darkness rising ( complete )

The Cry

After they had eaten, Hunter lead Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay to the kings and queens royal bedrooms. Servants took their friends elsewhere. When they arrived at the bedrooms, Evie gasped. The high queen's royal bedroom was breathtaking. It had a canopy bed in one corner and a window that opened up to a lake. Candles lined the walls for light and a shelf of books covered the walls. Evie ran over to the bed and fell down on it, falling asleep instantly.

"I could get used to this," she mumbled.

"EVIE!" Mal rushed into Evie's room. She stopped. "Wow, our rooms are surprisingly similar."

Evie sat up and smiled big at Mal. "Isn't this great?"

Mal nodded. "Yeah sure, listen, I don't know how this is gonna help us stop Raven."

Evie sighed. "Mal. We are living in a palace with the most amazing food and a gorgeous view. This was our dream when we were kids."

"Your dream," said Mal. "My dream was to take over Auradon."

Evie rolled her eyes. "My point is, don't worry about Raven. We are living the dream life. Have fun, relax. Stop focusing on Raven so much. Please."

Mal sighed and played with her amulet (it's in the picture at the beginning of the chapter). "Fine. I'll stop worrying about Raven."

"Thank you," said Evie. "Now leave, I want to see what clothes are in the closets."

--

That night, Mal couldn't sleep. She knew she told Evie she wouldn't worry about Raven, but it was haunting her. She was more powerful then before. What was concerning her was what she had done to Carlos down in the dungeon. Why was Evie crying when Mal and Carlos got to their cell? What did Raven do? So many questions swam in her brain, it made her head hurt. Eventually, she gave up and walked around the castle into a courtyard. The moonlight was bright and shone on the walls.

"Couldn't sleep?" said a voice behind her.

"Yeah," said Mal, with a sigh.

Carlos put his arm around her shoulders. "I couldn't either."

"Why?"

Carlos shrugged. "It's a weird reason. What's up with you?"

"I have so many questions that need answers," said Mal, massaging her forehead and sitting on a stone bench. "And I want them faster then is even possible."

Carlos sat next to her. "Impatient?"

Mal nodded. "I've always been impatient. When I want something, I want it immediately and I have to grasp the fact that I can't always get it right away. I want these answers so bad."

"What are the questions?"

"Mostly what Raven is capable of and what happened to you in that cell," said Mal.

Carlos was silent for a moment. Mal knew he was thinking. "One, I don't know, and two, I can't remember anything. She must have spelled me when I went into the room."

Mal nodded. "Why couldn't you sleep?"

"Weird reason."

"What is it?"

Carlos took a deep breath. "It's kind of a long story."

Mal smiled. "Could you give me the short version? I'm getting tired."

"I guess I could put it in one sentence I mean, but really it's kind of complicated and-"

"Is it about Jane?" Even the dark, Mal could see his cheeks turn bright red. She chuckled. "You don't have to tell me. I've guessed enough."