The Dark Hour

--------Ridge--------

Skyla and I snuck down a few halls until I heard soft talking. I followed it and I swear I heard Lalna's voice. The closer I got the more I could make out.

"You know I offered to take you in the moment I saw you. Not to be creepy or anything I just. I have a sort of soft spot for little kids I guess. I didn't want to hurt you but it was either I did or Quentin did and he would have been a lot worse."

"I understand. So how long am I going to stay here?"

"As long as is needed. If I let you go Quentin is going to be mad at me."

"I know." I was right outside the door. I looked back at Skyla and she nodded to me. I sighed then knocked on the door.

"Just a minute," A guy called out. I heard whispering before someone started walking over to the door. As soon as it opened and Skyla knocked the guy out and we quickly went in. I helped Skyla toss him on the bed then I started looking around.

"You heard Lalna in here too right?" Skyla asked softly. I nodded.

"Yeah, but where did he go?" Skyla started opening doors while I looked under the bed. I got up as she opened what looked like the door to the closet. Something tackled her and she yelped as she started to fall over. I quickly caught her and I smiled.

"Lalna." She looked down at him and laughed lightly and hugged him.

"Oh my gosh you scared me," She giggled.

"Sorry," Lalna said softly. I hugged the both of them and sighed.

"Are you ok?" I asked softly. He nodded.

"I'm ok, but I'm worried about Astrid."

"Axel went looking for her, she'll be fine," Skyla said quickly. "We're going to get you out of here though." He nodded then the door opened. I quickly pushed the both of them behind me as a guy walked in.

"Well this is quite unexpected."

"We don't want any trouble," I said calmly.

"You've already caused trouble, breaking in here. I'm not going to let that slide."

"Get Lalna out of here," I said lowly. Skyla nodded then pulled Lalna back with her and dropped a bead and quickly crushed it with her heel. The both of them disappeared and I sighed softly.

"You're not going to let me just leave are you?"

"Not likely." He said with a evil smile, and pulled out a knife. I wasn't even thinking when an ice sword formed in my hand. I quickly got into a defensive position and watched him. "So you're an elemental. Lucky me."

"Wh-Why is it lucky for you?" I asked slightly worried.

"Don't worry, you'll easily beat me but not Bell. she's the best." He said walking away. I sighed, I need to find Axel and the girls. The guy was gone and I quietly went down the hallway I came from. The sword stayed in my hand and it didn't feel cold to me. It looked like glass but it was radiating with cold. I turned down a different hall and I ran straight into someone. We both were knocked down and I quickly scrambled up. I looked at them then relaxed.

"Are you ok Valerie?" I asked softly. She nodded and got up.

"Are you ok? And where did you get the sword?" She asked a bit worried.

"Um I made it," I said uncertainly.

"Wow, you have good control of your magic. Oh Astrid and Axel left." Layla said happily. I nodded.

"Ok we should get going to then. This place is kinda creepy."

"Wait there's someone that I have to find first!" Layla said running off.