Sarah's eyes fluttered as she tried to fight sleep.

Who am I kidding? He doesn't like me.

A sudden felling of dread and loss came over her as she thought this. Finally she let sleep catch her, not wanting to think any more thoughts. The last thing she saw was a puff of silver.

A little girl with warm brown eyes sat in the middle of the floor. Her eyes stared at the smoke clouds surrounding her in a protective dance. Her skin was pale as snow and lips a rosy pink. Her hair flowed long down her back covering her skirts with a rich chocolate brown.

The dress encased her body with red, a single white rose in her hair.

"Little girl. Are you okay?" Sarah called.

"I can a sure you, I am much older than you think." Her voice echoed around the empty space disrupting the peace.

"Who are you?"

"I am Deandre, spirit of the labyrinth."

"Why are you speaking to me?"

"Sarah. Are you aware that you are champion of the labyrinth?" Sarah shook her head 'yes'. "Then you understand that we are connected always. Right?" She nodded. "I am your guide back to the Fae world."

"What do you mean back to the Fae world?" Her voice went up two octaves in fear.

"Sarah you are Fae. I am here to guide you through your transformation, while your body changes your mind will adapt giving you one of six gifts."

"I don't understand. I am not Fae, my parents are human."

"Sarah you are Fae. Your father has Fae blood. And your mother, well, she is a full blooded Fae." Sarah was struck dumb. Her mind was racing through old memories of her mother and father. How they used to fight when she wasn't in the room. She could pick out words like, under, above ground, kingdom, and pain.

"Sarah. Sarah!" Her eyes shot up at the familiar voice, trying to find the person who was calling her name. "Behind you," It mocked.

"Mom?" Finally turning to see the person who had called her name.

"Yes Sarah, it's me." Linda smiled.

"Where have you been?! Why did you leave me and dad?! We loved you! And now he has married Karen." Tears began to form in her eyes as screamed at her mother. Small sobs escaped her lips as Linda slowly pulled her close.

"Shh. I will give you all your answers once we are done here." She looked up at the labyrinth, silently telling her to continue her speech.

"Okay." Sarah sniffed, Turning her attention to the labyrinth now. "I am ready to begin, where do I start?"

"You will have to face a series of challenges. This is because once you are Fae you must take on the responsibilities of a high princess."

"A what?! Nonono. No! Back Up, Now. A high princess, I can't take up that much responsibility!" Sarah paled.

"Sarah relax that's what the challenges prepare you for. As you turn Fae a kingdom will choose you." Linda explained

Sarah faced gain some color but that didn't stop the feeling of dread from washing over her. She gulped, loudly. "Okay."

"Follow me." Deandre commanded. Sarah and Linda started walking side by side as the little girl that was seated stood. The smoke cloud followed her in a protective dance. As they kept walking their surroundings started to change slowly, shifting from a view of France to the hill side of Italy, as if on a tour of the world. Then the view shifted and there was a slight pull as they entered the underground. They appeared in an open field.

"Your first challenge you have already passed, when you showed strength and determination in the labyrinth. Now begins the second, you must show that you can survive the wilderness. You must stay in these woods," Deandre pointed to the dense forest they stood in front of, "for two days. Be warned there are beast in this forest that wish to kill you, others to posses you, remember you must not give in no matter what." Sarah nodded trying her best not to faint, while taking in as much information as possible.

"You will be given two items, one hunting tool, and two spark rocks. In addition you are allowed one item of your choosing." Sarah chose a satchel to carry her spark rocks and arrows. Her hunting tool, a cross bow, she silently thanked her mother for putting her in archery when she was a child. After hugging her mother she went on her way, stopping in front of the large forest to stare up at the trees.

"Well, come on feet." She whispered as she began her trek through the forest.

-JSJS-

"Sarah! Sarah! It's time for school. Wake up or you'll be late." Karen yelled up the stairs. It was 8:30 and the bus had just passed, she was going to be late. Karen decided to go to Sarah's room to wake her up. She turned the knob and started for the bed.

She shook Sarah slightly, then a little harder. Finally she flipped her over to see her face. Karen screamed at what she saw.

Above Sarah's eyes markings began to appear, silver, green, and gold to be exact. Her skin seemed to sparkle and her hair was now a darker shade of brown, it was fuller. Her lips were now a shade of rosy pink on the verge of red. Her body seemed to hum slowly gaining in length and curves. And if one were to look closely at her skin, one would see, what looks like purple sparkles, magic coursing through her veins. Inside, her blood changed also from crimson red to blue-ish silver.

Karen, letting out another blood curling scream, fainted when her eyes landed on the, thought deceased, Linda Williams Lying on the floor.

0000oooo00000

Where's Toby? With his father, on the way to day care.

-JSJSJS-JSJSJSJSJS-

The birds chirped and the leaves blew in the wind as day turned to dusk. Tree leaves and branches snapped under her feet. Her pace quickened as she realized what night might bring, thanks to her over active imagination. The moon rose and the night sky became lit with stars.

They blinked brightly, forming shapes, and outlining planets. If Sarah looked closely she would see one of the shapes in the stars were a girl and a man twirling in a never ending tune.

A howl, filled with pain and sorrow, pierced through the evening sky. Sarah ran, full on sprint, through the dense forest. The creature howled again, sensing her presence, he chased after her like the predator he is. Sarah grabbed an arrow from her bag and placed it on the bow, readying it for fire. Sweat glistened on her forehead, as she continued to run from the creature, in fear and exertion.

Another howl, only this time from ten feet behind her, Sarah stopped abruptly to slowly turn and face the creature.

Its fur was grey and white blending in with the light of the moon. Its eyes held madness and misery in its black and yellow depths. The animal bared its teeth revealing sharp yellow canines.

Sarah instinctively took a few steps back, careful not to make any sudden movements. Another step back, yet this time Sarah broke a twig underway. The sound echoed through the silent forest, as if to silence the sound, the wolf growled low in its throat, sending fear down her back.

Quickly, she turned on her heel and bolted through the trees, over rocks, until she was met by clearing. But the wolf was too fast, it circled her, stopping right in front of her.

The animal let out what could pass for a chuckle.

He's toying with me?!She took an arrow from her bag and loaded it into the bow; the arrow flew into the air. It cut into the tense silence that had formed between the two.

The arrow pierced the wolf's hind leg and he howled in pain. He settled a glare of anger toward Sarah, but she stood her ground. The wolf bent into a hunting crouch and began to circle Sarah once more. She did not stay in place this time, she moved as he moved in a peculiar dance.

The wolf bared its teeth that held clenched in pain. He pounced. Sarah's mind filled with the history of Fae fighting along with human fighting styles, her body moved on its own, planning every move before it happened. Her mind told her body what to do as if on auto pilot and still managed to look graceful.

Her body coiled as she too propelled herself into the air, moving over the body of the creature. She loaded her arrow and pulled back. This time the arrow hit dead center of the creature's spine. Sarah landed on her feet and watched with unseeing eyes as the wolf fell in defeat.

"Good night" She whispered before aiming at its heart with another arrow. Something unexpected happened just then.

The body of the creature shifted and grew. Its grey, blood stained fur, turned to grey and silver scales. The tail grew in length and an arrow pointed tip could be seen. Along with its body the head grew revealing piercing blue and silver eyes. The creature seemed to smile revealing sharp pointed teeth. Wings grew from the creatures back.

Sarah

Sarah's head whipped around, searching for the body that came with the voice. She heard a distinct chuckle in her head.

My name is Sage. You have passed my test, for I am now yours, as you are mine.

As if to prove her point the large dragon knelt bending its head at arms length for Sarah to reach.

Hesitantly she reached her hand out to touch the top of its nose. The dragon, sage, leant into her touch.

Did you have to scare me like that?She asked

I needed to see if you were ready and able to defend yourself if I am not there, to see if we were compatible.Sage thought back.

Oh,was all Sarah could say.

Come now we must leave before night fall. Climb on my back. Tomorrow is the last day. Sage thought. As Sarah began to climb the dragons back noises could be heard in the distance. Hang on tight.

Sage took off with four large pumps of her wings and together they flew off to where she and Sarah would meet with Linda and Deandre.

The noises grew, as they were now distinguished as shrieks. Sage's wings flapped harder with exertion.

Sage what's wrong? What is that?

They are Nits. Something like the human banshees, they scream when they find pray to alert there pack. They are swift creature, but are not very strong, that is why they travel in groups. If an army of them were to come after us while we were unarmed we would die in less than 4 min.

Wow. What are their weak points?

I don't know, as they have many breeds, speak the words Ddraig golwg, It will give you the power to see as I do. Another shriek pierced the skies, this time louder.

"Ddraig golwg," She whispered. Her sight flashed and her surrounding became clearer more defined. Below them she spotted heat signatures before her eyes flashed again to show her the monkey on the tree. "Wow" She breathed.

Amazing isn't it? Sage asked smugly. There is no time look behind us.Doing as told Sarah stifled a scream of fright. About 5 feet behind them were the nits. They had large round heads and long thick bodies. They had neither arms nor legs, but they did have wings.

Okay, they have a weak spot between the eye's and right in the middle of their backs.

Got it, can you bring us up higher?

Sure. With another pump of her wing sage brought them up higher into the clouds. Sarah pulled four arrows from her back, swung her body around so that she could get a clear shot. Slowly she breathed waiting for the group to line up in a V formation. She breathed deeply, exhaling from her mouth, releasing her hold on the arrows. Just as one opened its mouth to shriek an arrow went straight through its open mouth exiting through it rear.

Like a bomb the Nit fell from formation along with three other's soon followed by the remaining three.

W ell done Sarah... We are here. The spell on her eye's seemed to release itself as they landed on the ground. Rest now, till you wake. Sarah laid on the cool grass her eyes on the sinking sun, as sage curled her body around her for warmth and shelter.

Sarah awoke to the gentle singing of Deandre as she examined the flowers around her.

"Well nice to see you awake." She smiled warmly done at Sarah.

Good Morning, My Queen. Sarah, who finally got up, looked for the body that came with the voice. She heard a light chuckle in her head; Look Down on your arm.On her arm was what could pass for a dragon tattoo, Sage.

"H…how?" Sarah looked to Deandre for answers, but instead Deandre rolled up the sleeve of her dress to show Sarah several of the same markings on her arm.

"These are the creatures that protect me. The labyrinth has this also, carved into its ancient walls." Deandre explained.

"Oh," was all Sarah said.

"Would you like to go back to the mortal realm Sarah? You have successfully completed your first challenge, and are free to return at any moment." Deandre asked.

"Yes, please. That would be wonderful." Sarah smiled thinking of how Karen would react to the dragon on her arm. With a wave of a hand she, and her dragon sage, was gone.

"Oh, Dear Sarah. You have no idea who your protector is, do you?" Deandre muttered before, she too, vanished. Neither noticed the black raven in the trees.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SDS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Linda watched with mild amusement as Karen paced the living room.

"You….you can't be alive!? Your dead!?" Linda flinched as Karen's high pitched voice reached an even higher level.

"I am not. You see me sitting here, do you not?" Linda asked. The question came out more of a statement.

"Yes, of course. But I... it can't... ugh," Karen gave an exasperated sigh, before collapsing on the chair.

"Now if you are finished, may I explain?" Linda asked, standing in front of Karen. Said woman gave a weak nod of approval. "Now I am not dead, never was, and don't plan on it anytime soon. When I 'died' in this world, I was only entering the next. I had to leave so that Sarah could have as normal a life as possible. Only problem was, I did not know of the book. I am only Fae I was not blessed to see the future. And do not worry about Robert, he knew why I left and understood the terms that we were no longer married." Linda finished. Karen paled.

She hadn't thought about Robert. How would he react to seeing Linda again? Would he leave her for Linda? Would he…? Karen was snapped out of her reverie by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Am I interrupting something?" Sarah asked her voice seemed higher, more like she was singing. She had a smirk on her face, which seemed sharper, her cheek bones more prominent, and her eyebrows shaped in a flourish. Her hair was a shade lighter and glowed like a halo. Her eyes seemed to change color in the light and the markings above them were etched into her skin.

She was wearing a light brown leather jacket with a short blue dress with a black belt over her waist, black fishnet stockings and black leather boots that reached just above the knee. To top it all off she wore black leather gloves with her hair falling in loose curls.

"Well, well, nice to see you have passed the test." Linda said, smiling to show pointed canines.

"Yes. I also have something to show you both," Sarah frowned, "Which reminds me, what am I interrupting exactly?"

"Nothing, I was just explaining to Karen, What was going on." Linda said, looking at her daughter curiously. "Sarah? What is it you wanted to show us?"

"This." Sarah tugged off her jacket to reveal what looked like a dragon tattoo. Karen gasped in surprise while Linda clapped in glee.

"Sarah, what is that?" Karen hissed. Just then the tattoo moved so that the head faced Karen with piercing eyes.

"I see you two have finally met. Did Sage explain to you who…." Linda was cut off by the look that the dragon sage was giving her. At Sarah's look of confusion Linda corrected herself, "Will be training you to fight?"

Sarah narrowed her eyes menacingly at Linda, her lips curling back over her teeth in a snarl. The look that was sent Linda's way was oblivious to her, but Karen saw it, and her words died on her lips at the site of the pointed teeth that was being revealed.

"No, I want the truth, now." Sarah's voice seemed to echo around the house so loudly that even Merlin, who had just entered through the dog door, flinched.

My Queen, it is not her secret to tell. I wish to explain further in my… I mean our realm. Sage turned to face Linda again, directing her thoughts to her,would you be so kind, as to take us to the aboveground castle realms, and there we can both finish our explanations.

With a nod of the head and a flick of the wrist they were gone.

-JS-

When they materialized they stood in front of a large white and silver toned castle. Sarah stood to take in the view when she felt an odd tug from her arm. She looked down to find that sage was no longer there. Sarah was about to question the dragon sage when she felt rather than heard the slight huff from behind her.

"Welcome to our kingdom Sarah." Linda spoke in a proud voice.

"Okay before we explore I want an explanation now. Mom you take Karen inside and explain to her what is going on." Sarah said in a strong voice. She turned on Sage;you have a lot of explaining to do. The dragon, in turn, sighed.

Come, my queen, if I am to explain then first I must take you to my realm. Sage waited till Sarah climbed onto her back before spreading her wings and taking flight. When she reached above the clouds Sage began her story.

My race is among the proudest and strongest creatures of the underground. We are a mighty race of warriors and cannot be beaten by many. There are selected few who have come close to rivaling our power, but in the end have failed. Then there is those who are stronger than us in many ways, these are whom we serve, you are among this group.

Who else is in this group? Sarah asked remembering the many dragons on Deandre's arm as well.

We served the labyrinth, its king, queen, and spirit, as well as the High king and queen of the above and underground. These are those we serve and protect. As you well know, for each race of creatures there is a king and queen chosen by the High royalty. The dragon race, however, does not have a Fae ruler.

Then who rules over your race?

I do.

Sarah sat in stunned silence. Sage took this as a sign to continue.

There have been 5 rulers of the dragon race dating back little after time. The dragons were created to help keep peace to the way of life. However we are not prone from making mistakes and my people became lost. But that is a story best saved for later. At that time we were given a power like what the humans call premonitions.

Sarah chuckled at that.So your physic, It was Sages turn to laugh.

Yes, something of the sort. She became serious once more and Sarah could sense this was no joking matter. There is an evil coming, my queen, and as queen I must worry for the good of my charge.

I understand first let us greet your people. Then we must begin training, and you could tell me that story

Understood.With that Sage swooped down to land on the mountain side, folding her wings in place. Welcome to my home.

-JS-

"YOU STUUPIIDD BOY! I SENT YOU TO KILL THE GIRL AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO, YOU SEND THE NITS AFTER HER! YOU TWIT! DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THOSE ANNOYING LITTLE BUGGERS COULD MATCH HER PROTECTOR! IF YOU WEREN'T MY SON I'D TIE YOU TO A POLE AND LET THE SAME CREATURE CHEW YOU UP."

"I'm sorry mother."

"Sorry doesn't cut it boy!" His mother growled.

"Of course it doesn't" he mumbled.

"Jonathan how hard is it to follow orders?"

"Not very hard mother. I apologize for disappointing you. Now if you will excuse me." Jonathan silently bowed to his mother before exiting his old home. Cecilia stared at the retreating form of her son with cold black eyes. She turned her back to look over the small piece of farm land that belonged to her. Looking down she spotted a small family portrait, in the picture her eyes sparkled a light blue. She flipped the picture down.

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