Lydia stood frozen in the palace, her heart pounding within her chest. Familiar as it was, that voice couldn't be real. Celestine was supposed to be dead, claimed by the blast. She glanced around cautiously, seeking the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" Lydia whispered, her eyes darting around. The guard had wandered away, oblivious to her.
"It's me, Celestine," the voice replied, in her monkey. "I'm right here."
Shock registered on Lydia's face as she scanned the surroundings once more. High in the trees, she spotted movement. Celestine, perched on a branch, gazing down at her with piercing golden eyes. She was alive, but something about her had changed.
"Celestine, how... how are you here?" Lydia's voice trembled with disbelief.
Celestine responded, "It's a long story, but for now, let's just say I have some new friends who helped me out of a tight spot."
