"Are you ok? I heard you talking o somebody and there was yelling and screaming."
"I'm ok." I picked up the bouquet and turned to her.
I couldn't' hold it. I break down and she cradles my head close to her and we hug each other tightly.
"I won't tell about the roses if you don't," she says, smiling.
"You can trust me."
"I'm sorry but King is calling for you." She grabs my hands and helps me to my feet then wipes my tears with her hands and sleeve.
I quickly grab the rose before we exit. "Still sharp, but how?" I say to myself.
We reach the manor and the long foreboding hall. I try to close the door as quietly as I can but it's like he's a hawk. He hears everything and sees everything. We approach.
"I see you like that rose. Ho has it been treating you?"
I looked at the blade and although the blood had dried there was still a small patch hanging off.
"It's fine," I said, retracting it and putting it away.
"I see you've met Silver. Shade and Sky will be waiting for you outside. These three will be your protectors."
"But this is my home. I have powers. I don't need..."
He held up his hand and I stopped.
"Please."
I paused and thought about it for a second.
"Fine. Silver, after you."
I wanted out of there. I opened the door and Silver walked out. I wasn't fast enough to close it though. So close.
"Xavier," He yelled.
I stopped but did not turn around.
"Try not to get into too much trouble son."
I closed the door and walked out.
Shade and Sky were there to greet me. I didn't have time to think before they surrounded me then squeezed me in tight for a group hug.
I lost my breath for a sec and tapped Silver on the head. They let go and laughed and giggled. Girls!
"Being home I did not get the same warm, fuzzy feeling as I did with you girls. But, if you're my guards then I wonder what the rest of this place is like. How old are you all anyway?"
"Hi, my name is Shade and I'm fifteen," a young girl with sleek black hair and a big grin said, extending her hand.
"Hi, my name is Sky and I'm fourteen."
"Pleased to meet you," I said, extending my hand but instead of shaking it she walked up to me and gave me an unexpected hug.
I didn't have to tap her to let go. She let go herself and giggled.
"You two are so alike I could swear you are sisters."
"We are," They both said in sync.
"And my name is Silver and I'm seventeen. Hi."
Her, I liked.
"My name is Xavier and I'm.......INCOMING!!" Shade shouted, cutting me off as a huge ball of fire was flying towards us.
"You didn't say Hi, Xavier. That's why," Sky smirked.
"Superstition is not real," I shot back.
"But that is," Silver said.
Everybody crouched down low and huddled close while Silver summoned a shield around them.