Chapter 4: The Awakening

Ashley’s POV

“Where are you?” the woman asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.

I slowly walked toward her, each step feeling strangely deliberate. The closer I got, the more the scene around me seemed more vivid. This was beginning to feel real. Far too real.

My eyes darted around the compound, searching desperately for anything that might make sense. Instead, my stomach tightened. The ground beneath my feet was sandy, the grains shifting beneath my shoes with every step. Several small, boxlike houses surrounded the compound, their walls pieced together from rough wooden planks and dried materials. Dim, yellowish light flickered through the gaps in the walls.

Wooden posts stood at different corners, supporting hanging lanterns that swayed gently in the night breeze. Shadows moved between the buildings, people walking, talking, carrying baskets and bundles. Somewhere in the distance, I heard a faint burst of laughter before it disappeared into the night.

Everything looked old, unfamiliar. Completely unlike anything I had ever seen outside a movie set. My breathing became uneven. No, this couldn’t be real.

“What the freak are you wearing?” The sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned around. A girl who looked to be around my age stood a few feet away, her hands resting firmly on her hips. Her dark hair was pulled tightly away from her face, revealing a pair of eyes that swept over me from head to toe with open disapproval.

I followed her gaze down to my clothes which suddenly looked out of place compared to theirs.

She on the other hand, wore a short, fitted leather skirt that stopped well above her knees, paired with a sleeveless leather top that exposed her flat stomach and narrow waist. Several straps crossed her torso, holding small leather pouches against her body, while a weathered belt sat firmly around her hips. The entire outfit looked like something a female warrior in a medieval fantasy movie would wear.

That was when I completely lost it. A laugh burst out of me. Within seconds, I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I bent slightly, one hand pressed against my abdomen as tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. The two women stared at me. Their expressions slowly changed from confusion to concern.

“Ashley?” the woman called cautiously. I tried to catch my breath. “Did you perhaps have a bad dream?”

I straightened and stared at her. “A dream?” The word came out breathlessly before another laugh escaped me. “Yes! That is exactly what this is.” I wiped the tears from beneath my eyes. “Of course I fell asleep while reading that book. It’s only normal for me to dream about the book. Thanks for reminding me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and inhaled deeply. The cool night breeze brushed against my face. “Ashley, wake up.”

Nothing happened, I opened one eye. They were still staring at me. I opened the other. My smile slowly disappeared. “Oh!” I snapped my fingers. “Now I know why.”

I looked toward the woman. “I need something to jerk me out. Could you please slap me hard across the face? I promise not to take offense.”

Her mouth fell open. “What?! Good heavens, what has gotten into you?”

“Yes, I would.” The girl’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Anything to get you out of this weird outfit. Take it from me, yes you would get attention but the wrong kind.”

I scoffed. “Excuse me?”

“Which cheek? Right or left?” She tilted her head, pretending to think. “I think right. I mean, that’s where the brain is… but I guess you wouldn’t know that.” She chuckled

My jaw dropped. “And who the hell are you?!”

“Your lovely best friend.” She smiled, then slapped me hard across the face.

My head snapped to the side. For a second, everything went completely silent. Then pain exploded across my cheek. My eyes watered instantly, and tiny sparks seemed to burst across my vision.

I slowly turned back toward her, clutching my cheek. “What the hell?!. Why would you slap me like that?”

She blinked innocently. “Umm… you did ask for a slap.” She shrugged. “So did you get some kind of reset, or do I need to hit the left cheek?”

My mouth opened. Who the hell is this arrogant brat?. “Hey!” I screamed, pressing my palm against my burning cheek.

The woman immediately stepped between us. “Okay! That’s enough.” She held up a hand before I could say anything else. “Could you give me a moment with her?”

“Alright!” The girl rolled her eyes before turning toward me. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but we don’t have all night.” She gave the woman a small smile before walking towards a corner. .

I watched her,, my fingers still pressed against my cheek. I swear I wanted to rip her hair out. But then I froze. My anger slowly gave way to confusion. Yes, that slap had been infinitely painful. But if this was a dream… Why was I still here? Why hadn’t I woken up?. My eyes moved around the compound again and it was almost as if I could even smell the place. My heart began to pound hard against my chest as I looked around. .

“Ashley.” I looked at the woman. “Look at me.” She stepped closer, her expression softening. “What is it?”

My breathing became uneven. “Wait.” I looked around again. “Ma’am I’m still here…” My voice trembled. “Why am I still here?” I swallowed hard. “Okay. Maybe I need to do it myself.” I raised both hands toward my face.

The woman immediately caught my wrists. “What are you doing?”

“Let me go!” I struggled against her grip.

“What is wrong with you?” she demanded. “Don’t you want to go for the party?”

I stopped struggling. Slowly, I looked at her. “Party?!” My eyes widened. “What party?”

“Xavier’s coronation.”

My stomach dropped. “Xavier?” She nodded. “The prince Xavier of… Tigress.” My lips parted.

“Yes,” she said slowly, studying me as though I had suddenly grown another head.

“Yes?!. What the hell! You mean by yes?!.” Then I started laughing again. Not because anything was funny. Because there was no other way to react. My gaze dropped to the necklace.

My fingers immediately went to it. The black-and-white yin-yang pendant rested against my chest.

My laughter died instantly . “It’s this damn necklace, right?. I mean, come to think of it, the moment I wore it…” I yanked the necklace over my head. “Here!” I thrust it toward the woman.”Have it!”

She stared at the necklace in my palm.

“I reject, okay?! I don’t want to be the destined reader anymore!” I shoved it into her hands. “And sure, for some reason I shouldn’t have disobeyed you, but come on! Anyone would have been curious like I was.”

I slowly exhaled. “I’ve learnt my lesson, okay?” I took a step back. “So just do your bibbity-bobbity-boo so that I can get the hell out of here!” I squeezed my eyes shut by nothing happened.

I waited, for three seconds. Slowly, I opened my eyes. The woman was still standing there, looking more confused than ever. “Ashley…” She glanced down at the necklace in her hands. “You have to have it.”

I stared at her.

She continued. “My turn has passed., It’s your turn now.” She gently extended the necklace toward me. “And, I know you wanted that gold jewelry, but I promise you, before your next birthday, I will get it for you. But this… This is priceless. And you should always keep it around your neck.”

I stared at her in apparent disbelief. Slowly, I pointed at her. “Okay! I think I’ve been patient with you but I’m not the crazy one here. You are!” I finished through gritted teeth.

She sighed. “Okay… Mrs. Spencer, I think I need to go now. Maybe tomorrow… I will come check up on her.” The girl said from behind me.

I turned slightly. The woman looked toward her. “Aries… maybe you should…”

“Aries?!” I cut In immediately as my entire body stiffened. My eyes widened, slowly I turned toward the girl. Black hair, hazel eyes, body of a goddess… slowly I gulped down the lump of spit stuck in my throat. “Wait… If she’s Mrs. Spencer…” I pointed at the woman. “And you are Aries… Gaddfield.” I looked at the dagger strapped to her waist. “The prince’s right hand woman.”

My voice became smaller. I looked between the two of them. “Then am I…” I swallowed.

“Am I Mrs. Spencer’s daughter?”