Poison Rose(Roses & Kings #1)

This has never happened before, for a few seconds everyone was shocked into immobility. And then the time snapped, everyone began to run, scattering in all directions, screaming and shouting.

They were taught what to do when this kind of thing happened, they'd occasionally practice drills so as to remind people what to do, and where to go. But everyone is terrified and panicking, pushing and trampling over each other, the children crying, as they got crushed in the crowd Reyna saw little Emma, whom she was talking to just a moments ago, pushed to the ground,her mother nowhere in sight.

She screams, crying, Reyna pushes her way through the tight bodies trying to fit their way through the door. And got a few kicks in her stomach for her effort, she winced when someone stepped on her feet. She trudged on until she finally got to her, Reyna lifted her up, and using her elbow she made way back for them, and got out of the crazy crowd. They were back near the back entrance that was totally forgotten in the chaos. Her stomach and feet hurt but she was more worried about little Emma.

The Queen and Council were all witnessing the panic crowds, they all looked worried. But there's also something in their eyes that made Reyna suspicious, whatever is going on they knew what it was. She was sure of it.

"Marlenians!"

Cassandra's voice whips through the hall ricocheting off the walls,sure and strong,her face neutral, her eyes hard as icicles, lips tilted with a smile, to probably assure the panicking masses. Reyna didn't think the smile was working.

"Get control of yourself and get your children to safety, we've prepared for this! You all know what to do, form a line and get moving,slowly. I assure you

everything will be alright, whatever caused this situation will be resolved."

The people were frightened, but they did as she said.

"That's for those of you who have already gotten their shots, you are free to leave. The rest of you will stay and finish what you are here for." With that Cassandra walked out of the town hall, her head high, her countenance calm. The crowd parted like the red sea to let her through as she followed the rear door.

The council members followed closely behind her guards. Reyna hurriedly passed little Emma to her mother, who was crying and looking for her little girl. And bound after them, Reyna wasn't going to stay in the dark anymore, she needed to know what's going on. If she's to be the future Queen she'll need to be prepared and being in the dark isn't going to help her be a better Queen.

Reyna finally caught up to them a few feet outside the castle. They were standing and staring at the far entrance to the south gate where several guardians were, pushing and dragging something on a cart... No! Not something. Someone, two unconscious men probably from the guardians tranq and bodies of dead guardians pile high and are being pulled in another cart. Reyna was horrified at the amount of blood that covered the dead women.

She finally realized, when the other guardians a few steps behind came into view, with every step the guardians took closer Reyna was suddenly aware of the vast difference between Mark, the portraits of men she had seen and the men caught by the guardians. Reyna gasped louder than she would have intended to, which was bad because it brought the attention of Cassandra and the council to her. But Reyna didn't care that they saw her, or that she wasn't really where she ought to be.

She only has eyes for the massive beasts that have been brought into their Queendom for the first time. Those wicked evil things that had been whispered about in the nights to get all the children to behave, including her. They are taller than anyone she knows, even taller than Lydia and Mark, close to them they'd probably look like adolescents.

They have the same hair, and skin color as they do. Reyna couldn't see their faces and they were about to be sent to the dungeon. She took a step so she could get a closer look, a hard calloused hand grabbed her arm roughly, pulling her back.

"Where do you think you're going? Get back to the townhall and make sure everything runs smoothly."

Reyna looks at Cassandra with disbelief. She can't really mean that? But in her eyes Reyna saw that she does, she really wants her to go back to smiling and laughing with the kids. When there are beasts! in their Queendom.

Reyna opened her mouth to vehemently argue with her, ignoring her Nana's warnings, who is shaking her head probably in the hopes of shutting down whatever argument is about to leave Reyna's mouth.

"Your Majesty." Reyna began calmly, collected, because she knew her mother would never listen to her. If she's in a fit of hysteria.

"You've always lamented the fact that I am not as engaged in the Queendom activities as I ought to be. But have you ever wondered why that is? In order for me to embrace my duties and roles in this Queendom you have to let me in, by letting me get involved. You can't shelter me forever, I need to know the magnitude of the dangers we are facing. Please let me come with you. This is the first time I'm seeing a beast. I need to know everything about them to better prepare myself."

Everyone was silent, watching, waiting to see if she's finally going to agree. Cassandra stared at Reyna, deliberating. Reyna guessed she's trying to determine if she's really serious or ready. After the longest time of her life, which was only a few seconds, Reyna heard her mother say.

"Alright, I guess it is time, but you're not yet part of the Roses Reyna, until after the finals and only if you completed the Roses training, which you will begin tomorrow for four weeks." The queen turned her attention to the Roses leader and continued.

“Sabrina you will guide her through everything she needs to know, she and the other girls they are under your tutelage, you don't have to notify me of anything. We need them to be ready and prepared as soon as possible. If Reyna argues or refuses to participate in the training, punish her as you see fit.” Sabrina bowed her head, her face neutral and replied.

“Yes your majesty, I'm truly honored, I won't disappoint you.” Cassandra only smiled grimly and said.

“Let's get going then.” Cassandra moves with quick angry strides, to the front entrance instead of the back, where the guards and unconscious beast disappeared into. They followed trying to keep up with her fast pace.

“Come Mark, Lydia, brief me on what happened. I want to know how none of our guards were able to notice beasts the size of a fucking huge tree trying to breach our perimeters, until it was too late, Amara what happened to our protection spell? How did they know to come here?”

“I don't know my queen, my spell should have been impenetrable unless they had a powerful witch of my blood on their side they shouldn't have been able to come this far into the mountains or even see the illusion I'd weave.” Reyna watched Amara the woman was confused, as far as they know there aren't any witches in the outside world.

Cassandra snicker, but didn't say anything, she was angry and from the calculating look on her face she's thinking. She walked fast, and they followed her into the castle, up the stairs and finally to the surveillance room on the third floor. While Mark is the leader of the guardians and also the head technician, Lydia's the head of security.

Right now she's nervous and angry at her subordinates, she glares at them, then the guards keep watch on the surveillance. If Reyna wasn't so curious about the beasts she would have ogled the handsome guards.

They were the first men Reyna had seen after Mark—which make them the third men she'd seen in her entire life excluding the beasts that is. Hopefully they weren't anything like him. Reyna dislikes Mark intensely; it's the way he looked at her. It made her uncomfortable like a spider crawling up her skin. If they are anything like him, Reyna doesn't even want to spare them her time.

The man gives her shivers and not the good kind, it was fortunate that she rarely sees him. Reyna didn't even glance at the male guards after the first time. Her eyes were fixed on the walls of moving pictures. So many screens showcase different parts of the castle, the walls and outside their fortified perimeters at different angles.

“There! Replay that video.”