SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 41

"Now, for this lesson, I want to tell you about a certain Valpreiz called the Trickster. This one moves alone, works alone. It doesn't live in packs or groups.

"The trickster works in charms, works in songs and magic. It has the ability to play with emotions, induce feelings of depression, loneliness, doubt, fear... suicidal thoughts. Some people have been overwhelmed by its power to the thought of killing themselves. It's an envious creature. It yearns to be like us, it likes attention. It's a good actress and can mirror every one of your actions once it takes over you. And once it tires of you, it kills and steals your power and essence then moves on to another victim. The level of its satisfaction and bloodthirst is dangerous. It can kill all day and night and get not satisfied.

"Now this one is hard to notice because it moves around us. It's great acting habits can make it seem like you're talking to a normal person, but we have one advantage at it... it can never carry your heart and mind. When you could be passionate and real, it could be cruel and unrealistic.

"But it can be patient... waiting all the while until you fall in its trap. It's so cruel that other valprei don't associate with it."

"What do we do then? How do we fight it?" Little Sesy asked.

"So when you encounter it, reverse counteract all its charms."

Arabella looked at her father. "How?"

*

"Mia..." Bella whispered as Minerva was busy sauntering around the dining hall to her magnificent work. Everyone was frozen with terror-stricken faces.

Caldor, being the only Master in the hall couldn't move a muscle. His face had a mixture of terror and anger. He couldn't even reach for his dagger in his boots.

"Oh oh oh... don't you all look beautiful."

"Mia..."

Mia was trembling. Her eyes were glassy.

"You all sang my song and are now under my control. Oh, how dashing..."

"Mia, I need you to reverse sing the cast..."

Mia looked at Bella.

"I need you to reverse sing it, you don't have much time."

Mia's lips trembled when Minerva turned to Arabella. Arabella's spine straightened as she glared at her.

"Sweetheart, come on, don't be like that."

"Where is Minerva?"

Minerva cackled giddily. "You won't believe... there was never a Minerva all along." She threw her face back and laughed.

Arabella took a quick glance at Mia who was mumbling something under her breath and was glad she heard her.

"Minerva never even came to Greyenvir. I mean, I met her three years ago. Such a sweet soul. So trusting..." She turned to survey the room as if stalling the story so that she could ask more of it.

"Bella..." Daya whispered.

Arabella turned to Daya who was next to her, and her eyes widened. Daya could move. If Minerva saw her...

"Then what did you do to her?" Bella distracted the valpreiz.

She turned dramatically, animating her narration. "Oh, I thought you'd never ask. I toyed around with her for a while. Her parents were hell-bent on making her go to Greyenvir when she didn't even want to. But I thought... what if she did? What if..." Her grin grew, "...I did? I would be the first Valprei to enter this strongly warded Institute filled with all the Orders. I will be the first valprei to make history."