Chapter 85

\*\*LUCIANA'S POV\*\*



I couldn't hear Celine from the other side, so I dropped the call, my gaze still lingering on Lyra.



Lyra kept stealing glances at me, and whenever our eyes met, she'd look away nervously. I was about to say something, but Keira beat me to it.



"Lyra, can you excuse us? Once you're needed you'll be called upon." She said, with a hint of authority on her tiny lips. 



I chuckled at my own thoughts. But when I was sixteen, I don't think I commanded this much authority. Maybe she's this bold because she doesn't have a mother as mean as mine, a father as dumb as mine and a brother as annoying as mine.



"What are you thinking?" Luci asked, tapping me back to reality. "Boys?."



I choked on nothing. Why'd Luci ask that? Isn't she too young for cheesy talk?



I thought I'd seen it all, until I saw Keira's palm resting on her chin, as she anticipated my response.



"What no!" I said, rather hastily.



"What's the craziest thing you've done for love then?" Keira chimed in.



"W...what?" I stuttered, my face growing red in embarrassment.



How was I supposed to tell them that I'd never been in love, or better still, I didn't have the chance to attend any gatherings until I began staying with Celine.



I itched my nape nervously, trying to find the perfect response, when my phone rang loudly, saving me from their claws.



"Saved by the bell," Luci teased, with a grin.



"It ruined everything, our almost perfect conversation. I want a peek into  our dear Luciana's love life too." Keira pouted. "Please don't take the call."



I laughed, relieved, and answered the call, although Keira kept glaring at me. If glares could kill, I'd certainly be six feet below.



"You're a lifesaver Celine." I said, trying to compose myself.



Celine chuckled. "I must have saved you from an awkward situation."



I nodded, as though she could see me, while I tried to wrap my head around the tone of her voice. 



Was it just me, or her voice was laced with unease?



"Is anything the problem, aunt?" I asked when the other side of the line went dead, and the call was still on.



"Luci, I need you to come home now!"  She said, impatience and urgency laced around her voice.



"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling uneasy.



"I…I'll explain to you when you get here." She said, slightly hesitating.



"B…but" I stuttered. "It's already quite late."



I heard her exhale, frustrated. "Get in a cab Luciana, it's urgent that you come home now!"



"I'll be there shortly then" I murmured and ended the call.



I've never heard Celine sound this desperate. Was there a problem? Was she alright? Or Uncle Jericho?



Oh shit! Did she slip and fall down the stairs, or get bitten by another wolf, or wait, did uncle Jericho make a mess out of the house? Or was it on fire?



The worst-case scenarios flashed through my mind, and momentarily, I zoned out.



"What's the matter?" Keira asked, staring suspiciously at me. "Is everything okay?" 



"Yes sweetie, I'll be just fine." I replied, with a small smile, although I wasn't certain.



"Alright then, stay safe." Luci whispered.



"I'll try to, and please tell Aunt Arielle I said thanks, and bye." I said and got off bed, gathered my stuff and made my way to the door.



"Should we walk you downstairs?" Keira asked and I shook my head.



"You've already tried," I muttered. "I'll make my own way downstairs. Thanks for caring."



As I walked through the hallways, headed for the staircase, my mind whirled with thoughts of Celine's urgent call.



What could be the problem? Although I've not been home in the past twenty-four hours, it's weird that I don't feel bothered.



I felt a presence behind me, and looking back, I saw the weird nanny. "Lyra," I murmured.



She stared at me from a distance, not tearing her gaze away from me, or moving closer.



What's going on in her mind? 



An idea popped into my head and I gestured to her to come over. To my surprise she did, although walking gingerly.



"You want to say something?" I asked softly. "Feel free, okay? I don't bite."



Her gaze rested on mine, and reluctantly, she started. "I don't think I can stop you from going home...but please stay safe."



I raised a brow, trying to understand her, but the more I tried to, the more confused I got.



She smiled shortly at me, and turned around and walked away.



I stood, as though rooted to the ground, staring at her retreating figure. "What's she trying to say?"



I shook off the little distraction and continued downstairs.



As I reached the base of the stairs, I collided with a stately older woman. Her silver hair screams familiarity.



I know this face? Why do I know this face?



"Hey Luciana" she waved with a small smile, her voice low. "I've been waiting for you."



I took a step back, my mind racing with possibilities. Why does she seem oddly familiar, and where has she seen me before?



"Who are you?" I asked, bravery echoing through my voice.



"You don't remember me, child?" The woman asked, smiling in a way I deemed mischievous. "I'm Sheba. I was with the Caspian and the fairies the other day, during the war."



How could I have forgotten so easily? Her familiarity was unmistakable.



"Ohh" I whispered, growing uncomfortable as her gaze seemed to boreholes into my soul. "You're the Seer."



"I'm glad you recall." She muttered "so...where are you headed?."





I started skeptical at her, before muttering. "I'm going home, Celine asked to see me."



Sheba is a seer, right? She can't possibly hurt me.



A disapproving look suddenly found its way to her face, as she shook her head. 



"Stay Luciana. Don't leave." She muttered, her expression growing stern. "The dance is lying ahead, you can't leave tonight."



Her words sent shivers down my spine. What's wrong with everybody?



You see...the part where I said Sheba can't possibly hurt me, might have been a lie, because the expression on her face is capable of murdering everyone in the universe. Just kidding!



But really, she looks scary.



"What dance?" I asked, suddenly recalling her last words.



"I can't tell you anything about it, but you'll see," She replied coldly.



I raised a brow at her. So I'm just supposed to stay back, because she mentioned some dance with zero details? That's got to be a joke.



"I'm so sorry Sheba, trust me, I'd love to stay for the dance, but I can't. I've got to go, Celine needs me." I replied, attempting to walk away.



"Are you this dumb?" She asked, and I paused on my track, turning to her. "Are you so dumb, that you'd walk right into trouble even when the signs are glaring enough?."



What is she talking about? I just want to go home to Celine…



"The moment you step foot outside this mansion, consider yourself in trouble." She continued. "You think I'm telling you this because I care about you? The only reason I'm doing this is that I don't have a choice."



What effrontery? 



First she's trying to get me to stay here, knowing well enough that Celine might need my help, and now she's sounding as though I'm forcing her.



"Whatever makes you think I'll listen to you and stay back?" I replied rather rudely.



Suddenly, I began feeling funny, voices began chanting in my head. "Come home! Come home! Celine needs you! Celine needs you! Celine needs you!"



I placed my palm tightly against my ears, but that seemed to motivate the voices even more as the chants grew louder.



Without caring if the old lady was still speaking to me, I began walking away.



Nothing aside from Celine mattered to me.



"You leave me no choice then" Sheba said, loud enough for both of us to hear, and the next thing I felt was a hard hit on my neck, and liquid trickling down the spot, then my eyes went shut, and I fell to the ground, unconscious...