Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 19 (part 2)

# Gabriel Bravesky
*Dining Hall. Flamecaster Fortress, City of Abril, Aurora Province*

"I'm full," I muttered as I exited the hall, patting my bloated belly. I don't really have a beer belly and it's not exactly bloated...but you get the idea.

Blaire was studying a pamphlet about Aurora's tourist attractions.
"This is nice," he commented, pointing at a hot spring. "We should go here today. Sir Aiden gave me two tickets!"

I grimaced. Ice and heat don't mix well together.
"Maybe you should go."

He seemed to realize that his suggestion was kind of insensitive.
"Sorry... I forgot. I should probably go ask Sofia." He patted me on the back, which is quite funny. I'm two years older than he is. "See you later!"

I shook my head, a small smile plastered on my face as I watched him turn towards the quarters.

"Excuse me!" a familiar voice called behind me. I turned around to see a teenage girl in green scrubs, looking quite flushed from running. She wiped the sweat off her forehead.
"Have you seen Sir Aiden? I tried looking at the sparring grounds but he's not there."

I knew that voice. Leathery, bat wings and a barbed tail came to mind. How could I forget?

"No, I didn't." I skimmed through her familiar face. Flushed fair skin, hair as black as night, lips pale from running, violet eyes wide with worry. Those violet eyes again. I knew who she was right away. "What's wrong Nova?"

She blinked, perhaps because I recognized her right away.
"It's a long story. Help me find him if you want. I'll explain later."

I contemplated her offer for half a second before saying,
"Sure."

She chuckled.
"That was fast."

I shrugged. For someone with nothing to do all day, it's a good distraction.
"Sir Aiden's on the stables. I saw him feeding his stallion."

She gave me a sharp glance. "Huh. You did this on purpose."

I grinned. "I'm curious. Now let's go find him, shall we?"

# Sam Summerfield
*Room 43*

"I don't understand." I opened the door slightly, curious because of the noises outside. "What's happening?"

Lillian flipped the page of the magazine she's reading.
"Who knows? Someone's dying I guess. Heard it two times today."

"Let's go check it out."

"Are you nuts? Remember what happened yesterday. It's not going to happen again."

I winced, remembering our sneaking episode yesterday. It was so embarrassing. I'm not going to recount it again.

"But--"

"No."

*sigh* I continued peeking though. I A shock of blond hair peaked my interest. He rushed towards the room next to Lillian's, then he was gone.

*What's Cenna doing?*

"I'm going out." I opened the door. "Wanna come?"

Without looking up her mag, she shook her head.
"I'm going to stay in. You go monkeying around elsewhere."

Closing the door shut, I looked around to make sure I'm not being watched before I rushed inside Room 42.

"Cenna! What are yo---- Oh."

He was hovering over the bed, trying to pin down a convulsing Braeden while the medic tried to pin him down too.

"Oh hi Prince Sam. A little help would be --ugh-- nice. Get off me woman! I'm here under the Chief Medic's orders!"