A regular human?!

The palace was extremely big. It could have accommodated more than fifty orphanages like Hewyard.

"What have I landed myself into",Zane heard Scarlett whisper as she stared at the palace with a flabbergasted expression on her face.

They were being led inside the palace by the guards who were heavily armed . Not with guns or any modern technology. They had swords, daggers, bow and arrow and other weapons that made the kids even more nervous. They could have easily disarmed the guards with their powers and run away but then, where would they run? They didn't know where to go. And if Eva had sent her there, they needed to trust her. They thought Queen Kendra Monroe might be able to help them.

The big gates opened and they went inside where things were even more lavishing.

"It's so beautiful!", whispered Emily.

The palace was indeed beautiful from inside too. Red carpet laced the floors and candles were lit up all along the corridor. Beautiful paintings were hung up on the wall of horses and valleys and mountains.

The walls were painted with a royal blue and red colour. They were led towards the throne room which was decorated extravagantly with gothic ducal. The throne decorated with ageless crystals and ostentatious, stately azure.

Zane realised he had been holding his breath for too long. He breathed. "Is this all real?"

"Ofcourse it is",said the gurad

Their attention went to the queen when she stood up from the throne.

"So you all are here",said Queen Kendra smiling. "Welcome to the kingdom of Helmfirth. I am Kendra Monroe and I notice one of you is missing"

"Yes your majesty",said the guard bowing down. "He was killed by one our arrows"

The queen closed her eyes and inhaled sharply,"My instructions were clear. No killing"

"We had no choice Madame"

"THERE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE!",shouted Kendra

Everything quietened. All the guards in the room shut up immediately . Her voice carried power .

"Sorry for that", apologised Kendra , addressing the children

Kendra came into light and that was the moment they all realised how beautiful she was.

It was breath taking.

She was not cute, not pretty. She was beautiful and elegant.

Her long brown hair opened and covered her shoulders. A beautiful crown with rubies on her head . Her beautiful dark skin. Her piercing , stormy blue eyes that could make anyone tremble. Her perfect lips and nose. Her beautiful green gown on her, that enhanced her beauty. No one could their eyes off her.

And it was hard to miss the shining dagger she was holding in her hands.

"Oh my God I might just pass out", whispered Derek.

"Why?",asked Laurel

"What?!",said Derek in a low voice."Can't you see? She's so beautiful! Plus, you all are feeling that so heavily that I am feeling it even more because I am an empath!"

"Well yeah.... she's fine",said Laurel.

All of them turned their heads towards Laurel to glare at her.

"Did I just say that out loud?!"

"Children",said Kendra. "This is a safe place for you. We drew you away from all that violence and drama so that you can get a chance to grow up peacefully, learn about your powers and live your life here"

"That's fine but.....how do we know that you don't want our powers for yourself like Isabella did?!",asked Derek

"That's a good question ",said Kendra. "Well, I believe that everything living deserves a chance to grow. I will never do anything to hurt any of you"

"Okay, but what is this place?",asked Zane

"This is the kingdom of-"

"Helmfirth, we know",Mick cut in. "What we want to know is what is this place? How could there be an ancient kingdom, hidden from the whole world after all this time? You people look like you are from a different Era! What is this actually?"

"Oh", whispered Kendra. "You want to know about this place"

"Yes please",said Natalie

"Jeremy, would you do the honours?",asked Kendra addressing one of the guards.

"Yes my lady",said the guard named Jeremy, bowing down. "The kingdom of Helmfirth is in another dimension. When you passed the land in the chariot, you crossed the boundary. Either the chariot or only a person with the full permission of the queen can enter or cross the boundary. But, a person with supernatural power may be able to come inside the boundary though they cannot go out. You cannot leave this place and-"

"So we are prisoners here?",asked Derek

"No",said Jeremy. "You are free to leave but, we would strongly advise against it. Isabella's army is marching to capture all of you and use your powers for their good and kill you if necessary. But, here, with us you are safe. You will be taken care of and in perfect health. I don't see any reason for you to leave"

"I do",said Laurel, "But the only reason I won't be leaving is because our lives are in danger"

"Good choice",said Queen Kendra smiling. "Anyone else has anything to ask?"

"Our friend.....Alice, she left",said Mick, "after your men killed Aidan, Alice went away. What if Isabella got hold of her?!"

"But there were only ten of you",Kendra said, frowning.

"Yes"

"So how are two children missing and there are still nine of you here?!",asked Kendra alarmingly

"Well, Aidan died and Alice left",said Natalie. "Eight of us were left but Scarlett joined us. She doesn't have any powers, but she helped us alot!"

"WHAT?!",shouted Kendra. "She is a regular human?!"

All the guards' hands immediately went towards their swords as their gaze pierced Scarlett.

"Yes",said Laurel. "She is a regular human, is that a problem?"

Queen Kendra looked shocked and growled,"No humans from that dimensions are allowed here in our territory!"

"Hey! Cool down! She's with us",said Mick

"No!",shouted Kendra. "She is a human from that dimension and she has seen our secrets and our world! She needs to be executed!"

"NO!",shouted Natalie and Scarlett at the same time.

The guards moved in on Scarlett and she helplessly stared at them. Then, Natalie pushed a guard away and stood infront of Scarlett

"SHE HELPED US! YOU CAN'T JUST KILL HER! I WONT ALLOW IT!",shouted Natalie, hiding Scarlett behind her.

One of the guards drew his sword, probably to attack Natalie when Zane screamed, "Don't you dare!"

All of them turned their heads towards Zane. His voice was too powerful to not be heard.

"Touch her and you die",Zane shouted

The queen raised her head and came down towards Zane. She gestured at the guards to lower their swords and she turned to Zane.

"What's your name?",she asked

"Zane",he replied

"That's a nice name....as a prince",she said, studying him. "What's your power?"

"I-I don't know",lied Zane. " I haven't entirely understood my power. It hasn't shown yet"

Laurel frowned but she didn't say anything

"You are lying", said Kendra after a moment's consideration

"I am sorry?"

"I said you are lying",said Kendra. "You know what your power is and you know what you are. You just don't know if you are ready to share it yet"

"How do you-?"

"I am a queen , dear. If I can't see when people are lying, what kind of a queen am I?",she said

Zane remained silent as everyone stared at him waiting for an explanation.