted her to be happy… She is so happy…

I felt a raindrop, and the sky began to sprinkle with rain. Barely fazed, somehow, I felt as if I was supposed to listen for something… To remember…

The woman smiled, and lifted up a hand. I saw rain hitting her skin, but no water formed on her hand. “It’s raining again… Everything is so calm and happy…”

No its not, I wanted to cry out. I was burning inside, trying to convince this woman that it’s not a happy world; that I could help her. However, hypnotized by this woman’s sweet presence, I stood and watched.

The woman then looked at Abby, who looked unconscious. I felt in my gut that I was supposed to do something, but my legs were frozen. The woman cocked her head to the side, a sad look on her face. “Has no one told you she’s not breathing..?”  She looked at me, then, and I saw a hint of a smile. “Hello… You will talk to me…”  Her last words seemed to hiss and echo in the night, and the rain began to pelt down on us. However, the woman stayed completely dry.

If only she knew the truth; if only she was strong enough to be happy and know the world as it is…

The woman spoke again, and she lifted her half covered face to the sky. “If I smile and don’t believe…”  She sighed a wonderful sigh, so happy and at peace. “Then soon I know I’ll wake from this dream…”

“No, no, no, no,” I moaned. “I can help you… Please, you must know the truth… I don’t want you to be broken…”

“Shh…” She smiled an encouraging smile. “Don’t try to fix me, I am not broken…”

But you are, I thought, but my lips were sealed. I felt tears run down my face, feeling so helpless… So depressed…

She walked over, and I saw the tips of her pale feet. She was barefoot. Dropping the purple tulip, my mother’s favorite flower, she touched my face gently. Her fingers were cold as ice, and burned when she stroked away a tear. “Don’t cry…”

I shook my head wildly, trying to have sense, but I was too strung up. I felt like a puppet, playing at her command. “W-who are you..?”

All of a sudden, there were tears pouring down the woman’s cheeks, suddenly so sad… So terribly sorrowful, and I felt it like a hit in the stomach. I felt as if my worst fear was for this woman to become so sad; so scared… I was afraid.

“Suddenly I realize I’m not dreaming…”  She began to cry, and I tried to help her, but I was rooted to the spot. I looked down, and saw white roots entwined around my ankles, now unable to move at all. The woman’s head snapped up, and I saw her grin a hideous smile. “Hello honey, I’m the lie you see in your nightmares.”

She lifted up her shawl away from her face. Gasping, I screamed. “No!”

Her brow, her cheekbones, her delicate lips, and her eyes burned into my soul. I knew as soon as my mother’s eyes bore into me, that I was trapped.

“It’s all your fault I’m dead!” She screamed at me, and I saw tears going down her face. I felt my knees touch the stone ground, and I tried to cover my face from the horrors, but the white roots entwined my wrists. Now, tied to the ground, I sobbed in pain for my dear mother.

“I’m so sorry.” I cried, but my mother paid no attention.

“It’s your entire fault!”  

Your fault, your fault, your fault, your fault, your fault, your fault, your fault.

“Please… I wish you were alive…”

“You deserve to be cut! Killed! Murdered! Burned!” She screamed, and I saw her eyes go completely white; no pupils, no moonstone eyes. Still hypnotized, I felt as though I was being forced not to move. A red glow began to be illuminating from her body, and white smoke was pouring out of her hands. Slowly, she held my face, and I coughed. Unable to breathe, the smoke choked me. Dozing off into a horrid faint, I suddenly felt my mother lurch.

I opened my eyes, and through the burning of the white smoke, I saw an arrow tip sticking out of my mother’s chest. Blood spilled over, staining her pure white gown. My mother’s face turned into something so ghastly, that I screamed, and suddenly was able to move. The rain was pouring, and my dress was soaked. My hair was out of its delicate design of a bun, and it fell to my back.

The world was spinning again, and I felt the metal floors of Marleybone roof once again. The rain was still there, spinning in the wind and out of control. The parts of my gown that wasn’t stuck to my legs were flapping crazily in the wind, and I kept scooping my wet hair out of my face.

The thing that was my mother was now totally something different. The woman was now a lanky brown-haired woman, with skin black as ink. She hissed at a girl standing over her, a bow and arrow in hand, pointing at the demon woman. Her eyes were still completely white.

The girl who saved me was wearing all black, her cape whipping in the wind, and she wore a hood that covered most of her face, hiding her identity. I noticed her high heels, and the posture she stood in such a proud way. With a blast of light, the girl shot the arrow once again, piercing the demon woman’s heart, and killing her instantly. The woman burned up, and slowly turned to ash.

“Who are you?” I shouted through the wind, and the girl looked up curiously. With shock I recognized my own eyes peering at me, and I screamed. “You’re another one of those clones! That was my mother! Get away from me!”  I shot a random spell at her, and she seemed to dodge it easily.

“Careful, now.” Her voice was smooth as silk, and I recognized it from my dream. She put her hood down, the wind taking out a large amount of thick black hair, gleaming in the rain and moonlight. “You wouldn’t want to kill your own sister, would you?”

Chapter 39 (last one for the day)

Chapter thirty-nine—Brother of woe

“How..?” I gasped.

Nikki walked up behind me and she freezed in her tracks. “Where the hell did you get that?”

“I don’t know why you guys had it, but I do know that you took some of the evidence from the crime scene of the Mysterious Woman!” Sierra’s face was pink, and she was seething. “What were you guys thinking?!”

“Sierra, get in here.” I ordered, and before she could protest, Nikki and I dragged her by her arms, and locked the door behind us. How were we supposed to explain the reason we had a tracking potion?

“Sierra, I know what this seems like.” Nikki spoke carefully. “But we are not breaking the rules.”

“In the crime, nobody could find the Mysterious Woman because it’s impossible! Of course you’re breaking the rules, but I do understand why, and it is a good reason. However, how could you do this without the team involved?” Sierra crossed her arms.

I sighed, trying to patch up this problem. “Because…”

“There is something weird going on between you guys.” Sierra stated angrily. “I don’t know what it is, and I don’t know what you’re after, but I’m going to figure it out.” She rushed out of the room, and slammed the door shut- with the tracking potion.

“Dang it!” Nikki slammed her fist into a dresser, making me jump. “Now I’m going to have to mooch it out of her!”

“Well, we should do it as fast as we can. Probably when she is distracted.” I decided.

Nikki and I glanced at each other. We were speechless for the next hour, until a maid came by to tell us the Enforcement Ball was beginning.

People in fancy gowns, long and silky or big and grand, walked down to a large ballroom. Men wore tuxes, top hats, and walked with fancy canes that they didn’t need. Half the population of the guests was animals.

The ballroom was gorgeous; it was as though it was made out of gold and white marble, with silver tables and wonderful decorations. People from the enforcement began to dance, and Nikki and I stood besides a window. I stared off into the distance of the city, watching the sun dye down, and see the night blacken.

A half hour into the Ball, Nikki rushed over to Sierra when she caught sight of her. I prayed and crossed my fingers for the potion, as I began to walk around.

Occasionally I’d catch a woman staring with jealousy, or a man looking at me in the wrong way. However, I thought most of the crowds were charming people: they welcomed me and acted as though they admired me as they talked and chatted and danced.

When I saw Abby, I rushed forward. However, when a sudden group of people danced past in front of me, I had to stop in my tracks. Trying to go around them, I bumped into something hard and tall.

I found myself looking up, and everything froze. My body became paralyzed, as I stared at the young man before me. He had dark chocolate brown hair, thick enough to look grand. His eyes were a magnificent blue, with flecks of green and gold. He had broad shoulders that showed off his “warrior” form, and a face that looked like it was sculpted from the heavens. I felt my heart flutter.

“Well, looky here.” He smirked, “It’s the schizophrenic’s daughter!”

I broke out of my paralyzed state, suddenly furious. “Pardon me?”

He took a sip of something that looked like water, which surprised me, because I was usually the only one who seemed to be not drinking. “You know what I mean- Malistaire. Wouldn’t you know your own father..? I bet you are just like him.”

I frowned, and almost laughed mentally at the complexity of this man’s rudeness. “You don’t know a thing about me.”

“Oh, darling.” He laughed. “I know enough about you; in fact, everybody knows why you’re running around.”

I put my hand on my hip, challenging him. “And what is that, smart-allic?”

He put on a serious face. “Spying. Killing.” Before I could protest, he spoke again. “Oh, honey, don’t think just because you’re in the Police Department that you get off the hook. Everybody knows you’ve got blood on your hands.”

I glared at him, shocked that he would say such a thing. I’ve never met anybody ruder in my life.

Well, besides Malistaire.

This event was happening so fast- why was this boy taking such a random grudge on me?

“The only one with the possibility of regret and blood on your hands will be you,” I growled, “If you keep being so stupid. Trust me, it won’t be my blood on you; it will be your own.”

I turned away, but I felt his grip suddenly grasp my wrist. “Did you just threaten me?”

I glared at him, and I knew he felt my fire in my eyes. “Yes, I did. Got a problem with that?”

He let go of me, as though he had nothing to say-but he wasn’t finished yet. “You’re just like your father.”

Then it happened. I don’t know how, or even that I could, but I slapped him. The sound of flesh against flesh caught people’s attention, and all a sudden everybody was staring at us. I tried not to stare at my hand in confusion, and stood up straight and proud to defend myself.

I felt somebody gently touch my arm, and I turned my head to see Abby. She looked furious, and I noticed her bright green eyes were darker. She was glaring at both the man and I.

The man was glaring at me with such hate, I almost felt the danger I put myself in. I didn’t know this boy- but with the look Abby gave him, I had a feeling in my gut that she did.

“Caspian, why in the world did you provoke her?” Abby hissed at him angrily.

“W-“Caspian, the boy, suddenly looked like he wanted to scream. He jabbed a finger at me. “She should learn to control her manners.”

“And you should learn to control your tongue.” I retorted. I felt Abby take me by the arm, and lead me away from Caspian. I didn’t take one last look at Caspian’s bewildered face.

When Abby was leading me to the exit doors to a balcony, probably to talk, I felt another hand grab my other arm. Suddenly being pulled both ways, Abby stopped in a rush to see what had stopped me.

A boy with tan skin, muddy eyes and greenish brown hair smiled a charming smile at me. “Don’t worry; Caspian can be feisty with girls. However,” he put a finger under my chin gently. “I’m quite nice, and I like girls with self-confidence.”

Disgusted, I wrenched my arm away from him. Following Abby out the door as quickly as possible, I felt relieved as we found an empty balcony. I breathed the cold night air, wishing for more.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Abby put her hands up, exasperated. “Nobody has ever stood up to my brother.”

“You’re… What?” I gasped. “You mean that Caspian is your brother..?”

“Caspian has a different last name than me… It’s after my father. My last name is from my mother.”

“Well, I don’t care about that.” I exclaimed angrily. “How the heck was I supposed to know he was your brother?”

“I don’t know! Guess? Geez, Mary, he’s not used to fighting with people. He was always my parent’s favorite, what all the girls wanted, the teacher’s pet, and so I want to know what you refused him that made him so angry.” Abby watched me with keen interest. However, my mind was on something else.

I saw a shadow dart across the rooftop. “Did you see that?”

“See what?” Abby replied, suddenly watching where I was.

I saw another shadow, and Abby gasped. “I saw it!”

“It’s on the roof.” I noticed a grapevine decoration, and I decided to climb it. Quickly taking off my heels, I climbed steadily to the roof.

“Mary, be careful!” Abby shouted, trying to climb up. “We don’t know whats up there… It could be dangerous!”

“That’s how we know it’s an adventure.” I replied, reaching the roof. It looked empty, but as far as I know, there could be a million things waiting for us.

Abby climbed up, and eventually was standing next to me. “Where do you think it went?”

“I don’t know. Let’s walk forward, but quietly.” I breathed out.

Taking a step, the world suddenly spinned out of control. I didn’t know where I was, or if we just ported to somewhere, but I held on to Abby’s hand as much as I could.

I opened my eyes, and Abby and I stared at each other wide-eyed.

Where we were wasn’t Marleybone anymore.

Then, I saw a flash of green light appear, then a spray of blood.

With dread, I knew by Abby’s scream, that we were in danger...

And Abby was hurt.

Omg!!

I just realized the next chapter i'm going to post is the chapter i've been waiting to write FOREVER!!! Lets just say true love at first sight ;)
Alrighty, back to writing... The chapter should be posted later tonight... I hope O:

Chapter 38 :D

Chapter thirty-eight—tracking the beautified

In a way, Nikki and I began to neglect our duties to the department, considering our studying and observations of the S.A. There were too many people in the department to notice, despite my status of genetics, I feel as though somebody told everybody to ignore me. Nobody talked or stared at me.

What a vacation.

Since tonight was the night of the Enforcement Ball, everybody was in a rush. Grateful for this distraction, Nikki and I were searching recent newspapers and documents to try to find Malistaire’s next plan, or wherever he is.

While Nikki was searching a document for Malistaire’s past, most of it we discovered was taken away when he destroyed the death school.

Meanwhile, I was studying the recent newspapers for sightings of Malistaire. Finding nothing, I sighed at the pounding in my head from the hours of searching. There was some much to do in my mental list: Find and track the next S.A., wonder if my dreams are actually correct, beware of Malistaire… And find him.

How do you avoid danger from somebody you are trying to find?

I looked up at her questioningly.

“Its head was cut off- or chewed off… We are still analyzing it. However, for now, I want you to find clues to why the Mysterious Woman would kill the dog. If you find anything, report back to me in my office.” Courtney walked out curtly, evidently stressed from the events.

“I have clues, alright.” I told Nikki when I saw Courtney walk out of view. Nikki grimaced, knowing the whole story of my dream. “The Mysterious Woman killed nobody; in fact, she’s the one trying to save these people. Thank the Fates that the wolf is dead.”

Nikki nodded, agreeing. “It makes it easier to find her, too.”

“I know.” I sighed. “Now, we should get back to work.”

“I can’t find anything but everything we already know about.” Nikki spoke through gritted teeth.

“Hah,” I fake laughed, trying to lighten up the mood. “As if anybody would know about the S.A.”

Nikki smiled weakly with exhaustion, but I suddenly seized up. I remembered the Wizard City Library all of a sudden, and the book. That dang book! How could I forget..?

“I know where to find better information!” I exclaimed, suddenly thinking of Adam Deathbringer. Unfortunately, my book bag was in my bedroom.

“Where?” Nikki now looked interested, now that I got her full attention.

“Follow me,” I smiled, taking her wrist to pull her up. “It’s worthwhile- trust me.”

Taking her to my bedroom, I unlocked my door with my silver key, and rushed to my desk. Hidden under textbooks and journals, I took out my book bag. Fortunately, the old copy of The Golden Age was still there, graying with age. The symbol in the front of the book seemed to glow with a blue color, but I ignored it. Opening it, the pages were yellowing and rough. A small bit of smoky dust flew from the pages, but I brushed it off and waved Nikki over.

Nikki raised an eyebrow, scanning the Table of Contents. “How exactly did you forget such an important piece of our quest..?

“I don’t know, but it’s just another reason I’m not like the Angel I am.” I grumbled. Nikki looked at me quizzically. “You know, the wisdom Angel?”

Before Nikki could say anything, she glanced down and gasped. “Mary, look.” She pointed a fine-manicured finger at a certain chapter. “The chapter’s name is called “Malistaire’s Quest.”

“It would be better if the chapter wasn’t written seventeen or eighteen years ago.” I sighed, flipping the pages. Reaching the right area, I let Nikki read the chapter.

While she was reading, I scanned my room boringly. Outside, a cloud shifted away from the sun, and a gleaming beam of light entered the room. In the corner of my eye, I saw something glitter a dark color.

Standing up, I walked over, realizing there was a parcel on the floor. I recognized that I probably had knocked it over retrieving the book of Adam Deathbringer. The parcel was covered in a velvety wrap, like silk.

Opening it, a large amount of sparkling silk poured out of the package. Gleaming in the light, Nikki looked up, and I thought I saw a glimpse of misery in her eyes before she took a look at the magnificent gift.

“There was nothing in the book… Well, all Adam talked about was how Malistaire wanted to bring Sylvia back from the dead… Of course, that’s not possible, since he made such an effort to kill her.” Nikki spoke, still eyeing the gift. “Mary, what in the world did you open? It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s a…” A cocked my head to the side, and raised my eyebrows. “Its something I’d never wear.”

“Are you kidding me?” Nikki asked, walking over and running her hand over the soft silk. She picked up a white card attached to the opened parcel. I saw a smile grow on her face. “It’s from the Queen, and apparently I got one too!”

Running out of my room, I heard her unlock the door to her bedroom, and I heard her squeal in excitement. I wondered what dress she had been given.

Given the time to study the dress, I lifted it onto my bed, and laid it out. It was gorgeous; I knew. But would it be so beautiful on me?

The gown was long, black, and strapless. The bottom of it swayed, and it seemed to glitter, even though it was just plain silk.

Five minutes later, Nikki walked into the room gracefully. She wore a dress that went to the middle of her calves; it was pure white, making her eyes and hair stand out. She blushed as she twirled, making her dress sway like a ballerina. The sun was once again covered by the clouds, but I could see the shimmering glow of her dress without the light. When she noticed me, she frowned. “Why don’t you try on your dress?”

I chuckled without humor. “I’m not going to wear that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just…” I sighed, staring at the gown longingly. “I’ve never worn anything so glamorous…”

“Oh, please.” Nikki laughed. “We’ve got two hours to pretty ourselves up; it’s plenty of time to make you look gorgeous.”

“It’s not the beauty I’m worried about- It’s the attention.”

Nikki smiled sweetly. “Honey, tonight you’re going to want all the attention, because this is the night that nobody is going to be thinking about your past… Only you and you only.”

I smiled back at her. “Thanks, Nikki, you’re so sweet.” I hugged her tightly.

“That’s what sisters are for.” She answered, now opening drawers. She took out brushes, makeup, jewelry, tights, shoes, barrettes, and by the Fates, even more.

“I’ll go put the gown on,” I decided, as she began to brush her hair. She smiled at me encouragingly, and I left to dress in the powder room.

The cold flooring chilled my feet as I stepped into the silk gown. Pulling the gown up to fit my posture, the silk seemed to adjust to my body heat, but I still felt chills.

I’ve never worn a dress like this before, I thought. It was so slim at the waist, and I wasn’t used to showing off my curves. Walking out of the bathroom, I felt my face redden as Nikki clapped in encouragement.

Nikki did her makeup as I weaved the braid for her that my mother used to do for me. After I was done, Nikki was awed in amazement. “I don’t know how you do it, Mary, but the ways you make braids are beautiful.”

“Thanks, but it’s not me to blame.” I replied stubbornly.

In the next half hour, I finally looked into the mirror. I blinked, trying to think if this was actually me: The paleness of my skin glowed healthily, my colorful eyes stood out as much as my hair did- which I’ve never seen so golden. The black dress fit around my waist like a corset, and made my every step look graceful.

Nikki looked just as beautiful, with her hair in a braid and her gown gleaming in nimble grace.

By now, I wasn’t sure if it was our skills or the Angel blood inside us that made us look beautiful. However, I didn’t care.

We jumped when we heard a knock on the door. Opening it, Sierra stood there with a strange look on her face. I felt my face pale when I saw what she was holding.

The tracking potion.

Chapter 37 :D

Chapter thirty-seven—Hunted

 The night dawned once again, sickened by the sun and stress, I could barely sleep. However, I surprisingly fell asleep.

My mother’s face kept swimming in my dreams, sparkling grey and precious. I saw my sister, with her sweet blue eyes and bouncy brown hair.

When I wasn’t dreaming of them, it was just black, as though I was watching a screen. Then, their faces would appear once again, as though watching a television movie. I saw scenes of us, and I felt a tear go down my face in my dreams.

Suddenly, everything changed.

Then, the world became anew:

I sense there’s something in the wind; it feels like tragedy.

I was on a rooftop, and no stars glittered. The place was empty, and I’ve never seen this place before.

Then, I saw movement. I realized there was a girl, hidden in the shadows. She walked cautiously and slowly, and I heard the click of her heels. She had a cloak on, and underneath it she wore a slim-fit dress, with a corset and high heels. She wore all black. The cloak covered her head and face, only showing rainbow eyes.

Then, the girl began to speak to herself. She had a smooth, dangerous voice. “I still can’t find what keeps me here… I know your still there, through the hollowness in my soul.”

I frowned at the words she chose to use. She whipped around, as though trying to find something. I saw a sudden shine of gold, and I realized she had just obtained a bow and arrow, made of something like light.

“I know you’re watching me. Wanting me. I can feel it…”

I saw something rush past the girl, and she darted around. I saw no fear in her eyes. “I won’t let you slow me down, beast. I can smell you alive; I can feel your heart pounding in my head…”

The girl began to spin wildly, watching as the large mass of shadow darted around her, and I heard growling as frightening as a hundred dragons.

“Fearing… Loving… It’s all the same to me.” The girl smiled, her teeth were as white as the moon. She began to run, her legs moving so fast that it was a blur.

The scene changed, and I was on a different roof. It was silent, and I saw a discarded newspaper move across the metal flooring. Everything was dark; it must be midnight.

Suddenly, I saw movement. There was a dog, like Professor Wethersfield, but it was a totally different person. It wore a thick cloak and black clothes. I saw a mask on its face. It was climbing out of a window, with a sack in its hand.

A robber. Why was I seeing a thief in my dream?

The ground began to rumble, and the dog began to look around in surprise. Holding on to its sack for dear life, it seemed more desperate to keep his gold safer than him.

There was a roar, like a dinosaur, and a huge wolf jumped from over a mount of chimney’s, and in front of the dog. The dog dropped its stolen items in fear, and the wolf’s blue-ish black fur rippled in the midnight moon. Taking another leap, the wolf jumped onto the dog, and began to rip the dog’s head off. Howling in pain, it abruptly stopped when the dog’s head was thrown by the wolf’s teeth six feet away. Blood sprayed and pooled the floor as though a bucket of it was thrown across the roof.

I heard a vicious scream, and saw a golden arrow of light pierce the wolf’s back, straight into its heart. The wolf fell, crushing the dead dog, and started to burn. There was no fire, but the wolf’s remains crumbled into ash.

The girl in black picked up the arrow, covered in black blood. “There is a place in the back where you shoot through the spine and into the heart.” She grunted, as if telling off the wolf, spitting on the ash. Soon, the ash blew away, only revealing the dead dog’s remains.

A strand of pure black hair fell out of the girl’s hood, and she tucked it back in with a colorless hand. I saw her put her hand on the dog, and she began to whisper to it, as though praying.

Then, the dream ended.

I awoke with shock, sweat dripping off my face. I noticed Nikki watching me with concern.

“Mary, what is it?”

I gulped in a huge breath of air, and I felt like I was out of breath. “You were right; it is Red Riding Hood.”

“Did you have a dream about the S.A. being hunted? Did you catch what she looked like, or what her name was?” Nikki stiffened.

I nodded. “Yes, and no,”

“Yes and no?”

I took a sharp intake of breath. “I think the S.A. just killed the wolf.”

Chapter 36 :D

Chapter thirty-six—Bloody Riding Hood

Give me a reason that you’re fully dead, I thought, as I stared at the top of my canopy bed, unable to sleep. Abby had gone back to her rooms, and Nikki was writing at my desk by candlelight. We did not speak; we did not know how to protect ourselves now.

Give me a reason, I thought, as envisioned the dream Nikki had experienced. Was this the future, as our dreams have been?

Give me a reason that you’re fully dead, as I thought of my mother. Could she possibly be alive? Was the woman in Nikki’s dream actually a demon?

I held the knife to my chest calmly, besides my amulet, its cold metal burning into my skin. I remembered the softly spoken words my mother gave me, and I knew even in death our love lives on.

They didn’t hear you singing to me. I closed my eyes, and tried to think. I remembered that they buried her in Unicorn Way, and that the Headmaster had built a monument for her. A large unicorn in the Unicorn Way Park. My heart ached; I wanted to go home so bad. How could I be so homesick, when I truly have no home?

And I couldn’t miss or love my deceased family anymore than I do, but I wish that I could love them enough to let go of them.

If I saw her again, I knew my weakness would give in. I would want to go with her, stay forever with her, and listen to her sweet lullabies. Nobody knew me like she did, nobody knows the memories I had of her but me.

I remembered laying my head on her lap when the night came, too tired to go to bed. She would stroke my face, and when she thought I’d fallen asleep, she’d pick me up and put me in my bed. Then, she’d kiss me on the forehead and close the door quietly. Even then, I could feel the warm press of her lips on my forehead, and I mourned for her warmth and love again. I wanted my mama back.

I sighed, and rolled over in my bed, the knife still branding itself onto my chest. Slowly, I closed my eyes, but I did not fall asleep. I only saw blackness, and listened to the rhythm of Nikki’s quill on the parchment.

My sister was everything I needed to see; she was the smile and sunlight in my view.

My mother was love reincarnated, and was the beauty in everything that was life.

The constant voice within my heart was them. I fell into peace, knowing one way or another, they would always be there.

Then I fell asleep in the sea of hope.

The next day was complicated. Abby certainly had been correct about not seeing each other; I couldn’t find her even if I tried. However, I had Nikki to help me with the evidence.

I saw Rachel running around, trying to suck up to Courtney. It looked as though she was trying to mooch something out of her; probably money. I’ve learned that that was Rachel’s normal schedule.

Before we were ordered to go to the Observatory, I had made a quick trip to the mail. With wonderful glee, there was a vile from Alhazred in a spellbound envelope, ready for tracking. I snuck it into my purse, and hurried off to the Observatory.

I told Nikki quickly and quietly when I arrived. She looked as though she was about to scream and jump in happiness, but she only put on a pair of silver gloves, and could barely contain her smile.

Together, we studied the clothes the victim’s were wearing the night of the crime scene. Dried blood covered most of the clothing, and some of it was in shreds.  

When Nikki found a black hair, I stared at her with doubt. “The woman’s hair was black.”

“The woman’s hair was silver-ish black, Mary.” She stuck the hair in my face, making my eyes go slightly cross-eyed. “It would have been silver in the root of the hair. This is pure black.”

I shrugged. “There’s barely anything worthwhile on these clothes.”

“Well, we aren’t finished yet.” She put the hair under a scanning device, searching its DNA. The machine beeped, and it lit up negative.

I stared in disbelief. “How could it not be the victim’s hair?”

“Because,” Nikki replied, putting the hair into a plastic bag. “It is the S.A.’s hair.”

I didn’t hear her. “What about this?”

I picked up a tuft of thick hair from a shredded part of the clothing, hidden under the baby’s blanket. Its hair shined ebony in the lamplight, as though it was almost a midnight blue.

I saw Nikki pale. “I think we are talking about… No, I cant believe it would be possible.”

“What is it?” I asked simply, still staring at the fur.

“I think we are talking about Red Riding Hood.”

“What? You mean the Fairytale curse? How?” I felt the blood drain out of my face.

“The tuft of hair you are holding right now, Mary,” Nikki spoke through gritted teeth. “Is Wolf hair. Malistaire’s curse made our next S.A. Little Red Riding Hood.”

“How could you be so sure about this?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Because,” Nikki took the hair, examining its fur in the light. “There is only one Fairytale related to the Angel of Battle and the Hunt; and that is where the Wolf hunts the Girl in the Forest.”

“And the Wolf has been hunting the Mysterious Woman on the rooftops.” I gasped. “It all makes sense!”

Nikki lifted up the baby boy’s shredded clothing. “It has claws as big as a grown elephant’s foot.” She touched the mother’s clothing where the stomach would have been. “And its teeth are as sharp as needles, sharp enough to rip out somebody’s stomach in one bite.”

I winced. “What do we do now?”

Nikki put the clothes down gently, with pity. “We shall use the tracking potion Alhazred gave us on the night of the Enforcement Ball; that’s when everybody will be preoccupied.”

I nodded. “And then we shall meet our blood sister.”

Nikki nodded. “We shall.”