Cora was completely frozen in place. She tried to scream but for some reason she couldn't.
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The dark figure stood facing the back wall muttering something she couldn't make out. He slowly turned to face her.
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Blood was pouring out from a cut on his face. When he saw her his eyes lit up for a brief moment.
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He slowly walked towards her his metal leg clanking with every step. He was a considerable amount taller than her which made him that much more intimidating.
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He squeezed her hands and pulled her closer.
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"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
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Cora had no idea how to respond. "Tell you what?"
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"I would have listened!" he yelled.
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Cora started to wonder if this was all a strange dream and when she woke up everything would be back to normal.
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"I've always treated you well, Lily," he said refusing to make eye contact. Cora had no idea who Lily was. This guy was clearly delusional. He could hardly keep his eyes open there were several times he nearly fainted. He was delirious, a side effect of being trapped in the crystal for so long.
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Cora had no idea what to do with him. Most places would be closed at this hour. She was going to play along until morning then she'd figure something out.
She tried to sneak him up to her room quietly, but his metal leg clanked loudly with with every step.
Luckily they didn't wake anyone.
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Once they reached the room the boy collapsed on her bed.
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"Good night Lily," he whispered.
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"Good night," Cora responded sitting down on the edge of her bed. Today had officially become the weirdest day of her life.
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Where was she going to sleep? Cora's mother would kill her if she found out she brought a strange boy in her room. Not even Dimitri was allowed in her room.
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Tomorrow was her first day of warrior training and she hadn't slept at all the night before. She laid down on the opposite side of the bed. The bed was barley big enough to fit both of them.
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She woke up the next morning the sun was shining so bright it lit up her entire room.
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"It was all a bad dream," she told herself. She rolled over on to her back to see a sword pointed directly at her face.
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"You think you can fool me!" he yelled. "Where's Lily?"
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"I don't know," Cora replied.
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"You're with Rivero just like everyone else aren't you!"
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"I don't know who that is," Cora said. "I don't know anything about Lily or Rivero or anything you've said."
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He scoffed. "Where are you from Rome, Greece?"
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"I'm from Thessonia," she said quietly.
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He placed his sword at his side and began to pace across the room.
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"Where are we now?" he asked, still pacing.
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"Silvershore, it's a small coastal town in northern Thessonia. You've probably never heard of it." Cora had a tendency to ramble when she was uncomfortable.
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He stared out the window for a few moments then he spoke. "That's impossible I grew up in Silvershore and it looks nothing like this."
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Cora had in lived Silvershore her entire life and it always looked like this.
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"You must be a witch," he said with complete sincerity.
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"What?"
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"Rivero must have hired you cast some sort of spell on me so he could overthrow me!"
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"Listen, two days ago I was wandering around my house and I happened to find a secret passage in my grandmother's study, that's when I saw you trapped in crystals like the ones at the resting grounds and I assumed that you were dead. So I kinda borrowed your sword but, when I went to return it, you were free."
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He laughed at the absurdity of her statements. Then, he leaned in so they were eye to eye. It felt like his dark red eyes were staring straight into her soul.
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"You mean to tell me you've never heard of Galen Rivero?"
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"No!" she said, slightly frustrated this time.
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He turned towards the door. "You may keep the sword, it is merely a backup, it's nothing on my real sword." He said dropping it on the floor.
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He began to walk down the hallway.
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"Where are you going?" she asked.
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He gave no response.
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"Hey!"
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He walked down the stairs through the kitchen and out the back door.
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"It was a pleasure meeting you," he said.
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"I don't even know you're name!" Cora exclaimed.
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He gave her a confused look and laughed. "I have important business to attend to and I ask that you don't follow me."
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That sounded like a threat. He began to walk away.
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"Wait," she called out to him.
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"Cora it's time to go!" her mother called out to her.
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"One second, Mom there's something I really need to take care of."
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Cora glanced at the clock. She was late. She looked at the boy and then looked at the clock. She really had to go. She grabbed her sword and met her mom in the car. They two drove in silence for a few minutes then her mother spoke.
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"You know I don't approve of your career choice but I hope you know that I just want to keep you safe. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
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"It's okay, Mom I'll be extra careful."
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The Prestige Program held their career training in an old castle that the royal family donated. Cora navigated her way though the halls. There were bright red tapestries with pictures of lions on them, hanging from the ceiling that perfectly complemented the ivory walls. There were also several statues of lions scattered throughout the halls. Whoever decorated this place had good taste. Cora thought to herself.
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She followed her map to the back courtyard where the warrior training was to take place. The courtyard had a large fountain in the center and there were several bushes with white lilies lining the walls.
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The teacher made all the students stand in a single file line, but out of the corner of her eye Cora could see Dimitri. Cora was so glad he made it. It wouldn't have been the same without him.
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Every single muscle in her body ached, she had no idea the training would be this brutal. Mr. Tréville didn't hold back at all, but there was no way she was going to give up now.
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Cora walked towards the break room dragging her feet behind every step of the way. She nearly tripped over her own feet on her way to the snack counter.
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"Are you alright?" A somewhat familiar voice asked from behind her. It was Prince Lyon.
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"I'm alright," she said as she placed a hand on her aching back.
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"Here, take a seat," he said pulling out a chair.
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Cora sat down. "What are you doing here?"
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"I'm here to study the same as you."
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"I mean what what are you doing in the break room don't you have a private room or something?"
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"I do but, I haven't been to this castle in so long I thought I'd take a look around."
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Prince Lyon took a few steps towards the counter.
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"Where are my manners? May I get you a some tea?" he asked.
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"I couldn't possibly ask you to do that for me," Cora started to ramble.
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"Don't be ridiculous," he said with a wink. "You're wish is my command."
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"I would like some tea," Cora said nervously.
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A few moments later, Lyon returned with the tea.
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Cora took a sip. It tasted like fresh herbs with a hint of cherry. It was so delicious Cora chugged the entire cup as fast as she could.
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Prince Lyon let out a laugh. You're so funny, Cora," he said with huge smile.
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For some reason her heart started pounding. Something about his laugh made her feel safe.
Cora felt a hand on her shoulder which snapped her back to reality.
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"Hey Cora," Dimitri said.
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"Hey!" Cora replied. "I've missed you."
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"We saw each other yesterday," he said sitting down next to her.
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"I know but a lot of stuff has been happening to me lately."
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"What kind of stuff?"
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"Weird stuff."
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Scarlet just stood there with her arms crossed. Cora couldn't remember a time when Scarlet wasn't by her brother's side. Cora wondered if Scarlet ever did anything without her brother.
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"You're in my diplomacy class right?" Prince Lyon asked Scarlet.
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"Yes, my sorting results said I'll work in foreign negotiations," she said. Cora thought that was strange considering that she'd never seen Scarlet talk to anyone never mind negotiate.
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Lyon checked his watch, which appeared to be made of solid gold. He let out an exasperated sigh. "I have to go I'll talk to you later, Cora, and if you ever need anything your wish is my command."
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Prince Lyon gathered his things and walked out the door. Cora couldn't help but stare until he was out of sight.
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"Where were we?" Cora asked Dimitri.
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"Weird stuff."
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"Right."
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"Hey speaking of weird stuff did you see the news?" He questioned.
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"No."
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Dimitri pulled up a news article on his phone. The headline read:
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MADMAN STEALS PRICELESS ARTIFACTS FROM ROYAL FAMILY.
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The photo was blurry. It would be impossible for anyone else to make out but, to Cora it was clear as day. It was undoubtedly the boy she found trapped crystal.
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Cora couldn't shake the feeling that this was all her fault. She had to find him and make things right. Nothing was going to stand in her way.
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