Ch. 2 Naomi

Marcus grabs my waist and pushes me behind him, “Your highness.” He did a bow-like gesture.

“What are you doing?” Marcus opens his mouth to say something but doesn’t. “ And do not even think about lying. Your job was to stay hidden and to keep your eyes on her.” The purple eyes slowly faded to gold and Marcus sighed.

“I was planning on it but then she snuck out. I’ll take whatever punishment you deem fit, but I didn’t tell her anything other than who I was.” I realized that they were talking about me and for what felt like the hundredth time tonight, I was confused by what was going on.

I grip onto Marcus’ arm and take in the details of what seems to be the leader. He’s tall at least 6 feet and has short dark brown hair that faded into a reddish hue and gold eyes. I touched the ends of my short dark brown hair that also had a reddish hue to the ends. “No one is getting punished or harmed.” I let out a breath, I didn't know I was holding in and loosened my hold on Marcus’ arm. “I guess it would be a good idea now for you both to know why he was sent here. But in order for that to happen you would need to come with us.” I realized that he was now addressing me.

I looked between Marcus’ and the leader and slowly shook my head. “I can’t. I don’t know you and no one in their right mind would just leave with a stranger.” I hear the leader scoff and some mumbling I couldn’t make out. “My parents would worry.”

As if I offended him, he snaps,” those are not your parents, you must have realized that long before tonight.”

I turned to Marcus hoping he would say that it was not true and he was crazy or something, but instead he just shrugged his shoulders at me. I have always felt out of place with my family due to my unnatural hair color, my short temper, and my almost gold eye color. Compared to my parents and younger brother who had dirty blonde hair and vibrant hazel eyes. “So what are you telling me? I’m adopted?” My breathing and heart rate had started to pick up, the entire situation becoming overwhelming.

I turn to the leader again and my chest starts to become tight. He scoffs, “Adopted? Not even close.” I see Marcus shoot him a glare before turning to me and wiping the tears, I didn't know had fallen, from my face.

Since I had turned 15, when things become overwhelming or I have a hard time dealing with a situation, I either passed out, had a panic attack, or lashed out in anger. I never knew which would happen but am grateful it seems to be a panic attack. “I promise you will be safe with us. I think it will be a good idea for you to come with us and we can explain everything,ok?” I shook my head and started to cry harder, my breathing becoming short gasps.

I continue to shake my head, not sure if what they were saying was true, but also remembering what Marcus had said earlier. ‘If I went to my parents and asked we would move and I wouldn’t see Marcus for a bit.’ “Take slow deep breaths and please don’t be stubborn, right now. I know you’re confused and panicking but I promise you will be safe.” He sighed and grabbed my hands. “Would I ever put you in any danger or steer you wrong?” He waits for me to answer and I shake my head, “so what makes you think I would start now?”

I shrug my shoulders, “I don’t know. I am just confused and don’t know what to do.”

“The first thing is to trust me and come with us.” I continue to take slow deep breaths and begin to calm down. When I looked up, I could see Marcus’ sincerity and he gave me a small smile. The same one he would give me when we were kids and I was hurt or upset. I nod my head and wipe the tears from my face, I gave one final nod indicating I was ready.

The leader clears his throat, “now that your mind's made up, we need to get moving.” Marcus continues to hold my hand as we begin to walk further into the woods. After walking for several minutes, I have fully calmed down.

“If I may ask, where are we going?” My voice still comes out shaky with nervousness but I hope knowing where we are headed will ease my anxiety.

“Daemonium. We need to pick up the pace.” Marcus pulls me closer and squeezes my hand as we walk faster.

“Where exactly is that and who are you?” I feel Marcus’ start to rub circles on my hand to try to calm my racing mind.

Purple eyes sighed heavily. “I guess for now Alexavier, or Alex. Daemonium is another dimension, it’s where you were born.” My brows scrunched as so many questions popped into my head.

“I was born there?” He nods, never looking back to me. “So…so how did I end up here, with my parents?” His back tenses and I hear him growl.

“It happened when you were a few days old. A close family friend that had become not fond of your mother’s and I uniting.” I inhale sharply realizing that he is my biological father, if what he is saying is true. Although, I am starting to believe what he is saying since his hair pattern is similar. “When she first became pregnant with your elder brother, there were threats made towards her. At the time, we were never able to find out who they were from. They got worse when she became pregnant once again, with you.” Through gritted teeth he continued the next part. “Your adoptive mother, Linda, couldn’t have children and her partner, your adoptive father, David, was a friend of mine. Both of our partners had become close with each other. From what we could gather, we know they were paid off by someone to make me seem like an unfit ruler. We could only speculate their way of doing that and to also fulfil a want of theirs, was to kidnap you. By kidnapping you, they could make it seem as if I was unable to protect my family and wouldn’t be able to protect the kingdom. Despite their efforts it didn’t work out that way being as your adoptive mother was tasked with your care when needed and when you disappeared so did they.”

I stare down at my feet as we walk and take in all the information. “If what you are saying is true, how come you never found me until now and couldn’t that have just possibly been a coincidence?”

“Your mother thought so at first but I had started to notice some of the looks David would make and sometimes I would see the jealousy he held towards me when talking about my family and finding you was not that easy. I can sense that you were still alive but because you were brought to another dimension, I could not sense your location. It was even harder since they did not use the portal.” Before I could ask another question, he continued answering it. “If they had taken you through the portal they would have had to perform the portal ceremony, being you were a newborn. I knew they hadn’t done it because I would have sensed it.”

I looked up at Marcus but noticed he was looking everywhere but where we were going. “Are you ok?” He shushed me and within seconds everyone had surrounded me in a protective circle.

“Shtrigas.” I looked at Marcus confused. “Do you remember those stories I told you as kids?” He didn’t wait for a response before continuing, “well they weren’t just stories and are real.” I stared at him with a confused look, not understanding how a fictional character could be real. Before I could ask anymore questions, at least 20 pairs of electric blue eyes were surrounding us. The next thing I know they start attacking and I am in the center of it. I scream as one of the Shtrigas comes flying towards me and duck down. When I go to stand back up to find somewhere to hide, I’m thrown backwards into a tree, hitting my head.

I groan and let my vision come to focus. My head begins to throb as I sit up and I notice I am nowhere near the fight. A hooded figure comes to view, I try to stand but stumble from dizziness. The hooded figure gets closer and lets out a horrid screech. I start gasping as a blue wisp starts to come from my parted lips and I feel as if my energy is being drained. Right before darkness consumes me, I see those purple eyes with gold flecks.