Chapter 3

Finding The Lost

"Myra, there's something I need to tell you," Jade said suddenly as they were walking into their apartment.

"Shoot." "You remember that note I got today? Well, I think I know what it means."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I need to trust Nayda ."

"Who's Nayda?"

" Tristan's girlfriend! Weren't you there today? She was only sitting next to you for FIVE hours!"

"Sorry, I was busy talking to Drake. I didn't even notice her."

"Well, she was there. She asked me to show her to the bathrooms were. While we were in there she said that there was something important she has to tell us."

"Is that right? When's she coming over then?"

"In two days, at around three," Jade answered, but Myra didn't seem to be paying much attention. She was busy fiddling with an envelope in her hands. "O-Kay... what's wrong?"

"It's Drake," She answered," he was acting very strange today. He was very melancholy. It was like he never expects to see us again. He even gave me this letter and told me to wait until tomorrow to open it."

"I should've known it had something to do with him," Jade sighed.

Myra woke to the ringing of the phone and ran to answer it. She barely made it before the machine picked up. A second later Jade came sprinting in. "Who..?" she began, but Myra cut her off with a gesture.

"Hello?" she said into the phone, "Really? Well there's not much we can do. Did you contact the police? Well, let me know if anything turns up. Alright, talk to you later, bye." As she hung up, Jade starred at her worried expression.

"You look like you just got a call from the mob," she commented.

Myra managed a smile at the attempted joke, "I did. That was my sister, Nadia."

"She was serious about that?! I thought she said that just to scare people away."

"Yeah. Well anyway she just called to let me know that my mom disappeared a couple of days ago. Says there's probably nothing to worry about though."

"Hmm," Jade murmured, pondering deeply, "Thats funny. You know who else disappeared? Tristan and Roland. I went over to their apartment yesterday and their landlord said that they'd left the same day as our reunion."

"So everyone we know is vanishing into thin air." Myra commented. The doorbell rang, outside stood a slightly disheveled Nayda. She had a worried look on her face, but also seemed relieved to see them. "Well, aren't we a bit early?" Myra commented, glancing at the clock.

"Yeah. What's wrong, Nayda?" Jade asked.

"I went to get Nicole, seeing as she needs to hear this conversation too, but she's missing."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Myra commented, "She's probably off with her boyfriend, Daniel."

"Either that or she's working." Jade agreed, "She never talks about that anymore though."

"Besides, you don't HAVE to talk to her with us around, do you?" Myra continued.

"Well, no, but it would've been more convenient," Nayda admitted," I was so surprised to find so many of you so close. I just thought that it would be easier to handle. There were others that didn't take it so well."

"What others? What are you talking about?" Jade asked.

"The lost ones," Nayda said, as if it should have some significance. When she got nothing but blank stares from them she continued. "Have you ever noticed that you're different than everybody else in this place?"

"Yeah, all those other PEOPLE are a bunch of weak, money-grubbing, self-centered..." Myra began.

"Myra, behave!" Jade interrupted, "Sorry, Nayda. You shouldn't get her started. She's always ranting about how much she hates most people."

"Well, other than that, you two are much more different. You are stronger, faster, and healthier than any of them. You are children of Amber."

"No, I'm not," Myra said, acting like a ditz, "My mother's name is Julie."

Nayda laughed, "No, that's not what I meant. Amber is a place. It is the one true city and the House of Order. Why don't you let me send you to someone who will help you understand."

"Well, I'm game," Myra said,"Just let me take care of a few things first." With that she departed in the direction of her room.

"Maybe I should get dressed," Jade commented, glancing down at her purple teddy bear pajamas. She too went to her room, leaving Nayda standing alone. About ten minutes later they both returned fully dressed. Myra was wearing her favorite black boots (again), a dark blue dress, embroidered with a silver dragon snaking its way around her from the left shoulder to the hem line, and a black leather jacket.

Jade came out in a purple and green shirt that tied at her left hip, bluejeans and tennis shoes. She always was one to go for comfort. Myra walked over to the small table near the door and placed an envelope on it. It was labeled "Nadia." "My sister might worry," she explained simply before anyone could ask.

"If you're ready, I'd like you to pick one of these," Nayda said as she fanned out a deck of cards.

"What, A magic trick?!" Jade shouted in an uncharacteristic show of anger, "How is that supposed to help you explain yourself?"

"Calm down," Nayda replied patiently, "The card you pick will determine who I send you to. Now please hurry, I should get back to work soon."

"Do we each pick one, or do we share the same card?" Myra asked. "Either, it all depends on if you want to be together or not. I think it would be a little easier to accept if there was someone around for support though," Nayda replied.

"Do you want to go it alone?" Myra asked Jade.

"Actually, I'd rather have your company," She replied, "That is, if you don't mind."

"O-Kay, you pick the card then." Jade stretched forth her right hand and took a card out of the center. A look of shock spread over her face as she turned it over, starring at the picture. "This isn't a playing card! Its a tarot, but there's no cups, or pentacles or anything labeling what it is."

Myra took the card and looked at it. It was very cold to the touch, like ice. The picture on it looked as real as a photograph, or more so, if possible. The man drawn upon it had long black hair and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed all in scale white armor and was standing in what appeared to be an ancient forest. He looked like he could almost step right into their living room.

"You picked Julian," Nayda said, "a very interesting place to start. He wasn't too thrilled when I told him he might have to teach one of the lost ones. Well hand me the card and lets be about this." Myra passed her the card and she took it with her right hand. She stared at it for a little while and then began to talk. "Yes...Oh it's your lucky day," she said smirking, "two for the price of one."

She signaled for Myra and Jade to come over and the grabbed Myra by the arm. Suddenly the man Julian was plain to her sight. He wore the same white armor but the forest around him was different. Not to mention the huge, gray horse he was standing next to. It seemed to her that a look of surprise flashed over his face but it was gone in an instant.

Myra then grabbed Jades hand who gasped with surprise. She had not been able to see him before. "Come," he said stretching out a hand, "if you desire the knowledge." Myra and Jade glanced at each other. Jade looked a little apprehensive so Myra made the move. She stretched out her own hand to meet Julian's. He gave a little tug and they both stepped forward.

Authors note: Please forgive the delay in the update of this chapter. Be assured the next one will be up a lot sooner :)

Florin, Thanks again for your review! If you have any questions its best to e-mail me, they get replies faster.