- Bree? - he shouted at us. - I was looking for you. I need to talk to you urgently!
- What happened, Keilan? - she asked, stopping to analyze it. - Looks like he's gonna get Dad off the gallows.
- I need to talk to you in private! - he said out of breath.
- What's the matter? - I asked curious.
- It's about your family! - he fired. Aila rolled her eyes.
- You can talk in front of Alec. - she said. - I told him everything.
- Oh, that's great! - he said sighing with relief. - In this case, the news is for both of us. I got a letter from Dunhill and...
Keilan hesitated and it made me apprehensive.
- Say man! - I fired. - What's going on?
- Aileen's been kidnapped!
Chapter 11
Bree
The blue sky shone just above us. I was lying on the grass in the garden at my grandparents' house. It was a sunny summer day and we were able to get out of the cloister of the castle's stone walls. For me, those were the happiest days when I could be myself and not the ghost that my mother forced me to be. I looked at myself in the mirror and could only see a redheaded girl with freckles; bright expressive eyes; a beautiful dress; a real lady. Still, a ghost.
The cheerful laughter of my sisters running around me as I pretended I was asleep made me want to laugh too. It was easy to fool them, and I loved scaring them. I'd suddenly open my eyes and jump on them with a scream. They knew that I would do that, but they still fell for the same trick.
Franzi's forehead as the laughter became distant and the silence became more and more eminent. My breathing became heavy and the cold took over my body. The colors disappeared and the sky became cloudy. I saw myself alone, surrounded by blood and many men. Roy's cold laughter made my whole body shiver. I looked at the cold ground and saw that the blood wasn't mine. Aileen was lying just a few feet in front of me. I rolled my eyes when I saw my bloody sword. Blood covered my hands. I let go of the sword with my trembling hands and went backwards.
- Did you see what you did? - said Roy laughing.
- No! - I whispered frightened.
- Yes! - he said in a dark voice. - It's all your fault! I told you this would happen, but you didn't listen. Now, Aileen's dead and it's only a matter of time before I can kill that bitch Aideen.
- No! - I screamed at him, but very strong hands held me back.
- Bree? Wake up! Wake up! - I felt a bump on my shoulders. - Bree?
I opened my eyes breathing with difficulty. Alec was in front of me with her hands on my shoulders. I was struggling without understanding what was happening. His voice was soft, but very worried.
- Stay calm! - he whispered. - Breathe from wandering. Take a deep breath.
I did what he said and blinked. The dark images disappeared and I realized that I had had another one of my nightmares. I looked around and discovered that I was lying on a bed that was not mine, but the tent was familiar. I was in Alec's tent at camp.
- What's going on? - I asked in a shaking voice.
- You had a panic attack. - he explained by sitting next to me. - How are you feeling?
I made a face for the pain I felt. My whole body was sore. He looked like he got his ass kicked.
- A little tired. - I answered. - My whole body hurts. What happened to your hand?
Alec had a face.
- I tried to hold her so she wouldn't get hurt, but you had a fit of rage and tried to assault me. He hit a stab wound to my wrist, but it was superficial. - he sighed. - I had to put her to sleep and bring her here.
Alec gave me a mirror and pointed at my neck. There was a purple mark around it. I felt pain when I touched her and made a face. I couldn't remember the attack, but I knew it wasn't the first time.
- I'm sorry, that's why! - said by pointing his arm.
- No problem! - he smiled. - It was fun, but I need to know if it's okay, because I have to tell you a few things and I need you to stay calm to help me think.
Alec took a serious look at me. Your eye was purple, too. I stretched out my hand and touched the place. He closed his eyes, frowning like he was in pain, but he didn't back down. I didn't know the reason, but I was beginning to trust him. Strangely enough, his presence made me feel safe. Suddenly I remembered the dream I had and the last thing I heard before I woke up in Alec's tent.
- Aileen! How's she doing? Keilan had said that she had been kidnapped... - she said agitated and I tried to get up, but Alec made me sit on my pillows.
- Calm down! - he ordered it in a soft voice. - From what I understand, Aileen's fine. We just don't know where it is.
- What do you mean you don't know where Aileen is? - I asked in a stunned voice.
