《Towered》


 Prologue

    The Arkase''s had long wanted children and they were almost to their dream. Lady Arkase was due at any time now and while this was a nerve wracking ordeal they couldn''t be more excited. They were due to welcome a baby girl into the world. Meaning they would have their heir and a cute little girl to spoil. But as soon as the child was brought into this world they realized the world would never know of this child. Such an esteemed family couldn''t give birth to such a freak. On that snowy January evening Lady Arkase did in fact give birth to a beautiful baby girl, the only issue is that she was alive. How could such strong vampiric descendants give birth to a healthy human girl? It''s a one and a billion birth defect. For some reason she developed a beating heart which is the exact opposite of what she should have.


    Lord Arkase turned away and stormed out of the room ordering the child to be killed. Lady Arkase on the other hand stared at the small baby girl. The girl she gave birth to. The girl she carried for 6 months. The young girl smiled at her mother, happy to see her silver eyes staring down at her. She couldn''t do it. She couldn''t kill her child defect or not. But she also knew her husband wouldn''t allow the world to know of this child.


    So, she had a tower constructed far from the family home deep in their private woods. It was here she left Katrina alive, but isolated from the world. She sent their most trustworthy servants to care for the girl. They fed her, and educated her but beyond that there was no interaction between her and the staff. When Katrina was little she knew something was wrong because the maids all looked at her with disgust when they thought she wasn''t looking. At first she thought it was her appearance. She had read that people who had the same brown skin as her weren''t always treated nicely.


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    But she was fed well and taken care of so it couldn''t be that. Then she thought maybe she was sick and the other simply did not want to catch her disease. And this thought seemed to prevail through her adolescence. As she grew she came to accept that she was a complete and utter freak. Something that shouldn''t have survived this long, but did because of goodwill. She knew she didn''t want to live a life like this. She knew it wasn''t normal and that ate away at her. At first she thought she would be saved and that someone would come release her from this prison. But after reading the fairytales hundreds of times and eavesdropping on the maids. She learned no one would come for her. The world didn''t even know she was still alive. So she gave up on the idea that a prince or hell another princess would come save her. she''d also given up on making friends seeing as no one wanted to be associated with her. She would live and die without anyone knowing she existed.


    It was at 10 she started to plot her death. Whoever left her here obviously did not care for her so she would erase her existence entirely. she began observing the tower-like building she lived in. Trying to find something to end her life with. The first attempt was her trying to hang herself which ended in her not being allowed access to any sort of extra cloth. The second was a messy attempt at slitting her wrist. This may have worked if it weren''t for the fact that she was only ever given a butter knife to eat with. After that the tower became stricter. She was never left alone and any resources considered harmful were removed. By 16 she had given up on trying to end her life.


    She assumed whoever kept her alive must want her to suffer. Why else would they try so hard to keep her from harming herself. By the age of 18 she was like a doll. Lovely to look at, but her eyes were soulless. She wasn''t happy in the least bit, but she couldn''t feel sad either. She was just a shell seeing as there was no ghost in the machine.

 Chapter 1

    Katrina''s 20th birthday would be here in 5 days time, but unlike most girls she wasn''t excited. It would be another day where she wakes up to sit by her window and stare at the vast forest in front of her. She had always wondered if there was an end to the forest, or if she was sent to some unknown uninhabited island. Either way she wished at least that she could go outside. In her 19 years of living she couldn''t tell you what dirt felt like, or how the pines by her window smelled. She had read about them, but had never once experienced the sensations those objects brought on. She wondered if she would ever be able to step outside this room and experience more than captive life. A light knock on the door pulls her from her thoughts. She turns but does not move to open the door.


    The knocking continues, but she sits still just watching the door. Finally the person gives up on knocking and instead enters the room. There stands the woman who brings her food, who taught her math, and English, the only other person she''s ever interacted with. But it was not her that held her attention. It''s the smaller framed woman behind her that keeps her focus on the door now. The woman was in no way familiar and yet Katrina felt something from her she''d never felt. The woman nods towards the maid and she leaves in a hurry. The woman stares at the girl as the girl stares back not understanding what could be happening.


    The lady standing in front of Katrina is well groomed and obviously rich with all the jewels adoring various parts of her body. But they''re tasteful enough not to seem gaudy. The lady seems fairly young, no older than thirty Katrina assumes though she''s never even seen her own reflection so her ideas on age could be skewed. She seems delicate, and yet there''s a fierceness about her.


    "Who are you?" Tumbles out of Katrina''s mouth before she can stop herself.


    The woman looks a bit shocked as if not expecting the girl to speak. But her look of surprise shifts to one of bitterness as she fidgets with a large diamond on her middle finger of her left hand. Katrina holds her breath hoping she''ll hear this woman speak. Hoping this woman will tell her she is free. The woman looks up and her eyes seem tearful though Katrina doesn''t really understand the sentiment.


    "I guess you could call me Mom, though after all these years I''m sure you assumed you had none."


    "I have to have a mother. The only way I could be born is if I had one. I just always assumed maybe she and my father didn''t want me."


    The woman tightens her grip on the diamond ring obviously hurt by the words, but she knows the girl lacks empathy because of how she was raised. How she let her be raised.


    "Well I''ve come to take you home. Your siblings are all waiting to meet their older sister."


    "What about my father does he not wish to see me?"


    She grips the ring so tight it starts to dent, but immediately stops so as not to scare the girl.


    "You father is no longer with us. Which is why I''ve come."


    "So father is dead, but he never wished to see me?"


    "Your father was not perfect, but in his own way he loved you."


    "Love..."


    The mother stares at her daughter who is lost in thought trying to think of a moment where she understood love. But there was none, her mother knew that. And she knew her now dead spouse was the reason for it.


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    "What does love feel like?"


    "It''s hard to put it into words. You know it when you feel it though sweetheart. And it''s a wonderful feeling. A feeling that can lead to good and bad decisions."


    "Are you sure you''re not just here to visit?" Katrina blurts out pushing past the concept of love.


    "No, I''m here to bring you home. Your younger siblings want to meet their big sister. And I want my daughter back."


    The woman steps closer, placing a warm hand on her daughters.


    "That is only if you want. I can understand if you hate me and refuse. After all I am partly to blame for you being locked up here."


    The girl sits silently pondering for a moment before looking into her mother''s eyes. She had dreamed of this day for years now, but what if this was all a farce? Some phantasm her mind had created after being locked away for so long. All these thoughts sped through Katrina''s mind simultaneously


    "Can I see more than my room if I leave with you?"


    "Even if you don''t wish to leave with me, I want you to start seeing the world. The choice is yours. We''ll always be waiting with open arms."


    The woman starts to leave. She thinks she knows the girl''s answer. As much as it pains her she only has herself to blame for this outcome.


    "Please don''t go...."


    The woman turns around surprised to hear the girl pleading.


    "Please don''t leave. I don''t want to be alone here. I know there''s a lot I don''t know, but I know I don''t want to be here any longer. Can you take me with you? Can you take me...home?"


    The girl stares at the car in awe. Of course she knows what it is but seeing a picture in a book is far different from seeing it in real life.


    "This will be your car. In time you''ll be able to drive it yourself, but for now I have a driver for you."


    She looks amazed to have something of her own. She glides her fingers over one of the windows before stopping and running towards the woods. She stops at the first tree she sees and places her hand on the bark. She pulls it back not liking its rough texture, but also amazed it feels like how her books described it. After standing there marveling over the tree she finally returns back to her mother and her car. She can''t tell if she looks anything like her mother, but she does think she''s pretty.


    "Ready my dear?"


    The girl nods and she and her mother enter the vehicle. As they start to move the girl stares out the window in awe as she watches the forest she thought she''d never leave fly by in a blur of greens and browns. The trip to the house will take at least 30 minutes and Lady Arkase is unsure of what to discuss with her eldest.


    "Why did you change your mind?" Katrina asks, starting her mother down.


    They stare at each in absolute silence for a period, her mother unsure what to say and the daughter trying to anticipate what will be said.


    "It was the only way I could keep you alive. Your father had planned on having you killed and then a rumor made up that I lost the child. But I held you. I looked into your eyes and you smiled at me. And even if there was something wrong with you I didn''t want to lose you."


    "What''s wrong with me? Why did dad hate me?"


    "You were born different and your father never liked different.."


    Different how? What makes me so broken that dad wanted me dead?"


    "You''re not broken. Just different, you''re not like your siblings or me. You have a heartbeat and we don''t. But none of that matters because we all love you whether you just like us or not."


    "Why does it matter so much? There are plenty of people born like me."


    "Your father cared too much about what others thought. And he said I didn''t care enough. But I''ve tried to raise your siblings not to care what others think and I hope someday you won''t either."


    "So they know I''m different?"


    "Yes but they''re all excited to meet their big sister. They''ve been waiting for this day just like me."


    When they arrive at the large home Katrina is stunned. It''s larger than she expected for one. Second is the large number of people waiting outside for her. They step out of the car and immediately three people run towards them. They run past their mother and almost tackle their older sister to the ground. Katrina is shocked and doesn''t know how to react. She''s never been hugged before as far as she''s aware. It takes her a moment but she slowly wraps her arms around her three siblings as best she can. When they pull away there are smiles on their faces and she smiles back softly.

 Chapter 2

    "Okay guys give her some breathing room. First you almost tackled her and now you''re smiling like idiots in her face."


    Katrina looks at her younger siblings nervously. 2 boys and one girl.


    "Well, go ahead and introduce yourselves children."


    "I''m Isabella!"


    "Drew."


    "The cutest of them all, Nickolai!"


    "This is your big sister Katrina. I hope all of you can get to know her and support her. There''s gonna be a lot of new things she''s going to experience."


    "Of course mother!" The three chime.


    But Katrina can already see not all her siblings are pleased to see she''s here. While Nikolai seems genuinely happy to meet her, the other two don''t. Maybe it''s because she grew up around people who treated her with false kindness. That gave her the same false sweet smiles, but she recognizes these faces. They hate her just like her father did she can only assume.


    She starts to think her staying isn''t the best idea but when she looks towards the woman that is her mother she can''t help but feel uncomfortable telling her so. She looks ecstatic to see all her children together finally. She looks ecstatic to see her oldest home again. And even though Katrina doesn''t have a deeply rooted bond with her mother she feels she can''t break her heart like that. Katrina thinks back to how her mother looked when she thought Katrina would say no and it causes her some discomfort. She couldn''t hurt this woman even if she had been abandoned by her for some time.


    So she mimics the soft smile she''s seen her mother do all this last hour. Her siblings all smile back and while she knows 2 of the 3 aren''t genuine seeing her mother and youngest brother look as if they couldn''t be happier right now makes her feel something. She can''t really put a word to it. But the best way she can describe it is that she''s home.


    As they entered the home Katrina can''t help but notice some similarities between here and the tower. The Victorian style she had grown used to is covering every inch of the foyer. From the decor right down to the flowers in the center of the room it all fits the Victorian aesthetic. Two large circle staircases lead up to a landing that splits into another two sets of stairs. Someone tugs at her sleeve and she looks over to see Nickolai trying to tug her towards the stairs.


    "I''ll show you around! I''m not busy." He smiles causing Katrina to smile without thinking.


    "Yes dear, why doesn''t Nickolai show you around. I''m going to go help with dinner. I want things to be perfect for your first night with us!"


    Their mother kisses both of them on the forehead before walking down a nearby hallway.


    Katrina allows herself to be pulled along up the steps.


    "First let me show you your room. I helped decorate it!"


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    Again Katrina smiles without a second thought. Nickolai takes this as a good sign and continues pulling his sister around. They arrive at a door with Katrina''s name engraved in it in cursive letters. Nickolai pulls out a key ring and unlocks the door.


    "I kept it locked so no one would come in and mess it up. Mom and I are excited that you''re home but not everyone is."


    "Is it because I''m weird?"


    "You''re not weird, just different from us but different isn''t bad. At least mom taught me that. Dad on the other hand.." he trails off.


    Katrina, picking up on his sadness, grabs the door knob and throws the door open. She pulls him inside hoping his bad thoughts can be washed away. He''s too young to think like her, she thinks in her mind. When she glances around she''s a bit amazed. There''s a huge canopy bed with sheer lilac curtains surrounding it. Every inch of the room is covered in a lush black carpet. Book shelves lined the right hand wall. The left hand wall has her dressers, desk, and a door to a balcony overlooking a nearby garden. The room is more than she could have asked for. She looks at Nickolai lost for words. Her old room was basic and had the bare essentials, but this is like something out of a fairytale. This is the princess room I always dreamed of. She stands in the middle of her room in shock unsure of how to react.


    "Well is it okay?


    She nods haphazardly without turning towards her brother. He can tell she''s happy and excited even and it makes him smile. Him and his mother worked hard on the room in hopes that she would like it. He had learned a lot about her from their mother. Unlike his older siblings who followed their father religiously he had always been closer to their mother. She was the kinder of the two and didn''t mind when his secret was revealed. His father on the other hand was angered and said he could not accept a son like him. But he''s dead now and he doesn''t have to be afraid to be himself anymore.


    "Nickolai is this real or a dream?"


    "It''s really silly."


    "It''s just hard to believe. I used to dream about the day I''d leave that tower. Then I tried to leave everything for good. And then after a while I gave up. I realized fairytales are only stories, and that if princes and princesses really existed I could never be one."


    "You know Mom is really sorry for everything. She never wanted that life for you but Dad was just so..."


    "He hated me. He hated me for being born the way I was. I''m sure if he could, he would have killed me."


    "Yes but Mom tried to protect you the only way she knew how. I know it feels like she abandoned you, but there wasn''t a day she didn''t call to see how you were doing. When she heard about your suicide attempts she told me she blamed herself since she couldn''t show you the love you deserved."


    "I realize that Mom protected me as best she could but it will take time for me to adjust. I used to think whoever put me in the tower wanted me to suffer, but now I realize she wanted me to live."


    "Mom and I won''t hurt you and we won''t let anyone else hurt you. You''re safe with us."


    "Aren''t I supposed to protect you?"


    "Little brothers can be their big sister''s Hero."


    "What about the others?"


    "The twins may not like you but they won''t lay a hand on you at least personally. At school I''m not sure what will happen, but you can always hang out with me!"


    "School?"


    "Yeah you''re going to school with us. The university, high school and even the elementary school are all on the same campus."


    "You mean I can go?"


    "Yes you didn''t think we''d keep you locked up all day?"


    "I just figured I''d live here in secret since I''m pretty sure no one knows I exist beyond the family."


    "You''re right but Mom is going to make an announcement tomorrow at our annual press conference. So she can introduce you to society. She wants the world to know about you."


    "But why would she want everyone to know about a mistake like me?"


    "Like I said earlier you''re simply different, but that doesn''t mean bad."

 Chapter 3

    Katrina and Nikolai are called down for dinner. To Katrina''s surprise the table is filled with different morsels. When she lived in the tower her meals were simple but they did taste good at least. So she wasn''t expecting such variety. It makes her mouth water just thinking about everything she can try tonight. But she stops herself realizing she doesn''t know where to sit. The twins have already occupied two seats and there are four more open. She assumes her father sat at the head of the table at one point and she doesn''t want to imagine how the twins would react if she sat there.


    "Sit next to me and Mom!" Nickolai grins, pulling Katrina out of her thoughts and to a chair.


    She looks to her left to see her mother smiling next to her. Again she manages a small smile without noticing. But Nickolai sees it. He smiles glad his sister is slowly coming out of her shell.


    "Now let''s eat!" Their Mom announces happily.


    She watches Katrina fill her plate and taste each item smiling when she sees she likes it and chuckling when she scrunches her nose up in disgust. She missed all these things as a child. And her mother never got to experience anything with her daughter as a child. So she finds these moments precious. She wants to make as many memories like this as possible. Because Katrina isn''t going to be on this earth forever like her siblings. She''ll grow older and someday she''ll die. But her mother is content in knowing at this moment she has her daughter, and she''s never leaving her alone again.


    Nikolai walks his big sister up to her room and then stands on the balcony turned away as she changes. He comes back in when she calls. He can tell she''s tired but she insists on staying up.


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    "Why don''t you want to sleep?"


    "I...what if I go to sleep and wake up and this was all a dream?"


    "But it''s not a dream and we''re not sending you back there."


    "What if you guys come to not like me?"


    "We could never not like you. You''re my big sister and you''re Mom''s first born. I know what Dad made her do makes it seem like she didn''t care but she missed you everyday."


    "But I''m weird."


    "Look I would walk into her room some days and she would be crying into a pale purple swaddling blanket. I later came to find that it was yours. She''s loved you all this time regardless of any difference you might have."


    "Now go lay down and I''ll tuck you in."


    "No way I''m he Older..."


    "Just do it!"


    Katrina gets into her bed feeling the heat of a thousand suns on her face. While her deep brown skin hides the blush she can feel it''s there as the youngest tucks her in. She does feel kinda happy in a way though, her nights in the tower were cold and lonely. But here in this room she can feel the warmth of her Mother and Brother. She can feel that they care and it feels good to feel such things she thinks. Her brother starts to hum something and her eyes quickly begin to close. When Nikolai is sure she is sleeping he gets up and leaves the room quietly.


    While he is the youngest he understands her fears the most. Their father hated him and tried with all his power to separate him from their mother. But he died before he could accomplish that thankfully. Now he has to protect his sister from the twins. While they may not try to harm her themselves he knows that they are just like their father. Evil.

 Chapter 4

    Katrina awakens as the sun filters into her room. She sits up quickly looking around to ensure yesterday wasn''t a dream. But everything is as it was yesterday meaning this is real. She slides out of bed and walks to her balcony. It''s cool out and there''s a light drizzle coming down, but she could care less. These are all new sensations to her. The smell of rain, mixed with flowers. The cool air surrounding her, she''s experiencing it all for the first time today.


    "Ah Young Mistress, please come in quickly and dry off before you catch a cold."


    She turns to see a girl maybe slightly older than herself standing behind her.


    "Who are you?"


    "My name is Cherie, your Mother asked- me to come help you get ready. She would like you at today''s conference."


    Katrina remembers Nikolai mentioning that yesterday, but she didn''t actually believe she''d take part.


    "Mistress if you''d rather not..."


    "No, I''ll go, I''ve just never been to something like this."


    "That makes two of us then." Cherie muses but seems to regret instantly.


    Katrina steps towards Cherie and she flinches and puts her hands up. Katrina sees a dark spot on her wrist but Cherie covers it quickly. Katrina is confused, she wonders why the girl is scared. "She couldn''t possibly think Katrina was going to hurt her could she?" Katrina wonders.


    "I won''t hurt you. You were simply trying to make me laugh, why would I hurt you for that?"


    "I''m sorry Mistress the..."


    She stops again seeming scared that she said that aloud. Katrina stares at her wondering why she seems so scared before it dawns on her.


    "The twins, they hurt you don''t they?"


    She stops looking into Katrina''s eyes and tries to continue working. Katrina stops her by placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. The young maid nods silently. Katrina reaches out and grabs her hand and squeezes it. She remembers her Mother and Brother doing this when she was upset or nervous yesterday.


    "Well I''m not them. I won''t hurt you. And I''ll try to get them to stop hurting you. Pain is something no one deserves."


    "Mistress-"


    "Don''t worry this will be our secret. I don''t know how but I''ll make them stop."


    "You''re kind like your Mother Mistress." Cherie smiles softly.


    Katrina smiles back, liking the girl. She wants to help her as much as she can.


    "Not to rush you Mistress but you have to be ready in the next hour."


    "But what will I even wear? I don''t own anything nice enough to be worn to a conference."


    "The Madam your Mother has prepared some items for you to choose from."


    Cherie claps and 6 rails of outfits are rolled into the room. They range from dresses to pants suits. Katrina walks up to each rail examining each item before going back to a lilac suit. It''s a cropped blazer with golden buttons, matching shorts and a plum tank top under the blazer. A pair of plum silk heels with gold vine and leaf embellishments sit neatly underneath the outfit. Katrina stares at it adoring the outfit.


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    "Do you like that outfit, Mistress?"


    Katrina nods absentmindedly still enamored with the outfit. It''s something she''s never read or seen in any of the books she read though some of her books were a bit dated.


    "Well then shall we get dressed?"


    Katrina looks up and nods, seeming excited about putting the outfit on.


    When she''s finally dressed and ready she does a twirl in the mirror. It took a moment to adjust to heels but she looks stunning in them. She never had really put much thought into her appearance, but today is different. Today is a new start.


    "You look beautiful, Mistress." Cherie says with a smile.


    "And it''s thanks to you! I couldn''t have done it without you Cherie!"


    "Thank you Mistress but you were a beauty before this." Cherie blushes.


    Katrina smiles at the girl and then remembers something from one of her books. Katrina runs over and kisses her on the forehead causing Cherie to blush even more.


    "Are you okay Cherie, you''re a little red."


    "I''m fine Mistress, just a little warm, but it''s true you have the Madam''s beauty."


    "I don''t know about that but I really do appreciate your kindness. Knowing I have a few people on my side gives me hope that I can call this place my home."


    Cherie smiles sadly at Katrina. She understands her feelings seeing as her own family cast her away. Fortunately the Madam was kind enough to take her in. She hopes that Katrina can find home here, because she already has.


    Cherie leads Katrina to the conference room and when the doors open all heads are turned towards them. Cherie bows backing out of the way, leaving Katrina alone. Nikolai immediately gets up and walks towards his sister. He gives her a warm smile before turning and walking her towards the stage her family sits on. Her mother is beaming, pleased with her willingness to come. There are whispers around the room, but no one dares to ask who this girl is. When she''s seated on stage her mother stands and moves to the podium.


    "Hello, to all of our partners and shareholders. I would like to welcome you to this end of the year review. We will be discussing among many things our gains and losses from this year''s sales, but first an announcement."


    She pauses and turns back to Katrina. Katrina stands walking up to stand next to her mother.


    "As many of you know we lost our eldest daughter, or at least that''s what you were told. That is in fact not true. While she was born different she is as you can see very much alive."


    The room is silent for a moment. And mother and daughter both stand waiting for what the reaction will be. Everyone stares from Katrina back to her Mother. Then the room erupts all at once with hundreds of questions. Everyone is barking over the other to be heard. Katrina feels panic, and that maybe showing up was a bad idea.


    "HOW ABOUT ALL STOP ACTING LIKE UNCIVILIZED DOGS AND LET THE YOUNG LADY SPEAK!!!!" Someone managed to yell over all the noise in the room. Everyone grows quiet and turns to the young women standing in the back of the room. She has beautiful ebony skin with striking copper brown eyes. She seems to be not much older than Katrina herself, but appears to be bolder than she is. Katrina can''t help but be amazed at her grace, and beauty wishing in this moment she was more like her. She glares at everyone in the room who acted as they did and they all seem to sit back down in silence and shame.


    "Now beautiful young lady, why don''t you introduce yourself. I know I''m dying to know the name of a gorgeous girl like you."


    Katrina can feel her face get hot from the compliment, but she tries to shake it off as she steps to the podium.


    "Hello, everyone my name is Katrina Carmela Arkase. While I may not have much experience with the outside world I will work my hardest to show my Father locking me away was a mistake."


    She steps away from the podium feeling proud of herself. But she can feel eyes on her. When she looks up some people have looks of disgust on their face. Katrina feels a bit hurt, but more so angry. They know nothing about her, but because she''s different they automatically hate her. The anger grows stronger and she has to stop herself from showing it. This is the first time she can say she''s felt anger towards anything besides herself. She used to be angry because she knew she was different. Because she knew her flaw was the reason she was locked away. And now she''s feeling anger again, but this time it''s towards all those looking down on her. They think she is a waste of space and eyesore. Katrina may not know their exact thoughts but their looks translate what they''re thinking perfectly.


    "Thank you Katrina dear. Go ahead and sit by your brother." The mother whispers and she hugs her daughter to try and calm the emotions in her.


    She knows what everyone in the crowd is thinking and she knows Katrina has noticed the look in their eyes. But her mother doesn''t want her to react to them. That''s what they want. To paint her as a monstrosity, but she won''t let her succumb to their torture. She may not have been able to do much to protect the girl from her late husband. But she sure as hell is going to do all she can now.