Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Everyone jumped into action immediately. Since the west colony shared a border with the castle, the assassin could be hitting the castle next.

”The soldiers at the west colony are already defending the city. Other colonies have been alerted too, ” Gabriel said.

”How can we aid them?” Hala asked.

”For now, we can't do anything but secure the castle and wait. The soldiers are more than capable. It is just one person, so they should be able to defeat him. Luna, we have to take you and your family to a safe place. We do not know what the assassin is capable of or what tricks they have under their belt. We cannot take any risks.”

”I will not go into hiding when my people are out there fighting for their lives, ” Hala disagreed.

Gabriel was about to argue when Hala said, ”No, General! Take the Princess, her cousins, and Miah to the safe room. The Prince will join them to grant access to the chambers.”

Gabriel nodded in defeat and ushered the aforementioned people out of the room, along with six guards. Kathy looked back at her mother and father worriedly. Her mother met her gaze with a reassuring one. Unable to help herself, Kathy left the group and strode back to her parents. She had only just met them after so many years and was scared to lose them again. Her father hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead. She hugged him back, feeling very safe in his arms.

”Go, Princess. We will be fine, ” He said to her.

”Sure?” she asked looking up at him with big blue eyes. His eyes softened as he saw how concerned she was.

”Yes. I will see you after everything is over.”

”Your father is right, dear. Stay with the girls, ” Her mum added.

Kathy nodded, gave them one more longing glance, and walked to the door. She looked forward to seeing everyone staring at their exchange. She immediately averted her eyes in embarrassment.

”A Princess must always keep her head held up high,” Triton said while gently lifting her chin. She smiled at him and walked away with the group.

They went through the hallway to the side of the ballroom. Triton stood by the wall, placed his palm on it and a door appeared on the wall. They all got into the room and Gabriel shut the door after them.

”Mind bond does not work in this room, ” Triton told them.

”So, we wait?” Kathy asked.

”Yes, sister. Father or mother would get us when everything is clear.”

The safe room looked like an actual bedroom. It had comfortable-looking furs placed on the floor. They all sat down and waited. Triton and Miah wrapped their arms around each other. Zena and Gabriel kept on pacing making Kathy dizzy while Nila talked their ears off. To keep her mind from worrying, Kathy tried to read everyone's emotions.

It was difficult trying to read them one after the other but after some time she was able to tell their emotions apart.

Nila was scared but tried to cover it up with a happy face. Zena was nervous yet she wanted to stay strong for Nila. Triton was confident that they would push through. Gabriel had so many emotions running through his mind that Kathy felt dazed. Kathy couldn't read Miah's emotions.

”Why did my mark stop burning as soon as I stepped my feet in Lunae?” Kathy asked no one in particular.

”Our marks need Lunae's air and the white moon to survive. If it stays out of Lunae for a long time and the person reaches the age of awakening, it starts burning until it disappears. The burn is the mark pushing its bearer back to their origin, ” Zena explained.

Kathy understood why her mark burned on earth and not in Lunae. So, her mark would have disappeared if she stayed longer on earth. She noticed that Gabriel hadn't spoken a word since they got to the safe room. He seemed to be stricter in Lunae than on Earth. She hadn't seen him smile ever since they got to Lunae. Was that a General's thing?

”Gabriel, ” She called out.

He looked in her direction, then walked towards her.

”Luna Princess, ” He answered with a subtle bow.

”Are you okay? I feel you are troubled.”

He ran his hand through his brown hair. ”I should be out there on the battlefield not in here doing nothing.”

”Atlas, you are doing enough being in here and protecting the future Luna of this kingdom. Mother would not entrust her daughter to anyone else, ” Triton said.

Kathy felt like they were giving her more importance than she deserved. She noted that Triton spoke informally to Gabriel. It seemed like they were close.

”But, Triton, my soldiers are out there and I don't even know what is going on right now.”

Kathy could see how frustrated Gabriel was. Her hair was scattered from how many times he ran his hand through it and he never stopped pacing.

”Listen to me, my friend. I am confident that our soldiers would apprehend the felon, ” Triton told him.

”Now sit down. You are making me dizzy, ” He added and Gabriel sat down hesitantly.

The girls kept on conversing while away time with Kathy contributing a few times. They talked about the festivals, balls, seasons, powers even about men which made Triton and Gabriel uncomfortable. It was funny when Nila asked Kathy how many men she had been with, Triton’s face turned sour.

"Um, can we not talk about that in front of me?" Triton said, frowning.

All the girls giggled, except Kathy who was trying to control her emotions. She clenched her fists as she began to feel nervous.

"What is the matter, sister?" Triton asked, noting her shift in countenance.

Then the door opened, saving Kathy from having to lie. Luna Hala walked in, her blue dress flowing behind her.

”Seems like you children are catching up.”

Gabriel stood up quickly.

”What happened out there?” Triton asked.

”He got away again. This time, the soldiers were able to uncover his gender. Although he could be a shapeshifter, that is also a possibility.”

Gabriel was depressed by that and everyone could see that. Triton tapped his shoulder in encouragement and walked out with Miah. Nila and Zena left with Triton and Miah.

”I will prepare the castle soldiers for any surprises, ” Gabriel announced.

”Do that, General. Commence the ESP, we have to be prepared for anything, ” Hala told him and he nodded.

”Come, daughter. We need to talk, ” Hala said to Kathy. Gabriel shot Hala a questioning look and she shook her head in response. Kathy frowned slightly at their exchange. Something weird was going on and she wanted to find out. She noticed that from the wordless dialogue between Miah, Nila, Triton, and Gabriel. Then from Hala and Gabriel. Surely something was going on and it involved her and possibly Gabriel.

Kathy and Hala left Gabriel and walked to the throne room. They sat on two chairs.

”What is ESP?” Kathy asked first.

”Emergency security procedure. It is used when the entire kingdom is in danger, ” Hala explained.

Kathy's mouth formed an ’o’ shape.

”General Atlas mentioned that you wanted to go back to Earth.”

Kathy nodded.

”Perhaps, does living away from your earthly mother troubles you?”

Kathy nodded again. She missed April so much. She was also worried about the assassin getting to April.

”If that is the case we can have someone bring her over here. You can't leave the castle now that there is someone after you.”

Hala had a point and Kathy knew that. Her going back to Earth would put her mum and everyone she cared about in danger.

”Okay, Luna, we can do that. I wouldn't want to put my mum in danger, ” Kathy said.

”Not Luna, dear daughter. Call me a mother.”

Kathy bobbed her head hesitantly. It felt weird but she would get used to it.

”Lu-mother, ” she said and Hala smiled. A radiant smile got Kathy smiling in response.

”Um, is it possible for one to feel another person or other people's emotions?” Kathy asked.

”On rare occasions, some persons are gifted with the ability to read emotions and sometimes thoughts. They are called Empaths, ” Hala answered. ”Why do you ask?”

Kathy didn't know how to tell her mother that there was a possibility that she could be an Empath alongside being a fire elemental.

”I might be one, ” She whispered but Hala heard her.

”That is splendid. Empaths are precious and they are extremely emotional people. Tell me, what am I feeling right now?”

Kathy tried concentrating on feeling what Hala could be feeling. At the same time, she could feel the emotions of the guards standing outside the door. The multiple emotions were overwhelming her mind. She had probably used up her ability for that day while reading emotions earlier

”It is difficult to concentrate on one person when so many people are around. It is confusing to tell the emotions apart.”

”Do not stress it, my Moon. You will start training with Cynthia and you will be better in a few weeks, ” Hala reassured her.

No other word was said for a few minutes as both women got lost in their thoughts. Kathy wanted to say a lot to Hala, ask a lot of questions but she didn't know how to start.

”Where is the father?” she asked.

”He is presently on his way here. We need to talk to you about something important.”

Aerial entered the room. He walked up to them and placed a kiss on Hala's lips making Kathy look away in mortification. He also kissed Kathy's forehead.

”What do you guys want to speak to me about?” Kathy asked.

”Before we start, I want you to know that your father and I love you so much and we want nothing more than to see you happy. We wouldn't do anything to hurt you, ” Hala started.

Kathy could feel something was wrong. She felt it deep in her guts and it irked her. She could feel her parents trying to conceal their anxiety.

”You guys are scaring me. Tell me what is wrong,” she let out worriedly.

Hala took a deep breath and said, ”It is time you know why we left you on earth.”