Chapter 12 Change

    “Where’s Alice?” Clare asked, “She hasn’t shown up for work yet.”

    I stiffen, “No, I don’t, did you ask the other servants?”

    Jace screams, I ran away, from Clare, I hope she wasn’t suspicious.

    I ran into our bedroom, he had just woken up from a dream, his hand on his stomach. He looked so scared, then he noticed me and his cold expression came back.

    “Are you okay?” I asked. He stared at me.

    “Just fine.” His stare became one of fear, of me?

    “What were you screaming about?” I ask.

    “Nothing important.” He looks at a wall and rubs his eyes.

    “Jace, what was your dream about?” I walk up to him and put my hand on his arm.

    He jumps away, “Don’t touch me!” he shouts. I back away slowly.

    “What was your dream about?” I ask again.

    “You killed me!” He shouts, he starts to cry, so he knows I’m untrustworthy. Will I ever see Alice again?

    The guards start yelling. Jace runs to see what’s wrong. I follow behind him, at a distance.

    At the front gate of the castle, was Alice, her neck ripped open, died blood on her shirt, face, and hair. There was a note. I grabbed it.

    Try Again

    It was written in blood, most likely Alice’s.

    So, someone is trying to kill Marilynn? And refuses to let me have someone watches over her?

    I look at Jace, he stared at Alice, fear written across his face again.

    He whispered something, “…. Protect her.” Was all I able to get.

    “Protect her? Did you send Alice to kill my baby girl?” I scream at him.

    He blinks at me, “You still trying to protect her? Didn’t you agree to kill her? You sent guards after her. I’m here, why do you still care for the freak?”

    “That ‘freak’ is my daughter.” I stare at him.

    Fear flashes through his eyes for a second, what was his dream about?

    “When did you get so strong? And how did I get so weak?” he asks. He sighs and starts to walk away.

    Strong? I became strong? The guards stare at me.

    “Why should we put the body, miss?” they ask.

    “Tell her family, and ask them.” I say and walk towards the direction Jace left.

    I was about to turn the corner. I look around the wall, Jace. He was leaning against the wall; he looked up, at the ceiling, tears were falling down his face. What was his dream about? What happened for him to change this much?

    He spots me, and tries to wipe the tears, but more keep coming.

    “Jace.” I say, he looks so innocent, can people really change?

    “Madelyn, I’m divorcing you.”