It took me hours that night to fall asleep. The welts Matilda had given me had faded, but a lingering pain remained. I couldn't prove it, but the ruler had to have been imbued with some magic. The novel hadn't mentioned the numerous forms of magic that were in this world, but I did know of an instance where Kyla had tormented Paulita with a brush that left invisible bugs after usage.

I shivered at the thought and rolled over on my side, facing the door. The sounds of footsteps could be heard in the distance, but the majority of the staff had long gone to sleep. I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come. Eventually, I fell into another strange dream.

The scent of blood filled my nose and a sensation of a cold wrapped around my body like a second skin. My hands were bound behind my back – pulled tight. My vision wobbled, pinpointed, then exploded with light. I blinked several times before the world around me completely settled.

My hair dangled grimy and dirty against my face – slapping against my cheeks. I turned my head, looking around. A large grassy field stretched under a slate gray sky. Two shapes emerged from the tree line, walking toward me. I squinted – realizing right away. Page Westwood and Tyrine Magno.

Why are they here? Why am I here? What is going on?

The closer they walked, the deeper their scowls became. Did I do something to them? No, not me – Kyla. I haven't done anything yet.

"She's awake already?" Page glared at Tyrine. "You said your magic would keep her unconscious for another four hours."

"Don't look at me." Tyrine snapped. "I don't know why or how she's awake right now." They came to a stop before me and Tyrine bent over, grabbing a fistfull of my hair. "Who's helping you?" He snapped. "You don't possess any mana."

"Let me go." I heard myself saying. "You two dips shits don't know what's really going on here."

"The only thing going on is your murder attempt on Lady Paulita." Page snapped, hand gripping the sword at his waist. "You're lucky we don't turn you into the crown and let them sort out your fate."

"Murder?" I laughed, feeling something dark and bitter curl through my chest. "Why are you two so quick to jump on the Paulita bandwagon? Did you even see my alleged attempt?"

Page flinched and looked away, Tyrine tightened his grip on my hair – pulling out a knife from his pocket.

"We didn't have to see it," He ground out, slicing off my hair. "Paulita described in shocking detail about what you've done."

"Of course you believe her." I snapped, watching my hair flutter down. "She could tell you I was a horse and you wouldn't bat an eye. You'd both smile and say," I cleared my throat, lower my voice in a mocking tone. "Yes, Paulita. Of course, that bastard of Thornevale looked at you and you were wounded. Yes, sweet innocent Paulita, anything you say, Paulita-"

"Shut your mouth." Tyrine smacked me across the face, eyes flashing.

Despite the taste of blood in my mouth, I grinned. Why am I doing this? I'm not in control at all.

"Oh, Paulita the dove of light." I laughed. "Did the mean old Kyla touch that glass? It must be her trying to stab you!"

"I said-"

"Enough." Page said, grabbing Tyrine's hand – stopping him before he could slap me again. "We have to send her off before Lady Paulita returns from the auction."

"Send me off where, you spineless fools?"

Tyrine tugged his hand free of Page and pressed it against my forehead. A sharp pain flashed through my head – sending jolts of electricity through my body. I gasped and fell back, vision beginning to dim.

The last thing I heard before my sight disappeared was Tyrine's dark haunting words:

"Enjoy your life as a slave, Kyla."

I woke up with a start, and felt air rush past me. Seconds later, I felt the floor rise up and slam into me. Damn it. I groaned, rolling on my side, scanning the area around me. The dark shadowed room of Blaine's manor lay before me – no field, no Tyrine or Page.

"What was that?" I pushed off the ground, and stood.

Yet another dream that wasn't in the novel. At this point, I was starting to wonder whether I actually knew the novel or not. Maybe Kyla just had weird dreams all the time. I thought, hopefully. The book never followed her around nor mentioned what her thoughts and life was actually like at home.

I shook my head, clearing the thoughts out. It's probably nothing, and even if it was, I don't have time to stew about it. So far, none of the things I saw mattered. It could have been nothing more than my own fear of the future. I ran my fingers through my hair, and started to turn toward the bed.

A shuffling noise sounded outside the door. I froze mid-turn and looked at the door. Who's outside my room this late at night? I crossed the room and tilted my head, listening. The shuffling sound continued, sending chills down my spine.

Damn it, I really don't want to open the door. I took a deep breath, lightly slapping my cheeks. Stop being so jumpy.

I reached toward the door, and yanked it open. For a moment, the darkness seemed to be endless – swirling and impossible. That was until I saw a shadow shift a few feet away. I yelped and jumped back, heart thumping against my ribs.

"I am sorry." A familiar voice said brightly, stepping into the door frame.

"Alora?" I snapped, slapping a hand over my chest. "You scared me half to death."

"Did I?" She blinked several times, tilting her head. "It's just me, my lady."

"Why are you outside my door?" I sucked in a deep breath. Was she trying to actually give me a heart attack?

"I…heard…you were asking for me." She turned her head up, smiling a wide Cheshire grin.

I stiffened, feeling goosebumps prickle across my arms. The strangeness of the maids so far – I could put off to them having a different working environment or fear of Matilda – but why was Alora acting this way?

"Alora, why are you acting so strange/" I asked, a lump in my throat. Did I really want to know the answer?

"Strange…?" She blinked, eyes blank. "Strange night? Strange light."

"What…are you saying right now?"

"Book!" She said – far too loudly. "I must get your book, my lady!"

"No," I shook my head, taking another step back from her. "It's too late to read. Just…leave."

"Oh!" She giggled, covering her mouth. "You're right! I'll bring it to you on the morrow!"

"Sure. You do that."

"Goodnight my lady! Sleep tight and warm!" She bowed and backed out of the door.

The second she disappeared from sight – I ran toward the door, slamming it shut. Hands shaking, I grabbed the key on the end table and locked the door.

"What the hell is going on in this place?" I asked breathlessly, sinking down to the floor.

Something was very, very wrong with the staff in this manor.

I didn't want to get involved, but I knew I would have to.

Why is it always one thing after another?