The Kingdom of Broken Glass

Torment

(Julian's POV)

Amon was quiet today. Usually he was pretty upbeat, but today his feet dragged on the ground and his face was stern. He looked mad and yet broken at the same time. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists as he walked.

Julian looked towards Liza who was partially hiding behind her hair. This was such a strong habit for her that she felt the need to do it even when she was only with her friends. She offered him a small smile when she caught him looking.

"So," Julian started. "What's the plan?"

"What plan?" Amon grunted out, not bothering to look at him.

"When we get to the demon place. Are they going to attack us first? Should we have a defence strategy worked out?"

Amon glanced at him before answering, "If they wanted to attack you, you would be dead. No point in having a defence strategy."

Julian stopped walking, "So we are going to be attacked?"

Amon turned around and walked right up to Julian's face. He stuck a finger in Julian's chest, "No, we are not going to be attacked, you dolt. Why would I bring you here knowing they would hurt you? We are going to ask Raysa if you two could join with me."

Liza twiddled her thumbs nervously, "Maybe Violet was right? I mean, we don't know how anyone there is going to respond to us wanting to join them. They're probably just going to laugh at us."

Amon shook his head at her, "Then make it so that they can't laugh. You have no self confidence. Raysa can fix that."

"Well, how did Merigold take it when you told her?" Liza replied.

"She kicked me out." Amon turned around and started walking towards the direction of the castle again.

"Merigold kicked you out of her home?" Julian asked.

"Technically her father kicked me out."

"Maybe they didn't mean it," Liza offered.

Amon shook his head, "Oh no. He meant it. He didn't want me to contaminate his pure household." He added drily.

"You can stay with me," Julian said. "If you need a place."

"Thanks," Amon replied genuinely. "But I have a home now. A better home."

Liza gasped, "You moved into Raysa's castle, didn't you?" 

"You catch on fast." Julian knew that Amon was only being rude because of what happened with Merigold, but still. Amon needed to get a grip.

"I'm sorry," Liza told him.

"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have talked down to you like that."

"Not for that," Liza said. "I'm sorry that she kicked you out."

Amon looked towards the sky, "Yeah, me too."

~~~~

Julian walked through the stone pillars into the hallway of the castle. So far they hadn't seen anyone else here. He was sure that he looked like a nervous wreck. Liza partially walked behind them while Julian walked with his head down. They were both trying to hide in their own ways, which would be useless here. If anyone in this castle wanted to find them, there would be no point in hiding.

He had originally thought there would be at least a dozen people defending the outside, or at least getting ready to question them about wanting to enter, but there was nobody. Once the castle materialized in front of them, they had just walked right on in.

I guess you don't need protection for your castle when your castle is invisible, Julian thought to himself.

The castle wasn't cold and clammy like he always assumed anything associated with evil would be. Instead, the castle was one with nature. There were vines climbing up the walls with many windows letting in the sunlight. It was beautiful.