_Enya, _

_Do not be afraid, but someone knows what you hold within you. I am coming to protect you. But since distance parts us, I ask you stay indoors at night and never leave your wariness behind. Be aware, someone knows. _

_~Caspian _

I stare at the words while my head swirls with questions.

_Someone knows. _

My heart drops at the mere sight of those two words. Someone knows that I hold the key to the ancient crown of a long ago sovereign that is infused with great magic.

I try to settle my nerves by preparing my house with locks and packing a bag in case of a quick escape…but the name Caspian still flutters in my mind.

Who is Caspian?

I’ve never met anyone by that name, surely not anyone who knows that I hold the key.

Maybe it’s one of Father’s old friends, or Mother’s loyal customers? I’m not sure, they are not here to answer my questions.

I sigh as I watch the sun descend.

I’ll be alright.

BANG! BANG!

I jolt awake.

“ENYA PEARLE, OPEN THIS DOOR!” A man yells.

I freeze.

They have found me.

Before I can think of escaping though the window, the door splitters open and a group of men march in with greed in their smiles.

One man seizes me. Others hold their weapons pointed towards me.

A man with dirtied hair and a gruesome smile appoarches. “Enya Pearle, what a beauty you are.”

His sooted fingers touch my face.

“Where’s the key, Enya.” His raspy voice demands.

I tremble in fear. “I will not give it to you.”

The man slaps me. Black dots hinder my sight as agony pulses through my head.

“That was not a question. Where is the key!” He shouts.

The grips on my wrists tightens, so much so, blood trickles from my skin.

“You will not find the key,” I whisper.

A beat of silence washes over the house as the brutal man studies me.

Suddenly, realization washes over him.

He laughs. Laughs so loudly my ears ring.

“You’re the key, Enya! Of course, how blind I was!” He shouts.

“Please,” I beg. “Please release me.”

I feel my body pushing towards the outside. I am too weak to fight.

I look up and find all the men suddenly frozen as a tall, muscular man, with weapons strapped on his body and a sword in his hand steps through the door.

He looks lethal as his gaze catches the men holding me.

“Let her go, or risk the fate of death,” his deep voice commands.

The men laugh.

“Caspian?” I utter.

“Do not worry, Enya, these men will not pain you any longer.”

And in a flash, my wrists are freed and blood spots the ground.

I follow Caspian in the darkness, my heading pounding.

“Thank you,” I say breathlessly.

“Great power cannot be given to those who only seek greed,” Caspian responded. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”