Return

When Violet left her room an hour to six am, she was fully hoping to avoid the counselors and their crowd of ass kissers. The sun was just beginning to scare the shadows away and the crisp air made her feel better, she was relieved to be leaving.

She met Alex who approached her apprehensively, "Hey Vee, listen there's some people who-"

"Yeah, I know." Violet replied bringing an arm up to rub at her nape, "Kieren warned me to stay away."

"No, not that," Alex looked to Violet apologetically, "they know about you, they want to meet you."

Violet stopped, she pinched the bridge of her nose, "I know better than to say I'm not interested, lead the way."

Alex lead the way, "listen, they may...they will make some remarks you don't like, it would be best if you accepted it with a grain of salt."

"Alex, you don't have to worry so much, I'm a commoner with healing powers. If you think today marks the first occasion of me being treated as a swine you'd be in the wrong. Sometimes I think you rich people wouldn't survive a day in a public school, you're all so.... delicate."

Alex didn't respond, but her pretty face retained some of the worry, Violet gave her a small smile as she knocked on the door.

They granted her permission to enter.

For a group of people who wanted to speak the room was set up for an interrogation. The five members were sitting directly in front of a lone chair, their chairs were ornate, mahogany, and had clearly been brought along with them. The audacity of rich people, behind them were twelve other chairs, -simple, wooden and heavily used- they were filled with other members of the Ruenen members. Violet recognized the man who had threatened to kill her for touching Kieren, the ugly bloke was still glaring at her. No wonder he was wrinkled, she approached calmly, posture too relaxed for someone thrown into such a reception. To her left Kieren and Zen were sitting in as equally elegant chairs, faces devoid of expression.

The initial mood of the room shifted almost imperceptibly. The girl was truly beautiful, she had a well developed body and walked with the grace of an upper community member.

"Violet Zaraa, take a seat." An old bald man sitting at the very center had spoken, he gestured to the chair, Violet sat. "We wanted to take this opportunity to speak with you, we are all aware of what you have done for the magical community. It was a grandiose ability that allowed you to heal those within your range. You have fulfilled your duty. You must be honored, especially someone whose lineage is utterly worthless."

Violet thought to herself, this is where you say thank you... She almost chuckled as the man continued, they would never thank her.

"You were born of the lower community, your parents and siblings died in a vehicular accident when you were ten. You were taken to an orphanage, there you remained under their care until you turned twenty-one. They spoke highly of you, an extremely intelligent girl, speaks seven languages, resilient, the list goes on." Violet noted that he spoke as if he had read her resident file, she felt amused, they were that concerned about her being near Kieren. Zen looked surprised, after all Violet had never given them that many details.

"The rest of the time you have been on your own, where have you been?"

"I had an apartment, in Denver, I've never left Colorado before this incident. I lived there until I was accepted at μαύρος Δράκος. My landlady was very kind, I tried to learn more about my ability during that time. I frequently visited the lower library the Ruenen has provided for our benefit."

They knew all this information, they were testing, "Were you aware that Lord Zordyk would be attending μαύρος Δράκος?"

"No, I've never met, spoken too, or interacted with Lord Zordyk before the academy."

Another man, this one looked younger, handsome, even though he was missing an eye, spoke. "Nobody approached you, offering money for his death." Violet faked surprised. Honestly, how pathetic.

"No, I do not mean him any harm."

The man who had threatened to kill her spoke up from behind, "You dared touch him, you scum have no manners. You deserve death."

"Yes, my deepest apologies, I shall remember my place."

The first man took over, "Yes you will, we will not allow such a rash act of disrespect a second time. It must seem a heavenly sent opportunity. You must be dying to charm him.." Violet was unable to hide the amusement that flickered in her eyes. "Is this funny Ms. Zaraa?" He looked instantly angry, Violet noticed Kieren tense ever so slightly out of her peripheral.

"Not at all your honor, I have no such impertinence. I apologize once again, I reacted out of fear for the children. I have no interest in Lord Zordyk." Her remark clearly shocked them, disbelief etched on faces all around then room. She continued, "I mean no disrespect, he is beyond my scope of possibilities, I do not believe in engaging myself into pointless illusions."

The man in the center narrowed his eyes attempting to discern her intentions. He saw no dishonesty in the beautiful grey eyes, he nodded slowly, "You will do well to remember that. You will only ever be worthy of healing his injuries."

Violet lowered her head 'respectfully' she was the only one to notice that Kieren had dug his nails into his palm, a trickle of blood emerged.

Ugly spoke again, "Your palm is injured? A healer of your caliber, that should be gone?"

Violet played her cards wisely, she looked up, eyes saddened. "I'm not fully recovered, using my ability like that, is truly for life threatening emergencies. It will take a least two more days before I can heal normally." They were pleased with her reply, that meant she wasn't too powerful. They excused her coldly and she left.

Half an hour later they were all headed back to the school, Violet looked out the window as her classmates spoke enthusiastically about having met such important members. The only positives from today were that she had not recognized any of the counselors, and that as they were leaving she had caught glimpse of a certain map. She pulled her hair out of its bun, her list of targets remained the same. Ted took a seat next to her looking relieved that they had pardoned Violet for her transgression. "Violet?" She looked over, he looked anxious, "they weren't too awful were they?"

"No, I do believe... the Lord Zordyk spoke in my favor beforehand." Violet noticed all the eyes that flashed in her direction noticing the change in her tone towards Kieren. Kieren met her eyes head on, a semblance of slight panic in his eyes, he dispersed it and called out. "It's Kieren to you." She laughed and the tension dissipated immediately, Violet leaned back shoulder touching Ted's "I'm going to sleep, wake me when we get there." She did not miss the way Ted froze. His eyes flashed toward Kieren torn, between his duty and the black haired beauty. Kieren was immensely displeased that she was leaning on Ted. Violet had no plans to sleep, she was irritated after being subjected to something so pointless, this was retribution.

Her plans for retribution were however, cut short when Kieran ordered Ted to move, she opened her eyes lazily. Kieren was glaring at her, she smirked and closed her eyes again. He could be quite adorable.

The hidden library was in Alexandria, next stop, check!

About half ways to the academy she smiled once more with her eyes still closed. She could feel Kieren's eyes glued to her as he moved closer. She held out her palm, "I can take care of that for you." With half lidded eyes she stared into blue glass, he took the seat next to her and slyly slipped his fingers in between hers. He felt warmth as she healed his palm. He whispered as Violet looked over to a glaring Zen.

"You're such a beautiful liar Violet."