The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 20: Once more onto the breach

Thursday finally arrived and I felt extremely nervous as I rummage through my closet, but wasn’t fully sure why. I had gone out with the Jenn and the others last year, with Marron years ago without much issue. So why is this different?

I grumble, never once having found an answer. Maybe it’s because Diana was the first friend in a long time that was normal.

I think part of it is also that I’m about to return to Lakeline for the first time in almost a year and a half. But it didn’t mean that I’d have to go past my old apartment. Why am I even concerned about that?

It was just my old home. While I used to love living there, it now held zero meaning for me, apart from the fact that it used to remind me of how alone I was after the deaths of my family.

I shook my head pushing the worrying thoughts out my mind. I finally settled on a tan pinafore dress with a striped T-shirt and boots. Simple, but perfect for summer. Fenris of course was banned from my room whenever I got ready, a lesson I learned awhile back.

Diana and I had been texting a few times, each getting to know each other and planning out the day. We were to meet up in the food court and go around shopping, nothing crazy or out there, just plain shopping. After that we were to have lunch and do whatever. The final part was going to be played by ear.

I turn to walk out only to feel a strange pulse coming from behind my wall. I crane my head over to where I had dozens of seals on, knowing what lied behind them. I reach over and close my door, erecting a small barrier around me. Even while at home, never hurts to be cautious.

I kneel down and undo the seals, carefully disenchanting them and placing them onto the floor beside me. The final seal is the one which the Manor itself created.

I press my palm against the wall, releasing the spell. The outline of a door then appears on the wall. I pull it open and haul out the ze’creisch. I really never wanted to see this stupid thing again, but its contents are calling to me from some reason.

I set the box down in front of me and open the lid. Inside, under a velvet cloth laid the Xur’canah. I remove the cover, revealing the artifact.

The lantern is glowing softly as I pick it up. I roll it around in my hand, noting the bumps on the crystal parts and at the top and bottom. I remember Master Titalos hitting certain “buttons” and caused it to glow brightly, filling the room with light. I also had placed the journal from the night I opened the box, having written down a dream I had of the city.

While the parlor was engulfed in light, I saw images of other things, like places and more buildings. I also saw text in the same language as on the lantern. I couldn't read of course. I took the opportunity to jot down everything I saw, thinking it was a good idea at the time. I pressed the buttons, curious to what reaction I was going to get.

When I depress a couple of the panels, the lantern quickly collapses into what could be described as a normal looking compact. I jump back out of surprise, even the cord that held it shifted to the top. I hold the artifact in my hand, rubbing my thumb over the engravings. I again press the buttons on top, watching as it reverts to its normal form.

Not wanting to forget anything, I pull out the journal and jot down what buttons I had pressed, making little notes. Once finished, I stash it all away into the box, putting it back into the little cubby, and reseal it.

I sat there for a moment. You continue to be full of mysteries don’t you?

I stand up and release the barrier and exit my closet to get dressed. After lacing my boots, I fill up my backpack and head out the door.

Once I reach the foyer, I see Rachel, Fenris and my knights each standing there. My mother looks up to me as I hop down the stairs.

“All set my love?”

I reach the bottom step and walk over to them, “Yep. So,” remembering her talking about being under guard while I was out, “what’s the plan?”

She flicks my forehead, “As I told you before. You won’t even know you're being watched. You will have Fenris with you. He is the best protector that can pass fairly undetected, given his ability to appear as a dog or within your shadow. The rest shall be done from the shadows.”

I look up to my knights, “I’m guessing that means the two of you are coming then right?”

Orga shook his head, “I’m afraid not, Your Highness. But we will be close by, just not inside the mall.” Meaning either they’ll be hovering overhead or in a truck. This should be interesting.

Kateryna folds her arms, “We hope nothing goes wrong. I know you wish for this day to go well. So please forget that we are near to you.”

I smile to them, “All right.”

My mother reaches over and pulls me into a hug, “Have fun my love. If anything happens, I want to just drop whatever it is you are doing and run. Don’t try to fight back.”

I didn’t argue back. I really didn’t even want to think about what would or wouldn’t happen, despite running dozens of scenarios through my mind. Never hurts to have a backup plan or a several ready to go.

Fenris sits stoically on the floor, ready to move out when I am. I had a feeling he wanted to let me enjoy my time with Diana without him being present. Not a bad plan, it gave me some freedom while he could pop out from my shadow at any time if needed. It was what helped me while my mother and I were at Court last year and it never failed in the past.

I walk over to him and stroke his dark fur, feeling a familiar gentle chill from it. A small smile rose on my lips as his eyes stare up into mine.

I take a breath and look up at everyone. “I guess I’ll be heading out then.”

The trio of adults nod.

“Be safe my love and do please have fun,” says Rachel, pulling me into a hug.

I bury my face into her chest, “I will.”

I look up to the knights, giving them a smile. They smile in return, bowing their heads.

My mother sighs as she let go, allowing me to step back. I turn and head for the front door, watching the door on the right open.

I hop down the stairs, hearing Fenris’ nails clicking on the stone steps. My car is already out and running with Marie standing beside it.

I smile to her, “Thanks Marie.”

The automata smiles and bows her head, “You’re welcome Young Miss. Hope you have a good day.”

I sigh, eyeing the top of the stairs, seeing all three adults standing there. I turn back to the maid, “I do too.”

I open the backdoor and watch my bonded hop into the backseat, quickly lying down. I close the door and climb into the driver’s seat and buckle myself in.

Once the door was closed, I shift into Drive and started to pull away. I should really be grateful that my driver’s license, the one Rachel gave me nearly three years ago, was still valid. But I am going to have to renew next year. Not a problem.

After driving down the driveway for a few minutes, I pull onto the main road and then push on towards the tunnel. In less than twenty minutes, I was going to be back in an area I knew very well.

I didn’t even glance at the sign when I drove past Concordia. Well maybe for a brief moment. But before I knew it, it was gone. I can’t believe that it has been three months since I was last there at the school. I knew I could never return to it, if I were to go back to college.

It would just be way too weird, not to mention that Chris Tillmans knew my secret. So as much as it pains me, Concordia is no longer an option to attend.

When I came to Anderson Mill road, I stare down towards where I thought Diana said she lives. I, of course, didn’t have her actual address. So as to which part of the street her home rested on was still a mystery.

I then scan the intersection while I waited for the light. Not really much to my surprise as nothing really had changed. The HEB is still packed with cars, and the gas stations on each corner had people pumping gas. This area never changes, no matter much time passes. I look up to see the light finally change and once more I drove on.

From Anderson Mill, it was only a mile and a half to the mall, so the final leg of the trip was a short one. Upon coming up to Lake Creek Parkway, I noted that a few of the old businesses had changed in the twin shopping centers. I guess some places do change if given enough time. I had gone down the road so many times I tell you what street you were passing by counting the stop lights.

I was also a nerd about taking note of the prices of gas as I drove passed the various gas stations. It was a habit I had developed a long time ago and never really got over it.

I’m actually rather surprised that traffic was light for an early afternoon in the middle of summer. This made getting there all the faster, and less stressful, even though this part of 620 was often the least worrisome.

I draw a short breath as I came up onto Pecan Park Blvd. I elected to not turn onto Ridgeline, as it was a little more hectic to attempt it. I glance down opposite of the mall, knowing that my old complex lies just another mile and a half it.

Old memories of traveling around the area flooded back into my mind as if they were still just freshly made. I pull my attention away from it and scan the rest of the intersection. I eye the hotel I used to work at or least what it used to be. It had been torn down and replaced by a new one.

When the light turned green I pulled left towards the mall and then pushed passed the other stop lights. Fuddruckers and Chili’s still occupied opposing corners and each filled with cars. A brief moment later I turned into one of the many entrances to the mall, but this was always to the one I used.

From there I came upon another stop and again made another left, now seeing the mall completely. The parking lot I was in rested between Dillard’s and to my surprise what used to be a Sears. I rounded the lot until I found a spot pretty close to the entrance.

I shut off the car and sit there for a moment. The stretch of the lot I'm in also played host to the farmers market that I loved attending every Saturday. I even see the trailer that belongs to the market, which meant it still had gone on long after I moved away.

A cold nose lightly presses against my ear, which sends a shiver down my spine. I look up to see Fenris’ head poking in between the front seats. I reach up and scratch him under his neck.

“We should go.”

I sigh, grabbing my bag and get out. I open the backdoor, watching as my bonded hopped onto the pavement. The sun blares down heavily onto me, feeling hotter than it was at the Estate. I should be grateful that I wasn’t too far from the entrance.

I turn and watch as Fenris leaps into my shadow as I walk. I should be grateful that this part of the parking lot was always quiet and empty. So there was little chance of anyone seeing a wolf disappearing into a shadow.

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