Mages of Shadows

Shadows and Cowls

I threw myself on the bed.

I groaned underneath the covers, tugging at my dress. The fabric was sticking to my skin and it felt itchy and rough.

I slipped on my nightgown, the plushy fabric soothed my irritated skin. I sighed, throwing myself on the bed again.

Stupid council meeting.

I had the most wonderful time with Alex, after our intimate conversation at the balcony, I had high hopes that my day would end up great.

Wrong.

My parents had other plans, as soon as I returned to the dining room they notified me of a council meeting, which I had to attend to.

That day went worse.

The meeting went on for hours, shouting and murmured whispers were all I could hear. I stayed in my chair whenever I had nothing to do. While Alex kept on glancing at me and asking if I was okay.

Of course I was, it was just really exhausting and plain politicals today.

I pulled the covers to me, curling below the soft blanket. I tried to get some sleep, but the conversation back at the meeting made me frightened.

They were arguing, telling my parents that a group of rebels had started attacking the west wing. My parents told the official that it was just a small accident. As soon as those words left my father's mouth, more ear-splitting debates started.

The attack happened while I was in the balcony with Alex. My parents were really angry at me for leaving without any reasonable excuse, glaring at me as soon as I returned.

I sat up, rubbing my temples in agony. If I wasn't going to have any sleep tonight, the library was what I needed right now.

I pushed the door open, careful not to emit such loud sounds as I closed it behind me. I turned off the cameras at the top with the flick of my hand, letting the electric wave die down as I passed.

I had done this plenty of times, pretty sure I knew what I was doing. I peaked at the dark hallways, making a left as I remembered the path from before.

The guards were nowhere to be found, probably guarding the front door. That's the only way you can get to the royal family's rooms.

I grinned when I saw the familiar wood oak door, the blue paint still perfect as I once visited. I slipped inside, careful not to prolong the creaking noise of the door.

I shivered, I should have brought a scarf or something. Taking a book from the shelf, I sat down on the chair and read the title of my choosing.

History of the Royal Family

I flipped the book open, feeling the crumbly pages on my fingers. This book felt like it's been very old, especially seeing photos of my great grandparents.

I came here for one reason, and it's to find out people who seemed to be part of the rebellion.

As I scanned the pages, I stopped. Turning back to the page that seemed intriguing.

It was the time where my grandfather was in rule, seeing his picture on the very top. I squinted my eyes at the header, the dim light in the library wasn't really helping me right now.

Traitor Carlon Halton caught leading the rising rebellion against King Gary Bernard. Sentenced to death by slaughtery in front of the Kingdom. Although the rest of the rebels were not caught, they were certainly afraid of the gruesome death their leader had been sentenced to and appeared to have left their revolution deserted.

I drew my brows together, who would possibly rebel against my grandfather? And why would they return in my father's time of ruling?

I closed the book shut, rubbing my temples and trying to relieve myself from the theories my head was drowned in. Why am I the only one who found out about this?

The shadows moved.

I froze, eyes narrowed at my surroundings. I gripped the book underneath me, tucking it inside my nightgown.

I couldn't just fire my lightning at something I wasn't sure of, I was torn between telling if it was only my paranoia or if it was an intruder stalking me.

An associate of the revolt.

I pulled back the scream that wanted to be released, pushing it down to my throat. I didn't want to catch attention, and even if they found me, I would probably be seen dead inside the library.

The shadows moved, and I caught glimpse of a hooded figure. My stomach fluttered in fear, feeling nauseous as sweat dripped from the side of my face.

I heard my sister's voice.

Amber?

My head pounded, seeing the figure move and hearing my sister's voice inside my mind.

Gina, help me. I'm in the library, someone's here but I don't know who they are. Please, come over now.

I yelped when the figure stepped out of the dark, the face hidden inside the hood. My breathing came in short patterns as I glared at the intruder in front of me.

"I'm not here for trouble"

A man.

I stood up quickly, the legs of my chair scraped loudly against the floor. I held my chin up, holding a façade to keep the fear from showing on my face.

I'm almost there Amber.

I tried to keep my voice straight. "Then what are you here for?"

The man chuckled, the air around us growing cold as his voice lingered. He took a step forward, his presence near me was enough for my sparks to resurface on my skin.

He jerked when he caught sight of it, probably afraid of my currents. He stepped back and pointed at the book I was holding.

"I need that book"

I looked down on my hands, seeing that I took out the book from my nightgown. I bit my lip and remained silent.

Gina hurry up, please.

I backed up, noticing the knife he was holding in his hand. I looked into the shadowed depth of his hood, trying to find the eyes that wanted me dead.

"Let's not make this hard, Amber."

He knows my name.

I glared at his direction, tucking the book inside my nightgown. I hesitated to look back at him, but eventually I caught sight of dark eyes that were filled with dread.

"Then leave, you won't be getting this book anytime soon"

I heard him growl, seeing his clenched teeth underneath the hood. He flipped the knife in his hand, clutching it tightly as if preparing for a fight.

I remembered my training, trying to recall the lessons I've learned. I cursed silently in my head for not paying attention to the lessons they taught me. I had no idea how I was going to defend myself right now, but I do know one thing, and that was to keep myself from getting killed.

He charged and swung the knife in my direction.

I stepped sideways, my hair slapping on my face. My heart was pounding in my chest, fear and adrenaline bubbling inside my stomach as the knife dug to the bookshelf.

He turned to my direction, pulling the knife out and running to me. I quickly dodged the knife, holding his neck and pinning him face down to the ground. Lighting flew from my fingertips and scorched his skin. His limbs were flailing underneath me, his hand found my arm and held it tightly.

Ice seeped out from his fingertips.

I felt his cold hand on my arm, feeling the sharp ice numbing my skin. I clenched my teeth and my lightning grew stronger, trying to burn him to death.

He flipped his body and I tumbled to the side, my body rolling to the floor. I clutched to my arm, the numb skin and hard flesh was heavy and painful.

He found me on the ground, looking down at me as his eyes lit up with hatred and vengeance.

I'm here.

My sister's voice filled my head, hushed whispers and lulling voices blacked out my vision for a moment.

Suddenly, the man had his hood down, his eyes shut as his hands blocked his ears from something.

I turned to the door and saw Gina, her icy blues focused on the man who was wailing in agony. He started screaming like a lunatic once his arm raised, the knife in his hand as he stabbed himself in the neck.

I flinched once I saw him fall, his neck oozing with blood from the knife he had stabbed himself with. Gina scurried to me, her eyes wild as her voice buzzed in my head.

My god, Amber are you okay?

Her cold fingertips rubbed my arm, I looked down at her hands to see that she was touching a bloody wound that I haven't noticed.

"Why are you even here anyway?" She asked, her voice sounding annoyed and slightly reliefed to see me.

I shrugged and sat up, her hand guiding my back. "I couldn't sleep so I thought of going here"

"In the middle of the night?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Yes, and I wasn't really aware that rebels would want to read with me"

She chuckled, amused from my snarky reply. Her eyes darkened as she glanced over her shoulders before turning to me.

"Mom and Dad are coming"

Great, just when this day went wrong, it was about to get even more annoying.

I heard my mom's annoying shriek, followed by dad's swearing. I turned my head to see my parents by the door with guards pouring into the room.

Maids came rushing to my side, helping me up. I groaned when pain shot up from my ankle, looks like my landing didn't go well.

My sister glanced to me, hearing my parents calling her name. I rolled my eyes and ushered for her to go. She nodded and walked to my parents, keeping her pace slow before she stood infront of them.

My father's voice bellowed the room, his voice silencing our noises. "How did a rebel make it's way inside here?"

The guards sheepishly looked down, avoiding their king's stare. My mother whispered something to him, his eyes lingered to mine before nodding in response. "Jase, meet me outside. The other's clean this up and dispose of the body"

The guards quickly worked, shuffling and cleaning the bloody scene. A man took off with my parents, leaving the room to talk to them.

The maids walked me to my room, trying to keep me standing with my broken ankle. I sighed in relief once I sat down on the foot of my bed, giving my ankle a rest.

"My lady, do you wish for me to call the healer?"

Three of the maids were staring at me, their eyes focused on my wounds. I nodded my head, eager for the pain to subside.

"Yes, please"

One maid hurried for the door, leaving to get the healer. The other walked to my closet to get me fresh new clothes to wear, while the last one got me a glass of water.

Once I changed into clean clothes, the maid came back with a woman, her eyes instantly noticing the cuts and wounds on my body. She sat down beside me, her fingers trailing my skin, stopping above the huge wound near my elbow.

Her fingers brushed on top of it, the wound closing as her fingers glided across it. I cringed as I felt my skin close up naturally to her response. I wasn't really fond of healers, their power wasn't really that tender to the skin, they just close up the wound and leave the skin unharmed.

She had finished my wounds and proceeded to my ankle, taking it in her arms gently. Her small hands tickled my skin, her touch felt so cold yet soothing at the same time. I tried not to bite my lip as her fingers came close to my broken ankle.

Her fingers brushed the swollen part, and instantly I felt the bones of my ankle joining back together. I clenched my teeth in agony, yet I felt better as the injury soon faded. I tried not to cringe, feeling the crushed bones forming solid.

I sighed in relief once she was finished. She stood up and lowered her head, nodding as a farewell before leaving the room.

The maids followed after her, leaving me alone in my room. I laid back down on the bed, raising my once broken ankle and observed it. She really did fix it, but it was one awkward process I had to bare.

A knock came from my door, I sat up and along came the guard my parents talked with. I tilted my head to the side, seeing him close the door behind him.

He nodded, greeting me before speaking. "Your highness, the king has instructed me to be your personal guard. I will be accompanying you for security reasons and for protection"

I opened my mouth to speak, but he spoke before me. "It's...the king's order"

I smiled, waving my hand at him. "I was going to ask for your name"

His gaze fell to the ground, his cheeks a flaming red. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I'm Jase Calburn"

I nodded, a smile on my face. "It's nice to meet you. I'm-"

"Lady Amber Chrisley, I know" He flicked his eyes to mine, emerald green staring at me.

I laughed, seeing the look on his face. He averted his eyes to the ground, ashamed by his actions.

My laughter died down, a knock interrupting us both. Jase excused himself and walked out. I stared at the door, waiting for him to return.

He came back, his head peeking through the door before he entered. " Alexander Winston has asked to see you, do you give permission?"

"Yes, let him in please"

He nodded, leaving the room and calling for Alex.

He came in, his eyes wild and unfocused. His hair was a mess and he was wearing a crumpled button up shirt. He probably heard the news and came to check on me.

He ran a hand to his hair, frustration clear on his face.

I drew my brows together, staring at him in confusion.

"Is there something wrong Alex?"

He looked at me, his hazel eyes turned dark as he stared.

"There's something I have to tell you Amber"