Trapped

Disclaimer: I'm not Libba Bray. I don't own the characters either.

Gemma is trapped by herself during a blizzard…but is she really alone? Karma. RxR Please!

"Alright, young ladies, let us begin today by painting a scene of your favorite place in Spence," Mrs. Nightwing drawls as we gather our paints together.

We are in a cottage that was just built outside of Spence, where art class was moved to "inspire our domestic creativity". It is near the small lake, the lake Felicity and I became "friends" after I discovered her with a Gypsy boy named Ithal. I remember that day well:

"I think we're going to be great friends, Gemma."

"Would we still be friends if I didn't hold a secret over your head?" I ask.

"Don't friends always share secrets?"

I sighed, and I couldn't help but wonder how my life would be different if I had never gone out towards the lake that day: I never would have had that vision of my mother, I wouldn't be friends with Felicity, Pippa would still be alive and probably married to the highest bidder, Kartik might still be in the Rakshana…

…Kartik. That name has been haunting me for awhile. It was February now, and I hadn't seen him since that day in his room, that secret room he shared only with me.

"An allegiance to the Order…is that the only fealty you require of me?"

Why does this question have the power to push the breath from me?

"Yes," I whisper, without turning around. "That is all."

I couldn't help but wonder if Kartik had changed his mind about allying with the Order and me. Maybe he went back to India, in search of his family and a normal life. Perhaps he is still in London, begging the Rakshana for forgiveness.

My eyes widened at that prospect. Surely he wouldn't dare do that? He knows more than I do the fate of those who betray the Rakshana. If he went back to them, or if they found him themselves, he would be dead.

I put my hand over my wildly beating heart. I closed my eyes and prayed silently that Kartik was safe. I don't know who I was praying to, but hopefully they would pity me and listen. As I hoped for Kartik's safety, I stopped listening to Mrs. Nightwing's lecture on the proper use of watercolors. A sharp reprimanding voice brought me back to attention.

"Miss Doyle?" Mrs. Nightwing glared at me through her spectacles. "Do you intend to ignore me for the rest of the afternoon?"

"I apologize Mrs. Nightwing," I lower my eyes, attempting to look remorseful, "I don't know how I could be so rude. Forgive me, but what was the question?"

"I asked if you would be so kind as to tell the class what scene of Spence you plan to paint?"

Without thinking, I blurted out, "The caves!" Mrs. Nightwing gaped at me disapprovingly and I could hear the devil in human form, Cecily Temple, snicker along with her followers at my expense. Sitting next to me, Felicity eyed me as if she wanted to say, Have you gone mad?! I blush profusely and murmur, "I meant to say, the lake, Mrs. Nightwing."

Mrs. Nightwing continues to eye me for a few more moments, then she turns her attention to the rest of the class. "Alright then, class, begin your paintings."

Everyone's attention is drawn back to her own easel. As I begin to halfheartedly paint a scene of the lake, Felicity turns to me.

"Gemma! What in the world were you thinking? Honestly, the caves! That went well! Are you alright?"

I wanted to tell Felicity how much I feared for Kartik, but I knew exactly why would happen. She would mutter something like, "I'm glad he's gone. That Indian caused us nothing but trouble. Good riddance, if you ask me," all the while having a condescending smirk on her pale face. So instead I muttered, "The cold has me in a mood. Honestly, does it ever get warm in England?"

Felicity rolled her eyes. "It's going to be a long time until it gets warm, Gemma. In fact, it looked as if it may snow today."

I couldn't help but shiver at the thought. I was thankful for the woodstove in the cottage with the piles of coal next to it. I turned back to my artwork.

The rest of the hour went on quietly; by the end of it I had finished my scene of the lake, though it looked more like an overripe blueberry that got stepped on than an actual lake. I couldn't complain, though. My skill art was hardly beyond reproach.

"Alright, girls, you are released for your free period," announced Mrs. Nightwing as she prepared a table full of breads, fruits, and cheeses for the younger classes doing still life portraits. "Be sure to put your brushes in the sink to be washed.

The class suddenly bustled with life as girls put brushes in the small sink. I almost ran into a maid in my rush to put my brushes away and get to free period.

"Sorry, miss," the maid whispered as she pumped water into the sink." I muttered my apologies as well, and then rushed towards the door."

"Miss Doyle," Mrs. Nightwing called. I skidded to a stop and faced her. "I just received a letter addressed to you from someone." I took the envelope and tore it opened. Then I gasped at what I read.

Oooh, suspense! Who is the letter from?! Not sure when I can update, but you know what they say: Reviews speed up the update process!