Cordelia wrapped lightly on the door to Mrs. Oak's office. When there was no answer, she sighed, and knocked louder. “Come in,” I heard Mrs. Oak say, her voice muffled by the thick wood.
Cordelia opened the door, and waltzed in, leaving me to trail behind her. “Good morning Mrs. Oak, pleasure to see you,” Cordelia chirped, pushing a strand of red hair from the front of her sunglasses. Last night, seeing her without them, she had looked so vulnerable, and childlike. She lost any sort of intimidation she has when she takes off her glasses, and reveals the bright yellow of her eyes. It is ironic that they looked like the suns her eyes were usually so guarded from.
“Good morning! Let's get down to business,” Mrs. Oak said, smiling. I liked that she didn't waste any time on unnecessary small talk. “Ms. Aurelia, do you still wish to visit the Dusk to attempt to rescue your mother?”
“Yes,” I said. “The more I think about it, the more I just know I need to go,” I said
“Tell her about your dream, doll,” Cordelia said. Ugh, I'd rather not. But I did, because I didn't see a way out of it. Through out the entire time, Mrs. Oak had been nodding, narrowing her eyes, and jotting down notes. When I finished, she gave one last nod, and began talking.
“Is it true, Mrs. Cordelia, that Aurelia was left alone as a baby? That would help to confirm the dreams as a prophecy,” Mrs. Oak stated.
“Aurelia's mother, Abigail, stayed at my mansion after she fled from the king. She insisted she stay in one of the outbuildings to decrease danger for me, and she would have it no other way. She married the elf named Eric who trimmed my gardens. He matches the description Aurelia gave of the man she saw her mother with. After Aurelia was born, Abigail bought her a crib to keep in the outbuilding with her. One day, about a month or so after Aurelia's birth, I walked outside, and found that Abigail and Eric had packed up their belongings and left, leaving Aurelia behind and in my care,” Cordelia said.
“Why didn't you just keep her?” Mrs. Oak interrogated. I was actually wondering the same thing.
“I may have been a suspect. We didn't want the king to the baby,” Cordelia explained. “I got her when her powers kicked in, just as Abigail and I planned.”
“Mm hmm. Well, I do believe it best that you go another week of school, learn more about the world you will be entering, and seven people to go with you, so it will be eight total. You will be pulled from some of your classes so that we can teach you at a faster rate. On Friday, you and the others will meet me in my office, and I will take you to the portal to Dusk. I warn you, the portal will not take you straight to the castle, it will take several days for you to get there.”
“Friday? No earlier?” I asked, feeling frantic.
“Dove, Mrs. Oak has a valid point,” Cordelia said. “You need to know more before you go.”
“You haven't even been at this school a full week yet. You are not prepared,” Mrs. Oak stated dryly.
“But...my mom...”
“Will be there when you go for her.” I couldn't an argument for this, so I just nodded. “I want a list of the people you are bringing in my office on Wednesday. Bring them with you, if you can,” Mrs. Oak said.
“Okay,” I said.
Cordelia and I rode back to her mansion in silence.
Monday passed by quickly. I asked the group at lunch who all was going, and the response was predictable.
“I'm going,” Alex piped in first.
“Me too,” Ethan said.
“Count me in,”Jane added.
