A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

Who Can Talk the Prettiest?

A crowd is on the lawn when we approach, and they are all focused on something in the parking lot. A loud booming voice comes from that direction, and the words I hear prod me to go faster.

"We mean no harm, truly. I only wish to speak to the heir."

"This is school property, if you have business with one of our students, you can conduct it outside of school hours," Diaz's voice I can recognize.

The crowd of students behind Diaz don't notice me, even as I shove through them to be able to see better, the others behind me. They're all focused on Diaz, who has his arms crossed and his feet shoulder length apart, and the other man, who is standing casually, with his hands in his pockets and and a small smile on his face. Five other men and women are behind him. Strangely enough, Lark is missing.

When I finally break through the crowd, the man that's obviously leading the group turns toward me, and his strangely unsettling smile grows.

"Freya, I believe," he walks closer, and stretches out his hand toward me, "I'm Walter. Walter Bolst."

A small voice in the back of my head speaks up, whispering that I shouldn't trust this man under any circumstances. Again, my parents' rules come to mind. I've got to trust my gut, but I need to handle this delicately. I don't take his hand. I know this world well enough that touching a stranger could be potentially disastrous, and everything about this guy is putting me on high alert. "We haven't met before. You'll forgive me for not shaking your hand. How do you know my name?"

A dark look crosses Walter's face, so quick that I can't figure out what it means, before it's replaced by that smile, "You're joking! You're the newest obsession in the Nole Scroll! Everyone is talking about the Queen's princess."

I suppose I should've expected this. I knew a group of teenagers couldn't keep a secret, but this was sure fast. I roll my eyes. Who am I kidding, it's been twenty years since the blood war, and people are still obsessed with my mother. Of course they're going to be the same with me. My parents kept my existence a secret for a long time, but it was always going to come out that my mother had a kid.

"I'm not any kind of princess, but I am Enya's daughter. Why are you looking for me?" My voice comes out harsher than I mean it to. Something about this situation seems off.

His smile grows so large that it seems to take up half his face. "Why, of course, to congratulate you on your throne."

My fists tense, and I hide them behind my back. I strengthen my stance, and prepare to move quickly. Everything about this man, and this conversation puts my teeth on edge, "You're mistaken. I hold no title, or throne."

His eyes broadcast a pitying look, and I know I've made a mistake, "Of course, such a young girl would have no clue of her status, not to mention how to act while holding it," he clicks his tongue, "How horrible. An incompetent crown princess."

My fingernails bite into my palms, the pain keeping me as level headed as I can be, "I would be careful how you speak to someone you claim has a throne."

"Well..." he signs, as if in sorrow and resignation, ignoring what I said. "Let me explain this simply for you. How can a young...naive...little girl...be Queen of the Enhanced?"

And then he gives me a sad look, like a child who doesn't know, and can't understand that something bad has happened.

Like a semi-stable not-so-human being, I lose my mind. Screw the rules.

"First of all, Walter, you have no clue what you're talking about. I may be the daughter of Enya and Chaim Blaz, but that does not make me a 'princess'" I make air quotes when I say the last word, "My mother never accepted the so-called throne. I'm not the naive one here. Second, I'm at least showing a little intelligence. What idiot tracks someone down, only to try to hurt them? Especially when that someone is a descendant of the strongest known Enhanced out there. Third," I point at Diaz, "He's right. You're trespassing. You have thirty seconds to get off of this property before I call the police," I pause, and tilt my head, deciding to go bold or go home. "We wouldn't want to get any officers involved, would we?"

As I speak, Bolst looks increasingly angry, until his face is red, and his fists are clenched. His reaction tells me my gut feeling was right. Spit flies from his mouth when he speaks again, "Apologize, girl! You have no idea who you're talking to!"

I force a slow, cynical smile to rest on my face, "Showing our true colors now, are we?"

I can tell I've pissed him off, especially when he takes a distinctly threatening step forward. Then his eyes dart to Ben, who steps up next to me, and my friends behind him. Walter's smile comes back slowly, just as easy as it left, "I apologize for my outburst. I'll see you later, Freya." Just like that, he spins on his heel, and strides across the parking lot, closely followed by five others.