by R L Medina
I sucked in a breath. “What?”
“Great. That means a prisoner has already escaped. It’s only a matter of time now…” Grayson’s light continued to shine on Javi.
Fear filled me. Javi didn’t flinch at the light. Instead he stared at it dead on, his eyes looking glazed over.
“But… he’s going to be okay, right?”
Please be okay.
“There’s an antidote to the poison back at school. But he’ll never make it that far even by portal. There’s probably an antidote here too, but I don’t know where the clinic is. I’m not sure how we’re going to get to it before hell breaks loose.”
“Well, we have to try!” My voice bounced off the metal bars.
What was I supposed to tell my tía? I had to bring him home safe. My family had suffered enough loss.
“No way, Grayson. That’s crazy. How are we going to transport him like this?” Brady, ever the voice of self-preservation, argued.
“We’re not leaving him.” I turned to him, the knife trembling in my hand.
“Careful with that thing,” he snapped.
“Nobody’s getting left behind. Let me just think.” Grayson sighed in irritation.
“Sure. We’ll let you come up with a genius plan. Take your time, oh great one. I’m sure the prisoners will wait to attack us,” Brady scoffed.
“Shut up,” I hissed.
My heart raced as sweat coated the back of my neck. I was just as scared as Brady, but I wasn’t going to abandon my cousin. It was Brady’s fault we were even in the prison. I shook my head as I stared at Javi. He was sitting up now, rocking back and forth and singing a song in a language I’d never heard. Some kind of rhyming lullaby from the sound of it.
Brady’s phone lit up.
“What are you doing?”
“Are you kidding? I have to get this on video.”
Anger flared inside me. I yanked the phone out of his hand.
“Give it back,” he ordered.
“I swear to God, I will throw your phone into the next prisoner’s cell.”
“Shut up. Both of you,” Grayson snapped.
Javi’s eyes widened. “They’re coming,” he whispered.
“What is he talking about?”
“Fairy bites are venomous. Makes you hallucinate,” Grayson explained.
Javi started cackling. Drool dripped from his chin, his face full of glee.
An icy fear filled me.
“What the—” Brady was cut off by a high-pitched wailing.
The hairs on my neck bristled. I took a step closer to Grayson, hand gripping my knife. My heart slammed against my chest. Whatever was coming was no hallucination.
“It’s still a ways off. We have time,” Grayson assured us.
“But they can’t get through here, right? With the lock?”
“They can if they’re spirits,” Grayson grunted.
My eyes widened. “But we have to get that antidote.”
He nodded at me. “We will. Help me move him to the cell, Brady.”
“Hell no. I’m not touching his poisoned a—”
I whirled on him. “Get over here and help us. You’re the one who got him into this mess.”
He huffed but shuffled toward us. They set the flashlights down, the light shining on the ceiling.
Together, we grabbed Javi, Grayson grabbing underneath his arms and Brady and I each grabbing a leg.
He started kicking and screaming. I held tight as he struggled against us. His weight dragged me down as I fought for control. His screams ripped a hole in my heart.
Hold on, Javi.
“Shit. He needs to lay off the donuts,” Brady grumbled. He dropped his side and got kicked in the arm.
Good. He deserved it.
“Come on,” Grayson urged.
We scrambled to grab his legs again and carry him into the cell. Worry filled me. We were losing time.
“We’ll leave him here, so he’ll be safe. Let’s get to the clinic.”
Brady swore. “How are we supposed to do that? We don’t know where it is.”
“We’ll have to get a prisoner to show us.”
I shuddered. The last thing I wanted was to face another vampire or worse, but what choice did we have?
“This is suicide,” Brady said.
“We’ll set a trap and capture one of the prisoners. Preferably a fae.”
Brady grunted. “Let me just order one up for you.”
I shook my head. “But we don’t even know where the fae are kept!”
I glanced at Javi’s prostrate shadowy form and bit my lip. Hold on, please. Hold on.
Grayson shone his light on me. “Take that medallion off.”
“What? Why?”
“Just hurry.”
I pulled the chain over my head and handed him the necklace. “What are you doing?”
“Fairy trap,” Brady explained.
Not knowing what the hell they were talking about, I shut my mouth and watched as Grayson placed the medallion face up on the floor and nodded at Brady.
He lifted a ringed finger and they started chanting something in a language I couldn’t understand. The hairs on my neck bristled as a warm wind blew around us. The medallion lit up, the silvery light reflecting their serious faces.
I clutched my knife, terrified. I’d taken the medallion off and something told me the consequences would be grave, but how could I not help save my cousin?
“What’s happening?” I demanded.
“Shh. The fairy will come,” Grayson replied.
“We hope. We hope it’s a fairy. They’re not the only creatures that like silver magic,” Brady added.
Fear shot through me. My hand trembled as I held my knife. Whatever was coming couldn’t be worse than the vampire… I hoped.
“Don’t let it bite you.”
“Obviously,” Brady drawled.
“I was telling Rose.”
I flushed. “I’m not an idiot.”
Bright silvery wings lit up the prison. My eyes bulged. Her pale, triangular face came into view next, glowing violet hair swirling around her. Pink lips were curled back to reveal a row of sharp little teeth and her fingernails were long and curved. More like claws than hands. Definitely not the kind of fairy I’d seen in the books and movies. She was beautiful, but terrifying. Her dark ink drop eyes darted across the room and landed on the medallion.
“Now!” Grayson ordered.
Brady leapt with him, their guns raised. I followed with my weak ass knife. She whipped toward us and let out a high-pitched shriek that struck my every nerve.
“A gift. For a favor.” Brady stepped in front of the medallion.
The fairy smiled. “Beware. Beware. A fairy’s deal.”
He scoffed. “That’s why I said favor.”
She giggled. “It doesn’t work like that, human.”
“Tell us where the clinic is,” Grayson interrupted.
“Please! We need an anti—”
“Rose,” Grayson cut me off.
Brady shook his head at me in warning. My skin crawled as the fairy turned. Her stare drilled a hole right through me.
“Why should I help you?” She sniffed. “And not eat you instead? You smell delicious.”
I waved the knife in front of me. “Stay back.”
She turned back to the others. “What more do you have for me?”
“The medallion. That’s it. You’ll take it. Before the others do. You’re not going to find another conduit so easily. Not like this.” Brady stared her down.
He somehow found his voice now after leaving me with the vampire? Maybe it was more the fact that his whiskies were wearing off by now.
“Fine. I’ll take it.” She reached a gnarled, claw like hand toward it.
“Not so fast. Your part of the deal,” Brady demanded.
She clucked her tongue. “The place you seek is behind the warden’s head, but hurry fast… or your friend is dead.”
“L
ame. You’d think you would have used all your prison time to get better riddles and rhymes.”
I shot Brady a dark look. What was he doing now, trying to piss her off?
Surprisingly, she laughed. “Funny human. Give me my medallion.”
“How do we know she’s telling the truth?”
Her head whipped toward me again. “I’m a fairy.”
“Fairies can’t lie,” Grayson explained.
“Oh. Right.” My cheeks flamed. I remembered something like that from the fairy tales.
“Let’s go. I know where it is,” Grayson urged.
Brady flung the medallion to her and we were off.
I glanced back at Javi’s cell, dread filling me. “Will he be okay? Maybe someone should stay with him?”
“You volunteering?” Brady asked.
“He’ll be fine. We stay together,” Grayson answered.
“Nobody made you captain, Gray,” Brady muttered.
“Do you know what she was talking about? Warden’s head?” I hissed as we ran back up the hall.
“His office.”
“Right.” I flushed for the second time. That made sense.
It was so painfully obvious how out of depth I was in this strange world. I sucked in my breath and hurried along with them.
Please, be okay, Javi.
21
We made it to the warden’s office without meeting any other escapees, though, the noises alone were enough to freak me out. What were those strange wails and would whatever it was leave my cousin alone?
Who knew how many prisoners were out now? I shuddered to think what would happen if they stumbled upon us. My little blade would be a joke. Even the fairy wasn’t scared of me.
“Wait.” Grayson stopped us.
A chill crept up my spine. What was it now?
“Let me go first. Make sure it’s clear. If the prisoners are looking for a way out… they might look in here.”
Crap. He was so right. I glanced around nervously, praying to God, I wouldn’t see any shadows moving against the black.
“Fine. Go,” Brady grunted. “Just… don’t be a hero, Gray.”
My eyes snapped in his direction. Maybe he didn’t hate Grayson as much as he portrayed. Maybe he actually considered him a friend if not an adopted brother?
Grayson didn’t respond. He motioned for us to get out of sight as he tried the door. “It’s still warded.”
“Of course, it is,” Brady drawled.
“Can’t we break it?”
“Break the door?” Brady chuckled. “It’s metal. How would we do that?”
“No, I mean the ward.”
“I’m trying,” Grayson growled.
“He gets pissy when he can’t perform,” Brady muttered to me.
Normally, I appreciated a sharp wit, but the reality of our situation made all humor vanish.
“It’s open.” He turned to us. “Stay here.”
“Yes, master,” Brady grunted.
My heart slammed against my chest as we huddled against the wall, watching and waiting. What was taking Grayson so long? Should we go in and check on him? Question after question raced in my mind.
“So… you and Gray, huh?” Brady broke the silence.
I sighed, wishing he’d shut up. A small red light glowed near his face. What the…
“Are you smoking, right now?” I hissed.
A puff of smoke enveloped me. I turned my head to cough, hoping it wasn’t as loud as it sounded to my ears.
“I know. I know. It’s a bad habit. Bad for me, etcetera, etcetera.”
“Put it out, Brady. What if something sees it?”
He snorted and clicked his flashlight off and on, “And you think they haven’t seen these lights?”
Before I could respond, a pained grunt sounded from the office. Grayson.
Brady and I raced for the door, the cigarette forgotten.
“Let me go in first.” Brady took charge.
I moved aside to let him pass. Adrenaline pumped through me.
“Watch out!” Grayson shouted.
Something flew toward us. I yelped as the invisible force knocked us off our feet. My head hit the cement floor with a loud crack, pain spearing through me. Dots filled my vision as I tried to sit up.
Grayson chanted something. I struggled to my feet, still gripping my knife. Lot of good that did me against an invisible foe. I groaned in pain.
“What happened?” Brady demanded.
Grayson was huddled in a corner, panting. “We missed a rune.”
Brady swore. “You mean you missed a rune. Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He staggered to his feet.
Brady shone his light on him, making him squint. “Well, you’re not bleeding so that’s a good sign.”
“I said I’m fine. I just got knocked down.”
“Do you have the antidote?” I asked.
He held up a small canvas bag. “Let’s go.”
“You sure that’s it.” Brady reached a hand for it.
“Yes. I’ll carry it.” Grayson shoved it into his pocket.
A loud thud echoed in the distance and voices rose. My eyes met Grayson’s. Brady swore.
“Let’s go. Now.” Grayson strode toward the door.
He turned off his flashlight and went first, motioning us to follow. My heart pounded in my ears. I went after him, Brady right behind me.
Darkness swallowed us. The footsteps grew closer.
“Let’s go!” Grayson urged.
I ignored the pain in my head and pushed myself forward. Brady ran beside me, the sound of his clothes swishing loudly. Behind us, voices roared followed by a clash of noises. Most of them definitely not human.
Shuddering, I quickened my pace. The prisoners.
I had to get back to Javi.
“They can see us in the dark, Gray. We’re better off with our lights on,” Brady yelled.
Their flashlights clicked on, lighting up the dark floor as we ran.
A gun fired. I threw myself down, arms covering my head. Grayson hauled me on my feet, “Get up. It was me. We have a follower.”
My heart leapt into my throat as I rushed forward. I didn’t dare look back. Howling filled my ears and made my skin crawl.
“Hurry,” Grayson urged.
I was hurrying. My feet were numb from the continual pounding against the floor and my teeth chattered in my head. I was going to feel it the next day, but I didn’t stop or slow.
Almost there.
Hold on, Javi.
Brady’s light went out. I slammed into him.
“Keep going.” Grayson shoved us forward.
My heavy breath echoed in my ears as I followed Brady. We weren’t far now. I tripped over something and fell to the ground. Pain shot up my arms.
Grayson’s light darted to me. A body lay beside mine. I jumped to my feet and stumbled back.
“The fairy.” Grayson swore.
Her dark eyes stared back at us, a deep red gash on her pale neck. In her curled hand she held a chain against her chest.
Grayson nudged her hand open with the end of his gun. It opened to reveal a bare chain.
My medallion was gone.
“Okay. She’s dead. We have to go.” Brady hissed from up ahead.
Grayson motioned me forward. I started running, fear spreading through me.
I couldn’t shake the image of her out of my mind. Sweat coated my skin as we made it back to the metal door that would lead us down the hall. Past the vampire and to Javi.
Brady spread his hand against the reader again and led us through. We were down to Grayson’s flashlight. He shone it ahead as we slowed.
“They can’t follow us in here, right?” I asked the others.
“Hopefully not,” Grayson answered.
I sucked in a deep breath and tried to steady my erratic heartbeats. We made it. We just had to get to Javi.
A noise echoed in front of us and a light darted across our faces.
> “Rose?” a familiar voice called.
Grayson’s light revealed her face. Shiloh.
She stood next to Javi in the same cell we’d left him in. He was sprawled on the floor, his eyes staring up. No.
I raced for them and dropped to my knees beside him.
“He’s okay. He’s okay. Sleeping spell. To slow the poison,” Shiloh explained.
My shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you. How did you find him?”
She nodded toward her backpack. “A linking spell. I used his beer bottle.”
“I could use a drink right now,” Brady muttered.
Grayson set down his light to open the canvas bag. He pulled out a small vial.
Shiloh’s eyes widened. “The antidote? Oh, thank God.” Her voice cracked.
I squeezed her hand, tears filling my own eyes.
“We still have to figure out a way to make it back to the portal. Or take our chances here for the night.” Grayson spoke as he opened the vial and poured it into Javi’s gaping mouth.
My eyes snapped toward his silhouette. “What? We can’t stay here. There are murderous monsters loose.”
“We might be safe on this side,” he argued.
“Might be? That’s reassuring,” I grunted.
“If we go back out there, there’s a greater chance we’ll be caught by the prisoners.”
“Hate to admit it, but Gray is right. I’d take our chances in here. Wouldn’t be the first time I had to sleep it off in a cell,” Brady snorted.
I watched Javi’s unmoving form, desperate for a sign. Shiloh laid a hand on his chest, the dim light shone on her worried face.
“You were brave to come after us. Alone.” I glanced at her.
Her eyes met mine. “You were brave first. I was planning to come with Brady, but he didn’t wait for me to get ready.” Her gaze slid to him.
“Uh, yeah, because it would have taken forever,” he grumbled.
Javi jerked. Shiloh shone the light on him. His eyes flew open and a loud gasp escaped him. Relief flooded me. I threw my arms around him.
He coughed as I released him. “What the?”
We backed up so he could stand. He blinked, brow furrowed in confusion.
“You were bitten by a fairy.” I pointed to his shoulder.
Shiloh had bandaged it up and treated his other scratches, making me instantly feel guilty for not doing it myself.