"Oh, I understand what you mean". I coiled my arms around Xander's neck and looked into his mesmerizing eyes. "I'm sorry you get to feel that way because of me".

He didn't answer me but just stared at me the whole time. It was so obvious he wasn't listening to me and was lost in thoughts. He had been doing that for sometime now, thanks to my observation.

The room was strangely cold and tensed up. I've to say, if this keeps up between us, this prom thing won't work, together with my supposed plans on him.

I can't believe I missed my presentation just to be stuck with a cold hunter.

"And now the carnival!". A voice roared from outside the backstage, particularly the stage. "We call on the prom royals to come forward now!".

It was time for I and Xander to spend more time together as the royals, more like a prom date, while celebrating with the rest of the others.

I turned away from the grip and uncoiled my hands from him with a sigh, and turned at the direction of the voice. It's now or never I guess.

Suddenly, I felt something warm brush against my hand and realised that he was holding my hand now. A blush creeped on my cheeks as I forced myself to avoid his eye contact once more.

"Now, you're clearly the one that's worrying too much. Have a break from your life for once, Hunters". I teased and chuckled as he gave me a surprised look as a response. We held hands with smiles as we walked out of the backstage.

"I don't know how you did it". He began, stroking my palm gently with a smug tugging at the end of his lips. "But I like this side of you tonight".

Shit...he shouldn't think that way.

"W-well...h-hey!". I slapped his hands away playfully, in a sort of way to change the subject. "Is that a compliment or what?".

"Take it from me as a compliment...your teases and confidence well, just sort of remind me of someone I recently met- not so long". His stare changed all of a sudden into a dark look even though I knew that wasn't intentional, yet I found myself panicking at his words. "That girl was hella strong yet just so annoying".

Well, thank you.

That means a lot coming from a hunter.

With a nervous laugh, I pinched the bridge of his fingers and wore a small pout. "That's no compliment at all, your highness...I'm I that bad?".

"Well, a compliment is always a compliment, my queen". He chuckled with a flirty wink as we made our way to the rooftop. "You're nothing like her, no worries".

His queen, huh.

                                             ¤~¤

"Really beautiful". I heard Xander whisper besides me, and from the corner of my eyes, I could see him staring at me as he said those words.

I was speechless for a while, and even when I decided to talk, it came out quite jumbled and squeaky.

"Uh...you...we...have...ahhh...". I stuttered and rocked on my heels quite nervous. "Thank you".

"The view up here is really beautiful". He said and looked away, staring down at the cheering crowd. "Don't you think?".

Dammit Xander!

Now, I look like a fool...

"Y-yeah, I heard it was you and uhm...Amy that supervised the main parts, right?". I rolled my eyes and followed his stare to the crowd. Just hearing her name made me sick.

"What?". He turned to me with a worried look, placing his hands on the rail before us. "You don't sound like you're happy with it. What's wrong?".

"No no no...I-I meant that...it came out lovely!". I corrected myself and placed my left hand on his hands and the other on the rail. "I was just surprised".

"Isabelle...I mean, your Highnesses?". A familiar feminine voice from behind us sent chills all over my body. "Uhm..can I have a word with her? It'd only take two minutes, I promise".

Why does it have to be here and right now?

"J-Julius?". My eyes widened in shock as I didn't expect her to approach me once again after so many months of hide and seek. "H-how did you get past the...security?".

Why and how did she find me? I don't know what to say and I don't think I'm ready yet. Xander's just this close to spilling some things to me.

Before I could open my mouth to say something, a voice rang in my head.

"Stay alert, Isabelle. Something's going to happen, but I don't know what, just don't let your emotions out that time".

And just like that, our connection was cut off, bringing me back to that of reality. Xander was questioning Julius while she was staring at the ground in shame the whole time. I hate seeing her like this, but I'm sorry I get to push her once again.

"Should she-". Xander began.

With a deep breath, I coldly muttered under my breath. "Go away Julius...I don't want to talk yet".

"Xander, say something! What have I ever done wrong to you?! Tell me!". She cried out, tugging at the edge of my gown. "She just keeps pushing me out of her life with someone else!".

Hold it in Isabelle...hold it in...don't snap now, not in front of him at least.

It could be a trap for me to burst out of my shell.

"Is something wrong?". Xander asked and approached us with his arms folded behind his back. He seemed a bit relaxed and that suddenly rung the bell of warning in my head.

When both of them reached out to me, I tried to shove them away- but ended up being the one that was shoved.

We're talking about 80ft and an unimaginable number of crowd below.

"D-don't come any closer". I stuttered as I tried not to walk backwards. Xander must have noticed my uneasiness because he dashed to my side and held me firmly.

"Julie or Julius...please leave". Xander pressed my shivering body against his with a stern look on his face. "Get out!".

I was surprised at the harshness in his voice, but more surprised at the determination in Julius' actions. What has gotten into her suddenly?

"No". Her voice came out hard and scratchy. "I'm not leaving without the truth!".

Xander gave her a cold glare before answering back. "You'd see the truth when you meet some people of mine".

Oh no.

Could he mean...

"Just...let her go, Xander". I sighed and staggered as I came out from my hiding place. I feel dizzy and helpless all of a sudden.

"Not so fast, baby girl".

My eyes widened at the redheaded that held Julius' trembling hands and now approached us. The devil's second advocate, right after Sandra.

"N-no...". I held my head when jumbled voices started forcing it's way into my mind with great speed. The more steps she took, the more dizziness and darkness that came.

W...what's happening?

I didn't realize when I missed a step, and before I knew it, I saw myself dangling carelessly over the building, with someone's hand firmly holding my hands from falling.

My vision were terribly blurry, the only thing that I could make of my savior was the red color across the shoulders.

"What are you doing?! Stop it!". I could hear Xander arguing with someone terribly. "If you let go of her an inch, I'd kill you!".

I don't know what's going on and I can't see what's going on but I definitely knew that I'm one step into dying. I could hear screams and gasps from below me, and that's the one thing that tore me apart- my fear of heights.

"I'm sorry baby girl, but one out of two isn't just a fair game, y'know". Someone's hot breaths spat right into my ears coldly. I didn't need anyone to tell me who it was, from the cold and mean tone, I already knew it was Amy. My breaths hitched when her fingers started letting go of my hands bits by bits.

"N-no, wait...". Before I could talk again, I felt myself falling backwards with great speed. It felt like my body was travelling into some of kind space that makes my body weightless and stiff at the same time.

The wind came down harshly on my face as my world came crashing down. I could hear the panicking of my heartbeat at how my life was going to end. The urge to use my magic hit me so hard, but I remember Minuet saying something about not doing it. I needed to do it so bad, but I need to trust him too. I know he'd find me, dead or alive. Was this a set-up or something? I doubt Xander did this, still- I just can't believe Julius, some traitor she is. I could barely feel my fingers and face as the pain in my head got stronger and intensed. I let out a moan when I heard my body hit something, more like fall into something with a soft thud. I landed on someone- no, someone's arms. I'm I dead? Is it some kind of underworld now?

"Isabelle, open your eyes...please". The worry and anger in his voice made tears run down my face freely. I would open my eyes if I could, but I can't, isn't that obvious?

M..minuet...?

"I've got you, Isabelle. Just hang on and don't say anything, we're going home now". Minuet's small and gentle voice assured me that I was in good hands now. I didn't want to know how Minuet found me and made it just before I could die a sad death- but I was grateful he did anyways. I tried to mindlink him but my powers surprisingly denied me access. It's as if my powers were rejecting my command and were now against me. How's that possible?

The voices started piercing into my mind again, only this time they were audible enough for me for hear.

"Fly baby girl, spread your arms out and you'd see the clouds besides you. Jump on it and you'd soar high and high in the sky". The funny words kept increasing with different amplitudes. A sudden bloodcurdling scream left my lips when something sharp and cold began tearing the inside of me apart to comply. It felt like someone was pouring acid all over me and at the same time, thrusting something that's forcefully penetrating through my skin. This was so unbearable.

"M-minuet! It hurts!". I kept repeating with small whines and tears as the noises around us slowly faded away. "My body...it's on fire!".

"Shit, your skin's turning blue". His voice came out terrified and hard, and I could feel him adjusting my body against his arms gently. "It's shocking that there are more of them in this school. Whoever that did this is definitely a hunter- but from the spell I casted on you, it scanned your skin reactions and keeps showing something that doesn't look like something Xander would do or know- except a powerful witch or huntress".

"Isabelle?!".

"H-hot! Need air!". I wailed at the unbearable pain that was spreading wildly across my body. "M-minuet...I..I don't think I'd make it".

Minuet didn't answer me but I could feel his hands unzipping my gown. I leaned my head on his chest instinctively, crying and wincing at the painful spasms. I think he took off his shirt and put it around my shoulders for covering because...I could feel his firm chest on my sides.

A small sigh of relief escaped my lips when the gown fell loose from my pale body. It was some sort of relief but that doesn't mean the pain was gone.

I started sobbing as the voices became quieter than before. Whatever Minuet was doing was working.

"I need you to listen to me and trust me". Minuet began, uncoiling my stiffened fingers and toes. "Hold me...don't let go of the contact of my skin".

He doesn't even need to tell me twice. I tried my best to stretch out my hands but the pains suddenly restrained me from doing so. The voices came louder this time.

"It's okay, Isabelle. I'm with you, aren't I?". His thumb caressed my smudged face and pulled me closer to his body. "Now do it, I've my reasons. The fool that did this doesn't know about me, but all you've to do is make contact with me so I can key into your body".

With a sniffle, I pushed back the pains and stretched my arms, this time trying to snuggle into his bare chest. A small electrifying feeling shot through me when I made contact with his skin forcing me to pull away, but he pulled me even closer.

His hands stroked my back trying to soothe me as he started creating a black hole inside of me. Whatever that was inside of me was going to either eat me up or eat me out.

I couldn't bare it anymore and started crying my heart out as the pains tried resisting the draining spells. There's no way this would end well for me.

"Shhh, it's okay". Minuet whispered in a sad voice. "Your emotions are resisting the spell, calm down, it's all over now".

"I-I can't...they...threw me off a freaking building, Minuet...". I choked out another sob at the cruel behaviour. "H-he...".

My breaths became calmer as his fingers started to caress the sore parts of my body, specifically my shoulders, face, back and neck. It was supposed to seem sinful, but it looked very friendly and helpful. He didn't have any intentions to do anything against my will. And soon, the pains slowly dived down but not the voices, maybe because of my emotions.

"Don't make me do this...". He whispered in a low husky voice against my earlobes. "I don't want to hurt you...just...close your eyes and keep reciting something... anything and it'd be gone before you know it".

I nodded slowly and did what he suggested. The cold feeling from his chest slowly moved through my hands, and then to my upper limbs. He wasn't touching me this time, but his body was still against mine.

His head leaned against mine as my fingers explored his chest for comfort. The pains were almost gone now. The sound of something bursting to life reached my ears. The thought of Minuet shifting made my blood turned cold. He couldn't do that, not with everyone around.

"Hey, I didn't shift, that should be the least of your worries now". He revealed, bringing something warm over my body. "We're home...so no one could see us...I've drained the poison in your mind. All you get to do now is rest and-".

Everything started to seem blurry and darkness slowly took over my body.

"Thank you". I could barely hear myself but I leaned against his body, with my arms wrapped around him. Since this is probably my room and my bed, this would be the only way I would be comfortable for now. I don't even have the strength to ask about my parents as they're probably asleep or not around.

I don't know what Minuet was saying but through my blurred world, I could see a smile plastered on his face, and with that, darkness engulfed me at once.