"Wow. This is amazing, Jase." The bookcases are three stories high. Covering all of the walls. Rows and rows of books, some falling apart and some untouched. "Who reads all of these?"

"Master does, occasionally, but they were his mother's. She had a fondness for books."

"Is she….gone?"

"Yes, she died of typhoid a few years before…. You know." Actually, I don't know!

"If I'm going to be here for a while, you may as well just tell me what happened." He just laughs. "So, is the Rose really magical?"

"Yes, it has healing powers."

"Have you used it?"

"No, but Master has, it helps him keep the shadows away." He clearly wants to tell me what happened. Maybe he's just scared to.

"So it heals the shadows?"

"Not permanently. Just for a little while." So are they like a sickness or injury somehow?

"Why do they come back?"

"Because Jezebel sent them. They won't go away until someone breaks the enchantment." He stops. "Please don't tell Master I told you," he pleads. "When he's angry, the shadows get so much worse. They — they torture him." The clock strikes eight times. "Oh! I have to go! Excuse me, Miss!" The door swings open and closes with a bang.

"Wait….huh. I don't know how to get back to my room." Who am I even talking to? I laugh at myself. Probably to keep from crying. This is insane. I'm a prisoner in a mansion of people cursed by an enchantress. I decide that my next mission is to find out Shadow-man's name. I pad out of the library and realize that I'm already lost. Great.

I push open the first door I come to, and to my surprise, it takes me out into the courtyard. The sun is gone, but torches light up the garden. A soft whinny comes from my left. Nickle. I've never been a big fan of horses, I mean, they're beautiful creatures, and Lina loves them, but I couldn't ever get past the smell. But right now, it's the most beautiful sound I've heard all day. The stable door I cracked open, so I slide through.

"Hey, girl," I croon, reaching to stroke my horse's mane. "Are you okay?" I push open the stall door to check her legs. There are a few minor scratches, but she seems okay. "You're such a good girl. Are they treating you well?" She snorts. "Uhuh. Look at all this hay! You're gonna be a chubby pony aren't you?" She tosses her head disdainfully, and I snicker.

"I don't recall giving you permission to come here." That perfect voice gives me the shivers every time. It's really infuriating.

I give him my sweetest smile. "I don't recall giving you permission to steal my horse." I prop myself against the stall door, leaning close enough to feel his breath on my cheek. He looks like he's around Lina's age, only a few years older than me. Why is he so gorgeous? Focus, Par.

"If I'm not mistaken, I cared for your horses when they stumbled upon my land. You're welcome."

I brush a strand of dark hair from my face. "Hmm." I hold out my hand. "I'm Paragon, if you're going to be nice, we can try to be friends." I put on my sternest face. He grins. Oh well, I'm not really one to hold a grudge. I'm still wary and mad, but since he's the only person I can see, I'd like to be on civil terms at least.

He takes my hand in his large one. "Cor. Cor Weston. Pleased to meet you."

"Cor." I test the name. He nods and slowly releases my hand.

"I hope you found the house to your liking?"

I nod, eager to have a pleasant conversation. "Yes, it's beautiful. And you have an incredible library!"

"Do you read?" He asks. Nickel nudges my shoulder, so I step out of the stall.

"If I can get my hands on a book."

"My mother was the same way." He has a kind of wistful look in his eyes. "She was a great lady. Understood me like no one else." He's talking to himself more than me now. "But there's not much left of me to understand. I suppose the servants have told you what a monster I am?"

"I was told not to make you angry," I say bluntly.

"What do you think of me, Paragon?" I met his eyes for a moment, but they were emotionless, calculating.

"I'm still deciding."

"How much of a monster I am?" There's a firy hurt back in his eyes.

"How much of a human you are," I whisper.

"I'm not much of a human." The brief moment was lost, and he slipped out into the dark.

A/N: Hey everyone, thank you all so much for reading! What'd you think of Cor and Paragon?

Sorry it took me a bit to update :/ Enjoy!

Please review! It makes my day :)

Smiles,

Princess Lyss :)