The air was cold and everything was gloomy without life walking along the streets. Omar had ended up by the fountain after his drinking moment. He stumbled and fell in, luckily landing on his butt with his head clear of the water. It was enough to wake him up, but he didn't want to move. He looked up at the sky and noticed clouds were moving in.

Suddenly water was splashing at his face. He leaned away and tapped his head then grasped it as a headache came on. He looked over at the offender and saw that it was Angel. She had a smirk on her face. He sat forward.

"Come to laugh at me?" he stood up and shook out his jacket.

"No, just figured I'd save you from drowning, cause you're too drunk to do it." She looked away, shrugging her shoulders and looking like an embarrassed school kid.

"Well, now that we got that squared, see you later." He climbed out of the fountain and walked past her.

"Omar, wait!" She reached towards him.

"What?" he turned and looked at her.

"I'm sorry I was such a bitch to you," she said quietly.

He shrugged and continued on his way, "Don't worry about it Angel, I was an ass."

Angel looked up at him shocked. She had never ever heard Omar admit to something like that before. He usually denied it or just gave a sullen look for an apology. She was concerned on a number of levels.

"What did she do to you?" she whispered to his back.


Almathea tossed and turned in her bed as a nightmare consumed her. She watched in horror as Omar was attacked by something red and fiery. He was slammed against a wall and he fell down dead. She jerked and jolted awake.

Her surroundings were of little comfort. The dream had been so vivid. The only thing that she couldn't see clearly, was whatever had attacked Omar. All her mind's eye saw was red and fire. Fire that was condensed into a form. Like a large bull with wicked horns.

She shivered at the thought and jumped out of bed. She ran down the hall and headed towards Molly's sleeping quarters. She burst through the door without knocking and headed for Molly's bed. Molly sat up with a startled gasp then relaxed when it was the princess.

"What's wrong your highness?" Molly asked as she got out of bed.

"I had the most horrible dream," Almathea ran into Molly's unprepared embrace.

"It's alright, it was just a dream," Molly stroked her hair like she used to do when Almathea was little.

"I'm not so sure, it felt so real. It was hot and this strange red was flickering, and Omar, he was struck down," Almathea sobbed into Molly's shoulder.

"Who is Omar?" Molly asked confused.

Almathea became quiet and looked down at the ground. Molly knew when she didn't want to tell her something. She let it slide since the princess was clearly distraught.

"I have to find him!" Almathea turned and fled out of the room.

Molly stood in shocked silence. She had never seen Almathea, calm and quiet, Almathea behave in such a matter. Whoever the boy was, she obviously cared a lot for him.


Almathea fled down through the halls and out the front door. She didn't care if her father knew she was leaving. Before she could get far she heard her father's voice echo through the castle. She wanted to obey but she needed to find Omar. For the first time in her life, she disobeyed his summons and dashed out into the street.

She saw Omar heading towards the club. She ran across the street and slammed into his back. He let out a yelp of surprise and turned to face her.

"Almathea?" he looked at her confused.

"You're alright," she gasped out. She rarely found the need to run.

"I am?" he looked down at her in confusion.

She nodded and hid her face against his chest. She was glad he was unharmed and didn't want to let him go.

"You're kind of squeezing the breath out of me," he eased her grip on him but still let her hold on to him.

"I'm sorry," she looked up at him with a faint blush on her otherwise pale cheeks.

He stroked her cheek gently. He started to say something but something caught his attention. She turned her head in confusion and saw what he was looking at. Or at least what she thought he was looking at. She looked up at him and waved her hands in front of his eyes. He didn't even react.

Almathea backed away in confusion. He was still breathing, but other than that he didn't move or respond at all. She snapped her fingers in front of his nose and he blinked.

"Whoa, what happened?" Omar looked down the street towards the area that had caught his attention.

Almathea shook her head, "You should probably head to the club, I'm going to talk to my father."

He looked at her doubtfully but shrugged. She felt a little stung by the doubt, but she held her head up and turned back to the castle. She didn't know what was going on, but she felt sure it had something to do with her father. Maybe he is crazier than he seems, she thought as she ascended the steps that led to the dining hall.

Her father sat, waiting for her with a leer.