-Karen-"You left me alone," Conor called sleepily, dragging me back into the first room. Before I could say anything, he turned me to face him. He looked over the clothes I found and started laughing. "What are you wearing, Karen?" he asked as he twirled me around. "Are those my clothes?" he asked, laughing harder. Well, what was I supposed to wear? I felt my cheeks flush with heat as I looked down at my feet."You're quite clever. You know I like waking up to this type of surprise." He snickered as I silently watched him. "To be fair, I can understand why you put something on." He picked up a lock of my hair and pressed it to his lips. I felt my heart rate spike at the amused look in his eyes. I felt my face get even hotter. Eh? He took my clammy left hand and led me back into the second room I had been stopped in. He flipped the switch, and a soft light turned on above us. I saw a much larger armoire than the one in my servant's room. "This is where your clothes are, Karen." He exp
-Karen-"What question?" I had completely forgotten what he had asked me as I stared into his gray eyes. It's such a pretty gray. I think I'm gonna lose my sanity soon. I felt slightly nervous being this close to him, but I also wanted to get right up next to him again and fall asleep in his arms just like I had done. Why do I feel like this? Something is wrong with me. Don't get sucked in, idiot… But, on the other hand, then I want to get sucked in… I can't think straight.He chuckled, and then, unexpectedly, he kissed my forehead. I felt my entire face get hot at the gesture. "Don't you think you deserve something good in your life, even if it's something small?" Conor asked softly. He kissed my left palm while watching me with a smirk.I thought about his words momentarily. "No, I don't." I shook my head. "Servants aren't meant to have good lives. They are meant to serve their betters; if need be, they will be thrown away and replaced." I said firmly, "We are just some small cogs i
-Conor-We have to find her before she gets hurt by one of the soldiers! Conor and Bart hurriedly rounded the corner. They followed Lewis's cold laughter, which bounced down the corridor's walls. Lewis was laughing maniacally as he wiped the bloody dagger on Karen's blood-drenched nightgown. She was covered in blood. It was also dripping from her mouth. She didn't appear to be moving at all. Karen?! Lewis! What did you do to her?!Bart sprang into action, determined to save her again as they now assumed Lewis had attacked her previously a few weeks ago. Bart's sudden appearance in front of Karen caught Lewis off guard. "Where the hell did you come from?!" Bart started working on her as quickly as he could, first to resuscitate her and then to stabilize her. "I don't know why you're going to try and save that worthless wretch." Lewis hissed with a grunt. "She isn't worth your time. Or anyone's time, for that matter." How can you say that?"Lewis! You're the one who hurt her! I'd be wil
-Conor-Who the fuck are you?! "What are you doing?! Give her back to me!" Conor shouted, becoming enraged by this grievous act. Bart grabbed Conor's left arm as he advanced on the cloaked figure. How dare you touch her!"Me? I will bring her back, but I must fix her first." The figure answered, extending a bony hand into Karen's chest. Bring her back? "Ah ha! Gotcha brat. You've always been so damn stubborn, even as a little girl. Come out!" The figure tried pulling on something from within, but it was evident he was having trouble. "I said come out!"A wispy figure emerged from the body and instantly took a fighting stance. "Put me back, Eldon! I have already died and want to go on to the Forest! Please stop this never-ending cycle!" the wisp snapped angrily. Bart and Conor traded shocked looks. What the hell?!"You don't have that option right now, and you know it. I have to revive you as per Nathan's contract. I've told you these the last three times you've died." She's died befor
-Karen-I felt the sudden urge to breathe despite the momentary pain. I sensed my jewel and grabbed it quickly. I looked up angrily at the man before me. "Stop reviving me, Eldon!" I snapped as I coughed a few times. I don't want to keep doing this anymore!"Oh! Do you remember it this time? That's very unusual. You didn't remember all the other times I revived you. But… I suppose it makes sense since you died so upset and angry today. All the other times, you died scared or in surprise. That prince was the one that upset you, right? I could kill him if you want?" Eldon offered, looking over to my left. "You wanted to kill him before, remember?"I slowly managed to get to my feet, albeit shakily. I leaned against the wall for added support. Ugh… I'm drenched in blood. "No. I won't let him die at your hands. But he was right… I'm just a disappointment to everyone I meet. So, knowing this, why do you keep bringing me back? Are you stupid?!" I asked angrily as I fumbled for my jewel. You
-Karen-Conor and Bart silently walked past me as I stayed still, avoiding their gazes. "I told you that you need to grow. I mean it!" I could feel his depression as they walked away down the side corridor."Don't let a good thing pass you by. Chase him, idiot! I told you to allow yourself to experience your emotions and live. So, go after him!" Eldon hissed in my ear. I rolled my eyes and followed along silently. I deliberately dragged my feet so I would fall behind. "I don't think you're going to take me seriously. So how about this then? Do as I tell you, or I'll put you in a position that you'll hate me for." He paused a moment. "I can prove that you're starting like him despite your questionable feelings of animosity." I stopped and looked over at him suspiciously. "Tell me how you think he would react to a demon's poison. It would be something beyond the doctor's comprehension." He smiled evilly. I don't like that look on his face.Before I could reply, I sensed the ominous magi
-Karen-"Come on. I don't feel like walking back there. I'm a bit tired from that skirmish." I explained that I was walking through the portal and waiting for a few seconds. No one followed me. Uh? I walked back through, and the men fawned over the portal. Seriously?"This is remarkable! I want this technology!!" Bart squealed, becoming more excited by the moment. "How many lives could I save if I had this?!""This is marvelous! How the hell do we get this?" Conor asked me as he walked around the open portal.I giggled at them because it was so unexpected. "Well, you can't get this because it's not technology as you would likely think. Portals are done by the user creating a shortcut with their magic." I explained as I pushed Bart through the portal. I heard him get even more excited from inside the apartments. I grabbed Conor's right wrist and pulled him along behind me. Once we were all in the main room, I motioned up and closed the portal with my right index finger."I want that. I
-Karen-A loud shriek sent us both jumping a few feet apart. We quickly ran into the main room and saw Bart trying to calm a woman down. “I want one!” She cried excitedly, stomping her foot at him. Want one? “I want one! I want one! I want one!” She demanded jumping up and down in place excitedly. Conor and I chuckled at her reaction. She must be Joanne… She looks vaguely familiar. I wonder when I saw her?“I do too! But we can’t because it’s magic…” Bart answered with a frown. “We aren’t Mages.”Joanne looked directly over at me with an almost crazed look in her eyes. Uh- “Then we will just kidnap the Mage and hold her hostage!” Excuse me? “Conor, I’m taking your woman!” I felt my face get hot as she smirked deviously. His woman? When the hell did that happen?I decided that I might have some fun with her. I grinned evilly and walked up to her in a menacing fashion until I was less than a foot away from her. She returned the look and copied my posture. “Ladies, you both better behave