Castor's Queen

Chapter 2 - Ghost in the Gardens

I was confused, to say the least when I woke. The room was fairly large and full of light, however, it was not my own. After my brother's death, I had moved. Miles away. As far as I could, so as to try and forget - not that it helped much. I now lived in a smaller house on the edge of the London, and the room I was currently in did not belong to that house. The bed was plush and furniture looked expensive. I slowly sat up, noting the throbbing in the back of my head. I took in my surroundings, slowly adjusting. The windows showed a large garden, so large, that I figured I might very well be back in the countryside. I hoped not. I struggled to remember the night before, but as soon as I did I almost wished I hadn't.

Ava.

I door suddenly burst open and a small army of people filled through. There was the butler with food, a maid with laundry, another with what I recognized as my shoes, an older man with a large bag who looked suspiciously like a doctor, and two people I didn't think I'd ever encounter again - Ava and her father, both of whom looked incredibly different.

Ava wore a white morning dress that I recognized was the latest style. Her father had grown a large, burly beard that, like the rest of his hair, was dark with streaks of gray emerging. He looked weathered and rough, unlike the kind, soft-spoken man I had once called my neighbor. They stood at the door, almost like guards, as the others went about their business. The butler presented me with tea and toast. The maids let me know that my clothes had been cleaned and dried while they set them in the wardroom - something I took to mean that I was not going to be leaving soon. And the doctor came and without a word began his work. He put his hand to my forehead and proceded to poke and prode me. Before long he gave me a clean bill of health. And just like that, the small group disappeared through the door guarded by ghosts.

"I'm guessing you have questions," the man I had known as Earl Canning spoke.

I nodded, not quite sure where to begin.

"But before we get to those there are a few things we have to clear first."

I nodded, glancing at the silent Ava still by the door, her face showing no emotion.

"First, you are not to leave the grounds without either Lila or me-"

"You can't keep me a prisoner!" I immediately argued.

"But we can," Ava or in truth Lila, said in a harsh tone, "Who will notice? Your family? Your neighbors?" she smirked, she knew.

He disregarded his daughter's comment and continued, "Second, you are permitted only on the main floor and this floor, the first, which contains your room unless you are with either Lila or myself. Thirdly, all meals will be brought up to your room unless otherwise notified. And finally, if you dare to try to break any of these rules which I have just explained you will be punished severely."

The look in his eyes told me he would have no hesitation in killing me. He strode out of the room without another word, but not before sending Lila a scathing look.

And then it was only Lila and me in the room.

"Why?" before I even had a chance to collect my thoughts, my tongue began to work.

"Why what?" she asked offhandedly as she leisurely walked towards the window.

"Why am I here? Why did you kill that man? Why do you have so many names? Why are you and your father so different? Why did my brother have to die?" the questions came out one after another without my permission. And those were only the first.

She sighed lightly before sitting in a chair near the window, "You are here because we cannot let you go now."

I had figured as much.