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Chapter 13

"You're doing what?" I asked Carol in surprise.

"I'm joining band." She replied mildly, "I'm getting private lessons for clarinet from a senior. And officially joining next year." Her eyes leveled with mine, daring me to argue with her about it.

I forced myself to relax, "That's fine, just don't skip out on any responsibilities." It took her a second to realize that I wasn't going to argue with her about it, do I really say 'no' to that much?

"I won't!" She cried out excitedly, running off to who-knows-where. I was trying to picture her wearing one of those funny red and blue uniforms, yes, our school colors are red and blue, bu I couldn't see it, especially the funny hat. Soon Edward would be wanting to join art club.

It has been several weeks and Kayla still hasn't come back, but then again, she had an entire planet to visit. Nick separated himself from everyone else and, other than that, things were back to being the same.

I reached my locker, got the necessary notebook, and hurried to my first class of the week, taking a partially hidden staircase that I had discovered. It saved me at least a minute of time and it was discreet.

I got inside and started up the stairs. It was dark, but it was often like that. About half way up I froze, a chill went down my back, the temp had dropped considerably. Now there is a strange smell surrounding me, it made me feel slightly dizzy. Something raced by the corner of my eye. I turned just in time to be kicked in the stomach hard enough to be pushed back into the wall, knocking my breath out of me.

Then a hand was around my throat, pinning me against the wall. "Come peacefully and I won't hurt you. You already know that, if we fight, I will win. That scent that you noticed earlier is a toxin that dims your senses, eventually you will pass out and you won't wake until an antidote is given." I was already having trouble listening to what he was saying and I couldn't concentrate enough to tell who he was. "You'll notice it's very fast acting. So, are you going to go peacefully?"

I didn't really have a choice, I opened my mouth to answer with dignity, but my voice refused to work. I nodded instead. The hand released my throat and I had to lean against the wall to stay standing. The other person moved across a shaft of sunlight from a window. The last thing I saw before passing out was Nick, and vaguely hearing a door open.


Chapter 14

I woke in a dimly lit room with a nasty, sticky taste in my mouth that nearly made me throw up. "That stuff never did taste good and trust me, you don't want to know what's in it." A female voice said. "Other than that, how are you feeling?" She continued, it took a minute for everything to come back.

"I'm fine. Where am I? Who are you? What is today? What's going on?" I asked her.

"Wait, slow down! Answers will come in time." She replied. My senses were still messed up and I couldn't tell who was talking. I was surprised at who the voice belonged to, but I couldn't figure out why. There was a faint knock on the door and I heard her leave.

I laid back down, closed my eyes, and waited for everything to go back to normal. After a few minutes I realized that my hands and feet were bound together by rope, but I couldn't get out of them like I could normal rope. Someone was faintly saying my name over and over, but I didn't to talk to anyone, I was still kinda ticked at being kidnapped. Shut up! I thought to the voice. And, to my great surprise, it stopped. For a whole minute or so.

Violet?

Just then the door opened and I realized that the voice was in my head. That's usually a bad thing, right?

"Looks like she's asleep again. She wasn't fully done with that toxin earlier, it won't be long now thought." It was Kayla speaking, her tone seemed to indicate that I should stay "asleep" for now.

"Then I shall stay here and wait for her to wake." Someone stated.

"Tonya, let her rest, I will get you the moment she is ready." Kayla replied.

Violet? the voice repeated a bit more forcefully.

"What?" I said as a reflex from someone saying my name while I wasn't paying attention. Then it got really quiet. Stupid voice in my head. I sighed and opened my eyes. Pulling myself into a sitting position I took in my surroundings. The room I was in was about the size of my bedroom on Earth, the walls were painted an unusual blue color. I was on a couch pushed up against a wall under a windows, which could easily be seen as something made to withstand a lot of force. There was a counter along the wall across from me. There wasn't anything above it, but there were cabinets below it. The wall to my left was nearly covered with rows and rows of bottles of who-knows-what, and I probably didn't want to know. There was also a door that appeared to lead to a bathroom. There was a couple of chairs that faced the couch. Finally, the wall to my right looked like the wall to my left, except the doorway didn't lead to a bathroom and there were two people standing in it. One of them was Kayla, dressed in all black and not really hiding her weapons at all, she avoided my eyes. The other was an older woman who had a grandmotherly appearance about her.

"Tonya, this is Violet. Violet, this is one of my teachers, Tonya." Kayla said as she vanished through the door

"So you are the one that is making everyone concerned?" Tonya asked.

"Uh, I don't know who all I concern and why." I replied honestly.

"Right, before we get to what I came for, do you have any questions?"

"Yes, actually, may I start with where am I?" I felt myself relax a little bit as the conversation started.

"This is the amazing planet of Rehmenta, or, as you might have learned about it as, Kayla's or Nick's planet."

"Okay, can you tell me a little bit more about it?"

"What have you learned already?"

"Basically that the entire planet is a school of fighters. I know that most of the students are just sent here to train and most leave once their training is complete while others stay to become teachers."

"Yes, that's pretty much it. We do have a leader, but I guess it would probably make more sense to call her the principle of this school."

"Uh, right, what day of the week is it...on Earth?"

"I believe it's Thursday, you were out for roughly three days."

"Great...I guess that just leaves what's going on?"

"Well, I'm not sure about Nick's intentions of bringing you here. It must have been important, otherwise he wouldn't have come, especially not to Kayla. He is currently being detained by Kayla in another room. We, the teachers, were going to come and speak with you anyway, you concern us because, as teachers, we are able to see into other people's minds and also 'teleport' to wherever we can picture. We monitor the minds around our previous students to give them a heads up as needed.

"It didn't take long for me to find that we couldn't access your mind. You are the only one who has ever had that block."

Vi, can you create a portal from wherever you are to your room, but don't take it. Now, why would I do what a small voice in my head told me? Because I would.

"Do you have any idea why that is?" Tonya continued

"Uh, no, but before we continue..." I opened a portal in one of the doors and out came Caleb. I thought the connection was broken. I thought to him. He had started moving toward us, ignoring Tonya.

"So, there's another one of you. I would suggest you stay there." Tonya spoke to Caleb, who froze immediately, surprised?

It is, but only halfway. You can only hear the thoughts I want you to hear, and I'm guessing that I can't hear all of yours either.

"Caleb? How did you..." Kayla stood at the door, Nick was standing next to her. "Yeah, I'll find out later. Tonya can you give us a minute?" She nodded and left.

Nick tensed and moved closer to the wall as she passed. "Well, she hasn't changed."

Kayla came over and simply pulled the rope of as if they had been tissue paper. "It's a special design." She explained to my curious expression. "So, you still don't like her then?"

"Nope." Nick stated shortly, shutting the door. His hands were bound with the same material that had been on me, only his was glowing faintly.

"I'm with you." Caleb added in Nick's direction. He then turned to me, his face went from an 'about to ask a question' look to a very amused, trying not to laugh look. He averted his eyes innocently.

What? "I don't know, I kinda liked her." I put in.

"I thought you might. She's my favorite teacher, but there's a reason she only teaches girls. There has yet to be a boy that doesn't instantly fear her." Kayla explained. She walked over to wall and started looking at various bottles.

Nice dress! Caleb replied in my mind.

I looked down to find myself wearing a, what I would have called, beautiful, ball gown. Normally I would have liked it, but there was one major problem. "It's hot pink!" I yelled, jumping up. If it had been a faded pink, it would have been okay. If it had been a purplish-pink, it would have been fine. I wouldn't have complained if it had been blood red! BUT NO! It had to be hot pink!

I realized that I was pacing and staring down at my dress. I looked up to see two pairs of surprised eyes staring at me, and one pair that was trying not to laugh or look at me. "Why am I wearing pink? Where are my clothes?"

"It's for your own safety." Nick said, rolling his eyes. "Caleb's family was going to kidnap you, I don't know when, but soon. The reason I brought you here is because you would be protected, but more because I was going to be arrested and brought here anyway. It was only a matter of time from the moment I ran into Kayla."

Caleb? Did you know anything about this?

I honestly didn't! He was staring wide eyed at Nick. Kayla had selected a bottle and was pouring the thick moss green liquid into a small glass. she handed it to Nick who made a disgusted face, but drank it anyway.

"Bleh! that's definitely the same stuff." Nick said coughing and gagging. Kayla seemed satisfied with the reaction.

"Not used to it anymore? Well, that taste will be there for at least another hour, once it's gone it has taken effect." Kayla informed him, smiling innocently. "Same old, same old. Right?" He grimaced at her.

"I don't care about the whole being kidnapped problem. Why can't I have my clothes?"

"Because they could have trackers." Nick replied as he and Kayla took a seat in each oh the chairs, Caleb came and sat on the other end of the couch.

"Then who chose the dress?" I asked.

"Uh, it was the only one Tonya had that fit you. All the clothes I have access to are older and too small for either of us. The outfit I'm wearing was Tonya's."

For what it's worth, I think it looks very nice on you. I wouldn't say pink looks particularly bad on you. Caleb thought soothingly.

Thanks. Yeah, thank god I don't blush and he can't hear all my thoughts!

"The taste is gone, Kay." Nick said, bringing me back to the real world.

"No way, it hasn't been an hour." She replied to him.

"I'm not entirely unused to it. It doesn't take normal time."He explained.

"Fine. Vi, Caleb, sorry about this." She walked over and picked up the restraints and tied my hands together and then Caleb's. "You two are technically being held here and therefore I am required to make sure you can't escape. These restraints will keep you from opening any exit. You can open the bathroom door. I have to go question nick elsewhere. We'll be back shortly" And with that, they left.

I wish I had a book. I thought to Caleb after a spell of awkward silence. It would be better than just sitting here.

True, though I'm wishing I had told someone that I had found you, then we might've had a way out.

Why were you all looking?

You were gone for three days! Did you think none of us would have noticed?

Well, for your information, I had been unconscious until I had replied to you. So, no, I didn't think anyone would be looking for me yet.

Oh. Well, I still wish someone would come get us out. Then he gasped and his eyes widened. I take that back! He was watching the exit door now.

Why? What's going... I stopped mid sentence when the door came open and someone I knew stepped in with a smirk on his face. I knew him, but the last time we had met he had threatened me that he would get revenge, all I did was win a fight.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my old friend. How are you doing Vi?" He sneered at me, then turned to Caleb. "And Caleb! Your father will be so pleased to see you again. He's been incredibly worried about you." He laughed a short triumphant laugh.

"Jake." Caleb and I said in unison. "What do you want?" I continued.

"Come on you two, come peacefully and you won't be harmed." He stood there, glaring at us, waiting for a reply.

I glanced at Caleb and then looked back at him. Meeting his eyes I said, "Fine."


Chapter 15

"Now I won't take any..." He started to say before the fact that I was coming peacefully sank in, which left him only able to say, "What?"

Caleb was staring at me, wide eyed and open mouthed. "I said fine. I'm going to got without a fight." I replied calmly.

"That's it? You're just going to give in?" Jake asked in a stunned disbelief.

"Are we going somewhere, or not?" I asked impatiently.

"I'm not going anywhere." Caleb declared defiantly. "And neither are you. Seriously Vi, what's wrong with you?"

"Absolutely nothing is wrong with me." I replied calmly. Please Caleb. If I can gain your father's trust and join your side then possibly stop the war before it really starts. "I do have one question, Jake." I said, turning to Jake. "Can you get this off?" I held up my bound hands.

"Sorry Vi, but I don't know if that's a trick..." He started.

"I give my word that I won't fight anyone without a reason." I interrupted.

"You can trust that." Caleb sighted. Clearly trying to decide if he should bother arguing anymore. You're already on my side, Vi, I chose your side already.

Jake was sort of speechless now. He just came over and pulled the rope off of me, but left it on Caleb. I stood up and walked over to where Jake had entered. Caleb remained where he was, clearly, not going to come peacefully. The war is not our problem. Let's just leave it behind us. We can be normal teens if we just separate our selves from these hectic other lives. He continued.

You know we can't do that! As the next in line to be rulers we cannot just abandon the people! We cannot just leave it all behind!

You have people, your siblings who will take over. The war will end by its self.

You don't know that the war will end! And why are you only referring to me as having siblings that will take over if I don't?

Because no one will take over. That is why the war will end, a war can't be just one sided.

What about your siblings?

No blood relation. Their all adopted, none of them are royal, they don't have to keep their word and they're not going to become rulers.

Well, you can't just abandon the citizens that you are supposed to look out for! Besides. I don't think Jake is going to leave with just one of us.

"Um, I don't know what's going on, but it's time to go. Vi, I'll trust you if you help bring him with us. Any ideas on how?"

I looked Caleb in the eye and felt my eyes saying sorry. "Actually, I do."

No!

Sorry. I released a controlled cloud of the toxin that had taken me out before, Since I had experienced it I could use it, I had also experienced the antidote, so I could form that too. He was out within the minute. I probably used too much, remind me to apologize for that later.

Jake looked from Caleb to me. "Is he..."

"No, he's just unconscious, nothing more."

"I'm impressed, can't say I thought you would actually do anything. When will he wake up?"

"Once I give the antidote."

"Antidote? this won't kill him eventually, will it?"

"No, it just blocks all your senses and makes you go unconscious until the remedy is given."

"Do you have the antidote?"

"In a way, yes."

"Okay then, let's get going. We'll find a room for you and, for now, he'll stay with you." I nodded, put a shield-like thing around Caleb that carried him along with us.

There was a portal in the hallway that lead back to Cantella, my home planet, only I wasn't in a place that I'd ever been in before. I had the feeling that I didn't belong, and I had to work to keep myself from going into "hiding mode".

"Here we are." Jake said, relaxing a bit with the fact that we weren't enemies at the moment. "I'll let you deal with him." And he left, probably to find the king and inform him of the recent events.

I released another controlled cloud, this time it was the gas form of the antidote. It took a while for his conscious mind to come back, and when it did he remained the way he was as he let everything else come back.

Sorry. I said after a silence that lasted to long. He didn't reply. I know you think I'm a traitor, I probably seem like a traitor to everything I believed in. But, from where I'm seeing things, this all makes sense and is a good thing.

No matter how you put it, you are a traitor to everything you stood for and protected! His thought was cold as ice.

Not if my plan works. Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you don't agree with me. I'm sorry you don't get along with your family. And you have no idea how sorry I am about turning against you like I did. I really don't want to hurt you, in any way, ever. And right now I really need someone who believes in me, someone who trusts me completely...

Then you should go find Jake. I bet he would trust you that much.

But I don't want Jake to be the one who believes in me. Caleb opened his eyes and looked at me, something I couldn't decipher written in them. "I want you to be the one who believes." He looked at me a second more and then closed his eyes again.

A moment later there was a knock at the door and the person who entered caused me to get to my feet and get in front of Caleb. I was in fighting mode and he wasn't even through the door yet. "Sorry." I said, forcing myself to at least appear relaxed. "It's a force of habit."

"It's alright." The king motioned for the guards to back down. "The fact that you helped Jake bring back my son and no one has been attacked is a good sign. As well as no signals being sent or received. But I will ask you to change your, um, I never thought I would see that shade of pink..."

"It wasn't my choice. If you want me to change, I would gladly do it, even if we were enemies."

He laughed, "Jake will take you to go choose. When will he wake?"

"Okay. He'll wake only when he's ready. I already administered the antidote that will allow him to fully heal himself. It is perfectly safe, it was used on me before." He nodded and I left, following Jake down a hallway. Caleb, I left the options open to you if you want to talk to your father or not.

I'm going to wait, I don't know what his reaction will be after these past months. Please don't take too long.

Okay. Jake lead me to a large room full with more dresses than at the mall at prom time. Many of the girls at my school would have freaked. I, though, was a rather picky dress shopper. "Don't ask me why this is here, I've yet to figure out. I'll wait here for you. Just come out when you've chosen one."

"Okay, it could take a little while though." And I started looking, and, as usual, couldn't find one that looked "me".


Chapter 16

Are you almost done? It's been nearly an hour. Caleb thought to me.

Sorry, I'm not really a shopper. Nothing really sticks out. I replied, putting back a light blue dress.

Go to the back of the room, there is a dress that you will probably like. You'll know which one I'm talking about. I went to the back and found the dress instantly. I changed into it quickly. The dress was a simple, but elegant, strapless one that just barely brushed the floor. The bottom of the dress was a dark purple that faded into a light lavender at the top. Around the waist there was a thick, deep purple ribbon tied around it. Embroidered along the middle of the ribbon was blue and red weaving against eachother, on each side of that there was a row of alternating black and white gems, and along one edge was a wavy green line and a light blue on the other.

I folded the pink dress and draped it over my arm, unsure what to do with it. I found Jake outside the door, his eyes widened when I stepped out. "Well, how do I look?" I asked about thirty seconds of silence.

He blinked a couple of times before replying. "Uh, it looks very nice."

"Right. Can we go back now?" He nodded and started down the hallway. You can probably wake up now, we're on our way back now. Thanks for the tip on the dress. I love it!

Okay, and that makes me trust you more. The reply confused me, but I would ask later. It took us only a few more minutes to get back.

Just as we reached the door a person came up to us, she gave me a strange look, but turned to Jake and muttered a short message to him. He nodded and started down a seperate hall. The woman knocked on the door and waited a moment before opening it, I tensed in that moment. She entered, bowing respectively. she looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to do the same. But I simply walked in and sat down next to Caleb. The woman's eyes widened in shock, but the king didn't seem surprised, he dismissed her with a thanks.

He turned back and took a look over at the dress I had chosen. "Interesting choice." He said, raising and eyebrow. "How are Mel and Max?"

"My parents are doing well, Matt, thanks for asking." I managed a smile while keeping my expression serious. "Yes, I have switched sides of this pointless war, but their blood does run through me. And that is something I needed to mention, I'm not going to fight you, I'll even help you. But one thing I absolutely won't do is fight my siblings or my parents."

"That is understandable." He replied calmly. "It is late, we will talk in the morning. Will you two be okay in here for the evening?"

I glanced at Caleb before replying, "Yeah, I think we'll be fine." He nodded and left. I heard the door click as it locked and assumed there was a guard on the other side.

Two beds had been moved into the room, I got up to go sit on the one across the room. But one of Caleb's thoughts made me pause. Wow, they were right!

I turned back to him. Who was right about what?

The dress, it looks amazing on you. Kelly, Candy, and Lindsey all tried to wear it, but it looked horrible, and there's a reason for that. That dress was made when the two sides were still combined as one, it was made for the first ruler of the Cyllents side. Everyone said that the dress had been altered in the magical sense, we're not sure what was done to it, but it was said that the dress would be worn by her decendents. It can be worn by others, but they don't want to wear it. The gift was never given. The colors around the waist are representary; blue for water, red for fire, green for earth, and light blue for wind, the black and white jems represent light and dark.

By now I was sitting on one bed and he was sitting on the other one across the room. But why does it make you trust me more?

Because it means you are still considering yourself a part of that family.

Oh. Any idea what time it is?

Yeah, there's a clock on the table by you, it's on the lamp, kinda small and hard to find though.

It took a second to find. Eleven-thirty. How did you know that was there?

This is my room. Sorry, this was my room. About a year before I left I started living on earth. They must have rearanged the bed at some point in time.

Brings back memories, huh?

Yeah. I think I'm going to sleep now, I'll see you in the morning.

Good night.


Chapter 17

The next morning I realized that the room didn't actually have a window. But the ceiling changed brightness depending on the light outside. I had been laying here for the past few hours, watching it slowly get lighter. I didn't hink I would be able to sleep, and I was correct.

How'd you sleep? Caleb asked in my mind.

About as well as I as I expected to, which would be none.

Yeah, me either. What time is it?

Six-thirty-seven. There was a knock on the door. "Come in!"

The girl that had taken Jake's spot yesterday entered, she spoke directly to me. "The king wishes to see you." Caleb and I both got up. "I was not told to bring you." She spoke to Caleb.

"If she goes, I go." This was followed by a brief stare down.

But the girl finally gave in. "Alright, but don't blame me if the king is unhappy about it."

"We won't, um..." I replied.

"Rose, and you are?"

"Violet, and that's Caleb." Her eyes widened and she looked from me to Caleb and back to me several times before saying anything.

"Caleb? It has bee a while, you look very different from when I last saw you! But why are you here, with a guard on the door, and what is, um, Violet doing here? What has she done to be brought to the king and locked in a room with a guard?" She almost seemed angry, but I'm not entirely sure why. Caleb was starting to seem a little stressed, or uncomfortable.

"Rose," Caleb said as if he were explaining something to a young child. "That is Violet Cyllents." Her eyes widened and she took a step further from me. "And I am technically a traitor." She moved closer to the door. "There is a reason I haven't been her in a while."

"I don't want to know. You better come with me then." She turned toward the door, the preparedness for a fight evident in how she moved. "We wouldn't want to keep his highness waiting."

Is she a fighter? I asked Caleb.

Sort of, she had about as much fighting as a second degree black belt. She and I were best friends several years ago. We lost contact when she headed off to an upper school for girls. I kind of assumed I wouldn't see her again.

Oh.

"You two are very interesting." Rose mentioned, leaning against a wall next to an open doorway. "Both of you had this 'off in space' look. Here you are then." She lead us into a large room that, to me, seemed like a large court room. Rose went over and sat next to Jake amongst a rather large group of people. Caleb and I just kinda stood awkwardly in the center of the room.

Are we on trial? I asked Caleb.

That would be my guess. I've never been in here though. I'm going to suggest you be polite and respectful to who ever speaks.

No duh, I know the differance between a time to be flippant and a time to be serious.

Really? I never would have guessed. While in the process of rolling my eyes at him, I noticed that the muttering had stopped in the group of people and all eyes were on us.

Uh, Caleb. I think mental convorsations take longer than normal ones. I nudged him in the ribs. He looked around a little and nodded, his eyes focused on the person infront of us. Mathew, oh, I'm sorry. King Mathew. "Your highness," I said bowing a low, respectful bow, much to his surprise. "may I ask why we have been brought here?"

"Ah, yes, you do have my permission to do away with the formalities. As a matter of fact, I must insist you do so, I'm more used to you being flippant, not serious. Are you okay with that, Vi? Or would you prefer to continue, Princess Violet?"

I looked at Caleb, but he merely shrugged. "Nah, we'll do as you wish, Matt." I heard a couple of suprised gasps at the dissrespect I had just shown. I saw Jake and Rose exchange amused looks and Caleb rolling his eyes our of the side of my eye. Matt had a completely unsurprised, approving smile, though.

"I though so." He seemed almost relieved to be having a more relaxed convorastion. "Now then, what was your question?"

"Why have we been brought here?"

"I said we would talk in the morning, didn't I?" He paused, as if actually waiting for an answer, but continued when we were silent. "Well, I have been told that some interesting tables have turned. The daughter of my enemy is now on my side. And my own son is counted as a traitor. Violet, please give me your word to prove your loyalty."

"I give you my word that I will not fight anyone of the Callans family without a reason."

He nodded, satisfied with my promise. Then, turning to Caleb, "As for you -"

"I have my reasons for everything that has happened, but I do not want to try and make you understand. But -" He paused, glancing at me for reasurance, "- Vi and I have been talking, and I wish to ask for your forgiveness."

Thank you! This will make sense later if it doesn't already. I thought to him.

We're talking about this later. He replied simply.

Fine. I thought as Rose and Jake came up to us, smiling large, genuine smiles. But there was something off about them.

"Welcome back!" Rose cried, throwing her arms around Caleb in a purely friendly, but girly, gesture. He looked at me quickly. Help me!

"And welcome to the family." Jake said to me, he extended a hand toward me. "Truce?"

I smiled and shook his hand, "Truce." Then my smile widened a little as I added, "for now." He nodded in agreement with that plan.

"Violet Cyllents? Could that possibly be you?" I spun around at the sound of the voice behind me.


Chapter 18

"What in the world are you doing here?" I asked him as I did almost exactly what Rose had done to Caleb.

"Oh my god! It is you!" He returned the hug and I heard someone's teeth clentch. One glance told me it was Caleb. "I'm sort of related to one of the guards here. I'm training to be a warrior, have been all my life." He continued, answering my question. "I was on Earth because I needed an education and they decided it was best. I, of course, had to keep it a secret, but it would seem you understand that pretty well." We pulled apart now and I smiled sheepishly

Caleb came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. It was very tense, as if ready for a fight. A fight? Seriously, Caleb? I thought to him as I met his eye. He instantly relaxed. So I turned back to my friend who I had known longer than even my siblings. Kyle's expression had changed from happy to concerned and slightly angry.

"You had us all very worried, Vi!" He said in a tone I heard a lot growing up. "You went missing over a week ago!" It was the tone that said I had caused him to worry. "I used all the tracking methods I could think of, but according to all of them you were not anywhere on Earth! Which could mean you were literally not on the planet...or, what I thought was more likely but preyed it wasn't true, you were dead." To anyone else, it would have sounded like he was mad at me, but I knew he wasn't he never got mad at me, no matter how bad I messed up. I hadn't really realized it until now, but I had really missed the one who has supported me my entire life. "Please don't ever ma..." He continued his usual lecture.

But I cut him off, "I know, and I'm sorry!" I said, giving him another quick hug to symbolize my apology and thank him for being worried about me. Ihad done that a lot growing up too. "Forgiven?"

"Forgiven. Just don't do it again!" he continued as Caleb, again, claimed my shoulder with a tensed, ready to fight, hand. I rolled my eyes at the both of them. "You know you're like a little sister to me, I can't let you get hurt!"

Caleb relaxed completely with those words and I knew there was a smile on his face. "How can that be? We're the same age. I'm even a couple of weeks older than you." I replied, smiling.

"Ah, but you are smaller than me." He was right, if I was unusually tall, then he and Caleb were freakishly tall, easily half a foot taller than me. They made me feel small and as if I should be protected. It went against everything in my nature, but I liked it about them.

"You know, I really don't mindt that," I paused and looked at Caleb, "for either of you."

Jake cleared his throat, breaking up our little group. "Violet, Caleb, um, I don't think I got your name." He started.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Kyle."

"I am Jacob, good to meet you. Would you three care to join Rose and I for lunch?"

I glanced at Caleb and Kyle before replying. "We would love to."


Chapter 19

After lunch, Kyle had to run off to training, and Rose and Jake went who know where. So Caleb gave me a tour of the castle, it was practically identical to my castle. We finished off back at our room. Someone had remade the beds and added two wardrobes, one on each side of the room. I went to my side, marked with a small note on the side table that ready:




"Finding my prince?" I murmured to myself at the same time Caleb said, "Finding my princess?"

I decided to let the last line go and went to investigate the wardrobe, Caleb got to his first, opened it and nodded with satisfaction. My turn, I started with a drawer that had a lock and key on it. I opened it, then promptly closed and locked it quickly, glancing over my shoulder to make sure he hadn't seen all the lingerie it contained. But he was still looking over his clothes. I dropped the key in a pocket and turned back and opened the other, larger part. "You have got to be kidding me!" Caleb came over and just burst out laughing. Inside was a closet packed full of dresses. Some that were decent and might actually be worn, some that would look hidious on me, or anyone for that matter, and some that certain annoying "popular" girls at school would be proud to see me wear. Most of these were never going to be worn by me. "Do they have something against jeans?" And then I found the shoes sitting below the dresses, "or tennis shoes?!" Caleb, who had just stopped laughing looked at the shoes and burst out again. There was three different types of shoes; boots, sandals, and formal. All of which were stiletos with a considerable heal. "I'll kill myself in these!" I sighed, oh well, I'll deal with that tomorrow. I chose one of the decent silk night gowns and changed in the connected bathroom.

When I came out, Caleb was already lying down and covered. "Okay, you get dibbs on the bathroom at night, I get dibbs in the morning. Deal?"

"Deal." I replied, getting into my own bed. "Good night."

"Night." We heard the shuffle of feet that we had suspected would be outside the door, we were still being guarded.

Okay, as far as they're concerned, we're going to sleep.

Yep, now start explaining.


Chapter 20

Right. I'm going to stop this stupid war. No one can even remember what started it!

So, why can't you just wait until we're rulers? You didn't have to join them, you could have gone home.

Except you wouldn't have stayed here. You wouldn't have become king.

You don't know that!

No, I don't know, but I do know you. And that's all I need to make a decent assumption.

There was a long pause. Fine, maybe I wouldn't have stayed, but you don't know why.

Right. I don't really care why. Haven't you ever heard of the saying; 'With great power comes great responsibility'?

Yeah, what about it?

We have great power, being next to rule and we have great responsibilty to the people under our rule. We have to make sacrifices.

But what does it matter to you what happens to the people of this kingdom? They aren't your responsibility.

Because it doesn't matter. The responsibility given to me by my ancestors is to all the people of Cantella. That is something this stupid war has caused people to forget!

If everyone has forgotten it, how do you know?

Because I like to know where I came from. I read a lot of history of the planet. Did you know that Cantella used to be considered the planet of peace?

No, as a matter of fact, I didn't.

Well, it was, before this stupid, pointless war started. Then something came back to my memory and I bolted into a sitting position. Caleb sat up, a little bewildered. I have to go home! I have to get there now!

Finally! Caleb sounded releaved. I mean, uh, why? He revised when I gave him a questioning look.

Uh, huh. I rolled my eyes and then answered his question. I think I can find out how the war started.

How?

When I was reading up on my history, I remember noticing that there were books missing...

How did you know that there were missing books? It's not like there were numbers on the sides like encyclopedias.

No, of course not, that idea was already taken. But there were colors missing.

Colors? Caleb asked skeptically.

Yeah, if you lined all the books up and took a step back you would see that the colors subtely go from blue to purple to red and now to orange. But up close you have to know what to look for and have super good eyes.

Oh.

I didn't think anything about it at the time because I didn't know about the war yet. And after a while I just forgot about it and just now remembered! I'm sure the books are there, somewhere, and they have the answers!

Then I felt the warning, I got every now and then, wash through me. Just as Caleb was thinking, Well then, let's g... Vi? Are you okay? You are really pale. "Violet!" I veguely heard him practically shout, concerned. I veguely sensed him get up and hurried over to me, catching me as I fell sideways and off my bed. I lost conciousness, due to the largest energy loss I'd ever had, just as I was thinking about how hot he was without his shirt.


Chapter 21

"Well, what is going on?" An angry voice from near by woke me. I opened my eyes to see a woman talking with Caleb. Well, it was more she was trying to calm him and he just kept yelling at her.

"Caleb!" I scolded him, they both looked over, relieved. The woman took the opportunity to slip out the door. Caleb came over to me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

But I ignored his question and asked one of my own. "Why were you yelling at her?"

"You're fine." He sighed. "I was trying to find out what happened, but she wasn't telling..."

"You idiot!" I cut him off, much to his surprise.

"What?"

"Next time just wait until I'm better, I know what happened and it would really surprise me if they discovered it. It's a completely normal thing, happens all the time. Though, for me to actually pass out is a little less comon." He nodded and I sat up, moving back so he could sit on the other end of the bed. Have you figured out how I can get to my library? "How long was I out?"

Can't you just create a portal? "Uh, you were out for two whole days."

"Really!?" Not now, I'll explain later.

"Yeah." Oh, okay.

"So, when can we get out of here?"

He paused and gave me a funny look. "Vi...you've been unconcious for the last two days! Do you really think they're going to just let you up and go ten minutes after you wake up?"

"They would at home." I muttered to myself stubbornly.

"Well, here they don't fully understand what your two healing abilities do."

"Can't they assume that they do what it says and heals? then they could let me out!"

"No, probably not. King Mathew wouldn't allow it. He cares about you, you know."

"What?"

"He cares about you, it's easy to see when you know what he is usually like. He treats you like he treated me when I was little, before I knew my siblings were adopted, he treated me differently and I never knew why. Now I know that it was because I was his only true son. He see's you as the true daughter he never had but always wanted."

We both fell silent as I thought aboutit. That's gonna make it difficult.

Make what difficult?

Okay, so what I told you about what happened, yea, that was only part of the truth. It does happen all the time, someimes it's stronger than others. But it happens when my powers vanish. I'm new to having them, so I'm still adjusting to them, and they're adjusting to me.

So they just vanish at times?

Yeah, at home it doesn't happen as severely as at school, I don't know why. I paused as a realization went through me and my eyes widened. "It's you." I said too quietly for anyone to hear.

"What?" He asked, leaning forward a bit.

"It's you!" Then, when I realized that my voice sounded as week as I felt, I added a few layers of strength. "It is stronger when I'm around you or somewhere you hang around a lot. At my home I don't notice it 'till I try to use my powers, but at your home it's severely crippling and you were with me the entire time." Something flashsed in his eyes that made me automatically say, "What are you hiding?"


Chapter 22

"W-what?" I caught him off guard.

"I knew it! I give you my word that your secrets are safe with me, but I still had a feeling that you weren't telling me something!" I felt the anger building up inside me, stronger than I had ever felt it before. Without my usual strength I couldn't block it, so it just exploded. "You're unbelievable!" I yelled at him, "You know just about everything about me and you still keep secrets!" My body wasn't used to bursts of anger like that. It was messing with my systems. I suddenly burst into tears, then, using the adrenaline pulsing through my veins, I ran. I ran, as fast as I could, through the doors that the woman had passed through earlier, then I kept running until I ended up at the door to the room that Caleb and I shared. I could hear Caleb and Matt coming after me, very close behind. I hurried through the door and carved the symbol of strength into it. It wouldn't hold long, but I didn't need long. No one was out to do me harm anyway. I just needed to go home and refocus.

I dug around until I found my bag that I had kept with me. I pulled out my phone and speed dialed five.

"Hello?" She answered on the first ring. "Amy here."

"Amy, It's Vi. I need you to create a portal to my end of the phone signal, I need to get home now." The door knob turned and there was a thud as someone tried to open it. "Violet?!"

The door burst open, just as Amy came in from her portal. My angry adrenaline rush had passed and now I was hardly able to move again. While Matt and Caleb paused when they caught sight of Amy, she took no time to get over to me. She put my arm around her neck and helped me stand. Then she fixed her gaze on the other two, daring them to do something, but they just watched us go over and through the portal.


Chapter 23

Amy helped me to the gues lounge and then into one of the large, soft chairs. She left, returning shortly with Erik close behind her.

"Good thing you called me and not him." Amy whispered quickly in my ear, "Your boyfriend probably wouldn't have survived that encounter." Then she moved away before I could say anything.

"Violet, are you okay?" Erik asked as he and Amy moved a couple of chairs over to me.

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better, now that I'm away from..." I sealed my lips shut as I sudenly remembered my promise.

"What? Got away from what?" Erik persisted.

"I honestly can't tell you." I sighed, "Have any of the other Callans told you anything more about themselves?" There were dark circles under their eyes and I could feel a difference in the air now.

"Uh, no, they haven't. Why?" Amy replied, a little surprised.

"Nothing, I need you to..." I was cut short by a portal suddenly appearing on the wall opposite the door. Erik shot across the room, pinning the newcomer against the wall.

"Erik! Let him go!" I spoke to Erik when I saw who it was. He glanced at me and then released him. "What do you want, Kyle?"

"I want you to tell me what happened." He replied.

"She can't, royal laws you don't know about." Erik said.

The look of knoweledge flassed through Kyle's eyes. "Shut up, Erik. You're making yourself look like an idiot." I said calmly.

"Indeed, I know about the main royal law, keeping your word no matter what. But there are exceptions to every rule, and if you would be so kind as to leave the room, then I can help my friend, who's known me longer than you." Kyle and Erik glarred at each other for a while before Erik stalked out of the room. I looked at Amy, who nodded and left, shutting the door behind her.

"Well, would you care to explain, Kyle?"

"I, just tell me what happened, you ran past me, in the other castle, crying."

"I...I can't tell you."

"Yeah you can, you know you can tell me anything, just try. Who caused it?"

"No, I can't, I gave my word! You said you knew about that law! Did you also know I can't force myself to break my word?" Tears were in my eyes again, I wanted to tell him so bad! I wanted to go to him and let him hold me as I cried out all my problems. He was the only one I'de ever let do that, I pushed everyone else away.

He came over and sat down next to me, just as he did in the past when I was upset, he put his arm around my shoulders, wiped the tears from my eyes, and let me lean my head on his shoulder until I'd regained my composure, he was the secret to my strength.


Chapter 24

"Are you okay now?" He asked after a while. I lifted my head, met his eyes, and nodded. "Good." He continued, "Now just let me tell you a little secret I found about. You can break your word for those you consider true. And I quote, "The one and only exception to the law is when talking to those you consider you're true friends." end quote."

"I know that if I had one true friend in my life, you'd be it. But how do you know?"

"You said earlier that you can't force yourself to, in this case, tell what you promised not to. Well, you can't. But telling a true friend everything is natural."

I thought about it for a moment before saying anything. "I...I...I can't!" The tears started again, "I'm sorry, you are a true friend and I don't deserve it! My inability to say anything has nothing to do with my promise anymore. It's just...he...I..."

Kyle's arm tensed, causing me to stop. He spoke softly. "Did Caleb do something? Harm you in any way?" He met my eyes when I looked up again, they were protective again. I was still leaning against him, his arm still tense

I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, another portal opened. Caleb stepped and, after a tiny fraction of a second that I saw the harmful intent in Kyle's eyes, was pinned to the wall, Kyle's hand at his throat.

Kyle was really angry, it eminated from him and surprised me into shock. "What did you do to her?" Kyle growled at him.

"You're Kyle, right?" Caleb replied calmly, "The kid who became a warrior today?" Kyle grimaced and Caleb smirked as he continued. "Well then, The Laws apply to you now. And you must obey me as your prince. And I order you to release me!"


Chapter 25

I was shocked at how big of jerks these two were being. And Kyle continued. "Not this time I don't. Not until you answer my question!"

Caleb's eyes widened in surprise. "What?! How?!"

"Many laws can be broken," Kyle's anger instantly vanished, "and all it takes is true friendship, true love, and true family. True friendship means more than hanging out, it means they will do anything for eachother, no matter what, and they can't just say the would, they have to mean it. True love is more than boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, it's soulmates. And true family aren't your friends, they just do things to protect you and can seem like your worst enemies at times, but they can also seem like your best friend." Kyle kept going, but I'd started thinking.

True friend, I already knew that was Kyle. But what about the other two? Let's see, my true family would have to be...Erik, he was always looking out for me and thinking things through. And true love...hard one, one person could fit two discriptions...I looked at the two guys, and knew the answer imediately. "Stop it!" I yelled as loud as I could. Kyle jumped, releasing Caleb, they both stared at me in surprise. The door opened and Erik came in, concern on his face, but he stopped after a moment and turned toward Caleb and Kyle.

"What is going on?" He asked.

"Kyle was annoying her with his nonstop talking while threatening to kill me." Caleb replied.

"Why shouldn't I do that? She came back from your place weak and upset! I've never seen her that way!" Erik returned

"Oh, and you were doing so much help for her when I got here." Kyle jumped in sarcastically.

This three way argument could take forever to finish, but a forth person would end it now. So, again, I yelled, "Stop it!" They all turned and looked at me. "Stop fighting! And stop worrying Kyle, I will never stop needing your support and they aren't going to harm me on purpouse. Erik, relax, Kyle and Caleb aren't going to hurt me and you're still my favorite brother. Caleb, Kyle is no competition, he is purely a friend! Kyle, you spoke earlier of true friendship, true love, and true family. Well, you are my true friend." I looked him dirrectly in the eyes and he took my hands in his. His face brightened and a smile spread across it. He spun me around playfully, like he'd done at our first middle school dance, and then released my hands. I moved over to Erik, "You are my true family." He smiled a caring smile and gave me a warm hug, and then released me. I moved on to Caleb. "And you are my true love." He smiled a sweat smile and then pulled me close and kissed me!

I went into a sort of blissful dream state. I felt my arms go around his neck and his responded by holding me closer to him by the hips. The kiss was gentle and forceful at the same time. It was beyone amazing.


Chapter 26

When we broke apart and I realized that Kyle and Erik were staring at us I felt my face warm up. They burst out laughing.

"What?" I asked, looking between them.

"You're so red!" Kyle explained.

"I've never seen you turn even slightly pink!" Erik continued.

"All the jerks in the room need to leave. Besides, I need to talk to Caleb about something." They laughed, taking the joke well, and left. I went and sat down again, Caleb did the same.

Thank you. I thought to him, a little tired after everything that had happened. That was truly amazing and, I must say, over due if you ask me.

He nodded, and replied, Yeah, but that's not what you want to talk about, is it?

I shook my head. Do you want to go ahead and explain now?

Might as well. The royalty of my kingdom was told to have the ability to remove unatural forces, but what that meant exactly was lost to time. I think I may have figured it out. I think we removed your family's extra abilities. But I didn't truly put two and two together untill recently.

I smiled encouragingly. Well, we'll have to figure out how to control that, won't we?

Our work is cut out for us then, isn't it.

Just then Amy rushed in. "Violet!" Caleb and I stood up, there were tears streaming down her cheeks. "Father's been injured! The war has begun!"

Her words rang in my head as Caleb and I looked at each other. Things couldn't get much worse at this point.