CHAPTER ONE
Arriane Barrow panted as she darted down an alleyway and tried to disguise herself by blending in with the busy crowd. Since she had left the school building twenty minutes earlier, three cloaked figures had been following the twelve year old on her journey home. It had only been two weeks since she had discovered the abnormality in her veins, surely she hadn't been caught yet.
Ducking into another shadowy alley, Arriane's scream was muffled by a hand covering her mouth. The small girl felt her body being dragged into one of the buildings and her eyes took time to adjust to the dark. Praying to anyone who would listen, she prayed that her kidnappers wouldn't kill her. Her family had was still reeling from the absence of Shade Barrow, Arriane's older brother who was sent to the war last year.
Once she was finally released, she whirled on the three captors with her fists raised, ready to fight her way out. The two males stood guard whilst the girl with the cropped blonde hair stepped forward.
"Hey, it's okay. We're not here to hurt you. We just want to help." Diana Farley held her hand out to the shaking - but unwavering - little girl huddled against the far wall. "My name is Diana Farley. I'm part of an organisation called the Scarlet Guard."
The sixteen year old's soothing tone comforted the young girl, who dropped her fists and took a step towards the outstretched hand, placing her small fist in Farley's larger palm.
"W-what do you want with m-me?"
"We would like you to join the Scarlet Guard because we believe you'd be a great asset to us. Your abilities are extraordinary."
"You know about what I did? What's wrong with me?" Arriane whimpered, confused at the whole situation.
"We're not sure yet but you're a Red with the same abilities as Silvers. We want to protect you from anybody who would wish to hurt you. The only people who will know about what you can do is a small group of the Scarlet Guard." Farley reassured the child, awkwardly putting an arm around her shoulders.
"So, what exactly is the Scarlet Guard?" Arriane turned to look up at the blonde woman who was helping her understand what was happening to her.
"We're a militant resistance group of Red rebels. We stand for the freedom and equality of all people living in Silver kingdoms. We recruit Reds that want to fight against oppression. We'd like you to join us and fight back against those who would use you or kill you for just being different. We'll take care of you."
Absorbing the information that Farley had told her, Arriane weighed the pros and cons of joining a rebel organisation. Deciding that helping people of her own blood was worth the risks she would be taking, she agreed to join.
"I must warn you, you tell anybody and I'm afraid you won't like the consequences."
"Excuse me, Miss Farley-"
"Just Farley." The blonde interrupted.
"Sorry. Look, Farley, I already have to worry about Silvers hunting me down. I don't need to worry about pissing off a military organization who will kill me."
"That's some colourful language for a little girl." One of the guards scoffed, turning away from staring out the window.
"Welcome to the Stilts." Arriane smirked. "Watch where you step, there's colourful language everywhere."
"Snarky too." The other guard chuckled.
"You'll fit right in." Farley and Arriane grasped hands before having a firm handshake. "Welcome to the Scarlet Guard."
Gazing up at the palace in front of her, Arriane Barrow couldn't help but pull her coat closer to her in the hopes that people wouldn't give her a second glance. The Silvers didn't but Ann Walsh noticed the girl's hesitation and gave her an encouraging smile before ushering her into the building as quickly as possible.
The Scarlet Guard had managed to acquire a maid job for Arriane, and despite her only being thirteen, she would be serving as a spy for them. Her small build and innocent features meant nobody would suspect her of anything mischievous. The only downside to the job that she was unable to tell her family what her occupation was; a precaution that she took to ensure their safety if her position was compromised.
Luckily, her family were too excited at the fact that Arriane wouldn't be conscripted to ask any questions; the Barrow family were still mourning the hole that Shade's conscription had left in their family. It had been two years and the wound was still raw.
Due to being a royal maid, Arriane's uniform fit her perfectly as it was tailor maid. Sadly, it was the nicest thing she owned. And it was all a lie. Walking down the corridor, Arriane couldn't stop her hands from shaking due to fear. She was surrounded by Silvers. Surrounded by people that would murder her if they ever found out what she could do. Murder her if they found out she had power despite the colour of her blood.
Seventeen year old Arriane Barrow was already hard at work scrubbing the floors of the giant arena. Queenstrial was to commence that afternoon and the Royal family had demanded that everything be perfect. The auburn haired teenager had been cleaning since the crack of dawn and her hands were raw. Thankfully, she only had one more box to clean before she was able to get some lunch from the kitchen.
As she stood, the cracking of her spine resonated throughout the arena causing the teenager to wince at the harshness of it. Later, this arena would be filled with even more horrifying sounds. But for now, the growl of her stomach joined the cracking sounds. She had missed breakfast and her gut was reminding her of its neglect.
Clambering over to the final box seat, Arriane noticed that all the servers for Queenstrial were beginning to file into the palace; it was the most Reds she had ever seen in the palace. Bending down to scrub the final floor, the eldest Barrow failed to see her twin sister walk past her. Finishing her job, Arriane dragged her weary body down to the kitchens completely oblivious that her twin sister was upstairs.
Footsteps echoed throughout the expensive corridors of the palace as Arriane carried a silver platter towards the elaborate dining room. The young woman was serving the Royals for the evening and she had done nothing but scurry back and forth from the kitchen to ensure that all the food was on the table before the Royals sat down to dine. Certain that everything was in the correct position, Arriane gave a small smile at her work before scurrying into a corner of the room, joining the other servants positioned around the outside of the room. Averting her eyes, Arriane did not even glance at the royals and their court as they swanned and took their places at the table. None of the servants did.
Once seated, the King of Norta snapped his fingers and every servant surged forward to serve the elite members at the table.
Leaning over, Arriane filled the Crowned Prince's glass with water and accidentally looked up in the process. As she did, her eyes connected with a pair of familiar ones. Mare's.
Eyes widening, Arriane tried to remain as neutral as possible, trying to remain a servant hidden in the shadows.
Unfortunately, Mare - who was now dressed in garments fit for a princess - let out a gasp loud enough that, everyone seated at the table, heard and turned to look at Mare and Arriane.
Angling his head, Cal caught sight of a woman with the most exquisite eyes; they were a deep hazelnut with bright golden flecks.
Once she poured his water, the Red servant hurried back to her position against the wall, hoping to remain unseen. Cal could tell it was too late.
Queen Elara's eyes flitted between Mare and Arriane, her eyes narrowed as the servant shifted under the heated gaze.
"I regret to inform you all that I am feeling rather under the weather. I am sorry to cut our wonderful meal short but I must ask you all to retire to your rooms or the common rooms. Hopefully we can reschedule for another time." Elara announced to the room, her whisper ability helping convince those who remained doubtful about vacating. Even the servants were booted out of the room.
"Not you." Elara demanded as the Red with the enrapturing eyes tried to leave.
Cal remained rooted in his seat, pretending to be interested in a droplet of water sliding down his glass. However, he couldn't miss the shock in Mare/Mareena's face or how the Red's hands shook as she walked back to the Queen.
Her head was down, her shoulders were hunched but Cal could see the straightness to her spine; the one hint that this servant was not afraid. That she was ready for what was about to happen.
"Mareena, come here."
Mare wasted no time in scurrying over to the Queen, standing next to the servant who was clenching her hands into fists.
Looking between the two, he noticed similarities in their facial features, similarities that even Elara would not be able to miss. Maybe it was a Red thing.
"Now, how do the two of you know each other?" Elara's tone was soft and sugary, but her eyes were icy cold.
Shit, Arriane thought.