Lyn gritted her teeth, heart pounding against her chest, as she prepared to make a break for it. Fear coursed through her veins like wildfire, threatening to consume her whole. But just as she was about to bolt, the head guard stepped in front of her, a sinister grin etched onto his face.Exhaustion weighed heavy on Lyn's body after she fought the soldiers along with her brother, and tears streamed down her face as she remembered the painful loss of John. He was turned into a vampire when he was just 11 years old. He saved the Prince from an attack and sacrificed his life. William turned John and kept him by his side since then. They became good friends eventually but never in the wildest dream Lyn could imagine her brother's death at the hands of his only friend. John did whatever was asked of him without asking any questions be it good or bad until Kristen came into his life. Her kindness changed him for good and now became the reason for his death.He had been fighting for her safety ever since he came to know that she was in danger, he couldn't turn against William yet he couldn't let anyone harm Kristen. He had to choose and he chose to follow his heart and for the same reason he had been ruthlessly slaughtered by the prince. Yet, despite the agony of her grief, Lyn had no regrets. They had managed to help Kristen escape to safety, and her brother's sacrifice had not been in vain.Her brother had begged her to stay out of their battle and remain in the palace as a lowly maid, tasked with spying on the vampire inhabitants. But when Lyn saw her beloved sibling being savagely beaten, she knew she could not just stand idly by and watch. She had to intervene, even if it meant blowing her cover and exposing herself to the dangers that lurked in the palace.As she stood there, facing the menacing guard, Lyn's emotions were a tumultuous mess. But through it all, she held onto the knowledge that her brother had died a hero, fighting for what he believed in and protecting those he loved. And she would honour his memory by doing the same."Listen here, you worthless scum," the guard spat out with a bored and impatient tone. "I'm growing tired of this game. Tell me the location of the Fork's land, and maybe, just maybe, I'll spare your pathetic life. Refuse, and well... you know exactly what will happen."The guard glared at Lyn, who was trapped in a foul-smelling cell, weakened by daily beatings and malnourishment. Lyn had lost count of the days, and every moment was a torment. She was only given a single piece of stale bread and a meagre glass of water each day, barely enough to keep her alive.Despite the daily interrogation by the witches and guards, Lyn's answer remained the same. "I don't know." And the guard had grown increasingly furious at her defiance. How could she not know? Didn't she realize the consequences of withholding such information? She was a close friend of Kristen.The guard's emotions churned inside him like a violent storm. Frustration, anger, and impatience boiled within him, threatening to spill over. He couldn't understand why this prisoner was being so stubborn, why she couldn't just spill the beans and save herself from further suffering. The guard had a job to do, and he wasn't about to let some pathetic captive stand in his way.The guard's frustration boiled over as Lyn remained stubbornly silent. It was infuriating to think that the reason they kept her alive was to use her as bait for Kristen's inevitable rescue attempt, and yet here she was, refusing to cooperate."We're losing our patience with you, girl," the guard snarled, pressing down harder on her skull with his foot. Lyn grunted in pain, feeling the pressure against her head. "If you don't give us what we want, you'll be executed for aiding in her escape."The guard's anger was palpable, radiating off of him in waves as he screamed at Lyn to answer him. But she remained defiant, even as the pressure on her skull grew unbearable. She knew she couldn't give in, couldn't betray Kristen's trust. Even if it meant sacrificing her own life, she couldn't let them win.The guard seethed with frustration, wondering how anyone could be so stupid as to willingly choose death over cooperation. He couldn't comprehend her loyalty to Kristen and couldn't fathom why she would choose to die rather than give them the information they needed. But even as he pressed down harder, he knew he was losing this battle. This girl was stronger than he had thought, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up the pressure."Where is the traitor?" The guard asked angrily. "Speak or I will cut your tongue, you impudent human!""I...don't...know..." Lyn answered in a hoarse voice. "They never told me the location." I knew nothing of their escape plan; all I did was fight to save my brother."The guard narrowed his eyes, looking down at Lyn with disbelief and disgust. "You're lying," he spat. "You were always by Kristen's side. She trusted you the most. There's no way you weren't a part of their plan. When you were caught, they left you behind and betrayed you. "And yet you're still trying to save her?"He couldn't comprehend how Lyn could be so blindly loyal to someone who had abandoned her in her hour of need. It made no sense to him that she would put her own life on the line for Kristen's sake, especially when it seemed like Kristen didn't deserve her loyalty.The guard shook his head in disbelief, feeling a mixture of anger and pity for Lyn. She was clearly deluded, holding onto some misguided sense of loyalty that would ultimately lead to her downfall. He couldn't help but wonder if she realized the futility of her actions and knew that she was fighting a losing battle.But even as he contemplated the hopelessness of Lyn's situation, the guard remained determined to break her spirit. He would do whatever it took to get the information he needed, even if it meant resorting to the cruelest of tactics."If I knew the answer you sought, then the witches must have got it when they tried with their magic but failed, which means I am telling the truth, whether you believe it or not." Lyn's eyes squeezed shut as she braced herself for the guard's next attack, feeling the weight of his foot pressing down on her head. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she could feel the fear and pain coursing through her body.But even as she struggled to maintain her composure, Lyn refused to give in to the guard's demands. She knew that she was telling the truth, that she had no knowledge of Kristen's whereabouts, and she refused to give in to the guard's cruel tactics.The guard, frustrated by Lyn's refusal to cooperate, let out a heavy sigh and took his foot off of her head. With a swift kick, he sent her flying across the cell, the impact of her body against the wall echoing through the cramped space.Lyn felt her body hit the wall with a sickening thud, and for a moment, she was overcome with a sense of hopelessness. She knew she was being used as leverage to capture Kristen, but she was too scared to take her life. She hoped that one day she would be rescued, and she must stay strong for that to happen. While feeling hopeless, she was thankful that she told the truth. She believed in her friend....Kristen met with Queen Irna in the dining hall for breakfast, and when she spotted her friends she ran to them.As soon as Kristen entered the dining hall, her eyes scanned the room and locked onto her friends. A broad smile lit up her face, and she made a beeline towards them. The three of them stood up from their seats, and she was enveloped in a warm hug, just like in old times. They savored the familiar comfort of each other's company after a long time.They stayed like that for a while before they heard the queen chuckle at their reunion. "You children have all the time in the world to catch up, now you must eat." Kristen's friends exchanged a knowing glance before taking their seats, with Stanley settling down opposite Kristen. He couldn't stop gazing at her with an admiring smile, causing her cheeks to flush in embarrassment. Jacob, on the other hand, sat beside her, holding her hand under the table. His expression showed a mixture of concern and joy as he looked at her, perhaps worried about how she had been faring.Kristen squeezed his hand reassuringly, silently assuring him that everything was fine. Her eyes met his, and they shared a moment of understanding before he started munching on his breakfast. Meanwhile, her other friends couldn't help but feel a sense of wariness around Kristen, now that they knew about her true identity. But they chose to believe in their friend and decided not to question her."Did you rest well, Kristen?" The queen asked, which made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't help but think about last night with Stanley, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Stanley's smile only made it worse, and I looked away, hoping no one noticed. However, the queen seemed to have caught on to something and cleared her throat, making me feel even more awkward."I want to introduce you to our people; they were excited to meet you when they learned about your return." As the queen spoke about introducing me to the people, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. I wasn't sure what to expect, and the thought of being seen as a threat made my stomach churn with Stanley gave me a reassuring smile, silently telling me that everything would be alright.Despite my fears, I smiled at the queen and nodded."You can spend some time with your friends before they return to human land." The queen said, looking at my friends. They all had disbelieving expressions on their faces."You mean we can go back to our home?" What about Kristen? "Can she return with us?" Jacob asked.Queen Irna sighed and answered. "As you all know, Kristen is not human; she is a witch. She was born here and sent to live among humans. Her parents wanted her to live a normal life, but she has a very important responsibility to her people here. "She is not safe anymore in the human world.""What does that mean?" Jacob asked, looking at me for answers. I could see the worry etched on his face for leaving me here."It means that I can't go back with you," I said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have a responsibility here, to my people." The reality of the situation began to sink in for Emma, her eyes filling with tears. "So... we're never going to see you again?" Her voice was choked with emotion. My heart broke when I looked at my friends. I want to be with them, return to my normal life, and forget about everything, but that is not going to happen, and it will be safer for my friends if they stay away from me.The queen's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on Emma's shoulder. "I'm afraid so, my dear." "But Kristen will always be a part of your lives, and she will always be watching over you.""But she has a family; what about them?" Emma asked."She can visit everyone once the war is settled; until then, it is not safe for her," Stanley replied, looking at me with apologetic eyes. My friend's eyes turned to Stanley as if they had just noticed him. Lucy shifted in her seat, looking at Stanley. A pink tint tinted her cheeks, which made me a bit jealous of the way she was looking at him. Her eyes were roaming around his face, and so were Emma's. They both looked at him like they were bewitched by him.Stanley just smiled at them and introduced himself. "I am Stanley Ruthwan, Prince of Fork's Land." He said it proudly with his head held high. They both smiled at him, and Lucy introduced herself, Emma, and Jacob. "We are Kristen's friends." She said and blushed again.Stanley's enthralling blue eyes, chiselled jawline, face carved by the hands of god, and body built like a warrior can bewitch any woman and bring them to their knees. I got jealous of my friends, yet I tried my best not to show any expression on my face and just kept quiet."When are we returning?" Jacob asked."Tonight, once you are ready," The queen replied and smiled, taking Stanley's attention.A man in his forties entered the dining room with his head hanging low and stopped a few feet away from us."I apologize for the interruption, but, your highness, the misters are waiting for you." He said, and bowed at the queen. She nodded."I will see you all later." The queen said to us. "Stanley, why don't you join us and give them some alone time for Kristen and her friends?" She asked him, and he looked at me his lips forming a thin line as if he didn't want to go with her. I nodded, feeling grateful for the queen's consideration. "I will see you later." Stanley said with a warm smile, and I smiled back at him. As he walked away with the queen, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing to be with him, but I also knew that my friends were important to me, and I wanted to spend time with them too. Jacob squeezed my hand under the table, silently reassuring me that he was there for me.Emma and Lucy let out a breath of relief once they left, and I chuckled. All four of us left the dining room and went to my room."Tell me everything," Jacob said in a stern voice while Lucy and Emma were looking around my room with amazement.I sighed. "Where do I even start?" I asked and took a seat on my bed, and Jacob sat beside me."John abducted me when I went for dinner with Anne. He took me to a cabin where I met William and they revealed to me that they were vampires. At first, I thought it was a joke or some sort of prank, but then John stabbed William with a stake, and he didn't even flinch. That's when I knew they were telling the truth. They claimed that I was part of a prophecy and that they were trying to protect me."As I spoke, I could see the shock and disbelief written on Lucy and Emma's faces. Jacob, on the other hand, had a look of concern etched on his face."And then they took me to their kingdom to meet William's father, the king," I continued, my voice shaking slightly. "He told me that I was a witch, and they wanted me to use my powers to fight against witches." They kept me there against my will, and I was terrified."I faced danger at every turn and cheated death more than twice." "I was almost drained by those bloodsuckers," I said, shuddering at the memory. "The king wanted me to fight alongside him against Queen Irna, blaming her for his wife's death." They believed I possessed greater powers as a witch and wanted to use me as a weapon. But I had no powers until I stumbled upon a book in their library, placed there by my late father. He was a witch and had sealed my powers before sending me to live among humans. " The book contained instructions on how to recover my memories, and with his help, I discovered my true identity as a pure-blood witch. When the King learned that my powers were back, he abducted you all to threaten me."But then Stanley came to rescue me, and we managed to escape. "And now, here we are."I finished my story, and there was a moment of silence before Lucy spoke up. "I can't believe you went through all that alone." "You must have been so scared and alone."Emma nodded in agreement. "We're just glad you're back with us now." "We'll do everything we can to help you," Lucy said.Jacob squeezed my hand. "We'll protect you, Kristen." "You don't have to go through this alone."I smiled, looking at them. "There is nothing you can do for me here, once you are back in human land, try to be safe and away from any kind of trouble. I will be watching over you all, and I will sense if you are in any kind of danger. So, do not worry about me and live your life to the fullest. "Everything feels like a dream," Emma said, looking at me. "Just a few days ago, you were with us, and we were happy, but then all these things happened, and we were clueless." "I am sorry." Her words brought tears to my eyes. "I should be the one apologizing to you, everything happened because of me. I am so sorry." I said, holding her hand."What happened to your real parents?" Lucy asked, changing the conversation."I don't know what happened to them, but all I know is that they died trying to save me," I said as a tear escaped my eyes.Jacob sighed and asked. "So you are a real witch with powers." I nodded.Emma sighed. "Enough of all this sadness." "Can we see your powers?" She asked and smiled, trying to change the mood, for which I am glad.Everyone's serious expression turned into a smile when I said I could show them.I looked at my hands and willed my flame to make a small ball. It didn't take a second before the flame ignited in her hands. The flame danced happily in my hand as if waiting for me to be summoned, and I turned it into the shape of a snowman, which made them laugh. "A snowman on fire!" Emma exclaimed, and we all laughed. I clenched my fist and extinguished the fire."What else can you do?" Lucy asked."I can control air, water, fire, and earth. Every witch is born with one elemental power, but for some reason, I can summon them all, I still don't know how and why." I said, and they looked at me in amazement."Wow, you truly are powerful." "It feels like we are watching a movie," Emma said. Jacob was sitting silently and watching with the same amazement.Excitement filled the air as they bombarded me with questions about my magic, and I demonstrated my tricks one by one. However, deep down, I knew that my true power was far beyond what I showed them. Suddenly, Emma brought up the last party we had and how I mentioned Stanley's name. "Hey, I almost forgot; did you remember our last party while we were playing? "You took Stanley's name." "How did you know the prince back then?" Emma asked, and I was not sure how to answer.I hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully, "Before all of this happened, I used to have dreams or visions of fragments." Stanley appeared in my dreams and talked to me. "Even after I was abducted, he continued to talk to me in my mind and helped me escape.""So are you guys?" Jacob hesitated before asking. "Are you guys dating?" He asked."Not yet, but I know we are meant for each other," I answered."Wow, that means you are a princess," Lucy asked in a teasing tone."No. The reason I came to Fork's Land is to learn about who I truly am and what happened to my parents." I said.We spent the rest of the noon talking, catching up on school and other stuff until it was time for their return. As Stanley knocked on the open door before walking in gracefully, I couldn't help but admire his poise and elegance. It was the first time I noticed that he had changed his clothes. He was wearing a blue-colored robe kind of dress with his hair parted in the center, making him look more handsome than ever before.He walked to my side and stood just a foot away from me, and my heart started to race as my breath caught in my throat. "I missed you," he said, taking my hand in his. I blushed beet red in embarrassment.Jacob cleared his throat, breaking our little intimate session, and I took a step back from Stanley, smiling awkwardly. Emma and Lucy exchanged knowing glances and giggled, making me feel even more embarrassed. Stanley's eyes sparkled with amusement, and I couldn't help but smile back at him."It's time. Stanley said and extended his hand with a graceful gesture, and I eagerly took it with a smile. The four of us followed him to the garden, where we found the Queen waiting for us. She looked stunning in her gold dress and tiara, radiating an air of elegance and grace that commanded respect from everyone around her. As soon as I saw her, I instinctively bowed my head in respect, which earned me a warm smile from her.The Queen addressed my friends, her voice laced with authority and a hint of sadness. "There is one thing you must know before leaving this place," she said. "I will erase your memories of vampires and us for your safety." Once you are sent to the human land, you will return to your normal life and will not remember anything about us."My friends gasped in shock at the revelation, and I felt a pang of sadness myself. But I knew that the Queen's decision was for the best, and I silently respected her authority. Stanley gave me a reassuring squeeze of the hand, and I felt a sense of comfort."You mean we will not remember meeting Kristen here?" Emma asked."Yes." "You will have only the memories of her being human." The queen answered."But why? We wouldn't tell a soul about who she is or what happened at the Vampire's Kingdom. We swear." Lucy said."It's not like that child." You were not supposed to know about any other supernatural race as it would hinder the balance between other worlds." She said this and summoned a magical crystal in her hand that glowed like a diamond. I looked at it with wonder."I will cast a protection spell to protect you from other supernaturals, If they try to harm you, they will burn and perish." She said, and a bright light emitted from the small crystal surrounded my friends and vanished after a second. They all looked around cluelessly and then thanked the Queen.A tear fell from my eyes and trailed down my cheeks when I looked at my friends. My heart broke to see them leave. Jacob was my best friend, and he was the only person who understood me my whole life and protected me."Will I ever get to see you again?" He asked earnestly with tears glistening in his eyes, which broke my heart further. I hugged him and sobbed into his chest. "I will miss you all, and once this is over, I will come back, I promise," I said, pulling away."We shall wait for you then." I am really happy to see your other side. I do not want this for you, but I believe you are in good hands. I am so proud of you. He said and placed a kiss on my forehead. I saw Standly, who was standing beside me, clenching his fist and looking away from us."Whatever happens, be safe and come back without a scratch, okay?" He asked, smiling."I promise," I said, smiling. He then turned to Stanley, who looked uncomfortable looking at us."Please take care of her; she might be strong with her powers, but she is very fragile and innocent. She is the softest one among us and always gets herself into trouble. I know she is safe here, but please protect her from those evil monsters." He said to Stanley."She is my soul mate, and I will protect her with my life." He said and wrapped his arms around my shoulder, pulling me away from Jacob. I felt the jealousy radiating off him.Jacob smiled at us. "I am sure you will." He said and I moved to Emma and Lucy and gave them a goodbye hug."We will miss you so much," Emma said, smiling while Lucy sulked."I will miss you too, guys. I am sorry for whatever happened." "I will come back soon," I said, and I hugged them once again before the portal, and they all looked at it warily."Step inside the portal, and you will be back in your home safely." The queen told them reassuringly. Jacob took Emma and Lucy's hands before stepping inside the portal, and my friends vanished into thin air....The king anxiously awaited news from the witches, who were tirelessly looking for a way to locate the Fork's land. Despite their best efforts, every attempt led them to a frustrating dead end, and they were unable to find a way. When one of the witches anxiously entered the throne room, she observed the king pacing back and forth. She silently approached the king and kneeled in front of him."We still haven't found Kristen or the location of the Fork's land, Your Highness, but we are trying with all our powers and might to find it, and we will not give up until we locate them. I received a piece of information from one of our informants from the human world. He saw Kristen's friends back in their school, and they looked like they had no memory of what happened. He also said he couldn't even go near them as there was some kind of magic protecting them.The king grimaced in disdain as he tried his best to conceal his anger. "I know who did that." The king said, and clenched his fist."Please forgive me for my incompetence, Your Highness." "I am ready for any punishment!"Bright green eyes filled with fury stared at the witch. "How about you hunt her down and don't show your face until you locate her?""Yes, Your Highness." The witch replied with a shaky voice and solemnly bowed her head before leaving the room hurriedly.Freed from the witch's spells, William's animosity towards Kristen intensified after her escape with his half-brother. The king stoked the fires of William's hatred, filling his heart with seething fury. William was consumed with a relentless desire to bring Kristen back at all costs. Looking at his son's raging face made the king smile when he entered the room. Since Kristen's departure, William's once carefree side has been replaced by a merciless and brutal disposition, prompting him to execute anyone who fails to locate her. Now, the mere sight of William's monstrous side was enough to send shivers down everyone's spines."Father, what can I do for you?" William asked emotionlessly, his once beautiful green eyes turned a shade of red. "Send a letter to our allies and alert them about Kristen's escape." Ask them to do everything in their power to spot the Fork's land location, and tell them to be ready for the war. We will find a way to evade them and drag Kristen back to where she belongs. I am certain that Irna will leave no stone unturned in enhancing Kristen's powers, transforming her into a formidable weapon for their cause. "We must find a way to thwart their plans and avenge your mother's death by eliminating Queen Irna.""Fret not, Father. I have already taken measures to notify our allies and keep a watchful eye on Kristen's friends and family," said William in a flat, unemotional tone, his once-lively green eyes now ablaze in a deep red shade with anger. "If Kristen learns that her family is in jeopardy, she will inevitably come to their aid, and we shall be there waiting to capture her." I am aware that approaching her friends is futile due to their powerful protective magic, but I will find a way to get close to her family. "I shall spare no effort, even if it means annihilating the entire human and witch population," William spoke without any emotion, his mind consumed with an overwhelming desire for vengeance.