Story Draft Page

   
    Thunder rumbled across the sky, and the black clouds rolled in. The air shifted, the smell sharper and air a bit heavier than normal.  The wind blew strongly,  as the rain poured down in waves. One after another, without stopping, soaking drenching everything in tis path. It was a like monsoon, yet it was a winter storm the first one of the season. It was beautiful. Opening her umbrella, a petite girl made her way through a crowd of screaming, talkative teenagers going towards the school buses. She happily chatted with one of her best male friend, as the held the umbrella over the both of them. He was tall enough, and she had the only umbrella to be seen. A chuckle trilled out of her as she tried to hid her amusement at a joke he whispered in her ear. reaching up and over to hit the blonde in the back of his head, he ducked, but laughed at her attempt even more. Her feet were wet, soaked from the puddle she accidentally stepped in, and on top of that, she was wearing her favorite ballet flats. Wiggling her toes in the navy stocking required with the uniform a sigh was released for her, the sensation was uncomortable at most, and once again she would be forced to do laundry at home.  However she giggled when Harrison pointed it out, and she playfully hit herself in the forehead calling herself a dunce. As they arrived at the  black school bus, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. She smiled and closed her umbrella before running up the stairs on the bus. Waving a hello to the bus driver, she quickly found a seat by the window and watched Harrison walk away. His head down and collar up in a futile attempt to not get wet by the falling raindrops.  she waved before leaning back against the seat. She slouched for a moment, enjoying the heat blow harshly onto her cold wet body.   Several of her braids fell forward, over her eyes, and absentmindedly she blew a small puff of air, trying to clear her eyes. Pulling her arms, from the book bag straps. Her hands, went up into her hair, and reached around for the black ponytail holder. Pulling it out, she shook her head and let her bicolored braids, fall where they lay, it was after school any way. The bus, was noisy which was to be expected. Rummaging throught her bag, she finally spotted what she was looking for.  A book laid open across her lap, the heavy hard back, was holding the pages down. Reaching up, she turned on the light for her seat, the window provided no light at all which was rather annoying and then again she was thankful not to have to worry about relaying to sunlight to read and catch up on quiet time. Her brown eyes darted to and fro. from the window, and to the people sitting in front of and across from her. But more often then not, her eyes rested on the face of one guy.  The same guy who was the only one nice to her without making her worry. Her first crush to be sure.
    Beautiful. That was her thought when she saw him the first time. His hair was wild, bushy and pulled back into a pony tail. It was  like a fox tail, the browns and reds, blacks and blondes mingling together beautifully. He had a scruffy goatee  yet it made his skin seemed beyond smooth. His eyes, as she stole another glance at him, her the colour of honey, deep, yet light amber. When he stood, he towered over her, with his height. She liked him, felt something for him, just based on attraction of course, after all its impossible to really feel something for someone when all you know is their name, she truly wished to know him. Yet, her shyness crippled her, in the past months she only worked up the nerve to greet him, and only in the tradtional manner with a chaprone, in the form of her best friend, yet still not a true fimillar greeting which she desired. Looking at his hands, she saw that they were big, but clean and seemed smooth. Soft to the touch, she imagined. She craved to brush back his wild hair, making a fist she shook her head and forced herself to pay attention to her book, she needed to finished the chapter before she got home.  As she read, her face relaxed and her deep brown eyes sparkled for a moment, going over a small fact. Small, non important facts made her laugh especially when they seemed quite silly and irrelevant. She held in a unladylike chuckle and settled back against the plush seat for a good read.
   

    He saw from his seat on the bus. He, sat next to his friend Leroy and listened to him complain about the amount of homework Mr. Black gave him. Two chapters due by next period. Two, he whined about the horror of it, how much time that will take away from his time with the ‘ladies’ His eyes drifted over to the girl, nay young woman. 
 He noticed her the way her eyes sparkled, for a moment her thought she had actually laughed. Yet the dim roar of the students on the bus made it impossible for him to know for sure.
    “Arthur what are you staring at?” Leroy questioned. 
Arthur looked at his friend and punched him in the arm “nothing, nothing. So how is Call of Duty, that I lent you? That you never gave back”.
 “Its going good man” He said before going on a tangent about how wonderful the game was easy. Leroy, glanced at his friend, and for the second time he caught him staring off at her.  Her, the girl, she wasn’t even good looking him his opinion. Too bookish, a nerd he was heard saying, you can count on it. And seeing her smile, he realized it was true, she must be a nerd smiling at a book. Her hair barely touched her shoulders, and she was way to dark for his taste.  Leroy cracked his knuckles as he spoke and watched her cringe.  Plus she wouldn’t give them the time or day, after all she was from a very traditional family, and did things in a certain old fashioned way. For one he remebered the day she talked to Authur for the first time, she was escorted by her friend. He never left her side and Arthur wasn’t even allowed to touch the girl. Leory Snorted, what a load of poppycock.


    Glancing out the window, Lilium  saw that they were coming up to her stop. Closing the book she gathered up, her lavender, lilac, and rosemary nosegay that harrison gave her to ward of a cold and bag, which she rummaged through and to her dismay she didn't pack her umbrella.  With a sigh, she stuffed her book in the bag and got off the bus. Rain still poured from the heavens with a vengeance. Her her became drenched within seconds, as lighting snapped over head she jumped in fright for a moment.  As she walked her clothes and shoes became full of water twice over. Sighing she took off her shoes and walked in just her stocking covered feet, it was much easier and as she walked she cried, her tears mixed with the rain falling already. All the stress and torment came out in the walk home through her tears. The stress of following the old ways even in school, when no body else cares.  The voices of everyone echoed in her ears with each step she took. Even her sister refused to acknowledge her, because of the rejection of their father. Her mother hated her for telling the pater what was happening in the house while he was away, and step father ignored her existence. A step sister who is a doxy and embrasses the house, it was too much at times and its a rare time that she was allowed to cry.  Walking past the house she lived in for seven years she sighed. There was no reason for her to go home. They wouldn’t notice that she was missing anyway. Each was wrapped up in their own busy lives. Standing on the bridge over the rushing river she lifted herself up and sat on the ledge and watched nothingness. The park was normally crowded with giggling children and amorous couples.  Now it was empty and black. She rubbed the signet ring that was her fathers.  It was a family ring with the crest on it, a beautiful swallow in mid flight surrounded by a garland of lilies. She missed him, his gruffness, bear like hugs and unbelievable kindness.  Above her  lighting flashed with a fury, followed by a low loud rumble, ending with a sharp crack that had Lilium flinch for a moment, it sounded a lot like the slap that she received earlier.  Her mind went blank for a moment and she opened her mouth and started reciting her family line.
    The time Lilium made it home, she resembled a drowned rat, her clothing hair and shoes saturated with water, Her bag, was waterproof, so thankfully all her books, electronics and glasses were safe inside. Taking off the flats she set them in front of the roaring fire place. Her dull eyes, glanced at the fire, the bright vibrant orange, red and blue flames. it was beautiful, frighteningly so. Closing her eyes, she stretched out her senses to listen. Her ears picked up the sound of four heart beats, steady resting. Lilium was surprised her stepsister did not have her boyfriend over  for the weekend. Her boyfriend was usually over each weekend, he stayed in her room. Sitting on the hearth she sighed, the hot heat was drying her off. She slowly looked less like a drown rat and more like a small child. Her fingers ran over the onyx ring, she missed him most at these times. He would bring two pipping cuppas. Hers always smelled like blueberry, his was peach, always peach. Shaking her head, Lilium mentally banished all the silly thoughts that she had. It was too late to torment herself with the memories of her father. Tomorrow, tomorrow she had a meeting with her father’s lawyer anyway. He made the call  last week, on her birthday, as she reached the age of majority.  Although she was considered an adult in several circles, she still looked like a child.  A waif, she closed her eyes and lead against the wood paneling. Time passed by as she sat there, not moving, the heat surronding her body felt amazing. Almost as it felt when she spent this time with her father. Father, her paterm  ge was ger protecter... even as she feel asleep by the fire he would carry her to bed.

    The sun was high in the sky, the curtians around her bed, thankfully were shut. As the sunlight shined through the winder she rolled over on her stomach and clutched her brown teddy bear tightly. She was in bed fully dressed minus her socks and shoes. Her hair, as it dried near the fire became uncontrollable. frizzy, wild and annoying to say the least. The windows, openedm and the wind blew in. Pulling the covers over her, tiny fist gripped the blankets, trying to keep warm. Snuggling deep into the down geese feather pillow, she went into a deeper sleep. Her eyes, were half mast as she looked at the blue satin bed curtians. Slowing her breathing down, she lulled her self away from reality and slowly back to the land of dreams.  A knock on the doors, jolted her out of the slumber. Shaking her head she sat up and sighed. “Still tired” she groaned. Pushing back the covers she sighed.
    “Morning” Jennifer cheerfully said opening the curtians to Liliums bed. “Time to wake darling, we get to finally see what was in Pater’s will when her died. I can’t wait. So hurry, hurry. Dress in the tradtional style doll alright”
“Mother, I am not, nor have ever been a doll.” She said laying back down.
“Lilium, get up!” She hissed drawing back her arm  she slapped her daughters arm. 
Holding in a yelp, Lilium streached up and pushed back the heavy quilt. Placing Leroy on his place on her pillow she moved out of the bed.
“How long do I have until we have to go?” she asked calmly, holding back the snark.
“We leave within the two hours, going by coach” and with that Jeniffer left her daughter. Slamming the heavy wooden door behind her.  Once the door was shut, Lilium let her self scrowl at the door before making her way over to the ceder chest which held all of her traditional clothes. From underwear to cloaks, to dresses and skirts, blouses formal wear. Everthing she needed.  Maybe this time her mother won’t dress like a traditional whore today. Shes thinks that its important to look her best when meeting with Paters lawyer.  Lilium ran her hand over the smooth purple silk. She loved the feeling against her skin.  Digging through the clothes, she pulled out a deep maroon skirt.  Sighing, she placed that back in the chest. That was an outfit for a child, last time she wore that outfit her father was alive and. they were apart of a family meeting. She went with her pater as the scion of the house. Going into the bathroom she turned on the hot water full blast. Breathing deeply in the steam she undressed and submerged herself into the water. Steaming, scalding. Hitting her skin sharply. Taking unscented soap, she begun to scrub her skin clean. Even to the point of redness. She gave a small smile, and ran her fingers over the small scars all over her stomach. They were tiny, but felt different. Turning off the water, she stepped out the shower, her body instantly in goose bumps. The air was cold and the tile of the bathroom floor did not help at all.  Wrapping the cotton towel around her body, she looked in the mirror. The steam covering the glass made it hard to see, taking another town, she wiped off a small space in order to see her face.   Her face seemed fat, chubby. She pinched her cheeks, and muttered how fat she was so fat. Leaving the steamy bathroom she held back the shudder that she felt. Her hair, clung to her face and with one hand she moved the hair out her eyes. Walking she wet feet quickly walked across the wooden floor, flying past her step sisters room and went into her bedroom. Locking the door she entered her dressing room.  Quickly she put on her chamise and bloomers.  The underlinens were made of soft undyed cotton.  She then picked up the dark blue full skirt on, and her fingers flew over the buttons, making it tight as possible. She then picked up the boned black corset. Putting it on, took in one last deep breath of air before tighting the satin ribbons in the back. They tightened rather quickly her, her waist seemed much slimmer.  Placing a pale blue silk blouse on she smiled in the mirror. The formal outfit was almost complete. Sitting on the black chaise near the window, she laid back and stared out the window.  She took a deep breath and watched the kids from across the street running around. Their laughing happily. Girls chasing after the little boys, from her vantage point it seemed like it was a game of tag.  The girls wore causl clothes, modern day, clothes she would normally wear. Such as jeans and tee shirts, skirts, cargo pants. Comfort clothing. Picking up the olive brush off the table next to the chaise, she begun to brush through her hair.  Each stroke, staighting, flating the messyness of her hair. Working with it, adding a shine and luster to her hair. A small frown graced her face.  It seemed rather silly for a moment, to be jealoous of the kids. The children who did nothing to her, for a moment, a brief moment Lilium, just loathe their freedom.

    Adjusting her hat, over the low bun she stepped out the carriage.  Adjusting the tight fitted jacket she put a small smile on her face. It was a non committal smile, one that looked sweet, but cold. Her mother stepped out the carraige next, she looked like a doxy. Her ample breast spilled over the top of the small bodice she wore. The skirt was long, thankfully yet it was only a single layer. Her arms bare too the air, and a gaudy necklace gaced her neck.  She should have dressed like a gyspie if she wanted to look like a loose woman. Her red hair was loose and was down her back. Lose, wild and uncoiled. Her face caked with make up, bright blue eye shadow, and bright orange lipstick.  Following her was her husband, he looked decent at least. Inwardly Lilium approved. The stuble black and suite and white shirt was perfect, even his hair cut properly made the outfit look well enought to seem a bit to perfect. Walking over to him, Lilium fixed the ribon tie and graced him with a small smile. “you like nice, like a lily” he told her, and she smiled ducking her head. His compliments made her feel warm, almost the same with her own father before he died. She whispered a small thank you before turning attention to her sister... her step sister. She looked good. She wore the same clothes as Lilium.  It was a black formal skirt set, ,her hair, hung down her back though, coiled and it very proper. Taking her sisters hand she kissed her palm.
“You look sweet, proper” Smiling she turned away and walked into the building. Her feet padded along the marble floor. Her feet was silent as she walked boldly to the reception desk. Inside, she was shaking, scared... she hated public confontations. It was annoying, shockingly so since she was a rather friendly person.
“Pardon me, I have an appointment with my paters lawyer”
the woman looked up and smiled at her. The tone was poliet, and she was dressed properly. Her eyes glared at the elder female of the group but then shook herhead and fixed her glasses.
“Upstairs, third floor, left side, second door. He’s waiting for you mistress”
“Thank you madam.” Lilium gave a small curtsy and made her way to the stairs. Her mother went towards the elavator followed by Eric and Vanessa. Lilium seeing them, gave a small smirt knowing that the quickest way to the office was the steps. Her mother hated coming to the office or anywhere with her father, so instead Lilium tagged along. She enjoyed these type of trips with her father, she learned so much, so many places and so many things that she knew what and how to do properly.  Flipping the switch she stepped on the stairs. The steps themsleves started to move upwards. Smoothly .  She listen to the soothing pianoforte cords of Beethoven’s moonlight Santana. It was relaxing, breathing came quickly as she prepared to meet her fathers oldest friend. Reaching to the second floor, she check the bottom of her boots, making sure that they did not scuff from being outside. It was a pain to clean the older boots.  She took painstaking care to make sure that it stayed mark free. espically with surpise visits from her granpere and granmere before their deaths. Shaking her head, she made her way to the tall polished oak doors. Raising her hand she prepared to knock, before she could the doors opened. A small elderly man adjusted his round gold spectals and smiled at the young woman.  He wore a regency tailcaot, with black britches. He carried a brown walking stick. Tapping it on the floor he smiled at her “how have you been my dear”? He smiled at her “come  in come in” He offered his arm to her and she took it. He smiled and escorted her to the leather chair in front of desk.
“Tea?” he offered
“Yes, please” she smiled as he poured tea from the silver tea pot. He checked the cup to make sure there is no poison laced in the tea.  He was always cautious as the lawyer of some ancient or noble families, he was wanted dead.  sniffing the tea, she sipped it. Hot, but not scalding.
“Ginseng today, my favorite sir. I’m surprised you remembered”
“of course dear girl” he chuckled “you put up quite a fuss trying to keep me reminded that you never drink any other tea when you visited here with your pater”  
    Lilium’s cheeks flushed red as she went over the memory. She wiggled her nose, ducked her head staring at the tea. Wishing that her hair was out, so that it would cover her face.
“How was your birthday, you reached your majority yes?”
“yes, it was yesterday, i had a nice quiet cuppa, and i recieved a new book.”  She said quite cheerfully, before starting to talk about how the book was. There was a knock on the door. She stopped talking, while the Bardly B. White call that the door was open. My mother and the rest of the family walked into the room.  They looked tired, and my mother sighed. Holding back a glare, she plastered a huge smile on her face.
“Mister White, how are you?” she asked her voice overy high pitched. Lilium and Mr. White held in a cringe.
He cleared his voice “I am perfectly alright, please take a seat.” he stood up and waved his hands to the open chair.
“Thank you, sir” My mother smiled as she sat primly in the seat next to liliums. I held back a snicker, she wanted to laugh. It was an oxymoron in the flesh, A doxy, acting like a lady. Lilium’s eyes flickered over to her friend, and she saw the twinkle in his eyes, he was amused.

    Shuffling the papers on his desk, Bradley paused a moment, and cleared his throat.
    “Mistress Nexus,  Madam Burnheart I called you here today to discuss the will of the late Lord Nexus.” he took a breath “does Mister Burnheart and Mistress Burnheart have to be in the room”?
“Yes, what ever you have to say, you can say in front of my family”
“As you say, madam, however the will was suppose to be for family alone, however madam, i guess I can make an exception” He pause to take a sip of his tea.
“The will of Lord Alfred Lillioideae Nexus, son of Lord Jameson Humboldtii Nexus, Son of Lord Harrison Washingtoniaum Nexus, Pater familius Nexus. Head of the southern province, protector of the royals.  and yada, yada, yada... now that all the formal part of it now its time to get to the goodies, who gets what now that I’m dead.
    “Tempesta, my wife, my most hated wife to say the least. You were spoiled and horrible, selfish woman that I have ever met including my mother. So now that I’m dead, probably by your hand. Poison i believe, Never that matter, you want goodies and you’ll get them. Your lovely gift from your husband is thirty silver pieces, which in this case, thirty dimes, since you are not worth any of my silver. Have a good life darling dearest, may your husband be happy with a shrew for a wife.
    “Lilium Medusa Nexus, my pride and joy. I have always loved you. Right now i am guessing you are wearing my ring, and it fits perfectly. Of course it does, you are the proper owner of it. I am sorry for the your names, Lilium is a family name as you know and Medusa, your mother named you that horrible name. You are the first born female in years, the true Mater familiae. I am proud of you darling knowing that you have kept the traditions that i taught you, and for fighting your mother the entire way. Now that you have reached your majority, knowing that I’m gone, you have full control of the family estate. Totaling over a several hundred million. the proper amount varies and of course you horrible mother shall never see a penny of it.  I love you always.
“That is the end of the will, of Lord Nexus, May the Burnheart family please remove themselves from the room. I have to discuss family business with Lady Lilium Medusa Nexus”

“Now wait just a damn minute you paranoid old man!” Tempesta stood up and yelled “what is going on with my late husbands will! his daughter, my daughter gets the entire estate? “ She huffed and under the cake of make up, form the side where Lilium sat, she saw red peeking out.
“Now listen here you trollop” the old man stood up “you ma’am need to leave here, now. you are not welcome nor wanted. Take you pretentious family and go or else, I shall make sure there are many delays possible before you even receive a silver piece of you inheritance.” 

    Eric, who stood several paces away from his wife was embarrassed by her actions. Walking up to his more voluptuous wife, her tapped her shoulder. She turned and glared at him.
“What do you want Eric? can’t you see that I am busy, I haven’t the time to listen to you crap right now.” 
Eric narrowed his dark eyes, and wrapped his long fingers around her arm.
“wife” he whispered out harshly. “let us leave this room, are you stupid. Your daughter has control of the estate yes? but pray tell who is in control of your daughter? Even my beloved vanessa has more independence that little miss Lilium”
Tempesta’s eyes flashed with a general mix of greed and glee. “Of course husband you are right, let the little bitch stay here, i’ll get the money from her one way or another”
Eric, kissed his wife, before escorting her out the room, his eyes dark with lust.  Once out the door, he turned and slammed it shut. Causing a great vibration amougst the room. 
    Lilium sighed, she was finally free. Finally free, her mother was gone out of her life, she has headship of the family! she was free. She wanted to laugh and cry. More importantly she wanted to come out and play.  Turning around she caught the eye of her younger girl in the room.  Crooking a gloved finger she, summoned the girl over and had her take the formally occupied seat.  Although Vanessa’s tendencies were more modern day, she did know how to fake that she grew up in a traditional house, mostly my imitating her step sister in private.
    “Now I have my witness Mr. White, may we precede with the rest of the meeting? I have a feeling that mother dearest is planning my demise.” Lilium spoke up while removing her hat from her head and placing it on the desk in front.   of her.  She gave him a chilling smile, the docile mask was off for now. Her eyes flashed a red before settling back to the normal dull brown.
    “Ah yes of course young mistress” With that he pushed over several stacks of paper along with a fountain pen to use. Picking up the paper her eyes read over every word, committing it to memory. All the lessons from her beloved father paid off, she knew what was going to be on them before hand, before she read them. The property she now owned, the family estate, the manor, and servants. Reading servents she scoffed. They were more like culls than anything. Taking the pen, she signed her name at the bottom of each and every document with a flourish. Passing the papers over to Vanessa she told her to sign. Vanessa brushed a strand of hair out her face and bent over the desk signing the papers rather quickly.  before placing the pen on top of the stack. Lilium gave her little step sister a smile. A closed mouth one, that looked terrifyingly innocent. Vanessa put a gloved hand to her thought and tried to sallow. Her eyes looked into Lilium’s before glancing away first, there was something about her, something dark, malicious. vanessa thought to her self. Quickly and silently she sent a prayer up to anyone who was listening to save her from her step-sister’s plans. 

                    End chapter I

    Leaving the office, Lilium glanced at the clock, she smiled. It was tea time, and she knew just the perfect little café to go to. It was small but friendly.
“child” she called to her stepsister.  Vanessa, sped up her steps and moved from behind the smaller lady to beside her.
“Are you hungry?” she inquired
“A bit, father wouldn’t let me eat breakfast this morning.” she complained
“stop whining” Lilium snapped before glancing at the younger girl. Pressing the button for the elevator she tapped her foot as she waited. Vanessa started to play wit a strand of hair and twirled it around her fingers. A small smile graced her baby fat face, showing her dimples, as she remembered to seem happy around Lilium. It was a word advice form the kindly Mr. White. He pulled her aside while Lilium put on the head of house crest on the black silk ribbon, and placing it on her neck. She closed her eyes for a moment trying not to sigh with boredom. Stepping into the elevator with Lilium, she stood quietly, watching her reflection in the mirrored doors.  She was loved her looks, her hair long and healthy. Curly and bouncy. Perfect in all. She was talk, flat in some area’s and her face was getting a bit plump. Her green eyes were full of life, she stood about two heads over Lililum. Her earings were little rubies studs. She was quite a beauty, her boyfriend told her several times a day. She loved how  the victorian jacket clung to her body, showing off her slim waist, and remarkable bosom, especially for a girl about sixteen.The loud ding of the elevator jolted her out of the admiration of herself. She quickly followed Lilium out of the elevator and across the marble floor. There she saw her father and step-mother talking with an older looking woman. She had black hair that was graying into a a sever bun.  The woman was small in stature, not much taller than lilium her self.  As she turned, the sun light from the large glass windows showed her face. Her dress was a dismal dingy grey with a white pinafore. She wore a gold nose ring, but had a kind face. As lilium walked over to  the small group, the woman seeing the crest on lilium’s neck prostrated herself on the floor.
    “My lady, I am your handmaiden Marie, I  have served your aunts when they were children, and my mother served your grandmama, it is an honour.” She spoke in a low humble voice, keeping her head down, looking at the black patterns in the marble. 
    Lilium tilted her head for a moment, her eyes scanning the body of the handmaiden. she could see a bruise on her arm, a bruise that she herself did not cause, that did not make her very happy. In fact it made her a bit upset.
“Cull, who hit you” she asked quietly. Her voice, spoke although quiet demanded attention. 
“I do not know miss” she started, Lilium held up her hand,  “its either lady or Mistress. Not miss, do not make that mistake again or i will have to punish you.” She said softly.
“Yes mistress, I understand.” She whimpered, her hands balling up into a fist.
Lilium let a smile cross her face, “alright, alright, I think that I am in the mood for tea. Girl, Marie, Anna I don’t really care... cull, get up and come along. I haven’t got all day”  Her voice was still soft, lady like, almost too lady like. 
     The handmaiden stood up and stood five paces behind Lilium, her head down. She was quiet, her mind whirling, even being in her presences, Marie, realized that Lilium.. Lady Nexus was nothing like her aunts. They were nice, passive. Sweet even, no Lilium was more like her grandmother. A lady in all ways but cold. Dark even. Marie thought for a moment, she was just a child when Madam Nexus was being served by her mother, she had the most unusual punishments. Each sadistic, dark in their own way, thankfully, the madams punishments were counted by the lord Nexus rewards. After all the lord had absolute control of the family, then the scion of the ancient noble  house of Nexus, then the madam. Reaching the door, Lilium looked back and hissed for the cull to open the door. Marie nodded and hurried up, her steps, scurrying up to open the door with a bow for her mistress.
    The cool air was a shock to Lilium. Her face chilled quickly. The hat was more about hair control than anything else.
  “Mother, where is the carriage” ?  She asked while looking around for the black stallions  They were beautiful creatures, and they were suppose to be hired for the day. 
    Tempesta smiles and touched her daughters arm, she smiled. Her yellowish teeth showing “I sent him away, and ordered a car, i do hope that is okay” she asked with a  smile.
“no it is not okay mummy dearest” she sneered “traditional horse and carriage, a traditional day. I mean we are even dressed in a traditional day wear. So mummy dearest why do you assume that we  need a car today? After all you could walk to the bank and get you inheritance. It’s thirty silver pieces... i mean thirty dimes am I correct?” she waved her hand in a off handish manner and smiled “No matter, I want tea, so we must walk. My cull will order the family carriage for me while we enjoy the tea and then things will be perfectly well.”  She turned and started to walk down the street.,
    Nov 8 update
Marie fell into formation behind her mistress.  She smiled softly as a hand maiden was suppose to be.
    As they walked along the cobblestone side walks. Lilium did not pay attention to the stares she was getting, people in modern and traditional clothing watched her walk with her head up. People moved out her way as she moved about.  She was lost in her mind, thinking about her freedom in her life, how she could live, be the person she was trained and designated to be. 

    Isa was bouncing. Her chestnut hair, pulled up into high long pig tails. Wore a flouncy blue strapless sundress. Her long legs were clad in skin tight dark wash jeans. She wore flats, and skipped as she walked.  A smile spread across her face as she saw the petite stature of her best friend. Isa giggled, she could tell the way lilium  walked made her frown. She could tell that her friend was stressed, very stressed. Stress makes Lilium seem evil.  Straightening up, she glanced in a store front window, and undid her braids, letting her hair tumble down free. The white streaks in her hair made her seem a bit eccentric.
“Lils!” Isa called out, before running up to her.
Lilium stopped her walking and turned to see who called her embarrassing nick name. spotting Isa she smiled, stopped moving for the girl to catch up. Isa ran to her friend and wrapped her arms tightly around lilium’s neck. She place a quick kiss on her cheek. 
“Lils, I’m so happy to see you, so happy!” Isa said while wrapping her legs around Lilium’s waist. “I missed, missed, super missed you Lils”  Isa pulled back a bit to look at her nest friend’s face. She noticed several stress caused creases in Lilium’s normally creaseless face. Glancing down, she silently cursed her luck, because of lilium’s jacket she couldn’t see her favorite appendages to sleep on whenever she falls asleep next to her. Then Isa’s eyes widened, the family crest. The nexus family crest. Carefully sliding off her. Isa knelt down on the hard stony ground and bowed her head.
“Isa... what are...” Lilium began to ask, but then she silenced herself. 
“Lady Nexus, I Isabelle Leigh Loma of the Loma clan pledge my self and my clan to you, to use as your vassals, in any field that you desire us.” She paused and took a breathe and before Lilium had a chance to stop her, Isa quickly started another vow “I, Isabelle Leigh Loma, scion and heiress of the Loma family pledge my life to Lilium Medusa Nexus, head of the Nexus family”   As she finished the vow, she stayed on her knees waiting in silence.
Lilium’s eyes were wide with shock, the wording of the last vow, but then she smiled and knelt down. Taking the ring off her finger, the ring of her personal crest, she placed it on Isabelle’s tiny ring finger. She smiled and the ring shrunk to fit the perfect size, then she took Isa’s hands and pulled her up.  Lilium gave her the kiss acceptance on Isabelle’s lips before hugging her.
“you did not have to do that you know, your my friend, thats all that matters”.
Isa tightened her grip “Lil’s I am happy to do it, I will always be your friend. and now you’re officially my protecter”
Lilium broke out into a smile before holding realizing her hold on her dearest friend. 
    “Cull!” she snapped.
    “yes mistress?” the meek woman replied.
    “You are to treat Miss Isabelle with the same manner of respect that you treat me with, Do you understand?”
    “Yes miss” Marie mumbled under her breath. Lilium let go to Isabelle’s arm and back slapped her handmaiden across the face with such force, her head snapped to the side, the return slap was worse, for it left a vivid red handprint on her face. Lilium smiled, “do not mutter or mumble. I dislike it. Understood?”
    “Yes Miss” Marie said clearly, trying not to touch her face. Her mouth hurt, her face was throbbing. More importantly her pride was damaged.  She knew being in service to the Nexus family, the women were infamously violent and abusive when displeased, but never has a hand maiden been corrected in public like she was. They normally wait until they were safely behind Nexus manor walls before   disciplining their servants.  She looked up and saw the one that she now had to call Miss Isabelle. A sneer came across her face as she looked at the pair of girls. Little Miss Isabelle was a voluptuous little thing, she thought with a malice. The girl was very child like, more child like than her lady. The girl even had mismatched hair knobs holding her pig tails in place.  She looks like an idiot wearing jeans with a sun dress.  So now she had to serve a child like idiot and an abusive Nexus, Marie silently cursed the gods for her lack of luck, and cursing her ancestors for signing a blood agreement to always serve the Nexus family, as long as their needs were looked after. Which in those times when the agreement was made, was food, shelter and clothing. 
“Come on you” The chipper voice of the new lady, called to her and she sped up her walk to catch up with them.

    Isa grinned as she walked with a skip as she moved with the fluid regal moments of Lils. Lilium did not seem so stressed this moment, her eyes regained a bit of sparkle.
    ‘Isa is impossible’ Lilium thought as she walked with her childish friend, a smile crossed her face, a real smile when she thought back to how loyal and protective Isa is of her, although the protective part did not work out well. Isa, took on the bully who was more than double her size, so they would leave her alone.

“What are you thinking about Lils” Isabelle asked soon as they were seated at the table. The cafe was warm, posh. A soft twenty seven piece string band were playing in the back ground. The violins made the atmosphere completely relaxed. The lace table clothes was beautiful, and a silver tray of biscuits and cakes were on the table for their pleasure. Isa ordered a rose tea, while Lilium ordered a white emperor tea, and as they waited, Lilium looked across the cafe and saw her mother and step family at a less ornate table. Her mothers lips were pursed together, it was as if she was sucking a lemon.  Erick seemed to be muttering things under his breath to his wife, and Vanessa looked strangely focused on her tea. Lilium’s eyes searched out for her cull.  The cull was standing against the wall, her eyes trained on her mistresses, hoping that they did not need anything at all. She eyes met with dark brown eyes and her green eyes quickly looked down.
    “Hm? what were you saying Isa”? Lilium asked after hearing her name called twice.
Isabelle shook her head “I was saying, oh clueless one, I was asking what you were thinking about?”
“Oh, silly me I was thinking about the first time we met”  Lilium paused to take a sip of her tea “you were so tiny, and looked like you were dreaming.”
“Oi, I wasn’t that tiny, you on the other hand looked lost and were about to cry”
“It wasn’t that bad...” Lilium trailed off and gave her friend and exaggerated frown. She remembered that day clearly, she even painted a picture of that day, and hung it in her dressing room. 
    Lilium was five, and scared the first time she went to nursery school. Her aunts had her dressed in white petticoats and a light blue dress, with a. Her hair, was braided and coiled into a tight bun.  She had a white pinafore on, and itchy white stocking. Her feet were in pinched uncomfortable shoes. She looked around at the other children, all in jeans and tee-shirts, running and playing. Most of the Girls had their hair out or pulled back into pony tails. When the teacher called them inside, everyone came running in but her, she walking demurely to her seat, and sat their straight back.  Her eyes scanning over every person in the room, then she studied people at her table. She was seated with two disgusting children, and a girl who seemed a little loony.  The girl with dark hair looked at Lilium, her dreamy eyes caused Lilium to feel uncomfortable. She gave a smile showing her pearly baby teeth.  “Hi! Im Isa, who are you”? She offered her hand for Lilium to shake. Lilium hesitantly touched the girls hand “I am Lilium Medusa Nexus, scion of the Nexus Family”  Lilium remembered that she replied formally and stiffly. After that it was rather quite at the table each child doing its work, colouring the animals on the page. However at recess one of the bigger kids came over to her, where she was quietly drawing a picture of a cat and started making fun of her. Tears welled up in her eyes and she didn’t want to cry in front of them and be labeled a cry baby.  That would be so shameful. The next thing she knew was the tiny slip of a girl that she recognized earlier from her table and defended her.That defense caused her to be punched in the face, and made Lilium scream. Lilium stepped on the bully’s foot before bending down to pick Isa’s head and tried to get her to stand up. The teacher cam running to wards them and she gave a small sigh, happy to see an adult.  They became friends the first day.

    “Isa, Isa, are you ready to go?” Lilium asked looking at her rather pensive friend at the moment. Isabelle, seemed to be staring at nothing, yet everything at the same time.
    “Not yet, Lils... not yet” she muttered softly
Nov 10 update
    Isabelle’s purple eyes, darted across the room placing each person’s face and all the exit points into her photographic memory. The cliental at the little cafe were of a higher class than most cafes. Then again other cafes do not serve on such table settings. With a nod, she gave a smile to Lilium, alright.
“did your hand maiden call for a carriage” she asked with a smile.
Lilium raised her hand and beckoned the woman over.  Marie came quickly and gave a small curtsy at the table.
“cull, did you request the carriage for my pleasure?” Lilium asked sharply.
“ no miss, shall I get the Nexus family carriage?” Marie asked fearfully.
Isa flicked her eyes up to Lilium’s emotionless face and to Marie. Isa, took a deep breath and counted to ten while Lilium stuck out at the serving girl once again that day. The other customers stopped their conversations and started at the table by the window. Isabelle took lilium’s hand and held it with both of hers before turning to the still woman. 
    “Cull, pray tell what is your idea of proper service? Go now and send for the carriage immediately, the smallest quickest one, and  summon it for us.” Isa spoke in a soft dreamy voice that spurred instant reaction.  Marie bobbed a quick crusty before scurrying off out side to make the call. Isabelle focused her attention on to the face of her dearest, albeit only  friend. 
“You’re upset Lil, stressed.”  she spoke softly in the still dreamy like tone “we should go relax. maybe even read a lovely little dime novel that you never finished”
Lilium squeezed her friends hand, “you mean you want to listen to me read while you do your draw”
 Isabelle smiled, “of course, have we done anything else?”
“Not in my remembrance Isa dear.” Lilium put her spoon across the top of the cup.  As she waited for one of the waiters to come over and deliver her the bill.
“So, I found the doctor who was in charge of your fathers care as you asked” Isabelle said in a low voice
“And?” the question hung in the air, Lilium was expectant for the name finally. She looked for it for years how ever the only name she received was Dr. Doom. Thus she asked her rather inquisitive friend for help.
“His full name is and I swear to you I am not lying,If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned Doom. He’s a religious zealot, one who thinks what we are happens to be wrong and immoral. And that we deserve death. He is of the belief that we are unnatural. Its quite sad really, hes so closed minded. How ever he is a real doctor and not a quack so no worries there. But it has been years since your fathers death and the laws may not so a thing about it, that being said, I am telling you as a reminder that necromancy is frowned upon although not illegal if the necromancer is of the enchantress or enchanter level. Sadly people are at that level are rather rare and hard to find. No matter, I have one of my father’s men looking at the man closely to see if any other of our type died on Dr. If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned Doom watch. He has a really long name Lils, what were his parents thinking.”
    “Isabelle, are you sure he is the right guy?” Lilium asked as she sighed the receipt that the waiter brought her, after running her card.
“I am sure, I used the Loma resources to double check”  Isabelle said as her voice went back to its rather dreamy state.
    Lilium nodded as she stood up, the Loma family specialized to security to put it nicely. Isabelle, often stopped her when they were children from prying into her family. The Loma family, was a secretive bunch to say the least, but they did go and fiercely loyal to family above all.  Isabelle, she learnt was the youngest, however her elder brothers and sister were passed over when she was born and named heir of the family.  
    Isabelle stood up and straightened her dress before following Lilium out side, the family carriage was waiting in front of the cafe. The carriage its self was black as midnight, pulled by a team of four pure white Arabian stallions. The Nexus coat of arms was on the door, in pure gold. The wheels were large and black,  uniform in size. The coachmen sat tall on a perch wearing a long black coat and white gloves, he wore a top hat as well, a white silk ban around the bottom. A footman stood on the rumble, wearing the same uniform as the driver. He was tall, and seemed quite solemn. Next to him was a piquer. The piquer was a boy it seemed, in adolescence, his blond hair pushed back out of his face. He flashed Isabelle a smile, showing his teeth. Isabelle true to form stuck out her tongue at him in playfulness, behind Lilium’s back of course, there are some things that she knew not to push.
    The foot man as well as the piquer came off the rumble. The footman, bowed to Lilium before opening the door, the piquer bowed as well and walked into the place in front of the horse. The coachman handed him a bright purple flag to wave as he ran to clear the way for the carriage.  As the two girls got into the carriage, Lilium settled down and leaned against the soft leather seats. Pulling the heavy fleece blankets over her legs.
“You are not crushing on my piquer are you?” Lilium asked, waiting eagerly for her friends response.  As the carriage started. Lilium did not think about her cull or her family. They could make it to the house on their own.
“lils! how could I? I am a sapphist, you know that” Isa exclaimed
“ I know Isa, I just wanted to tease you for a moment, do you think he’s cute??”
“ Well, yes, I do have eyes, but I am not attracted to him at all” Isa crossed her arms across her chest and faked a pout. 
“Quiet you, I know better, so stop pouting you little baby.” Lilium smiled at Isa.
“Isa, doesn’t like when Lil makes fun of her “ She pouted, and started staring out the window.  Taking a book out of the little pouch of the carriage, lilium opened it and started reading out loud Kipling’s poem about the female species.
              “WHEN the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride, 
    He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside. 
    But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail. 
    For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
    When Nag the basking cobra hears the careless foot of man, 
    He will sometimes wriggle sideways and avoid it if he can. 
    But his mate makes no such motion where she camps beside the trail. 
    For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
    When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws, 
    They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws. 
    'Twas the women, not the warriors, turned those stark enthusiasts pale. 
    For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
    Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say, 
    For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away; 
    But when hunter meets with husbands, each confirms the other's tale— 
    The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
    Man, a bear in most relations—worm and savage otherwise,— 
    Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise. 
    Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact 
    To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
    Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low, 
    To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe. 
    Mirth obscene diverts his anger—Doubt and Pity oft perplex 
    Him in dealing with an issue—to the scandal of The Sex!
    But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame 
    Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same; 
    And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail, 
    The female of the species must be deadlier than the male.
    She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast 
    May not deal in doubt or pity—must not swerve for fact or jest. 
    These be purely male diversions—not in these her honour dwells— 
    She the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else.
    She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great 
    As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate. 
    And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unclaimed to claim 
    Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same.
    She is wedded to convictions—in default of grosser ties; 
    Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him who denies!— 
    He will meet no suave discussion, but the instant, white-hot, wild, 
    Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child.
    Unprovoked and awful charges—even so the she-bear fights, 
    Speech that drips, corrodes, and poisons—even so the cobra bites, 
    Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw 
    And the victim writhes in anguish—like the Jesuit with the squaw!
    So it comes that Man, the coward, when he gathers to confer 
    With his fellow-braves in council, dare not leave a place for her 
    Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands 
    To some God of Abstract Justice—which no woman understands.
    And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him 
    Must command but may not govern—shall enthral but not enslave him. 
    And She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail, 
    That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male.”
“I like that poem Lils” Isabelle spoke in her dreamy voice, while turning her eyes onto the companion. “Oh look, we made it to the manor”

            End chapter two
    Tempesta was in a foul mood, the most foul mood she’s been in quite a while. She watched daughter and her daughter’s twit of a friend get into the regal carriage. Her fingers tighten around the cookie that she was eating causing it to crumble over the white linen table cloth. Vanessa looked at her step-mother and sighed.
    “Are you okay dear” ? Eric asked his wife while sipping the tea.  
    “No, you idiot. My daughter gained her father’s estate and I recieved a measly three dollars! What was the moronic chauvinistic whore of male thinking?”  She hissed.
Vanessa looked up from her tea cup, and sighed. She hated being enthralled to her step mother and father. They were cruel.  She could do nothing to escape them, unless she somehow convinced Lilium to take her under her wing. 
“Vanessa!” Her step-mother called her name, pulling her out of the self induced musing. 
“Yes mother? What have you been?”  she spoke softly, looking up at the woman.
“Vanessa, have you listened to anything that happened in the office while we were taken away”  Eric asked his daughter
“yes, I had several forms to sign as a witness, but i didn’t really did not read anything. Lady Nexus did take some vowels to up hold the integrity of the Nexus name and to be a true lady of the Nexus family.
“A true lady you say?” Tempesta asked
“yes, she is using her grandame the Madame Nexus, as her guide.” Vanessa dutifully spoke, nodding her head.
“DO you mean, her father’s mother id going to be her role model on how to be a proper Nexus lady” ?  Tempestas paled slightly, her memory flashing back to the one time she was in the company of the late madame Nexus.  She was cruel and quite cold hearted.  She still had a mark on her arm form the ridding crop the madame used to discipline her for dressing like a whore.  Her son, agreed whole heartily with him, and did not defend his wife. She shuddered, and Eric touched her arm.
“are you alright my dear?”  He asked, putting down his tea cup.
“Madame Nexus, brings back horrible memories, Love, no needs to worry about little ole me alright. Long as my daughter doesn’t make it to the manor and take on the home of the Mater Familiae then things should be alright.” Tempesta said as she stood up. Tossing her napkin on the table she headed out the door, followed by her husband. Watching her parents watching out the door, Vanessa stood up and walked over to the manager. Discreetly she inquired about a job, hoping beyond hope that she could have such a small freedom.  She gave him a smile as she filled out an application, her eyes, scanning over the words, and filling out the proper areas with a pen. 
     Zoë, head of the Mater’s house smiled as she saw the coach pull up the drive. She smiled, and ran through out the house alerting the others that the mistress of the house returned. She ran down to the main double door. The shinning oak gleamed, and with her hands she grabbed two golden rings and opened the door. The maids, and male servants all stood in line wearing their uniforms. Heads down, they eagerly waited for the new lady.  Zoë, smiled as she got into place.  Lilium walked into the manor, followed closely by Isabelle. The maids and servants all bowed, silently as her feet walked around across the white marble floor.  
“who is the head maid”? Isabelle asked as they moved. 
“I am” Zoë, walked out of the line and prostrated her self in front of the girls. 
“Have dinner ready soon, about 17:00, we will be in the library understand” Isabelle spoke, her tone was still dreamy.
“I do, Miss, and welcome home” Zoë spoke with glee, happily home.

Nov...15

    The library was huge, double levels. Books filled the oak shelves, several desk spread out between the room. The dome ceiling, made of pure glass let the nature sign down into the library. At the far end of a room, a huge roaring fireplace, taller than Isabelle and Lilium’s height combined. Several couches were around the fire place. The couches were white and brown, bringing the room together. The huge french windows opened out to the sculpted gardens.  Several kittens played around into the room, meowing and playfully fighting.  They were rather cute, Isabelle thought with a smile, before running over to one of the frolicking kittens, ready to pick it up.  Lilium went over to one of the bookshelves and ran her fingers over the spines of the books. Looking for a book to read out loud, her fingers feeling each and every book spine, on the shelf till she found the right one. Picking up a book of history, she pulled out the large tome. The cover was red, with a glided words on the cover. Reading the title ‘Past and present, history of the Nexus family and their duties’ she carried the book over to the large over stuffed couch in front of the fire place. Isabelle seeing her friend settled down, got up from the kittens and went over to the table with her drawing pad and pencil.Laying down  on the opposite couch, her legs bent, and her feet in the air. Her shoes were beside the couch and started to draw a scene from memory, listening to Lilium’s soft voice travel up and down, reading.
    Zoë,  went into the kitchen and tied her apron on. Going to the head cook, she relayed the message form the Lady Nexus’s friend about dinner. Before going into her small study and ran through the phone book looking up the number for Miss Jessy Ciccarelli née Nexus and Miss Jenny Nexus about the return of the head of the family. Miss Jessy, Zoë smiled in remembrance of the wedding Miss Jessy had with Miss Alyce Ciccarelli. The swans and the doves, the beautiful silk dress Miss Jessy wore was amazing. Zoë, could admit that Miss Jessy was her favorite of the twins. Dialing the number she called her favorite Miss to tell the wonderful news of Lady Lilium. Writing down the information Miss Jessy told her about the date and time that she and her family would come and visit their new Mater.
Taking a deep breath, Zoë, picked up the phone once more and dialed the second number. As the phone rang, she could swear that she was gaining more gray hair in this little bit of time then she did all last year. Using her left hand, her eyes automatically darted over the scars on her arm and smoothed her hair down to the bun.  Silently she prayed to who ever was listening that Miss Jenny’s assistant would answer the phone instead.

    Jessy flicked her hair over her shoulders as she put the phone down. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the warm, salted breeze going over her. Her dark hair, wet and loose over her shoulders covering her naked breast. Her smaller wife, flitted on to the patio and smiled at her relaxed wife.
“Who was that little bear”? Alyce asked as she moved to sit next to Jessy.
“My old house keeper. Zoë, you remember her right?” Jessy, pulled down her rose tinted sun glasses and flicked her eyes up at her soothing wife’s face.
“yes, she was a sweet old lady, helped me with my make up and put on my wedding dress”  Alyces’s dark eyes smiled as she remembered the feel of the ivory silk dress along her skin. The setting of the family’s tiara was amazing, light.  She smiled, then frowned, as the memories after the i’do’s. Jessy, her beautiful wife started to brush through her still wet hair trying to make sure she got all the tangles out.   Alyce smiled, and took the cherry wood brush, and started brush her lover’s hair, while singing. An island song about love and friendship.  Jessy smiled, listening to the sweet voice go up and down, her tradition island language rolling smoothly off her tongue.  Jessy turned around, her hair, half dry, and with out preamble, she kissed Alyce. Jessy, wrapped her hand with in Alyce’s long black hair and explored her mouth with a satin tongue.  Alyce held back a moan, as all thoughts flew away soon as her wife’s lips touched hers. Light touches, sensitive caresses against the skin. Playful nips, sucking and kissing. Each exploring the others body, as it it was the first time they were faced with such a treasure.  Their hands exploring each other’s body, making the feeling of intense pleasure being delivered by the hands. Scars, were licked and kissed, they joined together in a feeling of intense, unbridled unrestrained passion. Their voices managed to reach the sea below, screams of pleasure wafted over to the next villa. They were euphoric, floating for  minutes, or hours passed before they entered their bed chamber, throughly exhausted. Falling on their bed, the softness of the mattress surrounding them, Jessy snuggled close to her sweet wife, nuzzling her nose onto her neck.  Slowly she closed  her eyes, they felt heavy and as she closed them, she drifted off into a warm slumber. Alyce smiled and ran her hands through Jessy’s hair,pulling up the light comforter, she covered their naked bodies. Lightly she kissed Jessy’s for head, with the lightest feather touch.  Closing her eyes and rested her head upon her darling Jessy, silently she thanked the gods that she was so lucky to have such a wonderful wife, before joining her in a warm peaceful slumber.

    Isabelle, walked with a light skip, her time at Lil’s house was wonderful, peaceful and calming. Her dark hair, danced loosely in the wind, with her pig tails. Her mind was floating, and as she turned around the corner, she disappeared. With out a noise, with out a trace, just vanished, as if she stepped through an invisible door that only she knew the key to unlock it.

Lilium sighed, as she was dressed for bed. Maids, combed her hair and changed her clothes before leaving her alone in the master bed room for the night. The bed roo, was huge, very spacious. A golden mirror made one wall so that when the moon light hits it, the soft pale light reflects through out the entire room. The bed, circular, pilled high with gold embroidered pillows. Lilium ran her hands along the pillow case and realized that it was silk.  Her eyes darted to her reflection in the mirror, she looked lost. The white satin night gown, was long on her. touching the floor. Her hair was brushed out, hanging down, not in a bush mess as usual, but semi tamed. The fire place was roaring, giving the room incredible warmth, and the heavy black silk curtains were closed, making sure the balcony entrance was covered.  Climbing into bed, the lights lowered, she snuggled into the warm pillows and closed her eyes. Soft music came wafting around the room soothing and relaxing the small body of Lilium. The fire dimmed its self, as the house detected that its true master was home, safe and sound. Zoë  peaked into the master bed room and smiled as the mistress of the house slept, she felt content that everything was as it should be. No hate nor anger will enter the Nexus manor on her watch. Silently shutting the door, she left the room and went out out of the family wing closing the doors behind her. Looking at the two men-at-arms she nodded a good night to them before checking the rest of the house, before she herself went to sleep.

    Isabelle, heiress of the Loma family walked through the Heir apparent house, her house. It was quiet but warm. Dark, with a faint trail of voices coming from the sitting room. Carefully she went and stood by the door way to the sitting room. Her eyes widened when she spotted her brother Morcant, sitting with his favorite sword, Exotath across his lap, his eyes glowed as he talked to Anakah, who sat next  to him, he was brushing her long fiery red hair as they talked. Anakah, his betrothed, and he truly learned to love her. The two have been separated for three years, each studying their personal art. Anakah’s green eyes flicked up to the door way where she spied her future sister in law leaning against the door frame. She smiled, her whole face lit up in a glow. “Sister Isa, how are you. Tired? Shoo, shoo go to bed, i’ll bring you up a glass of warm milk okay”  Her words came out in a rush, and she gently led my from the room and to the stairs.
“Anakah, i’m not tired” Isa spoke in almost a whine.
“then, why don’t you join us sister isa, we missed you while you were gone” Anakah, took Isa’s hand. Gently she led her to the sitting room and pushed her down in the over stuffed divan by the fire. “Rest, warm up. your hands were freezing. ”
Isa, not wanting to fight when Anakah laid back in front of the fire, a warm quilt was placed over her as she closed her eyes and rested. alert, but still resting. Listening to the lulling voices of Morcant and Anakah.

    Vanessa, laid in the shower nursing her bruises. The scalding hot water poured on her without stopping. she closed her eyes, letting her hair fall around her and she sat on the mosaic tile of the shower floor. Her knees, pulled up as she silently cried. Blood from her back, mingled with the water as it went down the drain. Her body ached, and she sighed as she continued to waste the water and relax it its ruthless embrace. 

    “Danger yet approaches, child of the connection, enchantress of protection, the lost girl with no direction, yet mother to us all. Danger approaches soon, so be prepared yet to bloom. The magic is yet not lost, the majesty is dead.  Prepare for the darkness that is coming, for the end will be near. Child of the connection guide us if you will, enchantress of protection, protect up we beg of you, lost girl of no direction the mother to us all.”  Cried out a voice of an old hag. Her clothes were ratty, and her skin spotted and wrinkled. Kneeling at the alter she slowly got up and blew out the candles that were with the offering. Looking up to the sky, the moon was full and shining bright. Grey clouds hiding the stars in the sky. hobbling home, she shivered as the wind blew through her thread bare, torn clothes.   Her house was a little hut made out of logs, it wasn’t much. One room for five people, to sleep and live in. and out door privy  all there own, but it was all she and her family had. They needed help that much to be sure, they prayed to the gods to send their children to aid them daily. But slowly some of them have given up hope, most have given up hope, all but one old woman who prayed daily. Her old eyes looked at the village that used to be great as she hobbled to the house. People came form all around to view the gardens and the sea, t feel the cool majestic peace of the tiny village that was home to the former enchantress, protecter and mother. The triad of the three gave them prosperity, happiness and health before they died. The enchantress had several consorts as well as the protector, to balance the power. The mother, sweet and beautiful, was lost and cared for them greatly... Bertha sighed, time to go to the hut. The history was over, maybe the others were right. Maybe the gods did forsake them.

    End Chapter three

    Dawn, painted the sky a fire red and pink as the sun came out. Isabelle, bare foot in the training room, her chestnut hair down for once. In her two hands, her twin sais attacking the animated dummies with out abandon. Her body twisting and turning, attacking, bending and twisting showing off her flexibility. She wore a black dress, but her feet and legs bare. Her eyes, intense and focused as she fought.  Her brother Morcant, across the training room, was teaching Anakah how to fight using a wooden blade.  They stopped their practice to watch the normally fragile child-like girl fight with a fury that was quite scary.  Anakah’s eyes widened as she saw a glow coming from the tip of Isabelle’s weapon and attack an approaching dummy, stunning it before she plunged the blade into it’s throat. Anakah’s hand touched her betrothed's and she squeezed in, she felt fear for the first time since she met the Loma family.  Isabelle was beautiful yet deadly when she fought, one couldn’t help but be amazed.
“it’s a sight isn’t it” Morcant whispered “seeing her fight, she’s been like this since she was younger, thats why Dat named her the Heir, not me nor Vilhelmina  but little delicate Isa. She even beat Dat in a fight once, it was the first and only time they fought to see if she was ready to take on the family business if the time came” he explained.
“she’s scary” Anakah whimpered lowly.
“she is often underestimated by her statue and looks. That gives her an opening to exploit. come, let’s practice, wouldn’t due for a Loma bride not to know how to use a sword” Gently Morcant took her arm and led her though the stances once more.
Nov...21
    Isabelle finished with a final lunge into the heart of a dummy before standing up. She was sweaty, yet not tired. She glanced over at her brother and sister to be and smiled, they were going through their paces. She sat on the cool floor and watched them. Anakah showed some promise, and Morcant was going much easier on her then he should. Isa, stretched her legs and leaned forward, the skirt of her dress raised up, showing the pink petticoats underneath. She pointed her toes, and smiled happily. it was interesting watching a beginner learn how to fight.
    Anakah, worked her best, she wore her emotions on her face, it helped predict her next move.
“Morcant, end it” commented Isa from the ground.
    Morcant sighed as he lunged forward, he tripped Anakah. He caught, her as she fell towards the ground, and he picked her up.  Setting her right, he kissed her cheek, as she flushed red.  She frowned and kissed her husband-to-be quickly on the lips, she loved him, truly, the years apart made them grow in the love that started at a meeting.

    Isa, stood up and slowly left the room leaving the couple alone, she walked to her bed room and grabbed the out fit she wanted to wear for the day before skipping over to the bathroom. The bathtub was already for her, the bubbles and water was perfectly warm.  She smiled as she stripped out of her work out clothes and into the warm fragrant water.

    Morcant, took his wife-to-be’s hand and held it was they walked to the bedrooms. He smiled at her, and she at him as the walked through the almost silent house. They could hear music coming from Isa’s bed room as they walked past her ebony doors.
“I’ll meet you out here in a few, then breakfast and your gift” He smiled.
“A gift? but you have already accepted me into your home and as family. There is no need for a gift.” She replied
“Ah, but there is. As this is my sister’s home, not mine. “
“Alas, you live here, and let me live here as well. You gave me you’re love, your family, I do not need any other gifts”
Morcant, looked at her, his blue-green eyes wide, his bottom lip quivered as he tried to do the puppy pout. Anakah, laughed and opened the door to her room, “one present then” she said before shutting the door behind her. Morcant stood there, staring at the door before shaking his head and headed towards his room. Quickly he jumped into the shower and hurried to get ready. 

    Lilium stood in front of the mirror, her jeans flattered her small body. Marie  was no where near the room, missing. For the moment, she did not care, the wayward maid would get punished later. Dragging a comb through her hair, she pulled up the loose locks and into a pony tail. Straightening her pink and white stripped button shirt she flashed a false smile to her self. Her face devoid of make up, she looked plain, she thought. She had diamond studs in her ears, and the family crest necklace. Braiding the pony tail, she tied it off with a satin ribbon before slipping into a soft pair of slippers. Leaving the dressing room, and her room,  she walked down the long halls. Large pictures of men and woman on horse back  lined against the walls, their eyes seemed to be following her as she walked.  Her steps became quicker, as she felt sightly watched, yet the halls were empty. Pulling open the doors to leave the family wing she stumbled back. One of the men-at-arms helped her to her feet. He gave her a sweet smile, and helped her steady. He bowed to her “my lady” he said with a flourish, before going back to his post.
    Lilium walked, her head tilted to the side slightly, the only tell that she was confused. The manor, was bigger than she remembered, grander as well. Thus she became hopelessly lost in her own home. Walking into a random room, she spied a grand gilded pianoforte, tall windows let in the sun light, the room was beautiful, and the portrait in the room stared at her. Lilium gasped, the portrait was of a women who looked like her twin.  The clothes she wore were regal, the gown seemed to be made of gold, and shimmered, the style she realized were that of the days of old. The styles of the warrior queens of the clans. Yet the colour that she wore was a symbol of peace. Maybe she was the peace queen, there were some clans who had both. Shaking her head she sat in the window seat and waited to be found.

    Isa sat in the library, her black dress spread around her, letting the gold petticoats sparking in the sun light, she swung her legs back and forth as she worked on her family tree.  Pricking her fingers, she sighed, she did not feel special at all. She felt sick, terrible, in all honesty. Her greatest ancestor, her idol was known as the coldest woman in the history of the world.  She was amazonian, yet beautiful, powerful.  Cold hearted, and above all a warrior.  Looking at the picture, she stroked the face of her, the face of the warrior princess, Artemis. Ruthless, vicious, amazing. The family line, went through the females until lately. Then the line, became mostly male, until me and my sister, the first females in three generations.  Isa knew she had a soul mate, or soul mates, as she needed more than one person to balance her magic. Looking at the wall, she saw the certification of the last test she took, the gold letters spelled out ‘ENCHANTRESS’ over and over again in an endless cycle. It was a curse, and a blessing at times. Her blood was valuable, in a slightly disturbing way, the underground need to claim her blood was insane. Yet, she also had mostly free reign above the law, she was held responsible, but was never held accountable for anything that she had done. Of course, she never used her magic except for to travel to her home, late at night. Leaning back against the red velvet chair, she looked out the windows. The birds were flighty. It seemed like something, major was happening.  Isa pulled on her gloves and got out the chair, fixing her dress, and slipped on the ballet flats and skipped away from the library.
        Anakah looked up at her betrothed with a smile, he looked handsome. His long hair was pulled back and tied with a leather thong. Morcant was dressed in a black causal suit, Exotath hung at his side.  He wore a cloak, with his coat of arms across the breast as her held her hand. Walking to the blacksmith’s shop he, had her sit down while he went to the back to retrieve her present. Anakah ran her hands over the silk green dress that she wore. She was still amazed at the turning of her life. She, as she waited she watched people outside come in to the shop or walk by.  She saw people in rags walk by, some in fine clothes, and just ordinary people. She considered her vantage point to be quite good. Glancing at the clock, Anakah sighed, she was bored. Beyond bored, slipping off the bench, she opened the door and slipped outside. The wind felt too good against she skin, her long red mane blowing back like a banner. The air smelt amazing, the scent of fresh baked bread and pastries wafted up to her nose, she smiled. Following her nose to the back shop, her fingers fingering the gold coins she had in her cloak pocket, for ‘just in case’ opportunities. Anakah smiled as she couldn’t wait to get her hands on a warm, apple filled pastry pocket. Her mind, was so occupied that she did not notice, several unsavory characters follow her, hanging behind as she went into the little bakery. Coming out with two nutmeg and apple pastries, she placed on in her pocket and started on the one in her hand. Biting into it, she held back a low moan of pure pleasure. The first bite was always the best. The pastry was still warm, and the apples juicy and amazing, she smiled and  took another bite, walking with a slight bounce in her step. A large burly man followed her, he wore mismatched clothing,  and moved with a slight limp. Anakah, sat on the bench under the willow tree waiting for Morcant to emerge from the shop. She did not notice several guys walking behind her and with in moments, she was knocked unconscious and it seemed as if she vanished, as did the males who fallowed her. 
    Morcant carried the wrapped blade from the back of the blacksmith’s room, he was tired but happy. He imagined Anakah’s face as she received her sword, it will always contain a part of him with her.  His power and blood were infused with the blade. Looking around the smithy’s shop, he looked for any flash of red hair, slowing his breath to avoid panicking, he ran out the shop and looked around. Trying to scent out her Lavender and Rosemary scent. Going over to the bench under the willow, in the he smelt her faint scent intertwined with lavender. He paused and stretched out his senses for even a hint of his beautiful bride-to-be. Morcant stood there for almost over an hour, his power traveled through the earth, surged back to him. He was exhausted, and worried.  The entire time, he could not feel Anakah’s light airy aura. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of Exotath, and he wanted to attack something, someone. He needed her, he needed to find her, hold her. Morcant’s mind with in a haze for a moment, as he managed to muster a bit a magic and enter his sister’s home. Hoping beyond hope, that Anakah was somehow behind the barrier, so that he would not be able to since her. Stumbling into the foray, he called out Anakah’s name. 
    “Morcant! what is with all the yelling? Ana isn’t here. She was with you remember? How did she like Avo?” Isabelle asked as she skipped down the steps, her pig tails bouncing with her.  She looked up at her brother, and her smiled fell.
“Morgy, what is the matter? Where is sister Anakah?” Her purple eyes, looked into his, and her eyes widened.  “I shall go summon Vilhelmina, Morcant. She’s in charge of security. We will find our sister, your bride”
    Isabelle turned and walked to the study, her body rigid, her anger stirring. Amethyst, hummed from the stand, as she entered the office, ready to taste blood. Locking the door, she pulled out her phone and called her elder sister. This was considered an attack against the family. The full force of the Loma family will have make the morons who took Anakah away shall pay in gallons of blood. It has been a while since Amethyst or her daggers touched blood. The feeling of blood of her enemies splashing against her hands, the screams of pain and agony.
“Vilma, there has been an attack against the family. Morcant’s bride to be has been taken away. Get here immediately, to the library, Morcant is exhausted”    Isabelle hung up the phone, and went back to her brother. Family first, blood next, revenge always. 
    Vilhelmina came into her sister’s home in a flash of flames. She was dressed in complete black. Her bow and quiver full of dragon scale tipped arrows. Her hair wild in a multitude of curls, her lips a blood red that matched her finger nails. Obsidian, her poison blade dagger rested at her hip. Vilhemina wore heeled boots, she looked deadly as Isabelle look innocent. Walking into the Library, she saw her elder brother laying with his head on his sister’s lap looking as Isabelle ran her fingers through his long hair. Vilhemina sensed that his body was depleted of energy, and wisely left him alone as she saw across from the pair.
    “What have you heard from our connections” ? Isabelle asked softly
    “Nothing, the underground has been quiet on this, they are not stupid enough to take on the family, it was someone new”  Vilma spoke in a harsh whisper.  Isabelle nodded, later they would join together and to find Anakah. Right now, the ear was on the ground the the connections were doing their job. 

    Anakah stirred, and looked around slowly not to alert her captor that she was awake. Her long hair was out, and tumbled down her back , she was in a cage, a metal cage suspended in the air.  Around her wrist were heavy metal bracelets, she looked around. The room was dark, two torches provided light in the otherwise pitch black stone room. Figuring that she was alone, Anakah huddled into a small ball against the side of the cage and tried not to cry.  Pulling her cloak closer to her, she tried to shield off the penetrating cold.  “Morcant, Isabelle, Vilhemina, save me please” she whispers as tears silently ran down her face.
   
        End chapter four
Nov 23 update
    Vanessa arrived at the Tea Cafe dressed in a neat black and white pantsuit. Her face had tasteful nude make up on to highlight her natural eyes and lips. Her hair pulled back into a high pony tail she walked over to the manager who awaited for her at the front of the cafe. The building was almost empty, and she looked at  her future manager with a smile. 
    “Hello Sir” Vanessa greeted with a small bob.
    “Miss Burnheart, are you ready to host?” The manager asked her, his eyes kind as he looked at the girl. 
    “Ready and waiting” she said with a grin.  He patted her head, in a pleasant manner before sending her off with Richard, her trainer for this time. She forced a smile on her face as Richard touched her back, the marks still were quite sore. Tossing her hair back she smiled and looked up at him. With a mock bow she asked him to teach her everything he knew.

    Tempesta awoke in a fright, she was alone in the bed, as she figured her dearest husband was busy. Running her hand through her hair, she pulled the sleep mask off her face and stumbled to the water closet. Sitting on the counter next to the sink was a glass of cooking sherry. Without preamble, tempesta chugged the drink down before managing to turn on the water in order to fill the tub. Pulling off her night shirt, she slipped into the tub and laid back against the cool ceramic.  Her eyes closed as she piled her mess of locks on the top of her head.  She sighed, and wanted to throw something at that girl of hers. The little rich bint, ungrateful child. Picking a crystal swan, Tempesta threw it against the wall watching it shatter with glee. She let out a bark, and looked for something else to throw.  Her insanity was coming forth, closing her eyes she smiled imaging the fun that she will have strangling her daughter and taking her money and living the life she has become accustomed to.  Her eyes darkened, and her nose wrinkled as she watched the purple rabbits hop around the room attacking the little image of her daughter.
    “Eric come mere”  She slurred her words before slouching in a drunk stupor.  Her eyes were heavy and she looked almost insane, it was strangely beautiful yet terrifying.

    Lilium walked though the guardians, her hair blowing in the wind causing her to sigh softly unto her self. She smiled, she felt at peace for once, nothing horrible went through her mind. No mother trying to humiliate her, or girls tormenting her. No class mates, pushing her down the stairs, she’s alone. Finally and unto her self alone. Lilium’s hand drifted over the baby’s breath. The flowers seemed to draw to her hands, and she gave herself a tiny smile.  Zoë followed behind her mistress, ready to assist soon as possible. She did not speak a word, her eyes widened as a sunflower moved itself towards her lady. A warm glow seemed to encircle the ground where she walked, this was a true blood born gem of the house of Nexus. Lilium was left to her thoughts, though they were very few and far between. Her eyes closed as she carefully moved, determined to enjoy her last day of peace before the start of a new school week.  Zoë nodded to herself happy that she remembered to send a message to Marie to make sure that the mistress’s school clothes were ready by the morning.

    Anakah was awoken by a loud clang. A metal pipe hit the side of the cage bars opposite to her. Her eyes widened and she looked around scared, opening her mouth to scream she realized no sound was coming out.  Putting her hand on her throat she felt a metal collar.
    “Good morning little miss” a voice sneered from below her. “don’t worry, we won’t kill you, you are to pretty for that. like a doll” Several laughs followed.
“You can’t speak doll, the magic in the collar won’t let you” another voice spoke as Anakah tried to say something.
“Don’t worry, we will find you a nice owner who would want a doll or a bed warmer.”
‘owner?’ Anakah thought with a shock, putting together the peices, she realised that these people were slavers. Notorious for the cruelty and love of beautiful girls. Girls that are normally sold to rich men. The sold all types of people, but calling her a doll, she could almost guess her fate. She wished that her family would come soon. She leaned against her bars and watched the food appear in the cage. It was a nice little fair, ham, salad, apple dumplings and a large cup of tea. Reaslisng that there was no need to starve herself, placed the plate on her lap and slowly ate. The ham tasted divine, she reaslised as she munched, her eyes glancing, adjusted to the dim lights, she could see a lot better than before.  She saw another cage across her hers hanging, yet that cage was tiny, it held a common woman, by the state of her clothes, forced to stand up. The woman had a chain connected to her metal collar, which was connected to her shackles on her arms and legs.  Anakah stood up in her cage and walked over to the curtianed off area, she smiled. It was a bed! with pillows and a blanket as well as a small toilet and a small wash basin filled with water that smelled like lemon zest. They cared for her at least, she thought as she washed her face before laying down in the little bed. This time she truly rested, happy to know that she was cared for in a small way. The torches around her cage went out and the plate she left in the main part disappeared.
    From the out side the cage seemed smaller than it truly was, for the slavers, the one wizard in the group made special expanded cages for the pets and dolls. The newest doll was ensured comfort, a happy doll is a money making doll. The slavers knew thus, when they spotted her they grabbed and placed. A smart little chit, the guard thought as he viewed the slave cages from the hidden room above the chamber.  The chubby man leaned back and grinned in a most malicious way that caused most people to step back in fear.  He snapped his fingers and one of the slaves from the back of the room came up to him carrying a tray loaded with sweets. He took one and licked his lips, as he groped the girl’s breast before sending back to the corner.   He turned his eye back on the now slumbering red head, he would like to buy her, yet the price was way more than he could afford. He couldn’t wait to sell day, the trades made and everything. His mind swam with the images of them inspecting her.

    Morcant woke up suddenly sitting up in his bed. His room was pitch dark, it was cold. Pushing back the covers he ran to the door that connected the room to Anakah’s he peered in frightened. He half expected to see her slumbering peacefully in the bed identical to his, but the room was empty save for her cat sleeping on her pillow.  He gripped the door handle and shut the door softly and walked though the halls down to the training room. Taking a training blade of the shelves, he attacked the training dummies with fury that he would attack the people bold enough to take his wife, the woman he loved.  His eyes darkened to a deep burning orange as he moved though the room.  

    Lilium walked back to her room, the day was perfect. Her home, her culls, everything seemed beyond perfect. Yet tomorrow perfect will end as she had to go back to that hell-hole that is required for another year.  She really needed to check with Isa on the laws of going, as she became mater familiea of her house.  Zoë became a great help through out the day, and even now, she went to get dinner and bring it up to her, so she could eat in her sitting room instead of the grand dinning hall. 
“Marie” she called in a snapping voice.
“Yes Mistress” Marie stepped from the atrium and bowed low to the sitting form of Lilium.
“Brush my hair, about a thousand strokes should be good enough”  Lilium ordered absentmindedly. 
“Of course mistress” Marie spoke though clutched teeth before going to the vanity and picking up the heavy ivory brush.  Standing behind her mistress, she took out the pony tail, and started brushing.  She was surprised to feel a stinging pain on her legs.
“start over, count out loud, i want to make sure you reach a thousand”  
Marie held back a sigh and started again with her mistress’s hair thankful that it was short. A knock on the door announced  the arrival of her meal, with a smile she thanked Zoë  and started with the blueberry tarts. 

    Vanessa happily walked home after her first full day of work. Her hair was removed from the pony tale early in the day and hung down her hair in a single braid. She stopped for a moment, and looked for her key. She wasn’t ready to head home just yet, but to be sure she had it, vanessa entered the book store in front of her and rummaged through her purse, before spying the little gold key at the bottom. She knew the dangers of being caught unawares after dark, and once she spied her left over pocket money, she called for a cab. There was no way that she was going to get kidnapped after her first day of work because she wasn’t careful enough. Happiness came rarely to her, and she wanted to grab on with both hands.

    Tempesta was carried back to bed with Eric, he tired her arms to the bed post. He did not want her to leave and do something stupid, he needed her to get to the nexus fortune. Once his hands were on the money, she was fair game to do what ever the hell she liked. Maybe he would sell her for a tidy sum, he knew the coastal slavers always liked a good field slave to break in.  He took a swig of vodka, before leaning back and settled in for a nice movie. Once it was late enough, he was gonna go out and get something his wife refuses to give him. 
   
Vilhelmina walked around the manor. Her finger continued to tighten against the dagger hilt. Even in heels her walk was silent, she was the personification of dangerous.  Her eyes were sharp as she spied a stag several hundred yards out in the neighboring forest, without thought, she notched her arrow and shot. The arrow flew through the air silently, and pierced the animal in the neck. A quick death. She smiled, her blood red lips made it look even more sinister.  She couldn’t wait to get her special arrows in the men that deserved it. To feel their blood splash against her feet. To see the light drain out their eyes, oh the ecstasy. Walking over to the fallen dear, she pulled out the arrow, and slit  its throat with the same arrow.  Grabbing the antlers she dragged the animal back to the shed to skin it. It would make an excellent practice to what she will do to the men who laid a hand on Anakah. She wore  a strange smile as one of her informants called her ear piece,  a slave auction was soon, they would see of they found a girl that fit Anakah’s description before contacting her. Vilhelmina, sadistically hoped that it was the slavers who took her sister-to-be, she wanted a reason to shut them down permanently. They scarred way to many girls, and sold them to lecherous old men as dolls and pets. Picking up her dagger she threw it against the wall expertly watching it embed it’s self half way into the wood. A small frown etched her beautiful face, she wasn’t good as her sister with the blade yet.

End chapter five
DEC 3 update.
    The morning came to quickly, the first rays of the sunlight entered the bed room. Isabelle, slept restlessly through out the night, and once waking her face was a mask of pure malice. Pushing the pillows and blankets off of her body, she stumbled her way to the showers. Her uniform, with it’s modifications waited in the dressing room next to a steaming cup of coffee. The water turned on, and as she stepped under the boiling stream of water, her body tensed for a moment before relaxing enough to enjoy the water. 
    Lilium was awoken by her head house keeper bringing in a cup of tea and fresh baked bread with honey. The curtains on the balcony were pushed back letting the sun light filter in, she let out an un-lady like yawn.  Sitting up, she thanked the woman before sipping the tea.  Taking a small sip, she sighed in relief, the morning wasn’t so bad. Hearing the water running for her bath, she smiled. Only if every morning was this relaxing she wouldn’t dread waking up.  Finishing her tea, she slid out of the bed and made her way to the waiting bath. 
    Isabelle slid her dagger into the thigh sheath, covered by billowing petticoats and the mandatory black skirt. Looking in the mirror she fixed her tie and pulled on the blazer. She paused for a moment, and then removed the blue blazer and put on her cloak with the family coat of arms stitched on the breast. Surrounding the crest was gold stitching symbolizing her as the scion and heiress of the house of Loma.  She shook her head watching her trade mark hairstyle bounce, making sure the mini stilettos were firmly in place.  Her face was impassive, and she finished the cup of coffee.  Slipping on her black ballet flats, she gave a small wave and vanished.

    Lilium arrived before the bell, the carriage that she road in was a small open top black. The wheels were, the same size and she only had a coachman and the cull she was stuck with. Marie, sat on the floor of the coach bouncing up and down.  Her grip was on the black bag that was tight, it was filled with the required books that was needed throughout the day.    The arrival of the carriage caused several people to stop and stare. Their eyes scanned over the emblem engraved on the on the door.  lilium kicked her cull and the carriage stopped, the coachman assured that he would pick her up by the last bell as the footman opened the door and helped Liliim out. 
    “Move it” Lilium hissed at the less than sure woman behind her, “I have to get a new one.” She sighed “Maurice I need a new hand maiden, please get me one. I’ll take a sedan chair home.”  Lilium ran a hand through the air where her hair normally hung. She forgot that it was braided back over her ears, and coiled to a updo. She fingers brushed against the chandelier earrings, and she almost smiled.

    “Lils” Isa ran to her friend and jumped on her, wrapping her arms around her neck. Isa giggled and she kissed her friend’s cheek  and wrapped her legs around Lil’s waist.  Her fingers tightened the satin necklace holding Lilium’s crest and grinned. It was much better, in her opinion.
“Isa, dear, get down” Lilium rubbed her friend’s back, her little dear friend, but Isa tightened her grip. 
“No, no...i missed you” Isa cooed smiling.
“I missed you to, now the bell is going to ring, we have to go to class”
Isa nodded and slid down off her friend, she nodded “well, come on!”
Isa grabbed Lilium’s hand and dragged her into the school building.  Whispers started soon after the pair disappeared from sight, the cull quickly followed behind her lady and mistress. Picking up Isabelle’s dropped bag, she hurried along to home room. 

    Anakah woke up with the smell of apple dumple pastries. She grinned as she sat up and took a bite.  It was freshly baked and tasted amazing yet slightly tangy. Brushing back her hair back, she noticed that a strand was darker, her eyes closed and she slumped. Within minutes, she was in a deep slumber, as the cage was lowered. A tall muscular male, opened the cage and picked up the limp body.  He carried her through the dark stone halls, ending at the large sunken baths. Stripping her clothes, he placed the girl in the water and begun to clean and shave her body.  Sitting the now nude girl on the marble seat, he started massaging and cleaning her feet.  Slowly his strong hands worked up her body. Her body was was soft, smooth he thought as he worked his way up. Each touch, each massage made it harder for him to do his job. He wanted her for himself. He wasn’t a slave, but a ex-slave. A eunuch, working for the former head of the  maids of honour,  in the palace before getting caught in a compromising position with one of the maidens. He remained fully dressed as he cleaned the dolls and pets, the other slaves on the other hand. He had free reign over the,. He couldn’t wait to get his paws on one of the pretty serving girls. He scrubbed her and cleaned her silken locks with strawberry extract.  He coated her body with the strawberry scent after drying her off with one of the baby ewes wool and Issas cotton. Such a rare cotton, he loved the feel of it.  He then dressed her in a silk white and silver metal bikini. he refused the thought of make-up on such a pure beauty, connecting a gold leash to the collar, he carried her to a different room, it was more airy, and light came in from the ceilings.  The cage was in the center of the room, the bars were pure gold. It was shaped like a bird’s cage. A large circular bed was in the middle of the cage, purple cushions and blankets were pilled high. Books were on the table beside the bed, and the cage floor was covered with plush carpet. A swing hung from the top of the cage, opposite of the bed. He laid the girl down on the bed and laid a small kiss on her forehead before leaving and sealing the cage shut.
   
    Vanessa grinned as she waved to her best friends, they were in the home economic classrooms. Today’s assignment was to bake a rosemary peach cake. 
“Chessa, Mary-Anna, Hanna” She hugged the three girls.
“Nessa!” the three chimed at the same time.
“How” began Hanna
“are” Mary-Anna chimed in
“you” Chassa ended the question. They always spoke things in threes. It was their way.  Each of the girls wore a ribbon pinned to their skirt. Showing their status of the fours.  One of the most elite cliques in the school.  They were considered one of the best of the best. In almost everything, the studies, and the extras. Vanessa smiled to herself, she was completely happy.

    There was a whole in the wall, she was angry to say the least. Vilhelmina just received contact form one of the under grounders. Her eyes narrowed as she placed a knife blade against his neck. Her fingers tightened on the hilt.
“Consider your words carefully” her voice came out in a deep whisper. 
“Madam...mistress I am sorry.  But they moved the slave auction to today”
“GET ONE OF YOUR MEN THERE” She spoke through gritted teeth,the young under grounder.
“The only one who knows there way around is out the country” he said through gritted teeth. 
“That is not my problem, if you want to keep your members protected and in business, then get a person over there and tell me if there is a girl that matches the description that I gave you.  Do you understand or do you need me to spell it out in laymen’s terms for you little ingrate”  Vilhelmina pressed the blade a bit closer, piercing the skin.
“I understand Miss Mina. I’ll give you the information soon as I can miss”   He whimpered in pure fear.
“Good” Vilhelmina whispered in his ear before vanishing.
    He looked around in fear, finally able to take a deep breath.  He smiled, and rubbed hid throat feeling the small cut on his neck.  In his opinion Miss Mina was like poison, bad for the health. She was deadly, and the last person that she killed begged for death after an hour.  He was one of the youngest members of the under grounders, but he was in the business long enough to know how to deal with the head boss.  That and the others did not really care about what happened to him, as long as the group as a whole was safe. Ringing the large brass bell above his head, he sighed in before straightening up and listened for the reply bell.  The loud clanging of the the silver bell made him smile, and he walked briskly to the main meeting room to deliver the message from Miss Mina.

    The consul sat on a high dais in a semi circle. Half male, the other half female, each in a pristine black robes. The colour was that of midnight, and as they moved the robes shimmered. On the breast of the robe was the insignia of their department.  Beotius to the ante-chamber and pulled on his cloak. His emblem was  that of the death talker.  Entering the black marble room he stood in the center and bowed low.
    “Well talk boy” one 0f the men spoke.
    “Yes, tell us what death said” the others repeated after each other.
“Death wants someone there to see if a slave matched the description that she gave us. If not.. death,” here he took a deep breath and straightened from his bow “death will take its fury out on us”. The women and the men took looked ashen as they digested the news that he gave them.
“What are we to do?” One of the females asked the others.
“since we worked for death, everything is better, she just asks for a favor now and then.” a male voice spoke, while others nodded in agreement.
“Our businesses have never been better.”  another voice spoke
“Death has a short temper but she asked instead of ordered, thats good I believe, plus the talker hear hasn’t died yet” 
“Oh yeses and that’s rights” followed behind that statement and softly they conversed among themselves. 
“We will send you death talker to go to the slave sale and see of you know of the person that Death is looking for”
Beotius balked in shock. He was going? he still looked like a child.  Nothing more than a silly child. How in the gods name will he manage to find the way to pass by as a male of promise and money.
“We suggest, talker that you visit on of the disguises, they may help you pass as something that you are not. and you talker are not a real slave buyer, not yet though.”  several of the women tittered after that statement.
“Dismissed, and best of luck, you will need all the luck you can get. Maybe through up a prayer to the Thief”
    Beotius bowed and backed away out the room before straightening and after it was locked he was ready to scream. Only his rotten luck, out of all things, he gets this assignment. Anyone, he raved to himself as her walked down the hall to find the disguises,  could survive death. Miss Mina, as he referred to her, when speaking to her directly, sure she was scary, icy, vile at times but courteous as well.  He nodded to one of the foot soldiers while dumping himself deeper into his own thoughts.
    Isa yelped as she was pushed aside by one of the four. Chessa, swung her long blonde hair over her shoulder and sneered in a most immature way. Her bug eyes fluttered at the tall exchange student that stood a few lockers down. Silently Isa swore to herself, and fisted her hands. Leaning against the locker, she stayed out the way of Vanessa, Hanna and Mary-Anna. Closing her eyes, for a moment, she nibbled on her lower lip. Several seconds passed before she head gasps of surprise and shock. Peeking her eyes open, the most unusual scene was taken place. The exchange student was walking away from Chessa, and the rest of the four. He was tall, Isa realized, really tall... in her personal and unbiased opinion she thought he was handsome in the most unconventional way.  His shoulders were broad, and he had sharp facial features. His eyes were black, piercing, like they seemed to look right through every pretense and to the person’s very soul.  His hands were large, Isa could tell by looking at them, calloused. He looked at Isa, and smiled. The small smile, was full of warmth, and instantly she felt her face heat up. 
    “stop being stupid isa” she spoke softly to her self, pushing her hair odd her shoulders so that it hung down her back.  Turing around she went back to digging for her books in the locker. She held her tongue as she felt a hand brush against her lower back and a second touch, brushed against her skirts.  Isa gasped and stood up straight. Her hand grabbed the offenders wrist and she whispered in a low voice “keep your hands off unless you want to lose your genitalia”
Her hand heated up to the temperature of a low small fire. His wrist started to burn, and he began to nod.
“I can not hear you” she whispered raising up the heat channeling her power up another notch. She heard the amazing sound of the one who touched her screech in pain. Her face was very impassive and felt an arm wrap around her waist. 
“Your a little witchling are you not?”  A voice heatedly whispered in her ear. “You little, little witchling, burning people is quite naughty you know”
“If I’m a little witchling, then get your hands off of me, I don’t like males touching me” She whispered. The arm tightened the grip of her waist pulling her flush against him. Her petticoats were shifted, uncomfortable, she felt a pair of lips against her bare, exposed neck.
“I want you little witchling” he sniffed “you powerful little witchling, I want you to be mine yes?”
“Non” she whispered, and her eyes brightened as the bell rang. As a thong of students brushed past, Isa pushed her self and the offending person across the room. They both ended on their backs and Isa let out an ear piercing scream.
All eyes turned, to see a small girl kicking her legs in the arms of a strange man.
    As the football team descended down the halls, they stormed over to Isa’s fallen body. The captain, helped her up, while several members held the man down. Isa wrapped her arms around him with a hug, as he ruffled her hair.
“Thanks Remy” She smiled at him “i don’t know him, or why he grabbed me”
Remus laid a kiss on his little friend’s head and called his brother Romulus over. Picking Isa up, he handed her over “walk her to the library, I have a piece of shit to deal with, and teach him not to touch our girl”  Remus cracked his knuckles while going over to the now glaring male.  Romulus carried Isa, her head resting on his shoulders, as she watched the familiar trek to the library. 
“You can put me down you know” she said with a sigh, stiffling a yawn that threatened to come out.
“i know, just let me carry one Isa. Mama sent a gift for you” Romulus, stopped by his looker, and opened it. He  took out a golden coiled snake, and put it on her arm. The golden snake, slithered up her arm, and coiled, and tightend up on her upper arm, stayed there.  The bracelet, warm and comfortable, she tightened her grip around Romulus neck. Kissing his cheek, she thanked him and watched the snake become almost part of her. He grinned, and continued to carry his Isa to the library.
    Her eyes looked around in shock, she looked around the golden cage in awe. It was much bigger and the carpet felt amazing against her feet. Anakah realised that she felt wonderfully clean, yet exposed. She knew someone washed and changed her while she slept, but it did not cross her mind that they would send a male to handle her.  Moving over to the swing, Anakah, sat and slowly swung back and forth, she smiled  for once. Hopefully she would be taken out of the cage soon, she wished, leaning back. It escaped her notice that there were buyers watching her, thinking and preparing to bid on her as a doll or a bed warmer, even as a pet.
    There room behind the mirror was filled with males, an occasional female mingled with the crowd but men, strutted around the room, gloating and tasting out the competition. A pure pet was a hard find, a worthy buy, she was unblemished, and even her hair an exotic colour. The colour red, was almost fire like, vibrant and long. Even with a plain collar around her neck, they could imagine their own personal insignias on the pretty little neck, to tie her up, make her do what ever they wanted...
Beotius stood in the back of the crowed, the wall was spelled so every one had an equal view of the girl, and mentally he went over the check list that Death gave him. SHuddering, he realised that this was the girl she was looking for. For a moment he felt pity on the girl’s buyer, that person has a high chance of dying a very unpleasent death, as will their family, and animals. Beotius shuddered remembering how it was when Death attacked the men who tried to have their way with him. He was a young child back then, but still can almost hear the manic laugh, as she slaughtered them easily. And as easily as she slaughtered the brutes, she also easily picked him up, fixed his clothes and took him to the underground.   The chip in his hand buzzed pulling him out of memory, and on the wall pictures flashed of the girl they were all hoping to buy. Pictures of her clothed in a upperclass cloak and dress, of her bath and many more in between. The picture of the cloak, had edited out the coat of arms of the house of Loma for the intended bride.  A clever move on the slavers part, but several of the woman took a breath and whispered to their husbands that this would be suicide buying the girl. They, as most females could recognize the type of cloth from the picture, and each family had their own preferences. The golden flowers, golden lilies,  stitched along the hem of the cloak was good as the coat of arms to all of the women there. The bidding started, and while some men sat out and waited for the next girl the bidding war began between the rest of the buyers, pushing the price higher and higher.  Beotius shook his head in disbelief, the amount of money being thrown around was outrageous.  Insane!  he thought, the numbers in his mind were going to equal up to the drops of blood and dead bodies once he spoke to Death. it would not be good for the family that brought her or the slavers that kidnapped her. Not good at all.  On the paid of paper he carried, he quickly wrote down the price and the family that brought the girl in the end. Softly he whispered, may the gods have mercy on the Avolition family. Then he added, may the Loma’s spare part of the family instead of wiping all traces of it off the earth. the last was a hopeful wish, very hopeful, but he had to try. There was a very small chance of them leaving a single person alive to be taken as their cull, a very small chance. The slavers, her didn’t waste a prayer on them. people who were stupid enough to kidnap a member of the Loma family, Death will have her way with them.

            End Chapter six
Dec 12 update

    “Isa, are you coming with?” Lilium asked her friend as they packed up their belonging, well Lilium was watching her cull pack the heavy book bag.  Isa shook her head, and smiled, “ I have to get home, Morcant, needs my help with something. Maybe tomorrow?” Isa asked, as she brushed her books into the bag and swung the satchel over her shoulders. The bag seemed to be weighed down, thankfully with a little flick of her finger, the felt weightless, much easier on the body then carrying what seemed to be ten pounds of books around. Not inculding the several tomes that she carried in her arms.
“I’ll give you a lift to you house then, You seemed to be weighed down with all of those books you insist on carrying.” Lilium snapped her fingers and directed Marie to take the bag and tomes from Isa. A bit of shock came to Marie’s face before masking it, the bag that she expected to weigh her down, weighed almost nothing at all and the tomes. The tomes were heavy, to be certain, but not as heavily as she would’ve expected.  It seemed that little miss Isa was a witchling, she thought with glee. Maybe a bit of schmoozing to her could result and help and the load lightened. Isa stopped walking and waited for Marie to catch up.
“what ever you are planning or scheming, i would stop it.” she spoke to the female in a harsh low whisper. “I will not stand for it, and before you could even execute your plan, i will have you like a gnore, those fun little things are fun to kill, don’t you think.” She gave marie a smile before doing a hybrid of a walk and skip to be back with Lilium.  Her long pig tails bouncing with her movements.   She continued to walk that way, as she launched into a conversation about the latest scandal.  She waved good bye to her bodyguards, her best male friends and discreetly showed Remus that she was wearing the gift that their mama gave her. He smiled and gave her a double thumbs up, and Isa shook her head not laughing. Although she wanted to, for demis those two acted like children most of the time. 
“Who are they Isa, I haven’t met them before” Lilium inquired pushing a wayward lock of hair out of her face.
“Oh Rom and Rem, they share my Law major”  Isa offhandedly  replied, as she enjoyed the cool gust of wind on her face.
“Oh, what are they like, do you like them?” Lilium asked while adjusting her skirt.
“non, they are my friends, but no relationship...” she trailed off as she spied in the corner of her eye a waith.  Waiths were shadow like creatures, useful messengers, they detested sunlight. Loyal to a fault and terribly hard to catch, so they were perfect for the Loma family. Isabelle excused herself, and enterend into the shadows were the waith was waiting for her.
“you found my sister to be, i assume”
“yes mum, she’s safe for now, at the Avolition Estate. She’s in one of their secret chambers Miss. She’s in a cage, but seems to be untouched Miss.”
“Alright,” Isabelle nodded “who took her?”
“it was the Merdician Slavers, they are a brutal bunch, but since she’s pure they treated her a bit decently” 
“what did they sell her as?” she asked... the waith paused, she did not want to be near this enchantress if she exploded with rage.
“she was sold under the title doll/pet/bedwarmer miss. She cost a lot of money to the Avolition family, so i do not think that they will mistreat her.”
Surprisingly, Isabelle regined in the building explosion, and again nodded in her agreement that they wouldn’t hurt a doll that cost them so much, however she worried about Anakah’s purity.
“Thank you, please give the same information to my brother and father. Vilma already has this information I am sure. Tell them to get ready, we are going to destroy a family and a trade”
“of course miss” and with a bow the waith faded out of view. Isabelle was pensive as she walked over to Lilium and Marie. Taking her bags from the cull, she walked towards the forest, and once she left the view of others. She disappeared among the crocked branches. She was gone in almost a breath of wind.
   
    Vanessa, watched form her group of girls the interactions of her step sister and the weird girl she hung out with. There was something different about her, she had such a soft, angelic face at times, but then it seemed like there was something completely morbid about her. Something dark, deadly, she did not understand why Mary-Anna continued to lead Hanna and Chessa to mess with her. She was smart enough to realise the danger and stay away from Miss Loma. That newbie, was going to be in a world oh hurt as well, once word gets about about her attack.
    “Nessa, why are you watching that freak?” Hanna asked
    “She’s small, I just want to make sure she’s okay. You shouldn’t pick on her” Vanessa spoke before turning to face the rest of the group.
    “Why Nessa? she wears pig tails, in upper school. we are almost at uni levels” Chassa whined.
    “Because her major is law and she can build up a case against us and that we are harassing her, and you know harassment equals fines and embarrassment. Not accepted into Uni, then horrible jobs, with ugly men and no husbands... “   She laid the cards out about what their life could come to.
    Lilium stepped into the sedan, a small kitten sat on the seat her, the golden curtains were open, the red fringed canopy kept the sun off of her and she could see four strong men standing ready to pick her up and walk to where ever she demanded.  She laid on one of the pillows and stretched out on the ruby red cushion instead of sitting. She was on her side when she held out her hand for a book.  Dutifully, Marie handed her mistress the book the she was reading in the library. Once she had the book, she let them know that she was ready to go to the estate. 
Four very muscled men, in unison squatted down and picked up their respective pole, before lifting up in unison and putting the polls on their shoulders and started walking at a sedate place.  It was a gaudy way to move around but it worked. She would’ve preferred the carriage though. Less people would stare at her, and she could rest in peace.  Slowly the gentle walking and swaying caused her to  drop off the sleep. 

    Morcant was pacing in the study, waiting for his sisters to bring news. vilhelmina came running into the study and hugged him tightly.
“I have information about Ana”  She said breathlessly.
Morcant became ridged, he was alert and ready for information.
“Where is Anakah”? He asked his voice tight.
A waith floated in the room in moved out the shadows, and bowed.
 “Miss and Sir, Mistress told me to tell you to get ready, she’s on her way. The Avolition family has her, and the slavers sold her as a doll.” With that, the waith faded away.
    Isabelle appeared in the study and quickly barked at them to start getting ready. Isabelle’s eyes seemed darker, her face was cold, impassive.  She moved quickly to her workroom and changed into a white fighting dress. White, so the blood splatter could be clearly seen. The dress was made of a strong yet light fabric, the skirt reached mid thigh, held out by voluminous petticoats. The top was brasserie like, and tied, behind her neck and back, leaving her arms free.  two peices fabric, no bigger than her index finger crossed her stomach and  back  before attaching to the skirt.  Taking Amethyst off her stand, Isabelle strapped the sword to her back, and brought her hair to hand over her shoulders. Slipping up the lacy thigh highs, and tied on the dancer’s slippers, she had her twin daggers strapped to her legs, with in reach, and two back up throwing darts holding her ponytails up.  
Vihelmina Rocane, elder sister of Isabelle  Leigh and Morcant Christopher, was itching for a fight. She would kill and kill, the people who took and brought the girl she started to love as a sister. Her wild hair, was out of it’s customary ponytail in full force, she was dressed in black, all black. Her eye shadow was grey, and she wore tight form fighting pants.  They were flexible, and strong enough to handle the stress.  She had a knife strapped to her thigh, and the insides of the black high heeled boots.  She had a quiver full of gnore fletched arrows slung across her back.  She wore a tight fitting shirt, her face a cold mask. Her eyes, were like burning coal, and although she perfered her arrows as the weapon of choice, she wrapped a chain around her waist, that could be used in a multitude of ways.  Picking the long black cloak of the stand, she placed it on, pulling the hood up to cover her weapons and to conceal her face. Slipping on the black gloves, she declared herself ready. The information needed about the family and estates were already in the planning room, she had to thank the underground one of these days. The information that they gave was completely accurate and they delivered quick. Glancing in the mirror as she left her room, she nodded slightly to herself, she truly looked like Death.
    Morcant was waiting, he had Exotath strapped to his side. Unlike his sisters, he wore a pair of loose pants black pants, that were tight fitting around the ankle, and was shirtless... He wanted nothing to get in his way when they finally got Anakah back home.  He saw Vihelmina enter first, and handed him the information about the people who brought Anakah.  He did not see his younger sister enter the room, he felt her place a cloak on him and fastening the white tie underneath his chin, he looked at her.
“We don’t know how we will find her, this is just in case” Isabelle spoke softly before turning to her sister.  “where are we going first? the slavers or to get Anakah?”
“Anakah, I think, should be first. We can go for the slavers later, at a more proper time” Vihelmina spoke her thoughts out loud. Her fingers tapped her nose, her gloved fingers glistened, the tips were coated in poison, they could incapiate or kill when needed, her little pet project.
“I concur, we should go save my bride to be. then you, dear sister Isabelle, and you dear sister Vilma, can ruin the slavers that took my bride away.” Morcant spoke in a low dangerous voice. His fingers fingering the jeweled and gilded hilt of his sword, which hummed in anticipation of blood shed.
    Isabelle hummed in anticipation of,  seeing her sister to be.  Her eyes quickly memorised the map, she knew the perfect place to phase in with her family.
    “Top floor is mine, i’ll find the family. Morcant, you get your bride. Vilma, do what you so best, torture the bastard who thought to buy my sister-to-be, maybe in front of his family?” She sung, while standing up on her toes. She grinned, and whistled as her siblings looked up at her.  One in shock, other in almost fear, they hated to see her this way. She looked innocent, almost angel like but the last time she was like this, her dress was covered completely in blood. Totally red, and blood dripped down her fingers. Isabelle thrived in the heat of battle, she loved the feeling of blood running down her swords.  and her hands, the splatter across her face, ecstasy.
    “Isabelle, calm yourself” Morcant spoke softly and he gently touched her shoulder.
    “I am calm” She smiled “I wanna go hunting now”
She glanced at her brother, then to her sister, before vanishing.
   
    It was dark, no stars were out. Isabelle appeared in front of the Iron gates, the center, the family symbol.  It was silent outside, not a sound, animal, nor human could  be heard.  The moon was hidden, behind the clouds, and she bounced up and down, waiting for the others to show up.  Vilhemina showed up next followed closely by Morcant. Each, touched their sister’s shoulder.   “Is everybody ready to go, I have the top  and the family, Vilma you have the bastard and Mory you get your bride, shall we meet in the court yard for judgement?” Isabelle didn’t wait for conformation before flinging the gates open. She clapped, “ oh i love being a little witchling, well you to come on!”

    Anakah, looked at the guy who claimed to own her with fear in her eyes. She was drugged, kidnapped and kept in a cage for the longest time. Now Shes in a locked room sitting on the pillow connected to her master’s chair. He was old, his hands were leather like and across his lap was a cane. His hands stroked his pet’s hair, in a calming manor.  She was dress in a breast binding and skirt, with the slit on both sides almost up to her waist.  Moving to fast, or much could end up with exposing her self.  Her legs were curled under her, as she watched the dancers preform. By their collars, she tell that they were harem girls, slaves. Anakah held back a yawn, she was tired, and this was the fifth night in a row that she had to watch the night’s entertainment. Her head dropped a little, and she heard a loud bong go off.  The sound echoed through the room and ever thing, everyone stopped.   Anything and everything that they were doing, from dancing to serving food.   He leaned down, and unclipped his pet’s chain from the chair and got up. He walked into the middle of the room, and smiled. “Bed you all, back to your rooms, or else. and you my beloved pet... to your cage, we wouldn’t want you escaping now would we.”  The girls, instantly dispersed, leaving a mess behind, he tsked, and made a mental note to have it cleaned in the morning.  Anakah, sighed and slowly crawled over to the guy that owned her, she refused to call him master; even in her mind.  The magic in the collars wouldn’t let her stand in anyplace but that prison of a cage.  Anakah moved with as much dignity that she could muster, even though she could feel that guy, leering at her. 
   
Vilhelmina, and Morcant set up the wards around the manor, while Isabelle, picked the lock. No one comes in or leaves the property with out any of them knowing. With a final click, she pushed open the large oak doors, her fingers gently touched the engraved deer on the door. Poor thing is gonna be burt soon she thought before walking into the vestibule of the home.  A large family portrait dominated the wall, the faces looked snotty at the most.  Pinched and nasally.
“Alright, I got the family, do you want the servants and slaves as well sister dear, or is the bastard enough for you?” Isabelle asked cheerfully. They entered through the servants entrance of the house, and she danced her way up the stairs, her finger nails tapping against the plain wooden bannister. Vilhelmina, made her way to the main floor followed by Morcant, moved like smoke to find his Anakah.
    The cage was huge, in the center was a large circular bed, covered in purple. She had a lovely bookshelf filled with books, and the small circular wooden table in the corner had a covered platter of food.  Anakah stood up and stretched, her fingers stroked the swing as she made her way to the lovely bed. Distantly she heard the door to the cage, locked and sealed shut, but her mind was filled with fog, she was beyond tired.   Falling face first, she sank in to the warm softness of furs and pillows.  Pulling the heavy blanket over her body, she dropped of to a dreamless slumber.

    Isabelle made it to the family wing without trouble, the men at arms were child’s play, she thought, as she looked at the red splatter that went across her stockings.  She leaned against the wall and smiled before opening the first door. The master bedroom was at the end of the hall, it was so obvious, it was almost ridiculous. The floor was carpeted, and the room was almost pure black.  She spied two bodies in the bed, and a sinister smirk crossed her face. Two for the price of one. Using Jade, she turned on the all the lights in the room and looked at her prey. He was young, maybe two or three years younger than herself. His hair was long, and tossed about in a haphazard way, and his partner laid intertangled with him. Both in their undergarments, and  she was snuggled under his chin. Isabelle, wondered if it would be easier to kill them, or make them the culls of the Loma family.
    “Wake up!!” Isabelle sung out, dancing around room. The female work up first with an ear pericing scream, which in turn woke her partner.  They both, sat up and scotted back against the headboard.
“Wha...at aaaare y...you doiiing... h.h.here?” He managed to stutter out.
“Well...” Isabelle paused as if she was thinking “your father brought our kidnapped sister as a slave, thats a no-no so you and your family must pay for it. I am figuring I kill you for the amout paid for your father’s newest pet.”
“What about me, it’s not my family that brought the girl” the female companion spoke grasping the male’s hands.
“I know that, how ever you are the maid aren’t you” Isabelle smiled. “Doves, out the bed. I would never ruin such a beautiful piece of woodwork.” When they didn’t move Isabelle exsagerated a pout, and walked over to the son’s side of the bed and placed Jade underneath his chin. The point digging into his skin, and he stilled, blue eyes searching Isabelle’s face for any for a mercy. He search was for naught, her face was cold, and her purple eyes sparked in almost sadistic glee. 
However, as it would be her first kill, Isabelle, slit his next and  watched as the blood sprayed out all over her dress in a random pattern.  In a perverse fascination she watched the bloodied blade as she threw it to the heart of the maid. The body slumped foreward. pulling the knife out, she skipped over to his dresser and smashed it against the ground before closing and sealing the room.  She skipped off the find her next victims, hopefully they would put up much more a fight than those two.
    Vilhelmina, perched on the banister as she shot her arrows into the night Men-at-arms and servents. Ir was even better than hunting. She did not kill, only injer, they were gonna be treated to a show later. A distant thought in her mind was a small hope isabelle did not go completely out of control.  There was a reason Isabelle was the heiress and not her.  Although, Vilhelmina enjoyed hunting, she couldn’t wait to judgement, it must be her favorite part of the nights they all went out. Notching an arrow, she pulled back and was completely still as she aimed at the built body guard. He had a drink in his hand and enjoyed the peace of being off of duty. He didn’t even detect the arrow whizzing through the air and piercing his neck, the blood dripped down around the arrow head. Vilhelmina sighed, she didn’t want to kill him, he seemed to look like a good sparing partner.  She watched as his heavy body collapsed, before moving to another spot. Her heels clicked along the floor, as a small warning to those who listen.

    Morcant, unlike his sisters with their hunting, perfered to find his girl and leave. He was going to leave everything else to his sisters. He needed time to be alone with Anakah. His soft boots moved across the floor, as he used Avoich, as a trigger to find his girl. Flinging the wine shelf  away from him, the hidden door opened, leading to a long light hallway. Unsheathing his weapon he was ready for anything.  He moved like a shadow, never stopping, his senses were expanded constantly seeking for her aura. Quickly he slashed this sword, to the right attacking a Ni WA WA, a clay doll, that can attack and move on its own. Normal protections for something that is suppose to be hidden. He was thankful that it was that instead of an undead.  Morcant slashed through two more of the Na WA WA, before coming up to a large door. Pushing the door open, he sighed, two undead laid in wait. Sensing, for any presence that wasn’t their masters. He smiled almost, now it was really going to be a fight. Twisting Exotath around he charged in the to undead on his right, channeling his magic through the blade, causing the creature to scream out in complete unbridled pain. The hiss reached it’s pentacle before imploding on it’s self and becoming a pile of dust.  He then turned his attention to the other creature, before disposing it like it’s brother.  They were time wasters mostly, but once they touched you, they could infect the body until it either died or became one of the undead.  His eyes scanned for anyone or anything else before following Anakah’s aura to a small room to the left.  The walls were mirrored and the large cage in the center of the room! In the middle of the bed, curled up in a small ball laid Anakah. Her body exposed mostly, as she was on top of the mounds of covers and her hair spread out about her like a halo. Morcant took a deep breath. He found her, he found his Anakah.
End chapter seven
Dec 13
    Isabelle skipped to the courtyard, dragging her captives behind her, the rest of the family, form the mother and grandmama to the youngest child.  they were all tied up, in magically reenforced ropes, made from their own drapires. Isabelle stood by the fountian, and sat, on the edge, while directing her captives to sit in the grass or the tile court. She really didn’t care, as she had a firm hold on their bindings. She looked down at her dress, and smiled at the newest red patterns.  Even splatters of blood decorated her exposed skin, she gave her captives a small smile, before humming a small lullaby.
“Shh... don’t cry little one” she cooed to the youngest child. Barely one, and she was justly irritated. Pulling the small child’s binding, she brought her up and held her on her lap.  The babe looked up at her, her eyes wide as she leaned against Isabelle and started sucking her thumb.  “No crying, it will be all over soon dear heart” Isabelle cooed.
“Get your paws off my daughter you demon” the mother spat, working over her fear to a rage. 
“Shut up you, whore of a dog” Isabelle snapped at the lady, nay, the former lady of the manor.  Shifting her body she rocked the little babe in her arms, with a smile. The child was so innocent, so perfect. That instant Isabelle wanted her for herself, the child would be her own. 
“Listen you daughter of a demon’s whore” The woman began standing up, “I want you to keep your blood filled hands off my daughter...if you don’t i swe...” Her tirade was cut off as two throwing knives made their way to her stomach. Isabelle’s hair, was down, her pig tails gone the instant she used the throwing knives. Placing the babe down, she skipped over to the bleeding woman, her hair flying in the wind that she created.  Taking out Onyx, she knelt over the body of the woman. She looked up at Isabelle in a mixture of fear and disgust which then turned into pain as the poisonous blade cut open her torso below her beating heart.  Sticking her hand into the woman’s body, she ripped out the still beating heart and held it in front of the family and the lady as she dies.
“Next one to step out of place, this will happen to you okays!” She laughed with pure glee as she then set the heat in the middle of the family, before stepping on it, as she headed back to the baby girl she left.
    Picking up the child she turned to the family and sat down properly like a lady. Even wearing blood stained clothes she could be counted as a lady, in the way she sat.
“you have until my sister and brother come out, talk, converse, only one is going to live”  She sang out while playing with the child on her lap.
Vilhelmina walked into the courtyard carrying the un-battered sleeping body of the lord  Avolition. She bound him in heavy chains, and the gag in his mouth prevented his screams.
“Have a good time hunting? “ Isabelle asked while kissing the child’s cheek. 
“Yes, i had a joyous time hunting and look at my package.”  She threw the body on the ground, and he groaned in pain.
“How many kills?”
“Not sure, i must thank father for my replenishing quiver, I had such a brilliant time. I think it was at least 30 shots. on my first perch alone.”
Isabelle grinned, as she adjusted the child in her arms “look what I found. A baby, can I keep her?” 
“A child? are you serious?”  Vilhelmina asked with a smile.
“Yes, she can be my child, i’ll arrange for the nanny and everything”   Isabelle pleaded, giving her sister huge round eyes.
“Fine, keep the child, what’s her name?” Vilhelmina asked sitting next to her sister.  She gently touched the child’s arm, her black gloves left a trail of goose bumps on her arm.
“I’m thinking Fury. yes Fury would be a good name.”
“Don’t you think that name is too harsh?” Vilhelmina asked, pushing her hood back, exposing her wild hair. .
“Non, but maybe Fury le Snowdrop then?” Isabelle grinned. “Yes, its a perfect name. Fury le Snowdrop of the house of Loma, my daughter.”
“Very good,” Vilhelmina nodded, as she watch the blue glow surround Isabelle and Fury le Snowdrop,  “shall we ask Morcant to bring her to the house, as we deal with the rest of them.”
“Yes, by the way where is our beloved brother”? Isabelle asked, “I’m getting itchy and I want to kill something”
“You did, I saw the heart that you pulled out. Was it still beating?”
“You doubt ?” Isabelle gasped playfully before jumping up. she spied Morcant carring the body of Anakah. Setting Fury le Snowdrop down, she ran over to the pair. Anakah was wrapped up in the cloak.
“Anakah. Collar. Help” Morcant spoke when he saw his youngest sister running up to him. “magic. can’t break” 
Isabelle nodded, and gently  pushed back, the hood. She gasped at the collar, the magic off of it glowed.  Her fingers ran across it, sensing out a breakage. She hissed , as it leaped out and burnt her fingers.   The sparks settled back against the warm leather collar, and Isabelle hissed. 
“Damn it, they had a mage put this on her.” She frowned, and her face screwed up in thought. Stepping back, she spread her arms and let her power spread.  A purple circle surrounded her feet on the ground. The moon surrounded by lilies were outlined in red as it detailed the circle.   Her eyes were a glow as she took out Amethyst. The blade started glowing and slammed the blade down into the ground forcing her power through the sword she had the power spread across the circle.  With sheer force, she broke the collar into pieces. Isabelle sheathed Amethyst and and pulled the power she exhaled back into her.  Morcant, leaned up and kissed his sister on his cheek. 
“Take her home please, call the healer. I will deal with them, my daughter, take her with you. Vilhelmina will  help me play with them, no worries.”
Morcant nodded, and Isabelle placed her daughter on Anakah’s stomach. Morcant then disappeared with both of them.
    Isabelle rubbed the snake coiled on  her arm, the calmed her back to a rational state of mind as she looked down at her captives. The entire Avolition family just waiting for her pleasure of revenge. 
    “I think... that we should play a game. Let us slowly cut up the lord of the family, and maim his family before pushing the lot into the house and watching it burn.” Vilhelmina spoked while taking out and notching an arrow. She shot it through the trees, and a scream of pain has heard soon after.
“brilliant shot!” Isabelle cheered. Turning to her captives she held her hands out lifted them like a conductor in an upwards motion.  “Up! up! my little ones. Your family will pay for buying one of the Loma family as a play thing. If she was a kitchen maid, not all of you would have to die. So blame your lord for not keeping is little thing in his trousers where it belongs yes?”  She paused waiting for a response that wouldn’t come. 
“Oh pooh, you don’t seem very happy. Alas, I can try to understand, but... I can’t. As this was an attack against the Loma family. The judgement is executed by the Loma family.”
“Really sister, must you sound so excited an angelic as you tell them about their impending death?”  Vilhelmina shook her hair and realised that was a fruitless question.   Earlier, during the little display of power she admitted to herself that she was frighted of her sister. Such a sweet girl, such a cold girl it seemed almost an impossible mixture. 
“Alright dahlings. Split up, half and half. Grandmama, I will give you a choice, you can swallow a poison now or die in a more painful way”
“I...I will take the poison if you please” The elder woman spoke, she knew the legend of the Loma family, it was that family that wiped out the last monarchs that thought they could control them. Ruthless, the family was known to be, and her stupid son angered them.  Ah, but in the end she had a choice, and thankful for her age. They never tortured the older or the younger ones. She thankfully accepted the small black vial from the girl’s hand and uncorked it. Toasting it up to her and her scary older sister, in her mind, the younger looked more deadly, and she drunk the poison in one go. Within seconds, the light drained out her eyes and the woman crumbled to the ground, lifeless as a doll.
“All children ages eleven an under come to me, you will be with your grandmama soon.”  Isabelle spoke softly, she had a soft spot for children and always brought vials of poison, so they wouldn’t have a painful bloody death.
“Wait!” Vilhelmina spoke up, her eyes were watching a little boy, no older than five. He seemed small, like a waif, sighing she knew what to do.
“Yes sister?” Isabelle took out three small vials, for the children a quick painless death. It wasn’t their faults that the parents where morons.
“I want to keep the youngest boy, he’ll be good for me. Anyway, he’ll stay at my house. He’ll be like a son yes?” 
“Take him” Isabelle nodded, internally grateful, he was to small to be in this mess. She then looked at the other two, the boy was oldest, she assumed that he was about ten, and the girl seven. “you can either take the poison or come with us, what is your choice, think on it” She spoke in a soft voice and in a moment of weakness, or mercy, she removed the children and bound them to an area in the courtyard.  They could move around, the two older ones had a vial incase they wanted to take it. The boy Vilhelmina had claimed was put a little bit away from his sibling so that they wouldn’t force the poison on him. She has known people to do that and it was a terrible thing, the lost of life of one that could have been saved.
“Vilma how about we play huntress and prey. They are the prey of course. We let them run about the property and we hunt them down and kill them that way.”
“Thats a new idea, I quite like it, so lets do it. but shall they run out side or in the manor.”  Vilhelmina spoke with a hint of glee, she loved hunting and was rather good at it, better then her sister anyway.  She tossed off her cloak and threw it to the boy she claimed for herself so he wouldn’t freeze during this venture.
“Out side, they are animals darling sister, lets let them free so we can hunt the lot of them down.”  She laughed tossing her long chestnut hair, it felt different for her to wear her hair down, she was used to the pigtails to help maintain her hair. One drop of water and her hair will end up resembling her sisters, wild, curly, insane looking. She rather the angelic innocent persona, so many more people were trusting when some one looks like they wouldn’t harm a fly. In her case the looks were more amplified with her child like stature. 
“Looks like its going to rain” Vilhelmina spoke up behind her sister. Isabelle glowered.
“Fine, lets get this hunt started yes?”  She released all the bindings.
“You lot have a thirty second head start before they get hunted down, enjoy it, i know we will”
As she spoke, Vilhelmina watched her prey get up and run, she prepared her arrows for the kill as Isabelle quickly cleaned her twin blades. and prepared them, her fingers itching for the hunt to start.

    Lilium sat up in her bed, and started out the window, a raging fire broke out, it was a powerful one to. Most homes have charms on them to prevent fires, she watched in awe at the destructive power of the flames, the black smoke raising in the air. She desired more information, but knew better to ask. The use of fire is normally a sign of the displeasure, of the Loma family.  Content that she did nothing to the family, she turned and went back to sleep after calling her newest cull to get in the bed with her. She did not have the courage to sleep alone. Although Isa pledged herself to her, she knew their family motto, and the family always took a vow espically the heir that the family came first.  She could try, and as Lilium drifted off to sleep, she put it in mind to ask Isa in the morning before first bell. 
End chapter eight
    Dec 15
    Vilhelmina arrived at her house with the little boy in tow. He was sleep, wrapped up in her cloak.  Her home was away from the grander of the Loma family manor, and the stark darkness of the Loma Heir Manor. She understood why Isabelle had Morcant living there with her, the house was to big for one person to live there alone. Her house was something different, it was a two level cottage. The windows were cover with light curtains. She set the little boy down in the spare room before heading to hers. A shower was first on her mind. Then to wash her filthy clothes. The black helped to hid all the blood stains, unlike Isabelle who enjoyed showing them off. She knew had a collection of white blood dresses displayed. It was scary, the memory of stumbling on to the collection frightened her, and she hoped that the children she took home with her did not see that room until they are perfectly ready. Coming out the shower, the glanced out the window, the sun was rising and she hasn’t laid in bed yet. Pulling her black hair up into a pony tail. She looked normal, less frighting when her hair was pulled back instead of down. Wrapped up in a towel she walked to her room and changed into her pajamas.  She opened glanced at the open door and smiled. He was still sleep, she needed to call for a nanny, and a change of name, Vilhelmina thought about Churlus Aleksander much better than the name her sister gave the younger girl. She laughed at the thought of a child named Fury, well Fury le Snowdrop was quite mean. The name would amount to teasing in school unless she had a nickname like Snow. Vilhelmina realised a long time ago that she could never understand her sister, but she would always love her.  She padded into the kitchen, and searched for a breakfast food, something that a child would eat, her preference was to run on caffeine throughout out the day then  order food from the market. They would bring the food to her cottage and she would have a nice healthy meal at least once a day. They had the order memorised by the days of the week.  Sitting on the plush purple love seat she sighed before making the phone call to the agency that supplied her maid. A nanny would be there by the time he awoke form the deep sleep she had Isa put him under.

    Isabelle arrived to a silent house with two children in tow.  They were sullen, subdued which was understood, they witness a deadly hunting game and the complete destruction of the only home that they knew. But they were moldable, after all it only takes seventy two hours at most to change a person’s thinking, and thats adults only. She smiled at her newest people, they would make good servents, maybe she would give the boy to Morcant and Anakah.
“Come with me, I have a bed room ready for the both of you” she sang in a sing song voice. 
The two followed Isabelle, they moved like ghost, lightly treading across the floor. She opened the door at the end of the hall, it held two beds and a bathroom. They walked into the room and quickly climbed into bed. Soon as they laid down, they were sleep. Isabelle, shut the door, and locked them in.  Making her way to the shower she glanced at her self in the mirror, her clothes were covered in blood.  The hunting game was fun, her greatest kill was the lord of the manor, the slice of the blade across his back and stomach. The dripping of the blood was divine, Vilhelmina already wounded him with several arrow shots. she always enjoy wounding instead of killing.  It kept her clothes clean and the pain drawn out. Be not mistaken, Vilhelmina had no qualms about killing, safe to say she enjoyed it, but it was the hunting that her passion filled. 

    Isa slept for hours, missing the first three hours of school by the time she woke up, and realized it was stupid to go in for the day.  Pushing herself out of bed, she showered,  and let her hair air dry as she put on a modest sundress. She was barefoot as she made her way to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee wafted through the house.  Her mouth watered, it was a true love, a true desire to have her wake-up drink.  Pouring herself a cuppa specially blended white coffee with a hint of goddess divine chocolate.  Morcant and Anakah walked into the kitchen hand and hand. Isa was happy to note that Anakah looked much better, almost normal  except for the curved blade resting at her waist.  Her face at a glow to it, and her bright green eyes lit up as she looked upon Morcant. He on the other hand, held him self differently, more loosely and with a smirk set upon his face.
    “Sister!!” Anakah exclaimed as she made her way to Isa. She hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.  Isa raised her eyebrow at her brother in question as she kissed Anakah’s cheek.
“Ana, how are you? Do you need any sleep potions anything at all?”
“Nope! I had the perfect sleep aid last night” She laughed as she took a seat next to Isa. Morcant followed behind bring her and himself a cup of coffee as well.
“Is that so?” Isa grinned “I’ll tell father to cancel the ceremony at the family manor then. Since its not needed of course”  She hid the smile behind the cup as she watched Morcant and Anakah digest what she just said and spit out the tea in shock.
“Isa.Belle!” Morcant spoke as Anakah let out a “Sister!”
Isabelle set down her mug after schooling her face to look quite innocent, “oh dear, you two made a mess. I must go check on the children and call for a nanny, tododoloo”  With that she stood up, and in her own was, skipped out the room in search for the nursery.  She couldn’t wait to see Fury le Snowdrop in the light of day.

    Lilium walked down the hall in a mood, her hair was pulled back into a single ponytail and she was dressed in the correct uniform.  No alterations, and even the optional tie was added. Her eyes flittered over to the other students in the halls, before turning into her class room. This class like all others were talking in whispers about the fire and the absence of Isa Loma.  Most of the talk has been what angered the Loma family to the point of total annihilation of a family line.   Lilium, sat at her desk, brushing the air where her hair would normally lay, and sighs. She wasn’t jealous of the attention Isa was getting from not being at school. It was just that is was different, Isa is normally invisible to all but a few people, and Lilium preferred it that way. Isa was her smart, brilliant yet slightly scary, invisible friend, not anyone else's. Well maybe the two boy toys that were apart of the team but no one else. Lilium had a feeling that Isa was growing up with out her, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. It was strange and seemingly made her angry. Without warning or cause she struck her newest call across the arm with the ruler she had in her hand. The girl bit her lip so that she wouldn’t cry out in pain, and the instructor looked at Lilium with a question in his eyes. He held his tongue, there was nothing he could do to help the girl sitting on the floor next to one of his best students in mathematics.  He closed as he saw Lilium prepare to hit the girl a second time while working on a problem. There was a red mark left on her skin as she removed the ruler. The quite mutters in the class he realised were either about the Loma family or the abusive nature of the Nexus girl.   He was honestly relived when the bell rung, signaling the lunch hour.
    “Girl! hurry up, I am hungry and you are slowing me down” Lilium hissed while walking quickly ahead.
“Sorry Miss!” The girl peeped out as she sped up her walk. This was her third day on The Job. Zoë, had brought her for Lilium as the conflict between her and Marie was to great. 
“Girl, watch where your going!!” Lilium yelled, her ruler attack her exposed skin.
Amanda bit her lip, that ruler hurt. She wanted to cry, but kept in mind what Zoë told her. Lilium was a sweet mistress when pleased, so always try to please her. Amanda quietly followed Lilium out the door, and handed her the purse she was carrying. 
    Lilium paid for the Island food before directing the girl to carry the two bags. She requested to have study room C reserved for lunch time. Lilium did not have the time nor, energy to deal with idiots.  She sat down at the table, she had a secrete love of Island food, and ordered her favorites. In a fortnight her aunt Jessy and her island wife Alyce were coming to the manor for a lovely visit.  The normal island food was covered in spices, impossible to eat unless an acquired taste. Placing half the spicy dishes, she gave it to Amanda in an off handed way.  Lilium wanted to watch and make the girl beg for a sip of something to drink, after taking that first bite. She wanted a bit of fun, and she knew that above all things would be entrainment in that school of hers.
Amanda, discreatly sniffed the food and smiled it was her favorite, Island Croaker Curry, the spiciest and most honoured dish from her village, normally served to the chief and his family during holidays.  Amanda loved making it, almost as much as she loved eating it.   Almost as she loved making the dish.  Amanda thanked her mistress before settling back against the wall and taking a bite out of the curry.  She hid the smile threatening to cross her face, it was almost as good as it was back home. Although not nearly spicy enough to make it perfect.  Lilium looked down at her slave in shock, its been at least seven minutes and not one peep  out of her begging for something to drink.  Lilium sighed and ate in silence planning her fun for much later. Marie was still hanging in the subbasement buy the chains. The last time she saw Marie, she
worked out her anger on her body. Marks left by her whip were in need of refreshing.

    The end of the day came soon enough, Lilium was given room through out the day. No one bothered her that day, the news papers finally  the change of headship of the Nexus family  was published. Therefore the mistreatment of her culls, could be taken up only with their majesties or the lords and ladies of higher, more older blood then the Nexus.  Such family as the Loma’s, Nurmji, Meylor, and Aviolotion, to name a few. Not to mention the enchanters, and mages through out the region. But, they families never spoke out, for each family had their own business, the way they did things. It was almost a silent agreement started by the Loma family.  An agreement started at the beginning of the start or the empire, as they made fell safe plans incase the royals fell to an attack.  Lilium  walked briskly to her carriage after waving good bye to Harrison, the only one who worked up a nerve to talk to her. 
    Reaching the manor, Lilium stormed into the house and worked her way through the drawing room that lead to the back stairs. Picking up a torch, she walked down to the subbasements, the dungeons. Her face looked scary, and the rage that she felt could be seen in her movements. lighting the four torches around the room, Lilium placed the fifth one, the one that she carried, to the center of the room, in it’s holder. The light glow, illuminated the battered, nude body of Marie. Her arms and legs were in shackles, and bruises marred her skin. Picking up the cattle whip, Lilium snapped it in the air, which made a loud crack in the air.  Marie would’ve jumped if she had managed enough energy.   Being fed only bread and water, just enough to stay alive, she was to tired to move, and internally cursed herself for speaking her mind when she thought Lilium was sleep. Abusive, spoiled little rich girl, was some of the words that she used venomously.
    “So Marie, loyal handmaiden. Ha! have you learned not to talk about your betters behind their back”? Lilium spoke in a high frosty voice.
    “....” Marie spoke, she was gagged, on purpose and she closed her eyes, this punishment would be at least a week long, it the stories of her the Nexus Matrons. She felt herself being lifted in the air. She prepared her self the best of the way and the first strike of the whip across her back. The sharp leather dug into her skin, and she let her tears out.
    Time passed as Lilium worked out her fury and anger on the now bloodied beaten battered cull.  The skin was in torn up like ribbons given to a kitten. Blood fell like rain onto the stone floor as Lilium put up  the bull whip and picked up a riding crop.
    “Marie, you have three more days after this one before you are free. I’ll send someone down to feed and take care of your wounds.”  She voice sent shivers down Marie’s body “They will lower you, anyways you are demoted. A girl named Amanda, a lovely slave, anyways she’s my companion if you please. You will either be a scullery maid, a laundress assistant or my personal favorite, a whipping girl.” Taking a torch, she carefully made her way up to the stairs to the main levels of the house. Lilium realised that she was quite famished, and needed a bath as well.  Tomorrow will be a better day she thought defiantly as Amanda came up to her and bowed, before following her mistress to where ever she was headed.
End Chapter nine

    Mayla and her brother Menus woke up in a green painted room. The each wore their night shirts, but they were not in their room at home.
“Mayla, are you okay?” Menus asked in almost a whisper.
“Yes, are you okay Menus”? She spoke softly.
“I am dear sister, where are we?” He asked and sat up in bed. Two windows were open letting in sunlight, and against the corner was a large wooden wardrobe. There were two doors in the room and a lamp between the two beds. The wall was decorated with two pictures, one of a stern looking woman dressed in the battle gear of the ancients and the second of a man, who seemed to be her equal.  Mayla climbed out of the sleigh bed that she was in, and walked around on the warm wooden floor. The night shirt was long enough to reach her knees, and her hair was a wild tangle mess. Her hair colour was  a bright red,  and as she reached the window, Mayla smiled. The gardens, were beautiful! Several rose bushes were in bloom by the window. She could see magnolia trees in full bloom as well, and apple and pear trees. Who ever these people were they had lovely decorators. Mayla always loved the garden in her house, although her mother considered it a weak stupid idea for someone of their stature to work in a garden like a common peasant. Menus got out of bed as well, but he tried the doors instead. The first door was locked, no matter how many ways he tried to open it, be second door opened up to a full size bathroom. A large white tube was against the wall and a double sink on the opposite.  The mirror took the entire wall, and he left the door open as went back into the bed room. Mayla opened the wardrobe, and found several  out fits, old fashioned yet beautiful outfits. The dresses were beautiful but almost formal, and several suites in the old style were hung up as well.  Mayla picked out an outfit and headed towards the bathroom to get dressed.  Who ever took them, at least was sweet enough to provide for them.

    Isa sat with Anakah in the sitting room on the plush sofa. Isa held her daughter Fury le Snowdrop, and let her play with her long hair.  Fury had small dark brown eyes, that sparked with intelligence, and her small hands gently tugged on Isa’s dress. 
    “How old do you think she is?” Anakah asked in a quiet voice.
    “Looking how little she is, i can guess that she’s under a year old, however...i think that she had a wet nurse, see the way shes trying to attach herself you to”? Anakah pointed out, and Isa nodded as she watched Fury try to push back her dress strap.
“So I need a wet nurse and a nanny as well...?” she asked, and Anakah shook her head.
“The wet nurse is optional, if you are powerful enough, then you can produce the require milk to nurse her yourself, about twenty-four hours after the adoption. I read it in a text book that you had in the library.” Anakah told, stroking the chestnut hair of her new niece. 
“Well I’m an enchantress, the adoption was last night so I can feed her naturally like a true momma yes?”
“Oui!” Anakah nodded. “what are you going to do with the older kids??”
Isa, vanished part of a dress, and watched with amazement as Fury le Snowdrop little mouth attached its self to her nipple. Her little hands curled around a lock of hair, and she shut her eyes.
“its amazing, Ana...you are brilliant” Isa complimented in a voice full of awe. Anakah, to her credit turned bright red.
“Oh the children, I was giving one to you and Morcant the other will be my personal servant” She ended with a smile, which changed as she saw the look on her sister-to-be’s face. “What?”
“Sister, are you going to make one of the children a servant?! why?”  Anakah asked in a higher voice.
“well, a servant of honour, i don’t abuse my servants, and don’t you dare insinuate that I would do such a thing, the Loma family is nothing like the Nexus family” Isabelle hissed and leaned back to close her eyes. She needed to reign in her temper.
“Isa! no I would never assume that you would abusive the child your keeping. Forgive me sister, my mouth has gotten away with me again.”  Anakah did look sorry, and Isa sighed.
“Just, its a very tense thing, between the Families, Ana. The monachy is weak and will fall soon I believe that things are going to back to the old traditional ways. The feudal ways, if that does happen the Nexus family would be in charge of the south, the Loma family is the North, including the northern islands, but you can never be to careful. Do not mention this to my brother, nor sister, I will tell them when the time is proper.” She sighed, with a small smile. 
“When can I meet the children, I want to chose mine before Morcant wakes form his nap.” Anakah changed the subject quickly.
“You tired him out again?” Isa said slyly, squealing with suppressed glee as Anakah shot her a look.  Calming herself, she summoned a waith to bring the two children fully dressed to her and Anakah.  The waith bowed to her mistress before disappearing into the shadows.
    Mayla twiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. The outfit she picked out fit perfectly, as if by magic. The dress as a navy blue, with stars along the skirt, and the underskirt, held the dress out a little bit. She had on a pair of white footless stockings and her hair was brushed back, and she had a white bow.  Spinning around, she watched the dress raise up, showing the white underskirt.  Menus, he grinned as he looked at himself. He looked handsome, he wore a three piece suit, including a ribbon like tie around his neck.   His long hair was pulled back and tied off with a leather thong. The black pants touched the tips of his toes and his shirt was a beautiful ostrich egg colour, and he wore a matching vest. 
“You clean up well Menus” Mayla grinned up at her brother.
“I know, I look like a right strapping lad” He smiled at his reflection.  “You look cute, like a blueberry Mayla”
“Oye! how could you Menus, I do not look like a blueberry!!” She poked him in the chest
“You do too, so live with it!” Menus poked his sister in the side, and started the poking war between the two again.  The giggling and laughing caused the waith to smile as she appeared into the room.
“Children!” the waith spoke in a loud voice.
The two Mayla and Menus jumped as they head the voice. Looking around,  they saw between the bed, a being that looked almost human but not. The waith was tall, and seemed to be made of shadows, the eyes wide and red.  The hair looked like snakes her her fingers were long wavy.
“shh... don’t scream, my mistress wants you both in the drawing room, please come with me”  The waith opened up her arms.
“What are we suppose do” Menus, as the oldest asked.
“Simple, come into my arms, both of you.”
Mayla and Menus looked at each other, it seemed strange, but they are locked in the room. It was a nice room, the lights and everything was really nice, they really wanted to  meet the master of the house.  The touch of the waith was cold, chilly, then dark. They were out of the room, and within seconds, in the drawing room. Mayla and Menus stumbled out of the waith’s grasp and fell on to the floor head over heals.  Anakah and Isa laughed as they watched the two dust themselves off and stand up.  Mayla stood up first, dusting off her dress, followed by Menus, and they looked at Anakah first, before looking at Isa.  Looking at Isa, they instantly took a step back in fear, they remembered last night. The game. There, parents and elder siblings.  Together, they took a step back.
“Children, relax. If you were going to die, you would’ve been killed yesternight” Anakah spoke first before Isa could scare them even moor. Isa on the other hand sighed as she gently paid attention to Fury, her finger aglow with a purple light, as she ran trails down the child’s body.  Healing and relaxing the babe, Isa decided to let Anakah deal with the older ones. Isa was sweet, motherly, and at the same time deadlier than Ashwinder. Anakah, was always sweet, most of the time, and could explain things better.
“Why are we here Miss” Menus asked, tearing his eyes away for Isa.
“Because, my darling sister to be thought that I would want to take one of you under my wing, be mine and my husband’s to be child. Your name  would change, of course, but its better than the alternative.”
“But miss, what about our little brother and sister?” Mayla asked next.
“My elder sister-to-be, she took him under her care, you may see him soon. He’s well taken care of, I can assure you that.”  Anakah gave them a disarming smile, “sit, sit, and we will talk it all out.”

    Vilhelmina, sighed, she just dismissed the fifth nanny that was interviewed, none we even remotely brilliant. They were idiots, the lot of them. For the life of her, she didn’t know why the agency sent only human nanny’s, she her self had a dryaid, one of the best huntresses around, and she turned out perfectly fine. Isabelle has a Valkyrie as a nanny, and now can brew the best of poisons and fight like an machine.  Morcant, had father raise him, as he was going to be heir, and he still turned out fine.
The next applicant came onto the room, Churlus sat on the sofa next to her, his face screwed up.  Looking at this nanny she sighed, this one was male, his hair was long and reached his shoulders. Handing him Churlus, she waited to see if he would stop crying, and by the gods he did.
“You passed the first test, now see if you can feed him, if you can with out him poisoning the kid, then the job is your” Vilhelmina said while going to search for a cuppa coffee. She needed the energy, idiots, all day was more then enough to give her grey hair. The door bell rang a second time and a young man, who looked almost like a boy stood there. His head down, tand hands behind his back.
“Yes?” Vilhelmina asked with a sigh, the day was long, all she wanted to do was sleep for a week or two.
“ Miss, I received a letter from the undergrounds that you meed a manny, I am one myself.”  He spoke, his voice was soft, and Vilhelmina nodded before letting him in.
“Why did they recommend you for this job?”  She began the interview process, as she offered him a seat in the leather chair across the the couch, the coffee table between the two held two more cups of coffee.  She hoped Anakah and Isa had a better day than this.  Hearing the boy cry, she let the one from the underground see whats wrong with him.  Opening up his file she smiled this she could work with.
Name: Longan Wolffe
Age: 27
Species:  Humanoid
Skills: assassin, underground runner
 After that introduction of his file, it went into details of everything she needed to know.   On paper, he seemed perfect to be Churlus’s manny.  Now she had to obsever them in action and narrow it down that way. Getting up off the couch, she gracefully made her way to the kitchen to see what the fuss is all about.

    “Anakah...what did my sister talk you into now” Morcant sighed, as she walked into his sitting room, Anakah, pushed back her red lock out her face and smiled.
“I saved a child from becoming your sister’s servant”  Anakah spoke with a stone face, her hand gripping the hand of Menus. 
Morcant this time, sat up from his position in the couch and looked at his bride.  She held the hand. “A male?” he sighed “what is his name”?
“Menus, and he’s eight”  Anakah spoke with a nod of her head. Morcant smiled softly, “He’s your responsibility Anakah dearest”  He kissed her on the forehead. He gave his approval, although it seemed rather stupid. Yet, he would do anything to keep her happy, he still felt the unbridled fury, rage and fear of her disappearing. Of her leaving, and he wanted her to be safe and happy. Content, to stay guarded, to be happy and safe.  Above all, he wanted to make sure that she would want to stay with him.

    “Mayla, little Mayla...how old are you” Isa asked, swinging her legs back and forth. She finished with Fury le Snowdrop, and the baby happily watched everything that was going on.
“I am nine” Mayla’s voice was soft, and she seemed timid. Her burnt auburn hair, was pulled back into a pony tail, and she her brown eyes looked at Isa’s purple ones.
“Well you are old enough then.” Isa smiled and waved Mayla over to her. Mayla, sat next to Isa, and smoothed out the skirt of the dress. Isa ran her fingers through the girl’s hair, releasing it from the pony tail.
“Old enough for what?” she questioned.
“to be my... assistant. yes, my assistant, you will help me with everyday life and little Fury le Snowdrop.  “thinking about it, I am going to change your name, you will be Mayla la Bellatrix.” Isabelle spoke softly, knowing that if the child accepted the name, she would be pulled into the fold of the family. The assistant was what Isa was to her mother Isabeth, and Isabeth learnt form her mother.
“Will I still go by Mayla?” She asked with her eyes questioning.
“Of course, you will only go by Mayla, unless it’s important and official” Isa told her, pushing back a strand of loose hair.  Most people forgot the fact that names are power, and they give out their names in pure haste. Even vowing to her friend Isabelle, did not use her true name.
“I would like that, I am now Mayla la Bellatrix” she spoke with a smile.  A pink glow of light came from Mayla, and a golden light came from Isa, connecting with the pink light from Mayla. A pink glow surrounded Fury, and connected to Isa and Mayla. Cementing and sealing the familiae bond, making Isabelle their mother.  The bond provided minute adjustments to the children, to be as if they were Isabelle’s blood children. The most drastic change is the change in eye colour of the girls, their brown eyes became like Isa’s a shimmering lavender.  Isabelle, to be honest, looked shocked, she knew, a bond was going to be formed, but the strength of bond, that changed the eye colour.  Mayla, swayed a bit, and passed out, as did Isa and Fury.  And together, the small family, rested peacefully.
End chapter ten 
    The royal family was in turmoil, in the palace, behind large ugly stone grey walls  blood coated the walls in the pristine white throne room. The emperor was hidden away in his study, he knew his death was soon. It was the  fifty seventh year of his reign, and it was going to end today. Summoning the document that was written during the first year of empire, he scribbled his signature along the line, before pushing his magic into the document. Pushing, and making start the affect at that very moment.  Jt was the the breaking down of the goverment, and giving it back to the feudal system. Each old family, they have their own parcel of land in the empire and they rule, their parcels as their own royalty. It was a fail safe plan incase of the death of the family. His breathing was rather labored, but he knew that the change was permeant. He laid his head on the warm wooden desk, the golden crown on his head. He shall die emperor and with dignity. He dressed himself, in the royal robes, and moved to the window overlooking the kingdom.  The deed was done, it wasn’t his kingdom anymore. As the assassins broke into the room, he turned and smiled at them. “The Empire is in good hands gentlemen, although I applaud you for your attempt.”
    As the emperor fell, a lights spread out through the empire to the heads of the families and the heir apparent, giving them a golden circlet on the lords head, and a silver one on the heir apparent’s so that all may know the change in government.
End chapter eleven
Jan 13
    Mayla walked with Isabelle as they left the brown stone manor. Isa’s hair was pulled into her normal style, and the small silver circlet rested on her head, three tear drops hung down gently on her forehead. Mayla, had her hair pulled back into two low pigtails, and like Isa was dressed in the school uniform, the skirt held out by several petticoats, and white knee high silk stockings, held up by a black ribbon. Mayla stood next to Isabelle. As they stood side by side, they were almost the same height, give or take a few centimeters.
“What do I call you?” Mayla asked as they came into view of the large white limestone building.
“What do you want to call me Mayla?” She asked, her hands smoothing over the dark hair.
“May I call you mother” she asked “you see, i never had a mother. my mother made me call her lady, she was quite mean, but its okay, i don’t care if you don’t want me to call you mother” she spoke rather quickly, and Isa nodded.
“You can call me momma or mother, I don’t mind.” Isa said.
Mayla, smiled. a large smile and her teeth were bright.  Isa looked over at the girl and patted her head, and then the smile fell back into a cool mask. 
“good girl” Isa muttered.
Mayla, smiled, and adjusted her bag on her shoulder and mad her way with Isa, her mother. Her face was still, impassive and even with flats she was almost taller than her momma. Momma, that thought caused her to smile, she never had a momma. She only had a Lady Mother. With her quick steps, her hair swung behind her like Isabelle’s, bouncing almost with every step.  
“Isa!” Lilium came up to her friend and gave her a hug.
“Lils” Isa, stood on her toes kissed Lilium on the cheek “how are you”
“I’m doing brilliant dahling” she smiled, before looking over her shoulder “hurry up you lazy swine!” Lilium snapped calling to her favorite cull, the new girl.  Isa looked at the girl and felt a bit of pity. The girl was wearing with Isa could tell were cast offs, a patched brown and gray dress that had a ragged hem fraying around her knees. Her brown hair hung ragged around her face, and bruises along her arms.
“She looks filthy” Isa spoke with disgust laced in her voice.
“I had her scrub up before we came today. But she still looks rather filthy. Oh wells, she’s a good girl” Lilium paused and gave her friend a smile “my favorite pet, I think” She laughed.
“Ah, well, look at the time, we must head to class Lils” Isa said, walking away from her friend. “Come Mayla”
“Yes Mother” Mayla, peeped out, hurrying behind Isa.
Lilium looked at the retreating figures of her friend, and the girl that called her mother. As far as she knew Isabelle Leigh Loma did not have any children, she was younger than Lilium half the time it seemed. It was another thing she must inquire of, with her dearest friend.  Lilium then smiled and shook her head and looked at the Girl.
“Girl, how does my hair look?” She asked, as she fingered, the thin golden circlet that wrapped around her head, holding her hair down.
The girl smiled, “it looks perfect my lady” 
“Good, come along girl, history doesn’t wait for anyone” She smirked, and walked quickly through the crowd of people.
    The girl child sat on the floor beside Lilium’s desk as the teacher droned on and on about the change in the government. The floor was made of tile, and was rather cold, the girl, Amanda,  fidgeted slightly, and tried to keep her eyes open. She was tired, and a bit dirty, it was true, she did scrub up, but she hardly had any time. Lilium herself was rather bored, her mind drifting, and in her hand was a thin rose wood lady’s whip  The wood was polished, and smooth. She smiled and hit Amanda just because of her boredom. She jumped a little, the hit wasn’t hard, more like a sharp slap. It wasn’t vengeful at all. Amanda, took it all in stride, and how could she not? Lilium was in a pleasant mood so far, and when she’s happy she’s nice. It was a simple formula, but Amanda knew that it worked.

    “Mother, who was that girl?” Mayla asked as Isa settled into her chair in the library. The arm chair was soft, almost overstuffed and it was at a worn oak desk made of warm wood.  It was the desk of her ancestors, donated from her great-great-great and so on grandmother. The seat next to her sat Mayla, her bright eyes going over the notes she took.
“which one Mayla” Isa asked, going over a document sent to her from her father. 
“The one followed by that dirty looking girl” Mayla said bluntly which caused Isa to laugh a bit.
“My dear, she is Lilium Nexus, Lady Lilium Nexus, and thats her real name. She in a word, is complicated. You will wish to remain on her good side.” Isa told her honesty, as she sighed., taking out her deep violet quill she added her signature to the bottom of the parchment, signing her full name. She blew the deep purple ink dry, and rolled up  the document, tying it with a purple ribbon. Calling for a waith, she handed the document to the creature, and requested for to be put into the vault. As the waith disappeared, Isabelle signed the second document with her everyday name. Blowing the ink dry, she rolled up the document and tied it with a red ribbon.  Calling for a second waith, she asked for the document to be sent to her father.
“Mother...”
“Yes Mayla?”  Isa, placed her quill in the silver stand, and leaned back against the chair.
‘“Mother, why was that girl...so dirty?” Mayla, closed the tome, and set the pen down, while wrinkling her nose in the memory.
“Lils, she keeps, her culls busy, normally they are quite clean, although a bit brusied, but keep your opinions to your self. Lils is a full lady, not an heiress like I am.”
“A lovely lady then” Mayla scoffed, causing Isa to giggle slightly.
Glancing at the clock, Isa started gathering up her books and parchment, “come, pack up, we have class to get to”

    He laid on the bed still as death. His eyes glanced over the the ceiling, his eyes moved ever so slightly, as he slowed his breath. Getting the parchment from his daughter, he smiled.  Knowing her, she had the original put into the vault.  A harsh cough rattled his chest, pushing himself up off the bed he walked to his balcony.   His skin was smooth as the day he was born, and his skin, a copper colour like his daughters and sons. His was darker and marred with scars from battles he fought.  He had, the wedding ring from his now deceased wife on his finger, the emeralds sparkling in the sunlight.  His hands gripped the balcony railing, his eyes watched his land. The animals roaming the western forest desert. In his manor, the former Lord Loma, a warrior prince, died not in battle, but happy. In the Loma manor, watching over his lands.  As he died...the animals on the estate, laid down, in honour, and his body faded away into nothing, moving to join his wife.

Screams came form the large  cafe as the silver circlet moved from Isa’s head to Mayla’s, adjusting it’s self to the shape of her head. A golden on appeared on Isabelle’s head, the ivory like tendrils wrapped around her head. Roses, black as midnight, were weaved between  the tendrils.  Four tear drop onyx and amethyst jewels rested against her forehead, and in the back, trails of onyx and amethyst rested back against against her head, brushing against her neck lightly.  Isabelle’s eyes widened as she saw the circlet that she wore appear on Mayla’s head, and her mask was back into place as she felt the added weight to her own head, the signet ring appeared on her index finger. The ring was made of pure fire tried white gold.  Isabelle stood up, silence echoed through the cafe. Not a single sound could be heard, through out the room
“Witchling” A voice spat out, and everybody turned.
“Die” she hissed, her eyes darkened as she turned and walked away, Mayla following. She turned around and saw the bulky male, holding his neck, his face changing from red to purple.
“Mayla, are you coming?” She snapped.
    Isabelle, glided across the floor, hurrying to the library, to her desk. She had to tell them, she had to tell her family. Father was dead. She closed her eyes, and a tear slipped out of her left eye, a single tear. She sighed, as she used her quill and quickly jotted a note down to both her siblings. Her eyes, watery, but she did not cry. She felt a small squeeze around her arm, looking down, she saw the golden snake, holding her, comforting her. She smiled, and stroked the golden bracelet.  The bracelet was normally, still, but she never moved it from her arm, it was a charmed gift, that much she knew.  
Closing the door to the small office, Mayla sat in the chair, next to the still erect body of Isabelle.  The air shifted, in slowly grew thicker, making it hard to breathe.  A dark smile crossed Isabelle’s face, and the windows begun to fog up. A slight heavy wind blew past her, lifting up her hair blowing her hair, ever so lightly.  Glancing out the window, Mayla spied the sky darkening, and looking down people were beginning to panic.
“Mother!” she paused silently  as Isabelle looked at Mayla and the younger gasped, Isabelle’s eyes were swirling, and gradually getting darker
“Momma” she called out again., before falling silent.   She could breathe slightly easier and Mayla relaxed a bit. The air around them was still going strong. But it wasn’t full of hate and anger. But a slight sadness.  Isabelle, removed the crown from her head and placed it on the table in front of her. Untying the pigtails, Isabelle’s heavy hair, fell down in a rush. The white streak in her hair, faded away, and the colour changed from a dark brown, to a beyond midnight black.  A single tear formed in her eyes, and trailed down her cheek. A single tear, one that contained all her emotions. Sadness, and Pain, filled that single tear, and as it left she felt nothing.
    Silence fell through the hallways, Isabelle walked silently, and walked through the hallway heading towards the next class. People, students, seperated down the middle in utter fear. Fear and shock, nothing....it was completely silent. Their eyes watched over the Isabelle, her normally happy girl seemed to be like death passed over. Her hair hardly moved as she walked.  Mayla’s foot steps were the only ones heard as she walked behind  her mother. Turning Isabelle, looked at the crowd of student, knowing that gossip will travel faster than a messenger.
    “I want the one that called me witchling. I believe that he doesn’t know who he insulted and  I, Isabelle Leigh Loma, head and lady of the house of Loma, declare a blood feud with his family. Alert him” She spoke, in a soft voice, just barely above a whisper. As she entered the class room, furious whispers broke out spreading the message. Isabelle, walked tall sitting at the head of the class, and removing the instructor's leather chair for her use.  Sitting primly down behind her desk, Isabelle adjusted her circlet and smiled as she took out paper work and her quill stand from her desk. Mayla was instructed to take notes for her, as she finished with the family documents, and family businesses. Unlike Lilium, she knows how to run the family. she was trained for it from birth, and she didn’t waste the family income on abusing and buying new culls. She sighed, and put in ear plugs, and focused on her the documents the appeared in her bag.
End Chapter twelve
     Several days  passed. each in monotone. Lilium tried her best to try and contact her dearest friend, her only friend, yet everytime which was met by a girl surrounded by piles of parchment, and the frantic moving of the purple quill. She even stopped going into classes, having her assistant go and take notes for her as she locked herself in a library. 
    “Miss Lilium Nexus?” A voice peeped up behind her. She turned from the window and lookeed down, the girl who spoke to her was clean and seemed to be the little assistant, although she had a silver circlet around her head.
“That is me, what do you want child?” She tried to make her voice sweet. Amanda, cringed, hearing that voice.
“Lady Isabelle Loma asked me to give you this note” with that, she handed over a envelope sealed with silver hardened wax, and the coat of arms of the Loma family.
“Lady Loma is it?” she  questioned, rolling her eyes. “Thank you child, now shool don’t you have a class to get to?”
“Actually Miss Nexus, Lady Isabelle, told me to wait for a reply.” Mayla had to hid the urge to let out the large grin threating to bubble up.
“of course...please take a seat.” Lilium offered. Mayla nodded and sat down on the leather winged back chair, and pulled out a leather bound book and started reading.
“Girl, go fetch out guess a drink and snack” Lilium barked. The girl bowed quickly, and scurried out the room. Lilium sat at her desk and settled back reading the massive, her face slightly started to change colours. From a pink, to red, to a deep purple. And in a fit she tried to tear the paper in half. Mayla, peered over her book and smiled, after begging mother to let her meet the lady nexus, this was even better than the stories.
“Pardon me miss, what do you wish to snack on?” Amanda spoke is a quiet mouse like voice.
Mayla looked over the girl carrying the tray. she was barefoot and her hair was pulled back into a single pony. Her eyes were rather dull, and her skin seemed dirty. She had several marks across on her face.  The tray she had in her hands was ladened with fruit, and water.
“Excues me, Miss Nexus?” she asked.
“yes assistant of the house of loma?” Lilium spoke without looking up, she was going through the binders on her desk.
“Do you have and strawberries and blueberries. your girl only brought grapes, apples, pears and oranges.”
“Of course little assistant. Girl get the little miss what she desires”
Amanda bobbed a quick curtsy, and hurried out the room. Mayla went back to her book, as Lilium went back to searching.

    Isabelle Loma, feel asleep on her desk, the dark purple ink stained her fingers. Her circlet was placed on a pillow far across the room. Her hair hung limply across her back, and slightly across her face. She slightly snored, her quill still poised to write. Her body was tired, and her mind finally stopped running. Peeking into the office, Morcant smiled as he saw his sister finally resting. Finally, he watched her for days locked up in the offices and library log ins that she threw her self into the work. Anakah peeped in behind her betrothed, “the eight day ceremony ends tomorrow, shall we let her sleep?” she whispered
“yes, come along love...its the first time she slept all day...all week really”

    It was dark when Lilium handed Mayla the sealed envelope with a the coat of arm imbedded in gold wax. She gave a dark look to the messenger and had the girl lead her out. Mayla let out a laugh as she settled into the seat in the white carriage. settling down, back against the dark soft seat she covered her mouth. Laughter peeped out of her lips, it was a joyful sound.

    Lilium stood by the fireplace, the letter, slowly begun to burn, the parchment curled into pieces until there was nothing left.  Her face was a mask of coolness but inside she felt pure rage.   Picking up a crystal goblet, she threw it against the wall watching it shatter into pieces. Taking a deep breath, she stormed out her office, slamming the double doors behind her. The windows shook, and the letter she burned pieced its self back together, and floated on her desk.

                    End book 1