Estamos a su merced, y su idolo en su grandeza."

"What does that mean? Do you know?" I whispered with trepidation.

Aiden answered slowly in hushed tones, he didn't take his eyes away, fixed on mine as he spoke.

"It means: I call upon you, great powerful beings of the sky Bring forth your chosen one, Halika Dacome We are at your mercy, and will idolise her in her greatness."

I noticed others listening to his translation, and nodding in agreement. I had no idea whether this was at his translation skills or in agreement with the meaning of the words, whatever they meant.

"Halika Dacome?" I whispered.

Aiden looked at me intently. "Yes, I'll tell you about her later."

I nodded and looked on into the arena. The man in the centre was repeating the words again and again. Soon some of the crowd were following in his stead. The chanting had begun and was growing louder as more people joined in. I could hear Mira's voice above Mike and Hannah's quiet sounds.

A painful sharp scratch bothered the inside of my temple and I rubbed it to try and draw away the pain. My stomach was reacting oddly too. This must be what it's like to feel sick. It rolled over and over inside, and I felt a chill on my face. I swayed slightly and it had nothing to do with Aiden's warm hand still clinging to mine. It probably had more to do with too much incense in the air.

The chanting was so loud now, getting louder, soon reaching its crescendo as the words echoed up into the sky above us.

I had to get away, just for a minute. Away from the crowd, and the thickness of the atmosphere, away from the noise.

I stepped back releasing Aiden's hand quickly and ran. I reached the other side of the barn in no time, opened the door and got inside closing it behind me. In the darkness I sought and found a small rusty bolt and pushed it up into the door frame with all my strength.

I sat down on my heels and rocked slowly to calm down, burying my head in my arms. My head pierced with pain pushing me over onto the floor. I clawed through my hair with my fingers trying to find some spot to get a respite from the intense agony. Finally I ripped off my hair band hoping for a small release.

I lay for what seemed an age, though it must only have been minutes. I couldn't hear anything, the chanting had quietened down. My head calmed and my stomach stopped churning, compelling me to stand again. It was over; I breathed in deep breaths exhaling misty air into the dank musky barn.

I looked down at my hands which were tingling with pins and needles. Did I see something? It looked like a faint glow, and it was getting brighter.

I held my hands up before my eyes, turning them each way as they shone bright and radiant. Each finger, each thumb, each palm. The flare of white light filled the barn until suddenly the spark went out. It was dark again.

What the heck was going on?

I breathed one last breath, picked up my hair band from the floor and unbolted the door stepping out into the cold night air.

"Are you okay?"

He was leaning against the barn side, "You don't miss anything, do you?"

"Well, someone has to take care of you."

His words annoyed me. I didn't need a babysitter. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"I know. But I wouldn't be doing my job if I just let you run off like that."

"Your job?"

"Well, yeah. If someone is feeling ill..."

"I wasn't feeling ill, I just needed some air."

"You needed air in a damp, soggy hundred year old barn?" he reached over and pulled a stalk of straw from my hair, questioning me with a look. He turned me round and brushed caked mud from my jacket.

"Looks like you had a brawl in there."

"Okay, I got a headache. The darkness helps."

"Headaches, that's a new one," he said, almost to himself, still checking me over. "You're clean now."

"Yeah, a headache. Is that a crime?"

"Nope. Here, drink this. You'll feel better. Just not too fast. You don't want a sugar rush," he handed me a can of fizzy drink that had been at his feet.

For this I was touched, he had been thoughtful.

"Thank you," I said with sincerity, and drank slowly, breathing between gulps.

"You're welcome. What's this?" He pulled my hair band from my grasp.

"It fell out."

"It's pretty, unusual. It looks expensive. What's it made from?" he said, twisting and turning it in the light.

"I don't know," I said, still drinking, but hoping his questions would soon stop with my monosyllabic answers.

"Here, let me," and with that, he pushed the headband over my ears and secured my hair back into place. "As good as new, no one will ever guess."

Again I said, "Thank you," and he smiled, pleased.

"Come, it's almost sign time. The ceremony's ending."

He felt for my hand and gently pulled me through the crowd. I was still modestly wondering at his self-assurance with me. His air was confident as if he knew I wouldn't object. Was I giving that impression?

- Chapter Eight -.

"There you are. I was getting worried!" Mira skipped over throwing her arms around me.

I laughed at her. "I'm back, no need to worry." I leaned into her hug and released her. Aiden was still holding my other hand, his grip told me he wasn't letting go at any cost.

Hannah joined us.

"Are you ready? I'm here for my punishment," she said and rubbed my arm in comfort.

"Yes, let's go!" I said pulling away from Aiden. He didn't resist.

Hannah and I walked towards the central area, the tunic man was ordering that the lights be switched off, and the finale was over.

"What's going on with Aiden," Hannah said quietly "I have no idea but he's sticking to me like glue," I said truthfully.

"Be careful with him. He can charm, but he can hurt people too," she warned, putting a reassuring hand on my arm again.

"What do you mean?"

"He hasn't a great reputation with girls. Let's just say he won't be handing out the tissues if it all goes wrong, he'll have moved on already with the next conquest."

"Thanks, I'll keep it in mind."

"Do that. I know he saved you and everything but don't let him hurt you, Rose. You can do better than him anyway."

"You really don't like him, do you?" I asked, as she shook her head in reply.

Hannah's wise advice hovered in my thoughts. She looked back at me but I kept my glances elsewhere. I was questioning myself already; her warning was like an extra sharp barb under my skin.

Around us candles were lit and lighters were sparked up and held high. All eyes were now on the dark starry skies that twinkled above us.

Coats were buttoned up and scarves were tightened as the temperature sank to a new low. For an August night it was cold. My breath was a cloudy mist dissipating into the chilly air.

Hannah and I walked around the central area waiting. At first there was nothing. I was disappointed; no one had picked a zero for the number of signs. We waited, the shadows were drawing in, a few cried out as a shooting star flickered across the darkness.

Some must have seen it as a precursor and slowly people shuffled and reached to the ground. They had been standing on their signs the whole time. No wonder I hadn't seen anything.

One by one, small and tall, round and square written notices were lifted, messages to the kings of the stars.

"Here we go," Hannah whispered. "I'll start on the right, you go left and we'll meet in the middle."

I was trying to make out the words rather than count.

"I'm here, Mother Goddess," one said.

"A new dawn begins now," said another.

"Take me with you," was another. I laughed inwardly at this one; it reminded me of Mira for some reason.

"A new world - Take ours!"

"Halika Dacome, I'm your son," again I sniggered. That person must be seriously deluded.

I started to count from the left and had already reached seventy-seven by the time I got to the centre.

"How many?" Hannah puffed, out of breath. I told her.

"I got seventy-three."

I checked my papers and scanned the totals quoted by everyone.

"Oh no! Everyone's going to think it's a fix," I exclaimed.

"Why? Who got it right?"

"Mira did. She said a hundred and fifty exactly."

"Let's go and tell her," Hannah laughed guiding us back to where our friends were.

We pushed our way back to the small group. Eager and excited faces stared at me. I held the papers in my hands.

"Okay, here's the moment of truth," I said loudly. "The winner is Mira with a hundred and fifty exactly!"

Sighs of "Oh well, never mind," and loud groans were almost unheard by the sudden scream of delight from Mira who jumped up and down on the spot clapping her hands.

"Yes! How much did I win?"

I counted out the notes.

"Here's two hundred and ten pounds, you lucky girl!" I laughed handing over her winnings. She shoved them into her jacket pocket carefully zipping it shut.

"This has been brilliant! See, I told you it would be fun." There was no calming her happiness now. She was like a bouncing tiger, and we all cheered her on.

"So, where are we going now?" Hannah asked.

"Well, I don't know about you guys but I need my bed. Long day," I said in mock tiredness.

"That's cool. I'll pick you up in the morning for the picnic. Okay?"

"Sure. Definitely." I nodded my assurance; I had forgotten about the picnic and was glad of her reminder.

"Bye Rose. I'll see you at the....you know what," Mira hugged me again, whispering the last part.

Aiden was hovering nearby. I guessed that Mira didn't want our plans discussed openly. There were too many prying ears.

"Okay, see you then."

"Remember what I said, Rose," Hannah added nodding her head in Aiden's direction. I nodded in acknowledgement of her warning, smiling faintly as she dragged an exuberant Mira away down the hill towards the car park.

I waved goodbye to my friends, then headed in the opposite direction towards home.

"Rose, wait up," Aiden called running after me.

"Aiden, I'll see you around," I said coolly, and continued walking.