The Lost Mark

Chapter 20: The first mark

"Is that it?" Rina asked as we walked to a small cobbled house. There were no windows that I could see. It almost looked like a prison. I took a deep inhale. I'm not getting a good feeling about this place. I think we will have to run soon. I continued to take deep breaths as we got closer.

"Yes, this is it," Gregory said. "The man we are visiting goes by the name of the whisperer."

"Why?" Alex snorted. "that sounds stupid."

"Let's not judge others," I told her, but a similar thought went through my head.

"I bet you are thinking the same thing I just voiced it aloud."

"You're right," I answered. "But that doesn't mean my statement isn't true."

"Just don't tell the whisperer that. He might be offended and refuse to tell us anything." Rina suggested.

I nodded. "That's a good idea."

"Maybe some of us should stay outside," Rina asked as we got closer.

"Why? Are you scared?" Alex taunted.

Rina just held on to Alex and ignored her. Gregory sighed. "No, we should all go in together. It's better to stay together because we can fight together and have more numbers."

'I need each other." I agreed.

"Then it's settled we will all go in," Alex stated just as we reached the door. We knocked on the door. We didn't have to wait outside for long before a skinny man opened the door for us.

"Come in. come in." He opened the door wider letting us all in. "I've been wanting to meet you ll. I'm assuming you know who the mark is."

"Who?" I questioned. "You have similar beliefs to the prince."

"Where do you think he got it?" He said, ushering us into seats. "Sit down. Sit down. We have much to talk about."

"No," Alex said. " I will stand. I don't think there is much to talk about."

She went to stand behind Rina. Rina reached up to hold her hand. I smiled at their antics.

"Girls aren't supposed to be together, but I won't judge." the skinny man said.

I narrowed my eyes at him. He knows too much. "I'm sure the prince has told us what he has learned from you."

"He gave you the book."

"I told you that yesterday," Gregory complained.

The man simply smiled. "I didn't tell the prince everything. He didn't have the mark. You do." he scanned the room. "Now who is it?"

We stayed silent, glaring at the man.

"I don't know if I can help you if you don't tell me who."

"That's horrible of you." Rina gasped.

"Then we will leave," Alex said, helping Rina up out of her chair.

"no, " the man said, quickly slamming the door shut and locking it. "You can't leave."

"I told you it's a trap," Alex said. "but nobody listens to me."

"I can't let you leave." the man repeated.

"Why?" I questioned. "Why did you do this?"

The man looked at me guiltily. " I had to."

"Why?"

"Because I had to."

"Why?"

"They have my daughter."