'The night after landing in the woodland was hot and humid after the sun beating down all day. Arja had been introduced to lots of fae who all addressed the woman as Queen Draithia. Arja was now sitting in front of a magic-fueled fire across from a very handsome fae, who now appeared to be looking right at her. She practically melted when he flashed her a smile. She was gathering up the courage to go over to him when Cosma nudged her shoulder.

'Be careful with him, he's a seeder.'

'I-I'm sorry?'

'A seeder. He plants thoughts in people's brains, and likes the look of you.'

'Can you read minds too?'

'No, I just know when he's enchanting someone, and it doesn't take a mind reader to tell that you were practically salivating.' she laughed.

Arja gathered her mind together, pushing out the desire that had somehow crept into her. 

'How do you know he's enchanting me?'

'He's my brother, I think I'd know If he was enchanting someone.'

Brother.

Cosma's brother had looked away from Arja, and any desire she had felt before left immediately. She had to admit, though, he was quite the stunner - She sounded like her mother suggesting future courting companions to her. When she thought about it, the resemblance between Cosma and her brother was really strong. The had the same caramel-colored skin and bouncy curls, except Cosma's short curls were stark white, while her brother's straight chocolate-colored locks were cut closer to his head in a typical person-in-general style. They both had small noses and violet eyes, but Cosma's were large and cartoonish. Violet eyes. Not black. They weren't completely fae. Arja guessed witches, but she couldn't be sure. 

Cosma took Arja's arm and drew her away. 

'I'm going to teach you how to put up mental shields'

'But the bonfire-'

'Dinner won't be served for another two hours if I know our cook.'

'Okay... But I'm human. I can't do things that you can do.'

'Yes, you can. you had a vision. Only-'

'Powerful fae have visions - I know' Arja finished for Cosma. Cosma nodded, her curls bouncing at her shoulders. 

'Okay. I'm going to reach into your mind-'

'I thought you couldn't read minds?'

'Oh - no, but I can however talk to you through mental ties.'

Cosma closed her eyes and reached for Arja's wrist. Arja felt something push into her head, like a needle pulling string into her head and out the other side.

Okay. Now block me out.

'What?!'

Arja looked towards Cosma, who now looked at her with her big violet eyes. She raised an eyebrow, urging Arja to do what she'd asked.

Block. Me. Out.

'I don't know how.'

It's called putting up mental walls. Now - put two and two together for me.

Arja imagined a wall around her mind. She hauled it up around her brain. The needle pushed at it, tapping until a crack appeared, and it slipped through again.

It's going to take a little more than that to keep me out.

Arja wondered why she was visualizing all of this so clearly but she was interrupted by a pull at the mental thread. She opened her mouth to ask Cosma what she meant but Cosma clamped a cold hand across her mouth. Arja thought about why and then realized. Cosma didn't want her to speak. So she aimed her next thought at Cosma.

What do you mean?

Cosma took away her hand and smiled.

Good. Now, this is how we communicate. Mental walls are all in the strength of your mind.

Arja Imagined another wall and focused on keeping the needle out. It started to tap on the wall, and a crack slowly appeared. Arja felt it and rushed to patch it up. The needle began to tap harder, so hard that rainbow spots appeared in Arja's vision, but Arja made sure the wall didn't crack. Eventually, Cosma relented. Arja let out a long exhale, rubbing her temples. 

Do you want a few minutes? Beginners usually can only go for about ten minutes.

Okay. I'll meet you back at the campfire.

Cosma left, but Arja noticed the thread remained. She imagined her wall again, and as it rose it cut the thread. A knock sounded against it, so she brought it down.

Lesson one: never let your shields down because of a knock. It could be anyone. This is how I knock from now on.

A different knock sounded this time.

Okay. Out.

The thread retreated. Arja smiled. It had only been six hours, but it felt like Arja had known Cosma for years. Her mind swayed again and she dropped into blackness.

Sixteen-year-old Arja walked into an inn a few towns away from the castle. She carried a pack from the last town she visited. Her coins were strapped to the back of her neck - hidden behind her long thick hair. It was a pick-pocket failsafe. An orange glow flickered in the room - A pub, with the rooms above it. Arja walked past three middle-aged women with steel cups holding bubbling liquid, A magma fae flirting with a human man, and three rich-looking gentlemen holding frothing glasses of beer. She walked up to the counter, where a plump woman with chocolate-colored skin greeted her.

'Good evening, miss.'

'Hello, I'd like to book a room.'

'For how long, miss?'

'Two nights, please.'

The woman handed her a key from underneath the desk. Arja took it and began up the stairs. She was stopped by a hand wrapping around her waist. She turned and found herself inches from one of the rich gentleman that had been sitting at the table she passed. His hand dropped lower. 

'I like yer face, missy.' He slurred, the smell of whiskey floating on his breath. His hand dropped even lower. Arja moved to bat away his hand, But he grabbed her upper arm. She reached for her boot as he pinned her against the wall. Fine. Different way out. She batted her eyelashes at him and wrapped her arm around his neck. He moved towards her, the smell of whiskey growing stronger. She watched his expression change as he heard the sound of a blade unsheath. He tried to stumble away, but Arja had his neck locked between her elbows. He scowled.

'You nasty piece of-'

Arja flipped the dagger in her hand and slit it across the back of his neck before he could finish the slur. She shoved him against the wall and he fell in a crumpled heap on the ground. She would leave his body for his friends to find.