𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

15. 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗻

𝕬uradon was under attack.

Rilynn didn't know whether to run or hide; she was frozen in her shoes, stuck to the ground, and cowering pathetically. Rilynn's eyes grew like saucers as they tracked Maleficent's form, swaying where the King and Queen stood, bellowing with triumph.

Jay's hand gripped Rilynn's arm tightly in his fist, afraid to let the princess go. Her frame was shielded behind Jay's broad build, keeping the princess hidden from the Mistress of Evil. Rilynn pushed herself closer to Jay's side, seeking the comfort of her friends.

The shock was an understatement; Maleficent, the evilest villain, managed to escape the one place that kept villains locked away. The Isle of the Lost was meant to hold villains such as Maleficent.

"This is impossible," Rilynn muttered in horror.

Jay gritted his teeth, eyes narrowing slightly at Maleficent. His hold on Rilynn doesn't seize.

"Go away, Mother," Mal mutters with a tinge of annoyance on her tongue.

Maleficent gives a stiff cackle, sparing a disdainful grin toward the royals. "She's funny! Oh! I'm so . . . you're funny. Here," Maleficent's cold, beady eyes shifted to Mal's gaze, gesturing for the wand. "Wand me. Chop, chop."

"No!" Ben shouts.

But much to Maleficent's dismay, Mal tossed the powerful wanda toward Fairy Godmother.

"Bibbidi-bobbidi--!"

"--Boo," Maleficent mocks disgustingly, then thrusts her scepter above her head.

There was a sudden green ball of light that flashed before their eyes. It was the last thing Rilynn saw before everything froze in time. As if she was stuck in ice, Rilynn was frozen inside her body, only able to see through her eyes in quick flashes.

The VKs turned and stared at everyone with their jaws slacked. Everyone was frozen in their shoes, stuck in time.

When Jay glanced to his side, Rilynn was among those frozen.

"Rilynn?" Jay called worriedly, frowning as he ducked his head closer to Rilynn's. His brows bunched together with an increase of worry. "Hey, are you okay? Wake up. Rilynn, wake up!"

"It's no use, lover boy!" Maleficent giggled defiantly. Her vibrant green eyes shifted to the children, her lips upturned. "She can't hear you."

Mal turned away from Ben, glancing between Rilynn and the other students. "What did you do to them?"

Maleficent merely grinned. "You like it? I could've taught you it, but you've shown me you're not ready for that type of magic."

"Please, don't do this," Mal pleads.

Maleficent's eyes narrowed dangerously toward Mal. She towered above her daughter, knowing Mal was just as scared of her as everyone else, which is exactly how Maleficent wanted it. She loves her daughter and hopes to see Mal grow into the role she was always meant to be, but now, Maleficent is disappointed in her.

The disappointment was an understatement. Maleficent's glare was so harsh that Mal's squared shoulders were beginning to fail to keep her tough facade up. Even as a child, Mal had always been intimidated by Maleficent, always wanting her mother's approval by obeying Maleficent, and even now, Mal wants nothing more than to please her mother.

"You'll regret this," Maleficent warned.

With the support of her friends, Mal stood taller, raising her chin as she looked at Maleficent with defiance.