Chapter 6 Push
A month had passed and there was no progress. Well, there was progress in her training, as well in the training of Elyon and Miranda, but there was no progress in submitting to her. Cedric had tried to fight back in the few sessions afterwards, but he had finally submitted to her. It had been a pain but the snake was finally listening to her like he should. He was listening better to her than he did to Phobos.
No, her problem lay with Elyon, Miranda and Caleb.
Elyon's hormones were diminishing and she was finally seeing that Cedric might not hold all her answers. Will knew Elyon was wondering if she would ever become Queen. If it was wise to stay with her. And she knew that Elyon was worrying about the darkness that Will was now able to spread consciously. But Will knew Elyon's biggest flaw. She was no leader. She might be a princess at birth and 'meant' to become Queen, but she was nothing more than a simple follower. The girl was too unconfident, too naïve to be a good leader. And that would be the way to make Elyon completely obedient to her.
Miranda was doubting. She had been doubting all these weeks. Will had noticed that she was starting to act more submissive but she was still doubting. If she found out that Elyon was starting to think straight, those two might become a problem. But then again, Miranda took greatly to Cedric. Both were born with a talent for shape shifting and Cedric seemed to be fond of her, in more ways than Will wanted to know. Perhaps she could use that. After all, they needed some males in the castle as well.
Talking about males, Caleb was becoming more annoying with each day. He was struggling against her darkness, even when she started to influence him consciously. Even dressing to a more favored attire, which uncovered a lot of her body, didn't make him melt for her. She knew he was attracted, but she also knew he was too stubborn to become so easily evil. Not with his history with Phobos and his "evil" mother. He was trying to show her that he wouldn't turn evil like his mother. What a pity that she was planning otherwise. Her eyes lit up in sudden realization. Caleb cared about the bond called family. Now that she thought about it, he had always seen them as his family. Hay Lin had been his little sister, Irma his almost brother only female, Cornelia his unfortunate mate, Taranee…Well, Caleb always cared about her and he saw her as the stubborn sister who would defy him at all cost. He was the one who had persuaded her to try and get closer to her mother, who was distancing her more and more from her all because of Professor Collins. She never hated the man, by all means. She had always thought that her mother was trying too hard to be a full family and she was actually happy when those things happened. Not that she told Caleb. He would only try to persuade her to get back with her mother. But this was his weak spot. He was always so protective of her and his heart would only be filled with hate if he saw how everyone, her 'friends' as well as her mother, had abandoned her. Without a single last doubt.
Will smiled in the darkness of her room. They all just needed that one little push. The sun would rise shortly and her own personal maid would come in to wake her up and tidy her bed. Will hadn't introduced herself to the staff like the others had done. She liked being a ghost in the castle. Just a few knew that she was around and she liked it that way. Those maids made up stories about her, some claiming she appeared on a dark cold night. They were scaring the other maids with the possible thought of her, something she wouldn't manage if they had all known her. She turned around in her bed. She wasn't feeling like getting up on her own. She could wait.
She was trembling. She was scared. How could the chief maid make her do this? Just because Kara was ill didn't mean that they had to send someone else to that room, did it? Lisa's hands trembled. She silently cursed the snake that made her mother come to this castle. She had joined her mother to ensure that she would be safe and not to leave her mother. But over the past month she had cursed herself. Not only was she longing to see her father, her little sister and little brother, but there was also a rumor going through the castle. A rumor about a girl, barely her age, who was said to be scarier than the snake. Who could kill with her gaze and could freeze with her smile. The few maids who had seen her all swore that they'd seen her glide through walls. And she, Lisa, was appointed to the room of said ghost because the usual maid Kara had fallen ill.
She breathed slowly as she walked through the rather deserted hallways. The other rooms of the Lords and Ladies were in another part of the castle, close to the kitchen and dining room and it was there a lot busier than the cold, damp and lonely hallways of this part of the castle. She wondered how the castle could be this cold in midsummer, but perhaps it was because none of the maids dared to venture here because of the ghost. Only Kara spoke in favor of the ghostly girl, telling them she never spoke much and had never harmed her. That gave Lisa a bit of reassurance, though she wished she knew more. First she was assigned to the snake's chambers, but after he had done an attempt to rape her she had grown scared of him. She hadn't voiced her concerns, in fear that the snake would kill her for it, or worse, really rape her; but then, the next day when she was getting ready to wake him up again, the head maid had come to stop her. She told her that an older woman was given her tasks on orders from the Lady, but Lisa never knew what Lady was implied.
Her breathing started to fasten when she could see the door to the godforsaken room. Would the ghost kill her because she wasn't Kara? Was she meant to bring her something to appease her? All these thoughts swam through her mind when suddenly she was standing in front of the dreaded door. The door itself seemed ordinary. No scratches, only very old wood that hadn't been preserved for a long time. The wood was rotting a bit but there was nothing more that would tell you that this was the room of a ghost.
She swallowed the amount of bile that had started to collected in her mouth and throat and took a deep breath. It was this or being reassigned to the snake who was probably out for her body.
Her sweaty hand took hold of the door knob and she twisted it slightly. The door slowly opened up and Lisa had to squint her eyes a bit. This room had a perfect view on the forest and the rising sun and she was blinded by the sudden light. The hallways had been dark and the rising sun was blinding. When her eyes had adjusted to the light she could see that the room wasn't that decorated to fit a Lady or Lord. It held just a simple wardrobe, a table and a chair, a fireplace and an old rug underneath the four-poster bed. It was the four-poster bed that betrayed that someone of importance was sleeping here.
Lisa exhaled softly, shivering in the unexplainable cold she was feeling. Was this the work of the ghost?
Her gaze wandered through the room and her eyes rested on a hump that was laying on the bed. She assumed that this was the one she needed to wake. The ghost. There was no way she could define the person laying in the bed, the light overshadowing her.
She took another shivering breath, hoping and praying to all Gods she knew that the ghost wouldn't be mad with her. She took a step inside the room and cautiously looked at the hump. She had the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. She took another step and slowly she made her way to the bed.
"Where is Kara?"
Lisa let out a shriek and jumped. She wasn't even halfway when the voice filled the room. The voice was cold and scary, but it was definitely feminine. Her eyes were focused on the person in the bed, who had pushed herself up to a sitting position, with her legs over the rim of the bed. Lisa could now see that the girl had short, blood red hair. Her hair was peeking all over and laid on her head in a chaos like manner. It gave her a terrifying expression. The girl's face was still covered in darkness, but Lisa could almost see a pair of eyes staring at her, as if the girl wanted to suck out Lisa's very soul.
Lisa trembled and swallowed more bile. She was sure she was getting nauseous and she wasn't sure for how long she would manage to stay conscious. She heard how a soft snicker escaped the girl's throat. Was it getting colder?
"K-K-Kara i-is s-s-s-sick M-Milady." She stuttered, her voice not even sounding as scared as she was feeling.
"I see." The voice said softly and Lisa was surprised that she couldn't see her breath already. She really thought it was getting colder with everytime the girl spoke.
"Are you scared of me?"
The voice seemed to be warmer than first but Lisa had no clue on how to react to it. What would happen to her if she told the truth? What would happen to her if the girl knew that she was lying? She just trembled and watched how the girl got from her bed. Her job was done, but why were her legs refusing service?
The girl only started to close in on her and now the light of the sun started to enlighten her face and body. She was dressed in a plain long shirt, something men would usually wear and her face was flawless. Her red slender eyebrows were knotted in an interesting pose, as if she was curious, her brown eyes shining from beneath them with long beautiful eyelashes that would make many men swoon. Her cheeks had a slight taint of red, only this was no makeup but just her natural color. Her full red lips had formed a smirk on her face that made Lisa shiver a bit. Not only did the smirk scare her, but the face of the girl made her jealous. She was sure that there would be no man who would say no to this girl.
"Not answering me, hum?"
The statement was whispered and Lisa started to look frankly for a good and agreeable answer.
"That's good. The question I asked was a rather tricky one. Should I lie or should I not, hum?"
Lisa didn't know if sighing was an appropriate thing to do, but she cracked a small smile of relief. So she didn't die just yet.
"What's your name?"
"Li-Lisa Milady." She answered scared.
"Ah yes, Cedric seems to have an eye out for you." The girl said.
Lisa might have been imagining it, but it seemed as if the girl was actually speaking with some venom in her voice when she spoke of the snake.
"He should know that I'm not that fond of guys who take advantage of girls, seeing that you and I are of the same age."
Was she the one who had made sure that she didn't have to attend to the snake any longer. Was she her savior?
"Could you help me with my shirt? My muscles are aching a bit and I would appreciate it if you helped me."
It was no order. It was more of a request but Lisa found that she couldn't resist. This girl, who was said to be crueler, scarier and meaner than all of the residents combined, was requesting rather than ordering. But she had heard of the one maid who dared to whisper something foul of this girl. Lisa had heard the screams and pleads. She just hoped that that would never happen to her.
Lisa slowly pulled the shirt off the girl and she noticed the scar on the stomach. It was a strange place to have a scar and Lisa silently wondered how it happened. The girl nodded at her and Lisa was making amends to leave when she spoke once more.
"If you don't mind, would you like to stay here while I get dressed. It is not often that I have some company and I believe that you still have to make my bed."
Lisa blushed at her forgetfulness and bowed at the girl, hoping to not have insulted her. The girl gave her a short nod before pulling a strange set of clothes out of the closet. A slim black pants with a very short white top. Some bindings were placed next to it on the table and some shoes were pulled out of the closet. Lisa returned her attention to the bed she was trying to make.
"Tell me Lisa, do you miss your father?" The girl asked as she dressed herself.
Lisa looked up in surprise but the girl didn't bother to look at her. She stuttered as she tried to fluff the pillow.
"Y-Yes, Milady." She said unsure.
"And do you have any other family?"
Why was this girl asking these questions? Was she maybe allowed to return home with her mother?
"I-I've got a s-sister an-and a br-brother, Milady."
The girl was busy doing her bindings and Lisa felt strange. This girl had no intention of letting her go, so why would she ask her about her family…Unless she was planning to kill them for her insolence.
When the realization hit her, Lisa fell on her knees in front of the girl, bowing and sniveling a bit. She couldn't let her family suffer because of her stupid mistake.
"Pl-Please Milady! If I have insulted you, punish me. My family is all I have." She sniveled and begged.
The girl above her snickered only, before a very cold finger pulled her chin up. Lisa looked up to see that the girl had crouched in front of her, a warm smile on her face, while her eyes only promised death.
"Don't bow for me like that Lisa. We are of the same age nonetheless. You have the right to look at me straight when you beg for mercy." She said, her voice filled with laughter.
Lisa shivered slightly and crawled up. She held her head low and clasped her hands together. Maybe she could take her family's punishment. They shouldn't suffer because of her.
"Please, Milady. They are my everything." She whispered as small tears started to roll down her face.
There was no reaction for some time and Lisa dared to look up. She saw how the girl looked curiously at her. Lisa saw how the girl raised her hand and she closed her eyes, awaiting her punishment. To her shocked surprise she felt how the hand wiped away the tears that had been dripping down her face. Lisa looked up and the girl smiled again.
"Family is an important thing." She said softly. "It would be a pity if you stayed separated. Don't worry, you've done nothing wrong."
Lisa felt how her composure fell and how a feeling of happiness filled her. This meant that her family would be spared and maybe she was sent back. Lisa remained silent as the girl finished her last bandage around her other arm and left the room.
"We need some guards and I believe that there are plenty of things that need to be repaired." The girl said.
Lisa sighed in relief. Maybe this girl wasn't that bad. Or, at least if she wouldn't betray her. Lisa didn't know why, but it was a heavy atmosphere that hang around that girl. It was a clear warning not to mess with her and Lisa wouldn't dare to either.
She watched how the girl was exiting the room when she remembered something.
"Milady?"
The girl stopped in the door opening, not bothering to turn around.
"Yes?"
Lisa gulped. Was it her place to wonder why the girl wouldn't take her bath now? But seeing that she was assigned to this room she had to know when to warm the bath.
"Won't you be taking your bath?" She asked carefully.
It was silent for a bit before the girl shook her head.
"Not now. I'll contact you when you can fill the tub, okay?"
Lisa nodded dumbly until she figured out that the girl couldn't see her. She bowed, before mentally kicking herself. If the girl couldn't see her nod than how could she see her bow?
"O-Of course, Milady." She said.
The girl snickered again. Lisa looked up to see that the girl was looking at her from the entrance.
"You can call me Will." She said before leaving.
Lisa looked stupefied at the door. This girl had just contradicted every rumor that was told about her and she even gave her permission to call her by her real name. It was a strange name as well. 'Will' was more of a boy's name than a girl's name and Lisa wondered if it was short for another name. She had learnt that every name had a meaning and she knew that the female version of 'Will' was an abbreviation of 'Wilma' or 'Wilhelmina' but she didn't know what it meant. She had to ask her mother for this.
Lisa looked through the room and noticed that the bed still wasn't made. She huffed in annoyance. How could she be so clumsily? She was just glad that Will hadn't punished her for it. A slight headache overcame Lisa. This girl, Will, was so confusing. She spoke in a way that scared you, yet she seemed to care about those who work for her. And then she wasn't even talking about the scary atmosphere that was surrounding her. It was as if every speck of light was overshadowed by a certain darkness and she was only faking that she cared. At least that was what Will beamed and it confounded Lisa. This girl was impossible to understand, so much was certain.
…
Who was she? Was she still the young, giggling girl who loved to gossip about fashion and boys? Was she the young Princess of a land ruled by her evil brother? Or was she just a follower of a rogue Guardian leader?
While these questions roamed through her head, Elyon's gaze fell on Will. Will seemed to be in an extreme good mood today. She had been smiling when she entered and had even greeted them. Everything seemed so wrong. Elyon didn't know who she was and the redhead was only making things more difficult for her.
At first, Elyon had been grateful for Will. After all, she was the only one who wanted to safe her from her brother while the other Guardians only wanted to deliver her with an apple in her mouth and a big bow on her head. But Elyon also felt as if she repaid that kindness by healing her back to good health.
But Will thought different. It was true that she never reminded Elyon of it, she probably thought that it was of none importance, but she never showed real gratefulness for healing her. Will just took her spot as leader, while it had been claimed by Cedric. At first, Elyon was surprised and angry with Will. She didn't deserve the leader's spot. Wasn't it proof enough that her friends and followers had betrayed her? How could she still be so confident and rude to reclaim her spot as leader?
Elyon was proud of the fact that Cedric had been defying her in the most subtle ways he could. At least he wouldn't follow Will like a mindless dog, like Caleb. Elyon had also reminded Miranda to where her true loyalties were supposed to be. Elyon had thought it was only a matter of time before Cedric would reclaim his spot as rightful leader of their group. But that was before their first day of training. After that day Cedric's fire, his drive to defy Will, had been doused and he was even more obedient to Will than Caleb was.
Elyon didn't know what to do. Should she try to defy Will's position? Would it be smart to try it if even Cedric's drive was destroyed? Was she really meant to rule if the Guardian leader could easily overshadow her?
Elyon decided to wait. It was better to see what Miranda and Caleb would do. If they would follow Will, then she would too. Because that would mean that Will had earned their loyalty and that way, she wouldn't have to take the leading position herself. There was something about the responsibilities that you had to bear that scared her off and secretly, she was glad that Will took the role.
"Today will be no training."
Elyon looked up, her eyes a bit misty due to the lack of blinking, and saw Will having a mischievous grin on her face. She glanced at Cedric, who had raised his eyebrow. So he didn't know why she cancelled it.
"And why is that?" Caleb asked, rather annoyed. "If you think you can simply put off training because you are tired than you should say so. It is not fair if you cancel it for everyone."
Will shook her head, the grin still on her face.
"My, my Caleb. If I didn't know better I would say that you are disappointed." She replied with a grin.
Elyon had to repress the urge to roll her eyes. Caleb's useless attempts of flirting were almost embarrassing while Will only played with him. She wondered when Caleb would notice it, if he would notice it.
Caleb grumbled something but it wasn't audible. Will ignored it before she continued.
"But it is for a good cause." She said.
Elyon had to snicker at that. If Will had used the word good a month or two ago she would have believed it, but now hearing the word made her sound almost hypocritical.
"And what cause might be more important than our revenge against Phobos and the Guardians?" Cedric questioned, also not being too happy with the idea.
Elyon's focus returned to Will, who only seemed to like the confusion in them. She kept smiling while she started to twirl her knife between her fingers.
"I've noticed the serious lack of men in the castle." She said. "It's not really nice to have only women work here. They will miss their families. That's why you and Miranda will go and fetch the men and children of the women who work in this castle, my dear serpent."
Elyon shivered at the nickname Will used. She could see how Caleb's look darkened and she felt herself getting a bit nauseous. She was actually wishing for the old Will. The one who was shy and wanted the best for everyone. The one who placed everyone's wellbeing for hers. The one Elyon could be jealous of without having the feeling that she should be scared.
Her gaze went to Cedric. He hadn't reacted to the nickname and only nodded. Miranda only gulped softly and nodded as well. Elyon wondered if Miranda was happy with following Will. Maybe she could ask her to join her and perhaps Will would step back. Then Elyon could let Miranda take the front while she would watch from the distance.
"Elyon can take some rest. I think you've deserved it after a month of hard training, don't you agree?"
Elyon blinked again, looking surprised at Will. Will only smirked and Elyon felt how her eyes were drawn to the knife between Will's fingers. Elyon had heard about Will's progress with sword fighting and the magic training and there was a small voice in her head that was almost ordering her to challenge Will for a stand-off. But she knew it was stupid. Will could always transform and Elyon doubted that she could defeat Will if she would transform. She wasn't that experienced in her magic like Will and it would be more because Will could outwit her than raw power that would be her end.
"S-Sure. But what will you do?" She questioned, wondering if Will had anything special in mind.
"I think Caleb and I will take a small tour through Heatherfield. I always wanted to see my own grave." Will said with a grin.
"Why does Caleb have to accompany you?"
It was out before she knew it but she did not waver as Will's gaze went to her. The girl would not scare her and she was not planning to bow for that glare. The grin returned quickly and she waved her hand, creating a portal much like Elyon could. Elyon saw how she looked at Caleb and Caleb only nodded, getting up and joining her.
"I think I can have some time with him alone, don't you agree?" She said with a laugh, before she and Caleb stepped through the portal.
The portal closed immediately and Elyon looked around. Cedric and Miranda had already left and she was alone in the dining room. The maids were probably having their own breakfast and they would come as soon as they were done. And for the first time since Elyon arrived here in this castle, she felt alone. Just like in Phobos's castle. Maybe when Miranda and Cedric returned with the men she wouldn't be alone. Maybe there was a cute guy who fancied her…If none of them fell for Will's sudden charms.
"Why are you doing it?"
Miranda watched cautiously as Cedric snarled a bit. He had suddenly changed his attitude towards Will after the first day of training. Miranda had been wondering if Will had magically hypnotized Cedric, but nothing seemed to point that way. On the contrary, it seemed as if he was doing so willingly.
"What do you mean, Miranda?"
His voice was a bit harsh as if he was regretting something. Miranda swallowed as she hurried to keep up with his pace. They would walk to the village where Cedric had kidnapped the girls and Cedric only seemed to quicken his pace. Miranda ran over the bridge as Cedric took longer strides.
"Well.. Since when do you listen to the redhead?" She asked curiously.
"Her name is Will and I think it would be wise for you to remember it." He said with a deep sigh.
Miranda only felt more confusion taking control of her but she was relieved when Cedric slowed down. She slowed down as well and walked next to him, looking up at him. Cedric had changed. With Phobos he was proud of the fact that he was strong. He was proud that he was intimidating but now with Will he seemed to have lost that pride. What did she do to him?
"What happened that day?"
Before she would have cursed her curiosity but she couldn't resist. She wanted to know why Cedric saw Will as a leader. Perhaps then she could finally settle her doubts too. She had been accepting Will as their leader before, but she wasn't sure if she made the right choice. Elyon had made her doubt by telling her that it was Cedric who came up with the plan of taking Will in. It seemed more to her that it was Will with the big plan.
"Nothing of your concern Miranda." Cedric replied a little harsh.
She expected that she hit a nerve. So Will did do something to crush his pride. Several images came up of scenarios in which Cedric would lose his pride…And one of them had something to do with castration…She shivered. She knew Will was getting colder, but she wouldn't be that cruel already? Though Miranda remembered the maid who had been whispering about Will. The maid had said Will was but a slut to Cedric at the same moment that she passed. Miranda never knew that a woman could scream in so many different ways, or that Will could be so good in torturing. She really didn't want to know what sort of hobbies the girl had before all of this. She had also listened in on a private conversation between Will and Cedric, a day before their training started. She had threatened him to twist and to pierce his balls in his sleep if he ever tried to rape another girl her age, or younger. Miranda guessed that that had been the reason for Cedric's sour mood that day, but Miranda couldn't understand why Will would do that. Was it some of her last Guardian instinct that called on her to protect the weak, or was it that she really only cared for revenge and crossing Cedric?
"But why do you suddenly obey her?"
Cedric finally showed some emotion, sighing in the progress as he pushed a branch out of the way.
"You are more annoying than Elyon, you know that?" He said, a smirk crossing his lips.
Miranda just grinned at him. She had always sort of liked him. He was always cruel near subordinates or other people, but when they were alone he was more gentle. He smiled more and he sometimes taught her a small trick. He told her different things about the history of Metamoor and even put her in bed when she had fallen asleep. True, she didn't know if he raped her, but he had been more of a father figure to her than what she could remember of her own father.
"Then answer my question." She replied stubbornly.
"Very well." Cedric said. "You see, there are things we will not understand in life. Will is one of these things. But I know this. If we follow her, we might get a chance of ruling ourselves."
Miranda saw the flicker in his eyes and looked confused at him. Ruling? Them? Will didn't seem like someone who would allow someone else to rule next to her, let alone four people extra. Cedric must have seen her confusion because he snickered, his hand ruffling through her hair.
"She was very interested in the history of Metamoor." He said with a grin. "And she told me that this land couldn't live with just one King or Queen. And that it would be her present to us for our loyalty."
Miranda's eyes widened in realization. Will was planning on giving them Metamoor? That only meant that she was planning on claiming more. But she would give them Metamoor. The whole world! She had never dreamed of such a thing and now Cedric said that they would get it if they followed her? Somewhere it sounded too good to be true. Even if Will had other plans, why would she give them this planet? Another realization hit her. When that time came, they would all be influenced by her darkness. They would all listen to her. So in a way, she would still rule, but only from the shadows.
"But wouldn't that give her even more power?" Miranda asked scared.
Cedric shrugged.
"Perhaps. Maybe she even dies because of it. I don't really care. The vow will keep us alive and safe from whatever she is planning and think like this. If she grows in power, so will we. It's more or less a win-win situation for us."
Miranda nodded. The way Cedric explained it made the offer a lot more likeable. Maybe it wasn't that bad to follow Will. At least in the end she would be above everyone else in this kingdom. No one would look down on her because she was a bastard and an orphan. Because she was a gifted shape shifter. She could see herself sitting in one of the four castles of the Great Knights of the olden days. It didn't matter if Will was still on the top of the food chain, she was safe from any attack, but the peasants were not.
…
He grumbled and scowled. His gaze went to her now grayish hair. She had glamoured them as an old couple and were stalking through the grey streets of Heatherfield. Sure the sun shone and the people looked happy, but Heatherfield was still the same grey and annoying city as ever. He never managed to know exactly where everything was. He normally followed one of the girls. He did recognize Irma's house, as well as Hay Lin's family restaurant, but they kept on walking.
Will had said she wanted to visit her grave, but Caleb had the ugly feeling that she was just enjoying her freedom. The girl did not complain about the training, but he was sure that she was enjoying herself. He didn't get it either. She normally pushed herself so hard during training and seemed really devoted and now she suddenly called off the training for the whole day? What was she thinking? Could she really afford a day off? True, he was still not that happy with the whole vengeance gig she had running, he felt that he couldn't leave her alone. He was the only one she had left and if he betrayed her all hope for Will would be lost.
They rounded a corner and Caleb's memory started to kick in again.
"Isn't this the way to your house?" He asked curiously.
He saw her smirk, though he had to admit her real face was more beautiful than the one she used now. She walked a bit faster and grinned.
"I'm glad to see that your memory still works." She remarked.
"Why are we going there? I thought you wanted to see your grave?" He asked a bit sourly.
She turned to him and he could still see her dark chocolate colored eyes. They swam with mischievous thoughts and Caleb had the feeling that this was an elaborate plan but the rest of her face feigned innocence. She even pouted a bit and he sighed. He wasn't going to get a truthful answer.
"I just want to see it one last time. You know, for memories." She said to him.
He only sighed again, not even bothering to raise his eyebrow. He could tell she was lying, just because she said that she wanted to see her house for memories. In the past month Will only snarled when something of the past was reminded, so it was highly doubtable that she wanted to remember her past here. He remained silent as he followed her, to the tall building near the outskirts of the town. The elevator went up and gave him as usual a strange feeling in his stomach and another feeling somewhere else when it stopped. The doors opened quietly and he resumed following Will. He had always entered her house through the room so he had no idea how to find his way in this maze of hallways.
They stopped in front of a door. The number which should tell you who lived here was almost entirely gone, the number '7' hanging next to the door and the numbers '1' and '4' laying on the ground next to the door. He raised his eyebrow as he heard Will snicker.
"So she still hasn't fixed it."
He didn't bother to ask and watched how she pulled out her keychain. He noticed that the frog, which once dangled next to a collection of keys, had disappeared. Now it was just an ordinary set of keys, of which one was being forced into the door's keyhole. He then wondered something. What if Susan was still at home? Wouldn't she think it was strange if an old couple suddenly entered her house?
"Don't worry. Mom is working. It's a Thursday after all." Will said with a grin, as if she had been reading his mind.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. True, Will 'died' a bit of a month ago, but how could Susan already be done with the mourning? He shook his head as he reminded himself that she wouldn't have stopped mourning. Yes, Susan was a strong woman, something Will reflected, but she truly loved her daughter. Even when the two were alienating from each other he knew that Susan still cared for Will and he was sure that she would have kept Will's stuff.
The key clicked and the door swung open. Caleb immediately recognized the chamber but he wasn't the only one who recognized something.
#Miss Will!#
#I told you she wasn't dead! She just couldn't be!#
#It's nice to see you again, Ma'am.#
#Wanna watch your favorite cartoon? It's on on channel five.#
Caleb glanced at Will, who only grinned at him. She was probably reading his confusion because she snickered and demanded for silence with just one swish of her wrist. Her eyes sparkled with mirth and he could feel how a grin was growing on his own face.
"Cedric isn't that bad as a teacher. My powers are growing and I can allow you to hear them if I wish to. It was fun to test it on my maid. Poor girl. She must have jumped a new world record." She said with a foul grin, only making Caleb snicker.
He wasn't that happy that she had used a human test subject but it was innocent and he remembered her complaining about her parental phone, who seemed to take it as it's task to fulfill the part of Will's father. It must have been funny to see the maid jump like that.
He let his gaze wander through the room, faintly catching Will's mocking "Home, sweet home." The room looked the same as it did the last time he was here, but something seemed off. He slowly walked to the low table in front of the couch. Was he wrong or was something missing? He was sure that there had been a picture. A picture of Will and her mother. He looked around and walked to the kitchen counter. There used to be a pile of papers, Will's cell phone and a couple of pictures of Will when she was younger on that counter. Now the phone was missing and the pictures had been changed to that of Susan and a man Caleb seemed to faintly recall as the guy the Guardians once zapped, thinking he was Cedric.
Caleb felt his anger rise. How could Will's mother so easily abandon her own daughter? How could she be so cruel? He couldn't understand it either. He thought mother's cared deeply for their children, not being completely capable of letting them go. Look at Cassidy's mother. She always kept Cassidy's memory alive. Look at his own! She had wanted him to join her for crying out loud. But Will's mother just abandoned Will as a piece of thrash. Did Will really mean that little to Susan? Caleb silently cursed himself. Wasn't he the one who had urged Will to get closer to her mother? How could he have put her through such torture if it was evident that Will's mother didn't want Will?
He walked unconsciously to Will's room. Surely she wouldn't have discarded Will's valuables? There had to be some good in the older woman, right? He opened the door and to his horror the room was empty, except for some stuff that never even belonged to Will. He felt how his breathing started to quicken and his blood started to pulse. Will was neglected, he was sure of it.
"Oh, never knew that this room was that big."
He looked incredulously at Will, who only looked through her old room with blank eyes. He couldn't read any emotion in them and he wondered if she even felt an emotion. She even looked like she wasn't surprised. Caleb only felt his anger rise. So Will knew her mother didn't care for her and still she went home? If he'd known that, he would have told Susan what he thought of her and he would have taken Will to his place in Metamoor. There she wouldn't be hurt by her mother or by anyone else for that matter. He only cursed himself for noticing it too late.
"Come, I want you to hear something."
Her voice had returned to the usual coldness that had been laced in it since she remembered the betrayal. He ignored the slight shiver that ran over his spine and followed her to the kitchen, where she looked fairly bored at the refrigerator.
"Tell him James." She ordered.
Caleb only raised his eyebrow when the refrigerator started to clear his 'throat' or when it started with a posh English accent. He never knew that something like this would grow old so quickly.
#Well, it was on the day of Miss Will's funeral. Her friends came and told Miss Susan that Miss Will had died. Miss Susan seemed so devastated back then.#
Caleb had to refrain himself from snarling. Sure she would have acted like that. Just to keep the appearance high that she was a caring mother. He wished he was there that day.
#She first wanted to see Miss Will's body, but she quickly changed her mind when the four young women went into detail too horrific to recount.# James continued. #She immediately arranged a funeral. After three hours she returned with a dazed look on her face. I suspect it was from the shock. But then she started packing all of Miss Will's belongings in big boxes and threw them on the streets. She even sold George and Martha!#
The last part was said with a certain disdain and Caleb couldn't help but feel the same. What Susan had done was terrible and unforgiveable. He couldn't understand why Will didn't want to take revenge on her mother as well. He gave her a questioning look, wondering who this Martha and George were. She only sighed, a grin spreading on her face.
"He means my computer and printer. The two never knew when to shut up." She said with a hint of a laugh.
#Miss Will, excuse me for my insolence, but are you planning to return?# The fridge asked.
Will waved at him and sighed.
"Sorry James, but I think it's better for me to find my luck elsewhere." She said, almost sounding like she was regretting it.
#We shall miss you, Ma'am!# The mixer said.
#We'll always carry your memory in our chips.# The television piped up.
Will smiled at them, making Caleb wonder if it was a real one or not, and she gestured him to follow. He nodded and looked at the machinery that was saying their goodbyes. They at least seemed to care for her, but they were just machines. They had been brought alive because of Will so it was only natural that they showed concern and respect to her. He couldn't just leave her to machines. They couldn't protect her.
They were walking once again through the streets of Heatherfield and Caleb was still mulling things over. Susan should never have been allowed to have kids. Will deserved better than that. Maybe he should ask her why she wouldn't take revenge on her mother.
"I can't believe your mother abandoned you like that. I'm sorry." He said, his voice filled with anger and sorrow.
Will only grinned and waved his concern away.
"She didn't do it on free will." She said mysteriously.
Caleb raised his eyebrow. How could Will think like this? The refrigerator had been painfully clear. How could she be so sure that Susan hadn't deliberately abandoned her?
"How can you say that?" He asked her incredulously. "The refrigerator was clear, wasn't he?"
Her eyes sparkled with mystery and her smile resembled the one he'd seen in one of Hay Lin's magazines, the one of the Mona Lisa. What was she thinking?
"Exactly." She said. "And do you remember what he said? He said that my mom suddenly changed her mind over seeing my body when the Guardians went into detail. If there is something you can't do then it would be changing my mother's mind when it concerns me. Also James said that my mother had a dazed look on her face when she returned. Now tell me how it is possible to get a dazed look while you haven't seen anything shocking? It's either that she had a near death experience or someone toyed with her mind. And who do we know who can suggest things?"
Caleb's eyes widened. Was Will implying what he thought she was?
"Do you mean…?"
He swallowed. He refused to believe it. Yes, they had betrayed her but he thought it was just because they were afraid of Cornelia. They wouldn't..She wouldn't change Susan's mind like that, would she?
"Irma?"
His breath stopped when he saw Will nod. Of course it had to be Irma. None of the others had those powers and Caleb felt the knot, that had been around when he and Will started their training, grow. His anger was fueling him. Had it been Cornelia who ordered Irma to do so or had Irma done that on her own? He gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. She would pay, even if he didn't know how. He would make sure that he would help Will in getting her revenge. With every step the feeling of that Will's vengeance was only justice increased.
He felt how cold fingers slipped through his and he looked at Will. She only grinned at him and he couldn't help but feel scared. There was something unsettling in her grin, as if she knew more than him.
"Come on. Let's sit down in the park for a minute. It will be our last time." She said almost romantically.
Almost. If her voice had been warmer or if he knew she would feel any love towards him it would have been romantic. Not that he cared. He didn't care if Will loved him. As long as she allowed him to protect her.
They strolled through the park and sat down on one of the two benches near the pond. It was silent except for the background noises of the cars racing through the streets and the laughs of children in the park. Caleb found himself relaxing for the first time since this whole circus started. He smiled truly at the pond and let his eyes sweep over the different kinds of people that entered or left the park. A jogger with music in her ears, a real old couple feeding the doves and a group of teenagers Will's age that seemed awfully familiar. He could see Will's expression harden when said group of teenagers took the bench next to theirs, not much talking. He noticed how Will's hand clenched and he placed his on hers, trying to keep their cover and to keep her calm.
He then tried to listen in on the conversation between Matt, Irma, Taranee and Hay Lin, hoping they wouldn't notice him, or Will, listening in on them.
"Where are Eric and Nigel?" Irma asked relaxed.
Taranee and Hay Lin sighed. Both weren't looking so happy, though Caleb couldn't imagine why.
"We told them about the whole Guardian thing." Taranee said carefully.
"And they said they needed time." Hay Lin finished with a sad look.
Irma just grinned at them and patted Hay Lin on her shoulder.
"Cheer up! Those two can't live without you! You are their perfect girls! And if they doubt too long, just give me a call." She said with a wink.
Taranee and Hay Lin grinned at that and Caleb couldn't believe his ears. Was Irma suggesting to brainwash Eric and Nigel as well?
"Talking about girls, why is Corny not here?" Matt asked with a grin.
Caleb noticed how Matt's arm laid on Irma's waist, just above her butt and he felt his anger rise again. This jackass betrayed Will as well?
Irma placed her finger on her chin, looking as if she was thinking.
"Let me think. Who is the one Corny keeps running off to when we can't find her?" She questioned with a grin.
Taranee shuddered. Perhaps she was still normal and maybe she was regretting attacking Will.
"I still can't believe that she dates Phobos. I mean, those two have nothing in common!" She said with a slight disgust.
Irma laughed at that, maybe a bit harshly.
"Nothing in common?" She said. "Please. Both are stuck up. Both are arrogant. Both have blonde hair, be it in different shades. Both have an annoying sibling. Both think that they are king or queen of the world…"
"Which is true in Phobos's case." Hay Lin piped up with a grin.
Caleb felt his own fist clench, but Will didn't react to it when his fingers duck into her hand. How could Hay Lin say that? She knew how Phobos was. Phobos was not worthy to rule and Caleb even doubted that Elyon was. He remained silent, though it was getting harder with every word those airheads said.
"Yes, yes…" Irma said, waving Hay Lin's comment away. "Did I forget something? Oh yes! Corny is our flower Guardian and Phobos likes deflowering…I mean flowers. You have to admit he has a beautiful garden."
Taranee had choked on the shake she was carrying and Hay Lin and Matt stifled a laugh. Even Caleb had to admit it was a clever remark. He coughed a bit to hide his laugh and from the corner of his eye he even saw Will smiling. Caleb wondered if Cornelia would yell or punish Irma.
"Be careful Irma or else Cornelia might come and whip you into shape." Hay Lin said with a grin.
Caleb wasn't sure if he thought it was funny. Hay Lin said it as if she wasn't meaning it. Irma shrugged and cuddled to Matt.
"You make her sound like the boogeyman. She won't attack us and be honest. I did my share of torturing as well." She said with a malicious grin.
"Yeah. I never thought Will could scream like that." Taranee said with a grin.
Caleb felt how his anger started to pulse once more and He felt how Will's hand grabbed his. She was now the one keeping him calm and she was doing a better job at it than him. He could see her breathing calmly and he could see the darkness, which had been ruling her eyes for weeks, return.
"I wish I could have been there. She was really an annoying pest."
Caleb's impulse was to jump up and tackle the lanky boy with the bad goatee whose hand was nearing Irma's butt. How dare he say that about Will while Caleb had left her in his hands. He even trusted him after the whole Shagon affair! The guy just grinned when Irma pecked him on the cheek and Caleb felt his heart throbbing harder. He had to get away before he would do something stupid. He tried to push himself up but Will kept him in his place.
"You have to admit that it had something, cheating behind Will's back." Irma said. "It made me feel special."
Matt kissed her back, this time on the mouth and Caleb didn't bother to control himself. He almost managed to jump up but he felt a small jolt travel up his arm. He looked at Will who gave him a warning glare. Why was she torturing herself like this? She didn't need to hear this. She deserved better. He would make sure that she wouldn't be hurt like this ever again.
He felt something entering him from where Will was touching him. He wondered if it would calm him down. He couldn't afford to lose his cool and jump Matt, or any of those betrayers. He couldn't afford to bring Will in danger. He felt how the strange cold was clawing through his body. It felt strangely nice while it was hurting him as well. What was entering his body?
Will grabbed his hand and pulled him up, but he couldn't get his mind of the feeling that was fueling him. It was calming him down as well as giving him the satisfying images of snapping the necks of the Guardians or ripping Matt's balls off… It surprised him that he wasn't surprised by his thoughts. Before he would have been disgusted by himself, but now he only found justice in doing so. They destroyed Will's relationship with her mother. Matt dared to cheat on her with one of her so-called friends. And those friends betrayed her on their own free will. They didn't deserve to live and he only let them because it was Will's place to take revenge, not him. Though he would not mind helping her in every way he could.
She smiled. She would have laughed loudly if it wouldn't attract unwanted attention. Caleb was falling and he wasn't even noticing it. He was probably thinking that it was justice, which it was. She could see how her darkness was rapidly conquering his light and she had to stop herself from skipping. This was just too easy. She never thought her 'friends' would do her such a favor. Maybe she would do them a favor as well. Perhaps a temporary chance of saving themselves?
She shook those thoughts of as she took Caleb's hand and lead him towards the graveyard of Heatherfield. She expected that her grave would be there and she just wanted to see it. Just to laugh at the foul irony. How many times did she hear the threat of villains: "You don't want to be late for your own funeral?" Well, she was too late, but that didn't mean that she couldn't laugh at her grave. And it was more than just a rock on top of an empty coffin. It also held a meaning. They did bury her alright. The Will who was shy and wanted friends. The Will who was naïve enough to believe that she could safe worlds by fighting the bad guys. The Will who had been afraid of the dark.
They entered the graveyard and asked the keeper for directions. They walked slowly when they noticed a figure standing for what should be her grave. Will felt a feeling of queasiness engulf her when she recognized the person. It wasn't possible. What was he doing her? The dark skin color and dreadlocks were a dead give-away. What was Angelo Vanders doing here? He should have left her, like the others had left her.
She felt Caleb's hand tighten around hers and both stopped in front of another grave, listening in on Angelo.
Angelo looked sadly at the grave.
'Here lays Wilhelmina Vandom. 19-01-1995 to 19-12-2011.'
He still felt a pang of pain coursing through him as he looked at the grave. Will had been just a year younger than him and she was always so full of life. She had been telling him happily how her life had changed for the better in Heatherfield and he just couldn't believe she was gone.
"Hey Will. How's it going?"
His throat felt dry. He was supposed to ask her that face to face, not looking at her tombstone.
"I know it's been a while since your funeral, but it just hurt too much to come back here." He said, his voice broken by sadness. "I wish this never happened. You had so much to live for. Senior prom. Graduating. Going to college. Trying out for the Olympics. All of your dreams!"
He stopped then. He just felt that crying was nearer than smiling but he pushed on. He couldn't leave like this. He owed Will that.
"I wish I could have seen you one more time, but aunt Susan wanted a closed casket."
His hand went to the bag he had taken with him. He had bought it for her about two months ago, intending to give it to her straight away. He had never thought that he had to deliver it like this. He pulled out a little crystal frog, sitting on a beautifully carved wooden lily pad.
"I had this made for you two months ago." He said with a wry smile.
He crouched and placed the frog near her tombstone, together with some red roses that resembled her hair. He never thought he had to do something like this. He had hoped to grow old together, with each other or with another soul mate. To see her grave like this was hurting him more than anything he could imagine.
"Happy birthday Will. I hope you like your present." He said as he finally allowed tears to run down his cheeks.
He sat there, sobbing slightly, before he finally managed to pull himself together. He got up and wiped his tears away, looking one last time at the tombstone.
'I'll never forget you, Will Vandom.' He thought sadly before turning his back to the grave.
He began to walk away from the grave when his eye fell on an elderly couple. The woman and man were looking at him and he gave them a sad smile. He expected that they were visiting a dead beloved as well. The elderly couple walked at him and he stopped. He could use some distraction now.
He didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. He knew this guy. Will had introduced him months ago. Angelo Vanders, her first crush and best friend from Fadden Hills.
Caleb clenched his fists as Will pulled him towards Angelo. He didn't want to know why the jackass was at Will's grave. Maybe he never forgot his feelings for Will. That didn't matter anyway. Caleb was not planning on letting someone hurt Will, like her friends had done, ever again.
He couldn't help but feel a smirk growing when he saw Angelo's sad face. He really seemed to miss Will and he would make sure that he would never have to see her again.
"It's sad to lose someone like this." He said, his voice sounding heavy.
He could feel Will next to him stiffen a bit but his eyes didn't leave Angelo. Angelo smiled sadly at him, probably thinking that Caleb was just being friendly, and shook his head. He placed his hand on his chest and started talking.
"She will always live on, here in my heart." He said. "And I know the good Lord will watch over her."
Caleb suppressed the urge to roll his eyes while Will snickered next to him. He doubted that a God, even if it was Angelo's God, would be watching over Will from now on. They all left her when the Guardians betrayed Will. Will only had him and Angelo would not interfere. He grinned at Angelo while he looked confused at Will.
"That's not what I meant, Angelo Vanders." He said, his smirk only growing when Angelo's confused gaze went to him.
Caleb felt the familiar rush of magic and from the corner of his eye he could see how Will deglamoured. He guessed that he had deglamoured as well and he was still looking at Angelo. Angelo staggered backwards, a look of hurt, confusion and shock on his face. He pointed almost dumbly at Will and his mouth fell open. He even turned his head to look at the grave before looking back at Will.
Caleb smiled at Will when he saw something worrisome. He thought he saw a flicker of hope in Will's eyes. A thought that perhaps not everyone deserted her. That was not true. Everyone left her and Angelo was just playing in on those feelings. Caleb would not allow Angelo to take Will back. He would not allow Will to feel pain again. Not anymore.
"W-Will? You're alive?"
Angelo spoke those words with such a disbelieve that Caleb was almost sure he thought he was seeing ghosts. He also noticed that Angelo seemed to have completely forgotten about him as his eyes studied Will's body. The nerve of that guy. Darker thoughts started to swarm his mind and Caleb had to admit that he was liking them.
He saw how Will shook her head. Was she over her shock? Was she hoping he would go with her? Was she hoping that he, Angelo, would pull her back? That was his job and not this dreadlock playmate. One thing was sure, Angelo was a threat. One that needed to disappear…
"No. The Will you knew died that day." Will said, a small smirk playing on her lips.
Angelo's eyes widened even more.
"But…How?"
Caleb felt a snarl creep on his face. This guy was way too nosy and he really should stop studying Will's body like that.
"That doesn't concern you." He snarled.
He saw how Angelo's eyes flashed at him and Caleb noticed how the small flicker of false and unrighteous hope died in Will's eyes. He hoped Will wasn't too mad at him. He was only protecting her from yet another disappointment. He saw a smirk forming on her full red lips and felt his sneer turn into a smirk. So she didn't mind. She was even inviting him to do more.
His smirk stayed, even when Angelo desperately grabbed Will's hand.
"Please Will. I don't know what happened but we can fix this!" He pleaded. "Just like we always do!"
Caleb thought Angelo had done enough. He was only trying to pull Will away from him. To take his job as his own. His hand slit to the knife on his belt which he had been carrying since he took his entrance in the castle. Angelo was too big a threat to be allowed to live. He couldn't risk him running to the Guardians, telling them that Will was still alive. He couldn't risk Will's safety.
She smiled at Angelo. How dense could a guy be? She had to admit that he had a nasty effect on her. He was actually making her wonder if it was a good thing to turn evil. If it was a good idea to continue with her revenge. From the corner of her eye she saw how Caleb was grabbing for his knife. How primitive, but it was the effect she had hoped to create. She only wished that Angelo could see her side. She had forgotten about him. He truly was the only one who hadn't betrayed her. But he was a danger and she couldn't use that, not now. Not ever.
She pulled her hand back, allowing herself to laugh coldly. She could practically see the shivers on Angelo's spine. In his eyes swam worry and fear, just what she wanted.
"I'm fixing things already." She said, her voice again as cold as it was supposed to be.
From the corner of her eye she could see Caleb's annoyed face. His eyes actually brunt with hatred and she could feel how easily she was influencing him, controlling him. She felt how her energy flowing through his arm and the hand that held the knife. She could almost feel how his fingers grasped the hilt of the knife tighter.
"But you are in the way." He said coldly.
Will could see the confusion on Angelo's face and somewhere, deeply hidden, she could feel a small jab of pain when she saw how Caleb lunged his knife in Angelo's chest. Angelo's eyes swept to her face and Will smiled almost sadly at him.
"Goodbye, Angelo." She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She could see it in his eyes. She even thought she felt something slip away. His soul had left and all that was left was the bleeding corpse of Angelo Vanders, of which Caleb pulled his knife out. He wiped it clean on Angelo's jacket and snarled at the body.
"Was that really necessary?" She snarled, feeling still a little annoyed. "I could have used him."
Caleb glared darkly at her, something she did like to see. He then turned his head away and walked to her grave.
"He came too close." She heard him mutter.
A smirk crossed her face as she walked up to him. His feelings were a mess and thanks to them, she controlled him.
"You're jealous, aren't you?" She whispered, mirth hidden in the question.
He didn't look at her but she knew she was right. Men and their pathetic feelings. He was almost worse than Elyon and her rampaging hormones. But it didn't matter. She had what she came for.
Her eyes fell on the little frog next to her grave. She crouched and picked it up. She smiled at it, while she was sure that Caleb was almost glaring at it.
"He was nice, wasn't he?" She said, her finger tracing the frog.
"Why do you want that?"
His question was valid and full of annoyance. Angelo was even annoying him in death. Her fingers clasped around the frog and lily pad. It was the only present she got and she thought it was a nice keepsake. After all, it was the last thing Angelo ever touched.
"I think it fits well in my empty room. But I'm done here. Let's go home."
She saw Caleb's glare and grinned while making the portal. If this was such a success than she was really wondering if her other plans worked as well.
…
Okay, she was bored. After walking through the castle for half an hour and reading for another half an hour in the library, she had grown bored. There was no one, except for the maids and they were submissive towards her. But she wanted some gossip. Elyon decided to do her favorite past-time activity. Glamouring herself as a maid and hear the gossip of the castle. She had done it at Phobos's castle, but the maids weren't so talkative as the ones working in their castle. She enjoyed the gossips about a supposed ghost. She knew it was Will but she loved the fantasy and imagination that gave Will powers which were too stupid for words.
She glamoured herself and cautiously walked through the hallways. The first time she did it, she was busted by the head maid Agnes had found her and had immediately shooed her to the kitchens. Never had Elyon been so happy to know how to clean potatoes or else she would have been in trouble. She rounded a corner and suddenly bumped into a pile of linen, with behind that a girl around her age. She had fair brown hair and brown eyes. Her face was pretty and Elyon knew that there were men who would turn their heads for this girl. The girl started to stutter in surprise and Elyon smiled. She crouched with the girl and helped her picking up the linen.
"I'm sorry I bumped into you." She said.
The girl shook her head as Elyon took the half of the pile. Both started to walk in the direction Elyon just left.
"No, I'm sorry. Agnes warned me but I didn't listen." She said.
Elyon noticed the curious look on the girl's face. Elyon could feel the question coming but stayed silent.
"Uhm, I've never seen you. What's your name?"
Elyon grinned friendly at the girl.
"My name is El…Elle. I just arrived at the castle." She lied.
There was no need to tell the girl what her real name was. She couldn't risk it that any of the others knew that she associated with the maids. Elyon shifted the load in her arms and followed the girl around the corner.
"What's your name anyway?" She asked curiously.
"I'm Lisa." The girl said.
"Oh." Elyon said, having the weird feeling she had heard the name before.
Something about Cedric being denied to rape the girl. Elyon knew that Cedric raped girls younger than him and she was rather glad he didn't try it with her, though a small part of her wished he would do it to her. She noticed how Lisa was looking around her, as if she was checking if they were alone or not. She then bent to Elyon in a conspiring manner.
"Do you know of the ghost?" She asked in a hushed voice.
Elyon repressed a smile. So this girl had grown afraid of Will as well? True, Will had become colder and maybe a bit crueler over the month, but she wasn't scary. She nodded and saw how the girl smiled.
"I've met her." She said in a satisfied tone.
Elyon knew that she was expecting a surprised reaction so she gasped. It seemed as if this girl was pretty proud of the fact and Elyon wanted to know why. What was so great in meeting Will?
"No way." She gasped.
Lisa nodded vigorously. She really wanted to tell her and Elyon didn't mind. She really missed the gossip and she really needed a new past-time.
"Way." Lisa said with a grin. "And she is not like the things the others are saying about her. Okay, her voice is cold and you can just feel that it's getting colder with every sentence, but she isn't cruel or whatever. She asked me about my family and I've heard that she'd sent out Lady Miranda and Lord Cedric to fetch not only mine, but the other families as well. And…"
Elyon felt that something important was coming up. She leaned closer in and nearly let the linen fall. They had been standing in front of a door for a couple of minutes now but Elyon could wait. She wanted to hear this.
"She was the one who made sure that Lord Cedric couldn't rape me." Lisa said with, her voice filled with respect for Will and Will alone. "She saved me."
Elyon could just feel the amount of respect Lisa seemed to have for Will. Elyon wondered how Will could so easily gain respect, while Elyon never managed to gain any respect except when her title was named. Maybe Will was more suited to lead. She could always use a good example and Will seemed to be just that. And seeing that Cedric was following her, Elyon did not see any harm in doing the same. Perhaps she would get more benefits than trying it on her own.
"Really?" Elyon said impressed.
Lisa nodded, a smile gracing her face.
"I'm glad that Agnes made me the new maid of Miss Will. Perhaps She wouldn't mind to talk to me more often." She said with a grin.
"Are you lonely?" Elyon asked slyly.
She recognized the hope in this girl. She had been the same the first time when she arrived at Phobos's castle. She had just wanted some company and Miranda was the one to fulfill that spot. And it seemed that Lisa was hoping that Will would want to fulfill that spot. At this Elyon felt her heart tighten. There was a big chance that that wasn't happening. Will was already getting colder and she was even denying Caleb's affections. Will didn't seek any bonds, she only wanted to destroy them. Elyon stayed silent as Lisa kept on talking when suddenly a voice rang through the hallway.
"Lisa! I hope you've stashed those linen! Lady Miranda and Lord Cedric have returned with new people and I need you here as well!" The voice of the head maid Agnes echoed.
Lisa nearly let the linen fall and Elyon giggled a bit. This girl was a bit jumpy but otherwise, she seemed to be okay. She only thought it was sad that this girl had to work here instead of doing what she could have wanted. She saw her fidget and rolled her eyes. If she went away, Elyon could drop the glamour.
"Give me your linen. I'll put them away." She said, getting a relieved sigh from Lisa.
"Thanks! You're a lifesaver!"
Elyon smiled wryly. If this girl only knew.
"Sure." She said when she took Lisa's load. "Now get going! I don't think that Agnes has a lot of patience."
Lisa laughed at that and nodded. Elyon watched her running around the corner before she sighed. She nodded at the door, making it swing open and with a very impractical swish of her hand she made the linen fly into the storage room. She closed the door and undid her glamour. Perhaps there were some cute guys between those who Miranda and Cedric had taken with them.
…
He had once again fulfilled her wishes. The families had been reunited in their castle. He had to admit that he was not too happy with it, but they needed guards and gardeners. And a smith wouldn't be too bad either. He just wished that Will had wanted men from other villages. Now his nightly exploits would be even more difficult, especially if he had to kill men in this castle. It didn't matter. He still could go to other villages. Will wouldn't care and he wouldn't care if she did. She hadn't placed a rule about that, so he wasn't breaking any.
He silently snarled when he noticed how much of a lapdog he'd become. All because of her. She was good, something he would humbly admit. She was perhaps the first one who had ever made him feel like this. Feel this humble.
Elyon appeared from one of the hallways and Cedric knew she was looking for a possible good looking guy. He rolled his eyes. The girl was just too much concerned about her social life and Cedric wished that Will would influence her faster. Her goody-two-shoes attitude was becoming increasingly annoying and he wasn't sure for how long he would manage not to snap at her.
A portal opened and Will and Caleb stepped out of it. Will turned around and closed it, but Cedric had only eyes for Caleb. His eyes were way darker than when he left and Cedric was sure that he saw the sheath of Caleb's knife was a bit wet at the point. Cedric wondered what exactly Will had done to him, but he could feel her tainting darkness inside of Caleb. Now the only ones who needed a small peak of her darkness were Miranda and Elyon and Cedric knew it wouldn't be long.
Caleb didn't bother to look around and walked away, muttering something about going to his chambers. It was Will who stayed. Her eyes first went over the men and children that walked past her before her eyes settled on Miranda.
"Miranda, I have a job for you."
[A/N] End of chapter. Darkness is fun, isn't it? First I wanted Susan to be a bitch, but it turns out that I just can't, so Irma was blamed. Also, I do like my maid. She's cute isn't she? I thought you people ought to know how Will is in the castle and I thought this was rather nice. Also I fairly like my Caleb. Darker he is far more cuter :D
Ah yes, Angelo. Well, many dedicated readers of W.I.T.C.H. must know Lexvan and his stories. Angelo is his OC, but for those who don't know him a short biography:
Angelo Vanders, grandson of Kadma and Joe (OC as well). Born in Fadden Hills and best friend of Will. Was her first boyfriend as well. Parents died when he was young and he's an African-American. for further information you ought to read a story of Lexvan. You will get like it (unless you're looking for something as dark as this..Cause then you've got no luck) So Lexvan, thanks for letting me murder Angelo!
Don't forget to review!
