Where Home Is

The Meeting

Gem's Perspective-

"Welcome Gem!" Everett said, smiling broadly.

"Please, please sit down."

Gem sat down across from him.

She saw that he had her wand in his pocket.

Gem didn't dare say anything.

They sat in silence until the door opened and Pearl walked in.

"Ah Pearl. Please, sit down." Pearl sat down next to Everett, trying to keep an act of where she doesn't care about Gem.

"Now Gem. I'm here to finally find the truth. The truth of where you came from, why you're here, and whatever else you're hiding."

"How is that?" Gem asked, trying to keep calm.

"I've been reading out of your books and found out a thing or two."

"Have you?"

"I have. But I want to give you the option of telling me yourself without me forcing you to."

"Well too bad looks like you're wasting your time." Gem said, folding her arms and sitting back.

"Really?" Everett asked and he smiled as he took something out of his pocket.

It was a photo.

"I found this when reading one of your books. I was going to give it to you and let you stay in the castle but if you rather me burn it and send you back into the dungeon, that's fine."

"But there's no fire." Gem smirked.

Everett looked displeased and said, "Pearl. Go get a torch, will you?"

Pearl nodded and left.

Everett then smiled a sick smile.

"Ah but Gem, I don't need a torch." He grabbed her wand and muttered something.

Gem's wand created a fire.

"I knew it." Gem said bitterly, "A wizard, huh? I remember when you tried to do a powerful spell. I knew you must've known it from being a wizard yourself. But you're out of practice, aren't you?"

Everett shrugged, "Maybe. I'm getting used to it though. Your wand is very responsive."

He then grabbed the photo and showed it to Gem.

"Want me to burn it?"

Gem's eyes widened.

"No!" She exclaimed, snatching the picture.

It was a picture of her and her brother.

It was taken right after Crystal Cliffs Academy opened.

Everett smiled and put out the flame. He then started pacing around as Gem stared at the photo in her hand.

"Well, well, well, this just proves that you've been lying to me. You said that you live in the desert. This doesn't look like the desert. And who's that next to you?"

"My brother." Gem said, "Twin brother. The only one left in my family."

"Is he a wizard as well?"

"No."

"Are any of your friends' wizards?"

"No." Gem said, thinking of Lizzie.

"So you live in the mountains as a wizard with your brother."

"Yes." Gem said.

Everett stopped pacing, "Did you know that trained owls can send letters to someone as long as they know what they look like?"

"Yes." Gem said, "We use that system at my home as well."

Everett smiled a sick smile that gave Gem goosebumps, "Good. You may leave. Send Trissa in and wait outside the door. Pearl should be there and keep a close eye on you."

Gem got up and left.

Trissa walked in and Pearl was nowhere to be seen.

Eventually, Pearl came over with a torch.

"Oh, are you guys done?"

Gem nodded and Pearl swore before walking back up to her post.

After a minute, Trissa walked out and bowed to Gem.

"Follow me this way."

Trissa walked over to the guard with ginger hair.

"Anthony, King Everett would like to see you in the meeting room." Trissa said.

The man nodded and left.

Trissa then led Gem up a flight of stairs.

"This is where you will be staying." Trissa led Gem to a door and then bowed.

Gem nodded and looked to her left and right.

When she saw that the hallway was deserted, she whispered, "What about Oli?"

Trissa shrugged, looking upset.

Gem sighed, "I came here to get students. I found people who want to be free from this corrupted king. I need to free Oli. Please."

"Gem I- I don't know- "

"Trissa!" Boomed a man's voice.

Trissa turned around and looked caught.

She bowed quickly at the sight of the ginger guard.

"Your orders were to lead Gem to where she would be staying. Not to make small talk." He snarled.

Trissa nodded and said, "My apologies Anthony, please forgive me."

Anthony nodded and Trissa left.

Anthony then turned to Gem and bowed.

"I am Anthony Benson. My duty now is to guard you."

Gem rolled her eyes and opened the door, "Well stay out here, will you? And knock before you enter."

She closed the door and looked around.

She then grabbed the photo of her and her brother.

She propped it up on the nightstand and laid in the bed.

I'll get you Oli. Just wait one more day.

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Sorry that this one is so short, but I hope you enjoyed it anyway! The next chapter should clear up the cliffhanger with fWhip that was in chapter 8.