Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Ariana

I closed my eyes and pressed my face against Riley's shoulder, I didn't like flying didn't like it at all. I murmered something to Riley, but I was so delusional from the heights that I can't remember what I said, I can only remember that he promised not to.

Riley-

After about an hour of flying, i saw a dark tower rising out of the ground. I glanced over at Trent to see if he saw it, too. Apparently he did, for he glanced at me and nodded slightly.

"We will be there soon. I promise," i murmured into Ariana's ear soothingly. She shivered against me but nodded.

Ariana

When my feet hit the ground my knees almost gave out of shere relief. I could control my movements now. Except that Riley was still supporting me after my breif knee incident.

I looked up at the tower, we're here, I thought, and I knew that first chance I got I had to get out. Tonight...tonight would have to do.

Riley-

I helped Ariana sit against a tree and went to help Trent. Max was pulling Isabella off and Natan and Davnix were jumping down themselves, neither looking very happy.

I held out my hand for Velna but she turned her head away disdainfully and hopped down herself. Trent instantly changed back, breathing hard.

"You alright?" i asked, going over to him.

"Yeah." he nodded.

I turned to examine the massive tower before us.

"So this is it." i said, sighing. I went to help Ariana again as we approached the gates.

Ariana

I suppose the thought of going to my demon must have made me pale because Riley insisted on practically carrying me up into the tower. I had to get myself together.

I kept thinking about ways to get out and away safely as Riley talked to the mages. Could they read my mind? If so would they tell someone? If they found out they would stop me, and if they stopped me they would all die, and it would be because I slipped up.

"The five of you can follow Alex up to a spare room where you may stay for however long this is needed."

Great, we'll be here overnight, I can go then.

Riley-

I nodded graciously to the mage. "Thank you."

I began to turn away but stopped and hesitated. I turned back.

"Excuse me, but how long should it take?"

The mage glanced behind me, silently assessing the rest of the group. After a moment, he responded, "No more than two days, i should think. It all depends on what is wrong."

Suddenly a door opened at the end of the hallway and a figure stepped out. I instinctively stiffen and push Ariana behind me, but the figure doesn't look our way. I sighed in relief.

The mage standing in front of me gave me a funny look and glanced behind him. Seeing the disappearing figure, he looked at me.

"Do you know Master Nathaniel?" he asked.

Ariana

I peaked over Riley's shoulder, "he's my uncle!"

"And my father," Isabella added, "why?"

Riley-

I turned to the two of them. "Well, he's here and considering what happened last time we saw him, i don't think he'd be pleased to see us here."

"You're Master Nathaniel's Family?" the mage asked curiously.

I looked back at him. "Some of them. I am not, but these two are related to him, along with the two angry looking ones back there." i said, gesturing to Natan and Davnix.

The mage studied them all curiously for a moment. "Does he know you're here?"

"No. And we'd like it to remain so."

The mage nodded. "Alex will be here in a moment to take you to your rooms. We will help your friends as best we can."

"Thank you," i said stiffly.

Isabella~

I stood a few feet behind Riley, next to Max. At the mention of my father's name, I looked up. The mage who had asked the question noticed my response.

"I'm his daughter," I explained. "This is my brother, Natan."

"We," Ariana began, gesturing to her brother, "are his niece and nephew."

"The rest of us have no relation," Riley finished.

----------------------------
Val~

Silently, I remained beside Natan. I was trying to figure out how Max did it. I had been a vampire for a good amount of my life, but still had no idea how to use any of the mysterious powers. I wondered if it was possible for me to get into Natan's mind -- to speak to him, perhaps? Granted, I wanted to talk to to the real him, not whatever was controlling him.

Reaching over, I took Natan's hand, hoping the connection would help. He did not object, or I did not notice.

Natan, can you hear me? I called out with my mind, hoping it would work.

Natan-

Natan, can you hear me?

I started. What?

Natan?

I'm here-

Not for long the whispering voice said. It was not Val's.

Get out of my head! Leave me alone! i yelled, my 'voice' rising in panic and annoyance.

Natan, what is it?

Yes, Natan, what is it?

I clutched my head. Please, just go. Don't make it worse...

Valentina~

Natan, wait! I exclaimed as Natan began pushing me from his mind. He stopped, still blocking me a bit. Natan, perhaps I can help?

What could you do?

Nothing. She could do nothing. This voice was not Natans.

I have some abilities, and I'm strong. Isabella too, and I know she can get in your head. If we got Max, Isabella, and myself all pushing against whatever is in here, perhaps we could push it away? We're at the tower and all, but... I stopped short, unsure of what to say next.

Natan-

Let the mages take care of this. There's nothing you can do. i said wearily, pushing her from my mind again. She struggled but finally gave in.

There's nothing they can do either. Not until you give us what we want. the voice in my head says.

We'll see about that.

Val~

"Curses..." I murmured when Natan managed to push me from his mind.

"What?" Isabella asked, turning to glance at us.

"Nothing," I sighed. "What are we doing now?"

"I'm not quite sure."

"Are they going to fix Natan soon?"

Riley-

I looked back at Val.

"Don't worry, the mages will fix him." i reassured her.

From the corner of my eye, i saw a flash of anger and defiance in Natan's eyes, though when i looked, it was gone.

A moment later another mage materializes in front of us. His hood is cast back and his black hair falls loosely over his black-robed shoulders.

"Follow me." he said. Turning, he starts off down the hallway in the direction Nathaniel took. I glanced back at the others before following Alex down the dim corridor. The shuffling steps behind me told me the others were following. After a moment, i felt Ariana slip her arm through mine and lean her head on my shoulder.

Isabella~

Alex led us down the hallway, stopping at a door.

"This will be your room. Those of you who aren't affected by...this thing, will be staying here. Those who are affected will be put in the room next door."