Darkness Rises

Chapter 3

She led me to a suit of rooms and knocked, when no one answered we walked in.

"Can you stay Amelia," I whispered.

"Of course I can, besides, I'm your adopted mother." She said with a wink, I just gave her a small smile.

"I can't believe this is happening, after everything Mother told me," I grumbled as I walked over to the massive window and looked out.

"You couldn't have known Jaz, you just wanted to do the best job you could." Amelia assured me.

"This isn't how I envisioned my life Lia, it was ok until mother died, she was so amazing then he murdered her because she finally said no to him." I couldn't stop the tear that ran down my cheek.

"Jaz, look at me," I looked up and she wiped the tear away. "We all know he killed her, and we all hate him for it, but she wouldn't have wanted this, you know that because of her letter to you." She whispered.

I nodded and looked at the floor.

"Come on Jaz, chin up." She said and I did.

"I don't want to die alone Lia," I whispered.

"I promise you, if your mother was right and you are about to die, I will stay with you until the end and I will bury you next to your mother." She said, taking my hands.

"Thank you," I whispered.

I heard talking so I curled my power into me and faced the door, Amelia pressed herself against my side.

When the Night Court came in, we dropped to our knees, just like we had been taught.

"Get up," a female voice said.

We did as we were asked, Amelia placed her hand on my lower back in silent comfort as I kept my eyes down, then they couldn't see. She guided me over to a small sofa and we both sat.

"I believe I only asked Jasmine to come," the High Lord's voice said.

"I adopted her, she told me what happened in the hall, so I decided to come with her," Amelia told him.

"Do you know why I asked you here Jasmine?" He asked, Amelia squeezed my hand.

I shook my head, still not looking up.

"I would like to know why you have my eyes, my hair and I think my power." He said, sounding a little amused.

"I can't," I whispered, looking up.

"You can't or you won't?" A female asked.

"I won't, mother told me before she died that if I ever met you for any reason, I could never tell you." I whispered once more, Amelia's grip on my hand tightened, she was the only one that knew.

"Your mind is incredibly well guarded for a child," the High Lord continued.

"She taught me while we baked, each roll made or cake iced I would raise then lower my shields, adding a layer each time. Again, just in case I ever met you," I said.

He staired at me for a very long time, I just stared back. I felt a claw scratching against my shield.

"Cut it out, if you are going to kill me just do it already, if not then I have a whole lot of cakes to make before we go home." I was so angry.

I felt Amelia tense beside me, but I didn't take my eyes off the High Lord who was staring at me in shock.

"You can go, I'm not going to kill you, although I hope that one day you will tell me why you could be my twin." He said as we stood.

As soon as we were out of his rooms, I felt Amelia relax.

"Well, you are one brave kid," Amelia breathed when we were back in our room.

"Did he try your mind too?" I asked her, mother didn't just teach me how to shield.

"No, I think he just assumed I didn't know." She replied.

"That's good, it's like a talon and feels awful," I said with a shiver.

"Do you really have a load of cakes to make?" She asked, brows raised.

"You know the Lady likes my cakes, I baked her one while I was making the main cake, I need to go and ice it for her now." I said with a wink.

"Come on, I'm not leaving your side," she said, and we walked back down to the kitchen.