Lost in the awe of our surroundings, the beautifully-painted mountains have me mesmerized. The colors go from green, grey, to a red color, with orange and yellow layers weaving through it.
“Princess, are you ready? The houses are sparse in this area, we need to find a vacant one to secure for the night. At day break, we can start the search for your father,” Anton vocalizes.
“Let’s get a move on it, I don’t like being out in the open like this. Callum, will you shift and scout ahead? Please take Anton or Evans with you. I want us to do this in pairs, someone to always have someone to watch their back. Do you have your necklaces on?” I question.
Sighing, they all pull out their necklaces that were tucked under the fabric of their shirts. The smile on my face indicates I’m satisfied, and the vials disappear back to their hiding place.
Evans and Callum run a little ways ahead, and I hear a howl, a signal from Callum that he has shifted. Anton takes my hand, and we head north, away from the city center I can see in the distance. Not much to be seen in the town, just a main street with some business buildings.
We walk for a few miles when Callum bounds up in his wolf form. He knocks me on my butt and licks my face.
“Callum, if you want me to scratch you behind the ears all you have to do is just ask.” I laugh as I run my fingers through his chocolate coat.
He barks twice and then walks off, farther in the mountains, when we come upon a single-level home. It looks like it was a fairly-new home, the white brick stands out under the overgrown bushes and weeds. It’s a little sad to see such a nice place unkempt, the owners must have turned. With that thought, it occurs to me the horror that may wait inside. I shiver, but I do not stop. I’m on a mission to find my father. I will find him.
Anton steps up to the glass door and peeks through, trying to gauge what may await us inside. He raps on the door, the noise will attract both people and creepers alike. We wait a few minutes, and Anton nods towards me just as a human Callum and Evans come up from around the back of the house.
“Okay, let’s do the buddy system and clear this house.” I tell them. “Callum, you’re with me.”
Evans and Anton sigh, the glass door creaks as they enter. Callum takes my hand, and we follow suit. We step into a living room, and I can see through to the kitchen and dining room. There are three closed doors that line the back of the house along with a clear glass back door that matches the front.
Evans looks at me, “We will take the two doors to the right of the back door, you two take the left.”
I nod, Evans and Anton head to their doors and Callum and I to ours. Anton and Callum knock on the doors at the same time. After a few moments and no sounds, we decide to head in. Callum winks to me, and I carefully turn the knob and swing the door into the room, taking a step back. Callum stands ready to fight if something comes out of the door, but he gives me the all clear. I take Callum’s tan hand, and we enter the room together. The door was twice the size of a regular door, we just entered the master bedroom. Dust has settled on the headboard as well as the night stands and dresser in this room, matching the rest of the house. The king bed is still made, and it hasn’t been touched in years. That explains the overgrowth outside. There are no pictures of people to be found, this look like a vacation home.
Callum and I check the bathroom and the walk-in closet that is attached. First is the bathroom, it is huge, almost as big as the one in the palace. On the left is a jet soaking tub, then a walk-in shower, tiled with beautiful black tiles that are swirls with silver glitter in them. On the opposite side is a toilet and a two sink vanity. You can walk straight through into the closet. It is just as fancy, wood shelves line the walls, shoe racks in the center.
“Let’s see if Evans and Anton found anything, then we can tidy up a bit and settle for the night,” I say to Callum.
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” he replies leading me out of the closet and back through to the kitchen.
As we emerge from the bedroom, Anton and Evans are coming out of the second door.
“This house is empty. I think it was a vacation home,” Evans states.
“I was thinking the same thing, no pictures and nothing is disturbed. Will you guys help me open some of the windows? It’s a little stuffy in here, and I want to get rid of this dust, too.”
After all the windows are open, I go room to room. I call on my air magic and rid each room one by one of the thick layer of dust that is coating everything. Once every room is complete, I plop down on the couch. I didn’t realize how sore my feet were from all the walking we did. Kicking my feet up on the coffee table, I cross my arms behind my head and close my eyes. I take just a moment to relax before I take stock of the items in the kitchen.
“Oh, you’re gonna leave us to do all the work?” Callum asks.
“Yep, I’m taking the sitting-pretty role,” I reply, sticking my tongue out.
I rise from the couch and head to the kitchen. I walk behind the breakfast bar and start opening cabinets. Just as I feared, the bare minimum is to be found. I keep searching until I come to the last, I say a little prayer. I open the door with my eyes still closed, barely peeking with one eye. I’ve hit the jackpot. This cabinet holds a mountain of canned goods. Corn, green beans, peas, peaches, pineapple, and one I’m keeping just for me. Very cherry fruit cocktail. I move all the rest to the breakfast bar, then I start searching for a can opener, bowls and silverware.
Callum and Anton return to the kitchen with an armful of candles they scavenged from around the house. They set them up around the living room and a couple on the bar. I take a deep breath, focus on my fire powers and will it to light the candles. As I light the last one, the lights of the house flicker on.
“That bastard did it!” Anton exclaims.
“I never figured Evans for the fixing type. What would Fae know about electricity. But he did it, he got the generator running,” Callum replies.
Evans enters from the backdoor, grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m gonna see if I can find a pan and if the stove works; these veggies will taste better heated up.” I tell them.
Following a feast of veggies and fruit, I snuggle next to Evans on the couch.
“Anton and Callum are going to take the first watch, with the generator running it may attract the creepers. We don’t want to wake up to any surprises.”
I am out as soon as he finishes his sentence.
I wake up in a set of cool arms. Evans and Anton must have traded spots for watch. I look up at Anton and his emerald-green eyes are looking back at me.
“Not disappointed it’s me and not Evans are you?” he asks.
“What? Why would I be disappointed? I don’t have a favorite. I just haven’t figured out how to show you all that or equal time. It’s been a whirlwind since we met. I’m still trying to learn how to keep three guys happy. I thought it was hard with one.” I joke with him.
“I didn’t think about that.” he says thoughtfully. “It is dawn, we need to get up and start our search. We have a lot of ground to cover.”
“Fine, I was comfy, but I’ll get up. I’m going to freshen up, and then I will be ready.”
I head into the master suite bathroom to try and tame my newly shortened locks. I smooth my shirt, and I’m as ready as I will be. I dread lacing up my boots and more walking, but I have to bind this witch and find my father.
On my way through the house, I grab the last remaining cans of food and head out the front door to my three men waiting on me. In sync, they turn and look at me, each wearing a goofy grin.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” I ask.
Evans is still smiling as he takes my hand.
“We are going to head up the mountain and Anton and Callum are going to scout ahead of us.”
As if on cue, Anton and Callum take off running. It sets me on edge to see them leave. After Anton getting bitten I hate to be split up again.
“They will take care, Prin
cess. I just sent them to scout ahead, no contact. I told them if they see anything to head back.”
“It’s like you’re a mind reader. Thank you Evans. I’m just unsure what we will face with the witch, the state my father will be in, or if these mountains are crawling with creepers. I don’t want any unwelcome surprises if we can help it.”
“Rest assured, Princess. We will get your father back. Do you have the binding potion?”
“Yes,” I pat my left jean pocket. “I’m not sure how we will get her to take it, and the Priestess didn’t tell us what the side effects are.”
We walk in silence, keeping an ear and eye open for anything out of the norm or creepers.
The pine trees grow thicker, and the air feels like it is getting thinner as we ascend farther up the mountain. I can hear Evans’s breaths, and my breathing is becoming labored. I call upon my air magic, sending it first to Evans. Once I hear his breathing return back to normal, I send the air to my lungs. It fills them, relieving the tightness in my chest.
I see a glint of gold ahead of me in the tree line. It is growing closer with each step, then I see Callum bounding towards me.
He doesn’t show any signs of stopping, and knocks me on my ass as he licks my face. I really need to find a way to block him doing this. He does it every time he’s in wolf form.
“Callum, you may be cuter in this form, but I think you broke my butt.” I laugh, scratching him behind his ear.
He whimpers a little when I stop, just as Anton arrives.
“We found them! She has your father in a cabin a few miles ahead. We didn’t get too close, but I could smell them both. She has some type of wards up, trying to deter us from getting close. It felt like a boundary line, an invisible wall pushing us back with each step we took forward. I’m not sure how we are going to get into the cabin.”
“We will figure something out when we get there. I need to see my father and make sure he is okay. Show me where the cabin is,” I tell Anton.
“This way, my Princess,” he states.
I take one last look down the mountain, that little town would make a great home for my faction, with the sparse houses but all this life here, all the green. We could garden here, it wouldn’t be a barren wasteland like where we are now. But it is not the time to consider that, we are on a mission to find my father, not a new home.
Releasing a breath, I take Anton’s hand, and we start our ascent once again.
I’m glad I chose to wear my boots, my feet are starting to ache already, but they are supporting my ankles.
My hand absentmindedly thumbs my sword. It helps calm my nerves. I still don’t know why this witch took my father, but I decided that I don’t care. I will rescue my father and bind the witch’s powers, so she can never hurt anyone again. If it wasn’t for her, this creeper virus wouldn’t have destroyed the world.
It’s still amazing to me that all because of one crazy man and a witch, that in their selfishness, they caused all of this.
Using my air magic for Evans and I still, it is starting to wear on me, but I suck it up and push through. I wonder how my father is doing or if the air is affecting him as well.
I can see smoke coming from a chimney. We’re getting close, and nervousness fills me.
We inch closer to the cabin, and I can feel the wards Anton was talking about. Each step is getting harder to take, but I push, I will it to bend and move. I can feel it give a little, so I keep trying.
Finally, one foot breaks through, then the other. I give the guys a thumbs up as I make it across, Evans grabs my hand and comes with me. Anton and Callum try to follow with no luck.
“I’m going to get my father and the barrier will fail once I bind her. I will be careful, and I will return to you two,” I tell them and blow them a kiss. “Evans, you get my father, I will take care of the witch.”
I tread lightly towards the cabin, Evans on my heels. Once I get close, I peek in one of the windows. I spy my father, he’s tied to a chair in the living room. That hag is spoon feeding him, I can’t make out what she is saying.
We trek around, looking for a way in, hoping to use the element of surprise. This cabin is a dump compared to the one we stayed in last night. The windows are all broken, the siding needs replaced or at least painted and the roof looks like it could collapse at any moment.
I find a hole in the back wall, and it is big enough for me to squeeze through. I’m a little surprised the witch didn’t seal it up. If I can fit in there, so can a creeper. It is close to the back door, and I unlock it for Evans to enter.
With light steps, I enter the living room from the bedroom I was just in. I see my father’s eyes grow wide. I hold a finger over my lips, telling him to be quiet.
"Just when I thought you weren't coming for him," the witch says, without turning.
That's okay, because I don't need to see her face to say what I need to, "You really are stupid then, aren't you? Not only is he my father, but our King. One way or another, he will be returned to our people."
She growls before spitting out, "Such sentimental human emotions. They only dampen your powers, for yours are nothing compared to mine."
Air comes to me as I call a gust to toss her against the wall. Even though she's pinned feet above the ground, she begins to chant. I try to move out of her direct eyesight, but my feet seem glued to the floor. For a quick moment I panic, before coming to my senses. Summoning the water from the room, I send it all directly towards her mouth.
The chanting stops, and I am now able to move closer to where she's still pinned. She breathes deeply through her nose before spitting what water she can out of her mouth. It gives her the opportunity to pick back up on her chanting.
If I don't stop her now, I'll be dead before she finishes. Reaching for her, I feel her powers flex against mine as she tries to fight the hold I have on her. Careful of her teeth, I grab her mouth in one hand and yank out the binding potion with the other.
She struggles harder against me, but it's no use. I pour the potion down her throat as I call water to me again. Forcing it down her throat this time, I make sure she isn't able to dispel a drop of the potion.
As I take a few steps back, her body sags to the ground and starts to convulse. Her hands shrivel as her boobs begin to sag and her brown hair fades to gray. It seem the magic over the years really took a toll on her body. The witch looks like hell as she falls to her knees, and tears fill her yellow eyes.
“Please, kill me. Don’t leave me like this. I can’t live like this,” she pleads.
“You did this to yourself, now you have to live with it,” Is all I say.
Evans untied the ropes that held my father as I battled the witch. My father has a huge smile on his face.
“I knew you would come for me,” my father says.
“Of course, sorry it took so long. We found a cure for the creeper virus. and I passed them out to my faction. Then we came for you.” I tell him, just as Anton and Callum bust through the door.
The splinters from the door fly across the room; I protect my father and I with my air magic.
“That was a little overkill,” I say.
“It was too quiet, we weren’t sure what was happening. As soon as the barrier was down we came in,” Callum says.
“Aww, my heroes,” I tease batting my eyelashes. “Gather around, I’ll transport us back home.”
They surround me, in one big group hug. I clear my mind, take a deep breath, and think of the palace.
Opening my eyes, we are back in the throne room, a surprised Kalli rushes towards us.
As she reaches us, she bows. “Welcome home, my King.”
“It is great to be home. You were ruling in my stead?” he asks.
“I just did what Liauna wanted, and I tried to rule as you would have,” she replies.
“Thank you, Kalli. I’d like you to stay on as my royal advisor. Since the kingdom is still standing, you must know a thing or two.” My father winks.
&nbs
p; “As you wish, my King.”
Chapter Ten
I wake up feeling refreshed; all three of my guys are here, and my father is safe in his own bed. I think this is the best I’ve slept in weeks.
Stretching, I wrap my arms around Callum on my left and whisper the most evil words I can think of. “Time to get up, we have a cardio session to do.”
Callum groans, “Since when are you excited for cardio?”
“Not really excited, I can’t wake up in a good mood?” I ask.
“I didn’t say that, but did I die and no one told me? Or did hell freeze over?”
“Ha,” is all I say then I push him off the bed.
He hits the floor with a thud.
“What was that for?” Callum asks as he stands.
“Cardio time, let me change, and we will go.” I smile.
I lead Callum outside after we are both changed and ready. The sun is just rising, and the birds are starting to chirp.
I pick up my pace and head towards the little glen where the waterfall is. The jog has me dripping with sweat. Callum, on the other hand, looks just like he did when I pushed him out of bed. No sweat, not breathing hard, no signs that he was doing any cardio at all.
“How is it that I’m over here dying, and you look like you have just woken up from a nap?” I ask.
Callum laughs, “I can run for hours before I get tired. Good shifter genes, I guess.”
As he is talking I take my socks and shoes off. I then take off my shorts and shirt. Callum’s jaw drops, and that makes me laugh.
“Slow down, cowboy. I’m not taking anything else off, after that jog the water is calling me,” I say as I step into the pond.
The cool water feels wonderful. It is crystal clear, and I can see all the way to the bottom.
I wish I had my doughnut floatie. As I float on my back, the light reflecting off of the water is calming, but I close my eyes. The warmth on my face is a nice contrast to the cool water.
Callum joins me. I don’t have to open my eyes, I can smell the woodsy scent I’ve come to love.
Redemption of the Fae Page 7