Chapter 10: Guardian

Cloe's eyelids felt like they were glued together, she forcefully pried them apart as awareness began to kick in. Dazed she sat up but the sudden movement brought on overwhelming dizziness.

"Woah...What happened?"

Looking around she noticed that she was back in the room facing the oasis at the back of the Estate, sunlight streamed in from the glass wall highlighting dust particles that floated in its path.

Then it clicked.

"The oasis... those tiny people.... my arm..." she jerked her arm upward to examine it, the cast was gone and there was no sign of any injury that had been sustained previously, this discovery immediately squashed the thought that was growing in the back of her mind.

"That wasn't a dream..." she desperately wanted to convince herself that it was but it was pointless to continue running from the truth when she was confronted by hard evidence.

She got off the bed and walked toward the glass wall facing the oasis. She gazed out at the river flowing through it and was once again mesmerized by its movement as she unconsciously fiddled with the key. She stood there for a long while pondering.

After some time a knock sounded at the door brought her back to reality. She spun around staring a the door.

"Who is it?" she called.

After a short pause, she saw the door handle turn, in stepped a man in black.

Cloe glared at him.

Crossing her arms she waited for him to state his business. He gestured toward the door signifying that he wanted her to follow him.

"Give me a minute," she said walking toward what she supposed was the bathroom.

"Rude" she muttered under her breath as she went. She turned the handle and stepped in letting out a sigh of relief when it actually turned out to be a bathroom.

The bathroom was purely white apart from the gold vines that were etched along the perimeter of the huge wall-to-wall mirror. Her eyes moved to her reflection.

Her face was framed by curly dark auburn hair that was sticking out in all directions as it cascaded to her waist. Her green eyes flashed with turbulent emotions. It was taking all her willpower not to lose her marbles. Taking a deep breath she searched the draws for a brush to tame her hair.

Spotting one she picked it up and turned it about observing it.

The brush was gold with vines etched into its back.

She began gently stroking her hair taming the knots, when she was finished the curls fell neatly down her back.

She grabbed the toothbrush and toothpaste that she found in another drawer while she was rummaging around earlier, they both appeared unused.

Pulling the toothbrush out of its packaging she got about the business of brushing her teeth. When she was finished she took one last look at her reflection.

"This will have to do for now," she said letting out a breath as she gave her hair one last pat.

Stepping back into the room she spotted the man in black still stationed by her door, when he saw her he gestured toward the door once again prompting her to follow him.

He led her to Derek's office and left her there she watched him leave, when he was out of sight she turned to the door and knocked.

"Come in." she heard Derek call.

Turning the handle she stepped inside closing the door behind her. She moved toward a seat at the far end of the room that was in the opposite direction of where Derek perched on the front of his desk, his legs crossed at the ankle and his arms crossed.

Cloe sat wordless, waiting for him to say something.

The room was silent.

"What happened last night?" she blurted.

He chuckled.

"You lack patience... that's going to be a problem," he said rubbing his chin.

"You didn't answer my question," she said glaring at him.

"No need to be hostile..." he stated.

Cloe sighed, she felt the all too familiar sting of tears behind her eyes, she took a deep breath.

Letting it out she said, "I just need some answers...".

"This is a very familiar situation... do you remember the last time you wanted answers and I gave them to you, they weren't to your liking?" he asked.

"What were those things?" she asked ignoring his question.

"Those things were healers they only work for people from your bloodline which is the royal bloodline, they came from your dimension crossing over when they sense that their master is hurt but for it to work the master needs to be near a gate," he explained

"Gate?" she asked.

"Yes, gate...one of those gates is located in the oasis at the back of this estate... I had to test it out to make sure I had the right person, one can never be too sure, and it was very convenient that you were actually hurt," he said.

She stared at him dumbfounded.

"What would he have done had I not been injured?"

As if reading her thoughts he laughed, "Relax I would not have harmed you had you not been injured." he stated.

He could tell by her expression that she was skeptical.

"I can tell you don't trust me and that's fine, trust is earned not given," he said.

She looked directly at him.

"What are you?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked pushing himself into a standing position.

"Last night, your eyes...they were glowing"

"As I said before... I am your guardian," he answered.

"So you're like a bodyguard?" she asked.

"Yes, something like that."

"Then who are those men in black, and why do they not speak?"

"Men in black?" he repeated as a smile threatened to break out on his face.

"Those 'Men in black' are a part of your security team and they have taken a vow of silence, they do not speak," he explained.

She took some time to digest that.

"I see you are more accepting now," he stated.

She ignored him.

"What is expected of me now?" she asked.

"Nothing is expected of you now, right now you should focus on reconnecting with your memories," he informed her.

"However that is not what we are here to discuss" he continued.

Her brows furrowed as she waited for him to continue.

"Your father... has been killed."