Three days. We had three days to prepare, three days to leave safety yet again.

Morwena was especially fierce. Soon after our conversation, she sent us out to get ready; on the third day, we would take Kirsten's sister, and ride for the Opal district.

On the first day, Sakura, Kirsten, Iggy and I went out into the city markets to buy clothing. The markets were as busy as they had been the day I arrived, and the streets were alive with both travellers and residents, all buying wares in the bleak afternoon light.

We purchased thick hooded travelling cloaks, one for each of us in navy, maroon, grey and black, knotted with simple brooches. The Equinox was approaching, and with it, the rays of autumn passing into winter. Soon, Sakura told me, ice would fill the island, and even our cloaks would find it difficult to keep out the cold.

Along with the cloaks, the girls purchased more clothes; we couldn't stay in our uniforms for the journey as they would be easily spotted or followed. I, who had never had new clothes of my own, looked at the clean material with awe. Sakura bought plainly coloured scarves to tie my hair in. She struggled to hide my hair, which was now brushed my thighs, and my horns were jutting out further, beginning to loop on themselves rather than stay as bumps on my forehead. She wound the material meticulously to hide my recognisable features. 

Weaponry came next. Sakura replenished her stock of arrows, being the only adept fighter of the group. Kirsten looked at the array of daggers with some confusion, and Iggy seemed to approach them as he would a kitchen knife. Eventually, Kirsten settled on a small pistol and Iggy the knives. I did not need any of my own, although I did pick up some supplies to make the repairs I'd intended. Satisfied, we trudged back to the Bathhouse for the workers to begin their shifts. Instead, I requested that I take the evening to fix the fateful bow that had gotten me caught.

A workbench was set up within the hour, and the tools I requested were brought and laid out neatly on it. A lamp lit up a small circle in the centre of the bench. I squinted as I worked, having fashioned an eyeglass to work with and then managed to bind a strap to it, to keep it on my right eye. It was not as comfortable as my goggles that I had left in the orphanage, which I had built to fit my size and eyesight, and could press a button to swap the lenses in the goggles to magnify what I was working on. They had been one of my most proud inventions, and I thought wistfully of them as I worked. I launched into mending the bow with vigour, my fingers running rapidly across the brokenness and pulling it back together. At my elbow, the Black Fire Opal rested, curiously alit with a red colour. It was strangely soothing, a reminder of where I had come from and where I had yet to go, but also a mystery. It heated at my touch, allowing me to use it to weld together the materials I was using to fix the bow. Soon, its shape came together once more as sweat beaded on my brow, and night's curfew set in with darkening clouds. As day one drew to a close, I wrapped the handle of the bow with comfortable leather, gradually erasing the engraved Lumina letter by letter. It had gotten me caught once before, but not again. Perhaps, if it was ever safe to do so, I could remove the ugly black leather from the beautiful silver bow, and not be afraid to reveal my name.

When it is safe? That would be when you rule, I thought ruefully. And I can't see that happening, ever.

The second day began with bursting from my bed as the light struck out across the fields. I threw on my new boots, winding the tight material up my legs. I set out for a morning jog in my dark uniform, my hair stringing out, tied at my head by scraps of red material. My breath soon came in snatches, feeling the effort clearing my head and lungs at once. On my way back, I ran into Sakura, out practising at archery again. I fetched the repaired bow for her, showing it proudly, and she spent our training time teaching me to shoot. By the time the workers became fully awake, I was starting to aim enough to hit Sakura's island, and not the water.

But the second day meant finally confronting Valkyrie, and the group bade me good luck as I set to climbing the stairs to her room, feeling a faint fear creeping up on me. Sure, I had succeeded in stealing powers, but it wasn't an explained phenomenon. I couldn't tell why I retained some powers longer than others— Iggy's power had vanished as I had slept, as if I lost it in my dreams, as Fabian's had the night I'd stolen them. But as I knocked on Valkyrie's door, I doubted my abilities.

Morwena opened it, her eyes set as she found mine.

'I've come to try,' I said weakly, giving a small smile. Inside, Valkyrie was sat staring out of the window, across the town below. It was a bitter sight; a child locked away, like a true princess in a tower.

Morwena, for the first time, looked truly nervous. Her face was pale, and she glanced subconsciously at her daughter and back to me again.

'Are you sure?' she said in a low voice, 'Things are a little different now...'

'I'm sure,' I said, blocking out her worry and her slight offer to quit. I called Val over, and the little girl brightened, skipping across the room to me.

'I need to you take my hands, Valkyrie,' I said gently, and the girl looked confused.

'Mama says I can't touch anybody,' she said sadly, tucking her hands behind her back as if they might betray her.

'You can touch Lumina,' Morwena encouraged her, stroking Val's hair. The girl stepped forward, fear evident on her face at what was happening. I wondered if she remembered the accidents Morwena had spoken of; people dying at the touch of her skin. Determined not to let it happen again, I swallowed my own insecurities, and gently took the girl's fingers into my palms.

I felt two things at once; my own magic, feeling the surge of power facing it, and then Valkyrie's power, an immense blackness swooping over me, collapsing my vision and sending dots before my eyes. I knew that I should be stealing her power— a small part of me could even sense that tugging sensation of the steal— but the power was too strong. It overwhelmed my senses, and I froze, feeling the icy terror creeping up my wrists and arms.

'Lumina!' I heard someone shout.

Who?

Dark lines crawled up my arms, spreading like ink flowing in my veins, and crawling up my neck, hitting the blood vessels in my eyes. I was being poisoned and I was extremely aware of the power surging through me, killing me.

I heard my name again, but I felt strangely peaceful. My grip on someone began to relax.

Who?

My vision was misting now, the mass of red hair fading into gentle darkness.

Red hair.

Valkyrie.

My power burst through my fingertips as a final retaliation, feeling all my desire to live focused on the stealing of the dark, immense power. I felt it disappear from my veins, and instead it lodged as mine, safely locked away. Valkyrie's face loomed in front of mine, tears streaming across her pale cheeks, and scratches across her palms where my fingers gripped them, shaking terribly.

I gave an almighty gasp as the heavy power vanished from Valkyrie, and instead burdened me.

I sank to my knees, feeling a weight heavy on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Val was chattering at me in concern, and hands grabbed my face, pulling my gaze upwards. I was dazed, nonsensical; Morwena's eyes loomed over me, taught with an expression of guilt and desperation. I tried to speak, to tell her that I was just tired, but my mouth didn't move. My body was feeling increasingly numb— enough that I could feel my arms go floppy, and my head rolled from the effort of holding it up. I collapsed into a heap and landed in a pair of strong arms as I fainted.

I came to no longer than ten minutes later, and when I did, a familiar figure was fluffing pillows underneath my legs. I groaned, noticing immediately that the weight of Valkyrie's power was gone, leaving my body feeling extremely light.

Hattie straightened up from the pillows, and spotted that I was awake. She gave me a small grin.

'I hear you can do a mighty good impression of me, my lady,' she said teasingly, but I glowered at her.

'I'm not a lady.'

'I beg your pardon, your majesty.'

Glaring again, I sat up, fighting against the many pillows placed around my limbs. I was still in Valkyrie's room; I could see Morwena sitting with Val a few metres away. Hearing movement, they glanced over to see me struggling with standing.

'Lie down, Lumina,' Morwena ordered. I froze, tempted to lie back down and pretend to be asleep. But the woman advanced upon me.

'Thank heavens you're alive Lumina, because for a second there I thought you were going to die.'

'So did I,' I mumbled.

'You are never trying that again, you hear?'

'What? But you wanted me to help Valkyrie, right?' I said, my voice rising. 'I know it looked bad, but I think if we practice more I will be able—'

But when I heard a choked sob, I found myself even more frozen than I had been when I thought Morwena was furious at me. I hadn't realised that her anger had hidden something much more surprising.

'I...I'm sorry,' I whispered. 'But I won't die. I promise.'

'We can't risk you...'

'It's not risking me,' I said angrily, 'it's using me, which is me using the power that I have! I should be able to steal Valkyrie's power, because who else is going to prop pillows behind me when I faint because I can't handle it?'

There was a long, stagnant pause as my anger dissipated, and I felt self-conscious of Hattie staring at the two of us, and Val looking miserable at the end of the room.

Morwena's eyes had dried by the time she turned around to look at me, thunderous again.

'What are you waiting for, then? Get back to work!'

And on the third day, we readied ourselves to leave.

We knew we couldn't make a big scene; not if we wanted to leave unnoticed. Already I had a striking fear that Dale would have guards stationed at the Emerald exits, to capture us on our getaway. Kirsten insisted that she could use her charm to let us pass, since it would only be one guard that could easily fall prey to her pheromones. But by the looks on everyone's faces, they all hoped that such a scenario would never come to pass.

So we left in stages, each leaving one by one to sit in the wagon by the Bathhouse's stables. Iggy left first, still wearing his work uniform but with plans to cast it off as soon as he was in the wagon, and change into more durable travelling clothes. He said a muted goodbye to Morwena early on after breakfast, and disappeared.

Next, Kirsten volunteered. She made a much hastier and sloppier goodbye than Iggy, spilling tears at leaving Morwena despite her urgent hushing. Kirsten was loud and luckily, this drew less attention than if she'd forced herself to be secretive.

Sakura and I, conspicuous with our bows and packs, left last. Sakura went first, pretending to be doing her normal training routine. She left Morwena with a small kiss on the cheek and a polite bow that could not display all of the emotions she was bottling up.

It was mid-afternoon when it was my turn to leave. I was the most obvious but also the least known at the inn, so I already donned my travelling gear as if I were a guest, and bound my hair within a purple scarf to hide it. Morwena pulled me into a gruff, side-armed hug and seemed to want to say something, but thought better of it. A shuffling noise and a flash of fiery hair suddenly confirmed Morwena's anxiety during the day, and made clearer the words she had tried to tell me.

'She has to go with you,' she whispered to me, and her face was nearly grey.

'She can't,' I said, 'I can't promise she'll be safe...'

'She's in danger here,' Morwena said pointedly, 'Do you think Dale will let me off easily that Kirsten and her sister slipped away? No— he's going to go mad, and I've no idea what he's capable of. But if he knew I had a daughter...'

Morwena shuddered at a distant thought.

'But— it's dangerous,' I said, my mind absolutely blank, 'and it's going to be difficult. There may be fighting. There may be death.'

'Val knows death too well. She is death's messenger; she could be a great asset,' Morwena looked pleadingly, 'if you manage to work with her to control her ability. And her uncles and aunts are in the rebellion; she can go to them.'

'Her uncles and aunts?' I hissed, 'When did that happen? Are they your family?'

Morwena shook her head, and I had to urge her. Being from an orphanage, I had some issues with so casually giving your child away.

'Then who? Can we trust these people? Enough to give them your daughter?'

'Yes,' Morwena said sadly, 'they are my husband's family.'

'Husband?' I repeated before I could stop myself. A smile twitched at Morwena's lips; she noticed my shock.

'Late husband's,' she added, and for the first time, I noticed a lonely look in her eyes.

'I'm sorry...'

'Don't be. I'll tell you about him one day,' she said, and happiness bloomed back into her face. 'I still fight for your cause because of him.'

She looks so utterly in love, I thought, even though he's long gone. I can't imagine such a feeling...

The image of silvery hair and a playful smile lingered at the back of my mind. I pushed it away, and addressed Valkyrie.

'You're coming with us, Val,' I said, crouching to her level. Hattie was next to her, holding her heavily gloved hand to avoid skin contact. Morwena scooped down to her daughter, pulling her so tightly that I felt afraid she'd lose balance. She ran her hands through her daughter's tangled hair, whispering something to the little girl. She let go abruptly, and immediately grabbed me, looking wild.

'Look after her, Lumina. Swear to me.'

'I...I will...'

'Good,' Morwena was hastily wiping her eyes, 'It may be a while before I can see her again. Take care of her, please.'

I nodded again, clasping the woman's shoulder as if to comfort her. But Morwena's sharp eyes shot up to mine. 

'Go,' she said, 'before you get trapped here. Go and find yourself, not the princess and not the thief.' 

I frowned at her, confused, as she passed Valkyrie gently to me.

Soon, it was me holding Val's hand, and Hattie and Morwena waving the two of us off. After seeing Morwena desperately cry for her little girl, I was revaluating my opinion. Before, I had thought her fearless, but now? Now I thought her human, and that concept was terrifying because she was still so strong.

Morwena had a wagon that she had planned for us to use, on the pretence, if asked, that we were going to see friends in the capital, the Diamond City. The quickest way to reach the capital was via the Opal district, which is where we were actually heading.

The wagon was pulled by a white mare, romantically named Sonata. Sakura was the driver, steering the little horse through the streets at a far gentler pace than Morwena had suggested. I had never ridden in a wagon before; only the richer humans owned them, and wealth didn't exist at an orphanage. I held tightly to the bench I was sat on, fearing the swaying movement of the ride. Iggy eyed me curiously, but I glared at him until he stopped. We arrived at the sleazier end of the city, our little band of travellers waiting inside the wagon as Kirsten went to fetch her sister. Minutes and minutes passed by, and I watched Iggy's leg twitching in his seat. Valkyrie, who looked forlorn, chewed her gloved thumb. I fidgeted, not enjoying the suspense. Would Kirsten appear, marched out by Dale? Was this where the plan unravelled?

I squinted at the whorehouse, remembering that the last time I'd been near here was when I first met Kirsten and Dale. Now, I spotted the gaudy décor and the girls hanging on the corners, bosoms pushed to the front. Male escorts were in no short supply, either; they loitered with the girls, swooping out to passersby, male or female, and occasionally, both, at the same time.

Their laughter and catcalls could be heard from inside the wagon. I clamped my hands over Valkyrie's ears, covered by her hat. The little girl seemed, thankfully, oblivious to the outside world.

Finally we saw Kirsten leave through a side entrance, dragging a clumsy figure behind her. As we watched, a girl that had Kirsten's wood brown hair emerged, unkempt and swaying. She clutched a small, ruined suitcase for dear life. Judging by Kirsten's angry expression, it hadn't been a happy reunion. She pushed her sister into the wagon, where the group of us hurtled out of their way in case they continued to fight. Thankfully, Kirsten lapsed into a stony silence, and her sister, bony and fragile, slumped into a stupor in the corner. Alcohol reeked from her skin, and as she settled into sleep, Kirsten pulled her knapsack from her sister's hands and rummaged through it. Finding a vial of spirit, she tossed it from the wagon.

'Drive on, driver.'

I shut my mouth at the littering, cringing at the sound of smashing glass. Kirsten's sister snarled at Kirsten before tucking herself into the corner of the room. The wagon lurched, and I heard Sakura give a gentle encouragement to Sonata to begin moving again.

'This is Clae,' Kirsten said to the group of onlookers. 'She's a bad drunk, so if any of you give her alcohol, no matter how badly she says she needs it, I will kill you.'

Clae just gave a snore.

'As you can see, she works night shifts,' Kirsten said darkly, 'don't ask any more. She thinks she's going to see a doctor for her alcoholism. Her employers think she's coming back, too.'

I stared at the girl. She was older than I was. I gathered a human equivalent of her mid-twenties. Of course, angels apparently lived ten years to every human year, which made her more like two-hundred-and-fifty...a figure that was ridiculously large.

But regardless, there were lines in the girl's face that showed beyond the façade of worn make-up and falsely curled hair. While Kirsten's face was all angles and sharpness, Clae had once been soft and happy, with a rounded face and thick eyelashes. She shifted in her sleep, and Kirsten's cloak, wrapped around her body, revealed a terrible bodice that hid an extremely thin, ill frame, and tattered gold feathers curling around her elbows.

Kirsten scoffed, but gently wrapped her sister back in the cloak. It was a gesture that sharply reminded me of nights when I had nightmares of fire and blood, and Reia had let me sleep in her bed so I wouldn't be so afraid. It made a lump rise in my throat, heavy and choking, and I looked away.

The group was a solemn one. Iggy's eyes were closed, and Kirsten, leaning against him, was tending to Clae. Sakura was driving, and Valkyrie was watching the small window with dismayed interest. She was extremely quiet; I gave her a slight pat on her heavy layers of clothes.

'Are you okay?' I whispered to her, joining her to stare out at the street. But the little girl caught most of my attention; she pulled a small face.

'Will mama be safe here?' she asked, equally quietly. Valkyrie was extremely perceptive. She didn't waste her time crying or demanding. She wanted facts.

'I don't know,' I said, honestly. 'She's very strong, though.'

Valkyrie nodded, shuffling on her seat. Silence ensued with the travellers for a while, until I noticed that we were approaching the gates of the Emerald City.

We were leaving the Emerald District.

I gulped as I heard guards shout on the wagon's approach.

'Halt!'

The wagon slowed, and two foot soldiers approached the vehicle. Sakura could be heard explaining our story— we were going to visit old friends in the capital— and the soldiers assured her that they only needed to do a routine check. A few footsteps later, and she opened the wagon door, revealing the group of us huddled in the back.

The soldiers gave us an uninterested glance, particularly stopping on the unconscious Clae.

'What's wrong with her?'

'She's hung-over,' Kirsten snapped, 'there was a big party last night.' 

Satisfied, the guards shrugged, and indicated us to move along. As the wagon door shut, we all breathed a sigh; our weapons were stowed in the benches underneath out feet.

The wagon lurched, and began rolling again. I watched nervously as we passed through the green gates, and emerged out of the dense emerald forest, into open space.

We were in the Opal District. We were finally here, in the district where I had lived, grown and died. The district, a voice in the back of my head reminded me, that I was heir to, and was responsible for.

I gasped audibly.  

A/N:

Sorry for the long chapter, but I thought this would be a good place to end! What did you think? Do you like Clae? What do you think Opal will be like?

Thank you for reading this far!!  Larissa xxx