Shadow Forest- The Complete Series

by Eliza Grace

  Perhaps I did not need that sacrifice to save them, not with the forest’s store buoying up my own inherent power. But saying the chant that Arianna used to seal the house from the others connects me to the fairies, it reinforces my will. “Now, live!” I scream, allowing the blinding gold fire to burst from my hands. Sparks like the sun fill the room and shower down on the graveyard in the middle of the kitchen. “Live!”

  I do not check to see if it is working. I simply push the power out until my nose is bleeding and I feel faint. But I have to do this. I have to save them.

  This time, unlike when I saved Jen, I do not completely black out. Hoyt is on the floor at my back to catch me as I begin to fall from exertion. I stay against his body, breathing heavily. The fairies are still on the ground. I think I have failed.

  Until Arianna’s wing lifts slowly from the floor. It is shimmering and translucent and vital.

  Pushing away from Hoyt, I crawl to her.

  I am crying so hard I cannot see by the time I scoop her up in my hands and hold her to my face gently. “Oh, Arianna. I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.” I don’t even know what I’m doing, I’m so overcome by joy. In the back of my head, I know I’m stumbling around, trying to gain steadiness as I cry and celebrate my success. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m so glad. I’m so sorry.”

  “Tilda,” Jen’s voice brings me back to earth. I turn to look at her. She’s standing… and strangely we are nearly at the same height. That couldn’t be though. That’s not possible.

  I look down and realize that I’m standing.

  “It worked. Oh, honey it worked.” Jen rushes to me and Arianna flies out of my hand with a smile. The rest of the golden winged stars join her. They are gone in seconds, disappearing into the house. I have a feeling that they will not help us so readily next time. And I cannot blame them.

  But for now, I am concentrating on another success.

  I am standing. I can walk.

  And I can go into the forest to find the witchfinder’s lair.

  ***

  “As soon as it’s light enough to see, we leave.” I’m stuffing water bottles and granola bars into a backpack. I do not know how far into the woods we need to go. The witchfinder has been vague on that point.

  “I want to go with you, Tilda. Archie should go too. He’s the one with a gun after all.” Jen hands me a compass. I don’t know why she has one; she can’t even tell directions when there are roadside signs hitting her in the face.

  “That’s not going to help me,” I comment, taking it, but setting it on the table instead of putting it into my backpack. “And, no. Please stay here. Watch over the fairies. And Archie might be needed in town. God knows what’s happening there.”

  Jen says nothing, but she reaches down and pushes the compass across the table closer to my backpack.

  “Really, Jen. Totally pointless for me to take that.”

  “Humor me,” she argues back, picking it up and shoving it into a small front backpack pocket.

  “I know how to use a compass,” Hoyt appears from the bathroom; he’s changed clothes. I recognize one of the colors from his open duffel bag.

  “That’s because you’re the biggest boy scout I’ve ever met,” I tell him, smiling.

  “I’d like to say something.” It’s Jon speaking this time. He’s been quieter since our talk in the living room, but still as sandpapery personality-wise.

  We all turn to look at him, except for Archie who is napping again. I’m finding that he’s big on sleep, and can fall asleep pretty much anywhere. If people were to ask me what superhero skill I’d like to have? That would definitely be top of the list. I’d put it at the top of my resume too. ‘Tilda can fall asleep anywhere, within seconds. It’s a talent she’s particular proud of and it serves absolutely no purpose in the work place, but she thought you should know anyway’.

  When Jon is sure we’re all listening, he continues. “I’m a vampire.”

  “What. No way? That’s a revelation!” Jen gives Jon a taste of his own sarcastic medicine. To his credit, he actually chuckles.

  “No, what I mean is—I’m fast, and most of the big baddies don’t scare me. I might even scare them a little instead. I should go into the forest alone. I can find what we’re looking for and bring it back here a lot faster than two humans traipsing around in supernaturally-plagued trees.”

  “You don’t know where to look,” I counter.

  “So tell the jerk in your head to help you draw a map,” he volleys back.

  I must go into the woods with you. I must go in, because once you have the knowledge to repair the border spell and trap the creatures now roaming about in your poor, weakling world, then you will help me into the Neverwhere. I will not stay here. I will not continue to look at… her any longer, little witch.

  You mean Jen. I probe, surprised to hear him admit that being around Jen is hard. Up until now, I did not think he was still pining for her.

  Leave it alone, little witch. You have no right to ask me questions.

  Give us a map, witchfinder. Make this easier.

  No.

  So, you won’t help me draw a map. You’re going to make me go into the forest and face danger. Jon could be back so quickly. He’s so fast.

  No.

  “He won’t give us a map,” I sigh. “He is a jerk.”

  Jen moves to look me in the eyes. “Hey, listen here Michael. You are a world class douche bag. How dare you leech onto Tilda after everything you did. The least you could do is give us a freaking map so we could fix what you made happen.”

  No. He repeated in my head, though this time his voice was pained.

  “He says no, Jen.” She looks furious and I put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, really. I can do this. I’m not going alone.

  “I don’t want you going back in there.” She pulls me into a hug. “I don’t want to lose you again, kid.”

  “You won’t lose me.”

  We finish packing in silence and then we all try to nap until sunrise. I sleep only a little. I don’t think Jen sleeps at all. Every time I peek through my lashes, she’s sat in the chair in my room watching over me.

  ***

  The pack is heavy on my back. We all carry a bag of supplies… mostly food. The walk across the meadow is longer than I remember. Though, last time, I was being pulled by the witchfinder’s power and promises. Hoyt and Jon are with me. Archie and Jen are stood under the huge oak tree watching us go.

  When we get to the broken fence, we all freeze as if an army of monsters is lying in wait to attack whoever approaches, but nothing happens. I find I’m almost disappointed. If giant spiders or a succubus or another manner of nightmare attacked, then we’d have reason to turn tail and run back to the house.

  “Was anyone else waiting to get absolutely clobbered by a centaur or something?” Hoyt laughs nervously.

  “Centaurs are literally the most benevolent creatures around,” Jon scoffs. “You’d more likely die by the prick of a rat soldier’s sword.”

  “A… rat… soldier?” Hoyt questions suspiciously.

  “Real thing,” Jon nods. “Where’d you think Hoffman got the idea? The rat king was styled after one of the most infamous of the little vermin.”

  I’m standing there, still hoping for something to jump us so that I can run back to Jen’s arms. Which is crazy, because I’m the one who pushed so fiercely for this outcome. I’m a big fat coward.

  Something we agree on. He pushes at the inside of my brain.

  Shut up. I like that I can make him leave with only two words. I like that he is so weak now.

  “Well, are we going to stand here for the rest of our lives… your lives,” Jon corrects, “and let the big baddies keep probably killing a bunch of innocent little girls and boys?” He doesn’t wait for a response, instead walking past the broken fence and into the woods.

  Hoyt and I still wait. “Um,” I look Jon up and down to see if anything’s changed about him, or if
he’s showing signs that something’s wrong. He looks fine though. “Did anything happen? Do you feel anything?”

  “Oh no,” Jon grabs his chest and his expression warps. “I can’t… I can’t… I can’t feel my heartbeat.” He continues the struggle, falling to his knees.

  He has me in his grasp for a moment, really thinking that something is wrong.

  And then I remember he’s a vampire.

  “Cut it out, Jon,” I bark, striding forward and reveling in the feeling of two strong legs supporting my body again. Even though I know it is temporary, just as before, I cannot help but fall in love with the dream of being unbroken forever. I will suck every ounce of happiness I can from it, even though the world is in shambles around me.

  I walk past Jon, who’s standing again and looking really satisfied with himself. I’m glad he’s getting back to his cocky, boorish self. It’s almost a relief because it makes my feelings for him much, much easier to ignore.

  I walk for a while, feeling Hoyt and Jon at my back, and quickly realize that the witchfinder is silent and has given me no directions so far. I am in the woods, danger likely at my door, and he’s quiet as a mouse. Hey. Unless you want us to wander around aimlessly and likely die at the hands of a rogue gorgon, I suggest you wake up and tell me where to go.

  There’s no answer and I feel a knot form in my stomach.

  Um… witchfinder? Michael? Wakey wake eggs and bakey.

  Nothing.

  “Um, guys. We might have a problem.” I turn around to stare at Hoyt and Jon. “I’ve lost the witchfinder.”

  “What do you mean you’ve lost him?” Hoyt demands, walking forward.

  “Good riddance I say,” Jon adds, looking past us into the depths of the forest. Then in a blur, he’s gone. I take a half step, my instinct being to follow him, but then I stop myself. I have working legs, but they’re still very human legs and I cannot keep up, even if I was pumped full of crack.

  “Tilda,” Hoyt calls me back to him. “What do you mean you’ve lost the witchfinder?”

  “He’s not in my head. I can usually think about him or need him and he comes back, but he’s just… gone. It’s totally silent up here,” I tap my forehead.

  “If he’s gone…”

  “Then how the hell do we find his home in here? I have no freaking idea.” I turn away from Hoyt again, moving in a circle to see if Jon will appear. “Where did he go?” I ask to the air around me.

  Hoyt moves next to me, and then takes a step more forward. “What is that?” he asks, pointing into a section of forest where the trees are so thick that very little light penetrates to the ground.

  Things are different here with the spell broken.

  More normal… yet… somehow scarier.

  I keep staring where Hoyt has pointed. Until I see it. Them.

  Glowing orbs.

  Eight.

  No ten of them.

  “It’s time to run!” Jon appears as if by magic, though I know if I had been looking for the blur of movement, I would have seen him coming.

  The small orbs are coming closer, growing larger.

  They are leaving the darkened place and coming into the light.

  Wolves. Giant wolves.

  “But… but it’s daylight. There’s no moon!” I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I expected all manner of things, but I’d written off the possibility of werewolves. “You said they’d be in human form during the day!”

  “Those are not werewolves,” Jon yells and grabs my hand.

  “Then what the hell are they?” I scream out, my eyes widening as I see the wolf in the lead unfurl great black wings and snort fire. Freaking fire.

  “Those are Marchosias demons, descended from a literal Marquis of Hell. We. Need. To. Run.” He yanks me and I stumble around trying to gain my footing and match his pace.

  “Werewolves!” Hoyt yells, too, following us. “I thought you said—”

  “They’re not freaking werewolves!” I shout back at Hoyt who needs to catch up. “Hoyt, hurry!”

  “I’m not being yanked by a vampire!” He does pick up the speed though, getting a little closer to us.

  But the wolf demons are faster. They are gaining, despite who fast I feel my feet flying across the forest floor.

  “Might be a good time to find a little of that magic inside and use it, Tilda!” Jon keeps pulling; I’m just along for the ride.

  Heat rages against my back and I risk a glance behind, almost falling. Streams of fire pour from the beasts’ nostrils and mouths like flame throwers. How do I fight that? How?

  Water.

  I almost cry when I hear the witchfinder utter that single word.

  You’re back!

  Yes, little witch. He whispers. And you need water.

  If I can call flame and light candles and burn my home to the ground, then perhaps I can call water too. Every time my foot hits the ground, I try and reach into the earth and connect to the bodies of my ancestors that rest in this forest. I also send tendrils of thought into my body, reaching into my toes and fingers to gather up my magical reserves. My legs are aching so badly and my chest is painful and tight. I do not know how much longer I can run.

  I close my eyes, letting Jon guide me and hoping to heck there’s nothing on the ground to trip over. I want it to rain. I want it to pour. This is my will. This is what I want. “Rain!” I scream. “Rain!”

  It’s too much power again.

  I know it the second I shout.

  Clouds gather fast and fierce above. I can see them through the tree leaves. They are a hundred shades of gray. Lightning cracks and thunder booms. A tree nearby splits wide, cut by the sky.

  The demons are at our heels. The fire licks and burns.

  And then the sky fractures open, letting loose rain so heavy that I can’t even see Hoyt behind me, let alone the pursuing demons.

  Separation

  The rain makes the world foggy and slick. I am still running, the pack hopping up and down and hitting my back painfully. I have to go faster. As fast as I can… but I can only go human fast. I’m no longer holding Jon’s hand.

  I stop in my tracks, whirling around not knowing left or right or up or down. It is like I am drowning whilst standing on firm earth. Every breath I take sucks in rain and chokes me up. It is too much. So much that the water is gathering around my feet, rising to my ankles. I hear something behind me… or in front of me? I don’t know. I don’t know where anything is. But I have to run. The demons are still out there, somewhere.

  And I try. I put one foot in front of the other, take four fast steps, and I slip. My legs swing from underneath me and I slam onto my back, lumps of water bottles and granola bars definitely bruising me. The impact knocks the wind out of me and I see stars, bright white dots through the thick, suffocating rain.

  A growl freezes my pulse.

  It’s very near.

  Don’t move. The witchfinder cautions. They can’t smell you. The rain neutralizes most of their powers.

  I’m scared.

  You should be, little witch.

  The growling draws nearer. And I stay perfectly still as my heart races like a horse on steroids. If they cannot smell me, can they still hear the frantic beating? A warm wind brushes my face and cuts through the chilly rain. Breathing. Something is near enough to breathe on me. The wolf demon must be so close, but I can’t see. I still can’t see. And though I want the rain to stop, it is safer now for it to keep beating down upon me and distorting the world.

  Something brushes my leg and I want to jolt away and scream, but I don’t. I don’t even flinch, and I’m amazed at myself for having the control. The other me would not have been so brave… the me before the fire, the me before the shifting planet.

  The growling fades after a while, but even when silence has been my only companion for a long time, I cannot bring myself to stop the rain.

  And it has grown so deep that I am nearly floating.

  Then the silence is broken
by the sound of a familiar voice. “Tilda!” It is muffled by the pressure of a million droplets hitting my body at once. “Tilda!” Closer, more clear. Hoyt.

  I have been overdoing the magic. Too much pressure. Too much force.

  Now, I give it a gentle nudge.

  I reach for finesse, rather than brute force.

  Please slow. Please stop. Please bring me back to a world I can see.

  I wait. The droplets slow, little by little, until I can see through the canopy to the clouds above that are also parting ways to reveal a pale blue sky.

  Sitting up, I see him. Hoyt has his back to me. “Tilda!”

  “I’m over here,” I call out in relief.

  The water is sinking into the ground quickly. I wish my clothes would dry so fast, but unfortunately I’m going to have to deal with being soaked-through for a while. Hoyt is by my side in a few moments, relief washing his face a beautiful shade. “Tilda, I was scared to death.” He reaches down, offering me a hand. I take it gratefully. He pulls me a little too enthusiastically and I’m jumped into the air a few inches before I land unsteadily on my feet. His strong hands help me gain balance.

  There’s so much to fear in this forest, but for a moment I am back in the meadow on a warm day. He is holding me, lifting me into the air. He is kissing me. And it was a simpler, beautiful time. I move a little closer to him, until my damp body touches his damp body. I tilt my head forward, coming up on my tiptoes. This time, he doesn’t have to support me. I can stand on my own two feet and kiss him fully and freely.

  He knows what I want, but he hesitates. I can’t blame him; I’ve given him every reason to doubt how I feel. I lift my hands and snake them around his neck. I pull his head gently downward, encouraging him. When that doesn’t work, I whisper ‘please’. The light in his eyes shift from unsureness to hope and longing. I don’t want him to doubt me. God, being a teenage girl is hard.