Chapter 19

"Amelia, what are you doing here, shouldn't you be practicing" Whispered Ember to her. It was a bright sunny day in Celadon city and Amelia was planning to play a prank on Ajax. So she was preparing something in the inn's kitchen.

"I want to teach that impolite devil a lesson," Said Amelia angrily while mixing a cake batter quickly.

"Who? That little brother? " Asked Ember while tasting the cake batter.

"Yes, yesterday he was saying too much. Now I will see what he does after eating this. " Said Amelia proudly.

"What are you up to? " Inquired Ember.

"This is what will go in the cake. And then we will have fun. " Said Amelia while showing her a glass small bottle that had a powdery substance written "Silencing Powder".

" You... You are going to put this! Why? This will block his voice temporarily for two hours. "Said Ember.

" That's what I want. Then I will tease him and he won't be able to say anything" said Amelia happily while putting the batter in the oven.

"See... You should not do anything like this. His older brother was good to us and apologized to us. Then why are doing this? " Asked Ember concerned for the boys.

"I won't give it to his brother, only to him. Trust me. " Said Amelia while patting Ember's shoulders.

Ember was not getting a good feeling from what Amelia was planning. They both dresses up and headed to Fransisco bakery. Amelia had the cake in her hand in a box and was smiling to herself. Ember was seeing her and making weird faces and also worried about what would happen.

When they entered the bakery they saw Ajax with a white cute kitty with blue eyes. Amelia was fond of kittens from childhood. And the kitten in front of her was the cutest and most beautiful she ever saw. She kept the cake box on the nearest table and leaped to hold and touch the kitten. Ajax did not hold any grudge against her as it was just a heated moment.

"Is it yours? " Asked Amelia while slowly touching the fur of Zane.

This time Ajax looked at Amelia closely and carefully and found her beautiful. Her big green eyes, long glossy chocolate brown hair with a small bun with a hairpin of golden color with a white rose of metal on it. Ajax was unable to take his eyes off her and just nodded to her question. Amelia had her full concentration on Zane who was also loving the attraction that he was gaining. Zane was showing different poses and Amelia was cooing about everything he was doing and Ajax was busy seeing Amelia. Ember was searching for someone in the bakery while Eddie was busy chewing his toy bone. Ember came near Eddie and tried to pat his head but one growl was enough to warn him to not touch him and Ember maintained her distance from Eddie. What got unnoticed by these people was that Xander who went to get some errands had entered and his eyes fell on the cake box made by Amelia. He had not done his breakfast due to work and the cake smelled delicious. He quickly put the bags he brought on a chair and opened the box. It was a vanilla-flavored cake with a chocolate layer on top. It was already cut into triangle pieces. So he without giving a thought took one piece and started eating. While eating he saw Ajax staring at Amelia while Amelia touching and playing with Zane and Eddie was busy playing with a ball while Ember taking a stroll in the passage as if it was her own house. Xander tapped Ajax's shoulders to make him come out of the dreamland while eating the cake.

"Uh.. Ohh.. Brother, you are back! " Said Ajax a little loudly. This made the girl's attention on Xander and Ember came towards the boys.

"Hmm.. What is going on here? Did they not give any order to make? " Asked Xander taking another piece from the cake.

"Ahh.. They just came and.... And they were thinking about what to order. " Said Ajax.

"Yes... Umm.. We will order an apple pie. Just one. It will be enough" Said Ember quickly as Amelia was thinking as to what to say.

"Okay... I know what you were doing. Now Ajax goes and prepares the pie. Ladies, please sit. " Said Xander while pointing at a table.

Amelia and Ember sat at the table and were waiting for their order.

"What is that kitten's name? " Asked Amelia.

"Zane. Ajax found it abandoned in the forest and bought a home. He takes care of him very well. " Said Xander proudly.

"And of him? What is his name? " Said Ember eagerly pointing towards Eddie.

"His name is Eddie. He is mine." Said Xander while looking at Eddie who looked at Xander while wagging his fluffy tail happily.

"Ahh... Whoever made this cake is a good baker. Thanks for the treat. I will also give this to Ajax." Said Xander while pointing at the cake.

"Thank you... What!! You... you ate the... Ate the cake!! " Shouted Amelia loudly and Ember was shocked and sat still like a statue upon listening to what Xander said.

"Yes... Why.. It was for someone else.... Sorry.. I will quickly make another one" Said Xander while heading toward the kitchen to make it when Amelia pulled him and stopped him.

"Uhh.. That cake was indeed for you.... but... "

Amelia was thinking of what to tell when Xander started feeling pain in his neck.

He was confused as he was absolutely fine minutes ago. So what happened so suddenly?

"The cake.... What did you mix in the cake? Tell me" Said Xander while holding his neck as it was red and small red spots appeared on it.

"Sorry... It was this.... It is a silencing powder that I took from the inn's caretaker. I did not mean any harm. Its effect lasts only for two hours. Please forgive me. I will compensate you whatever price you will tell me. " Said Amelia while Ember nodded her every sentence with guilt evident on her face. Xander took the glass bottle from her hand and smelled the powder and his face went pale.

"Where did you get this? " Asked Xander.

"The inn's caretaker gave me. She is an old lady. Why? " Said Amelia looking confused.

"This is not silencing powder. This.... This is....Silent Death powder! " Said Xander.

"Silent death powder. Never heard of it. What it is? " Asked Amelia.

"It can't be. Is it the one that has a similar appearance to Silencing powder but is way too dangerous for humans?" Said Ember. Xander nodded and sat on a nearby chair thinking of what to do. Amelia was still confused and nudged Ember lightly on her shoulder.

"Its symptoms are that one who takes it, the first effect is that the neck becomes reddish and the person feels pain while saying but can speak, unlike the silencing powder where the voice is completely gone. Also, one can't eat or drink anything because there is swelling inside the neck

L। which is not visible from the outside. So it is called "Silent Death" because the person dies from starvation and dehydration. Also with time, it gets worse. A person can experience blood vomiting and more strain in voice. It's too dangerous." said Ember and Amelia had tears in her eyes as she was feeling guilty and afraid for Xander.

"Sorry... I am sorry. I did not know that the powder would be different.... I am sorry.... Where is the antidote.... Tell me.. I will bring it at any cost... Tell" Said Amelia between her sobs.

"I... I don't know...need to ask that old lady... She gave you this.... Ask her...." Said Xander with a very low voice as he was finding it difficult to speak with time.

"Okay, I will ask her right away. You wait for her, I will come with an antidote right away" Said Amelia while going out followed by Ember when Ajax came with the freshly made apple pie.

"Where are you two going? The Apple Pie is ready. " Said Ajax.

"Uhh.... We have urgent work... Need to go.... " Said Amelia while still pulling Ember to go with her but Ember was a little reluctant.

"Don't hide from him. It will be worse. " Whispered Ember to Amelia which stopped Amelia in her track and her eyes were again filled with tears. Amelia knelt on her knees which made Xander and Ajax to be shocked. Ajax quickly put the Apple Pie on a table and went towards Amelia and pulled her up. Amelia was crying and Ember also had tears and was concerned about Xander.

"I am sorry.... I didn't mean to do that to your brother. I am sorry. " Said Amelia and Ajax was hardly able to understand her because of her crying. He then looked towards Xander and he saw that his complexion looked pale and his neck was a little red.

"Brother, what happened? are you not feeling well? What happened? " Asked Ajax looking extremely worried. Amelia then started to explain everything that happened. Ajax got furious upon listening to each word and his anger increased with time. But he controlled his anger when Xander placed his hand on Ajax's fisted hand. Ajax looked at Xander and after some time he nodded.

"Show me who that old lady is. And don't you dare to lie or run or do any kind of idiotic stuff with me. I won't be so kind the next time. " Said Ajax while taking Xander upstairs and telling them to wait. After making Xander feel comfortable he went down to see the girls with red eyes, red noses, and pitiful faces. But he was still angry and gave a cold shoulder to them. And they together went to the inn