Nasha was bored. It was pouring down rain this afternoon so she couldn't go outside and she had finished doing her homework, she had listened to all the songs on her i-pod, and there wasn't anything interesting to watch on TV. Elkis was away and Nakku was busy trying to fix a motor for his car so it was just her and Greige.
"You know you could try reading a book." The boy suggested to her.
"Yeah I've never been the bookish type." She responded.
"Well that would explain your grades."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It's just that I saw your last report card and your grades in literature are very poor."
"What are you doing in looking at my report card?"
"I found it on the table the other day and I became curious."
"Must you always be such a snoop?"
"The best detectives are snoops."
"You're not a detective."
"I might as well be, considering the fact that I have a lot to solve."
"Oh yes. You and your ridiculous plan to prove to the world that fairy tales are real or whatever."
"Well yeah but recently I've discovered some more subjects to look into. Subjects that I think you'd be interested in."
"Like what?"
"Like the fact that Elkis is trying to find our parents."
"What?"
"I overheard her on the phone with Dr. Fernandes and apparently she thinks that finding out who are parents are and why they gave us up will help us adjust better."
"No way. he's not doing that."
"That's what she said."
"You misheard or something."
"I know what I heard."
"You must've of heard wrong. Either that or she's crazy because I have said numerous times that I want nothing to do with my parents. I don't want to meet them, I don't want to know who they are, as far as I'm concerned they ceased to exist as soon as they left me on the side of that road."
"You know you really shouldn't be so quick to assume that they were the ones who left you there when you have no evidence of it."
""Well there's no evidence that they didn't leave me there."
"So it's open for interpretation. Anyway I don't know the whole story about your parents or how you ended up there but there's something that may contradict your belief on that matter."
"What do you mean?"
"You're completely convinced that your parents never wanted you and never loved you. But if that were entirely true then why were you found with a keepsake?"
"What keepsake?"
"That toy kitty cat you have. You said it was found with whoever left you there most likely left that toy there with you. If your parents just discarded you like trash why would they leave behind a special toy?"
Nasha tried to think of an answer that would prove her point but nothing came to mind. She wouldn't admit to it but she had wondered about that many times. She still believed that she had been callously abandoned by unloving parents but if that truly was the case then why was a stuffed animal given to her?
"You know what I think." Greige said. "I think that maybe we should try to get Elkis to let us in on the investigation."
"Even if I wanted to investigate which I don't, she wouldn't let us get involved."
"How do you know?"
"Because if she did then she would have told us."
"Good point." Greige thought for a moment and perked up when an idea came to him. I got it! We follow her."
"We?"
"Yeah. When she leaves tonight to go meet with Dr. Fernandes we'll follow her and find out what they know so far."
"Two problems with your idea. One there is no we. I'm not getting involved in this. And two Nakku is going to be watching us tonight."
"So?"
"So to follow her you have to get past him."
"You say that like it's going to be a challenge." He grinned. "Don't underestimate me Nasha. I'm young and short but I have a very clever brain. Also Nakku isn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer."
"What are you talking about? Alright so he's a little impulsive but he's not an idiot."
Greige then opened the door to the room allowing Nakku to enter the room. Once inside he immediately began to search for something.
"Have any of you seen my hat?" He asked unaware that the worn out, slightly grease stained cap was already on his head.
"I rest my case." The boy said looking at his foster sister in a smug way.
...
As the years went by she grew into a very beauteous young woman with equally beauteous hair, but what was the point of having any beauty if it was shut away from the outside world and not allowed to be seen by anyone? She had thought about possibly escaping and running away but she didn't know how. Her father had magic and she didn't. How could she possibly escape a man who knew magic?
Lucy had tried to find joy in her situation but she only became sadder and sadder, thinking of the life that she was missing. All the exciting places she would never get to explore. Thinking of friends that she would never make or the one true love she would never find.
The closest thing she had to a friend were the ravens who would often nest at the roof of her tower. Many royals and nobles considered them regal birds and would often try to capture them as pets. But Lucy never thought of doing such a thing. For she knew how awful it was to be locked up. She offered her tower to them as home but she would not keep them and in return they kept her company.
"You're lucky." She told one of the jet black birds that perched itself on her window. "You can fly away from here and you don't have to come back if you don't want to. But I have to stay here. Probably forever."
"Lucy, Lucy, let down your hair!" A voice suddenly called to her that morning. She sighed and then threw her long blonde hair out the window. The caller grabbed hold of her hair with a gentle grip and began to climb up. She expected her visitor to be one of her servants because her father was never gentle when he climbed up but to her great joy it wasn't a servant. It was her grandfather.
For the first time in so long a sincere smile lit up her face and color returned to her cheeks.
"Grandfather." She cried before happily embracing him.
"Hello Princess." He said accepting the embrace.
"Oh Grandfather how I have missed you. I was sure that Father would never allow you to see me again."
"I feared that too but after years of begging I finally wore him down. Now let me look at you, I want to see how much you've grown." He pulled back from the embrace and beheld her now matured appearance. "You are magnificent. So regal and elegant. You remind me of your grandmother God rest her soul."
"Do I really?"
"Yes. You even have hair like she did. Maybe not as long but definitely as beautiful and soft."
"Thank you Grandfather."
"I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?"
He opened his satchel and brought forth a wooden box which he handed to her. She opened it and inside was a beautifully crated hair brush of gold that was edged with designs that resembled stars.
"This was your grandmother's." He said. "A family heirloom that had been passed down from generous to generous. I do believe she would have wanted you to have it."
"Oh Grandfather it's the loveliest thing I've ever seen. I'll always treasure it. But if it's an heirloom why didn't you give it to Mother?"
"Your grandmother and I both tried to give it to her once a long time ago but she wouldn't accept it."
"Why?"
"She thought we were mocking her."
"What? How could she think that?"
"Oh Lucy." He said gently grasping her hand. "Your mother wasn't exactly what most people considered a beautiful woman. She was always so insecure and ashamed of her looks. She didn't believe that anyone truly believed she was special. Except for your father."
"Father thought she was beautiful?"
"I thought she was beautiful and so did your grandmother but our opinions didn't matter to her. All she cared about was your father and what he thought."
"Didn't you feel the same way when you met Grandmother?"
He sighed. The poor man knew in his heart that what his daughter and son in-law had was not all the same as what he shared with his wife. But he feared that if he explained it to Lucy and Xavier found out then he would never lay eyes on his grandchild again.
"Nevermind my little princess." He said. "I am just grateful that you like my gift. Your reaction would have pleased your grandmother greatly."
"I think out of all the gifts I've received this is my favorite. I'll never part with it as long as I live. I promise."
"I am glad to hear you say that but please don't ever let your father see it."
"Why?"
"He'll throw it away or burn it."
"But Father has never done that to any of my gifts."
"That's because most of your gifts come from him. He does not want you to have anything from me."
"I don't understand. Why wouldn't Father want me to have any gifts from you?"
Truthfully it was because Xavier's gifts were nothing more than expensive material things used to buy her obedience and loyalty whereas Lucien's gifts were ones of love and sentiment. Something that could show her what real love was like. However he did not tell her that. Instead he said,
"He just doesn't want you to be too spoiled."
"You know I'm getting really sick of him constantly controlling my life like this." She closed the box which contained the brush and hid it under her bed. "Father says it's all to keep me safe but I don't feel safe. I feel imprisoned."
"I know and it breaks my heart to see you like this."
"Grandfather I don't know how much longer I can live like this. I thought once I became an adult he'd let me out but I'm in my twenties now and he still keeps like a bird in a cage. Do you suppose that he'd let me go if I asked him?"
"Honestly no. In fact I think he would be quite enraged if you asked."
"Then I don't know what else to do but I'm sure if I don't leave this place soon I'll die."
Lucy went over to the window of the tower and hung her head down in utter misery. Seeing her like this was like a dagger in Lucien's heart. He would have sold his soul to the devil himself if only it would grant her freedom and happiness. But perhaps there was a way of escape for her.
He opened his mouth to speak then briefly stopped before looking around and making sure that no one was within range to hear what he was about to say. It appeared to be safe.
"Lucy I think I might know someone who can help." He said.
She turned from the window to face him.
"Your father was not always a powerful sorcerer. He was once an ordinary man but then he met a wizard who taught him magic and gave him his power. They say that he's wise and good. I always wondered if he could take your father's power just as he had given it to him."
"Is there anyway to contact him?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I've heard rumors say that he's a hermit that you must seek in the mountains, others say you must wish for him to come on the evening star, and then some say all you must do is call his name and he'll appear."
"What's his name?"
"I don't. I tried for years to somehow get more information on him but your father kept it all a secret. One time when you were little I went through one of his books. I found one name but your father caught me before I could read anymore. He threatened my life if I ever tried that again and he used a spell to forbid me from ever speaking the name I had just read."
"So you can't tell me?"
"If I dare speak or write that name then my tongue and fingers will be instantly removed."
"Then try to show me."
It took Lucien a few minutes to think of how he could possibly reveal the name without talking or writing. He looked around the tower anything that could help and settled on the gray colored stone wall. He pointed to it.
"Wall? His name is Wall?" She said. "Walter? Wallace? Wally?"
"No. It doesn't have wall in it." He answered. "But it has something to do with the wall."
"Okay. Stone?" She guessed.
"No."
"Rock?"
"His name also serves as a description word for this wall."
"Um...Hard? Cold? Smooth? Tall? Structured? Gray?"
"Yes!" He said. "That's the name."
"His name is Gray?"
"That what was written on the page I found. That name next to the phrase 'I summon thee'."
"Alright. Gray I summon-"
"Shh! Don't speak it. Not yet. I'm not entirely sure if this will work or if this person will be of any help but in case both instances are in your favor, wait until your father leaves for his conquest tonight."
"Can you come back tonight?"
"No. Your father would not dare leave me alone with you when he's not in the castle. You'll have to be on your own." He gently took hold of her hands and kissed them. "I pray all will be well."
So Lucy waited patiently for her father to leave on a mission to conquer another kingdom and at night when it was very late, so late that almost no one would be awake. She couldn't risk the servants overhearing her words and discovering her plan especially if it could lead to a possible escape.
"Gray I summon thee." She called out.
She stood there in her room and looked around for any sort of magical change but it would seem that nothing happened. Nothing at all. She sighed in disappointment.
"Should have known that wouldn't work. As if there was anyway for me to somehow get out of here."
"Don't bury your hopes just yet Dearie." A voice teased. "Miracles do happen."
She jumped suddenly and looked behind herself to see a very beastly man with a scarred complexion sitting comfortably on her sofa.
"What are you?" She asked.
"My, my what a rude question and I am not a what."
"I'm sorry. It's just that...You're not at all what I expected."
"Story of my life. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gray but most people know me as the Shadow Beast."
"I'm-"
"Lucy, Princess of Eastern Fiore."
"You know who I am?"
"But of course. Considering my history with King Xavier it was only natural that I know about you."
"So you're the one who taught him magic?"
"No. I wasn't even born when that pitiful excuse for a man got his powers."
"Please do not speak of him that way. I mean what he's like I can't say I blame you for thinking like that but he is my father."
"I know. Believe me I know." There was a such a deep contempt in his eyes when he spoke of her father.
"So if you didn't teach my father magic then how do you two know each other?"
"The same way you know him. Oh that's right he never told you."
"Never told me what?"
"The thing is Lucy you and I have a very interesting relationship. I mean this is our first meeting but despite that we are connected. We have been connected since the day you were born. Connected through Xavier, unfortunately."
"I don't follow."
He gave her a grin of sheer amusement.
"Well I guess I should just come right out and say it." He chuckled. "I'm your brother."
