Chapter 10

They all pull their swords and advance slightly on her. "There are thirteen of us Sheila, your outnumbered here."

She snorts, "But you're outstrengthed. I've become much stronger recently. I had a good teacher, in fact, she's here today, would you like to see her?"

They all stare in fear as Sylvia jumps from a roof along with Fynn and stand beside her.

It makes Isabella smile, seeing all of them tremble. "You halfwits. You're supposed to be unpredictable. We would've wanted a challenge but we can't have citizens getting in the way. So we had a friend fool you all."

She lowers her sword and walks over to them. They all stare in shock.

"Lydia?!"

"No. Her name is Isabella. As for the real Lydia, you'll see her soon enough."

Several of the Shadow Walkers take out clay ball and crush them but they only turn to dust in their hands. "Those won't work sweetie, you're in my box, it dulls all person's magic, except Sheila's, mine, and Isabella's. Make me proud."

Sheila pulls her sword and points the tip, "I'm curious, how does it feel knowing there's no hope for you?" she asks as Fynn bounds forward off the table,

They all charge after him, with Sylvia's help, Sheila launches into the air above them spiraling.

"Raaahhhh!" she shouts,

She swings her sword as she spins over them, red waves of energy shoot out and hit all around.

Cutting one in half diagonally, and the shoulders and arms off of three more. Their limbs fall to the ground.

Sheila lands on her feet behind them, some of the injured pass out, others scream in pain at their missing limbs.

Isabella grips her sword. "Not yet. You can't stain yourself with their blood, you need to be innocent."

"Yes mam." Isabella says depressed, she sheathes her sword,

She watches as Sheila swings back and forth, cutting like they are all butter. Fynn continuously tears into two throughout the entire battle.

Sheila leans back missing a sword that desperately reached for her throat.

"Precariot!" she shouts,

She kicks one back and dives to the side so Sylvia and the others aren't in the way. She grips her sword as it glows red.

"Rrrrrrraaaahhhhh!"

She swings out sideways, the red beam burst shoots so fast they can't react. They all scream, their bodies falling in halves on the ground.

The water from the old penny fountain behind them raises slightly and drops, forming and popping three bubbles, but none of them notice.

Sheila sheathes her red sword and stares at the bodies then falls to her knees and hands weakly.

"You didn't pass out this time."

Sheila grunts angrily. She was so close to not being lightheaded.

"Raise your chin Sheila, it's progress. Fynn, the next time you intervene with outmy say, I will have you deal with Venix. He wanted just her to take them."

He grunts, "Fine." he mutters,

"Isabella, go back, prepare for tomorrow, draw attention to yourself in public, we want to have witnesses. Sing, dance, whatever works."

"I got it."

She turns and runs away quickly. Out of the ghettos and finds herself in the town. She sits next to a guitar player who also has a drum next to him and offers to sing if he plays.

They do so for two hours, and actually draw a good crowd. People cheer them and throw coins at their feet, but Isabella, pretending to be the kindhearted Lydia, gives them all to the man.

He thanks her over and over again. She smiles brightly and starts further into town, enjoying everything.

It's much easier to deal with all this now that she had that small break, she still wishes she could've been a part of it. But she'd never cross Sylvia. Fynn has to have serious stones to be willing to stand up to her.

She spends the day enjoying everything, or rather enduring all around her, the upbeat music, the happy faces and smiles, funny plays and shows.

At last she retires to Roux's house. She walks in and sees him and Violet smiling brightly, she didn't know Violet was capable of smiling like this.

"Hey guys, where's Adam?"

They look over and welcome her, "Hi, he decided to go to bed early, he was pretty tired."

"Really? From what?" Isabella laughs,

"We rode a few animals today, I'm sure that weared him out a bit, mixed with the walking everywhere."

"Well you two seem pretty happy."

"I just invited Violet to a party tonight, I mean of course, you're welcome as well Lydia."

"Aw thanks, but I think I might find a book to read tonight."

He smiles, "Very well, do enjoy it."

"I plan to, thanks Roux. See ya Violet." Isabella says,

Violet turns a light pink color as they walk out. Lydia walks upstairs and sits on her bed, staring out a window.

Violet thinks for a moment. "Something wrong my dear?"

She shakes her head, "No, she just, hasn't seemed like herself lately."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, she hasn't seemed as happy lately. Do you think she and Adam are getting along?"

"I'm sure they are just fine, now, let's enjoy tonight, shall we?"

She smiles and nods, "Thank you Roux, it's nice to unwind after so long."

"I'm sure. But tonight we'll enjoy fireworks and beautiful music."

She nods in agreement. Adam lays on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He's so sore but he's glad he spent today with Violet. It was a lot like yesterday with Lydia, but minus all the romance. It was nice relaxing with her.

He even got her advice, he can't wait. He's not really tired even, he's so excited, but nervous and anxious. She said tonight they could fall asleep together again, but he's so tired and from exhaustion his eyes close and he falls asleep. Violet and Roux spin and dance on the floor along the others.

It feels so strange, almost wrong to be acting so proper, but she really wants to impress him. She looks down, both laughing at her horrible dancing. But she quickly picks it up, they are one of many pairs dancing, but Violet feels like they are the only ones in the room.

And for a moment, she's completely happy, happy that Adam and Lydia have each other to be happy for as long as they live, she feels happy here with Roux, even if it doesn't work out with him. She is happy to dance with him tonight, if it doesn't work, she can find love again, and that gives her comfort.

After hours of dancing, he escorts her to the side and kisses her cheek. She smiles at him and kisses him gently.

They smile at one another, her face turns red as he kisses her again. "You look beautiful Violet."

"Not bad yourself."

Adam wakes the next morning and walks to Lydia's room, he knocks and walks in quietly, when there's no answer.

Her sheets are folded, and she isn't there, he explores, she's not in the bathroom. "Early riser." He says to himself,

He walks downstairs and into the library it's empty, the dining room where Roux sits, enjoying breakfast.

"Hey Roux, how was the dance?"

He smiles, "Splendid actually. I believe Violet enjoyed it as well."

"I'm sure, did you make a move on her?"

He raises an eyebrow and smiles, "Perhaps."

Adam smiles, "And?"

Roux snorts, "We'll see my friend, we'll see."

Adam grins, "Why you up so early?"

"Ah, I'd like to get a start today, they are announcing the mayor of New Haven today."

"Really? That's probably where Lydia went."

"She's up already?"

"She wasn't in bed and no, nothing happened."

"Manners my dear friend."

"Relax, I'm not like that, I'm waiting till I marry, it wasn't going to be anything like that."

"Mhm...well, I don't believe she's around here, you're welcome to scout her out."

"I'll try to find her in the city."

"If she's waiting for the event, she'll likely be at the front of the crowd near the docks."

"Got it, thanks Roux."

He nods, Adam turns and walks out. He wanders casually till he finds the large amount of people gathered. "Jeez Roux you weren't kidding about there being a crowd."

He squeezes past countless people till one grabs him, covering his mouth and pulls him back.

She lets go, he turns to see Lydia giggling. "You were so scared." she laughs,

"You jerk! You scared the crap out of me."

She laughs and hugs him,

"I'll get you back."

She looks up at him, "Oh yeah? How?"

He smirks, she leans up and pecks his lips. "I love you." she whispers in his ear,

"I love you." He whispers back,

He hugs her tight, she smiles and closes her eyes. She pulls away, he never wants to let go, just hug her forever.

"What are you doing up so early? Hey! You didn't keep your promise last night."

He smiles, "First it wasn't a promise, secondly, I would have but I was really tired, and third, you make it sound like I was going to....really Try. I'd still like to wait till we're married."

"Mkay, good. I do too. But you have to make it up."

He leans in and kisses her deeply, pulling on her waist. She sighs and kisses him. "Okay...forgiven." she smiles,

He rolls his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me dummy." she says pushing on him softly,

He chuckles and smiles, "What are you doing out here so early?"

"Everyone gets up early today, it's when the new mayor is chosen, with all the ballots they received yesterday, it's announced today. I don't understand why today and not at the end of the week, but yeah."

"It'd seem better if it was at the end."

"Right? Have this huge event at the end. Like what the heck?" she says shrugging,

"When is it?"

"Like three hours." she laughs,

He raises his eyebrows, "Yeah it's quite the wait." she giggles,

"I think I'm going to explore the library then while I wait." He says,

She tugs on his arm, "You should stay with me."

"I will be back."

She smiles, "Okay, have fun."

He kisses her and starts to the giant library. He walks in, the man behind the desk smiles at him. "Hello sir, how are you?"

"Pretty good, yourself?"

"Not bad, thank you, can I help you at all?"

"Just looking to read something interesting gfor the next two hours."

"Tall tales? Legends? Fictions?"

"What's the best legend you have?"

He smirks, "My personal favorite would be too long but some of the-"

"Well hold on, what's your favorite?"

"It's very short and simple, but I like it, it's called, The Watchdog Elements."