A Shadowlander's Dream: Book Two - Policy of Love
By Kathryn K Williams
Part Five - Stained Glass Angel
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Jessie, why didn't you tell me something was wrong?" Misty asked the sleeping girl, "Why didn't you come to me?" She buried her face in Jessica's shirt and let out a small sob, "Why?"
"Misty?" Amy lightly set a hand upon the girl's back, "Did you notice anything unusual about Jessica's behaviour this morning?"
Misty lifted her head and shook it, "Not at first." Misty replied, gazing at Jessica affectionately, "Last week she was fine, but recently she seemed more depressed and then she started hanging around with those new girls and I've not seen her much since then. Today was the first time I got to talk to her in a while."
"Did she say anything?" Amy probed, "Anything at all?"
Misty shook her head, "She did seem more down then usual." She explained, "She took off pretty quickly after..." She lightly flushed.
Amy shook her head in dismay and patted the girl's head, "You don't need to explain more." She turned to glance down at the redheads, "I just wish I knew what those two are up against. I feel so helpless just standing around here."
Just then the doors of the lobby opened and Natalie entered with a couple of boxes in hand, "Could someone help me?" She hollered as she struggled with the door.
"Sure thing." Amy got to her feet and rushed over to hold the door for Natalie when she noticed Tanya and Cherilyn through the doors windows caring more boxes and stuffed backpacks slung over their arms, "Misty could you help, please?" She requested.
"Sure." Misty quickly hurried over to Natalie, "Hey Natalie, Let me take those." She offered, taking the top most box that was obstruction Natalie's view.
"Thanks, Misty!" Natalie said grateful to be removed of some of her load.
"More new recruits?" Misty inquired scanning Tanya and Cherilyn as they pushed through the doors.
"East Wing transfers." Natalie explained with a huff as she dropped the boxes on the floor near the stair then took the box from Misty.
"East Wingers, hmmmm..." Misty examined the two girls at they placed their load next to Natalie's, "And cute ones too. I'm Misty, welcome to hotel hell."
Amy let the door close, "Misty don't tease them." She warned, "This place is far from hell."
"Sorry Amy." Misty apologized, "Welcome all the same."
Cherilyn blushed as she dropped a duffle bag of clothes to the ground and stared at the girl in astonishment. Her eyes scanning over Misty's short skirt and tight blouse that only the two buttons in the middle were fastened. Her clothes gave very little to the imagination showing the world her rather feminie yet built frame to anyone who dared to look. Never had Cherilyn seem anyone dress the way this girl did. Most of the East Wing girls that Cherilyn knew were self conscious of their body in one way or another and tended to cover up in loose clothes. Misty's fashion left Cherilyn lost for word.
Tanya noticed the way her girlfriend was staring at Misty and rolled her eyes, "You act like you've never seen a pretty girl before." Tanya remarked crossly, giving Cherilyn a nudge, then flashed a quick smile to Misty, "Sorry for my girlfriend's rudeness." She stressed the word ‘girlfriend' as she spoke, "I'm Tanya and the gawker would be Cherilyn." She introduced.
"I'm not gawking!" Cherilyn protested, "I was just... just..."
Natalie let out a laugh and patted Cherilyn on the back, "You'd better be careful or you are going to be in the dog house very quickly." She stated with a grin.
"So you two are a couple then?" Misty inquired, glancing between the two girls.
"You could say that." Tanya stated, giving Cherilyn a glare, "Am I right, Cherilyn?"
Cherilyn's blush brightened, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare."
Natalie shook her head as she walked away, "First day here and you are already in trouble." She remarked.
"Don't worry Tanya." Misty said with a warm smile, "I will not chase your girl. Promise." She raised her hand in a salute, "Girl Guild's honour."
"You didn't eat any of the Brownies did you?" Tanya inquired sceptically.
Now it was Misty's turn to blush, "Never!!" She protested then saw Tanya smile, "Oh you... So that is how you play things." She returned the smile and shook her head then glanced at Cherilyn, "You better keep an eye on that one. The Western Dorm have been know to do things to the girl's here and it seems she has already been effected."
Now Cherilyn was glaring at Tanya, "I can see that." She replied irately.
"Girls!" Amy interrupted them, "Please, try not to argue."
"Just playing Amy." Misty remarked, "I'm harmless."
Amy rubbed her forehead, "If you are harmless then I hate to met the dangerous ones."
"She is right there." Natalie pointed at Jessica, then glanced down at the redheads, "So they really did jump into their dreams." She remarked as she knelt next to the girls, "I hope they know what they are doing..."
"They are tough." Alyson replied, "They will make it back."
"What makes you so sure of them all of a sudden?." Natalie inquired skeptically.
"I looked into their heart." Alyson stated with a smile, "I'm sorry I fought with Kima. She isn't all that bad after all."
Natalie smiled, "Good to hear you've changed your mind about her."
Amy glanced around the room, "Where is Kris?" She inquired.
"She went after them." Tanya explained miserably, "With her sister. They said someone names Carey was involved."
Amy sank heavy into a nearby chair, "Carey? Oh god this is worse then I though." She remarked in dismally. "I prey the lords will protect them because they will need every ounce of help then can get."
*****
Kris and Kai walked down a long dark corridor. Walls of grey brick towered overhead with no ceiling in sight. The only light provided by the occasional candle hanging upon the wall. Every so often they would pass by a opening in the wall without even so much as a glance. They had one destination in mind and they were speedily moving towards their goal when someone stepped out of the shadows to block their path.
"I can not let you do this, Aigneis!" A tall girl in her late teens commanded. Her long sleek black hair hung over the shoulders of a dark cloak. Her deep black eyes were filled with a mixture of anger and despair as she glanced between the two girls, "Please Aigneis, Turn back." She pleaded.
Kris glared at the woman, "Get out of my way, Julie!" She ordered, baring her teeth, "I have no time for this."
"Father, ordered you to never return." Julie reminded her sister, "You choose that girl over family and you know the rules. You can never step within these halls again. If you proceed I will have to force you out and I do not wish to harm my little sister. Either of you."
"Why should I listen to you?" Kris snarled, "Just because you are the oldest does not mean I have to listen to you. After all you said it yourself. I am no longer your sister so get out of my way."
Julie's eyes shifted to Kai, who was hiding behind her sister, "Keelia, Do you really wish to help this traitor?" She inquired softly.
"Julie please." Kai pleaded, "You have to understand. Carey will kill Jennifer if we do not hurry."
Julie lightly closed her eyes, "I know."
Kris suddenly rushed at her sister and pushed her up against the wall, "You knew?!?" She growled, "You were going to just let Carey kill Jenn and you were not going to do anything about it?"
"She was supposed to die years ago if you recall." Julie remarked with so much calm that it got on Kris's nerves, "We allowed Gwen to intervene before, however this time we will not allow any more outside interference."
Kris punched her sister across the face sending her stumbling to the floor, "How dare you!" She towered over the woman with her fist clenched, "You would intervene if it was anyone else wouldn't you?"
Julie wiped at the blood on the corner of her mouth, "Of course. Carey's actions are not condoned by the rules of death."
"Then why not Jenn?" Kris demanded, "Why does her life not count?"
"Because..." Julie's eyes dropped to the ground and she grew silent.
"Because she is the one I love and I right?" Kris inquired with a sneer of disgust.
Julie only nodded.
"Why you bitch!!" Kris flung herself at Julie, "You are willing to let her die just because she loves me?" She grabbed her sister by the collar and shook her, "WHY???"
Kai grabbed Kris around the shoulders, "Kris stop it!!!" She cried, "Don't fight!"
Gwen suddenly came running down the hall, "Kris!!!" She pulled Kris's hand free of Julie, "Kris she is not worth it!"
Kris let go of Julie and glared at Gwen, "Why not?" She demanded, "She does not even care if Jenn lives or dies."
"But we do." Gwen stated, "Not all of us are like her and you should save your strength for Carey." She quickly reached into her pocket, "Mirai gave me this to help." She dangled a blue crystal on a chain before Kris's eyes.
Kris reached out to take the crystal, "A Malith Stone?" The moment her fingers touched the stone she could feel it's energy wash over her.
"We need to hurry." Gwen coaxed, "If you wish to help Jenn then you have to leave Julie."
Kris took the necklace and placed it around her neck, "Let's go."
Gwen smiled, "Good." She glanced down at Julie, "Sorry Julie. I have to do what I feel is right."
Julie nodded, "Just go or I'll have to send Grania and Morrigan after you." She stated, "You have ten minutes."
"Julie?" Kris stared at her sister in disbelief, "But...?"
Julie smiled, "I have to give a good front for father." She gingerly touched her cheek, "I think this will be enough to convince him."
Kris felt ashamed of herself, "I am sorry."
"Get going." Julie pointed down the hall, "I'll try to keep father off of you for now."
"Thanks." Kris ran down the hall after Gwen with Kai right behind her. She clenched at the pendent feeling its power surge through her vains, "Thank you too Mirai." She closed her eyes and large glimmering wings spread out behind her filling the corridor. She took to the air, racing towards a swirling light at the end of the tunnel, "Hold on Jenn, I'm coming."
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
Note: The world of the shadowlands, Its stories, Characters and ideas are a copyright of Kathryn K Williams.
This story is based upon my manga of the same name. If you wish visit my site and see some of the art based on this series at http://www.KatAndNekoManga.ca
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at Kathryn@KatAndNekoManga.ca
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