*************HUNTRESS*************

Meanwhile upstairs, in my assigned room, I just finished taking my spoil bath which is always prepared for me by the maids at home before every party. I walked toward the vanity table and sat down in front of the mirror, stared at myself and sighed.

“It’s too late to back out now.” I said to myself. Then I noticed a box on the bed, that wasn’t their before, I thought, I turned around and looked at it. Then I stood up and walked toward the bed. There was a card on top of it with my name on it, “It’s for me…” I looked back at the box. Then at the card, I flipped open the card, and smiled, the card read:

My Juliet,

                  Just incase you are having second thoughts; I hope this will make you decide. I’ll be waiting for you, my princess. My heart will lead me to you.

                                                                                                                              Your Romeo

I shook my head, and then I looked down at the box, put down the card and sat down next to the box and opened it. And inside was the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen. I picked it up and looked at it in its full beauty and glory. Another letter fell on the floor; I placed the gown on the bed, picked up the letter and read:

I like your boyfriend, he has good taste. Aunt Monique.

I laughed and shook my head, then looked back at the gown and smiled. Then I gave a sigh walked toward the phone and dialed for home, Alfred answered.

“Good afternoon Mistress.”

“Yes Alfred, can you do me a favor?”

“A favor mistress?” he asked, curious.

“Yes, can you call in Paula? I need help with my hair for tonight’s ball.”

“You’re going to the ball?” he asked again.

“I know it was such short notice-“

“Speak no more Mistress; I’m sending Paula and Franco to help you.”

I smiled, “Thank you Arnold.”

“And what about your gown mistress? Which one do you want?”

I looked back at the gown on the bed still bedazzling as the first time I saw it. “I’m already good in that department Arnold.”

“Very well, they’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I’m having the pilot pick them up now.”

“Great, thank you.”

Then I hanged up the phone and shook my head, imagining what Arnold is doing now, probably running around excited. I laughed again and went back to the bathroom to have another bath until Paula and Franco arrives.

A couple of hours later, after Paula and Franco were finish with the hair and make up. I asked them to step out so I can change. And after I have changed I locked the door and stood in front of the mirror. Then I looked out the window and saw students were already starting to arrive for the ball, though the ones from the dorm had a private entrance to reach the ballroom. It has been an hour and Paula and Franco had been knocking on my door since I asked them to step out.

“Mistress, please, it’s ok.” Paula was saying, “every one is starting to leave, please open up.”

“No, I changed my mind, I’m not going, I look hideous.”

“What are you saying?” Paula demanded, “You are one of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful girls that I worked on, trust me, if you didn’t ask for me I would have loved you to go to this ball without make up and you’d still be one of the most beautiful ones.”

“You only say that because I’m paying you.” I said.

“Young lady, you are not paying me enough to lie for you, and there is no point in doing so either cause that would just make me look like a greedy short minded bitter woman for saying a lie such as you are ugly.” she said, I grinned and shook my head.

Then I heard footsteps, “Finally, miss Iris, please talk some sense into her? She said she’s hideous.”

“Huntress?” she rapped on my door. “Huntress could you please open the door?”

“No,” I said, “You’ll drag me out of this room.”

“I will do no such thing.” Iris says, exasperated, “Just open this door please.”

“C’mon Hun, it can’t be that bad.” Lei said.

“I didn’t say it’s bad, I just don’t think I have the guts to go out looking like this, looking hideous.”

“We’ll be the judge to that.” Taea says, “now, open this door.”

“No.” I said firmly. Then they moved around again.

“Huntress?” I heard Guillenne say.

“Now that isn’t fair.” I said. “Using Guillenne.”

“Well you are leaving us with no other choice.” Lei snapped.

I sighed, and stayed by the window, and magically opened the door. They all entered the room and were looking for me. I turned and faced them. Then they were all staring at me, even Franco and Paula, then I sat on the bed and hid my face.

“It is hideous.” I said.

“No! no… we were just…” Iris walked toward me and pulled my hand away from my face, knelt in front of me and smiled, “You’ll ruin your make up, don’t do that. Now sit up.” I sat up, “You don’t look hideous, you never could achieve that,” I rolled my eyes and slouched again, “I said sit up.” Iris snapped, I gave her a look, but she gave it back to me, and I sighed and sat up straight, “You look beautiful.”

“No I don’t.” I said, and raised my brow, “Did brother paid you to say that?”

“Huntress…” Guillenne stepped forward, “Trust us, you are far from ugly.”

“You look almost like a real princess.” Lei teased.

I stifled a laugh and looked at all of them, “So are you girls. God, you look so beautiful.”

“Well, we try.” Taea teased, and we laughed.

“But seriously ladies, you all look amazing, breath taking. Almost like I’m looking at Goddesses.” Franco says.

“Thank you Franco. And thank you for finding my friends.” I said.

“It is my pleasure to serve you Mistress.”

“Shall we go then? It’s time for your entrance.” Taea said.

Paula nods, “You’ll mesmerize them all, for sure.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Great,” Guillenne took my hand, “Let’s go.”

I picked up my mask, stared at it and stood up, “Ok… let’s go.”

They all smiled and nodded. Then Franco took my mask and put it on for me. then he smiled, “Perfect.” And he stared at all of us, “Perfect, I could just die right now.” He joked.

We all laughed.

“Let’s go…” Iris says.

And we left for the ballroom.

When we reached the door that connects the ballroom and the dorms I stiffened. And stopped and turned around.

“I can’t do this.” I said.

But Lei and Iris grabbed me by the arm. “Would you stop running away?” Lei says.

“I can’t do this.” I said again.

“is that a final answer?” Taea asked peeking out the door.

“Why?” Guillenne asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Cause I could see Irene with the guys and she’s all over them.” Then Taea looked at me, “All over Romeo Lee.”

I raised one brow. Suddenly, I’ll wait until you want me to, I heard someone say. And I smiled. It was Lee.

“It’s ok Taea, let Irene mess with them, our boys are gentlemen.” I said, “They’d probably hand her to Nayre.”

“Well, if you put it that way,” Taea nods, “there’s no harm done on our side.”

We all stifled a little laugh.

“So are you ready to do this now?”

“Will you go with me?” I asked.

They shook their head, “We’ve done our entrance, let’s not over do it.” Lei said.

“I’ll go around and tell the boys your coming.” Taea said. Iris nodded and Taea left.

I frowned and listened to the buzzing and music outside.

“It’ll be ok,” Guillenne said, reaching for my shoulder, “Lee would be waiting for you downstairs.”

That did made me feel better, I don’t know if it was just her or the fact that Lee will be waiting for me downstairs, the only thing I knew is that I nodded and stepped out of the door. I stood on top of the stairs, I looked around no one is looking, no one is looking… I told myself and started to walk down the stairs. I took one step at a time, making sure I don’t step into the trail of my gown, people start to look at me. I looked around, I can’t see the boys, but I just calmed myself. Then I saw Taea through the crowd, I finally saw the boys, and they all looked up, they smiled and nodded. Then one of them walked toward the stairs. Lee, I thought. I smiled and relaxed. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and waited for me. I finally reached him and he held out his hand, I took it and ease ran through me.

“Lee?” I asked.

“Juliet?” he answered back.

I let out a deep breath, “Just checking.”

He stifled a laugh, “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you.” I said, “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I teased.

“Yes, well, your aunt wanted to do my costume as well.”

“Well, she did it, quite modern to be Romeo.”

“Would you like it if I wore tights then?” he teased.

“Oh, heaven forbid.” I said with a laugh.

We finally reached the gang, and they were all staring at us. “Beautiful entrance, Juliet.” Nayre teased, “I’d like to be your Romeo any day.” I raised a brow, Rui nudged him, “What? I’m just saying the truth.”

“I might be wearing a gown but I can still kick your butt.” I said.

They all laughed, “That’s my girl.” I heard Hunter say.

“Anyway,” Nayre turns to leave, “the ladies are waiting, and I’ll see you later.”

We watched him walk up to a group of girls.

“So, Romeo and Juliet? A little too tragic isn’t it?” Hunter asked.

“With you messing with them, it is tragic.” Iris teased. We laughed. Lee handed me a glass of champagne, I tip my head to say thanks.

“So, who are you suppose to be?” I asked Hunter and Iris.

“I’m not really sure; he was the one who chose who we would be.” Iris says.

“We’re Pyramus and Thisbe.” Hunter points out.

I raised a brow again, “Also tragic?”

Hunter smiled, “Not even death could part us.”

I grinned, “And what about you guys?” I looked at Mave and Taea.

“Orpheus and Eurydice.”

“Still tragic?” Guillenne asked, “Well, we’re Shakespeare fans ourselves. We’re Theseus and Hippolyta.”

Lei nodded, “An Amazon Queen, sweet. Nice one Guillenne.” They exchanged high fives.

“And what about you two?” Hunter turns to Rui, “A paper boy Rui?”

Rui grinned and shook his head, “Demetri and Anastasia.”

“Hm, Royalty.” Taea teased. “Good deal, Lei.” We laughed.

“What about Nayre? Who’s he suppose to be?” Lee asked.

“That’s easy, he’s Zeus.” I said.

“Where’s Hera then?” Iris asked.

“Oh, he’s looking for a new prey tonight.” I said. Watching Nayre surrounded by girls, all giggling and sighing.

Then music started again.

“Anyway, if you’ll excuse us, I think we should all start the dancing.” Hunter says, taking Iris’s hand.

Lee turned to me with a smile. “I believe you owe me a dance?” he asked.

“Well, you did find me, didn’t you?” I said, “It’ll be a pleasure.”

He took my hand and when we turned around a boy walked up to us, “Excuse me, Miss Huntress, May I have this dance?”

“Oh, I’m sorry but I was-“

“Your brother did say you may dance with anyone.” He pushed on.

Hunter and Iris stops and looked back at us. The gang was behind us as well, listening.

“Well, yes he did, but I think he also meant anyone I please. And right now I’m about to dance-“

“It’s ok, love, dance with him.” Lee said.

“But-“

“I’ll be right here watching.” He said more toward the boy than to me.

“No. I don’t-“

“He did say you can dance with me now.” The boy insisted. Reaching for my hand, but I pulled away, moving toward Lee who took my hand and stepping in between the boy and me.

“And I say no.” I snapped. “I am not an item to be use in your games.”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“The only reason you want to dance with me- or I should say, with us, is to win a bet.” I said.

“I- I don’t know what you are-“

The boys all took a step toward him, “Leave now.” Lee said. “Leave if you don’t want me to cripple you.”

I was holding unto Lee’s arm, the boy left, some students around us were watching. Lee faced me and reached for my face, “Are you ok? I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” I shook my head, then I rest my face on his chest, he put an arm around me, “I’m sorry, love. I’m sorry”

I nodded and calmed myself.

“Maybe we should keep the girls for ourselves. The freedom is intoxicating everyone.” Rui says, glaring at the people around us.

“Maybe we could just like choose?” Iris asked. “I mean, I do have some friends around here. And it is our senior year.”

“We’ll think about it.” Hunter says, “If Huntress says that these boys have some kind of plan for you girls we don’t want to give them a chance to try.”

Then I shook my head, “Iris is right, not all of them meant harm, brother. It wouldn’t be fair to other guys.”

“But what if you get to dance with one of those idiots?” Nayre snapped. I grinned and ruffled his hair.

“You seem to always forget that you are talking to the Huntress Matthews.” I said. “I’ll deal with them, afterwards.”

“Are you sure?” Lee asked.

I smiled and nodded. “I’ll be fine. I just don’t like being surprised like that.”

“Then I’ll stay close.” Lee says.

“You don’t-“

“I want him to.” Hunter says, “I’d be more at ease guarding Iris knowing you aren’t out there alone.” Then he shook his head. “These boys are more dangerous than the people outside NSA.”

“Let’s see if they live through the night after I’m done with them.” Lei said.

“You mean after we’re done with them.” Rui says, “None of you girls needs to raise a finger.”

I glanced at Hunter who gave a small nod.

“Just stay out of trouble.” Mave told us.

Then another boy walked up to Guillenne and asked for a dance, I closed my eyes and tried to read his mind, timid, he’s safe. I thought. I gave a nod. Guillenne then accept the boy’s hand, they walked toward the dance floor and Jed followed them.

It was like this the whole night, the guys dancing with other girls and at the same time guarding us. And if I’m not mistaking, they’ve dealt with six boys by the end of the night. I was getting tired of dancing so I slipped out into the terrace, hiding from the crowd. I was by the balcony looking down at the garden, when a boy approached me and asked for a dance.

I humbly declined, “I’m sorry, but I’m quite tired right now, maybe later?”

“Oh, I see.” He says, frowning, “Well, rest for a while, I’ll come back later.” Then he bowed and left. I watched him leave then a shiver went through my body. I shook it off.

“Hey, you ok?” I heard Lee ask, he walked toward me, he took off his coat and put it over my shoulder, I smiled and nodded.

“Just a little cold. I’m ok… just stay here.”

He smiled and put his arms around me and looked at the garden. I leaned on him, and rested my head under his chin as I looked down at the garden. “You shouldn’t have left like that.” He whispered, “You know tonight of all nights is the night you need to be careful.”

I sighed, “I know.” I frowned and looked down at my hands.

Then Lee took my hand, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared.” I looked up at the moon, it was almost at its peak, “It’s almost time.”

Lee looked up as well. “So it seems.” Then he looked down at me and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You don’t need to be scared love. I’ll be there. And so will be the others. Everything will be alright.”

Then I squirmed in his hold and faced him, his arms still around my waist. “Everything will end tonight?” I asked.

“Everything but us.” He said. I smiled, nodded and rested my head on his chest.

Then the music inside subsides, we look toward the door, and Josac walked up to the microphone, “Ok, you still have two dances before the lighting of the Unity bonfire. So grab those special ones in the crowd and dance the last dance for tonight.”

Lee looked back at me with a smile. “You still owe me a dance.” I smiled back and gave a small nod. He took my hand and lead me back inside. We walked toward the dance floor where we found the others dancing, we stop for a second and watch each of them, Hunter and Iris, Mave and Taea, Rui and Lei, Jed and Guillenne, they were talking and laughing while dancing. I smiled then I felt Lee’s hand tightened, I turned to him, “You want to join them?” he asked with a smile.

I looked around, other students were watching them, my smile disappears, “I don’t know…”

“It’ll be ok,” Lee whispered, “just think about the night we danced at home.”

The memory made me smile and I gave a small nod. And we joined the others in dancing. I can hear sighing and buzzing around us. But I set it aside. I never let people’s buzzing around us bother me before, why start now?

“Looks like Hunter is still pretty mad about the incident tonight.” Lee said.

I glanced his way and saw him looking our way, I shook my head, “He’s just worried. It’s nothing.”

“Well it was my fault,” Lee tightens his hold on me, “I thought you’d want to live like a regular girl tonight, to feel what it’s like to be asked by every boy to dance, not just with me.”

“But I don’t want to dance with anyone else.” I confessed, “I felt bad to those whom I danced with actually, they have to deal with silence and nods for the whole dance.”

Lee stifled a laugh. “Well, I don’t think they mind, they did get to dance with one of the most beautiful girls who are in this dance floor right now, didn’t they?”

I smiled and shook my head. Suddenly a boy stepped up to us and cut in, “Excuse me, but you did promise me a dance miss Huntress.” We stopped and faced him, it was the boy from the balcony, I tightened my own hold on Lee’s hand.

“I’m sorry, but we are still talking.” Lee said.

“Maybe after the lighting.” I said.

“But you’ll be dead then.” He said. The boy smiled and immortalized in front of us.

Lee pulled me behind him, still holding my hand. “Cloud…”

I felt the others walk toward us, I looked around and saw the other students looking at Cloud, awe struck. They were whispering and pointing at him.

“Why do you always look so surprise?” Cloud asked Lee, “It’s all in the plan your highness, remember?”

“I know no such thing.” Lee snapped.

“What is he saying Lee?” Hunter asked, “Do you know his plans?

“He’s deceiving you, Hunter.” Lee was glaring at Cloud.

“Of course I am…” Cloud says with a smile, “Like what you and your father did to me ones!”

I felt Lee slowly immortalizing, I loosened my hold unto his hand, this wasn’t Romeo Lee anymore, this was Myst. “It was a mistake to free you Cloud, that’s my father’s mistake. A boy with an evil heart can never be a good man. You put me under a spell and tried to kill my sister, Aengelle, Night and the others. I will not let you have another chance of harming them again.”

Cloud laughs, “You speak about my heart, what about yours? Such a weak heart can never make a brave man. All I wanted you to do was to watch over the princess, to abduct her any way possible. But you changed, your revengeful heart weakened…” he glared at me, “You fell in love! You fell in love with a mortal! You left your own people for that wretch!” he points at me.

I looked up at Myst; he fell in love with me? But what about Aengelle?, I frowned. But I felt Myst’s hold on my hand again, it was exactly how Lee held unto my hand, I looked up at him. He was still glaring at Cloud.

“The wretch you call is a princess, my princess. Hurt her and I swear I’ll slay you with my own hands.” He growled, “And as for my people, I’m saving them, I’ll fulfill the prophecy.”

“The prophecy?” Cloud laughs again, “You aren’t the prophecy, I am! Haven’t you ever wondered why I don’t ask you to kill the princess if she’s such a trouble?” Myst didn’t answer. Cloud gave a sinister smile, “Cause she’s my betrothed…”

Then I felt a surge of pain run through my head, as flashes of visions ran through it. I reached for my head. I can hear someone screaming from a distance, then I realized that it was me. I dropped down on my knees, in pain, as I was forced to watch every image, every memory.

“What are you doing to her?” I heard Hunter asked.

“Giving her memories back.”

“You’re hurting her!” Iris shouts, kneeling on my other side, holding unto my arm.

“Stop it…” I whispered in pain. “No more…”

“Stop it Cloud!” Myst shouted, he quickly stood up and grabbed Clouds collar. “Stop this Cloud!”

Then as quickly as it started, the pain disappears. I gasped for air, and then glared at him, “Your king Frost’s son.” They looked down at me, “You’re the old prince of Cresta.”

Myst looked back at Cloud and pushed him away, and moved back to my side, as Iris helps me stand. “Bingo!” Cloud teased, “And you can say that I am also the rightful heir.”

“You murderer!” I shouted, I lunge at him, but Myst stops me. I tried to get out of his hold but to no avail, “You killed those children! And they blamed us… you framed us!”

“Right you are again, princess.” He said, “Very good, you’re starting to remember now.”

“Don’t be too happy of these new found memories of mine Cloud,” I glared at him, “I do remember now.”

“Remember what?” Mave asked.

“Every reason why I should kill him.” I said, not taking my eyes off Cloud.

Cloud snickered, “You were always feisty weren’t you Aengelle?” he teased, “And now even this mortal is as feisty as you are. Maybe you should come out and face me yourself.”

I can feel Aengelle pushing herself out, “No.” I said, stopping her. “Not now.” Aengelle stops and pulled back, she understood, it wasn’t safe yet.

Cloud raised a brow, “Impressive, you have her under your control.”

“It is not how I control her or how she controls me, it is on how we trust each other.” I said, “And she agrees that you must be killed if not by me at least by one of us. Every one of them has the right after all, after you cursed us.”

They all looked back at him, “You cursed us?” Taea asked.

“I needed to get rid of you.” Cloud says, “If only Aengelle didn’t meddle, all of you would’ve been with the gods now. But then again,” he turned to me, I felt Myst move closer to me, “I’m glad you did. Now I could get another chance to kill you myself.” I closed my hand into a fist, controlling my anger, “after the ceremony of course, which I still have to fix. So for now…” he snapped his fingers the doors around us closed and about six dozens of men appeared out of nowhere, encircling us, “Play with my men first.”

Cloud’s men attacked, and Cloud jumped off and flew away out into the sky light, breaking the glass.

“Coward!” Nayre shouted as he fought off his first attacker.

I looked around and saw the students now scared, “Myst, I need to make a shield, can you handle them for now?”

“I can but not if they attack together.” He said, as he kicked another attacker away.

“Just do what you have to do, to protect those mortals.” Hunter says from behind me.

I knelt down and bit on my thumb and let the blood flow out, then I started making the symbol to create a shield around them leaving the mortals outside the shield, I laid my hand flat on the ground and let my power through the symbol, it glowed and after a few seconds a liquid-ish shield trapped us inside along with Cloud’s men, but left the other students outside the fight. Then I stood up and joined in on the fight.

“You know, technically, they can’t hurt you Huntress.” Taea says over all the fighting, as she punch and kick off an attacker, “Or Cloud will kill them as well.”

“Right now he can’t kill any of us.” I said, knocking one attacker out cold, “Since you are part of the ceremony.”

“What do you mean?” Iris asked. “He only-”

I raised my hand, “Hold that thought.” I swept an attacker, and hit one with a fireball, “As you were saying?”

“That you are the only one he needs for the ceremony.” Iris continued as she knocks off one guy with a hit on the nape.

“Not really,” I kicked one attacker on his stomach and knock out cold another one. “Hunter?”

“He needs the heirs for their powers and the heiresses for their blood.” Hunter explained for me as he blow away one of Iris’ attackers that was coming from behind.

“Our blood?” Guillenne asked.

Hunter nods, “everyone get down for a while.” We all dropped on the floor, Hunter produced a strong wind knocking off the remaining attackers giving us time to rest. We all stood up and looked around. Some of the attackers were about to stand up. “As I was saying, in you dwells the royal blood line.” Then one attacker sent a dagger toward Hunter which he stopped in midair, and sent it back to the attacker, then another attacker came on to him, “Excuse me.” he grabbed the attackers arm and disarmed him, and knocked him out cold, they turned to me.

“So we’re now all in trouble?” Lei asked.

“We were all in trouble from the beginning.” Lee said. Kicking away one guy that was about to attack from my side.

“So is this one of those we’ll know it when it’s time for us to know it things?” Rui asked as he sent one dagger toward one of Hunter’s attacker. And he slashed another one behind Lei. The attackers were all coming unto us together.

“Yes.” I said, as I grab one of Rui’s daggers and slashed an attacker on the throat.

“Would you all please stop slashing people?” Jed asked, “It’s as if all these mess isn’t intoxicating enough.”

“Sorry.” Rui and I said.

“Is it just me or are these attackers not decreasing?” Guillenne asked as she knocks out cold one of her attackers and moved to another one.

“Well, we do have time to talk,” Mave points out, “Maybe they’re just moving real slowly.”

“Probably they’re here to get our blood.” Taea snapped as she hits one guy on his spine.

“They can’t do that; you need to give it willingly.” I said as I fought off another attacker pushing him away toward another attacker. Then Taea grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me out of the way of an attacker’s dagger. She kicked him down and knocked him out cold. Suddenly I felt something pierce through my heart; I leaned forward, in pain. I looked down and saw an arrow pierce through my chest.

“Huntress!” I heard Lee shouts. I turned to him and saw him run toward me. I start to sway and fall backwards.