Chapter Nine:

I feel a warm, damp cloth being patted gently against my forehead. I keep my eyes tightly shut for I don't trust what I might see.

"What have you done to yourself?" A soft voice, Francesca. "I knew you shouldn't have gone. It was too dangerous. You're too damn curious for your own good." I'm sorry Francesca. I didn't mean to disappoint you, I didn't mean to kill, I don't know what my intentions were.

I might as well not pretend much longer. She can see through me more than any other can.

I slowly flutter my eyes open so as to feign a mask of weariness. "Francesca? What happened? Where am I?"

She sighs in relief. "Thank god your awake. Sierra, there's a problem with you concealment charm and I can't fix it."

Confusion. "What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with my concealment charm."

She shakes her head and gazes at the ground. "You don't get it. Sierra, there's not just something wrong with it, it no longer works."

"What?" I exclaim louder than I should. God I hope I'm in a place where no one can hear me.

"Shh! Quiet! If you don't believe me, look in your mirror." I whipped back the sheets and felt the suddenly freezing air encase me. So cold. I quickly pull back the sheets and hold them tightly in my balled fist. Why is it so cold?

"Oh, right. Shock. You're body is very low in temperature, but you're sweating like crazy."

And she is right. Although I feel as if I'm an ice sculpture, the sheets are damp with sweat.

"What's wrong with me?" I start to feel warmer and warmer, too hot. I push the sheets back and I lay on the bed, trying not to move in fear that my temperature will get hotter.

"I think there is some kind of curse on you. I'm sure that it's a bargain curse of some sort." Her violet eyes glaze over in deep thought.

"Bargain curse?"

"Yes, there's a more proper name for it, but I'm not sure what it is. Basically the curse is based on a bargain. You do one thing, it goes away. I have no idea what yours is based on, but I'm pretty sure that you do know."

Eyes, emptiness, prophecy. A spinning world full of reasons and confusion. That's how my life always has been, but now it's even worse. My past is mixing with my present and my future. Sooner or later, there will be no future without the most dire consequences. Francesca's right, I do know, but I refuse to tell her. Though, I am pretty sure that she figured it out for herself. I need to ask something.

"How's Dean?" I sit up and I feel my curly hair draping over my shoulders. It's much lighter, but that's no good. That will not help his well-being.

"What are you talking about? He's fine. He's in his room. I only found you passed out in the Astronomy Tower. Your face was pained, I was afraid that something happened to you. I knew you'd be too stubborn to just stay in your room. I had to sneak you in since, apparently, a charm such as the concealment can be easily broken." Wait, Dean's fine? But Michael said he was dead, and I killed Michael… Wait, no I didn't. What the hell was I thinking? I couldn't possibly have killed him, he's immortal! Then why did I feel such pain last night? Wait.

"What about Draco? How's he?"

"He should be fine." She just looks at me in confusion. I would too. It is a strange question, but if Michael didn't die, then something else affected me.

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Few hours earlier:

Draco,

Your time is limited. I gave you the opportunity of choice, but I'm afraid that you aren't mature enough to decide yet. Join us. We have much more power than you would ever believe and we are so much closer to conquering all. Join the class of kings Draco. Do not stay within that pathetic group that your mother chose.

Lucius,

He's right. My time is limited. I've been delaying it for too long. The wind flutters the window drapes and it draws my attention to the moon. Full and round. The same way it was during her death.

I'm not afraid t think of it anymore. What's the point of feeling so lost and alone over someone who cannot return. Even a Queen can't be revived from death.

I shake the heavy yellow envelope and a smaller letter falls out, in my mother's handwriting. She must have snuck it in. I hope father doesn't find out.

Dear Draco,

Please do not listen to your father. You don't have to join him and his gang of petty criminals. I don't want you to be anything like him. I've received a letter from that lovely girl Francesca. She told me of your recent prejudice. At least, I believe recent. Please deplete this habit of yours at once. You must be nothing like Lucius.

I have news of that boy that you despised so much. Michael right? He's been seen wandering around the Academy's grounds. I know that I shouldn't be telling you, but he wouldn't be there for no reason. Do not give up on your love of Sierra. A Queen can be brought back despite your beliefs. Look for her. In your heart and soul. You're still connected to her, even though you think not, you are. Just search. Please my son. Search.

I must leave. Your father is returning.

Love,

Mother

Red. I've always hated the color red. The color of blood, the color of love, the color of anger. Michael has no business being around my land. I made it clear a long time ago that I owned this turf. He owns whatever pathetic turf he and his flock of flying beasts claimed. Sierra was meant to come here and she will not be disrespected like that.

"That bastard." Whispering isn't a good thing.

"THAT BASTARD!" Things fly about for a while. I don't feel human anymore.

"Draco? What are you doing?" Blaise.

Nothing.

"Stop!" He grasps my shoulder and immediately I calm down, but I feel weak. Everything seems black. Pain is an incredible thing. You can want it and fear it at the same time.

Author's Note: Faster right? It hasn't been that long! A much better improvement from five months. Give me a little slack.

Reader: Why should I?

Me: Good point.

But, whatever. REVIEW!!!