(big turn. sorry if last chapter was a bit boring, i ran out of ideas :( sorry if this is also a bit boring but we learn a bit more about Sierra and her "condition" which is introduced)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CHAPTER 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beetle was right. Septimus was fine. Except he was fine after Marcia came back. "It must have been because of your parents," he told me, as we were walking back toward the Wizard Tower from some fuss going on with the purple python in the backyard of Terry Tarsal's shop, who apparently got spooked by a lingering Darkenesse from the Darke Domaine. "Don't be daft, Sep. I was just a bit stressed because of my upcoming Projection, that's all," I lied, hoping Septimus bought it. He did. I didn't want to think of my parents, not because I don't like them, but because the mention of them always makes me tense up and feel afraid that someone might hear. "Anyways," he continued, "Jen is holding an early MidSummer Day party. Too early if you ask me, but she is the Queen now and can do what she wants. Well, she wanted to invite us. Specifically asked me to give you the invitation, said she thought you wouldn't be happy to see her."

I would've frowned, but I didn't want to ruin the mood. "That's great! That we're going, I mean," I beamed. "But, if you're not too tired, maybe we could go see her? Maybe clear things up a bit."

"She said the party's today. At six."

"What?! She's crazy!"

"That's what I told her. But she's still the Queen. And she's got that annoying little book with all those edgy little rules." I chuckled. I didn't mind the book, but I never knew Septimus had so much hatred for it. "Let's just get dressed. It's almost 5:30, and we all know how slowly you get ready." He scowled. "I'm not that slow."

"Yes you are. Race ya!" I shouted as I dashed ahead. "That's not fair!" he yelled and ran too, but he and I knew I would reach the Wizard Tower first.

We got there, but we weren't expecting what we saw. It wasn't a lot, but it sure felt like it. Spit Fyre flew up to the window and set Fyre to Marcia's favorite rug. Septimus doused it before it got out of control and told Spit Fyre to go back to the Dragon Kennel. Unfortunately, there was no more Dragon Kennel. He groaned and put his head in his hands. "Visit your mother, then," he requested, but Spit Fyre wanted to go on a ride with his Imprintor. He scooped Septimus up and swung him onto the Pilot spine. "Renew her rug!" he screamed as Spit Fyre flew away. I shook my head. Spit Fyre was trouble.

I Renewed her rug and went to search in my closet for something to wear. All I had other than my robes was my light blue tunic and a sapphire blue skirt with a bit of golden embroidery. I quickly embroidered some golden flowers on the tunic and put both on. I went to put on a silver necklace that used to belong to my mother. Then, I put my hair up. I looked in the mirror. I thought I looked acceptable, so I went on my way. I was surprised to find Septimus already there, in a suit. "Where did you get that?" I wondered. "Did Spit Fyre throw some clothes on you?"

"Actually, yeah. He did just that."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He must've taken it from somewhere because he had them in his claws. Once we were out of sight from people, he threw them on me."

"Wow, then."

"Yep."

We stood there for a while. After ten minutes of standing, Jenna opened the Palace doors. "Hey, Sep, Sierra! How are you doing?"

"We're doing just fine," I said. "Right when we were getting ready, Spit Fyre made Sep ride on him. Believe it or not, he threw clothes on him!"

"Good old Spit Fyre. You're looking really pretty. I didn't know you had those."

"That's because I barely wear them. Although I just spiced up my tunic a little."

"You did nice."

"Thanks."

"Anyway, come in! It's no use you standing there when the party's inside."

"The party's inside? Why not outside?"

"I meant in the back of the Palace. Come on, you two!" She raced ahead. So Septimus and I did too. She decorated the patio in the back of the Palace nicely. It felt homey, and not too formal. Beetle was reading a book, and Rose was swinging on the chair swing. She looked up and hugged us. Beetle didn't take his eyes off his book. "How'd you get here? Jenna kept the doors locked," I mused. "I met Jenna when I was walking to the Charm Chamber. She told me about the party. I had a day off, and I was already wearing a summer dress, so I figured I might as well come." Rose looked at Beetle. "And I forced him to come too. No way was I letting him stay in and do boring work." I smiled and went to where Beetle was sitting with his book. "Hey Beetle," I whispered. "If there's any time to confess your feelings to Jenna, its got to be tonight." He nodded, to my surprise, put his book down, and walked over to where the others were standing. I felt like if I went there I might be intruding, so I looked at the book Beetle was reading. "Ever Last," was the title. I started reading it, unaware that the conversation between my friends was about me.

"She sometimes scares me," Rose whispered. "She always seems as if everything is fine but I know it isn't. Last week she said she wanted someone to love her. So she wouldn't feel alone. And that was bothering her because she didn't want to think about it."

"She's also really powerful, I can tell. Quite a few times I've had dreams where she destroyed the Castle, even though I know she wouldn't do something like that. But I agree with Rose," Septimus was saying.

Beetle, who had kept quiet the entire time, spoke up. "She's going insane."

"Don't be mean, Beetle!" Jenna said quietly. "No, not like that. The other kind."

"I know what he's talking about," said Rose. "I think Sep does, too."

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, I don't get it. Can you explain?" Jenna asked, exasperated. "Shh. I'll tell you. My mother almost went insane but I helped her. She said, 'Beetle, it's like something is eating at me.' She said it was like something was trying to get her. I forgot what happens to you, but it's awful. It's a horrible thing."

Meanwhile, I was on chapter three of Ever Last. It was really good. I could tell why Beetle didn't notice Sep and I walking in. After a few minutes, when the guests began to pile in, my friends appeared to have finished their conversation, so I walked over to them with Beetle's book in hand. "Here you go, Beet. It's really good. I can see why you like it." They were all staring at their feet. I frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's all fine. I'm glad you liked it," Beetle said. He took the book from my outstretched hand. I got the impression they didn't want me there, so I left and walked around a bit. When I got to the hidden lake, the one that Jenna thought only she knew, I sat down and started wondering why. Why my friends didn't want me around, why that Una woman and DomDaniel wanted me dead, and especially wondering why I was feeling so sick to my stomach.