Prologue: “There is nothing to look forward to in life for anything you want or wish is just but a figment of your imagination” Bassin growled as he stomped over to the girl, his broad shoulders tense. “NO! I mustn't believe that! She isn’t ready!” Lillian cried to her boyfriend as she cradled a young infant in her arms “Pardon me young Zen but I am not the fates. Go to them, beg them not me.” He lifted the child gently from Lilian’s hands and kissed Lilian goodbye. “I will miss you even if…” Lillian glared at him, his face just as scared and his hands just as rough as his soul, and she would know for she was a soul reader…
Chapter 1 Crying by her sister’s grave was the least life-wasting thing for Cassiopeia to do. It was very relieving. Her chin length wavy jet black hair was soaked from the rain outside; Cassiopeia owned no umbrellas or rain gear but she felt quite comfortable with her black Cotton dress which, by the way, was a size too big and she tripped over it constantly. The harder rain fell the quieter and the more safe and alone she felt. Silence The silence was broken by Mr. Twelvetrees. “ZEN!” he roared and made Cassiopeia yelp, “Come on, your work for today hasn’t finished yet! Unless you want to get stuck in the Tibira!” She rapidly set the flower by the grave and ran towards the old wooden house. “Um, y-yes sir! Though I highly advise that you keep your voice down; some people are preparing for the Huraki party and will not appreciate being disturbed.” “And I don’t appreciate you trying to boss me around!” Mr. Twelvetrees hissed. “Frankly,” Cassiopeia murmured, “I could say the same about you.” “You're just like Lillian.” Mr. Twelvetrees said under his breath. “Lillian?! YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T KNOW MY SISTER!! You lied to me!” Cassiopeia’s voice got shaky, “ Y-you Promised...” her voice flattered and she limped inside. Man, did she wish they were having a Huraki party; colorful lights, a feast, family… All the things she didn’t have. Mrs.Twelvetrees rushed from the wonderful-smelling kitchen, her dark hair pulled back in a bun and bringing gause, “ Oh, honey, I told you not to go outside, your broken ankle won’t heal if the cast keeps falling off.” she rushed Cassiopeia to the nearest chair and got going with the new cast. The woman smelled of pie and chicken. Were they having a feast after all? When Mrs.Twelvetrees was done wrapping Cassiopeia’s ankle the girl hustled up into the attic to meet Arvid, her best friend and unfortunately, Mr and Mrs Twelvetreeses son. The truth is, Cassiopeia didn't mind, sweet Mrs.Twelvetrees; it was her husband that was so cruel and agitating it made her blood boil. When Calliope got to the top of the staircase she immediately ploped herself on her mattress and got out her sketch pad and pen. “Hello, Cass.” Arvid muttered to her without taking his amber eyes off of someone outside through his window. Cassiopeia immediately joined him on the window sill and followed his gaze. Though her view was partially blocked by Arvid’s curly brown hair she saw Astrid, the prettiest girl in town she thought dreamily. The rain on Astrid’s face looked like tears,she was shivering, her strawberry blonde curls were now soaked and her aquamarine eyes were bloodshot and that was all the proof Cassiopeia needed to know that she was not okay. Both children rushed downstairs, put on one of Arvid’s coats and raced outside to grab Astrid and get her inside. “Arvid, Cassiopeia?” the girl asked expectantly “What are you doing out here?” Arvid asked with worry “M-my master released me.” Astrid whimpered “Well don’t worry we’ll take care of you,” Cassiopeia reassured her, “but you’ll have to sleep with us.” Arvid and Cass shared the coats with her and walked her into the house. When Mrs.Twelvetrees saw the girl she immediately prepared a mattress for Astrid right next to Cassiopeia’s mattress. Cass was sent to go get sheats for Astrid and when she got upstairs the scene made her jealous and angry at Arvid; he and Astrid were snuggling on his bed, she was in his clothes, her hands hand head laying on his chest and worst of all, when Cassiopeia came in, Astrid quickly kissed Arvid on the cheek which left him awestruck and blushing like a cockatiel. The anger and jealousy quickly changed to pity because when Astrid saw Cassiopeia she blushed hard looking worse than Arvid. When Astrid went to the bathroom Cassiopeia glared at Arvid. “Hey, uh, you're making me nervous. Like you are looking into my soul or something…” “Seriously?” “Oh, right. He he, you are looking into my soul, ‘Soul reader’” Astrid came back, laid down next to Cassiopeia and gazed into her face. Cassiopeia was just pretending to be asleep but was aware of Astrid staring at her. Soal readers were meant to serve their masters unless they wanted to get stuck in the Tibira; a horrible tourtorus place. Cassiopeia didn’t want to think about that and so, for the first time in so long she quickly fell asleep. Chapter 2 Dreams. No, visions. Cassiopeia heard her sister's pained voice, pleading to be freed from something. Or someone… Lillian appeared in front of Cass sprawled on the wet grass. Blood trickled down her cheek and her lovely mahogany dress was now in rags and stained with so much blood that It looked made of it. Lillian rasped out and tried to grab Cassiopeia. It’s just a dream she thought. Her sister made weird gurgling noises as she tried to speak and coughed out blood. “Ca-Cassiopeia -cough- please… they… us important….” Lilian’s dark brown hair covered her eyes but Cassiopeia knew that she was crying.
