The elemental and the witch blinked at me. Concentrating, I took the steps slowly trying not to wobble. I had hit my head hard on the wall and every step was a struggle. Reaching for the bag hanging off the back of a chair, I riffled through it, grabbing the vial. My hand tingled, and I grimaced as I watched the blue liquid shift and swirl of its own accord. I staggered back down the stairs and the witch reached out to steady me, as I thrusted the necklace at the elemental possessing Amelia’s body.
“Wait!” The witch squealed and reached out, plucking the necklace from my hand. “Is that?” She lifted her hand to her mouth, and tears welled up as she locked eyes with me. “Where did you get this?”
My mouth snapped open of its own accord, words spilling forth unbidden, “A realm will crumble, along with it a warrior fallen from grace. You will travel to the Gatekeeper’s home; a sacrifice will have to be made. The hound will bring the weapon. One misstep and all the realms will fall to the coming plague.”
The witch stumbled back as my words tumbled forth, and I slapped my hand across my mouth.
Falling to the ground, the witch’s face crumbled, and tears streamed down her face as she clutched the necklace to her chest.
Her sobs echoed through the woods and I looked in panic to the elemental, who was frowning and staring at the witch.
“There is so much sadness here. I don’t like it.”
“Of course, there is sadness here. This is a Realm of Death. The souls here are dead!” I shrieked, my breakdown surging forth. I felt like a sapling bending in the wind and I was about to snap. The elemental pouted at my outburst and kicked at the ground, thunder echoing off in the distance. Thick dark clouds rolled in blocking out the sun, and rain began to pour. I threw my hands up in disbelief at the elemental and the witch, her sobs drowned out by the rain. She had curled up in a ball, clutching at the necklace like it was a lifeline. My head swam violently, and I felt myself bend at my knees, landing heavily into a sitting position clutching at my head.
My face was wet, tears starting to intermingle with the rain.
Thunder crashed overhead and I struggled, lifting my face up to the still-pouting elemental having a temper tantrum. “Can I say goodbye to Amelia?”
The elemental stilled, eyes changing from black to hazel, then shifting back and forth. They were each fighting for control. Finally, hazel eyes blinked through Amelia’s face, tears forming in the corners. The rain stopped pouring and instead turned into a drizzle. She ran forward, throwing her arms tightly around my shoulders. I clutched her waist, squeezing my little lady-in-waiting-in-training to my chest, almost pulling her down into my lap. “I am so sorry, Amelia. I am so sorry for everything.” I blubbered. “I promise this will not be the last time we see each other.” Turning my head to the witch who was numbly looking in our direction, I put force behind my next words. “She will take care of you. You won’t be alone.”
The witch slowly sat up and took a deep, steadying breath, wiping at her mud splattered face.
Amelia shivered in my arms, her voice meek and tiny. “I know, my Princess. I hear her in my head. We are one now.”
Seconds later she stiffened in my arms, pulling away from my embrace. I let my arms fall as the elemental stood, taking a step backward. Eyes having turned black again and face void of all emotion, she glanced at the witch still numbly staring at us. “Goodbyes are completed, yes?”
I glared at the elemental, the Gatekeeper, possessing Amelia’s body. My hands shook as I clenched them, grabbing at the bag next to me. I nodded silently, untrusting in my ability to speak without screaming. Our words hung unspoken in the air as the elemental raised her hands and I closed my eyes, the feeling of falling backwards overtaking my senses.
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Legends of the Old Lands
The Rover Princess (Coming Soon)
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About the Author
Dorothy lives in Illinois with her significant other, a boat load of turtles, and one particularly judgy lizard.
When not writing, thinking about writing, or going to reptile shows, Dorothy enjoys playing DnD and watching the scariest movies she can get her hands on.
Before launching her writing career, Dorothy received her Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Applied Anthropology with a minor in Criminal Justice.
If you would like to know more about upcoming releases, announcements, and to sign up to Dorothy’s mailing list, visit her links at https://linktr.ee/authordekilgore .
Read more at D.E. Kilgore’s site.
The Rover Princess Page 24