[i] “I-if you won’t tell us where we are, at least tell us how to get out of here!”[/i]

The black-dressed girl sighed, shaking her head in slight apology. Her gesture was that of a kindly mother lightly scolding a child. She didn’t want to, but she had to inform them that, unfortunately, her services would not to be free or even required.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that dear Faira,” she said calmly.

There she did it again. She had correctly guessed the girl’s name. Either that or she somehow knew from prior meeting. Did that mean that she knew everyone’s names? That she knew everyone’s background too? But wait, that didn’t make any sense. No one was powerful or even talented enough to be omniscient. Just who was this girl?

“Ah, but I can at least shed some light on this place. It’s the best I can do for you now I’m afraid. This manor is constantly changing its interior space; as such, you will all have to move quickly and consistently if you want to get out alive. That’s all I have to say on the matter now.”

Marianne’s smile softened when she read the distressed expression on the human girl’s face.

“Do not be so concerned of your family Faira. I don’t think you have anything to worry about yet…oh Mr. Dactrin? I would recommend you not straying from the group too far now. I am neither an enemy or an ally but…well, I can at least warn you about the Fauns. They get so rowdy at this time of day.”

Fauns? What Fauns?

As if summoned by her mere words, several conglomerations began to emerge from the very walls in which Dactrin was studying. Dark arms lashed out to grab the male and hold him as still more shadows leaked out onto the ballroom floor. 

Each patch of gray matter soon formed into a tall Faun, their goat-like legs being a creepy contrast to their distinctively human torsos. Shackles seemed to be locked around their ankles and wrists, and a large collar lay dormant around each of their necks. The creatures soon held out large crossbows, loading sharp arrows with a wet, green tipping to them.

But what was perhaps most haunting were their faces. Featureless gray masks that complimented their equally monochromic bodies stared back at the group, lying still just below their goat horns. Moving in packs, the mass of Fauns surrounded the group rather quickly, each taking aim and beginning to fire off their volley of arrows.

However, each and every one of them seemed to be ignoring Marianne. Could they not see her? No…by the way their body movements registered and tensed up, it almost seemed like…they dared not approach her at all.

Marianne did a graceful twirl as the sounds of conflict soon rang in her ears, giggling sweetly.

“Oh my! How interesting…those arrows do look pretty nasty. Why don’t you show us all the power of your madness Adrian? I’m sure you want to kill something soon, right?”