Scarlett and Alina talked the remaining hours away in anticipation to midnight. Alina had a lot of questions including some Scarlett could not answer.

            “Tell me the story again Skye.” The little girl wiped the tears out of her eyes.

            “Which one?”

            “Anyone you chose they are all so funny!”

            “Perhaps tomorrow I have to get going.” Scarlett embraced her with one arm. “Now you really need to go to bed.”

            As quietly as they could they left the room and entered the dim corridor. The torches burned lowly setting a soft and slightly eerie glow on the walls. Scarlett bid Alina goodnight and crept towards the grand hall.

            “Keeping my cousin up to untimely hours is not exactly what I would call approved behavior.” Shade morphed out of the shadows. He was smiling which seemed odd to Scarlett. She had begun to get used to his serious brooding.

            “Where exactly are we going?” She asked.

            He shrugged and went to the hole in the ceiling. With one hand he hoisted himself out into the night air. His strong arm reached down towards Scarlett. After some hesitation she grasped his hand and was lifted upwards.

            Their faces were inches from one another’s. Scarlett had the sudden impulse to move closer and kiss him but stopped herself. The moment became awkward.

            “You do not have to come along you know.” He said it softly. Scarlett could feel his breath warm her lips.

            “I want to.” She glanced down at their hands, still clutched together. “Maybe I should climb out of the hole now.”