Whisper in the Dark

Chapter 19

Adult Content 18+

She moved a little before realizing she is in a different place, bolting of the bed and frantically looking around her to her strange and unfamiliar environment. She still feels woozy after her screaming incident. It left her completely exhausted. Her head is pounding. She quickly scans her environment again in the darkness. There are no windows, only a door and the walls look like the inside of a cave but neatly carved. There are candles to give light all around the walls. She gets up and feels her body feels weak. She needs to get out of here and find her sister. What if she was caught by the very same people they were running from.

She makes her way to the door and opens it. In the corridor there is no one and she slips out quietly before tiptoeing down the corridor to look for the nearest exit. Screams echo through the corridor and Alexa picks up speed to get away as soon as possible. Before she knows it she is in a large room where women are busy sparring. They all stop and look at her in confusion, before bowing their heads.

Alexa stands frozen to her spot, not sure what is happening. Arabel moves through the women to Alexa and places her hand on her shoulder.

“It is okay dear. None of us mean you any harm, we are here to serve you, but first you need to get your temper under control and listen.” Her eyes narrow at Alexa. Alexa bows her head in shame.

“Let’s get you something proper to eat.” Arabel motions for Alexa to follow her. The women clear a path for them. A young girl with fiery red hair smiles brightly at Alexa. Alexa gives and unsure smile back.

They walk into a large common area with tables and sofas. They take a seat at one of the tables and Arabel makes a motion with her hand before a Wendy’s meal appears in front of Alexa.

“Oh, my word! I have been craving something good to eat!” She doesn’t waste time and immediately devours the hamburger.

“I thought you might find it difficult to adjust to the food here. Unfortunately, in the region we are in good food is scares and the tribes are very primitive. It is safer here because of the lack of technology.” Alexa does not look up once but stuffs her face before she takes big gulps of the cooldrink.

“Calm down! I make you more if you want more. You will get a stomachache if you eat like that.” Alexa finally looks up before slowing her eating.

“I am going to explain where you are and what has been happening. Hold your questions to the end.” Alexa nods with a mouth full of food.

“I am Arabel, I am head sorcerer at this coven. I am the old lady that approached you.” Alexa’s eyes widen. “Before you ask how, I can morph into different species, I am a shapeshifter. I was tasked by your father to find you when you have become of age and start training you. The idea was to get you and your sister together, but our plans were foiled when you slept with that tribal.” Alexa turns crimson at her words.

“Unfortunately for you your life is not very private as a lot of people have been watching you. We were waiting to see how long we have before the queen, your mother, will send someone to kill you. A royal that has lost her virginity is no longer pure for marriage form for alliance. You are now as good as dead to her. She might want to tap onto the power still in you but you can no longer be an asset to grow her kingdom.”

“I . . . I.” Alexa is utterly startled at her words. She raises her hand to stop her from talking.

“Like I said, all questions for after I finish my story. Where were I? Oh yes. You are very powerful and as I imagine on Earth your guardians told you to not use your powers at all. They had to, to protect you. Using your powers makes you a tracking beam.” Alexa’s eyes start to tear up. She blamed Soraya for their earthly parents’ death, meantime it was her fault. She could not control her powers and burned their house down. She led them to them. She caused all this misery. Not Soraya. She covers her face with her hands and start to sob.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Alexa looks up at her confused. “Yes, my dear, I can read minds as well. It wasn’t your fault and neither your sister’s. You could not control your powers or keep it in check, does not matter how much you would have tried. You are much stronger than we anticipated, therefore, so much more a target. Your sister may be naïve in your eyes, but he would have found you regardless. One thing about Ritro is he never gives up and he is the best tracker there is.”

“Ritro?” Alexa asks confused.

“The man who killed your family.” A mixture of anger, despair, hatred and sadness washes over Alexa, causing her heartrate and breathing to increase. A whirlwind starts to form around her.

“STOP IT!” The wind immediately ceases, and she looks shocked at Arabel.

“You need to control your emotions, otherwise you will kill us all. Like I said, you are very powerful, but your lack of training makes you dangerous. Get yourself composed and remember you are the future queen. If you cannot lead another will. You need to respected but not feared. Control your emotions before it controls you and you kill everyone who helps you.” Arabel’s words cut deep into Alexa, and she just looks down at her hands in her lap.

“Finish up eating so that we can start on your training. I would like to introduce you to the rest of the women in this coven, they are to be your army against your mother.”

~~

“I am so glad you finally feel fit to join me for breakfast,” Vaneska says to Soraya.

“I am feeling much better and the servants have been helpful.” Soraya still feels unsure about everything. She is worried about Alexa and constantly drifts off into her own thoughts.

She has been assigned two women, she is not sure the terms they use here, but they are her ladies in waiting. Since last night she has been able to take a much-needed bath and have clean clothes to put on. She feels immensely better, and a physician has been to see her about the bump on her head. She sustained no serious injuries. Her mother even went as far as stationing a guard outside of her door. She feels it is a bit much but understands the concern. Alexa and she have been through a lot and some extra security would not hurt anyone.

“What would you like to do today my child?”

“I would like to see a little but more of the castle.”

“Of course!” Vaneska jumps up from her chair. “I will have the cook prepare us some lunch in the garden to have after our tour.

Her mother’s excitement is infectious, and she giggles at her.

~~

Vaneska and Soraya has been through most of the castle, and it is now about lunch time. The two walks through the courtyard to the table that has been prepared for them. A variety of treats have been placed on an adjacent table, they are served as they sit down. Soraya still finds all the attention and luxury a bit off putting.

“Soraya,” she looks up at her mother, “would you like me to call you Soraya or Velvette? It is completely up to you. I do not mind at all what you prefer to be called.”

Soraya ponders for a moment before answering. “I prefer Velvette, it is a beautiful name. I will just have to get used to it.”

“That is wonderful my child. Then you shall be called Velvette from now on.”

“Have you had any news of my sister?” She asks her mother with pleading eyes.

“No, we haven’t. When we found you, they searched for her and there was no sign of her. We suspect they might have taken her through a portal to somewhere. Don’t worry my child, I will not rest until we found her. We will search endlessly for her until we can all be reunited.” She stretches over the table and places her hand on top of Velvette’s and gives her a reassuring smile.

“What happened to my father?”

Vaneska pulls her hand back and looks a bit taken aback by the question. “Your father . . . your father was killed at your birth.”

Velvette’s looks at her horrified. “By who?”

“By those traitors that called themselves your guardians.” She spits the words out with disgust. “I wish you had a chance to meet him, you would have loved him so much. He was such a wonderful man. He was looking so forward to your birth. It was all he could talk about.” She says with sadness but joy in her eyes.

“He sounds like a wonderful man.” Both sit in an awkward silence for a moment before Vaneska speaks up first.

“Well, my child, you have a lot of catching up to do. We need to start you on training. You must learn how to harness your powers and how a lady should act when a royal. I know it is a lot to take in now, but I will be there every step of the way.” Velvette just nods her head in agreement with a small smile.

“You must be exhausted after everything. Would you like to be taken back to your room?”

“I would like that very much. My head is still a bit sore after the knock it took.” Velvette gets up from her chair.

“Guard please take Velvette to her room. I am sure she is not yet familiar with the castle.” Velvette smiles in acknowledgement to her mother before turning to follow the guard.

After they have walked out of earshot he introduces himself to her.

“Good day ma’am, I am Morlé. I am your personal guard.” She smiles at him and continues to walk besides him in silence.

She is not in the mood to speak to anyone. All of this has been so overwhelming. She places her hand on her stomach and remembers about her baby. Should she tell her mother? She does not trust anyone yet. Maybe all of this has given her trust issues, but she is safer keeping to herself. She still does not know what she is going to do about this baby. Does she even want the offspring of a r****t? Can she raise this child in love? She is not sure at all. She knows that morally she cannot go through an abortion. It is against everything she believes in. How she is going to keep this a secret she does not know.

He says her submersed into deep thought. He is not sure if he should speak to her or let her be for now.

“Is there anything I can do for you ma’am?” She just shakes her head before opening the door and heading into her room. He runs his hand through his hair before sighing and standing back into position. Getting her to trust him is going to proof much more difficult than what he thought if she doesn't even speak to him.