“You’ll enjoy it guys. Where we’re headed has all the toys,” she said and Mr. Sivortsova laughed and spoke:
“For us yeah for them, it’s a theme park.” The two laughed at some inside joke. In that moment, I felt something tug at my core it was something I didn’t understand but I knew where it was from and it came from behind. It was strange but it wasn’t dangerous, I glanced behind me and saw nothing but passing old city buildings. I sighed and placed my head back on Odette’s shoulder, closing my eyes, I soon drifted off into a deep sleep. It didn’t seem long, until I was instantly woken.
“Cecelia. Hey. Cecelia.” I heard the gruff voice of Mr. Sivortsova. “On your feet kiddo”—he said stumbling towards me soon reaching me to shove my shoulder a little roughly until I completely opened my heavy eyes—“we’re here.” The sound of his moving weight shuffled loudly through the vehicle until he hopped out, dragging my feet and fixing my hair, I followed after.
The bright light and noise only seemed all the more evident when I hopped out of the jeep. I noticed the others were standing beside the jeep waiting for me. No one said anything—probably because I looked like a mess but at the same time I wasn’t sure if I really cared—I was attacked by a vampiere, heaven forbid—I didn’t think it could get any worse than that. I was reminded every second that it wasn’t just anyone who attacked me but by my favourite teacher—the one I respected most. Even now those fangs threatened to flash at the forefront of my mind, it took every ounce of focus I had to lock it away into my ‘Forget’ memory bank.
Glancing around, I took in the sight before me. Something which reminded me of a Military base. Men and women in dark skin tight suits, thick black boots and silver stainless steel armour scattered all over their body as protective guards. They shifted around in formation while others in the distance underwent contact sparring with swords and diamond shaped shields edged in slight curves. The training ground around us was stretched out as a large courtyard with paths cutting through and fro the mowed green grass. The sky above was a clear blue and I could make out the sliver fluffy clouds slowly moving above, “What’s that?” I asked anyone who would bother to answer me.
“That would be the dome.” said Mr Sivortsova as he looked up to the sky with his hand shielding his eyes from the sun. I could see transparent hexagon shapes in the sky, something that made the birds that flew by a little distorted before returning to normal.
“What’s a dome?” I asked and the most unexpected person answered.
“It’s a protective barrier that not only can withstand against missile attacks but also creates its own mirage to anyone in the area. Though regardless of that, it protects us from those of the evil and damned.”—I looked straight at the strawberry blond haired woman who was now taller than I expected maybe due to the black stilettos she had on—“You know demons.”
“Demons don’t exist.”
She winked, walking over to me she held out her hand, “You keep telling yourself that kid. The name’s Annabelle but you call me Ane most people do.” I returned her shake.
“Cecelia.” I introduced, critically eyeing the strange woman. She turned from me and walked towards two individuals, I noticed were headed straight for us. Their long silver cloaks concealed their form and their silver hoods covered their features. For the strangest part of this day, they seemed the most ordinary. “And here I thought they forgot we were arriving.” said Ane—her strawberry blond hair smoothed down the curve of her back. I noted Mr. Sivortsova moved to stand beside her and watched as the others shuffled behind them. I for one remained like a coward rooted in place.
“We never forgot,” spoke a deep male voice it was intimidating and thick as velvet, it was strong enough to catch everyone’s attention.
“We merely waited for the precise opportunity to introduce ourselves,” purred a smooth female voice—it was frighteningly angelic.
“What do you mean, we already know who you are,” commented Ane, her tone—genuinely confused.
“You do,”—the black scaled finger of the feminine voice pointed at me—“but she doesn’t.” I gasped at the same time Mr. Sivortsova spun around to eye where the finger pointed. The moment he did everyone else in the group also twisted around to look at me. The expression moulding their diverse features was that of surprise, except for Kal’s, whose face shrouded in guilt.
“Can you blame her, she’s new.” spoke Mr. Sivortsova.
As he moved from beside Ane and before me, to shield me from the gaze of the cloaked beings. I was thankful and locked my gaze on the blood red leather of his coat, taking in the minute detail but it wasn’t enough to block out that deadly sharp but lovely voice that filled the air around me.
“She’s young but not a babe and she’s human.” the woman spoke.
“That’s true but—” Mr. Sivortsova said, defeated.
“You know the rules. No mortals past this point.” The cloaked woman hid away her threatening finger and spoke once more I noted as I peeked out from behind Mr. Sivortsova, “everyone else, shall follow us to the Central Hall. New orders will be awaiting there, I suggest we move quickly,” she said turning her heel in sync with her partner they glided away with all my new friends. Mr. Sivortsova stayed behind and I waited until it was safe to do anything else.
Several moments passed and Mr. Sivortsova spoke, “It’s okay now. They’re gone.”
“Who were they?” I asked looking up him only to see his gaze locked onto the castle entrance. The castle was massive and the walls around the courtyard were thick and lined in lookout guards, posted high above.
“They are not important. Not now anyway. I’ll wait with you until your parents’ arrive.” he said.
“But that’s going to—”
“It’s okay,” he smiled down at me and for the first time, in the short while I’ve known him, he didn’t seem arrogant or intimidating. “Your safety, is my number one priority.” The sound of a door slamming and an engine starting caught my attention. I glanced upon the Jeep which disappeared into the arch at the far end of the eastern wall and watched until it was out of sight. “Let’s go. There’s a common room near the entrance.” I nodded and followed as he led the way.
I trailed after Mr. Sivortsova, as he headed towards the end of the main courtyard. We turned into a narrow passageway that shot down towards to a large open hall where chairs sat against the stone walls where light entered through the moulded designs in the stone, while ivy’s ran along the top giving colour to the scene complementing the velvet red wooden chairs and glossy coffee tables, ceiling fans spun between the now lit chandeliers. “Whoa, this place is beautiful.” I awed as I eyed the ancient architecture.
“It should be, we created it.” I glanced at Mr. Sivortsova wondering if he meant ancient Russians. I’m sure that’s the case right, not unmortal beings. I thought as I reflected on that silver cloaked woman. She sent a haunting shiver down my spine and I sped up closing the distance between me and my protector once more. We entered through automatic glass sliding doors and towards a receptionist, she smiled up at Mr. Sivortsova but I was sure she did a double take before that smile. I hid my own grin. Why are all adult women the same? I thought as I glanced between Mr. Sivortsova and the receptionist who continued to flirt with my very attractive guardian and back again—as I wondered if this sight will ever get old. This is something I’ll never understand.
“Of course, here you go.” she said handing him two keys and adding with a seductive purr of her own something I thought made her looked silly but then again who was I to judge. “Call if you need anything.”
“No doubt I will.” he said and I felt sick. He took the keys in hand and turned his heel towards the hall behind the desk that too were guarded by two large heavily armed modern security guards. Their black uniform, Kevlar and padding only added to the dangerous air that surrounded each large man—I concluded then and there that any person who would want to mess with those two would be sorry but probably no
t as sorry as getting involved with Mr Sivortsova. He looked like he could do some serious damage; I would be the one to feel sorry for the person who crossed him.
“Ew.” I said once we were far from the desk. Mr Sivortsova stopped and regarded me. “You can do so much better.” I commented nodding in the direction of the receptionist and he bursts into laughter.
“You think so?” he asked smug or amused I couldn’t really tell because he continued to walk with his back to me.
“Totally.” I laughed once more and I stopped to fold my arms and glared at the larger being in front of me. “What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“Nothing. I thought the same thing.” he confessed as he craned his head over his shoulder and winked at me. I burst out laughing and ran to catch up to him as we continued to walk.
“So how do you know my parents?” I asked.
“I grew up with them.”
“Really?”
“Yep but your dad wasn’t as levelled headed when we were younger.” Mr. Sivortsova commented.
“Really?” I asked again and stopped. “What makes you think he’s levelled headed?”
“Well he knows how to make logical decisions without allowing his emotions to get involved that in turn would make him level headed like when he chose to enrol you in Mortem Academy.” he said. I stared at him and his face was momentarily, one of shock and guilt.
“You knew I was there?” I asked with a risen brow.
“Not really I just knew that’s where most of you kids with similar qualities go,” he avoided carefully and turned around to walk again once he was down at the junction end of the hall, he called over his shoulder. “Do you want to find where you’re sleeping tonight or what?”
“Wait up!” I called running after him and hoped at the same time that this wasn’t going to be a habit.
*.*.*
“And this is your room.” said Mr. Sivortsova, “well for the time being that is.”
“Where’s your room?” I asked.
“Just down the hall and around the corner to the left.” he said and I frowned. Very clear.
He gave me the key to my room, “Thank you Mr. Sivortsova.” I said as I eyed my key like it was my life. When those words left my mouth he was silent looking back at me again but this time, he had a different expression on his face before his lips stretched into a smile across his face—he began to laugh. I glared.
“What’s so funny now?” I demanded not finding any humour in my gratitude.
“Nothing . . . nothing’s funny at all,”—he managed between laughs—”there’s no need for you to call me Mr. Sivortsova. I’m not your teacher nor am I your mentor and plus the Mister part just makes me feel old and reminds me of my old man.”
“So what?”
“So I don’t feel comfortable with it and I’d prefer people to call me Zarlach.” He pointed out and I nodded.
“Sure thing Zarlach.” I accepted.
“Good, dinner’s at seven. Be ready.” he said as he turned to walk away.
“How can I be ready? I only have one set of clothes.” I said gesturing to my uniform. He scanned it for a moment and turned once again to face me.
“I never noticed that until you pointed it out. I’ll ask Odette if she can spare some clothes.”
“You will!” I beamed now feeling like a little girl on Christmas.
“Sure, I don’t see why not unless you want to sleep in that thing.” he shrugged and turned again away from me once more and headed down the hall.
“Thank you!” I called after him.
He stopped and voiced loud enough for me to hear, “Let me know if anyone gives you a hard time.”
“I will.” I promised and watched as he disappeared passed the open wooden doors and around the corner. Dinner came and went quickly, as I spent my time in my room catching up on some lost sleep when I woke, I found Odette hovering over me and Kal leaning against the far wall. As usual she looked bored and uninterested but guarded with her arms and legs crossed but I sensed something changed within her—not knowing exactly what. Her gaze flew out the window and Odette handed me two sets of day clothes and one night pyjamas.
Now that everyone settled down, I grudgingly found that my mind wouldn’t rest. The confines of my room was welcoming but I couldn’t sleep no matter what I did. I was tired yes but my mind was wide awake and I kept thinking about the things I couldn’t control. “I’ll never get any sleep if I keep this up.” So like a rebellious little teenager, I climbed out of bed and left my room. The air was cold to my bare legs as I wandered down the electricity lit halls designed to match the medieval architecture.
The red carpet was cold under my feet but not too much that it was uncomfortable. I could feel the hard thickly stitched together filaments, it wasn’t as soft and silky as the carpet we had at home in the hallway, firmer it was but comforting. I looked up now wondering where I just ended up my mind as was so focused on the cold and the rug beneath my toes I wasn’t watching where I was going and instead stumbled upon a small room where several padded cushioned chairs sat, around a few small squared coffee tables upon the same rug. There were ceiling to floor bookshelves broken up and scattered all around the edge of the room behind the brown plump cushioned chairs.
I set myself down on a nearby sofa and pulled up my legs never realising that I dozed off. I woke again, in a jump as I thought I heard something slam. Quickly, I shuffled along the ground and towards where I thought I heard the sound originate from, a little confused, I sauntered towards an empty suit of armour. I knew then that I was just hearing things and this time headed back for my room—that was if I recalled which turns I took. That was when it occurred again but this time it sounded not something slamming but something smacking. I inched closer towards the suit of armour and knew there was nothing but out of curiosity, I stepped behind the suit and felt the cool thrust of wind upon me. “A door.” I whispered, realising behind this had to be the source of the sound.
Doing something I knew I would regret. I pushed back the stone slab wide enough for my slender frame to fit through and did so without losing the small thick strands of my wavy hair. After all, this may be a place I shouldn’t be stumbling into and the last thing I wanted was to leave behind evidence of my presence. As, I walked down the cold stone steps that rumpled goose bumps over my now icy skin. I finally reached the landing. With the sound of something thrust upon me as smacking or smashing sounds wasn’t the case. As I soon discovered those noises were the sound of angry voices and the next words froze me in place, “Why is Princess Cecelia human and why haven’t they turned her back?”
“Better yet, I would like to know why she knows nothing of the PASA and the United Council.”
I soon found myself, quickly, rushing up the stairs that lead back to the empty suit of armour. With as much strength I could master, I pressed the wall closed and sprinted back towards the hall where I knew I came out of from. Though other than that I was lost and scared, confused and above all beyond doubtful. The halls became daunting and the red of the carpet only intensified my feelings. Everything around me seemed to spin and I screamed. “Cecelia!” I heard a familiar gruff voice. “It’s okay. It’s me.”
I looked up to find Mr. Sivortsova hovering over me, his hands locked around my arms as I felt him lightly shake me. I then realised that I was the one shaking. “Hey . . . you’re safe now.” he soothingly whispered and I regarded him in an expression that I felt moulded to my features, I figured it was shock because his hands didn’t relax around me.
“Please tell me that they meant a different Cecelia, a different Princess Cecelia.” I managed through the single tear that graced my features as I watched his face flicker between once again guilt and shock. He pulled me against his chest and whispered. They had to. I thought. My parents are working class—so I’m not . . .
“Yeah, a different Cecelia. It has nothing to do with you.” he said but knew he was lying, trying to comfort and calm me down and fo
r some silly reason I did eventually calm down. “Let’s get you back to your room. You need to sleep.”
“I can’t.” I confessed as he wound me into his arms.
“Why?” he asked guiding me down the hall that didn’t look familiar at all.
“Because . . . I’m wide awake.”
“Sounds like a good night for a hot chocolate?” I realised he was asking me a question as he glanced at me with utter patience. I nodded and not before long we made our way to a small kitchen adjoining it was a dining room and a lounge room. In the far end, there sat a man reading a book under the light of a tall reading lamp, he nodded at us and I forced a smile while Zarlach nodded in return. If I wasn’t in such a state, I would have found it funny that adult men communicated with a single nod of their heads.
Sometime later, as I watched the steam roll off of my warm chocolate beverage, my mind was not with me. Instead, it spanned further and further into that conversation and into the many others I’ve had previously in the past, that voice hasn’t bothered me recently and hoped it never would. I sighed and glanced out the window only to be shocked by two black eyes on a pale face staring at me, his lips were stretched wide with sharp teeth in a haunting smile and I screamed, spilling my hot chocolate in the process. “Cecelia!” called Zarlach who flew to my side.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I was afraid that if I did that face would attack. So, I pointed, right at the face and hoped that it would vanish at my single action but the next words of my protector cut me short, “Cecelia, there’s no one there.” Zarlach’s voice soothed.
I glanced at him then back at the window to find, my shocked features staring back at me. “I thought . . .” I began than stopped myself, uncertain about the truth but I spoke it anyway, “I’m sorry to scare you like that . . . I thought I saw my Professor.” I glanced across the room and noticed that the man who sat before under the lamp was gone. I felt Zarlach shift and heard my mug, hail the golden brown glossy wooden coffee table beside me. It took me a little while longer to notice what I had done, “Here, let me help.” I said as I stood up and ambled over to the kitchen picking up a tea towel I began to pat it against the grey carpet.
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