I could hear my blood pumping quickly around my head. What do I do? I can't put Dylan in danger like that but I don't think I'm up to either of the other options.

"30 seconds."

...

"20 seconds princess." He was starting to sound impatient.

"Thia.." Korvon warned..

I couldn't think. What would Dylan want. He wouldn't want me to get myself hurt or worse.

"10. 9. 8."

I'd make them see my side. I can tell the truth while still protecting Dylan. Thank god.

"6. 5. 4"

"One" I whispered.

"What was that?"

"I pick option one."

Korvon sighed in relief and Durion leaned back, obviously content with my answer.

"I believe that Dylan left the castle via dimensional pockets."

"And do you believe that this is how he arrived here in the first place."

"Yes."

"Why did he come."

"He came to speak with me."

"About what."

I wanted to keep this a secret but I made a deal with him.

"I'm waiting princess."

"He came to speak with me about my meeting Ash tomorrow morning."

"Elaborate."

I took another deep breath.

"Dylan came here via dimensional pocket in order to warn me not to go because Ash is planning an ambush to take me back to the castle."

I kept the locket to myself, I knew Dylan and I bet he put something inside for me.

"When I said be truthful I also meant tell the whole truth."

I silently cursed myself for thinking I could get anything past him..

"He also came to return my locket, which if in the wrong hands, could have given someone full control over me. I believe there may be a message in there from him but I haven't had time to check."

"Check."

My head snapped up at that. I'd never opened my locket in front of anyone. No one but me and Dylan knew how and what was in it.

"No!" I snarled standing up and causing the chair to fall over. I glared at Durion for a few seconds before turning to storm out of the room. I reached the stone corridor before Korvon slid in front of me. Effectively stopping me from leaving.

"Move."

"Don't." Durion said from the desk.

"I'm not satisfied yet Princess. Either you stay and fulfil our agreement or I pick for you." He continued, now addressing me instead of Korvon.

This is one thing I can't do.

"I would rather spend an eternity under Ash's control then let anyone into my locket." I replied. I looked up at Korvon and saw that he was shaking his head slowly.

"Is that your final decision. Think carefully Princess."

"I can answer your questions, give you information about them. Anything just not this. This is the one thing I will not do for anyone."

"You heard her Durion. She won't LET anyone INTO her locket."

I watched them both start to smirk. I watched as Durion waved his fingers casually. I felt a burning on my chest. He started tightening his fingers into a light fist. As he pulled his fingers closer into his palm, the burning got hotter and hotter. It was my locket. If I didn't get this off, well. It would not be good. I try to undo the clasp but the clasp is also burning hot. The chain, pendant and clasp were all white hot. I had to get this off. I was panicking now. It wasn't coming off. The clasp had started to meld together. I had to think fast. Knives! I still had my throwing knives! I quickly unsheathed one and cut the chain. The locket slid from my neck and pooled on the floor by my feet. My breathing slowly returned to normal.

I bent down to pick up the locket but just as my fingers brushed the pool of silver, Durion pulled it to him using magick.

"No.." I whispered.

Korvon shifted from where he was blocking the door and moved back to his original position next to Durion.

I stood back up and walked back over to the desk. I sat down and kept my eyes on my locket in Durion's hands.

He pointed at the lock.

"Give me the key."

I stayed silent.

"Knife." Durion said, addressing Korvon who handed him a simple silver dagger. He touched the locket with the knife. I knew he would do it. He started to apply a little pressure visibly scratching it.

"Wait." I whispered reaching down to my shoe. I took it off and opened the small compartment I had installed in every pair of shoes I owned. I pulled out the key and put my shoe back on.

"Princess." Durion snapped.

"Please don't do this." I whispered, he replied by holding out his hand expectantly.

"Durion.. I'm begging you.. Please.."

"The key Princess."

I carefully handed him the key and watched forlornly as he put the key in the lock and turned it. I heard the lock fall into place. He opened he locket and the picture of my adoptive family fell onto he desk. I quickly snatched it up and unfolded it. I smiled slightly as I saw all of us smiling as if nothing was wrong. I turned it over and I was right. There was a note from Dylan.

'Emba. Ash has but a spell on this locket. It has a tracking spell on it and a curse. If you do not meet at the desired place and time as set by him, it will put whomever comes into contact with it after that time under his control. Any one that tries to fix it will cause a rebound to instantly kill that person. Only he can. I'm so sorry.

-Dylan'.