I own Annabella... that's all.


Annabella Chant
By: punkgothicjackal

Chapter 1: 13 Lives

Annabella blinked and backed away, hiding behind Chrestomanci. Who were these people? Why did they want her? Chrestomanci smiled as a woman rushed towards them.

"Did you get her, dear?" Millie Chant asked, looking at her husband. She had been just as anxious about the girl as Chrestomanci had.

"Why don't you ask her?" Chrestomanci said, nudging Annabella forward.

"Oh you poor dear!" Within a moment, Millie had ordered the maids to draw her a bath, get her room ready, get her some new clothes, and prepare her a late dinner. At the mention of the word food, Annabella's dark eyes sparkled. She was reluctant to go with the maids; she wasn't used to all this attention. But Chrestomanci smiled at her encouragingly and she allowed herself to be whisked away by one particularly large maid, who looked as if she might kill Annabella if she didn't follow.

Chrestomanci watched the girl go and then went to find Micheal Saunders. He had some questions to ask him.

****

Annabella found the water annoyingly hot, but one of the maids had explained it would help her many cuts and bruises. As if that would happen, Annabella had no idea.

She had particular trouble washing her long black hair, for it had never seen a shower in it's life. When she had gotten everything out of it, she wrapped it in a towel and dried off, her mind elsewhere. She was enchanted by the mirror; She remembered one from when she was very young... it had been in the room her mother had died in. She turned away, grabbing the brush off of the counter and brushing through her now clean hair.

She looked around for her clothes, and found perfectly new ones. This slightly puzzled Annabella, because they looked exactly like her old ones, only new and a bit more extravagent. The rope that had served as a belt was made of pure gold, and there were black opals glittering on the hem of the skirt.

She pulled them over her head and noticed two things: they were made of velvet, and they fit slightly better on her tiny frame than the other one had. It had been too big, but it had also been the smallest thing in the castle that her father's servant could sneak her. Riala had been very kind to her... she would have to ask Chrestomanci if he could save her too, for she was just a few years older than Annabella.

She went out of the door into the room, and noticed a maid was waiting for her. The maid smiled at Annabella, who kept her silence, just as she had with the others. She looked around at the room, awed by it. Chrestomanci had asked her where in the castle she would like to live, and almost immeadently she had said "tower". She had always enjoyed her tower at home, the feeling of being free, even with the horrible living conditions she had had.

"Is it what you expected?" The maid asked pleasently. Annabella went and looked out the window, ran her fingers delicately over the mirror, sat on the bed, and checked out many other various things.

"It's better than I ever could have imagined." She said shyly. The maid beamed.

"We've never had a child in the castle before, you know." She said, straightning the blanket on the bed even more. "So we weren't sure what to do with it. Oh, sure, Millie is expecting, but it doesn't really do us any good." She shrugged, and headed for the door. She turned to give Annabella another good look. "The dinner bell will ring in about fifteen minutes, and you're to go down the main stairs, and someone will be waiting for you- Chrestomanci himself, I think." She left, and Annabella curled up on the bed. She was keen on exploring, but she was afraid she'd get lost, so she stayed on the bed, waiting for the bell. When it did come, she followed the maid's instructions. Sure enough, Chrestomanci was waiting for her.

"Ah, Annabella. You look a lot prettier now that dirt isn't lining your face." Annabella blushed. Chrestomanci smiled at her. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, sir." Annabella replied, her eyes hopeful. She hadn't had anything to eat since last Sunday.

"That's good. Millie had a special feast ordered up in your honor." Annabella was stunned. What had she done? Absoulutly nothing.

"But, sir, I didn't do anything!" She said, her eyes huge.

"You don't have to." He said, leading her into the dining hall. She squinted at the bright lights, still not quite used to them.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" Chrestomanci asked pleasantly. Annabella turned crimson as everyone's eyes swept her over.

"Can it be?" "That's the child?" "She looks exactly like her mother, bless her!" These things didn't exactly help Annabella's shyness, but it was a moment before Chrestomanci regained everyone's attention.

"Yes, this is Annabella Chant." Chrestomanci said, and Annabella could feel all attention on her again. She looked down, careful not to catch anyone's eye.

"She sure seems shy, doesn't she?" A lady whispered. The man she was talking to replied, "After all that poor child has been through, Bessie, I don't blame her."

"That poor dear." Miss Bessimer replied, giving Annabella a kind smile. Annabella felt like shrinking.

"Annabella will be living with us from now on." Chrestomanci said, directing Annabella to a seat on the other side of him.

Dinner was served, and Annabella ate happily. But being so used to not eating at all, she didn't eat very much. It didn't take a lot to fill her up.

She waited until everyone was dismissed, and was heading back towards her tower when Chrestomanci called her back.

"Annabella, a minute please?" He asked, and she nodded, climbing slowly back down the stairs. Was she in trouble? Was she being sent back? She had just gotten here.

"No need to look so upset." He said, noticing the look on her face. "I just need you to come meet Mr. Saunders..." He led her up to another tower of the castle, and knocked on the door. It creaked open, and a tall man wearing a tweed jacket was looking down on them. Annabella shrank back nervously.

"Hello Micheal." Chrestomanci said cheerfully.

"Did you bring her?" Chrestomanci moved slightly to reveal a slightly terrified Annabella. "Ah yes, good, good. Come in." They followed him in and Annabella stole a few glances over her shoulder, trying to figure how much energy it would take to run for it.

Mr. Saunders stared at her for what seemed like an hour, and it was beginning to make her nervous. She squirmed slightly, refusing to break her eye contact. Mr. Saunders laughed.

"Bright one you are." He said, still laughing. Annabella didn't see what was so funny, but she figured she wasn't in the position to say so.

"Well," Mr. Saunders said, turning from her to Chrestomanci. "My calculations say thirteen."

"No," Annabella said, quietly. "Seven, sir."

"That's how many you've lost." He said passively, waving his hand in the air. "Thirteen she had to begin with."

"Thirteen what, sir?" Annabella asked, confused.

"Thirteen lives, my dear. Thirteen lives."

A/N: Well, that was chapter 1. Love it? Hate it? Please reveiw!!!!