A Minute Before Midnight

~Chapter Five~

A/N: I kind of skipped ahead in time, about a month, to move the story along better. Everything will be explained, don't worry:)

I glanced at Tay before returning my gaze back to the window, looking out at the weather. There were gray skies, and black clouds, and I could tell a storm was approaching. I enjoyed thunderstorms now. They were empowering for me, for some reason.

"Claire!" Tay's voice cut through the trance I was in.

"Sorry," I muttered. "I did it again, didn't I?" I fumbled with my hands, unsure of what to do.

Tay sighed. "You need to get over this. Did you even talk to him about it?" Her words were harsh, reality clashing with fantasy, but her tone was gentle, and I knew she meant well.

"What was I supposed to say? Oh, hey, Ash. I was just wondering about that blonde chick in your room not too long ago, you know, the one with the fantastic body? Yeah, that one! Anyway, so I got jealous and started crying and ran to my room, where the one person who is supposed to be with me and help me left forever, and I was just wondering if you were in a relationship with that girl, that's all!" My tone was beyond sarcastic, and Tay rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that would blow over well."

"Well you don't have to phrase it like that." She grumbled, making my bed. I shook my head, laughing bitterly.

"Can you go now? I'm sure I can handle cleaning my room."

Tay looked shocked, and worse, hurt. "I...yeah, I...I'll just..." She left without another word, a stuttering mess, and I facepalmed myself. Great. My attitude was going to end up making me that crazy old cat lady. Only worse. I'll be that crazy old cat lady who's ruling over a bunch of people.

I sighed, burying my face in my hands and holding my breath until I no longer felt the overwhelming urge to cry.

There was a knock on the already open door, and I mumbled a 'get lost' into my hands, not bothering to look up.

There was silence for a moment. "The Queen wishes to see you, Princess." Ash's voice made me look up, and I frowned.

"I'll be there in a moment. I just...I need a second."

Ash stared at me for a minute, his face expressionless but his eyes concerned. Then, slowly, he nodded and turned around, walking away down the hall. I could hear his footsteps, and it reminded me of the day on the balcony...

I shook my head, clearing away all thoughts of that. I took a deep breath and stood up, walking to my closet. I looked around for a while, and finally came up with something suitable. I wore skinny jeans, a black tank top, and a long sleeved, white cardigan that had a small amount of ruffles around the torso. I smiled, but it felt weird, like it wasn't real. I knew I was going to have to work for even a fake smile nowadays. I sighed. I hated feeling like this all the time. Like I was pathetic, but there was nothing to be done about it.

I looked away from my reflection, disgusted, and made my way to the Queen's chambers. As usual, her door opened for me, only this time I found her lying on a loveseat that hadn't been here the last time I had come to see her.

"Your Majesty," I said, curtsying. Her face was serious and worried. I instantly knew something was wrong. "What has happened?"

"A large group of patrol officers were found dead in the woods. A black rose was found on each of the bodies. This is the work of the Dark Kingdom."

I gasped. "Have you retaliated?" I asked quickly.

She looked at me for a second, as if about to test my reaction for whatever she was about to say. "I have gathered five of our best fighters. But they have not left yet. They will need magick to count on. I cannot go. I am the Queen. In case of emergency, they will need to be healed. And, in case of an attack, they will need the help of magick. I am asking you to go with them."

I was shocked, to say the least, but also determined to keep them safe. I nodded. "Yes, I will go with them."

Just then, Ash burst into the room. "I will not allow it. You can't go. I forbid it."

I laughed humorlessly. "It's not your choice to make."

Just as he was about to refuse, the Queen intervened. "Then why not go with her? If you are so concerned, go."

I shook my head immediately, scowling at the Queen, though she only looked at Ash. I looked at him, already knowing what he would say.

"Yes."

I stormed out of the room, knowing Ash would follow but wishing he wouldn't. I was sure I was leading him straight to his death.

***

I pounced. I wasn't sure exactly how this was going to work, but I knew it had to. I clutched my amulet in my hand; I'd taken it off so that my power could flow from me to the man. I wasn't going to kill him. I was just going to subdue him for a few hours.

Sleep.

It seemed to work, because the man stopped struggling. I got off of him, dropping the amulet over my head and dusting off my jeans.

Ash and the knights, as they were called, stepped out of the brush. Ash looked concerned, but I ignored the look, instead looking in the direction that the Kingdom of Night was. I began in that direction, prepared. Our mission was to get me inside so that I could interrogate someone who would know detailed information about the attack. I would only know who knew by using my powers to skim through someone's thoughts; because the attack had happened so recently, I wouldn't have to dig too far. 

There were only three guards guarding the entrance to the jail cells. I figured we might as well start where it was more likely that someone would know about the attack. The knights took down the guards whil Ash and I snuck into the dungeon. There was only one guard in here, and after skimming through his mind quickly and deciding he knew nothing, Ash subdued him. I stalked to the other entrance to check if there was anyone else there; there wasn't.

I threw up my hands frustrated. "How are we ever going to figure out who did it if barely anyone knows about it?" I huffed. I spun around to face Ash, but he wasn't there.

"Ash?" I called. I walked back to where Ash had been, but I still couldn't hear him. "Ash, this isn't funny."

Suddenly there was someone behind me. An arm surrounded my waist and another closed over my mouth. In my panic and struggling, I dropped my amulet. My eyes widened, and I bit into the hand on my mouth. I heard a grunt, and spun around as much as I could to face my attacker...

"Finn."

"Sorry, Princess." He smirked. "But you won't be seeing your precious Ash anytime soon." He sneered his name. 

A cloth was placed over my mouth and nose from behind. I screamed into it, trying to get free, but I found myself fading, losing myself in the black.

"Claire!" 

"Ash," I mumbled, but it was muffled by the cloth. Then I slipped into oblivion.