Darkness (Book 1 of The Royals Trilogy)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

ANA

The next morning I woke up a bit drowsy. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I flinched. Apparently I had just gone through another sleepless night. "Wow, you look terrible," commented my aunt from the doorway.

I quickly turned away and I nodded, "yeah I, um, I haven't been able to sleep very well these past few days."

My aunt sighed and she walked over to me. She gently placed her hand on my shoulder. "I understand Ana, you've gone through a lot in the last few years and seeing your sister once again probably brought back all those feelings, but Ana, you're not alone. I know I may not be your mother and I would never dream of taking her place but know that you can talk to me, I'll try to understand kiddo and help you through it." I nodded my head and tears started to slip out of my eyes. Aunt Daniela pulled me closer to her as she hugged me tightly. She gently ran her hand down my hair as I softly cried.

I was the first to pull away and I wiped my eyes quickly, I didn't usually show my emotions and it made me feel uncomfortable. "I should probably get ready for school." Aunt Daniela nodded and she began to make her way out of my room.

"Breakfast is in the kitchen Ana."

"Okay, I'll be right there," I called back and rushed to get ready.

In five minutes I was sitting with my aunt at the table eating a grilled cheese sandwich. "I decided to take a day off of work so I thought maybe we could hang out when you got back from school," said my aunt breaking the silence.

I smiled at her, "that'll be great but I might return a bit late, I have to finish a project at school before returning and I don't know how long it will take us to finish."

She nodded and waved me off, "that's fine, we'll start when you get home." I nodded as I got up with my backpack. I kissed my aunt's cheek goodbye and I jogged out the door, towards my car. I didn't really have a project to do this afternoon but I believed Blair and Gideon capable of k********g me if I didn't go with them.

Fortunately, I didn't run into them in the hallways when I arrived and I got through my morning classes just fine. There was no sign of them. Just when I let my guard down when the lunch bell went off, Gideon and Blair were on my sides, following me.

Clary reached me and her eyes widened in surprise and annoyance when she spotted the two shadows behind me, following me like bodyguards. Quickly, she looped her arm around me and whispered in my ear, "why are the wierdos following you?"

I shrugged as we walked through the cafeteria doors. Clary and I went to sit in our usual spot but a firm hand stopped me from sitting down. I looked behind me and sure enough, Gideon and his sister were standing there looking serious. "Um, can I sit down?" I asked.

"No," said Blair firmly, "we have somewhere to be."

I shook my head, "now's not a good time, after lunch I have classes and-"

"You're coming with us," said Gideon as he interrupted me. I raised an eyebrow, "excuse me?"

"You heard him, you're coming with us, now and it's not up to debate," Blair replied coldly.

"Ana, what's going on?" asked Clary looking horrified at the sight of me talking to Gideon and Blair.

"Nothing, I was just telling them I can't leave because I have classes after this," I said sending them a glare to which they didn't react.

"You have a perfect grade and perfect attendance in those classes, you can miss one class," said Gideon sharply. I flinched and considered my options. They could physically drag me out of here as I screamed or I could go with them without causing a scene.

I sighed, "fine, I'll go."

"What?!" Clary looked angry and betrayed as she heard me.

"I'm sorry Clary but I really have to go with them," I said.

"The hell you do!" she yelled and a few students looked our way.

"Clary please, you have to under-" I said starting to explain but she shook her head.

"Save it, you're ditching me again like yesterday. Don't think I didn't notice you leaving me to meet them. d**k move Ana," was all she said before walking off towards another table. I sighed, she was really pissed but she'd get over it, or at least I hoped she would.

"Let's go, the sooner we leave, the faster we'll get there," ordered Gideon leading the way out.

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked once we were in the car but no one answered and they ignored my presence as if I wasn't even there. I was sitting in the backseat while Gideon drove and Blair next to him. The rest of the ride was silent and I quietly watched the trees we passed. My nerves kicked in when I saw us pass the sign of: "You're leaving the city, have a safe trip!"

"Don't worry Ana, you're only going to visit our camp and then we'll take you home," Blair reassured me. My eyes widened, that was new, Blair had tried to make me feel better, I thought she hated me.

I nodded, "and why are you taking me to your camp?" Both of them stayed silent for a few minutes. Gideon was the one to answer my question, "our leader has requested to meet you."

"Oh," was all I said. What else could I say?

A couple of minutes later we reached a dirt trail that led deep into the woods. We stopped near a gate and both hunters got out of the car. Confused, I followed. "We'll have to walk from here, cars aren't allowed into the camp," explained Blair.

Quietly I followed them and after what seemed like forever, we reached a campsite where people were interacting. What surprised me the most was that there were people from all ages, from small infants to elders. They were all doing something, they all had a place they belonged to.

"Our leader's cabin is this way," said Gideon as he led us to the back of the campsite. As we passed, people bowed their heads at us and then gaped at me. I guessed Gideon and Blair were high-ranked hunters and that it wasn't common seeing strangers in the camp.

When we reached the last cabin we stopped and Blair turned to me. "I have to warn you, our leader isn't the kindest person in the world and just try not to speak unless you're told to," she suggested and I nodded. I gulped, there was no turning back now, here we go.