I crumbled the paper, not wanting it to get into the wrong hands, before nudging my brother awake.

“Come on, we have a part to play.”

His eyes snapped open, and he instantly glared at me as if he were cursing my entire existence. I ignored him. I fixed my clothes that had gotten messed up, and burst out the door.

“Has anyone seen Lady Hood?” 

I scanned the people littering the clearing. As if she might be among them. Most was still asleep since it was six in the morning. At least I think it is six. I doubt they have clocks in whatever time period this is.

Some stirred at my yelling. Glancing around for her in their half-awakened state. When no one spoke up. I spun in the direction of the castle and made like I was following after her. I could hear my brother following behind me.

I have no doubt he’s confused since he hadn’t read the letter. Before I could make it too far into the forest. One of the Lords stopped me. This Lord had a black mask carved into an eagle. 

“Lord Bear, Lord Fox, I know you are concerned with Lady Hood; however, you cannot just leave. With Lady Hood gone, it is up to you to take charge and lead us on the train. Who will do that if you go after Lady Hood?” 

My twin locked eyes with me. Basically asking me with his eyes whether I wanted to follow the plot or just go after her. Usually, he was the loud and outspoken one. He would voice his opinion about anything and everything just to mess with her stories. Even though she was our enemy.

I had to admit that some of the things he did were increasingly rude. Of course, the look in his eyes was telling. Exactly what he wanted to say out loud. He wanted to go after her. Since it isn’t completely against what his character would do. It is an option. However, even with what she told me in the letter.

We don’t know enough to stray from the obvious plot. Which is exactly why she told us only the complete basics of what we should know. It is quite a clever way of making us stay on the plot. Just because we are the main love interests doesn’t mean we can survive going off-plot. And if our characters get killed.

We’re stuck in the ink until the story ends. I shook my head at Fox. Telling him we weren’t going off plot in this one. Fox instantly rolled his eyes, and with the way he has been behaving. It wouldn’t surprise me.

If he had a few choice words that he would have said if he could speak. I glanced at the man who must be Lord Eagle. He was just standing there in silence. Waiting for me to say anything. Like he was used to these silent arguments between us.

Though he acknowledged my brother when we were walking away. He was staring at me. Anger surged within me. A feeling that wasn’t my own but the character’s. He wanted to snap at this man for barely acknowledging his brother.

I forced the anger down. Knowing it wasn’t the time. 

“Get everything ready; we’re leaving soon.”

I spun back toward the place we had just left. Knowing I should explain everything to my brother before he pitches a fit in front of the story characters. 

******

Though I knew that I needed to follow her. I wasn’t going to make it easy for her. As we walked through the forest. I took my time. Lady Bluebird did not know how to travel through the trees anyway.

So, not wanting to leave her behind, Ravenhood walked with her. Of course, that seems to be pissing her off. Cause I can literally feel her glaring at the back of my head. 

“Lady Bluebird, are you upset about what I had said earlier? I meant no harm by my words; I was just stating a fact.” 

She instantly hurried to my side, bowing her head. “Of course not, Lady Hood. I would never even think of being mad at you. I am just so upset that I had to involve you in the first place. I should have been able to do this myself.” 

She was quite the actor, and if it were Ravenhood here instead of me. She would have actually believed her. Of course, it really didn’t matter whether or not I believed her since I needed to follow her for the plot. I paused and grabbed her hands, holding them tightly in my own. 

“No, Lady Bluebird, it is my fault for asking too much of you since you grew up in the castle. I thought it would be an easy first assignment.” 

As I gripped her hands, I stared into her eyes. Trying my best to show sincerity. It was Ravenhood’s response to her. Still knowing what I do as the author. It was hard to be sincere.

I was also looking to see if she felt any guilt about what she was about to do. Because even though I know how I wrote her. Some part of me hoped she felt some type of guilt. I saw no ounce of guilt in her eyes, though. 

I released her hands, giving her my best smile. “I’ll go scout ahead.”

Before she could agree or disagree. I scaled the closest tree to me until I was high in its branches. I had Ravenhood’s muscles. So something I could never do in real life, I can now do. Of course, that doesn’t automatically replace my fear of heights that I just remembered I had.

I gripped the tree tightly. Trying not to panic. I was now Ravenhood. She definitely wasn’t afraid of heights. Of course, telling myself that didn’t really help anything. I was still gripping the tree, trying not to panic. 

“Lady Hood, is everything alright?” Lady Bluebird called up to me from below.