I woke up the day after I’d been chased by a goon. I told everyone I had slept the day through. Luckily, no one tried to verify it further. I decided to keep everything in a diary to piece things together and began writing from the day I was poisoned.
I had to return to my lessons today, but I was glad to go to my history class first.
“Good morning princess,” A guardsman stopped me at my door.
“Can I help you?” I asked in a clearly irritated tone.
“The queen and king have requested a meeting with you,” he said levelly, not even looking me in the eye.
“Well, okay,” I said.
“Follow me,” He said dutifully and walked down the hallway. I fell in step behind him as he led me downstairs into a weird secret underground bunker. I was immediately attentive and alert.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“Follow me,” He repeated.
“I want to know where we are,” I repeated.
“This way madam,” He said and opened one of many metal doors. I walked into a secret meeting room with my mother, father, and the King’s Council.
“Princess Tara Anne,” The guard bowed and left.
“Why am I here?” I asked, short and sweet.
“We have reason to believe there is a conspiracy against the royal family arising. It is for your safety that we are suspending your normal classes,” Chancellor Wellington said.
I mentally jumped for joy.
“We cannot have you leaving the castle grounds until this blows over,” My father said.
Mental me stopped in her tracks and began to cry.
“I can’t be stuck here until you eliminate the gang problem!” I hissed.
“It will only be a few months! Only until the threats to you have passed,” Emily’s father, Sir Henry Dubois, said pacifyingly.
“I’m not being grounded in my castle until you fix this,” I said stubbornly.
“Tara Anne, please just listen this once!” My mother pleaded.
“I am not staying put!” I said stubbornly again.
“It is for your own safety and it is final,” Sir Charles Bradshaw said.
I stayed put and said not a word. They all stared at me in confusion. I smiled and walked out. It took them a few seconds to realize what I did and they all shouted.
“Tara Anne!” I heard my father bellow. I ran along the tunnels and tried to find the exit. I was trying to get out now while I could and they must’ve really wanted me safe because I heard the shouts of several guards.
I frantically tried to open several nearby doors- which were locked.
“Psst!” I heard and gasped.
“Who’s there?” I whispered turning every which way to find the voice.
“A friend,” It answered and I was dragged into the wall. I gasped and prepared to hit it, but I realized I had become a part of the shadows. I felt a hand clap over my mouth and a battalion of guardsmen marched by.
“Who are you?” I gasped as soon as I was human again, I guess.
“I’m a wizard and I kinda found this place,” He shrugged. I pinned him against the wall, with my elbow in his throat. I gasped as he materialized into the shadows and reappeared behind me.
“You cannot be here,” I said.
“I won’t tell anyone. Besides, I don’t want power or money. I’m just going along for the ride,” He smiled lazily.
“You’re crazy,” I attempted to grab him again and he did the shadow teleporting creepy emo guy trick again.
“Have any more tricks?” I asked snidely.
“Tons,” He mocked.
“Can you just get me out of here?” I said exasperated.
“Geez, not even a please,” His brown eyes glimmered playfully.
“Get me out of here before I shove a knife in your throat,” I threatened.
“Close enough,” He shrugged and I was once again part of the shadows.
