Hey, I'm back with a new chapter. I'm sorry it took so long. I've finally finished my multiple applications to high schools and summer camps. But now I have to study for the SAT. Come on, Mom, I'm not even in high school yet. -_- Sorry the chapter's so short.

Chapter Nine: Eriol

Ian's POV

As my lips were pressed against Amy's, I congratulated myself for such a courageous feat. I'm serious. Making a move on Amy was harder than breaking into any stronghold.

Finally, I reluctantly pulled away. Her eyes betrayed shock, confusion, and just a hint of happiness. Mostly confusion, though.

We were saved from any awkward silences by Dan's bursting into the room. But my relief was short-lived. His face was strangely pale, and his breaths were coming in short, ragged gasps, as if he'd run a very long distance in a very short amount of time. Natalie stood behind him with an equally worried expression, and it wasn't about being with Dan.

Dan took a few seconds to catch his breath, then blurted out, "Uncle Fiske needs you two in the melee weapons room right away! It's an emergency!"

Amy seemed to have a deeper understanding of the meaning behind Dan's words. The blood drained from her face. "The Vespers," she whispered, almost inaudibly. Dan nodded gravely. She suddenly rushed out of the room and broke into a sprint. It was all I could do to keep up with her.

We turned too many corners for me to count until we finally reached a room that looked as if it had been through an explosion. Broken shafts and metal points lay scattered on the floor. Amy's uncle and au pair huddled with a few other people around something.

The uncle looked up and noticed us. His eyes were wild. "Amy!" he gasped. "Come look at this."

Slowly, Amy walked over to where the other adults were standing and observed a piece of paper on the ground. She let out a small gasp. I walked over to her and looked at the paper. It turned out to be a small handkerchief, not a piece of paper. But it was what was embroidered on it that washed anxiety over me.

The handkerchief had fancy black curls on the borders. In the middle was a large, black V.

"The Vespers have destroyed our weapons as a warning," Fiske said.

"But as a warning of what?" asked an elderly woman.

Fiske only shook his head. "I am certain of one thing," he replied. "Amy, Ian, Dan, Natalie, and Miss Gomez must not leave this building. Amy and Ian, I will make arrangements for you, Dan, and Natalie to be excused from school for an indefinite period of time. The Vespers will most surely attempt to capture the future branch leaders and their close friends."

Amy's POV

Uncle Fiske quickly took care of the arrangement for us to stay in the stronghold. We got two bedrooms, one for the boys and one for the girls, because it would have been too dangerous for us to be alone in a room for extended periods of time.

Amidst all of the confusion, I still had a little time to think about what had happened in the office. Ian had kissed me. That much, I was sure of. There wasn't much else to be sure of, though. There were too many possibilities. Ian liked me. Ian was playing with me. Ian was plotting to betray me again. Ian was high. I ruled out the last one, though, because I'd been with him for at least an hour, and I was sure that he hadn't touched a drop of liquor. That, and the fact that he didn't seem like the type to drink.

Nellie interrupted my thoughts by telling us to go to our rooms and turn in early, because we would most likely have to be up early the next morning. I decided to take a brief walk down the halls to calm my nerves. Unfortunately, Ian crept into my thoughts again. I was thinking so deeply that I didn't notice the footsteps coming from behind me.

"Excuse me. You are Miss Amy Cahill, are you not?" came a soft male voice with the slightest British accent.

I jerked my head up and turned around. There stood a boy who looked to be around my age with large, thin-framed, round glasses. His facial features were gentle. He was a little taller than me, and he was wearing a casual black suit. Behind him was a large man who might have been a butler or a bodyguard.

"Umm, yes, that's me," I answered slowly.

The boy asked, "May I call you Amy?"

"Sure," I replied, perplexed. Who was this boy? "What's your name?"

"Forgive me. I should have introduced myself. I am Eriol." He gave a small bow.

"Did Uncle Fiske send you? Is it about the Vesper incident? Or do you not know about that?"

Eriol smiled. "Oh, I know about it. In fact, I probably know more about it than you do. I've been sent here to retrieve you. And not by your uncle."

My eyes widened as I realized what he meant, and I bolted. But it was too late. Eriol moved faster than I'd thought. He grabbed my arm and jerked me back. I ended up waay too close to him for comfort. I gave a small cry and kicked him as hard as I could. Eriol's grip weakened, just enough for me to escape. But either I must have not kicked him hard enough, or he was used to that sort of thing, because soon, I was back in his arms. He quickly covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief and blocked off my air. I struggled, but the handkerchief must have had some kind of drug, because I was losing conscious quickly. My flails became weaker and weaker. I tried to let out a scream, but it came out as a whimper. My vision blurred, and my last sight was of Eriol's gently smiling face.

Yeah, I put up polls about whether I should make the boy a Madrigal or a Vesper and another poll on his name, but no one cared enough to vote... T^T So I just decided on my personal favorites. And if you recognize Eriol, yes, I did base him off of the Eriol from Cardcaptor Sakura. Except not so manga-ish. I'd have Eriol over Syaoran anyday, lol. XD And in case you're really clueless, ERIOL IS A VESPER AND HE HAS JUST KIDNAPPED AMY. See, he's all formal and nice and everything. :) I luv Eriol. 3 Anyway, sorry again for the short chapter. I'll try to update sooner.

And you guys should really read xX Shades of Grey Xx/xX Whispers of Grey Xx/Whitelilysong's "The Warriors Hunger Games" if you're read Warriors and The Hunger Games. Shades/Whispers/Whitelily (MAKE UP YOUR MIND) if you're reading this, please PM me and tell me whether or not you'd like to co-write with me. Okay? Either that, or update. Right now.

Lovely Out! ~`'~