AN: I am sorry it has taken me so long to write. My computer has just gotten internet access and the computer I used to work on has all my files. So I finally decided that I would need to rewrite. I revised the earlier and changed quite a bit, so go back and read that before you read this chapter:



Silence of the Shadows

I was left there. They left me there in the middle of the ball room with a torn dress and face full of tears. Where is their pity? Aren't they supposed to feel sorry for the girl who has been hurt?

It was needless to say I was angry. I stormed out of the door of which they left, I nearly followed them but Jadrien was beside me before I could.

Are you all right? he asked in a pathetically sympathetic tone.

I am fine, I said.

He took my arm and led me home, where I changed and sat in my bed to contemplate. I needed to get my thoughts in order.

My mother is writing the King. That I was for sure about. But what for.... I came up with three possible reasons:

1. My mother is giving them a ultimatum... hand over the throne or die.

2. My mother is telling them to give her something or she'll attack.

3. She has turned traitor to her own blood and is going to give them information for a price.

I think she is doing the first, even though that would be an unintelligent thing to do. But, on the other hand, no one has ever thought of her as intelligent, just greedy. She wants to seem to be in full control, but that could ruin the plans. Ahhhh well... that is her problem. My problem is the prince.

And Anya...

What is she doing here? Has she been caught for witchcraft and magic? I would say good riddance, but she realized with a shock, Why would she get caught, if not to tell on me?

I mean she does no magic, and I didn't see a struggle when she was brought into the throne room, now that I think about it...She had to have let them take her... Why would she want to be captive?

A horrible thought persisted at the back of her mind...She could tell on me. I was about to be ready to go after the Prince, but what if they had been forewarned? I had to see the witch.

I eased myself gently out of bed. The blanket fell from my shoulders, revealing my shoulder were my nightgown slipped. I looked down at the scar on my shoulder. I remembered vividly when I acquired that scar.



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Get up! my father yelled to wear I was seated on the floor. I have had enough of your impertinence! I looked at him sitting unaffected by his harsh screaming.

Get UP! he yelled and gripped my arm and yanked me to my feet. I yanked my arm out of his painful grip.

No! I yelled. I have had it with you, mother and your monster-brained plans. Can't you see that you lost the crown, and the honorable thing would be to give up? I guess I can hardly count on you for honor, now can I? I screamed

His face was terrible to look at, but I didn't see it for long. His hand, heavily laden with rings, came flying at me. I tried to sidestep him, but I wasn't quite quick enough. Instead of my face, his hand hit my shoulder with a powerful blow, rings cutting my shoulder deeply and knocking me to the floor.



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The scar on my shoulder was my only act of full defiance, until now. I felt ready to defy my parents, and to smile while doing so, but I held in the urge... After all, I thought, I had a mission to complete.