"Oh really?" Leonardo gave me a surprised look.
"Really," Theo hissed. "Show him," he barked.
"Theo, I am really tired." I faked a yawn and began to walk away but Theo caught my arm. His eyes turned cold and I shivered giving in.
I slipped out an arrow and breathed. I took one arrow out after another, not even waiting for it to hit the target before letting another arrow loose. I hit fifteen targets perfectly, executed in less than fifteen seconds. Leonardo gave me a stunned look.
"Maybe you don't know her as well as you think," Theo muttered before disappearing off. My heart clutched. Theo was livid. His exterior had seemed calm but his eyes had given him away. I read him like a book.
"Leila of Bourdet, you are not like most girls," Leonardo sighed, glancing at the stricken targets.
"You have no idea," I groaned. Leonardo's next words caught me by surprise.
"He loves you. Doesn't he?" Leonardo looked to where Theo had been. He did not have the stomach to look me in the eye.
"Like Josephine loves you," I said before walking off. That was it. We were both being foolish and unrealistic. He had a fiancée who was thinking of touching me like that back there.
I still felt his touch on my skin and his hot breaths on my neck. I closed my eyes and gasped as the memory came back on me. I didn't even know if this was a dream or reality.
I eventually reached Theo's room. He was not there and I fell asleep on his sofa beside the fire. But in the middle of the night, a pair of arms cradle me and I snuggled myself into their warmth, until they set me down again.
I shot awake from the sound of a shriek. "FIRE! TROLLS. FIRE. HELP!" I jolted up to find myself alone and I saw the red flames from the window and then I saw the large shadows that cast against the door.
They were here. They had found us. Horrible screams filled the chilling night air. Cam burst through the door. "LEILA! Get up, we need to go. Now!"
Chapter Twenty-one- The ambush
"NOW! MOVE!" Cam rushed forward and grabbed my arm forcefully. Cam managed to get me out of the room just before all the windows were blown to pieces. The shards of glass struck everything in the room with an impeccable force.
The tapestries on the hallways were smothered in blood red. People ran through the hallways like wild animals, screaming and fleeing for their lives. How had I slept through this? Cam tightened his grip around me and began weaving me through the crowd. Trolls were here? They must have followed our scent. A twisted feeling began to consume me.
All these people were fleeing their home from beasts that had followed me. It is all my fault. They were here because of me. I had done this. I had brought them to the one place that I had ever considered home. I destroy everything I touch or care about. I suddenly realised where Cam was leading me to: the exit.
I pulled back and away from his reach. "Leonardo. Theo. Where are they?" I snapped back to reality. The smoke was billowing in the corners of the walls. Everything was blurring together.
"They told me to get you out," he insisted. I stood my ground and when he reached for me again, I slapped him. The heat from the nearby flames finally hit me.
"Touch me again and you will regret it," I threatened him. He gave me a pained response. He mouthed something that I could not make out through the smoke.
"Leila," he sighed pleadingly. "They can handle-" Before he had a chance to finish. I was moving. I headed back on myself, heading in deeper and deeper into the chaos. My body was smaller than Cam's and it was only too easy to escape him in the hectic crowds. I turned a sharp left, taking a hidden shortcut towards the courtyard.
I stepped out into the court, only to be surrounded by madness. The grim scene that surrounded made my stomach turn. The remains of homes had been left as rubble in the dust and consumed by flames. I was left questioning how they had even got in here?
The trolls towered above me. They began destroying everything in their path. I watched as the largest in the centre let a vicious roar loose before demolishing a man whole. I cringed.
How did they find us? The mystery of who remained ran through my mind. I gulped but did not have a chance to gulp before someone pulled me out of sight. "You scared, little one?" Tiny Timmy asked, flickering his eyes to me.
"Of course not," I lied.
"You should be." He smirked. "I am," he admitted. The room was a sea of red, yellow, and orange. The trolls were covered from the embers of the fire but took no notice, I wondered if they could even feel the heat of the flames.
"We all know that I am not the kind to back down from a fight," I retorted.
"You should not be here, Leila," he warned. Tiny Timmy was always looking out for me and Theo; his best friend.
"I did not want to miss out on all the fun." Each word was laced with more sarcasm than the last.
"Leila, Theo will-" he began but I was not about to let him finish. Theo did not own me and much as he hated what I was about to do, I was not about to back down. This had been my home. The least I could do was protect it.
"Either you send me in there weaponless or you hand me that bow. We both know this is not the time or place for an argument; so hurry up and make up your mind," I ordered. He handed me the bow and stocked arrow holder hesitantly before diving into the action.
I followed him. I jumped over several broken shacks and stands. I weaved in and out of the rubble and debris; keeping my eyes on the beasts ahead. There were seven of them; too many. The odds were stacked against us. A bonfire heat brushes my skin as I head in further.
I place the first arrow in my bow and let it fly. It cuts through the air and hits my first victim straight in the eye. The beast lets out a roar as it clings it to its injured eye. Now's my chance; I fire again. The arrow barely pierces its skin. The beasts opens its mouth revealing a pair of rotten fangs. I shoot again; this time I strike hard. The arrow slips in between the lips and into its mouth. I did not know exactly what I struck but the troll crumbled down to the stone floor. One down.
Another troll spots me and then his fallen friend. An expression of anger, fury and revenge flicker through its cold, heartless eyes. It charges towards me and I somehow remained perfectly still. Breathe. I felt terrified but I pretended not to be; nobody would be able to tell. The fear ironically stopped me from falling apart.
I took out the arrow and let the wood brush in between my fingers. I held my breath. I can do this. The flames around me burn hot, short, and violent; with no care what will be left behind. The thick smoke clouds were devouring me and swallowing me whole. The beasts roared above the crackling of the wild fire.
I have my target in sight; I am ready to shoot when I see 'him'. He still manages to look perfect even in the heat of a battle. He moved gracefully as a panther. He avoided and advanced on the largest troll in one brisk movement. The gigantic troll swings at him and he easily avoids it but he was so focused on his prey; he did not see the one approaching from behind. Leonardo was going to die.
I would only have one shot and I had two targets. I could not kill both trolls with one arrow. I could not save both of us. The troll was getting closer and closer to me. It was now or never. I let it go, I let the arrow free. It hit the troll that had attempted to kill Leonardo; leaving the one storming across to me unharmed.
My quiver was empty. I could not use my magical powers either. Firstly because it was against the law and the son of the king was standing only a few feet away. Secondly because I had no idea how to. I did not know how to summon it or control it.
Leonardo swung his head around knowingly. His eyes met mine and I tried to force a smile. I noticed his horrified expression. "LEILA!" I heard him over the wildfire but it was too late. The furious troll was already next to me, standing on the wreckage.
The troll that had been heading towards me, was meters away. I held my breath and closed my eyes. This is the end. The troll reached for me and I am not quick enough. I never expected to die in an underground city by a troll; surrounded by a
wildfire, friends, family, and nobles.
I worm in the monster's grip and know that this is the end. I don't bother to scream or cry. What's the use? My body begins to crumple in the strength of his grip. "LEILA!" I heard Leonardo in the distance but I could not see anything but the dark, soulless eyes that faced me.
The beast begins to tighten his grip and I yelp unexpectedly. The pain sends a numbing feeling through my body and all the sudden I am surrounded, drowned, and absorbed in images.
A dark room, a throne room? I stare up at the large four floor pillars and the grand splendor of the room. Then I see the face of an angel with the vicious expression of the devil. It is the boy with the dragon tattoo. He is here, he is with me.
"SHE IS IN PAIN," he shouts and all the sudden I see his tattoo burning; it is burning his own flesh and he doesn't even seem to notice the pain. "Something is happening," he snaps; his eyes filled with concern. "I am losing her!" I see something flicker in and out of his expression.
I watched a room of his subjects begin rushing around the dark throne room. Green flames are shot off in every direction and I watch as an intense rage fills the boy's expression. I see a dark, dangerous light flickers in and out of his expressions. "I SEE HER." He began to chant a spell but I could not make out the words. He shuts his eyes and all the sudden I am thrown back into reality.
The troll's filthy, thick skin pressed against me but then his grip began to loosen and his eyes rolled back. Was I doing this? No. I was not. It let a shout of agony followed by a battle cry. All strength drained from the monster and soon it crumpled to its knees; I wiggle myself out of its grasp and leapt onto the rough floor before it collapsed completely. It was dead as a doorknob. The boy in the dragon tattoo. He did this. He killed the troll. How? He-he saved me. Why? I was trembling and a knot formed in my throat.
A hand pulled me away from a crumbling structure that crashed only meters away. Surprised by the force I stumbled into the body and crashed on top of him and we both fell onto the cold floor.
"Leonardo," I gasped.
"Are you alright? What are you even doing here? I am going to kill Cam when I get my hands on him. Are you hurt?" he asked, while pulling us both into a standing position. I felt weird being on top of him like this and all. He was staring at me, but he suddenly grabbed my waist with one hand pulling me closer to him while his other hand brushed my neck. His lips gently pressed against mine and mine against his. I forget to breathe. I forget to think. My thoughts were running through my mind much faster than my brain could comprehend. This was wrong. He had a fiancee. He was engaged. He was royalty. I wasn't his fiancee and I was not royalty. I was way over my head right now. But how can something so wrong...feel so right? His familiar intoxicating, musky, sensual scent was indescribable. His fingers intertwine in my hair. His soft lips pressed harder as if they were trying to discover every inch of my lips. For a moment I forget all about all the other people and only think about: him and me. I finally pulled away; breathless.
My heart was pounding. I needed to process this. I need to think. Did that really happen? I felt slightly light-headed. I did not know what to say. I didn't even know where to begin. I was left without words. How did this even happen? I noticed a large figure racing towards us through the crowd.
Tiny Timmy came from out of the smoke clouds. "Leila, get over here. We need you," he ordered before heading back into the battle. I glanced at Leonardo. I could feel his eyes on me; reading me. I blushed.
"We should go." I forced it out and he nodded. He looked emotionless as if we had not kissed. I turned to jog back into the heat of the battle field. Leonardo was close on my heel.
Ready.
Aim.
Fire.
Ready.
Aim.
Fire.
Ready.
Aim.
Fire.
I hit my first target three times before it fell to the ground. Tiny Timmy came out from the shadows and I noticed the beaten figure walking beside him; Cam.
Then I saw Leonardo as he took three small daggers and made one swift overhand movement. The blades shot through the air and sliced through a beast's forehead, killing him instantly. I could not notice how he dominated the room and the way he moved. "Overdid it, just a little," I overheard Cam say to Leonardo. I could not help but smirk.
Theo raced out from the shadows; hugging me immediately. I felt Leonardo's eyes burning into me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" he questioned. I felt a knot form in my throat as I thought back to Leonardo and the kiss. "I TOLD YOU TO GET HER OUT OF HERE. NOT THROW HER INTO THE MADNESS," Theo shouted at Cam furious.
There was a shout as the man was forced into the mouth of a nearby troll. Perfect; an excuse to get out of this compromising situation. The beast still had not swallowed and I could save the man inside. I rushed toward the cry and drew an arrow, aimed and let it free. Striking his stomach, the beast groaned in agony before chucking all contents of his stomach; including the man.
The man hesitated before getting up immediately and heading back into the battle. "Give that guy a raise," I heard Leonardo say to Timmy. I turned to see Theo behind me clearly annoyed.
"Still think that a battle is no place for a woman," I shot.
"Leila," he said annoyed. I just rolled my eyes. That is when I realised; more and more trolls were filling the hall walls. We could not stop them. Where were they coming from?
"We need to get out of here and now," Theo ordered. "Everyone retreat!" he shouted. Before I had a chance to argue, he had his strong grip around me and was pulling me down a series of passageways. His men, Cam, Leonardo and Tinny were right behind us.
"Leonardo?" Josephine gasped as she turned one of the hallways straight into us. What was she doing here? I noticed her eyes were swollen and her face blotchy from crying. "What's going on?" she cried; scared to death.
"Josephine. What-what are you still doing here?" I overheard Leonardo say. I tried to ignore their conversation as much as possible and when Leonardo leaned in to hug her; I felt jealousy fill me. Why am I jealous? I shouldn't feel this way. I cannot feel this way. Now she had her hands on his chest and I felt my stomach turn. I did not want to look.
"We need to keep moving," Timmy insisted. Leila gets a grip; forget about that kiss. Forget about it. It was just a kiss. Just a really...good kiss. Shut up thoughts.
I overheard shouts from the grand hall and Josephine shrieked. The narrow hallways were too small for the Trolls to follow; we were partially safe for now at least. Where were they coming from? "We should take the seventh entrance," Timmy suggested.
Theo agreed and we followed them through the labyrinth of hallways. Once we finally met the entrance, out of the smoky hallways and out into the fresh air.
The meadow stretches for miles upon miles. The long emerald grass brushes my legs. My injured toes bury themselves in the soft soil and the wildflowers are an enchanting shade of lilac, cyan and white. My eyes began to adjust to the light.
I just noticed how filthy I was. I was covered in my own blood and ashes from the fire. My face was caked with grime from the flames. "Nice, very attractive," I heard Josephine snort from behind me.
I hated her. I could not stand her. Was she really insulting me now? Did she think fashion and style was my concern during a fight?
"Leila, how badly are you hurt?" Theo stood next to me all the sudden. His familiar rugged, forest smell filled my nose.
"I am fine." I pushed back my loose hair and stared out into the sun rays that graced the earth. The crack of dawn peaks through the hills.
The trolls had destroyed the closest thing I had to home. The place I left to protect. How did I get into this scenario? When did my life get so complicated?
"Let me take a look at your injuries," he insisted but I avoided eye contact and turned away from him. I heard a ringing sound in my ear; deafening me. The world began to swirl. Flashes of a face filled my brain: a mischievous smile, a chin that could cut ice, full lips,
thick locks, and entrancing eyes. A seductive, deadly voice like velvet filled my mind. "I KNOW YOUR FACE, I KNOW YOU. I WILL FIND YOU. YOU AND I HAVE A DESTINY. I AM COMING FOR YOU, MY DARLING." I began crashing down and I felt someone catch me just before I hit the ground. Lights out...
Chapter Twenty two- Shadows
Flashes of a mischievous grin and a pair of hard-cold eyes consumed me. Followed by swirling black ink of a dragon. The boy with the dragon tattoo. I couldn't even escape him in my dreams; a weight filled my heart and I knew that it would be there till the day I die.
I could not see and I slowly wiped the substance from my eye. I continued to open my eyes; and finally, they did. My eyes darted back and forth. My heart raced; not only was the pain streaming through my veins in this very moment, but so was fear.
The Golden Year and the Sorceress Page 19