by Carey Corp
“Aye!”
“She canna stop us all!”
Addie lifted her wrist in an inpatient flick, and sent a wave of smoke rolling through the rest of the Doonians, solidifying them as well.
With a snap of her fingers, Adam and Sean MacNally pushed through the frozen bodies, their enthrallment clear in the vacant look in both their eyes. They each grabbed one of my arms, pinning them to my sides. I jerked against their iron grips, but they only tightened their hold.
Addie glided forward, her vivid gaze burning into me like a laser beam. “I may not be able to hurt you, wee queen, but I will have my way yet. Wait and see.”
I wanted to spit in her smug face, scream insults that would scorch her ears for centuries. But I was terrified she would plunge a knife into someone else’s heart. I needed to keep her talking. “You know killing me won’t work. The throne would only pass down to Jamie, and if you kill him, to Duncan, and so on until you’ve killed every last Doonian. Then who would you rule?”
Her contemplative gaze swept me from head to toe. “I had hoped, since ye are not Doon-born, that I could kill ye, and then your pretty prince would be so heartbroken he would be putty in my hands. I see my mistake now. The Covenant is linked to the ruler. The Protection of Doon resides inside o’ you.” She drew a circle with her finger in front of my chest, purple light hanging in the air like the aftermath of a sparkler. “But I can destroy you in a thousand little ways, and in the end I will take your precious kingdom.”
I swallowed hard, and forced myself to stare into her evil gaze. “The Protector gave me a vision.” Straining toward her, I growled, “You. Will. Lose.”
“Ah, your precious Protector.” Addie stretched the word out. “Means nothing to me.”
Turning her back, she began to pace. “For the next portion of our entertainment, you will be my silent captive. If you interrupt me in any way . . .” She gave a sharp nod as another one of her mindless slaves came forward. The bald head and disfigurement of his face were unmistakable. Gideon. As I noted the alertness of his expression, I realized he wasn’t enchanted, but serving the witch of his own free will. My heart gave a squeeze. He’d fooled us all.
A grin split Gideon’s face, and he pulled a young teen up the stairs of the platform. A bob of bronze waves framed wide-brown eyes — Greta, one of the kids in the Crew.
As Gideon yanked Greta past where Jamie stood, my prince remained immobile, but his eyes followed. The fear I read there sparked a fire in me, and I rammed the heel of my boot down hard on Sean’s foot. He released me, but Adam held tight. I spun and thrust a fist into Adam’s stomach. Sean caught my arm and drew me back.
“Get off of me!” Wild, I struggled against them, kicking and twisting. “She’s just a child!”
The smack hit my cheek with the force of a sledge hammer, knocking my head sideways as pain exploded in my left eye. Squinting through tears, Addie’s smug face wavered before me.
“As I was saying.” She arched one dark brow, her scarlet lips curling up. “You will watch in silence, or Gideon will snap the girl’s wee, freckled neck.”
CHAPTER 32
Mackenna
Scene Freeze. How I hated this game!
I concentrated on staying rigid as Gideon dragged Greta past me. I had no doubt that Addie would have her killed if I tried anything. Besides, no one was in any immediate danger, except from boredom as Addie strutted around Vee and her frozen subjects like a malevolent peacock.
If this were a play, now would be the time for an expository speech from the antagonist explaining how they came to this point. Addie was not about to disappoint. The only way she could be more cliché is if she wore a pointy black hat and carried a broom.
In a low tone, meant not to be overheard by the Doonians, Addie began her victory gloat. “Ah, Veronica. You canna have any inkling how revolting the past months have been — constricted as unshapely, sad Emily . . . without my magic, kowtowing to you. ‘Yes, Your Highness. Right away, Your Highness.’ Mustering up tears for that simpleton Drew Forrester. Having to deal with his overly inquisitive brother. Seducing Adam and Sean into believin’ they were my one and only love.” She chuckled. “So odious . . . but so worth the trouble.”
“And using you and your insipid friend as vessels to regain my magic — such poetic justice. You two did everything I wanted — carried my magic inta Doon, retrieved my spell book, and liberated the rest of my power buried deep within the Pictish stone. I jus’ want you ta know, I couldna be here without you.”
She glanced at Gideon, whose hands were wrapped around the young girl’s neck. “Remember, Your Highness, one word and she dies. The same goes for you, Mackenna.”
I held my breath and forced myself not to react as Addie turned to me. “I know your stage tricks, dearie. Fool me twice . . . well, I’m too smart for that. Do we have an understanding?”
Greta yipped as Gideon tightened his grip in warning and Addie’s brows lifted to emphasize her point. I slowly nodded, and she responded with a wide smile. “Lovely. Let’s continue with the fealty ceremony, shall we?”
She reached for Queen Lynnette’s locket, lifting it over her head. “Unfortunately, I’ve had ta part with the ring I’d planned to use on the occasion, but the locket should do nicely.” She wound the chain around her finger in an improvised ring.
“Citizens of Doon, my dear subjects.” She addressed the crowd like Evita speaking to her adoring masses. “I’ve waited a long time to take my place among ye as your rightful queen. If ye pledge to me, ye will find me a most benevolent ruler, as ye shall now see.”
She waved her long fingers so that a hazy purple tendril of magic began to slither through the crowd. “Eòran, step forward.”
Not of his own will, Vee’s most dedicated guard lurched forward with jerky, resistant steps. When he came to a frozen stop in front of Addie, she reached out and stroked his bushy face with long purple nails. “Dear Eòran. You are a most loyal protector. I’ve need of men like you. Will you swear to serve me as your one true queen and ruler of Doon?”
Eòran’s face began to contort, turning scarlet beneath his gray mutton chops. Clearly he had a lot to say on the subject despite being frozen.
Bemused, Addie watched him for a moment and then with a snap of her fingers said, “You may speak freely.”
“ . . . if ye were the last person on earth!”
Addie’s mouth dipped into a disappointed moue. “So I take it that’s a no?”
“I will never serve you, witch.”
“I understand.” She regarded the scruffy guard with a pained expression. “Now that ye’ve had your say, what say we put that tongue o’ yours ta better use?”
Eòran’s eyes bulged from his head as she waved her fingers in front of his face. His stubby hands clutched at his throat as he opened his mouth and made noises that were somewhere between a hiss and a groan. Inside his mouth, where his tongue should have been, was only a slug-like stump.
Slowly, Adam’s closed mouth spread into a wide, vindicated smile. Releasing Vee’s arm, he dropped to one knee and pressed his lips to Addie’s hand. He kissed the pendant multiple times before smiling up at her. “Thank you, my queen! Thank you!”
I exchanged a glance with Vee. Still held by Sean, and with the threat of Greta’s life hanging in the balance, she remained silent — but I could read the horror on her face as clear as day. As Adam pledged his fealty, I swept the crowd noting how many eyes of the frozen Doonians projected palpable reactions of shock and awe.
What did Addie have to gain by mutilating Eòran? As if she was reading my thoughts, Addie straightened her shoulders and spoke to the crowd. “Many of you are infirm. You’re in need of restoration. I can heal you, just as I’ve done to Adam. If you follow me, I will make you better than whole. I will make you strong and sound. All ye need to do is pledge to me. There is nothing to fear . . . Step forward and be transformed.”
At first nothing happened. Then an elderly man began to h
obble forward on spindly bowlegs with the use of a walking stick. He deliberately avoided looking at Vee as he passed. I watched breathlessly as he knelt in front of the witch and pledged his oath. As he kissed the pendant, Addie flicked a shower of purple sparks over his head.
The man gasped, “My legs!” and then rose without use of his stick. Instead of an infirmed eighty-year-old, he had the hardy appearance of a man who’d worked out every day of his long life. He turned in an athletic circle and then bowed low over Addie’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, my queen.”
As he descended the dais to stand off to one side of his new queen, a couple ventured forward cradling a small child. They stopped hesitantly in front of the witch, the woman’s eyes darting uncertainly to Vee. She mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.” Then to Addie, she begged, “Heal my child!”
They held out their sleeping daughter, who appeared to be four or five. Addie stroked the child’s damp hair, her face a deceptive mask of compassion. “Your wee bairn is sickly.”
“Aye, Your Highness,” answered the mother.
“Canna ye save her?” pleaded the father.
“Aye.” Addie continued to stroke the child’s head, leaving trails of purple sparks until the sleeping child’s eyes blinked open. As soon as their daughter awoke, the couple dropped to their knees and pledged their lives, including their daughter’s, to the witch. After kissing her pendant, they rose and took their place among the witch’s new minions.
The couple was replaced by two more Doonians in search of physical healing — a man with an eye patch and an old woman with a permanent hunch.
People were actually buying her miracle healer act!
I met Vee’s startled gaze. Due to our almost psychic connection, I could tell she wanted to warn them as desperately as I did. But we dared not speak for Greta’s sake. So I continued to watch in mute horror as the witch restored the next pledge’s sight. And then the hunchback’s posture.
Healings performed, Addie addressed the crowd again. “As ye can see, I am a monarch of great power and great compassion. It is my intention ta lead Doon into an unprecedented age o’ prosperity. All who join me will share in the wealth and blessings that only I can provide. Your false queen would lead you inta war. One ye canna win. I offer an alternative without bloodshed, without strife. All ye need do is swear fealty to me.”
“’Tis true.” Sean MacNally’s voice rang through the hollow space. “My queen is a remarkable woman and a natural-born Doonian. The throne was stolen from her long ago. I urge my lads to follow in my example and pledge to Doon’s one true queen.”
In the wake of Sean’s words, several men stepped forward, some alone and others with wives and families in tow. I guessed they were all Sean’s cohorts who’d opposed Vee’s rule since she first became their queen. I noted that Duncan and Jamie were straining to move without success. It was as if the witch’s spell could measure intention and was only freeing those who truly wanted to drink her wicked Kool-Aid.
Nearly thirty Doonians made vows to Addie — bowing to her, kissing Lynnette’s pendant. Each person descended the dais slightly changed. They seemed stronger, with a vague zeal that I couldn’t help but feel was a result of them willingly sacrificing their free will. I had no doubt that if and when the time came, Addie would make them puppets, not caring what happened to them as long as they did her bidding.
When the line of her would-be subjects died down, Addie scanned the remaining group. “Are there any more good folk who want ta come forward? Come now.”
When the witch had claimed the crown, Sofia and Gabby had retreated back to our row. They now stared sullenly at the floor. Behind them I noted Roddy McPhee and his wife doing the same. Lachlan and Blaz were nowhere to be seen. Come to think of it, other than Greta, all of the kids that made up Jamie’s Crew seemed to be absent. Addie, however, didn’t seem to notice that an entire generation seemed to have vanished.
When no other citizens responded to her appeal, she nodded at the remnant. “Please dinna make the mistake of backing the wrong queen. Veronica canna save ye. However, to prove I am a fair and benevolent ruler, I will give you ’til the morrow to change your mind. Think on this . . . Each day I will demand a life from each family, either in service or in death. Swear fealty to me or watch them die.”
Addie turned to her underlings, who were gathered in front of the dais. “Take the rest of the Doonians to the dungeons. Make sure that families stay together. They have much to discuss before daybreak.”
About a dozen men broke from Addie’s mass of new followers to escort the rest of the people to the dungeon. Just as had happened with Eòran, those enthralled walked with jerky, halting steps toward the back of the hall.
Once the room was clear of all the unclaimed, Addie’s benevolent mask melted away. Unfortunately, her followers didn’t seem to notice her true, rotten self.
“For those of you who’ve pledged to the false queen, you may save those you love from the executioner’s gallows by recanting your oath and swearing fealty to me. Shall we begin?”
CHAPTER 33
Veronica
Horror didn’t begin to describe what I felt as I watched several of my royal guards, men who I’d talked to and joked with, who’d watched over me morning and night, kneel before Addie and denounce their vow to me. But as a part of me died inside, the senseless choice they were making hurt me most — the choice that would separate them from the Covenant that had protected them for centuries.
After a dozen of my guardsmen had pledged, Addie spun to face me, her violet eyes dancing with delight. “Your turn, queenie.” She strutted forward, stopping less than a foot away to tower over me. “As you can see, ye canna stop me from gainin’ your people’s fealty. Hand over the throne and no one else has to die.”
A part of me wanted to give in, to stop the killing and torture. Shutting out Addie’s impatient face, I squeezed my eyes closed and searched for guidance. If surrendering the throne saved lives, wasn’t it worth it? Something inside of me stilled. Queen Lynnette had believed the same thing.
She’d made the choice for them. If I did the same, I’d be turning every Doonian over to a malevolent ruler and robbing them of the chance to choose light over dark, good over evil. This wasn’t about me, or even those I loved most. My decision changed the fate of an entire kingdom. The Protector’s vision had been clear — we would win, but we had to fight.
I opened my eyes, lifted my chin, and stared into the gaze of evil incarnate before uttering one word: “No.”
Rage hardened every muscle in Addie’s face, stripping away her beauty. “You imbecile! You have no power! Who are you to say no to me?”
Monster-Addie whipped up a clawed hand, and I flinched, ready for the blow, but she spun away on her heel. When she turned back, a placid calm had replaced her anger, restoring her attractive facade.
“Fine. I will execute the ones you love,” she commented as if discussing the weather. “And their corpses will be strung up in the courtyard as a reminder for those who refuse me.” She leered then, wide and full of such malicious joy that it froze the blood in my veins.
She tapped a crimson nail against her lips. “Hmm . . . let’s see. Should we start with the least important and work our way up?” She paused in front of Eòran, shook her head, and then walked to where Fiona stood petrified, her hand reaching toward the dais. “This one has special gifts.” Addie ran the tip of her fingernail down my friend’s cheek hard enough to draw blood.
I lurched, causing Sean to tighten his grip, but dared not cry out for fear my reaction might encourage her to act.
Addie moved on, but there was no sense of relief as she paused before Kenna. “Or perhaps the fiery sidekick?”
“Stuff it, witch!” Kenna jerked against the guard who held her arms. Addie chuckled and shook her head. Her dismissal of my best friend almost made me smile, because I knew someday she would learn what I already knew — Mackenna Reid was a force of nature.
; Addie ambled around the stage, hands clasped behind her back. When she passed the place where Gideon had been holding Greta, I noticed they were missing. But before I had time to contemplate their whereabouts, Addie stopped directly in front of Jamie and Duncan, who stood frozen side-by-side. She gripped her waist and tilted her hip, striking a pose.
“Hmm . . . the heir or the spare? An age-old question, really. Does one gravitate toward the mercurial, brooding brother, or the cheery, loyal one? Both so incredibly appealing.” She reached out and stroked each of their cheeks. Jamie blinked and stared past Addie’s shoulder, his eyes never leaving mine. I swallowed, hard.
“You seem to be quite fond of your friend’s boy toy,” Addie’s voice slithered through the silence. “But I’ve always believed in startin’ from a position o’ strength.”
She turned back to me and clasped her hands in front of her chest, her face lighting like a rich kid on Christmas morning. “The crown prince it is!”
“No,” I whispered, tears pooling in my eyes. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t sacrifice Jamie.
“You can stop it, ye know.” Addie tipped her head to the side, her face transforming in an imitation of compassion. “Just hand me the throne, swear your fealty to me, and everyone in this room lives.”
“I won’t.” I shook my head, unsure if I was denying her or my traitorous heart.
“All right, then. To prove my great benevolence, I’ll grant you the same reprieve as the rest o’ Doon. Ye shall have a nice overnight stay in the dungeon to think it over. And, if ye promise to behave, I will give ye a moment to say your good-byes.”
I bobbed my head in agreement, and then Addie turned back to Jamie. “I trust you will convince her to do the right thing.” She swept her palm through the air, releasing him from her spell.
Jamie strained against the guards as they escorted him to the middle of the stage. Addie nodded. “Ye may release him. They aren’t goin’ anywhere.”
Sean let me go and I ran to meet Jamie, but when I tried to throw my arms around him, he held my shoulders, keeping me at arm’s length. His velvet gaze caressed my face, his words soft, but strong. “Ye have to let me go. Your Calling is greater — ”