The Jem

~6~

"Crimson, tomorrow is the alliance ball. It's a celebration for all the countries and realms that have allied together. People from Galleyana will be there, fairies from Kimmel, mermaids and mermen from Bahar, obviously they've taken their human form, and other magical creatures from all over." Cordelia said with excitement.

"I have nothing to wear." Crimson frowned

"We live in a palace my dear, your going to have lots of options."

"Alright, I'll be off to bed now. Good night your majesty." She bowed.

                                           ~

Crimson hadn't gone to bed though. She had just sat there on her huge, soft bed, playing with her ring-the ring 'her family'-had given her. It had a Crimson jewel shaped like a star on it and when her 'mother' had given it to her she had said, "My dear darling girl, whenever we are not together, hold this ring up to your chest and say that I am always here with you no matter what". She wondered all those years living with them, being fed by them, getting taken care of by them. Had it all be a lie? Had they just wanted her power? Maybe they grew to love her!

She sighed unhappily as she prepared herself for bed then went to sleep.

                                          ~

The next morning was chaos, Deeja had bumped into chefs, cleaners, guards pretty much everyone. She was staying at the castle because her parents had business with the fair Queen. She didn't know what it was about but she knew it had to do with the attacks that have been happening lately.

She kept rushing in and out of servants till she rounded up into a corner but as she was about to head down the hallway, she stopped. And hid behind the wall because she knew who that was- Noelani- the mermaid who was currently in her human form. Oh she hated her with utter passion. But who was the thing she was talking to? It was a hooded figure and she couldn't see his or her features but she could still hear what they were saying.

"Don't tell anyone Noelani, you could get us in trouble!" The masked figure whispered, it wasn't a male voice.

"I know, I know! But when do we bring the hell-stingers in?" She whispered back.

"When it becomes 10 o'clock." They shook hands and thats when Deeja realised the person had a symbol tattooed on their left hand. She'd never seen it before it was like a crescent moon but weird flames were irrupting from it.

Noelani walked into a room nearby and the hooded person walked the other way from Deeja. She let out a relieved breath. Noelani was very trusted by the Queen. But
hell-stingers, seriously? She could kill so many!
Deeja had to tell someone.

                                           ~
Crimson was looking through the dresses her Queen had brought for her. They were absolutely magnificent! But none of them were her style, she kept searching till she laid her eyes upon the gorgeous velvet royal blue dress. One arm had a long black lace sleeve and the other didn't. Golden roses were embroidered at the top of the dress and to the sides and the bottom was ruffled like a mermaid tale.

She instantly fell in love with it.

Admiring her dress, Crimson had already put it on and was now twirling around in it and humming a calming melody whilst dancing till the door slammed open. She froze as she looked at Deeja, her breathing rugged probably from running and her eyes looked lost.

"Wow...huh that's ...a beautiful...dress" she clung onto the door frame trying to catch her breath.

"Thank you." She spun around again then paused, "wait what's wrong?"

"Someone is bringing hell-stingers to the ball tonight and they are going to release them at ten o'clock." She breathed. Crimson's gaze met hers.

Hell-stingers! Someone had once told her about those, they're like fat cherries and their eyes looked possessed. But worst of all when the sting you, your blood starts to gush out from your nose, mouth, ears and eyes, till you have your final spaz-attack and die. Rarely anyone ever survived from a hell-stinger's bite. And if you do, you will most likely be paralyzed for the rest of your life.

How could someone get their hands on something so deadly?