Chapter 4

As Madeline approached the gate, Varian tossed a cloak over the fence. “Put it on,” he said as he began to pick the lock.

She obeyed, watching as the rocks coated the heavy cape. She shuddered. “No matter how many times I see that happen, I’ll never get used to it,” she murmured.

He pushed open the gate, the now-picked lock lying on the ground. “Me neither,” he replied. “Come on.”

She pulled the hood over her head and self-consciously followed him out of the gate, almost tripping over a raccoon in the process. “Ah!” she exclaimed.

Varian pushed him away. “Sorry, he keeps following me around. I’ve been thinking of adopting him.”

She stopped to pet the raccoon. “You should. He’s cute.”

“Don’t encourage him,” he said, “he already thinks my couch is his personal napping spot.”

“He may be onto something. Where are you taking me, anyway?”

“Trust me, I’m about to change your life.”

“Well then, lead the way.”

They walked in silence until they arrived at an old barn. “I asked my friends to wait here. I want them to meet you.”

She spun away. “Varian! You know I’m not supposed to meet strangers!”

“Don’t you want to be around other humans?”

She pursed her lips. “Fine, as long as you’re *sure* these people can keep a secret.”

“Trust me, they can.”

He opened the door for her and for a second wondered if this was some kind of trap, but then she realized that she trusted Varian completely, and stepped in.

The barn was dark, but after the scraping of a match and the lighting of a short candle, she could dimly make out the people in the barn, two males and two females.

“These are my friends. Kyler and Brylee are the twins, and then Milo is the other guy.”

“Hey!”

“I didn’t know what else to call you! Anyway, this is Madeline and-”

“Wait, hold your horses,” Madeline said, “Who’s the other girl then.”

“Hi!” Annika waved.

“Oh Annika, just you. For a second there I was scared that-”

But as the door slammed open, she was suddenly scared again. A girl looking proper in a fancy dress and cloak, golden hair, and even a jeweled headdress entered the room.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, “but I couldn't sneak out until after my etiquette lesson.”

“Varian, who is *this* girl?” Brylee hissed.

“Oh, sorry. Everyone, this is Leandra.”

Madeline immediately dropped into a curtsy. Milo and Kyler soon recognized the name and bowed. Brylee rolled her eyes. “Your Highness,” Madeline said breathlessly.

“Um… I’m trying to keep a low profile,” Princess Leandra, sister of Rapunzel, whispered.

“Of course.” She pulled out of the curtsy.

“We’re off track. Madeline, hand me the cloak,” Varian said.

Confused but trusting, she did as he asked. He held it up and everyone gaped in astonishment as the rocks slowly disappeared. “I- I’ve had these powers since I was a baby,” she explained. “I can control these black rocks and-”

“Wait,” Milo said, “you can control the rocks? The ones showing up in our city? You could make them go away!”

Madeline whipped around to face Varian. “Hold on, you never said anything about that! How bad is it?”

“Bad,” Kyler interjected. “Destroying property, killing livestock-”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve done something!”

“It’s not safe!”

“I don’t care!”

They stared at each other for a few seconds before the door slammed shut. They looked around and Leandra was gone. “Oh no, I have to find her!” Varian exclaimed before leaping out the door. It banged shut behind him.

Madeline gaped at the door in astonishment. “Okay, what is it with people slamming doors today?” Brylee asked.

## Trivia

* This is the third where there is no mood song.
* The "where are you taking me, anyway?" section is a reference to Hamilton.
* 3 fan-made characters, Milo, Brylee, and Kyler were introduced in this section.