Brooke

I opened my eyes and found my self in a room. It was dark, with heavy curtains drawn across the windows, blocking out the sunlight. The gloom in the room was almost palpable. The walls were adorned with mysterious paintings and tapestries, and the room was filled with antique furniture, all cast in shadows.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy and somber, as if it held secrets and memories that refused to fade. The air was scented with a faint, musky aroma that clung to my senses.
I couldn't help but shiver slightly as I took it all in. The room had an eerie beauty to it, like a forgotten chapter in a haunted tale. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and colorful world of the zodiac city

Aiden's voice pulled me from my initial shock. "Red?"

I turned to look at him, his presence in the room almost imperceptible in the dimness.

"You summoned me?" I questioned, a hint of confusion in my voice.

"No, I didn't," he replied with a frown.

I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you did. I was in the middle of something, and suddenly I was here."

"What were you doing?" he inquired.

"I was about to reject a proposal from my best friend's crush," I confessed.

He seemed taken aback. "Why is your best friend's crush proposing to you, and how did you end up in that situation?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Not my fault that I'm pretty." I couldn't help but chuckle. "Wait, is that why you summoned me? You couldn't bear to watch a guy propose to me?"

Aiden looked at me in mild disgust. "You're delusional."

I playfully placed a hand over my heart. "Wow."

He laughed, taking a step closer and examining my hair. "You'll complete the transformation in about two weeks."

I groaned, sinking onto his bed. "Aiden, I really don't want to go around looking like a grandmother. Can't I dye it back to red?"

"Oh good, make yourself at home. Lie on my bed with your dirty shoes" He leaned against the wall. "You can, but it'll turn back to white within a week, maybe if you were a lesser witch it would've
worked"

I laughed removing my shoes "wow classist much? Oh well, I guess I'll have to embrace the old lady look."

"What do you mean old lady? People would die to be born with white hair"

I sighed grabbing one of his pillows. They smelt lovely.

"Aiden I know you don't want to answer my questions but can you at least tell me who my father is and whether he's alive?"

Silence hung in the room, Aiden's expression unreadable.

"I've realized that I'm probably half zodiac and half Descendant," I added, my voice tinged with uncertainty. My descendant half being from my dad". I expect him to give a sarcastic comment like 'wow how did you figure that out' but his silence remained

"If you're going to summon me, at least try to form a coherent sentence," I teased, trying to break the tension that hung in the room.

Aiden's reaction was swift. He covered my mouth, his face inches from mine. His eyes bore into mine with urgency. "He's coming, go back."

"Who is coming? Go back? You summoned me, I don't know how to go back," I whispered panicked

"For the last time, Red, I didn't summon you," Aiden replied, frustration in his voice.

"You did," I insisted

"I did not" I saw his eyes flickered between black and white. "Okay, fine, then. Hide."

"You can't tell me what to do," I protested

Aiden's demeanor changed suddenly. "Brooklyn!"

I rushed to hide behind the curtains, my heart racing.

The door creaked open, and heavy footsteps echoed in the room. A deep and imposing voice filled the space, commanding attention.

"Your majesty," Aiden spoke with respect.

His majesty, as in the wicked king causing war and wanting my death?

"Don't speak," the voice boomed. It sounded harsh and deep. I'd love him to whisper in my ears. Smash.

"Where is Amaree's daughter? Have your soldiers found her yet?"

Soldiers, Aiden commands soldiers? That's intriguing.

"We're looking for her at every corner of the Zodiac City."

My heart raced. There were a lot more descendants in the Zodiac City than we'd been made to believe.

"Kneel when I speak," the voice demanded.

Peering through the curtain, I saw Aiden kneeling. The back of the king faced me, preventing me from getting a clear glimpse of his face. Witnessing Aiden in such a subservient position stirred an ache in my heart.

"Why haven't you caught her yet? She has already begun her transformation," the king demanded.

Amaree. Her name sent shivers down my spine. I knew I'd heard it before, from the old crazy man. If they were discussing her daughter's transformation, that meant it was me. But my mother was Ruiya, not Amaree. My thoughts were interrupted as Aiden was flung across the room.

The king approached Aiden and landed a punch, causing his lips to bleed.

"I could blast him with heat if you want," I offered through our telepathic connection.

"Don't come here, Red. Your fire won't work in this place," Aiden responded.

The king threw Aiden once more, and this time he crashed into the wall . The king walked up to him,. "Find her."

As the king left the room, Aiden slowly got to his feet. I approached him with concern, wanting to check on his injuries.

"Are you hurt?" I asked gently, reaching out to touch his face.

Aiden slapped my hand away, his face filled with anger. "Don't touch me."

I watched in astonishment as his lips healed rapidly, revealing regenerative powers similar to mine.

"Are you hurt?" I inquired again.

He pushed me away, refusing my help. "I said leave."

"But you're hurt," I persisted, my worry for him evident.

Aiden's eyes narrowed, and he sighed heavily. "I'm fine, just go."

"You're the soldier in charge of capturing me?" I questioned, baffled by the revelation.

He looked at me with a mix of irritation and resignation. "Yes, I am. But getting hit is part of the job when it comes to protecting your sorry life. You can't even read the spell book; you're useless."

"Thank you," I said with a wry smile, attempting to lighten the mood.

Aiden's gaze softened for a moment, but then he pushed me away again. "Don't touch me, Brooke. Why don't you go back to your little date?"

I tried to approach him, but he glared at me, his eyes shifting between black and white. "But..."

"Go," he ordered, his tone firm and unyielding.

Reluctantly, I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I was back in my own room, confusion and concern swirling in my mind.

So, he was right. I summoned myself.

"Brooke, you're awake," I turned to see Damien holding my hands.

Right. Him.

"What happened to you, Princess Brooklyn?" Auriana asked, worried.

"Nothing."

"You were just staring at one place, not moving or speaking. Are you sure you're okay?" Damien asked.

So when he summons, I can't breathe. When I go there on my own , I just stare. And when it's a dream, no one sees me.

"Yes, I'm okay," I replied.

"Think about what I said, Brooke."

What did he say? I was not listening.

"Okay, thanks for today."

"Anytime, Brooke." He kissed my forehead, and the door opened. It was Paris. She looked at me and went straight to her bed.

Damien nodded with a sad smile and left.

"I'm going to fetch some herbs for you."

"Thanks, Auriana."

After they left, Paris walked up to me and hugged me.

"I can't stay mad at you, Brooke," she said in tears. "Something has happened."

Authors note:
So......🙈, I couldn't do the ten chapters. But I'm working on the remaining five. I'll upload it by today or tomorrow
In all I've learnt a valuable lesson. It's easier said than done and I think we should all learn from it 🙈
Byee