“Yes. All of this looks great, “ Keres said as he looked over the plan for tomorrow. He had his most trusted advisor with him, looking over last minute changes for his big announcement tomorrow. “Thank you, your majesty,” the advisor said, inclining his head at the rare praise from the king. “I am happy that you are pleased with all of the changes.” “Yes, you did very good work,” Keres said, looking back over the plan again to make sure that nothing had been left out. “There is one more thing that I need you to do for me,” Keres said as he passed the papers back. “Of course, your majesty. Anything.” “Have our most trusted guards watch my cousins’ rooms tonight. I want to make sure that no one accidentally goes missing. Also, maybe have the guards bring up any dinner this evening and make sure to add a little something to make them sleep through the night to their tea as an added precaution.” “Of course,” the advisor agreed quickly. “We would not want to chance anyone missing t

Hurrying from King Keres’s office his advisor smiled as he remembered King Keres’s praise. He liked all of the plans that he had organized for his special day tomorrow. Surely if everything goes off perfectly tomorrow he might even be looking at a promotion or a raise the advisor thought happily to himself as he reached a heavy wooden door. Taking a deep breath to hide his happiness, the advisor quickly gave two short knocks on the door and opened it without waiting for a reply. Looking inside the room, he saw just the guard that he was looking for in the middle of a game of cards. “Captain Dolion, may I have a word with you,” the advisor said quickly as he saw all of the eyes in the room turn to him. None of them were friendly, but he also knew that they wouldn’t dare touch him due to his position. “What do you want,” Dolion asked after barely sparing the advisor a glance. “I need to speak to you out in the corridor, please,” the advisor said as he saw the looks some of the guar

Gianna hurried to the door as soon as she heard the knock. It was almost time. All they had to do was eat, pretend to go to sleep, and then make a run for it. She had checked over everything that she and Sophia planned to bring one last time to make sure that they had everything that she could think of that they might need. Opening the door, Gianna forced a relaxed smile, and hoped that the maid delivering their dinner took note that she was already dressed for bed. Gianna’s smile almost faltered when she saw a stern-faced guard holding the try with their dinner on it. “I’m so sorry,” Gianna said, recovering quickly. “Let me take that,” she said as she went to take the tray. “Let me carry it. The tray is right heavy,” the guard said, quickly stepping past Gianna, and easily kicking the door shut with his heavy booted foot as he easily carried the tray. “Thank you,” Gianna said as she hurried to move a few of Sophia’s school books off of the table in front of the sofa so that

“We can just go somewhere else then,” Sophia pleaded one last time. “I have a feeling that if you go back, you won’t come back.” ““The shifter kingdom is our best bet. They do not like Keres, and maybe I can learn about my father there. There might even be family that will take us in for a while at least. I promise I’ll be back,” Gianna said as she pulled Sophia in for a quick hug. “Stay here,” she said as she slipped off her backpack and put it between a bush and a tree. With one last quick smile, Gianna hurried off, carefully making her way back to the cave that the guard had brought them through maybe fifteen minutes ago. “Please don’t go,” Sophia whispered as she watched Gianna quickly making her way along the rocks. Sophia watched her sister till she disappeared in the cave. Once Gianna was out of sight Sophia slid her backpack off and put it on the ground with Gianna’s. She pulled the rain jacket that Gianna had packed her out, and slipped it on to help block the wind. It wa