The Arcana X Modern Teen Readers

Chapter

After a few days Mazlinka's potion-thing works and my ankle feels much better.

I stretch my leg and get up before thanking Mazlinka.

I met Portia, Juliana's mother, she's nice.

I end up following her to the castle because I'm bored.

She still hasn't noticed me yet until I get to the gates.

The guards open the gates and I almost sneak through.

"Who are you?!" A guard shouts

"Calm down. I'm with Portia." I say

"Raven!! Really?!" Portia asks.

"I got bored!" I say.

Portia sighs.

"Please let her in guards." She asks.

"Don't break anything, okay?" She says before ushering me off.

I end up at a hallway with two dogs.

I gasp "Hello da puppies!" I say rubbing their heads.

"That's Mercedes and that's Melachor." A fancy porciline looking blonde guy says coming downstairs.

"Aren't they simply fascinating?" He asks

"My father sure had an eye for beautiful creatures. And I like to think I inherited that trait from him." He says eyeing me up and down with his red eyes.

I blush before clearing my throat.

"Hello. I'm Raven, and you are?" I ask

"Your future husband."

I snicker at how cliché that is.

"You laugh now but you'll see that'll come true." He says winking at me.

I roll my eyes before petting the dogs.

I feel a cold front suddenly pass me and see the shape of a goat from the forest turn a corner.

"This place is definitely haunted." I state turning back to where I came from and marching to the door.

"Hey! Wait!" The guy says running after me.

Boy I will Cinderella your ass!

The guy catches up to me easily.

...

I'm not that great at running quickly.

He grabs my hand.

"My name's Naga. It's Latin for beauty." Naga says.

Lol, his name is like Nag.

I smile before letting go of his hand.

"Nice to meet you...but I am NOT going to stay in a haunted palace!" I say turning away again.

"Wait! Would you like to have dinner with us?" Naga asks.

"Free food?" I say slowly turning around.

"Yeah! Free food!" Naga says smirking.

"Yeah, okay." I say.

"Really? Just like that?" Naga asks clearly confused.

"Yep, just like that." I say.

"Good! Dinner will begin at five! Don't be late!" Naga says deciding to wink again.

I smile, awkwardly before heading off futher into the palace.

I see an interesting looking owl fly through the halls.

I chase after it.

"Where are you going?" I ask.