Back to Atlantis

size of the country. But they are impossible to stop, and impossible to predict. No one is winning, and no one is losing.” She took off her tiara, and let her waist long hair free. “So many people are dying, Yasmin.” Amanda looked near tears. “And I have no idea where they might attack next. Their attacks are so random! I don’t know what to do!”
Maven stepped toward Amanda and hugged her tightly, letting her cry. He looked sad himself, but he wouldn’t break down. Not in front of her.
“We should go,” Violet said, taking Yasmin arm. “My brother will help her. It’s not our place.”
They exited the room, and all Yasmin could think about was Amanda breaking down. The princess had always seemed like such a strong person. Was the situation really so hard on her?
“I get the feeling I still don’t have the whole story,” Yasmin said, looking at Violet, who had begun to pace outside Amanda’s room. “Could you fill me in?”
“I suppose you have been feeling a bit lost all along, huh?” Violet grinned. “It all started eleven years ago, when Amanda was named the next queen of Atlantis. The law was that only males can become rulers of Atlantis, but the old king was determined to change it, because he saw a great queen in Amanda. But when he died, the queen reversed the rule, and she has been ruling Atlantis for her son all these years. When he becomes twenty five, he will be king.”
“Okay, but why did Amanda cry?” Yasmin asked as they walked toward the courtyard. “Is she under a lot of stress?”
“She doesn’t think she is fit to lead anyone, even though she is a tactical genius and really cares for the country. Her younger brother does not, and the kingdom knows it.”
Violet’s steps became faster, and Yasmin had to jog to keep up. “It’s so frustrating! She works so hard for the kingdom, searching for the rebels, but even though no one else can find them either, she still feels responsible for the deaths. Maven tries to share the burden, but it’s hers alone at the end of the day. And the queen won’t acknowledge Amanda as a great ruler!” Violet looked like she wanted to scream.
“Have you tried spying on the rebels through magic?” Yasmin asked, interested.
Violet threw her hands up. “Of course we have!” She looked very close to breaking. It wasn’t just Amanda who was under a lot of pressure.
“I overheard some of their conversations once or twice,” Yasmin said. “That’s how I knew there was a second mage.”
Violet turned and grabbed Yasmin’s hand, her eyes desperate. “You can spy on them? How?”
“Through dreams,” Yasmin said.
Violet looked confused, so she tried to explain. “I used to have these dreams, though in the last few months they have stopped, ever since I turned Abby away. I was in a dark castle and I could hear people talking. I think they were the leaders of the rebels, because Varly was there, along with someone they called ‘my lord.’”
Violet’s eyes widened. “This is amazing! You can spy on them! I know you can. And we’ll finally know their secrets!” She nearly skipped with joy. “I can’t wait to tell Amanda!”
“But didn’t you hear me?” Yasmin said, looking down in disappointment in herself. “I haven’t had dreams like that for a while, not since I rejected Abby and the beast in that dream.”
“Dang it!” Violet looked heartbroken, then confused. “I thought Abby was dead.”
“She is…” Yasmin felt a wave of sadness swamp her as they walked into the courtyard.
She leaned against the wall, trying to process all the information she had gotten today. “But a part of her, her magic, I think, remains inside me, or at least it did. With that, the beast also has control over my dreams, but I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in months. I guess I should be grateful,” she said, tugging her hair. “I just…” She trailed off, feeling useless.
“That doesn’t make sense.” Violet sat down on the grass, apparently too distracted to be aware of her dress. “If Abby is a part of you, then you should have at least sensed her presence. And the beast, why hasn’t he been trying to invade you? The human mind has so many weak points…” She trailed off, looking lost. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Yasmin said. “Right now I can’t even dream, and I am personally glad that Abby isn’t here. She made my life miserable whenever she was around, anyway.”
She felt a twinge of guilt as she said that, but pushed it aside. I am telling the truth, Yasmin thought stubbornly. Abby did only make my life horrid. First in fifth grade, then in ninth. And it’s not my fault that she got possessed. And what did happen to the magic she gave me when she died? I heard from her an awful lot the first few weeks. How come she isn’t here to talk to me now? And what about the beast not invading me? That doesn’t make sense. He should be more forceful now that I am in Atlantis. I have a feeling it’s connected to Abby somehow.
“Violet?” She heard a familiar voice call in surprise. “What are you doing with Yasmin?”
Looking up into David’s blue eyes, Yasmin wanted to scream. As if the day hadn’t been hard enough already.
Violet smiled at David, with a dopey look in her eyes. “Just girl talk,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her. “Dresses and makeup.”
Yasmin couldn’t believe it. Violet lied to David! And she was supposed to be in love with him. Do you ever lie to the one you love? Especially about something this big?
“Makeup?” David snorted. “Yasmin? Are you sure that’s what you were doing?” His gaze slid from Violet to Yasmin, where it stopped, making her uncomfortable. David’s expression was unreadable.
“Not makeup,” Yasmin said hurriedly. David knew her. She would never wear makeup if