The Home of the Ahkdir Family, Day 1 B.F

"Lita!"

Where could she be? Where would a girl who never left her room even go?

I scanned the room, searching for some sort of clue, but it seemed Lalita had simply decided to walk away. If anyone else did this, I wouldn't give it any thought. But Lalita was a different story.

I dashed down the corridor towards Mother's room. Maybe she knew something. As I passed my room I noticed the slightest movement from the open door.

Pausing, I peered into my room and flushed with relief.

Lalita crouched on the floor, stroking the large ivy plant that lay beside her. She smiled tenderly at the leaves.

"Lita?" I frowned, walking towards her. I worried that the shock of such a large plant might have a negative impact on her shaky mind. It had shocked and confused me enough that I was wary of the stalk, or at least of its inexplicable origins. I couldn't imagine how Lalita's unstable brain would process the odd sight.

What surprised me even more was that Lita didn't seem at all concerned. Instead, she looked downright thrilled, smiling proudly at the plant. She turned to face me, her typical vacant face stretching into a glowing smile. I'd forgotten what her smile looked like, although she used to wear it so often. Her lips couldn't seem to stretch wide enough to account for the joy on her face.

Still not speaking, Lita tapped the wood floor beside her as an invitation for me to join her at the ivy stalk. Eyeing the plant as if it might cage me in again if I got too close, I stepped towards my sister.

Lita pointed to the plant, watching me expectantly.

"Yes?" Again, I found myself at a loss for what my sister wanted. "I know it's huge. I'm not sure why."

Lalita sighed, smile fading. She snatched  my hand and guided it towards the plant. Gingerly, she brushed my fingers against the leaves. The ivy thrummed with a sort of awareness.  It was warm and comforting despite its inexplicable nature and I felt an urge to lay down, resting my head on the soft leaves.

Lita's eyes found mine, cool blue intensity staring into me as if willing me to perform some incredible magic. She watched me like I was her own sort of experiment. Her riveted gaze made my skin crawl.

A flare of worry tickled my stomach. Why does it seem she always expects something of me? What kind of sister did it make me if I could never understand what Lalita wanted? Dread filled me as I realized that I might never be able to understand the girl who had once been my best friend, confirming the necessity of marriage yet again.

Something warm and soothing curled around my fingers, squeezing my hand. I thought it was Lalita before I glanced down. A slender ivy vine was wrapped around my fingers as if the plant sensed my distress and was offering consolation.

My eyes widened with surprise, even as Lalita's grin returned wider than before. A gasp of shock escaped my lips and the vine recoiled abruptly, shrinking back like a scolded puppy as I pulled my hand away.

Lalita looked at me, tilting her head in confusion. Her tangled hair, which once fell in bouncing curls, slipped into her face, mercifully concealing her disappointed eyes. I'll need to brush her hair before the wedding. Her honey colored locks had grown snarled beyond belief. Lita never brushed it herself, and if I remembered I'd attempt to drag a brush through the rat's nest. Lately, I'd been more concerned with painting killer waves and snakelike vines that encircle the ankles of unsuspecting men.

Sticking her lips out in a pout that made her appear half her age, Lalita pointed at the ivy plant again, trying to guide my hand back to it.

"No," I said. I hated speaking to my sister like she was a child, slowly enunciating each syllable, but sometimes it was the only way to break through to her at all. "I don't want to touch the plant. Come sit on the bed. I want to brush your hair."

Lalita frowned but sighed, climbing onto my bed. I got the sense that she was humoring me, letting me off the hook of whatever she expected me to do.

I pulled myself onto the bed next to her, stretching across the mattress to reach the small comb that rested on my nightstand.

Gently, I tugged the comb through Lita's hair. It was difficult to get through the snarls without hurting her, but I enjoyed doing it. Brushing her hair was one of the few moments I truly felt as though I had my sister back. We didn't need to talk, but the contact was warm and tender. Sitting behind Lalita, I couldn't see the disapproval that was almost constantly in her eyes.

I hummed softly as I continue to work the comb through her hair, smiling every time I managed to remove a tangle. If only I was this good at brushing my own hair.

As I eliminated yet another tangle, I felt a slight flash of pain in my temple.

-Red of tooth and claw!-

"Lita..?" I asked, nerves filling my stomach yet again at the strange voice. "Did you say something?"

Lalita glanced over her shoulder, brows furrowing with confusion.

No, then. But who...?

It had been a girl's voice. It wasn't familiar, but I could barely recall what my sister's voice sounded like. But if it hadn't been her... I glanced around my room. Aside from the oddly sentient ivy plant, we were alone.

Stress is getting to you, Ayesha.

Once I'd finished brushing Lalita's hair, I scooted on the mattress so that I was facing her. I remembered why I'd been looking for her in the first place.

"Paltic visited today," I informed, falling back into the habit of one sided conversation. Lalita's gaze had turned vacant and unfocused, settling on the leather book she hadn't once allowed to leave her grasp. I'd often wondered what it was, but after the ordeal with Father, I knew better than to try to take it; I told myself my need to leave it alone was out of concern for Lita, but I knew part of me feared that the book might somehow infect me with her delusion. "She says hello."

Lalita didn't offer any facial cues or gestures to convey that she understood. This was far more typical than the interest she'd displayed in the ivy and in me, although it was less desired. I'd dared to hope that Lita was starting to come out of whatever daze Father had sent her into.

"She's excited to see you at the wedding tomorrow," I continued. Technically, Lalita hadn't confirmed that she would attend the ceremony, but I sincerely hoped she would. I'd try to drag her out if I had to. "I think Amire will be good for our family."

This earned a small reaction from Lita. The corners of her lips turned downward.

"He sent me this." I fished in my pocket for the necklace Amire had sent me, holding it out for Lalita  to see. "Isn't it pretty?"

Her eyes fell on the lantern charm, brow furrowing deeply. Swiftly, she reached forward, snatching the necklace from my grasp.

Lita turned the charm over, holding it close to her face and studying it carefully. "A wise man..."

Again, shock coursed through me at Lita's raspy voice. She hadn't spoken once in nine years, but twice in a week's time. I was wracked with surprise and fear far more than joy. "Um... yes. I believe Amire is very intelligent."

Lalita  continued to study the necklace.

"It's getting late," I mumbled, rattled from the strange female voice, and even more so by Lalita's. Father's warning swirled through my mind. "Maybe you should head to bed?" I couldn't risk pushing farther. If I was infected... if Amire caught word... He'd withdraw his proposal and Lalita would never be cured.

I made an attempt to take back the necklace, but Lita clasped it to her chest, shaking her head vigorously.

"Okay," I muttered, when she didn't stop shaking her head. "You can keep it."

Once I'd helped Lalita fasten the chain around her pale neck, she stood up, hugging her book and casting one last smile at the Ivy stalk before shuffling out of my room.

-Blood will tell,- A cold female voice whispered. It was different from the voice I'd heard earlier, the words laced with malice. -Blood will run.-

Terrified of the ominous message, I scrambled to the back of my bed, tugging at the quilt. I felt like a frightened child, hiding under the blanket so the monsters wouldn't find me. The Ivy plant seemed to shift beside me.

The voice finished, -but the tears of the damned always taste sweet.- Then it was gone, just as suddenly as it had came. 

I had planned to head to the kitchen to get dinner, but my last meal seemed to have congealed into a rock in my stomach. My muscles clenched so tightly they ached. I wanted to run, but to where? I couldn't tell where the voice had come from.  If I left, I might walk right into a trap. I listened intently but heard nothing besides the clanging of pots as Mother bustled about the kitchen, seemingly unaware of anything concerning.

Still nervous, I pulled the quilt tighter around my head, willing myself to fall asleep so I could stop worrying about voices, even if it meant I'd be sooner married to Amire. Maybe Lalita wasn't the only one in need of the healer's medicine.

As my thundering heart began to slow, and the adrenaline coursing through me faded to exhaustion, I heard another voice, this time familiar and male. The voice of the cryptic boy from my dreams, Matthew Matt Zero Matto.

-Empress must be ready. No more time. It's beginning. The Field of Battle is set. The first move will be made.-

((I hope you guys liked this chapter! We got to see a bit more of Ayesha's relationship with Lalita. Does anyone have any ideas what the voices Ayesha hears mean?
I know I said that the wedding will be in the next chapter, but you're going to have to wait one more to see Amire. Sorry! I know it's going a bit slow, but in the next chapter we will get to hear more from Matthew. Any ideas what Amire will be like?)).