Determined to take control of their fates, Arjen and Arien escape Derolina Castle at the age of sixteen after their cruel mother dies. They adopt new names and find a home in the city of Aramore, while the Emperor of Yuriana searches for his missing...
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Arien couldn't sleep. She watched as the candle by her bedside burned lower each hour. Arjen stayed quiet for the most part. Sometimes he tossed and turn and mumbled in his sleep, and she would catch a few words here and there. She was certain he had nightmares about Derolina Castle. He hissed Rurahel's name and cried out for Arien, his whimpers tearing her heart to pieces. She would reach out for him, give him a reassuring touch, and whisper that he was safe. Then he would settle and return to deep sleep.
She was wide awake now. She got up, took the candle in its holder, and went to the living room. Books lay scattered on the floor in front of the bookcase. She hadn't bothered to clean them up after she returned Alec his book earlier that day. She set the candle on the table and moved the bookshelf back into place against the wall. She picked up the books and replaced them on the shelves. Then she went to the window to close the curtains, as she had forgotten to that evening. As she did so, she saw movement on the street in front of the shop. A figure in black. Was it the demon? The magical protective shield looked like a thin white veil in the night, and the figure stood outside of it.
No, there were two dark figures. Arien put a hand over her mouth. She wanted to run to Alec's room at the inn, but to do so, she had to go outside to the stairs. Alec had assured her that the shield would hold against a demon. Maybe she should just run back to her bed and hide under the covers?
Arien shut the curtains and paused. She didn't feel sick. The demon usually made her feel sick. So, why...?
Against her better judgment, she pulled on her shoes and went downstairs to the shop. She crept up to the front window and looked out, keeping her head low behind the books on display. The two people stood together in conversation. Then, one of them vanished in a haze of light. Could they be the people who had kidnapped her and Arjen? Are they back?
Alec's magic was the strongest magic in the city. His shield would be better than anyone's. Knowing this, Arien found the courage to open the front door and step out. She faced the intruder, her feet spread and fists at her sides.
"So, you're back, huh?" she said. "You're asking for a beating." Her red mana radiated around her.
The person pulled down the hood they wore. The glow from one of the street lamps showed his black hair. His lips parted in surprise, his dark eyes flickering with emotion. "You're...?"
"If you're here with the same old bag of tricks—"
"Arien?"
Her tongue froze and her courage evaporated. How did he know her name? "Who are you? Tell me!"
