I do not own A Great and Terrible Beauty or Rebel Angels. Not that that is over with I present to you my hopefully entertaining fanfic. I would really appreciate any comments or critiques so please leave a review. I will try to update really soon. Thanks and enjoy!

"You are all alone Gemma, all alone." Eyes of white and pointed teeth mock me. No matter how hard I try not to let those words get to me, they always do, every night. It is because they are the truth. I am all alone.

I wake up again for the fifth night in a row covered in sweat with tears running down my cheeks. Father is wasting away, my brother is too concerned with trying to be normal, Grandmama is too busy minding other people's business, and I am here, at oh-so-wonderful Spence. Jolly good.

Knowing full well that I am not going to fall back asleep I get up and pull on my cloak and shoes and head outside. The cool spring breeze against my still slightly damp skin sends shivers down my spine. It has been three months since I took control of the magic of the realms and everything is still a mess. Miss McCleethy still wants all the power to go to the Order and the tang of war is still in the air. Worst of all, I think Pippa is the one leading the army of the Winterlands. Poor Pip…

I stop and look where my wandering has brought me. I am on the shore of the lake, which causes more memories to flood my already crowded mind. I hear a snap of a twig behind me, but before I can turn around a strong arm is around my waist and a hand is over my mouth.

"Do not scream." Says a familiar deep voice in my ear. Kartik. My stomach does a flip. He takes his hand away and I turn around. He seems so much softer, not as intimidating as he once was. I wonder if I did that to him. If I had not come into his life he would have never had to go against the Rakshana and he would not be like me, alone. My eyes travel over his face until we are looking eye to eye. Such sad eyes…No Gemma! He was planning to kill you! Do not feel bad for him. He cannot be trusted, no one can.

"What are you doing here?" I ask with more force than I mean to and the hurt in his eyes causes me to look away.

"I caught wind of a new plan of the Rakshana's. I do not know the details but I wanted to make sure I am near whenever they decide to strike."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself thank you."

"You can not fight this alone Gemma!" He is right. But I do not want him to know that.

"I did perfectly well binding the magic without your help and I certainly do not need it now."

"You asked for my help Miss Doyle, so now I am helping you."

"I asked for your allegiance and information, not for your protection and guidance. Good night Kartik." I turn on my heel and start walking back.

"I am sorry Gemma."

"Me too." I whisper without turning but I do not think he hears me. Maybe it is better that he does not. Ann is still snoring softly when I return to our room. A new wave of exhaustion comes over me so I crawl into bed hoping to get a few more hours of dreamless sleep before having to face another dreary day at Spence. Right. Not happening.

Just as I start to drift off to sleep Ann opens the curtains and calls for me to get up before headed to breakfast. I roll out of bed in a most unlady-like manner and start to get dressed. The breakfast hall is already filled and I make it just in time to eat a nice heaping bowl of cold porridge. Jolly good.

"Oh my Gemma, did you sleep okay? You look absolutely awful." Says Felicity with innocent eyes. I do have the greatest friends, that always tell the truth, even when it does not want to be heard.

"No, Felicity I did not and thank you so very much on your input on my appearance. But my dear Fee, are you getting sick? Your hair looks a little limp." Wow. Lack of sleep does not suit me very well. Ann giggles and Felicity stuffs a very large piece of bacon in her mouth. Great morning.

Just before we are dismissed for classes Mrs. Nightwing daintily taps her glass as to get everyone's attention.

"A guest has just arrived who would like to call upon Miss Doyle." My head flies up to look at Mrs. Nightwing. Is she serious? Who could it possible be? Kartik's warning comes to mind but surely no one in Rakshana would come to Spence. Would they? There are hushed whispers all around and I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks.

"We wish you the best of luck Miss Doyle." We are dismissed for classes, but instead of going to class I leave Felicity and Ann, who appear to be as curious as I am, and follow Mrs. Nightwing into the parlor.

"Hello again, Miss Doyle." My stomach drops.