Making dinner and blogging :P

Guess what i'm making for dinner??? Pepperoni and vegetable vegan pizzas, WITH non-dairy chocolate ice cream. :P yep, thats what my mom wants!
Anyways, around 12 o'clock, i was really jizzed (In a bad way). I cant blog at my school :'(
Woah, something in the oven just exploded x_x i'm not even trying to be funny...
Anyways, back to the school thing-- I write during lunch (which my friends think i'm weird for) and it wouldnt let me post. SOOO i will have to post later tonight I: Dang the district for blocking blogging. Heh, that ryhmed; i will underline it cuz i'm just that cool.
Oh, guess what! I got a new nickname! Anybody wanna hear it? I know you do ;)
Here it is:
SugarPuffHoneyMonsterPlushToyQuakerOats.
Yep, thats it. Some shortened name, right? It sounds even better when you say it real fast XD
Well, i got to go eat some vegan pizzas, and i will be online later.
Cya suckers ;)

WATCH IT :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcuI6K9daIw

Quotes (kind of a sneak peek)

“I don’t ever believe in mistakes… I believe in failures of the right side of mankind’s mind. One person cannot have one right mind, without its half being wrong. One, who impossibly has a right mind, is as stupid from never learning from right and wrong.”

“A clever person knows the difference from small troubles and little troubles. A wise person would know how to make all troubles go away without war. A smart person would know if small troubles or large troubles are not any troubles at all, or at the same height of balance.”

“Love should not hold secrets. Love should never be a lie. Love is truth, and a diligent adventure. It should never be ratified, or spurious, or withhold such adversity. After this experience, you shall dare not recur the amount of pain you immorally cause. Dare not improvise.”

“The sight of the sky’s many magical colors shall never be judged by the amount of times you see it in one lifetime.”

“The weak and the strong make pure harmony of Fate’s intentions.”

Alright, so these arent really scenes for upcoming chapters... But they are words. However, each quote has something to do with an upcoming event (so think wisely, as though its a riddle) :P Have fun. Also, I'm not sure if I made these up or not... I just found them in a random folder in my Word thing, and I know its for the story. There are words I tend to use in them, though, so I think I found quotes like these, then changed the words and meaning :P I dont have time to make up quotes XD even though I'm good at it!

Chapter 34, guys :)

Chapter thirty-four-- Tracking the Rooftops

“Wake up! Now!” A sudden white light burst through my eyelids, my head sending up waves of pain. A sharp voice rang in my ears, and I opened my eyes with irritable resistance, noticing the dark ringlets and strut of a woman. Of Rachel.

“Ugh, how did you get in here?” I grumbled, putting my hair into a quick pony tail. As thick and messy as my hair was, it didn’t look half bad as usual.

“You left your door unlocked, and its time to get ready to investigate.” Rachel opened another curtain and more sunlight burned into my eyes. I grimaced.

“What investigation?”

“Sierra told Courtney that you and that red-headed girl favor some case. I don’t know what.”

The Mysterious Woman. I suddenly shot up out of my bed, and glared at Rachel to leave me alone so I could get dressed. She sighed and rolled her eyes, and walked out of the room. I could hear her tapping the heel of her foot outside my door.

While I was looking for combat boots, I only found high heels. I got dressed in the least dressy outfit I could manage, and the darkest; a black dress with slim pants underneath. It showed off my curves and not so much fabric as the long gowns.

Then, I began to search for combat boots once again. However, when Rachel became too impatient, I just slipped on a pair of black high heels, and rushed out the door.

“What the hell took you so long?” Rachel screeched like a bird, but she didn’t look too grumpy. Maybe she just didn’t like me.

“I can’t find any other shoes but these damn high heels.” I growled, stabbing the floor with the tip of my shoe.

“It’s Marleybone. Get used to it.” Rachel led me stubbornly to a group of people. I noticed Nikki, Blaze, Courtney, and four other boys. Sierra must have the day off.

“Yay, you’re ready!” Nikki rushed towards me. I noticed her wearing a similar dress to mine, but dark blue, with another pair of high heels. Her hair was down, as always, but in a loose braid. Her eyes dazzled in excitement.

“Hey, Nikki.” I greeted. I looked over to Courtney. “When are we to depart?”

“Right now.” She grinned. “Follow me, officers. We’re going to the rooftops. When we get there, I will explain the whole situation.”

We nodded, and began to follow Courtney’s footsteps. She led us through a few spiral staircases, through many stone hallways, and up a large flight of stairs. My legs were burning when we reached the morning air, and we were on a rooftop of a very strange area.

It was a rooftop: anybody in the world could know that. However, the roof tops were connected to each other by little wooden bridges, and it created a whole new street, in a way. The area was blank and empty as a desert. But with stone, not sand.

“This place may seem empty to you, but the case we have is deadly. Follow me, and you shall discover that this area holds many secrets. One, including a murder related to the Mysterious Woman. Follow me, Ladies and Gentlemen.” Courtney announced curtly, and we followed her to a landscape between a brick wall of a tall building against the roof, and a large metal chimney.

People gasped, and I made myself push up to the front of the Department, besides Nikki. Her eyes glazed in sorrow. I narrowly moved my eyes to the thing they were watching, and dreaded the outcome. It came anyways.

There was a woman, with silver black hair and a wide eyed expression. Her eyes looked as though they may have been beautiful once, but now, they were just green and blank. Her skin was pale as snow; as she had lost a lot of blood. In her arms, small and fragile, was a baby boy, also slaughtered. The woman’s stomach seemed to be torn up, and the child’s body was mutilated with five large gashes throughout its limp body. “By the Fates.” I gasped. “What in the worlds happened here..?”

“The Mysterious Woman, that’s what happened.” Blaze spoke up bravely. I gazed up at him, and I realized that he looked sick. I didn’t feel too well either.

Nikki had a blank expression on her face, but I could see the distaste in her eyes. She walked forward, and put two fingers on the woman’s face. Somebody hissed in anger. “You idiot girl! You know better to not touch the damn evidence..!”

Nikki shot up, her long hair turning into fire in the quick flash. Her skin was too pale, and she looked stressed. Ignoring whoever yelled at her, she rushed towards me and took my arm. Pulling me away from the crowd, people watched us in slight interest.

“Nikki, what is it?” I demanded. I don’t know how she could even touch the corpses, and shivered at her cold hand on my arm. I noticed a golden tint on my skin where she had clutched my arm, but I took it as the sun’s reflection.

“An S.A. wouldn’t have done that.” She decided immediately.

“I know.” I agreed. I glanced back at the corpses. “One of them is a baby boy. How could something be so cruel?”

Nikki nodded. “That’s why I think its something else. Remember those marks?”

I thought back to the five gashes drawn across the baby boy’s body. “Yes. They are similar to the gashes the Hellhound put on you.”

“Exactly, but not quite. I don’t think it was a Hellhound.” Nikki spoke quizzically. “I’m not sure what it is, but it’s obviously demonic and it has monster claws. Not to mention, it most likely has powerful jaws.”

“Nikki,” I reminded, “We are in Marleybone, remember? What would a demonic creature, relevant to a Hellhound, be running around on rooftops?”

“How do you think I know? I’m not the controller of these beasts.” Nikki sighed.

“So, the Mysterious Woman is possibly being framed?” I asked. “How do we even know she could be an S.A.?”

“I wasn’t sure at first, but now I am.” Nikki opened up her hand. “Look at my two fingers. There’s blood.”

“Yes, there’s blood, but wha-“I gasped, staring at the incredible evidence smeared on Nikki’s fingers. Instead of red and normal blood, it was as though she dipped her fingers in gold paint. “So that’s why you walked over to them; you saw the S.A.’s blood.”

“Just a little, not enough to be noticed by anybody who is not part of the S.A.” Nikki took out a vile, and tried to get as much as the blood on her fingers into the vile. “It’s evidently the Mysterious Woman’s blood, and she is evidently an S.A.”

“How do we know that? We don’t even know if the Mysterious Woman was even here at the crime scene.” I ran my fingers through my hair.

“Yes, but what I do think… It may be a bit disturbing.” Nikki bit her lip, and rubbed her hands along her arms, as if cold.

“Sooner or later, you’re going to have to tell me; I wouldn’t even bother hesitating.” I coughed, looking everywhere but at Nikki.

“The beast that killed those two victims…” Nikki whimpered. “Mary, I think that its after an S.A., not innocent, mundane people.”

I suddenly saw in terror in my mind, of a girl with whatever angelic powers, dead and torn apart by a bloody, hungry monster. I shut my eyes to block out the thoughts. “Are you sure?”

“The beast had attacked the S.A. that was here; we know that because of the golden blood. However, the S.A. somehow got away. I hope.”

I nodded. It made sense. “Do you think it has something to do with the Fairytale curse?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” Nikki grimaced. She looked frustrated, that she didn’t have the answers.

“Well, the most we could do is to look for clues.” I considered the Department, whom completely ignored us, looking around for evidence. About four people were studying the corpses.

Nikki glanced at her wristwatch. “We have about three hours. Lets get to work.”

Unfortunately, as much as we looked, there we no tracks. No more evidence, but that little bit of blood. The best part is, however, was that if we sent the blood to the Order, Alhazred could make us the tracking potion he made for Krokopatra, and we could find the next S.A. With this idea in mind, with the evidence of the crime collected (nearly nothing), Nikki and I stayed behind the group walking back to the Palace.

Slipping the vile with the tiny bit of golden blood in an envelope, I quickly wrote a note to Alhazred of our plan. Nikki sealed the envelope with a spell, to protect it from everybody but Alhazred: which was the smartest thing I’ve ever seen.

Quickly putting the envelope in the mailbox- how ordinary- we rushed away, making sure that nobody saw us.

Sneaking into the Palace was the easiest part. Nobody seemed to notice us, and once dinner was made, everybody was heading to the same place anyways, so it was easy to follow. Together, we made it through and secretly sat the tables that the Force were sitting at.

The dinner was grand; hot roast beef, sweet baked potatoes, roasted chicken, vegetables, fruits, apple ciders and dressings, hot and cold drinks, salads, beef, fish, and more. The tables were made out of gold, and the walls out of fine white marble. Long red rugs cascaded down steps of stone, and people danced around the large dining hall with shimmery silver gowns.

I would have never known in my entire life that I would see sights like this. I sighed, as if hypnotized, at the beauty. Then, with sorrow, I remembered what got me here in the first place. I sat up stiff and tense for the rest of the dinner.

Around ten or so, we were led back to our guest rooms, and bid our goodnights. Tomorrow, Courtney had told us, we would be analyzing the evidence in the Observatory. It seemed like a good idea, but I dreaded the fact being around those corpses again.

Sleep dawned on me, and I listened with serenity in the wind blowing in the curtains, the rustle of a bird flying by the window, my mother’s wedding present glowing in the moonlight.

All of a sudden, I heard something crash onto the floor. I jerked up, pushed my hair back, and got to my feet. With courage, I rushed to my dresser and obtained a ruby-hilted knife from my socks drawer.

I spotted the thing that had crashed. In front of the open window, glass littered the marble floor. Walking silently over, careful with my bare feet, I saw nobody.

Studying the glass, I recognized it as the glass lamp that was on a decorated table. I then studied the window, and wondered if somebody could escape. However, this was a four-story room: how could something that high be an escape route?

Looking out the window, I held on to the window sill in panic. The street down there was deserted; just a few parked carriages and a white cat.

Suddenly, I felt something close over my mouth. The skin of the hand was pale white, and was warm and clammy. A felt a pair of lips near my ear, as I clawed at the hand, trying to scream for help.

“Shhh.” The voice was recognizable, and I would have gasped if I had access. “It’s me.”

Chapter 33

Chapter thirty-three—the team and the Invitation

The trip to Marleybone took two days and a half. We arrived around the evening, with the sun setting, stars twinkling with difference. Smelling the air, I smelled none of Krokotopia. Instead, I smelled a damp city.

And as it smelled, it was. I stepped out of the boat, with a suitcase in hand. Sierra had given Nikki and me new clothing- a slim fit gown with a floppy hat. In a way, I was no kind of girl for wearing dresses. I’d rather be able to spread my legs, like in pants, and run. I held a suitcase tightly, holding on to the belongings I have. The heels of my shoes stepped lightly on the pavement, making a sharp noise. The ground was too hard for my taste; I was used to the soft sands.

Nikki seemed to feel the same way. I didn’t know how long she stayed in Krokotopia, but she wobbled a little bit in her high heels. However, with our special abilities, nobody noticed us stumble. We knew how to correct ourselves daintily and perfectly- especially Nikki. I, however, was as clumsy as… Something clumsy.

I moved my hat away from my head, so I could see properly. Stars now shone, as if watchful and sweet, even though they were just astral balls of fire. Old town buildings rose as high as a cloud, and I sought out a church, museum of some sort, and a large building.

Suddenly, as if in a dream, a dog walked past. At first, I thought it was Professor Wethersfield- but it had a different fur. Also, it was wearing an orange gown, with delicate designs and patterns. “This is where Professor Wethersfield comes from, right?”

“Yes.” Sierra replied. “Make sure to be very polite. Everything here is very… Fancy.”

I nodded. Nikki came up behind me, and set her suitcase on the ground, wringing her hands. “Where are we staying?”

“The department’s home area. It’s grand.” Sierra smiled a charming smile, and we followed her, annoyed by the clacking of our shoes. I wished to take them off and run.

We walked, my slight curls flowing in the wind. I had the temptation to run my hands through my hair in stress, but it was neatly made up in some kind of bun/ponytail that Nikki had done for me. Already, it seemed like I’ve known her forever.

We stopped at a white mansion, with pillars of stone and marble. It was exquisitely intense. Carriages stood in the front of the building, between a large fountain and a statue. Many lights were turned on in the estate, and I could see shadows behind them, laughing and drinking. I wondered if there was some sort of party.

After Sierra was done gazing in wonder at the landscape, she waved us over, and we hurried up the white stairs of the mansion. I almost fell, but I gained back my posture by turning my heel. I was not good with heels.

Sierra rang the doorbell, making an echoing sound that sounded like a bird. After half a minute, somebody opened the door. It was a woman, with dark brown ringlets for hair, and dark, mysterious eyes. She filled us in with her fair eyes, and smiled a shapeless smile. “Hello, you must be Sierra Winterbreeze.” Her eyes flitted to me, and her smile vanished. “And Mary Ravengem. I didn’t think that it was true; that you would join such an association.”

I smiled a sweet smile, disguising the fire in my eyes. “I’d do much to help. Tell me an order, and I shall do it correctly.”

She didn’t look convinced, but Sierra changed the subject nervously. Nikki shifted slightly, irritated as I am at the woman’s mocking personality. “You must be Rachel?”

“Rachel Ice is my full name. Step in, if you please, so we can get you sorted out with the boss.” Rachel stepped back, and waved her hand inside. I did not look her in the eye as I walked past her, but I felt a shiver go down my spine. I did not like Rachel at all.

Before Rachel could lead us to the “boss,” a boy hurried over to her, and spoke loudly. “You’re needed in the Observatory, Rachel. Robert needs you in there.”

Rachel groaned in irritation. She poked the boy harshly in the shoulder. “Make sure the guests are escorted to Courtney, Blaze, and keep your head on the ground; instead of being up in the clouds all day. Got it?” Blaze nodded, his thin blonde hair going over his eyes. Rachel stalked off somewhere, her dark curls bouncing with dignity.

“Is she always like that?” Nikki asked, with her hand on her hip in disapproval.

“Yep.” Blaze moved his hand over his hair, smothering the strands of hair on top of his head instead of on his face. “It’s a hand-full, but she means well.”

“Tsk, tsk.” I spoke through my teeth. I had a strong urge to become better than Rachel; to show her whose boss.

I hope that’s not my father’s genetics in me, this urge. I threw away that thought as we followed Blaze down a hall and onto a room on the right. We entered a very dark room, with only candles alight. A tall lady was sitting at a fancy desk, with golden-brown hair, like waves, by her shoulders and some in her eyes. She seemed to be writing something with a black quill, which matched her black dress and a ring made out of onyx.

Sierra knocked on the door gently, and the woman looked up, showing startling sea-blue eyes. She was a pale woman, but when she smiled, her cheeks turned rosy. “You’re here.”

“Hello Courtney.” Sierra walked forward, and I half expected her to bow. “You’ve got the council staying in a nice place.”

“The Queen gave me full respect. It even surprised me so that she even let us in the Palace.”

I saw Nikki glance around suddenly, as if in wonder. “Are we in Barkingham Palace? I mean, Queen Cecilia’s home? Are you serious?”

“I am serious.” Courtney nodded to Nikki and Nikki blushed at her outburst.

“Who is Queen Cecilia?” I asked stupidly. They all stared at me in wonder. “What? It’s my first time here.”

Courtney sat up, and walked around me, studying me with a strut. She lifted a blonde lock of my hair with one pale finger, and looked me straight into my eyes. Before I could turn away, Courtney spoke. “You and the red-headed girl are different. Very beautiful. Same eyes. Are you related?”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I’ve only been called beautiful once. I felt Nikki suddenly become interested in a thread on her gown. “No, but we are like sisters.” I lied.

Courtney smiled. “I wonder what Queen Cecilia will think of both of you. She is the Queen of Marleybone, and is the wife of King Harold the 3^rd. However, the King has just departed to Krokotopia yesterday morn’, and you will not be seeing him.”

“We’re going to meet a Queen?” My jaw dropped.

“Why, of course, Mary.” Sierra tucked a white strand of hair into the back of her ear. “You’re quite famous, you know.”

I grimaced. “I have been told.”

Nikki gave me a joking side hug. “I feel bad for you.”

“Thanks.” I laughed.

“She will be very pleased to be informed of your arrivals.” Courtney laughed pleasantly. “And you shall join the Law Enforcement team at once tomorrow morning. Now, its time for you to be escorted to your rooms. You must all be very exhausted.”

“Thank you for your time, Courtney.” Nikki thanked with a smile and we attempted to leave the room. However, Courtney stopped us, as if remembering something.

“You know… You ladies seem very polite. Evidently you know nothing of this world. However, I want to invite you to a ball. It is being held for the Enforcement team, and it will be such a pleasure for you to attend.”

I gasped. A ball? As in story book balls?

Courtney chuckled at my sudden gasp. “Darling, it will just be like a large party with gowns. I trust that your maids shall bring you packages from the Queen, obtaining your dresses. They are absolutely wonderful.”

We all replied with thanks, and excited, Sierra hurried us out the door. I was dead tired, and I looked around to see if anybody was as tired as I was.

And they were. We were all brought to separate guest rooms; however, they were all right next to each other.

Mine was pure white, with dark purple settees and canopy bed spread, along with the curtains and paintings. The floor was made out of cold white marble, and the paintings of things seemed to watch you.

And, by surprise, Xena was there, sleeping on the end of my bed like a dog. I giggled, and stroked the Hydra’s back, as it shivered pleasantly. I tried to focus on everything that had happened, however, I was too tired to think. I fell asleep instantly when I hit my pillow.

And, of course, I dreamt of the bad dreams. I dreamt of murder, killing, and the secrets kept away from me.

It was too foggy in my dreams to realize that it wasn’t just a nightmare. It was my past; and unfortunately, perhaps my future.

Chapter 32!

Chapter thirty-two—Marleybone

I didn’t exactly understand if Malistaire was going to come. Surely, he would be here, if he truly believed Krokopatra’s words.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She spoke, as if we were visitors in a little cottage in a fairytale.

I pointed my sword at her, glad it was with me. It worked better than a wand. “I know your plan, now. If Malistaire truly believed we were here, then he would be here.”

Krokopatra blinked, and in her stupid mind, she looked dumbfounded. “He is going to come.”

“No, he isn’t. He thinks you’re stupid. He doesn’t think you would be able to kidnap us- and you can’t. You’re overpowered, Krokopatra, and the Order is here.”

“Mary, careful.” Nikki whispered to me, cautiously. “She still doesn’t know about the S.A.”

I recognized what I had said. I wondered if she was suspicious of my statement: He doesn’t think you would be able to kidnap us. Slowly, I fixed my mistake. “Can you even kidnap us? Two, tiny little girls?”

Krokopatra, overcome with anger, screamed a violent scream. She held a sharp wand at us, taunting. “I will kill you. I am not stupid!”

She was extremely sensitive, I observed. If there was only way to trick her. She was dumb enough.

However, before anything could happen, a wondrous roar came from behind us. At first, I thought we were to be attacked by another Hellhound, but what was behind Nikki and I was very different.

It happened to be a dragon, with three heads, just as the Hellhound. Each head was a different color- red, light blue, and purple. Nikki gasped in amazement, and the dragon flew over to Krokopatra, and began clawing at her face. It was a small dragon- perhaps a baby.

“It’s a hydra.” Nikki laughed. “They’re very rare! I wonder how one got here.”

“How is it rare?” I asked, while I watched in shock as the hydra began to kill Krokopatra. Blood sprayed the room like a fan.

“It is known that they are descendants from the rain.” Nikki replied.

Suddenly, I knew how the hydra got here. The rains, back in the desert. Either my mother, or the Fates had sent it, or I knew it was ours to keep.

When the hydra was finished, it flew towards us. Nikki stepped back with slight fear, but I stepped forward. The hydra, despite all its gruesome acts, had no blood on itself. It was actually kind of cute.

“Mary, what are you doing?” Nikki hissed.

“It’s sent by the Fates.” I answered, simply. The hydra nuzzled one of its heads into my hand. “Its heads are for Fire, Ice, and Storm, right?”

Nikki nodded, and she ran to get the Krokonomicon. She wiped off the blood off the cover, and I saw a tear run down her cheek. “I despise violent deaths.”

“I agree.” I replied, with true sorrow. I stood up, and the hydra unfurled its wings. I looked down, and thought of a name. “Its name will be Xena.”

“It’s a girl, you know.” Nikki told me, as she held the book to her chest.

I ignored that last comment, not wanting the knowledge on how Nikki knew that. She knows everything, but questioning that might give me a disturbing answer. So, I changed the topic. “Where will we keep the Krokonomicon?”

“I don’t know.” Nikki shrugged. “Definitely not the Order of the Fang. It was already stolen once, so evidently it’s not protected enough.”

“Or in our keeping, considering that Malistaire is already chasing after us. Having another thing he wants will just make him want to kill us even more.” I sighed. Xena followed quietly behind us, flapping its wings cheerfully.

Footsteps suddenly echoed around us, in the tunnel, like a spiraling disturbance. It sounded like running. Suddenly, somebody came into view, with his black hair sticking out of his ponytail, eyes creased in worry. “Are you guys alright? And is that a..?”

“Hydra, yes.” Nikki answered quickly. “And we are alright. Krokopatra is dead.”

‘Did I just hear that somebody killed Krokopatra?” A girl with light golden blonde hair walked up behind Matt, and out of the darkness, five other people stepped out as well. They were all blood smeared, but apparently unharmed.

“Who are you?” I asked, confused. “In fact, who are all of you? I mean your names.”

Sierra stepped up, grinning. She pointed to the white-blonde haired girl, with the slim brown eyes. Next to her, was another dirty-blonde girl, with blue-green eyes. “The white-haired one is Saffron, and the blonde one is Caroline.” She pointed to the light-blonde haired girl next to Matt, and to Laura. “Next to Matt is Shanna, and that’s Laura Raven.”

“And you know Sierra and I.” Rowan nodded curtly. It shocked me that a girl of her age was fighting so violently. However, I kept that thought to myself.

I nodded. “And you’re all in the Order.”

They all mumbled something like a yes.

The girl named Saffron cocked her head, frowning in concentration. “Is that… The Krokonomicon?”

“It sure is.” Nikki replied, with a proud look. “We just don’t know where to hide it.”

Sierra and Rowan smiled, glancing at each other. Sierra spoke up. “I think I know a good area, however, it’s not exactly in this world.”

I raised my eyebrow. “You mean we’re going to have to leave Krokotopia?”

She smiled reassuringly. “We will have books, so you shall learn plenty still. However, I’m going to a place named Marleybone. It’s a city area, and they’ve been having some… Troubles. Anyways, the thing is, I’m joining a Police Force to help out there.” Sierra grinned. “I want you and Melissa to join.”

“Alright?” I told her, and Nikki looked exasperated for some reason.

“What does this have to do with hiding the Krokonomicon?” She asked, irritably. I stared at her, wondering why her attitude was so dull.

“There is a clockwork tower in their grand museum. Nobody knows about it but the high officials. It will be safe there.”

“Could I just… Talk with Mary for a moment?” Nikki smiled charmingly, but I saw annoyance in her eyes. The Order nodded, and Nikki took me aside.

“What is it? Why are you so irritated?” I demanded, wanting to know.

“We don’t have time for this!” Nikki exclaimed. Wringing her hands, she looked stressed. “We can’t just go off to Marleybone, when the S.A. is out there!”

“Why not? You heard Sierra. They are having troubles, and I want to help.” I pouted.

“You will be helping by finding the S.A.” Nikki glared. “Doing so will save the Spiral from your father’s grasp.”

I sighed, and stared longingly at Sierra. She was talking to Matt, Shanna, and Laura.

“Are you alright?” Rowan’s voice startled me, and I jumped. I sighed sadly, and glanced at Nikki’s harsh glare.

“Yes.” I lied.

“You know, you guys should really join the Department.” Rowan grinned, as though she was inviting us to a Play. “We’ve been getting some big cases.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but we can’t. We have too much to do.”

“Wait a moment.” A light lit Nikki’s eyes. “Could you tell us some of the cases?”

I gazed at her, trying to understand why Nikki was so strangely reactive. Why would she want to know the cases that they had?

“Well,” Rowan started, thinking. “Murder on the rooftops, scratchings, the mysterious woman-“

Suddenly, that caught me off guard. “Wait, whats the ‘mysterious woman’ about?”

“It’s a strange one, but apparently people have been seeing a woman in black on the rooftops. A common person would call her a thief, but she has stolen nothing! She just wonders around, until somebody found her covered in blood. Not her own blood, but something else. She is now known as a murderer- but nobody can capture her. Mysterious, huh?” Rowan twirled a curled lock of dark red hair, her green cat eyes glinting.

Nikki and I made eye contact, and nodded. This case of the woman was no case at all. It was something more dangerous, like us.

“Let’s go to Marleybone.” Nikki announced, and the Order cheered.  

Later that night, with my arm now healed with my powers, I packed. Nikki sat on a bench as Sierra and I organized our suitcases. Ronan was back with his boat, but this time, we were apparently going to ship to be directly under the Northern lights. That was the Marleybone portal.

“I wish there was a better teleporter invented.” I sighed, stacking my clothes. “So we wouldn’t need to ship out every time.”

“I know, right?” Sierra grinned. Strangely, I never saw her so cheerful. I wondered if she thought Nikki and I were up to something. It was hard keeping the S.A. secret.

In the dark of night, we left the tent. I kept that tent in my memory, knowing I would miss it. Despite the times I’ve spent here, I still loved the place. The deserts and beautiful sky was my paradise- even though I’d always have to wake up.

I breathed in a deep breath of the sweet night air. Deep inside my mind, I prayed and promised that I would listen to the rain. That I shall not fall.

While the stars of beauty watched with sorrow, missing us, we walked upon Ronan’s ship, and set sail.

I leaned against the wooden railing of the ship, treasuring the low wind running its fingers through my hair. I treasured the serenity in the darkness of the water, and the brightness of the stars. I closed my eyes, and let the wind take us away.

I blew a kiss to the world I loved, and we disappeared from view.

Chapter 31 (Short, but the next one will be longer)

Chapter thirty-one—The Help

I gasped at the golden blood on my hand. Suddenly, as if in a visionary flashback, I remembered the golden blood of my mother’s blood on the knife of which Malistaire slashed her throat with.

Nikki was trembling, and I knew only slightly about what she felt. The searing pain was in my arm, as if there was a knife stuck into by bone.

“Nikki, stop moving so I can heal you.” My hands shook, as I forced her on her stomach. She cried out in pain as the new position of her back made her bleed even more. ‘I’m so sorry, Nikki, and I know this hurts. I need your full back to heal all if it. Just wait, Nikki, and the pain will go away.” I begged.

Suddenly, three different growls came out from behind me. I turned, now aware, that I’m in danger.

A Hellhound stood behind me, with three heads. It bore fire for eyes, black needle teeth, and as big as a small elephant. I gulped, and suddenly, my necklace fell off. No, was pulled off.

Now, truly afraid, I had first thought that without the amulet, that I was not protected enough. However, my fear died the tiniest bit when I looked down, and instead of a citrine amulet, there was a golden sword.

The amulet had been pulled off my neck by the weight of the sword. Quickly, I picked it up, and it seemed to fit into my grasp. I gasped at the beauty of the sword, but then watched the Hellhound warily. It stepped over to me, baring its sharp teeth in hunger.

I held the sword towards the beast, both hands on the sword. I’ve never fought with a sword before, but it was probably like a sharp wand. Right..?

I stood before Nikki, protecting her. Immediately, the Hellhound lunged at me, and knocked me down with its power. It was like being hit by a horse. It was on top of me, breathing into my face with the breath of a dragon. It burned my face, but there was no fire. I felt some of my hair singe. Its claws dug into my chest.

My sword was crushed between me and the beast, his red fur rippling in the coldness of the sword. I held the sword to the Hellhound’s throat, making it hard to crush my head with its three jaws. It was like holding back a five hundred weight boulder every time it threw its jaws at me. I felt hot blood pouring over my chest, while the beast slashed itself with my sword as I held it back away from me.

My hands sweaty and bloody with the blade digging into my hand, my sword slipped. Now, with nothing between the Hellhound and I, it lunged at my throat.

Then, suddenly, a large burst of light hit the side of the Hellhound, knocking it off of me, and into the wall. I heard a crack, but it did not stop. Instead of running back at me to tear my throat out, it jumped over me and roared with its three heads.

“Laura, get Mary out of the way!” Someone yelled. It sounded familiar.

Somebody grabbed me with a large grip, and I, suddenly awoken from shock, stood up suddenly. I gripped my sword with my uninjured hand, and rushed to Nikki; ignoring the person whom attempted to bring me out of the battle.

Nikki was wide awake, grimacing in pain. I didn’t expect her to be unconscious, considering that it was only her back. However, she was losing a lot of blood.

Thank the Fates that I was experienced in Life magic. Thank myself for doing it. I put both my hands on her back, aware of the blood and the pain she was feeling.

I closed my eyes, and began whispering incantations that I’ve learned with Moolinda Wu. Concentrating on the elements of Nature, I breathed in and out. Almost meditating, I felt my hands vibrate, and Nikki sigh in relief.

I opened my eyes to see my hands glowing, bright and shimmering gold. I moved my hands away from Nikki, and my hands died out slowly. However, they still vibrated slightly. I helped Nikki up, and she brushed herself off, as though doing so would help clean off the blood stained on her clothes.

Nikki looked up, past me, and gaped. “Mary, look!”

I turned around, and gasped. There were was an amazing amount of people in the room, some still porting in with blue smoke. Matt, Sierra, and Rowan were the three people I had recognized. Everyone else, however, I knew not.

“Are you okay?” A girl with brown curly hair and chocolate eyes asked me, bending over to gain her breath. I saw a scrape along her cheekbone.

“Yeah. We both are.” I glanced at Nikki, and she nodded. Then, I looked back at the girl. “Are you Laura?”

She nodded. “Indeed.”

I moved my eyes eagerly around the scene. I noticed that three more Hellhounds had occurred, and they were all fighting ferociously.

Two girls, one with long blonde hair, and the other with white blonde hair were fighting a Hellhound in the corner. They slashed their wands, and blood spurted out of the Hellhounds as it screamed.

Matt and a girl with golden hair were fighting another hound and three other girls fighting the third. I noticed there were a lot of females in the room.

“Who are these people?” I asked, but I already had a feeling of who they were.

“The Order. Not the whole Order, of course, but most of it.” Laura replied.

I nodded, but I had no time to waste. And neither did Nikki. Nikki grabbed my arm, and led me away from Laura, to a barred door.

“This is the way upstairs.” Nikki told me, studying the bars. She touched one of them, and the bars glowed red. Fortunately, Nikki moved her hands away fast enough for it not to burn her.

“Gee, Nikki, be careful. Don’t get hurt again.” I warned. I rolled up my sleeves, and gripped my wand tightly. “I think I know how to open it.”

I thought back to when I was Richard, and remembering home, I felt a pang to my heart. I ignored it. I remember back in the Haunted Cave, when I found killing so gruesome, where we found that exploded door. Questures opened that barred door, then I could open this one.

I stepped backwards, avoiding a puddle of contents of a body, which I did not need to know was there. I grimaced in disgust.

I pointed my wand at the door, and squeezed my eyes closed tightly. Tightly holding the wand, I whipped it, makes a huge-bending-metal sound, then a large crash. Everybody glanced over at my mess of fire and burning metal, and continued fighting, unable to stop us. Nikki and I stepped over the fire and its contents of metal, and wandered off into the cold darkness.

  It felt like we were walking through a cave. There was little light, and we slowed our pace down when we saw shadows. We glanced at each other to see if we both saw it, and the answer was correct.

Nikki and I peeked in. Surprise hit us like a rock. Instead of two people as we were expecting, we found one. A Krok. The one with the horse hair, with a woman’s ancient garments and ugly complexion.

Where was the S.A. angel? Why was only Krokopatra here?

I felt as if I knew the answer, but I didn’t want to think it. I didn’t want it to happen. After all we’ve gone through?

Krokopatra was turned around, trying to do something. I saw the book- The Krokonomicon. It looked as though it was an ordinary book. However, then again, things don’t have to be beautiful to be magical.

I stepped out of the corner, my footstep echoing out in the room. Krokopatra froze, but did not turn around. I turned and glanced at Nikki, and she, terrified, walked out next to me. Evidently she did not expect me to walk out.

“Step back from the book, Krokopatra.” My voice was so hard and powerful, it surprised me. I’ve never been one to speak without fear.

Krokopatra turned around, eyes level with us. Her eyes were deep velvet, the color of the purple tulips my mother loved. My heart ached. However, she had no kindness in her eyes, and I breathed deeply. There must be some way to defeat her, without killing her. Nikki and I weren’t capable of killing anything else today. It was as though it was against our nature, despite our legendary mission.

I was blindfolded, but now I could see. I knew the S.A. wasn’t here.

But whatever Nikki saw, it was true.

The S.A. Krokopatra was waiting for…

Were us.