Waldemar glared at Ariana but she refused to open her mouth. The tension in the room was raising and the air was starting to get stale. "Now, now Waldemar. Regardless of what we feel and believe the truth of the matter is, Miss Drake is legally Lidia's granddaughter. We can not allow the Grand Council to imprison her because of some misunderstandings." The Headmaster said as her placed a firm hand on Mr. Waldemar's shoulder.
"So what do you propose we do?" Ms. Hadley asked as she looked over Ariana.
The Headmaster brought up his other hand and started to stroke his chin. "Bodyguard. We send the young Miss with one of our own when she goes to the meeting then again when it's time to come to the Academy." Mr. Dabney said nonchalantly.
"Good on you Dabney! That's perfect! Nothing says back off other then one of our own showing up as a representative!" The Headmaster said cheerfully as he met Waldemar's gaze. "Correct as always sir." He answered in a dreary tone. The Headmaster delighted that everyone was on the same page turned to Ms. Hadley. "Sir if I may... I would like to... to escort the young Miss."
The Headmaster raised his eyebrows as he turned his head towards Mr. Yakov. "Rain?! You are volunteering?!" He cried as Mr. Yakov swallowed back his saliva before vigorously nodding his head.
"You do realize that means public speaking, you need to have clear conviction and determination when facing the Grand Council. We can not loose this gem, so this mission is critical." The Headmaster said as half his face turned black. Mr. Yakov hesitated for a bit, he gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. "I can do it sir!" He shouted.
The Headmaster clapped his hands together, face beaming with delight as he approached Mr. Yakov to shake his hand. "Good, this is good!" He said as he shook Mr. Yakov's hand enthusiastically causing the young man's body to shake violently. "Sir! With all due respect shouldn't it be I who guards the maiden?!" Mr. Dabney protested as he pounded his broad chest.
"Now, now Dabney. Let's give Rain this opportunity to grow, I mean he did volunteer first and when it comes to magic he is the best of the best. I mean his fairy just evolved into a satyrs! Think of the amount of magical energy he has given him to help him accelerate his growth?! It's nothing short of phenomenal!"
Mr. Dabney looked at Mr. Yakov then Breeze, who just waved at Mr. Dabney's stare. "Yes sir." He said with a pitiful face causing Ariana to feel a little bad for him. "Well, I guess this is it for now. Ms. Drake you may return to your family." The Headmaster said as he tried to scoot Ariana out the door.
Ariana curtsied to the faculty before turning to make her exit. Before she placed one foot out of the room, she kept her eyes glued straight ahead and took a deep breath. "3 weeks from today! Please don't forget!" Ariana shouted before running out of the room.
Ariana ran as if her life depended on it. She needed to find her grandmother quickly. She wouldn't feel calm until she did. When she saw that she made it back to the stage. A huge wave of relief washed over her. With her heart pounding she pushed through the curtain and felt that her body suddenly splashed with a bucket of ice.
A familiar looking face was patiently sitting in a wingback chair, right in the center of the auditorium. "Well hello." The man said as his golden red eyes flashed with anticipation. Ariana quickly turned around and tried to run back but instantly impacted something invisible causing her to fall backwards. 'Master, it's a magic barrier!' Duko shouted.
She groaned as she lifted herself off the ground and then faced Lord Romanoff. "That is not how a distinguished young lady should greet someone." He said with a cold laugh. Ariana narrowed her gaze and stood tall, refusing to take a step forward. "Not talking to me now that's fine. I only need a moment of your time then I will let you go."
Ariana kept her lips tight as she stared at Lord Romanoff. "Defiant as ever I see... well your choice. Voluntarily have a lovely chat with me or I will take you with me by force. If you come voluntarily I promise to return you to your family." He grinned causing a shiver to run down Ariana's body.
"How will you take me by force with the Academy's board of directors so close by? I have their protection they'll not let you have your way." She said in a threatening tone that it caused Lord Romanoff's eyes to round in surprise.
"Ha... ha... ha ha ha ha ha haha! Do you believe I don't have the directors in my pocket? Pray tell child, how do you think I knew you were here? How was I able to trap you within my space, infront of your own family no less! Wake up child no one can stop me from getting what I want!"
Ariana clenched her hands into fists. She refused to believe what he was saying but somewhere deep inside her doubt was starting to sprout. 'Master, I believe there is a way out' Loralei said breaking Ariana out of her thoughts. 'The shadows...' She reminded and Ariana started to grin.
"I have no idea why you would bless me with your presence or why you would start threatening me. I thought you were waiting for someone else to have a private meeting and I rudely interrupted. As this is the first time we met, may I ask your name?" Then Ariana shut her eyes and started to look inside herself, she was now standing infront of the same podiums as before but the flames were now cute starbursts with little eyes.
She grabbed the podium with the dark spark and started to shout. "Adelram, Blamore, Calec, Duana, Hadria! I met Gautam Waldemar, please come help me!" She opened her eyes and saw that there was no suspicion on Lord Romanoff's face.
"How rude of I, my name is Lord Romanoff. I have come on the church's behalf to speak to you regarding-?!" He started to say but was interrupted by a mini earthquake. Ariana couldn't brace herself in time and fell back down. Suddenly the shaking started to get worse. "No! I will not loose this opportunity!" Lord Romanoff shouted as he lunged forward. Ariana brought her arms up in defense and Lord Romanoff caught her wrists.
"You think you can escape from me?! I brought you into this world and I can take you out!" He spat as his neatly brushed back hair started to tumble forward onto his face. Ariana grinned, she brought her right arm up, making her hand face her like she was looking in a mirror. Moved her left arm to his left wrist, brought up her left knee to his abdomen and one swift movement pushed him off, setting herself free.
Ariana quickly got up looked down and his shocked face. Brought up her right leg behind her as she twisted her torso. "I belong to no one!" She said with a menacing tone that caused Lord Romanoff to break out into a sweat.
She then swung her leg forward with such speed it caused Lord Romanoff to fly backwards. Another small earthquake suddenly caused the floor to crack, pieces of the barrier broke off in chunks. "Ariana!" She heard Lady Zula shout. "Mom! Mom I'm in here!" She shouted back. Black blobs splattered into the area through the openings of the barrier. Once inside cloaked figures rose upwards and were standing close to Lord Romanoff.
"My Lord we must leave! The barrier will not hold on much longer!" A male shouted as two figures hooked their arms around Lord Romanoff's arms, trapping him in place.
"No you fools! We're so close!" He spat in a fit of rage. The cloaked male nodded his head to the other two. One raised their hand to Lord Romanoff's face. "Konorterik!" A female voice shouted while the other cloaked figure moved their hand to their waist.
The person pulled a canteen from his belt and brought then to his mouth. The person removed the cap with his teeth and splashed water before their feet. "Wai hausnarketa!" He shouted as the water around them rose up and caused them to disappear.
The last male brought his hands together in a pray like fashion. "Ka pouli Jasokundeko." He said calmly as a puddle of darkness stared to spread from his feet. "No! You're not leaving!" Ariana shouted as she dashed forward. "Until next time little one." He said coyly before sinking into the darkness, completely avoiding Ariana's grasp.
The rest of the barrier dissolved, the floor looked normal and she was surprised to be surrounded by a crowd of people. "Sweetie are you alright?!" Lady Zula shouted as she rushed over to trap Ariana within her embrace. "I think... I'm fine." She answered awkwardly.
"What was that?" Zachary asked as he started to inspect the surrounding area. "Can we talk at home?" She asked pitifully as she hugged Lady Zula back. "Sorry, there is one more thing that has to be done before we go." The Countess said as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
Lady Zula released her and Ariana turned around. She saw Mr. and Mrs. Abela standing sheepishly while Edlyn stood beside them with a smile but her eyes shone with worry. Ariana tried to smile back as she took a step forward. She raised her hands and started to move them elegantly. "I'm alright. See my face is fine and I'm just a little tired now. Can I still send you an invitation to go shopping and for some tea?"
Edlyn eyes instantly started to sparkle and she turned back to her parents. "Ms. Drake... I am so sorry I struck you. When you send out the invitation may I also attend? I would like to have a chat with you, I promise I will be civil." Ariana looked into Mrs. Abela's eyes and quickly nodded her head.
"Alright! Now that that's settled let's get these ladies home. It must have been exhausting today and I need to start cooking lunch!" Roland said as he picked Ariana up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Roland! I can walk! I can walk!" She shouted as she started to kick her legs and pound his back with her fists. "Of course you can but you look like you're ready to faint, so let Roland carry you." Tillie said with a smile.
Ariana's face paled and she stopped fussing, instead she stretched out her hand for anyone to grab. "Help! Please! This is embarrassing!" Ariana shouted and Roy quickly came up to her. "Wait Roland! Please wait!" He said and Roland stopped immediately. Ariana's eyes started to shine with hope as she looked at her brother.
"Ariana is right! This is too embarrassing! She needs to be properly escorted out!" Roy said with such conviction that it brought tears to her eyes. "Brother..." Ariana said with a shaky voice and Roy grabbed her left hand. With a giant smile on his face he turned from Ariana and looked ahead.
"Okay! We're good now let's go!" Ariana's smile shattered and she became absolutely furious.
"Traitor! All of your are traitors! That's it! I am not making anymore meals or sweets at home! You are all going to regret this! You hear me no more homemade desserts or delicious meals from me!!!!" She shouted as they left the auditorium.
Mr. and Mrs. Abela were completely dumbfounded while Edlyn kept her lips tightly sealed and her body shook violently as she tried to hold in her laughter. "That child is not like others. She's completely honest and hardworking, so whatever you need to converse with her about all I ask is you observe her first before you judge her." The Countess said before she started to leave.
...
Ariana sat in a plush chair in the receiving room, pouting and arms crossed over her chest. She was so upset with her family for their actions that she couldn't even bring herself to voice her displeasure. "Now tell us what happened." The Countess said as she brought up her leg and crossed it over. Ariana turned her head and looked away from her grandmother.
"Come on, you can't be like that we were all so concerned with what we saw. You have no idea how we felt when out of no where we hear your voice and shadows slithering upwards on nothing. Honestly, I thought grandma was going to loose her mind and mom... mom made a face I never seen before." Roy said with a worried look.
Ariana sighed, she let her arms rest and looked at her family. "I got a perfect mark, saw a forest filled with magical creatures, none wanted to come near me except a sparrowman, Edlyn was loved by the pixies, we shook hands, stuff happened, pixies and sparrowman absorb some magical energy, evolved into fairies, the sparrowmen into a satyrs, we got our ribbons,"
"I got called by the directors, came up with a plan with them to save me from the Grand Council, they want my prototypes and designs, they had to come up with a new ribbon just for me, got trapped by Romanoff, played dumb and someone cracked his dome open." Ariana ranted while she smiled.
"What do you mean stuff happened?" The Countess asked as she raised and eyebrow. "Stuff..." She answered as she averted her gaze. "Ariana did you learn something new today?" Lady Zula questioned as she stared at her. "Yes, I never knew sparrowmen turned into satyrs." Ariana answered as she broke out into a cold sweat.
"A-r-i-a-n-a." Lady Zula growled causing Ariana to slump into her chair. "The light show came back and the satyrs covered up for me as a sign of gratitude for helping him evolve.... also the board knows about me being Evangeline's daughter but I refused to tell them who my father is and that I change." Ariana replied awkwardly.
She then looked up and saw everyone's faces pale. "One a**crack even tried to challenge my identity! He said Evangeline's eyes were like alexandrite... I thought I looked like her so it was pointless to deny it so I told them the truth... but what worries me is that Romanoff says he has someone on the board acting as his spy and after what happened I'm inclined to believe him." Ariana explained.
James was already leaving the room before the Countess could even give him a command. "Looks like James is on it. Now about the Abelas, I know you want to spend time with their daughter but I think it's better to not drag innocent people into this." The Countess said with a stern look.
Ariana started shaking her head. "No, you don't understand. We might have the same problem, if a spy is on the board they would have seen how loved she is by the creatures who were brave enough to come close to the crowd. I need to properly warn her and her family..."
"they could easily try to go after her! This is a very important date! And.... if she decides that she wants me as her life long best friend then I can only oblige to the request." Ariana said with a giant smile that it caused most to groan while others facepalmed themselves. "Shameless as always." Rin groaned with half a smile as she rubbed her womb.
"Shameless, selfless, what's the difference? I just hope she believes me and I can make my first school friend." Ariana replied as she shrugged and gave a pitiful smile. "Ariana..." Lady Zula started to say but was silenced when she saw her eyes shinning with hope.
"So Tillie, can I have some fancy paper and an envelope? I need to strike while the iron is hot!" Ariana said with a giant grin. She knew she was getting her way and no one was going to stop her.
After everyone was reassured that Ariana was okay, they were ready to say their goodbyes. "Send a letter when you've given birth." Ariana said as she hugged Rin. "Of course I will! It'll be around the time school starts for you-uuuu-?! Ahhhhhhh!" Rin started to scream as she doubled over. "Rin! Are you okay?" Ariana said as her face paled.
"It's fine, just fine. It's fake labour pains. I should be fine after a few minutes." Rin said as she brought up her sweaty face. "Mom..." Ariana said as she looked at Lady Zula. "Take her back inside. We'll wait..." Lady Zula said firmly, not taking her eyes off of Rin.
After 8 minutes Rin was breathing properly. "See I'm fine now. Nothing to wor-ryyyyy! Ahhhhhhh!" She yelled as she started to cry. "Mother, call a doctor this baby is coming. I hope you are prepared to become a great-grandmother." Lady Zula said as she turned to her mother. The Countess smiled as Roland rushed over to scoop up Rin. "I'm excited to be one of the first to see my great grandchild."