"Kay!"

I push through the crowd gathered in the middle of the clearing people were dancing in minutes before, my target set on the middle where there is a small open space.

Please let Kay be alright. She has to be alright.

I burst into the opening to see Becky kneeling next to the little girl, her eyes trained downwards on the head resting in her lap.

Kay's eyes are squeezed shut, drops of sweat beading on her forehead as she clutches one of Becky's hands in her small, clenched fist.

There's a yelp and a loud thump behind me and I turn to see Sylvia arrive, a whoozy Max on the ground where she had dropped him.

"Where's Lager?" I ask in low murmur. He should be at Kay's side, but he seems to have disappeared.

"Weren't you listening to anything I said?"Sylvia growls, walking closer until she's only two feet away, her narrowed eyes staring me down. "I don't know where he is, No one has seen him since he disappeared with you!"

"Forget about Lager!" Becky snaps, glaring up at both of us with intense fury, her free hand stroking hair off Kay's damp forehead. "We need a medic."

There's silence, people shuffling on their feet and continuing to just look at her.

"Now." Becky growls.

Murmurs immediately start shooting through the crowd, people asking around for a doctor.

"Hellooooooo! Lightling Healer over here!" Max suddenly exclaims, raising a hand as he sits up, his hand shaking in the air.

"No way am I letting you near Kay in your state. You're intoxicated!" Becky says, hunching a little closer over Kay as if to defend her from the mighty force of a drunk Max.

Max scoffs, attempting to roll his eyes, but making his head roll along with it. "I've been drunk plenty of times before. That's all I used to do back in Lucem Villa."

"Have you ever healed anyone while drunk?" Becky asks with a raised eyebrow, to which Max responds with silence.

I lean over slightly towards Sylvia, wanting anything but to get closer to her but also dying of curiosity.

"What's this Lucem Villa place?" I whisper, looking to the side to see Sylvia throwing me a sharp glance, before huffing.

"It's like Highclere, but for the Lightlings, located on Mount Lux which is in the very center of their territory."

My eyes widen, my voice growing slightly higher in surprise. "Seriously? What's up with you Dalton-Dwellers and your fetish with living under mountains and rocks?"

Sylvia's scowl deepens, her hand twitching towards the whip tied at her belt.

"You should improve your listening skills, Human. I said it is on Mount Lux, not in it. Highclere is highly unique and original with its architectural structure." She sniffs in disdain, before turning away. I guess that conversation is over.

Suddenly Kay whimpers and we all freeze, my lungs inhaling a sharp breath.

I cast another worried look around the crowd. Where is Lager?

"I swear, if Lager doesn't get his cape-cladded behind out here right now to fix this, he'll have to deal with a very angry Halfling!" Becky exclaims., but even she can't hide the hint of worry in her tone.

"Move."

The word rings out across the clearing, hushing the Darklings gathered around and freezing their movements.

I turn my head to where the voice came from, craning my neck to see who spoke, because the unfamiliar voice certainly wasn't Lager, yet it held just as much authority and power as his did.

The exact moment I turn my head, the crowd parts just like they did earlier for Lager and a figure in a dark green cloak steps forwards, hood pulled up so I can't see their features, but they certainly have the build of a man.

He steps into our little clearing, gliding forward in a calm, confident manner. Out of the corner of my eye, Sylvia goes ramrod straight, while Becky and Max tense.

Who is this man?

As if seeming to hear my question, Sylvia bows her head and opens her mouth.

"Adviser Cecil." Sylvia murmurs when the man has come to a stop only one yard away.

The man seems to pause for a moment, before reaching up his hands and lowering the hood that cast his face in shadow. I feel my mouth drop open as I stare at the man in front of me.

He's the famous Adviser I've heard so much about?

Honey-gold hair with a slight curl to it and a strong jawline. Eyes as green as the cloak he's wearing and lips arched like cupid's bow. He looks as old as Me, but for all I know, he could be hundreds of years old like Lager.

Gone are my visions of an old, white beard down to his ankles, man.

While staring, I hadn't noticed that his eyes had strayed from Kay to Sylvia, his mouth slightly turning up.

"It's been a long time, Sylvia."

She raises her head from where it was bowed, and I'm surprised to see pain in her eyes before it disappears in a flash, replaced by icy determination as she grits her teeth and clenches her fists. She, unlike the rest of the Darklings in Highclere, obviously has something against this Adviser person.

His eyes then shift to Max and Becky, who are both frozen in shock, and finally land on me, making a shiver wrack up my spine at having those very intelligent looking eyes fall on me.

His smile grows slightly and he takes another step forwards, making me scoot slightly back.

"You must be Ashley Cartwright. I've heard so much about you." He speaks in that smooth as honey tone of his.

No matter how much I want to say 'ditto', I refrain, silently wondering if I should be bowing or not like Sylvia did.

"And you're Adviser Cecil." I say, cursing my voice for the slight shake to it and hesitancy, almost like it was a question.

He flashes his teeth in a charming smile, a slight chuckle escaping him.

"Yes, that is my formal name, but I'd rather much prefer Cecil."

There's no way I'm every going to call him that. It seems way too personal for someone I just met, especially since I haven't hear anyone else call him that when mentioning him.

"Guys, focus!" Becky breaks the tension, and it looks like the Adviser's presence hasn't shaken her up too much. She turns to him, her glower deepening. "No offense, Adviser Cecil, but we need The High Commander right now, not you."

As if to enunciate her words, Kay lets out a little whimper, making Adviser Cecil finally take notice of the incapacitated child.

"Ah, yes." He says, taking a step forward and making Becky hunch over Kay more as if to protect her if need be.

The Adviser kneels down beside her, surveying the girl and giving a few hums and nods now and again as he studies her. He rests his hand against her forehead, leaves it there for a few seconds, before taking it away again and making another sound in the back of his throat of confirmation.

"Adviser Cecil." Becky grits out, seeming to restrain herself from slapping his hand away. "Where. Is. Lager?"

He looks up from Kay, a knowing glint in his eyes before they connect right with mine, almost as if he's trying to tell me something.

"The High Commander is a little preoccupied at the moment, and sent me instead."

I see Becky's mouth start to open,but before she can spew her protest, I interrupt her.

"A little preoccupied? His sister is lying in the dirt, possibly very sick for all we know, and he's a little preoccupied?" I sate,my voice rising in anger as I grow closer to the end of the sentence.

"That's what I said, didn't I?"The Adviser asks, scratching the back of his head.

I open my mouth again when suddenly, I hear a gasp coming from Becky's direction, and I look over to see her looking down at Kay, who's started to open her eyes.

"Kay!" Becky exclaims, her hands dancing over the little girl and not knowing what to do.

"That's my Que." The Advsier suddenly speaks, moving forward and starting to put his arms underneath to girl, but Becky recoils, pulling the little girl with her.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snaps, holding Kay closely.

"Following orders." The Adviser replies in an obvious tone. "Now give the girl to me or I will have to restrain you."

"I'm not letting you take Kay." Becky growls, defiance flashing in her eyes.

Adviser Cecil sighs, bowing his head to look down at the ground. Everyone hushes, and we all watch the Adviser, wondering if he's given up.

He lifts his head, a familiar smirk resting on his lips. He raises one hand, and I brace myself for an attack or dark power to come shooting at us, but all he does is wave his hand in the air.

There's movement in the crowd and grumbles as two Darkling Soldiers push their way forward before coming to a stop only when they are flanking the Adviser.

"Now then." The Adviser speaks in the same pleasant voice he's used this entire time. "Let's try this again. May I please have Kay?"

I eye the two Darkling soldiers who stand stoically behind him, their features blank, then look at Becky, who's also eyeing them, but a lot more defiantly.

"Just give Kay to the man." Max hiccups, receiving a furious glare from Becky.

"For once I agree with the turd." Sylvia speaks up softly, her features scrunched up in distaste. "This could get a whole lot worse if you don't obey. He won't hurt her."

I'm surprised by Sylvia's words, and the fact that she even tried to comfort Becky.

"No!" Becky snaps, looking at everyone with a betrayed look. Finally, her eyes land on mine with a pleading look that makes my throat go dry. I want to help her, but I don't know how.

"Go ahead." Adviser Cecil nods at the two guards, who move forward and latch onto Becky by her upper arms, hefting her upwards and away from Kay even though she kicks and struggles.

"Hey!" I exclaim, taking a step forward. "Stop!"

Max, seeing the guards now handling Becky, tries to lift himself off the ground, struggling to stand up straight. "Don't touch her!" He slurs, sweat breaking out across his brow as he sways on his feet.

While we are focused on Becky, Adviser Cecil moves forward and scoops Kay up into his arms, her eyes closed again in a restless sleep.

"Kay!" Becky yells, growling and jerking against the guards strong grip.

Adviser Cecil moves to walk away, but stops at the edge of the crowd, looking back once. His eyes connect with mine, and I bet if I was close enough I could see the disgust on my face reflected in them. Now that I've met him, I don't understand how all the Darklings in Highclere worship him like he's the High Commander.

"I'll be seeing you again very soon, Ashley Cartwright." He says with a small smile, before turning on his heel and disappearing into the crowd.

The second he's gone the crowd disperses, some trying to follow after him while others leave, shaking their heads at how terrible this supposed-to-be-fun night turned out.

I'm torn before running after the Adviser, or helping Becky when the guards suddenly release her, striding off in the direction of Highclere and where the Adviser went.

Becky curls her hands into fists, taking a step forward to run after them when Max collapses, taking her down with him.

"Get off me you idiot!" Becky yells in frustration, struggling underneath the boy who's now out like a light.

I quickly kneel down and help her roll him off, her breathing now more ragged with fury and exhaustion as she rises to her feet, looking at the doors to Highclere which have now closed behind the crowd.

"Dammit! They're gone!" Becky exclaims, her voice catching as she sinks to her knees beside Max. She raises a hand to her face and I'm stunned when it comes away wet.

Becky is crying.

Sylvia sighs next tome, drawing my attention to her.

"This was a waste of time."She says bitterly, a hint of sadness in her voice, before she turns and strides off, leaving the three of us alone.

i stare down at Max and Becky, then the spot where Kay was just laying.

What is going on?

Before I know what I'm doing my feet are moving, turning me away from from Becky and Max and moving me towards the doors of Highclere.

"Where are you going?" Becky calls after me, but I don't turn back, afraid I'd see her crying.

"To find Lager and get some answers!" I yell back over my shoulder before breaking into a jog.

The guards open the doors for me and I jog into the halls of Highclere, pausing for a moment to decide where to go first.

I check the dining room, and all of our rooms. I even stop a few Darklings in the hallway and ask where Lager's room is, but apparently that's classified information. I don't care though. I'm a woman on a mission who needs answers.

I finally come to a stop in front of the doors to the throne room, my shoulders heaving and my breathing heavy.

I put a hand up to the smooth door and push , letting the door open just enough for me to step through.

I come to a stop once I'm inside, my eyes widening.

I've actually found him.

From the light of the moon slanting in through the windows, I'm able to make out his familiar figure and outfit from where he sits slumped in the throne, his head down.

Slowly, I take a step forward, surprised he hasn't noticed my presence yet.

"Lager." I call out, my tone firm. When he doesn't respond, I feel a small fire spark within me, making my feet carry me forward and towards the throne.

"You have some nerve, sending your Adviser to collect your sick sister after ditching me in the woods. Do you know what the Adviser did to Becky? He had her restrained!"

While talking I grow closer to the throne, my strides getting longer the more Lager continues to ignore me and not respond. Before I know it I'm coming to a stop in front of the steps leading up to the throne, the shadows of the room masking Lager's face from where it's bowed.

"I need some answers and I need them now. What is going on?"

He doesn't even look up.

"Lager." I growl in a warning. Still no response.

Deciding to take the risk, I slowly make my way up the stairs, my feet echoing on the steps until I'm looming above him.

"You better have a good explanation," I start to say, reaching a hand forward to nudge him on the shoulder and shaking him slightly. I pause when his head lolls to the side, the moonlight reaching his face and I see his eyes closed.

He's.....sleeping?

Wait. What if he's dead?

I've seen plenty of movies and read plenty of books where this exact thing happens and the person is dead and the main character screams their head off.

Is this where I'm supposed to scream my head off?

Just then Lager inhale a breath though, his chest rising and falling and I sigh in relief, my hand still resting on his shoulder.

He's just sleeping.

I move to nudge him again, when I notice that he feels unusually hot, even for a Darkling and even through the layer of clothes.

I move my hand to rest against his forehead, immediately retracting it. He's not fever hot, he's scolding hot, to the point where I can't even touch him that long or risk being burnt.

"Lager!" I say, moving my hand back to his shoulder where his clothing is protection and shaking him. "Wake up!"

He doesn't move.

My heart starts beating faster, my panic bubbling up.

"Lager!" I call again, shaking him more furiously. What do I do? Should I call for help?

I take a step back, preparing to turn around and run for help, when I noticed a slight movement.

He opens his eyes.

Dear readers, I'm sorry for being gone so long! I hope this extra long chapter made up for it! I thought this update wouldn't come out until tomorrow, but lucky you, you get it today, lol. So what do you think about Adviser Cecil? Also, in case any of you are wondering, the batman theme song at the top of the page is because one of my readers (nonametk) made a comment about how she imagined Lager walking through the parted crowd in the previous chapter with the batman theme song playing in the background. So here it is. Hopefully,next chapter will be up sometime during Next week. I apologize for the cliff hanger, but there are lots of Ashley and Lager moments coming up in the next chapter. And then a few Zero and Ashley moments coming up in the chapters after that. ; ). Just giving u guys something to look forward too, lol. This chapter is unedited. Vote, comment, and tell me where your favorite vacation spot is. XD

Lots of Love,

Dangeroustoken