Ella

We were just screwing around in the shop. Gavin, Rowan, and I. It was great, being a teenage girl for once, playing around with these machines. I couldn't wait for the day that the Deryn was operational, and we could fly, using our machines.

"So, what does the Knights of Walpurgis want with you two?" Gavin asked, as he climbed down from the cockpit of the Leviathan.

I had a pretty good idea as to what they wanted from me-information. As to Rowan, I still had no idea what the hell the lovely Death Eat-I mean, Knights, wanted with him.

"Well, my Mum's the Angel with a Shotgun, I got pretty close to beating their forces last summer, and do have some interesting information, so that might explain a bit," I decided.

"Plus, a meaningful scare tactic," Gavin finished, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "They must be clever, those Knights. Still doesn't explain what's going on with you, Rowan."

Rowan, who had been cleverly leaning against his Millennium Falcon, looked up innocently. "What are you talking about?" He asked.

"Come off it, mate, what did you do to tick the Knights off so badly that they tried to kill you?" Gavin asked.

"I don't know," Rowan said, with a shrug, and the left corner of his mouth twitched, and he tugged on his right sleeve.

"You're lying," I accused. His blue eyes widened in shock.

"How'd you know?" He asked.

"Your mouth twitches and you tug your sleeve," I explained. "Those are your tells. Jacen tugs his collar. I tend to run a hand through my hair. I'm your best friend, Rowan, I know when you're lying to me, especially since you're honest most of the time."

"Look, I can't tell you," he said, looking away.

"What do you mean, can't tell us?" I demanded.

"What the hell, just tell us, Rowan!" Gavin exclaimed.

"I can't," he said, desperately.

"To hell you can't!" Gavin snarled. "I don't know what's up with you lately, but seriously, you've gone dead quiet ever since they tried to kill you."

"Come on, you've got to understand at least, Ella. You know what it's like to have a secret you can't tell anyone, right?" He asked, meeting me with those blue eyes I just couldn't say no to.

I folded my arms over my chest. "What are you talking about, Rowan?"

"I know you know the location of the Resurrection Stone," he said flatly. I ignored Gavin's aquamarine eyes that were boring holes in me.

"How?" The word was quiet, soft, and definitely had the shadow of the white flag within it.

"Well, Jacen was the one who went for it, and as soon as he was found, you were pulled into a meeting with him and your mum, and it'd be stupid if you didn't talk about the Resurrection Stone," Rowan explained. "So logically, Jacen found the stone, and you, Jacen, and your mum are the only ones who know where it is."

"Maybe," I lied, and instinctively, I ran a hand through my wavy black hair.

"You just lied," the boys chorused.

I smirked. "I know. Off the record, you know what I'm really saying, but on the record, I'm not confirming or denying it."

"Well, Ella came out with her big secret as to why the Knights of Walpurgis are trying to murder her," Gavin said, and we both stared Rowan down. "You need to start talking."

"It's something stupid, just trust me," he replied, averting our eyes once again.

"I want to trust you," I said, taking his hands into mine. "I want to help you, too. I don't want one of my best friends dead. So please, if you know something that can help us, I'd appreciate it."

"I've been targeted by the Knights of Walpurgis since I was a little kid," he began. "I didn't know they were wizards and witches, but they would show up out of nowhere, and I'd see them stalking me, and accidents would happen. I don't know why they started at such a young age, but I was always lucky. In other stuff, too, but I was a bit more than they could chew. In the muggle world, they walked freely, so they weren't wearing masks."

"So you know who a lot of them are," I finished.

"That, and whatever compelled them to kill me in the first place," he replied with a shrug.

"Blimey, that's a huge burden for a little kid," Gavin remarked.

"We appreciate you trusting us," I said softly.

"We appreciate your trust," Rowan replied. "Now, Gavin, any secrets you have?"

Gavin smiled sadly. "I'm not exactly special like you lot."

"You're special to us," I assured him, and I put an arm around both my boys. "Group hug!" We were like that for a few minutes, when my watch beeped. I glanced at it, and saw that I was late for a meeting I'd arranged with my dear twin to collect our research and talk about stuff, because as fun as talking telepathically is, I liked hearing my brother's voice every once in a while.

"I've gotta go meet Jacen," I told them apologetically.

"Don't worry about it, I'm about to close shop," Gavin said cheerfully. "Rowan and I'll take care of it, seeing as you do most days."

"Thanks," I told them with a grin. I took my wand, shoved it down my front pocket, and had just stepped out of the door when a hand shot over my mouth, and forced my wrists behind my back.

"You're coming with us," a male voice hissed cruelly. With that, a few more Knights appeared out of the shadows, and one produced a key, and placed it into the castle walls, and a doorway opened. The Knights shoved me forwards, still keeping a tight grip on my, and my hands away from my wand.