I find my way into the grand hall after departing from Penelope, she went to get ready for the show. She had a weak moment and I'm glad I saw her like that. It showed me that everyone else is dealing with their own problem, a reminder that I'm not the only one in this world struggling.

The grand hall is not what it looked like the last time I was here. It's been upgraded for the pageant, the seats are arranged to fit all the students and allow all of us to see what's on stage.  The judges seat are at the front. The–

"Cami!" Alicia's voice comes ringing in my head.

I turn my head to the direction of her voice but collide with her as she wraps her arms around me in a hug. "Oh my God, Oh my God!" She pulls away from me and look at me. "What happened? The last time I saw you–" she moves closer to whisper, "we were attacked by who-shall-not-be-named. What happened? I couldn't ask or tell anyone, I was so worried about you. I woke up at the infirmary and Nurse Grady refused to tell me anything, he hasn't been in school for three weeks and you too. Jessica and Nate thinks you are off doing something together but I couldn't correct them. What happened, Cami?"

I wrap my arms around her, I close my eyes and exhale like I've been holding off since I found out she was alive and haven't seen her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

She nods and pulls away. "Me too. I was so worried. Don't put me in suspense, tell me everything that happened." Nosy as ever.

I grab her hand and pull her to the seat in the third row. She sits down and just when I'm about to sit, I look forward and my eyes meets Jessica's. She's dressed in a robe, her make up is done and there are clips on her hair, which means she's also participating in the pageant. I hold her gaze, waiting for her to react but when she looks away, I know in that moment that the problem we have between us will always be there. And honestly I don't mind. I've had this moment of peace and relief ever since it became clear how she felt about me and our friendship. At least now she'll have time to live her own life.

I look away and take my seat. "So... What happened after you–" Alicia stops talking all of a sudden.

Frowning, I face her, her lips are parted but she looks frozen. I bring my hand up to her face and wave but she doesn't react. I notice the boy in front of me has his head back, probably to catch the popcorn he tossed up but he and the popcorn are frozen. I turn my head back and notice everyone in the grand hall is frozen except me.

Standing up, I move out of the row of chair and stop.

"What's this about?" I murmur. It's not a coincidence and I think I'm starting to believe Damian when he says this place isn't safe. "Who–" I don't get to finish asking the question as an invisible powerful force pushes me back, I go flying, slamming against the wall.

I groan but not all, the force keeps me on the wall, not letting me fall, leaving me in the middle of the newly decorated wall.

The footsteps is the first thing I hear before I see her enter the grand hall. Wearing a white business suit, her braided white hair matches the color of her skin. She is the whitest person I've ever seen in my entire life, she doesn't look human. She looks like a humanoid white alien.

"We are all things black and white. I'm the white version of the program," she says like she can read my mind. The heels of her shoes click the floor as she climbs on the small steps that leads to the stage before stopping in front of me.

"Who are you?" I ask because she's dressed like one of the judges but she looks nothing like them. Although something about her feel familiar like I've felt her before.

She brings her hand up and flex her index finger, which makes me move from the wall, at her command I leave the wall and comes to her. She doesn't let me down or give me control over my body instead she makes me turn around like she's checking me out.

"I've never seen you up close and now that I am, I see that you look like him, my brother."

I frown, not getting her point. "Who the fuck is your brother?"

"Kai, your grandfather."

Kai? Never heard of him.

"I don't know him," I tell her. If she's my grandfather's sister, what is she to me? My grand aunt. Anyway, why is she here now? And why does she look like an angel?

"I know. He's dead because your grandmother killed him." She delivers the words with venom and obvious hatred.

That makes me wonder, "Why are you here?" I assume it's not to catch up or check up on me. She's here to do something.

"To deliver a message," she says.

As if I know, she wants to have a word with the lady upstairs and she thought I can patch them through. No way. "You've come to wrong place, I don't see her. I've never seen her before in my life, and up until seven months ago, I didn't even know she existed."

Her face changes to amusement like she knows something that I don't and she tells me. She controls me forward and brings the back of her hand against my cheek. The skin there begins to ice up.

"Oh dear girl, you don't remember your dreams, do you? She's coming for you."

She removes her hand and the freezing stops.

"What does that mean?" I ask. It's true I don't remember my dreams, I haven't been able to remember them since I conquered my fear of getting burned alive. I thought the dream collector have been stealing them but I was wrong. I'm wrong. And if what this lady is saying is true then I'm fucked.

"She will take something precious from you, I assure you that. She will make you beg for it and when she returns it, you will never be the same. That is how she works. She is the reason my brother is gone and I will not stop until she's dead."

I like a woman that's trust worthy.

"Why come to me? Why not just go to her? I have no part to play in your revenge plot against her."

She flashes me an evil smirk. "I like playing games. You like solving mysteries. Play my game and get your answer. But be advised, girl, I've watched you fight. I know you have spirit but don't stand in my way because I will kill you before you even think about exhaling."

She sounds like she knows me. "Hmm..."

She turns me until she's looking into my eyes, staring into my soul. "Lurytendra, you will see this and know that I'm coming for you. Leslo was just the beginning."

That catches my attention. "What?"

"What?"

"You said Leslo? That was you. You stabbed me." I can't believe this shit. "You tried to kill me?" I almost fucking died because of this bitch.

"Yes." She doesn't even bother denying it.

"Because of the bounty. Did you tried to kill me because of that stupid bounty?"

She raises her eyebrows in amusement. "Oh dear girl, I put out the bounty."

My eyes widens. "What the hell?"

"You should be thanking me, now you know you're just like her, Lurytendra. A cold hearted killer. It was a test which you passed." She says with a smile.

I wish she doesn't have control over me so I can punch the living hell out of her.

"Putting a bounty on my head is a test. How the fuck did I pass?"

She shrugs. "I made a bet with Raymond Dark, I believe you've met. He was convinced you are pure but I know a killer when I see one. You look like my brother but you have Lurytendra's eyes and spirit. I can read your mind, and don't bother shielding it because you will just kill yourself. Stay out of my way girl because I'm going to kill Lurytendra and destroy her home and everyone who stands with her. You might want to put out a warn to your boyfriend. I hear he's her loyal lap dog."

She uncurls her fist with enough energy to push me away, I crash against the wall and fall on the ground. I groan and open my eyes to see three pairs of eyes blinking at me.

"Cami, what are doing on stage?" Miranda asks.

I shake my head. "Nothing, trying a new spell."

"Go and take a seat, you can try your spell out some other time."

I stand up and descends down the stairs.

Fucking hell!

I can't even have a fucking day of peace. Fucking stupid fucking–

Shit!