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Chapter 3: Murder

I look behind me and see the black carriage once again. It has now followed me from the library to Mr. Brute's and now to Mrs. Ham's house. He told me his name was Adbay, and he called me princess. Well, I hate to be a citizen of a kingdom where I was the ruler. I can't even keep my head straight; how can I run a whole kingdom. "You are not alone." A voice says in the back of my mind. That seems to be happening lately ever since I feel down that ditch. I can hear a voice not of my own in my head contradicting everything I say and feel about myself. 

I am not sure how to handle it, but it is exhausting. I use the steps to Mrs. Ham's walkway to knock on her door. She is a recluse of women, so I do not expect her to answer. I take the books out of the pack and place them on her doorstep and walk back down. As I reach the last step, I hear her door open and tiny feet shuffle as she maneuvers the books inside.

When I look back up, the carriage is nowhere I can see, and I feel I can safely make my way back home. The sun is setting, and it's getting colder, so I ride faster with the wind whipping my hair. I reach home just as the sun has gone down, and my bones start to shake from overuse on the ride here. I walk up to our steps and through the front door and yell for my parents but get no response. I move throughout the house, hearing and seeing nothing until I finally make it to the farm at the back of the house. 

I yell for my parents again, and yet again, no response. I walk back into the house and turn for my parent's room. The door is half-open, and blood is on the handle. I lift my hand to my mouth and stop walking and close my eyes. What has happened here?

I remove my hand from my mouth and take a tiny step forward, then another and another until I have reached my parent's bedroom door. I push it open and look inside. I see my parent lying dead on the ground with blood coming out of every office of their bodies. As if they exploded from the inside out. I let a huge scream, and the front door bust open, and the man from the black carriage comes rushing toward me. I back peddle and end up tripping over my father, which makes me gag. I look to the man that has just entered my home, and I am completely lost as to what is going on. My head starts to spin, and strong arms wrap around me. 

"Shhhh princess everything will be alright but I need you to come with me. I did not do this to your parents but I have a feeling I know who did. Please princess I need you to trust me. Come with me." He says, and by the Great Mother, I follow him.

I say nothing as I allow him to lead me to the black carriage that has been following me all these weeks. I say nothing when the carriage pulls away from my home and my now-dead parents. I say nothing when we pull up to a modest house that I have never been to before in life, and I remain silent as he leads me out of the carriage and into his home. I walk inside and notice the heat immediately and try to cling to it. All I feel is cold now, and the warmth, I'm sure, will do me some good. 

"I know….I mean I had hope to do this at a better time. But it seems I have waited too long past your 24th birthday. A lot of things don't make sense to you right now but that is why I am here. To guide you." He begins as he walks in behind me. His voice sends shivers over my body, and its the first sensation I have felt other than cold since 

I turn so that I am facing him; I know I cannot drown out whatever nonsense he is about to spew at me. At this point, I welcome the distraction he offers and prefers it to my current reality. 

"Have a seat Amita and I will start from the beginning," he says, and I take a seat in the chair closest to me. He hands me a mug of warm tea and a blanket and grabs some for himself, then sits directly across from me, holding my gaze as if not to scare me. I stare right back at him to let him know I am ready for whatever needs to be said. 

"I know you grew up here in the Anahata city-state with the Agarwal's but that is only a very small part of your life. You see you were born 24 years ago to our late queen Kali in the Sahasara city-state. On the day of your birth the city-state was seize by Vipin and my parents took you so that you would be safe and would be able to free our people when you come of age, which you have now. I am here to guide you and teach you how to unlock your chakras to get your magic."

I'm silent for the first few seconds trying to digest what he just said.

I look at him and say nothing, just watching him as I stare. He holds my gaze unyielding, which forces me to retake notice of how handsome he is. My body starts to heat up from my core and spread outward. I clear my throat and nod my head for him to continue.

"I know you must be scared maybe confused. You have no idea who I am and your parents were just killed. I promise you I mean you no ill will. How about we make a deal. I can start to explain a little about whats happening to you and at the end if you want to leave you can just leave but I have a feeling you will be back." He says in a factual tone.

This man sends shivers down my spine, and I have no idea why. I feel as if I know him, but I am sure I do not. 

"I agree to your terms," I hear myself say.

"Thirty years ago this kingdom was at war and by the time the queen realized who we were at war with it was too late. Vipin was the queen's closest adviser they were always together found with their heads together talking. She trusted him completely. For her, their time together was that of a beautiful and wonderful friendship but for Vipin the queen was always more." 

He stops talking when I start shaking my head.

"How do you know all of this?" I ask him

He stands up and walks over to the closet in the corner, and pulls out a pack.

"My father left this for me, in this bag are letters and ancient scrolls and texts that you need to awaken your kundalini. For years I have been studying so that I can help you transitions from the being you are now to our future queen." 

Once again, my head started to spin, and I had to force myself to focus on my breathing.

"Your father? Who is your father? Where is he now and why are you telling me this now? Who killed my parents. What exactly is going on Adbay?"

"My father was a palace guard and my mother was a lady in waiting. Vipin was your mother's closest adviser until he fell in love with her. He banished himself from the kingdom when the queen would not take him as a chakra mate. She could not she had her seven."

His words are coming out faster than I can comprehend them, so I raise my hand for him to stop talking. I take a few deep breathes and stand up and start pacing—movement that's what I need, movement, and think.

"Sooo who exactly are you to me then? My mentor? My guru?"

"In a way yes, I have studied the ancient texts and scrolls and I am confidant I can guide you through your awakening to get your powers and to locate your mates so that you can take back the kingdom."

I look up at his handsome face and see nothing but the truth, which is scary and exciting. Am I a queen? How can I be a queen? I have done nothing with my life; no one will look to me to rule a whole kingdom. I have no idea how to lead a domain; this just cannot be happening. 

"I can't be queen." That is all I can get out before I am running out the door and back to my home where my dead parents still lay on the ground.