I turned around and dashed for the crowd. Trying to run in chains wasn't in the very least comfortable. I fell a couple of times before I reached the edge of the dais but strong arms caught me. I wrestled and shook uncontrollably but they didn't let me go. They would definitely burn me alive now. I gazed at the people and my eyes caught sight of something --someone. I went wholly still. Orien! He came like he said he would. He was wearing a black hood and I noticed a couple of others as well. His eyes locked on mine and I shook my head in a silent message. "Don't."

He frowned as if to say, "I'll never leave you here and you know it."

I shook my head again and jerked it towards the roof, towards the guards that surrounded the crowd. "You'll die."

He didn't seem to want to listen so I stopped struggling and let them take me back to the center of the dais. The two guards dropped me roughly on the floor and their hands went straight to the lock of hair that covered my ears and to the jewelry I always wore on my tips-- ear-obfuscators, and they yanked it off.

Gasps filled the air and I stole a sideways glance at Orien. His eyes were wide with a couple of emotions. Surprise

That my ears were pointed

. Anger

That I hid the truth

. Understanding

Gawain must have known and that must've been why he kept me close and protected me

. Betrayal

we both lied to him and to everyone else

.

Even if he still wanted to go on with the escape, I saw the faces of the other hooded figures and they had gone pale and fear slipped in their eyes. They would never go through with it for a monster. I looked to Dameon. He was stunned. He had not even believed what he said.

Witch!

Monster!

Mama, I thought faeries didn't exist.

Faery.

Evil.

Little wonder she always hid underneath the scarfs.

The whispers got louder and something hard bumped into my skull. It stung and and I held the back of my head. Another stone.

"Kill her!"

"Burn her alive!"

They went crazy with excitement. They wanted me dead and it made them even happier that I was going to be tied to a stake and get roasted alive.

More stones got tossed my way. Most hit their mark. I sighed. I knew then that there was no saving me. I had already lost everything. It was about time my miserable life ended.