by Sarah Erber
The thing speaks in a hoarse tone. “Master, what do you wish of us?”
Us? I glance at the other statues. Those little gargoyles were throwing stones at me on the first day of school. I knew it!
Again, Silus’ voice echoes through the air. “Kill the slave demons.”
The sound of cracking stone erupts from every edge of the theater roof as all of the gargoyles awaken. With a screech, they soar down to the street to assist the goblins with their prey. A gargoyle swoops and attacks Mr. Dredfield; a twinge of anger grows in me. I thought they were going to try to save everyone. They said if Jenkins is killed, everyone will return to their human selves.
A cackling laugh comes from the direction of the old-fashioned doorway leading back into the theater house. I scream while Silus’ voice, full of mockery, echoes into the night air. “Jenkins...you’re looking well.”
Jenkins’ face glows in an unholy sort of way. He snarls. “I can see Temptation betrayed me, but not to worry. I’ll take a piece of her when I am done killing you. Although, if you promise to behave, you could be my pet again.”
“You’re the only one who’ll die tonight Jenkins and don’t worry about Temptation. I’ve already claimed her. She belongs to me.”
Outrage swells up inside me.
Jenkins laughs. “No, she doesn’t. You forget, goblin.”
I can feel Silus’ anger increase.
“You drank my blood from the crystal and when you pumped your venom into Temptation, part of me went into her, too. I know she’s watching us – through your eyes.” Jenkins leers at Silus. “I can feel her. She’ll never be submissive to you. Either way, it won’t matter because you’ll be dead before dawn, and she’ll be under my control.” Jenkins lunges forward and slashes at Silus with his clawed hands.
Silus jumps, twists in the air, and aims his fist at Jenkins’ skull. A cracking sound echoes, while a sharp pain travels up my hand and on top of my own skull. I gasp. “I see you’re still slow, demon.”
Jenkins sneers at Silus. Black blood drips from his nose. “You barely touched me.”
I snort. Bull crap, my head feels like it was hit by a ton of bricks.
“I might not be as fast as you, crossbreed, but I can still hurt you in other ways. Let’s see how loyal Temptation is to you when you cannot even save her family.” Jenkins sprints and leaps off the balcony roof.
Silus does not hesitate.
I can feel his heart spike with fear.
He hurdles over the ledge, snatches Jenkins in mid-air, and then slams him through one of the theater windows.
Jenkins’ claws grow longer and his fangs drip a sickly white liquid.
Silus mimics his actions. They circle each other like predators. Silus lurches forward and slashes at Jenkins.
Jenkins blocks Silus’ attacks.
The darkness of the room would have been blinding to me, however, Silus’ sight is perfect in the blackness. Through his eyes, everything illuminates in shades of gray and platinum. The objects touched by the moonlight, like Jenkins’ swirling violet-red eyes, sparkle with an otherworldly beauty.
Jenkins’ unnatural grin stretches out even wider. “Why don’t we leave Temptation out of this one?” Before Silus can respond, Jenkins dives, and sinks his teeth into Silus’ skin. Blistering pain runs through my veins as I hear Silus’ painful growl before losing all sight.
Minutes pass. The night breeze caresses me, beckoning me back to reality. My eyes flutter open. The skeletal tree branches wave overhead. I shift my sore skull off the tree root and realize I can transfer my body more freely. Hoisting myself up off the ground, I snatch a nearby tree limb for support. My head throbs, but my mind soon focuses on the one thing I need to do. Help my family escape. I locate the opening of the woods leading to the road. As I rub my neck, I cringe, and withdraw my palm. Wetness covers it. Even though I cannot see it in the dark of the night, I know it is blood. I untie the black lace sash from my waist and bind it around my neck, careful not to cut off circulation. At the road, I hurry over to my vacant motorcycle, and haul it to a standing position. Swinging my legs over, I kick the bike into life.
Once I get a view of Rosewood, the roars of the battling immortals bid my heartbeat to quicken its’ pace. The flickering lights of the town are like an old battlefield of the past. Unlit shops remain undisturbed as I pass. The run-down gas station comes into view on my left. Dark figures fly overhead. I speed up; glad not to be the one hunted by gargoyles. Dead bodies are everywhere. The goblins are winning. Applying the brakes, I stop at Mrs. Peters’ home. The biker gang is blocking the entrance.
Craven extends his pale hand toward me. He helps me up the broken stairs. “You shouldn’t have come, Temptation. The Goblin King wanted you to stay where you would be safe. You need to go back. Hide in the goblins’ cove.”
I do not agree. “I’m not going anywhere without my family. I gave Silus and his goblins their freedom. I want mine. I’m taking my family and leaving Rosewood.”
The biker gang bares their fangs. “You’re not to leave Rosewood. Your family can once the battle is over. When the king kills Jenkins, the spell will be broken over Rosewood, and everyone will be free to leave.”
“Every tormented soul except me, right?”
The leader tips my chin up with one long pointy finger. “Do you think after causing this kind of change we’ve been dreaming of for well over a century, we would allow you to leave? Don’t you realize what you have done for us? You have given us the chance to unite the goblins and demons under one leader! Silus is both goblin and demon, thanks to you.”
“But why do I have to stay? If I’ve done something so great for your kind and the goblins, then why would you imprison me?” Tears form behind my eyes at the unfairness of it all.
Craven slants his spiked head. He stares at the bite mark on my neck and answers, “He chose you for our queen. With you, we’ll have a link to the human world and a better knowledge of it.”
I try to argue more, but no words emerge. The thought of marrying Silus, is both exciting and horrifying. Everything is happening too fast. I cannot think straight.
A thunderous crash echoes out from the town square and shakes the ground like an earthquake. Somehow, I know Silus is there in the town square. A moment later, a large Ferris wheel rolls down the street parallel to Main Street. Hanging lamps smash to the ground. Without thought, I jump off the stairs and sprint toward the street leading to the carnival.
Craven blocks me from continuing. “My orders are to keep you safe. Get back to the theater house!”
A sharp pain enters my chest. “Silus is in trouble.” I move past Craven with inhuman speed.
Silus has a lot of explaining to do.
The square is the epicenter of the battlefield. I dodge flying metal. It was a part of the Spider-leg Twirl. The carnival rides are torn down and being used as weapons. I hear a grunt along the side of the buildings. A collapsing ticket booth pins Remorse to the ground. The drama teacher, Mrs. Kindal, picks up a metal bar from a broken ride. She raises it, clearly aiming for Remorse’s head.
He sneers up at her. “I’ll not fear ya in death!”
I bound forward. Mrs. Kindal swings the bar down. I shield Remorse with my body and snatch the bar in my bare hands. Pain shoots down through my palms.
Mrs. Kindal’s eyes reflect the decades of insanity built up in her mind. “I never liked you Temptation. Always in the way. Always disrespecting our master. You’re no better than those filthy goblins you freed.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I say and yank the bar from her hands. I shove Mrs. Kindal back with my feet. The bar extends out in front of me like a sword. It shakes while I say, “I suggest you leave before you’re killed. I don’t want to kill you, even though you’re no better than Jenkins.”
“Stupid brat!” Mrs. Kindal lurches forward and rams herself into the metal bar. The metal sinks into her stomach, but she drives it further into her own flesh. Mrs. Kindal c
laws at me. I try to duck her blows. Mrs. Kindal strikes out and slashes my shoulder.
“How dare ya hurt our queen?” Remorse drags himself out of the rubble and pounces on Mrs. Kindal. “Get outta the way, yer majesty!”
I project the bar away and retreat. Remorse exposes his needlepoint chrome teeth. They drip a white liquid. He sinks them deep into Mrs. Kindal’s neck as she makes a final attempt to attack. Her hellish scream causes me to clutch the spot on my neck where Silus bit me. Remorse remains latched to Mrs. Kindal’s neck like a wildcat attacking prey. Her eyes roll in the back of her head and she drops dead to the ground.
He shuffles away from her to stand next to me. “Ya should be at the theater house. Whatcha doin’ ‘ere?”
“Silus’ is in trouble.” I study the warring creatures. “I don’t know where he is, but he’s been hurt.”
“There be nothin’ ya can do. Me master be powerful enough to defeat Jenkins. But he’d be pleased ta know ya care–”
“You’re mistaking my intentions, Remorse. I want to leave Rosewood, but Craven said I can’t.” I frown at Remorse when he gaffs my response.
“Yer not ta leave. And that be the end of it.” Remorse forces me toward the theater house.
“No.” I slip out of his gnarled fingers. Dashing back into the carnival battlefield, I ignore Remorse’s pleas. Through the crowd, I dodge debris, and avoid the dead carcasses. I can feel panic arise in Silus for fear of my safety.
Strong arms cage my body and lift me into the air. As I hold the bronze arms on my abdomen, the town square passes under us. We are fast approaching the theater house. A large window breaks open and we land in a Victorian room, which resembles a stylish living room. The room holds only dim lighting. Voices applaud us from the walls.
“Glad to see you made it out!”
“We were worried for awhile.”
“We’ll keep you safe here, your majesty.” A sun on the wall beams at me.
“I’m not your queen,” I say to the idols, “and I’m not staying here.” I pivot in Silus’ arms, glaring up into his eyes with open defiance.
Amusement replaces his concern for my safety.
“There’s nothing funny about our situation, Silus.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Temptation, you’re the most fun I’ve had in over two hundred years. I do think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“A hundred and fifty of those years don’t count because you’ve been locked away.”
Silus laughs even harder.
“I want to escape from Rosewood. I’m not a thing, I’m a person. You can’t keep me as a prisoner!”
His facial muscles flex into seriousness. “What will you do if I release you? Go to college? Start a family?” His loving emotions change to jealousy, burning like dry ice against my heart. “Forget about me?”
I decline to meet his line of questions.
“Do you really think your aunt will allow you to stay with her family, after all this?”
“Families don’t abandon each other. They’re not perfect, but they’re also not cruel.”
Silus stares in thoughtful contemplation at my unyielding determination. “You might be safer outside of Rosewood.”
Hope swells in me. “So, you’ll let me go?”
Silus grins and leans closer. “Yes. But don’t think it will last forever. On the winter solstice, an eclipse will happen. During that eclipse, all barriers between worlds will be broken. I’ll come to retrieve you then – with or without your consent.”
I shove his arms off my waist. “You’re nothing but a beast!”
Silus laughs. “And you’re a beauty. We make the perfect fairytale couple.”
I do not resist a snort. “This isn’t a fairytale, it’s a nightmare. Besides, last time I checked, fairytales are happy and joyful with handsome princes and princesses.” My disapproving eyes square him off. “You’re no handsome prince and I’m no princess. We’re both far from ever becoming those stereotypes.”
The Goblin King’s delight grows. “But if I remember correctly, you did lose your glass slippers tonight.”
I ignore his teasing remark and saunter to the shattered window. The chaos outside is calming to a low rumble. The goblins must be winning.
Silus positions himself behind me once again and leans forward to speak in my ear. His breath sends a chill of adventure running down my spine. “You know, true fairytales are of the most unlikely couples, and the battles they fight together. These characters have tragic empty lives, until they finally find one another.”
His message is in his voice; in his tender tone. A tone someone uses to speak to a lover.
“I think we need to split up. Your goblins seem to have overtaken the demons, but Jenkins is still in town, isn’t he?”
“He’s somewhere, hiding no doubt. I want you to stay here until this is over. Your family members are in the ballroom with the Peters. You can wait for me there. Jenkins cannot stay hidden forever.” Silus strokes my shoulders with his spidery fingers. It is a comforting gesture, a warming relief for my loneliness.
I start to leave.
Large fingers circle my hands.
Silus twirls me into his arms and steals my kiss, my mortality, my soul – everything. Nothing in the world matters. Nothing will dare hurt me. The rapid beats of his heart pound against my chest. Adrenalin courses through my veins as arms explore my lower back. Silus is literally the man of my dreams.
Breaking for air, Silus gazes into my swirling jade-violet eyes. “I love you, Temptation Belladonna Falls. I will come back for you, no matter where you go.”
Nodding, I slide out of his embrace. Without a backward glance, I leave the Goblin King. Once the door closes behind me, I suffer a twinge of loss.
The sun and moon medallions on the walls guide me to the cluttered ballroom. Their constant praise annoys me. At the top of the balcony, I see my family with a harassed Mr. and Mrs. Peters.
“I don’t have a bloody interest in what your king wants! We’re leaving–”
“Mr. Falls, if you exit the theater, you’re in danger of being killed. Can’t you understand we’re trying to save your lives! Temptation is still out there somewhere–”
“I’m here, Mrs. Peters.”
Everyone gasps.
I rush down the stairs and descend into the now depressed ballroom.
“Thank goodness!” Mrs. Peters dashes forward and embraces me. Mr. Peters follows behind his wife.
Although I appreciate the Peters, I am studying the reactions of my family. Aunt Sally and Uncle Jack control no emotions on their faces. Even my two cousins do not convey any feelings.
“We were afraid Jenkins captured you.” Mrs. Peters motions at my family. “I’m trying to explain to them how dangerous it is to leave.”
“I can take them.” I untangle myself from the Peterses’ hugs.
“But the king objected to–”
“I spoke with Silus a moment ago. He said we’re free to depart from Rosewood.” I catch my Uncle Jack’s eye. “Do you have the keys to your car?”
Uncle Jack blinks as if startled to hear me speak directly to him. “Yes. It won’t do us much good, since the car is sitting at home.”
“Come on. We need to return to the front of the theater.” The Peters begins protesting, but my family follows without hesitation. “I’ll need to borrow your keys, Uncle Jack.”
“You’ll get caught if you try to run home and get it!” Uncle Jack’s disapproving tone lifts my spirit. At least he still worries about me.
“Trust me.” I say at the entrance of the theater and hold out my tattooed hand.
He twitches his mustache. Sally nudges him. “Fine.” He shoves his hand into his pocket and withdraws his shining keys.
In a flash, I grab them and dash home. It takes less than thirty seconds to arrive home and two minutes to pack some bags. I think I am getting the hang of this. In the car, I scoot forward and place the keys in the ignition. I re
verse the car out of the driveway and then head back to the theater. Goblins stalk the roads. Bone masks cover their faces. At the corner of Main and Weeping Willow Lane, I wave my family over. Grabbing my bag, I step out of the car, and move aside for Uncle Jack to take the driver’s seat. Aunt Sally rushes to the other side, while ushering her boys to climb in back. I remain where I am on the corner of Mrs. Peters’ lawn.
“Temptation, get in the car.” Uncle Jack’s brow drops beads of sweat onto his shirt while his eyes dart to every dark corner in sight. He cringes as a goblin limps by laughing and carrying a bloody knife.
“I’m not going with you, Uncle Jack.”
Uncle Jack narrows in on me. “What?”
“I need to stay a little longer. I know I’ve caused you a lot of problems over the past year, and I’m grateful that you’ve all put up with me, but now you can see I’m not crazy.”
Uncle Jack steps out of the car, the protests of his wife and sons forgotten. Fear of the demons and goblins seem to extinguish in this moment. “Temptation, you are my niece. I’ve watched you grow up right along with my own children. You’re the closest thing I have to a daughter. I–” His eyes are watering. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you from the start. You were never one to make up stories. I should have never allowed that doctor to send you to that psychiatric hospital for all those months.”
Tears drip from my eyes. I wished to hear those words so badly from Uncle Jack, but thought the day would never come. The remaining weight on my heart lifts, tearing away the lingering depression of the past. I truly embrace the freedom of my past. “Are you going back to Urbanna?”
“We are going back to Urbanna.”
A sharp pain enters my chest. Jenkins is hurting Silus. The battle is shifting.
“Uncle Jack, you said you regretted not trusting me, so trust me now. I need to stay here a little longer. I’ll follow you to Urbanna. I’ll find you, but I have to help someone.”
Uncle Jack paces the pavement mumbling.
“Dad! We have to go!”
Carting me into a hug, he says, “You better follow or I’ll come back. I swear I will!”