Where Love and Danger Lie

ng at the hands of these people, I knew to be on my guard so I simply "accidentally" kicked her. Sally grabbed her leg and started gingerly rubbing it. She looked up at me and shouted,

he "weirdo" and he was never quite able to live that down. This being evident when Sally turned around to chide him, "That's rich. Didn't you say you'd get with her weirdo lover." At this moment Mr. Jenkins, the History teacher, came walking up to me, "Ms. Batiste is there a problem here?" Mr. Jenkins and the principal Mrs. Kemp were the only ones in this town who ever showed me any sort of care and compassion. This never went over well amongst the parents who felt that I bullied their children when I decided to fight back. I turned to smile at Mr. Jenkins, "No sir, I was ju

uessed her nickname was Scarlet. She smiled at me, "Alexandra I presume? I am Vanessa Tannen, I'm in charge of the catering and staff for your ceremony. Your parents are so proud of you, I've heard nothing but praises. You know, I met you once when you were a baby. I crafted that gold gauntlet style bracelet you are wearing on your right wrist." I looked up at her in shock, "Then you would know why they make me wear it all the time when I leave the house. Can you tell me why they are so keen on hiding the mark on my wrist?" You could see in Vanessa's eyes the desire to enlighten me but it was quickly replaced with hesitation, "Darling, I don't think it's my place to tell you that. Reggie wouldn't appreciate my telling you more than you should know at this point. I will say that I am ever so protective of you. They chose me as your godmother, you know but for your sake I've had to stay away." Vanessa had a lone tear trail down

g during the graduation ceremony when her intention was to trip me. Mrs. Kemp cleared it up but it took some time to get Mrs. Plinker off her back. By the way, she's threatening to sue us. Also, that blue looks gorgeous on you, you should wear it more often." My mother's eyes turned from anger to fury but I knew that it wasn't directed at me, "Ha! Plinker wouldn't dare mess with us. She'll tuck her little tail between her legs when Reggie threatens to counter sue her for psychological damage her daughter inflicted on you over the years. Character witnesses Mr. Jenkins and Mrs. Kemp should do. You know your daddy would. Anyhow, let's get you in your gown. No time to waste on that trash right now." She turns to Delilah, "Delilah, please bring me her gown." Delilah pulls out a dress that was pure white, it was almost wedding gown like or one a debutant would wear to a ball." I smiled at mother, "That's not exactly my color." My mother smiled back at me, "I know darling but this is the tradition. You have to wear this color." After she smoothed out the dress, she turned to our housekeeper, "Now Delilah, ready the gloves we need to take the bracelet off and get the gloves on quickly." Delilah pulled a small mahogany box with a engraved plate on it with the inscriptio

he locket to find a coat of arms in hues of blue and green with a sword across a heart and perched on the heart was a panther which subconsciously always reminded me of my father. "Now that the guests have arrived, we need to present you," my father looked at me with a mixture of emotions. Pride, glee, melancholy and fear. The last emotion he displayed lingered in my mind. If we are amongst family and friends, why would he be afraid? At that there was a creak at the door as Delilah peered through the door, "Sirs, madam told me to tell you that HE will not be attending tonight. He's busy with important work at Vellum. The other one will not be here either as he is still not permitted to leave Vellum thus, he does not have his crest restored to him." You could see the tension leave my father's shoulders with this news, "I had prayed that we would avoid havin

s an initiation as my official apprentice to become the Duchess of Blackwood and protector of the wood. That is all I will reveal for now." Father led me out of my room my hand tucked into his arm. I was deep in thought from all that he revealed. It all made sense why all the wait staff thought I was a big deal. What I couldn't wrap my brain around is that there was a portal in the forest and why they