"We're going to Lucem Villa."

Complete silence fills the room, so much that it's almost suffocating.

"Say what." Becky is the first one to break the silence, staring at me blankly.

"Long story short I made it to the Core after a brief....setback, and now we have a mission that needs accomplishing."

"And who exactly is this "we"?" Sylvia butts in, crossing her arms and giving me a look that says she would have much preferred if I had stayed gone and disappeared.

"Well it's definitely not you." I snap back, not wanting to put up with her and her wretched attitude, especially not after that stressful journey to the Core.

"Wait, seriously?" Max suddenly speaks up, looking like the news has finally set in. "We're going to Lucem Villa? My home?"

I instantly feel my features soften as I look at Max, who's eyes have lit up at the prospect of going home.

"That's right. You'll get to see your father again, now that your punishment time is up."

"I really don't see why it's such a big deal. Max could have gone home any time he wanted after his punishment time was over, yet he chose to stay here in Highclere as a freeloader." Becky huffs, and Max and I both give her a flat look.

The only reason Max stayed here was for her and his friends, but yet again Becky ignores that small detail.

"But whatever. If we must go, I'll come, but only because I'm curious about the other half of myself and I want to see if anyone knew my....".Becky trails off.

She wants to know if anyone knew her mother. She may try and hide it, but it's obvious that Becky wants to know more about her past, and her parents.

Suddenly there's a tugging on my shirt and I look down to see Kay has somehow snuck up on me while I was focused on Max and Becky.

She stares up at me with those huge, pleading eyes, her face the portrait of childlike innocence.

"I'm sorry, Kay." I say, stooping down so my face is level with hers. "But we can't bring you with us. Without you, who will look over the new harvest?"

She frowns for second, but nods and squares her shoulders, turning on her heel and gliding out of the room, most likely to go check over the planting of new trees and fertilization.

"You are forgetting a vital part of this." Sylvia says as I push off the door where I was leaning, walking down the aisle.

"And what is that?"I ask, stopping when I reach Max and Becky.

"Permission." Sylvia smirks.

"Permission....?" I trail off, watching as Sylvia steps aside to reveal Lager who was silent the whole time, sitting on the throne with a closed off expression.

For a few seconds, the only sound in the room is silence.

"I don't see why...," Lager finally speaks up, his voice controlled and calm, "She would need permission from me. As she is not an official citizen of Highclere yet, I have no control over her as the High Commander."

I let out a breath of relief, but my new relaxed state doesn't last long, because although the words Lager speaks are exactly what I wanted to hear, something about him is off.

"Well, you heard him." I smile nervously, turning to Becky and Max. "Let's go pack our bags. It would be better to arrive at Lucem Villa as soon as possible."

I turn on my heel, taking a step towards the huge doors leading out of the room.

"No."

I continue walking before I finally realize that someone had spoken, and it was the one word I had hoped to avoid right now.

Slowly, I turn to see Lager has stood up from the throne, his golden eyes set right on me.

"No? But didn't you just say....". I trail off, ignoring the triumphant smirk that has started sliding onto Sylvia's face.

"I know what I said....as High Commander." Lager nods, taking a step down from the dais. "But as your....friend, my opinion differentiates."

"And why would it do that?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"What? You think I'd just sit back and be happy with letting you go off into a completely different territory with no idea about what or who lies there. Not to mention the fact that you have not explained anything about this "mission" the Core has assigned you and what it entails."

"I can explain that on the way there." I say, waving my hand and ignoring the first part of his little rant. "I really appreciate the concern and everything Lager, but I have to do this. I made a deal with Core."

"And I'm guessing you wouldn't allow me to have a word with this Core." He grumbles, a dark look crossing his eyes.

"Not unless you want to be turned into ash." I sing, smiling while Lager glowers.

"Fine. If that's really how it is, then I'll just go with you." He says stubbornly, taking the last remaining steps down the shallow stairs.

"You know you can't do that." I sigh, even though I kind of really wish he could on the inside. "You're the High Commander. You have to stay here and watch over Highclere. Who knows how long we'll be gone?"

"That's not making me feel better about the situation." He growls, before his features morph into a thoughtful expression. "This could actually work out in my favor. I've been meaning to travel to the Lucem Villa for quite some time and have a council with their High Commander."

"Why would you need to do that?"

"The Lightling and Darkling territories are more connected to each other than you might think." A voice suddenly speaks up before Lager can. Becky, Max, and I whirl around to see Adviser Cecil there, the hood of his dark green cloak pulled up over his head as he stands in this doorway.

"Great. We can always count on your for vague, dramatic answers. " Becky snaps from beside me, most likely still upset over the whole Kay ordeal.

I don't blame her. He was unnecessarily cruel at the time, but then again, Lager says he's not to bad once you get to know him. Maybe I'll give him a second chance.

Cecil ignores Becky, instead looking past the three of us to Lager. "If it isn't too much trouble, I would like to offer to watch over Highclere while your away and protect the people."

I wait for Lager to shoot the idea down, but when that doesn't happen, I turn to see him deep in thought, before slowly nodding.

"I'll take you up on that, Cecil." He says.

"Seriously?" Max suddenly sputters, looking at Lager in shock. "Your just going to let this guy be in charge while your gone for who knows how long?"

"It's happened before." lager shrugs like it's no big deal. "Just because the High Commander is not always at Highclere doesn't mean the community falls apart. It can go on for quite a while with it's regular procedures without my assistance as long as Cecil is here."

While Lager is talking my gaze slowly slides over to Sylvia who stands beside him, her mouth closed and expression blank since the moment Cecil announced his presence. While Sylvia has always had a naturally cold and distasteful personality, whenever she's been a round Cecil so far it's on a whole other level. I was definitely right in my conclusion that something has gone on between then, but the real question is what was that thing?

"So it's settled, Ashley." Lager suddenly speaks, tearing me out of my thoughts. It's not much my business anyway, and I'm sure if it involves Sylvia it's nothing good.

"What's settled?" I ask, my cheeks heating from being caught not listening.

"I will be travelling with you to Lucem Villa while Cecil stays here at Highclere and keeps everything under control. Once I complete my business, I'll do my best to help you with your job so we can return as soon as possible. it's better this way. Besides the Lightlings will treat you with far more respect if I'm there with you."

"He does have a point." Max says, turning to me with an inquiring gaze.

"Alright, as long as I don't have to put up with either of them," Becky says, nodding to Sylvia and Cecil, "I'm fine with it."

"So, what do you say, Ashley?" Lager asks when I finally turn my gaze back to him, a triumphant smile in his eyes although he keeps it off his lips. Probably a wise decision.

I don't know why he even asks the question, it's obvious he's won this round, but then something comes to mind. There's always End that we could bring instead. But then my thoughts flash to the night of the Highclere Harvest festival, and how strange he acted. He hasn't been spotted again since, so that option is out of the picture.

"Fine, you may come. It' not like I can ever say no to you anyways once you get into your this stubborn attitude of yours." I sigh playfully, rolling my eyes.

"I prefer the word 'determined'. trust me, you won't regret this." He says with a wink.

"Now that all of that's over, Becky and I are going to go pack. I can't wait to show you everything once we get there." Max says excitedly, turning to say the last part to Becky as he grabs her hand and starts leading her out of the room. Becky looks back with a 'help me' expression on her face, and I smile and give a short wave.

Cecil leaves after bowing to Lager, Sylvia pausing a moment before following after him.

I also start to walk towards the double doors, wondering what items I should bring to Lucem Villa.

In a whirl of darkness Lager suddenly materializes in front of me, in one swift movement scooping me up into a firm, yet gentle hug.

I'm not too proud of the startled yelp I let out, and for a few seconds I stand there in a daze, but then I regain my senses and start to struggle, pulling at his arms which are anchored around my waist, holding me to him.

"What's this for?" I question, giving up in my hopeless struggle.

"You had me very worried. I think after all that stress you put me through this is the least I deserve." He says, leaning down so his forehead briefly touches mine. "I'm glad you came back safe." He whispers.

"Lager, no wait. I smell horrible from the journey to the Core." I huff, shifting uncomfortably.

Lager sighs happily, nuzzling his face into my hair. "I don't smell a thing." He smiles against my head, and it almost makes me smile too.

"Alright, get off." I laugh, giving him a final push away and he relents, backing up a step. "I'm still upset that you fought so hard to go to Lucem Villa with us. I can't keep dragging you down like this and forcing you to guard me."

"You aren't forcing me to do anything. I told you I had some business there, it's a bonus that I get to protect you as well."

"About that, what sort of business is it?"I inquire, watching as he suddenly becomes closed off.

"I'll tell you sometime, just not right now. Besides, don't you have some packing to do. If you plan to leave today than you better hurry."

"Alright, but this isn't over." I warn him, before turning and walking away, I pause when I reach the door, looking back at him over my shoulder.

"Thank you for worrying about me. I'm also glad you recovered from your sickness."

Lager's eyes light up, and I turn and bolt before he can see the red blooming on my cheeks.

I wrap my arms around myself, smiling as I think back to the hug he just gave me, before sighing.

I shouldn't look too far into it. He said he was doing all of this because of my friend, so why should I think nay differently?

But even as I think this my heart still beats a tiny bit faster at the thought of those gold, alluring eyes.



* * * * * *



Two hours later and we're all back in the throne room minus Kay and Sylvia, but with added luggage.

I packed lightly after much debating on what i might or might not need, and it seems as if Max wanted to fit the entire Highclere volcano into his bags with the way they're full to bursting.

Becky has only one bag, so she must have packed lightly like me, and Lager is not carrying anything except for an extra black cape, which rests on a hanger. His attachment to his cape's is almost comedic with the way he's always wearing them. it's his new trademark.

"Cecil, thank you for doing this for me. Once we get back I'll let you have free reign over the library to take however many books you want." Lager says, turning to Cecil who nods, a small smile appearing on his face.

"Of course, I'll do my best to watch over Highclere while you're gone. And you might regret that offer after I snag all of the texts."

Lager grins, nodding farewell at him, before turning to us.

"So this is how it's going to work since I doubt any of you want to trek through the jungle. I'll Shadow Travel all of you one by one to Lucem Villa, where you'll hopefully be greeted by the Lightling High Commander's attendants. Who wants to go first?"

Max raises his hand, stepping forward. "I'll go first in case there's any trouble. As a Lightling they'll feel more at ease with me there."

Lager nods, and Becky and I both stand back and watch as Max lugs his bags in one arm over to Lager, who sighs before grabbing some of the bags to help. Then with his free hand he grabs a hold of Max's bicep and in a a second they've melted into shadow, gone.

Becky and I don't say a word as we wait for Lager's return, both of us anxious on the inside but not willing to admit it.

A minute or two later Lager appears again, and Becky steps forward quickly, worried about Max most likely. Without wasting time Lager grabs a hold of her and they're gone, and soon it's just me.

I pace a few steps, awaiting my turn and feeling the excitement, pressure, and nervousness slowly build up inside me until it's almost uncomfortable.

"Boo." I hear a murmur in my ear and I nearly shrike, turning to see Lager with a Cheshire-like grin on his face.

"I'm going to get you back for that." I mutter angrily, but stick out my hand, wanting to join my friends as soon as possible and get this show on the road.

"Sure you will." Lager chuckles softly, before reaching out and taking my hand in his large one.

The moment I arrive in Lucem Villa will be the moment I'll have to focus, paying attention to every detail that goes on there and leaving no room for error. Who knows what will happen if I fail this? Worst case scenario is I'm turned to ash by Core and the entire Lightling territory is destroyed by an evil High Commander. Doesn't exactly make me feel better, but it gives me motivation to follow through with this and do the best I can.

With these thoughts in mind I wait for Lager to transport us there, readying myself for the weird feeling of Shadow Travelling, but suddenly he pulls me closer, taking my bag in his free hand and letting go of my hand with the other, only to wrap it around my waist and pull me close.

"Not this again." I say, but secretly enjoying it.

"Get ready." Is all Lager says in reply, and soon we are nothing more than shadows and darkness.

I close my eyes, the weird feeling in the pit of my stomach still there but not as bad as it was the last time.

tt seems like only a few minutes before suddenly there's a bright flash and I crack my eyes open only to be blinded by even more light.

"Welcome," Lager's voice whispers softly in my ear, "to Lucem Villa."



Dear readers, so sorry for the late chapter. I actually recently just got back from a vacation, so I sincerely apologize for not updating on my usual weekend time. I hope you enjoyed the chapter though. Is it just me, or has Lager started to get more bold in his moves towards Ashley? Next chapter will be all about the start of their mission in Lucem Villa, along with the introduction of some new characters. Oh and this chapter is not edited by the way. i wanted to publish it ASAP for you guys XD. Vote, comment, and go bowling (I get more gutter balls than I so strikes). Lots of Love,

Dangeroustoken