Horace’s eyes darted around the room like he expected the Queen to appear out of nowhere. “Yes, but a few guards came through today. Searched the house and grilled me up and down. Said someone reported seeing you in the area and wondered if you’d been to see me.”
I groaned. “Hildegard. She saw me earlier when I came to find Ava. Did they find her?”
Horace smiled. “Course not.”
He motioned me over to a small rug on the floor and lifted it. He took the knife and pried up the edge of one of the wooden floorboards. A small section of the floor popped off, revealing Ava. She sat on a tiny stool, cup of tea in hand. “It’s about time, B. I didn’t think you’d ever show up.”
“A!” I squealed and helped her step out of the tiny hole in the ground before gripping her in a bear hug. “I can’t believe you’re okay.” I squeezed her harder.
“I won’t be if you keep hugging me like that,” she gasped.
“You don’t have much time,” Horace warned. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the guard returns again. They seemed mighty suspicious of me, and very interested to hear that you were back in Liralelle.”
“What’s the plan?” Ava asked.
“Basically, to get you out of here, and figure the rest out later. It’s all I got.” I readied my sword and prepared to leave when I remembered Muriel’s words about asking for help. “Horace, you’ve done so much already and risked your life to keep Ava safe. I hate to ask this, but do you suppose any of the trolls here would be up for a little revolution?”
I briefly described everything I knew about the Queen, Muriel, and the village girls who’d disappeared.
“Wow, Muriel tried to help my Helga that night.” Horace became emotional. “You’d think the trolls, of all creatures, would know not to judge a book by its cover.” He stroked his chin, deep in thought. “Let me see what I can do. Most trolls in these parts are mighty loyal to each other, Hildegard aside. When they hear what Her Highness did to my wife, they will be fired up to help.”
“I know Travis will be, for sure,” I added. “If you tell him what Her Highness tried to do to Ava.”
Ava’s cheeks grew pink. “Oh, yeah, Travis. He’s sweet for a troll.” She stared at Horace and covered her hand with her mouth. “Sorry, that came out totally wrong.”
“No offense taken,” Horace said. “But you really have to be going now. I’ll send word when I have news. Stick to the forest and we’ll find you.”
Ava grabbed Horace’s hand. “Thank you. For the company, the tea, everything. I owe you so much.”
“Just stay alive, little lady. Be safe.”
He waved us toward the back window.
“Oh no,” I said. “I’m not sure I’ll make it through there a second time. We’ll take our chances with the door.”
Horace opened the front door, and we slipped out into the night. We moved as silently and quickly as possible, staying far from Hildegard’s hut. The same troll tossed logs into the fire. I was grateful for the light it provided. The distance to the fence wasn’t far and we made sure to stay in the shadows.
I leapt the fence in one smooth movement, while Ava climbed over carefully. “Another reason why you got the lead in the performance,” she whispered.
I hadn’t given a second thought to ballet. For all I knew, the dress rehearsal had already happened and the lead had been given to Catelyn. I just hoped that Jay hadn’t quit the show. There was no reason for both of us to give up our Juilliard dreams.
We made it to the woods. It was hard to discern their figures in the dark until Cal’s small voice called out. “Bree, is that you?”
A small lamp lit the circle. Muriel held it to her face. “We’re under so much cover here that we should be okay with a little light for a bit.”
Ava’s face lit up when she saw Evan. “Hi, you.”
Evan grinned and picked up Ava in the air. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
We all sat in a circle, huddled together. Ava and Evan sat next to each other, both smiling. Cal curled up in my lap and I stroked his hair until I heard his breathing settle into the steady rhythm of sleep.
“What happened that night anyway?” I asked.
Ava’s face hardened. “I was sleeping. Next thing I knew, a hand covered my mouth and someone lifted me into the air. I found out later it was one of the Queen’s guards. I tried to kick him but he was too strong and I lost my shoe. He gagged me with some nasty cloth and tied my hands together and rode with me on the horse. It wasn’t until the guard stopped to let the horse drink from a stream while he went off to um, relieve himself, in the woods, that I had a chance to run.
Ava’s words tumbled out in a rush. “I heard his footsteps behind me, but I didn’t stop. All I pictured was that girl we found in the woods and I didn’t want it to me be. He gained on me since my hands were tied, so I found a large bush and hid underneath it until he passed by. After what felt like hours, I crawled out. I remembered this village but couldn’t remember exactly where it was, so I wandered until I saw the plumes of smoke from the fire.” She finally stopped for a breath. “Anyway, I’m so happy to see you all.”
I couldn’t believe everyone was okay. For now. Muriel’s face was difficult to read in the light. I told her about Horace and the support we’d likely get from the trolls. “What do you think, Muriel?” I asked. “Where do we go from here?”
“I think we go to your friend Ella and then on to the Center Village. Hopefully, we’ll hear from the trolls by then. After that, we take what forces we have, and go after Gertrude.” Her mouth was set in a grim line. “We’ll see how she likes to be the one being hunted.”
Evan grabbed Ava’s hand. “The Center Village will be tough but after that, hopefully we should have enough people to take on the Guard. The trick will be staying out of sight.”
Cal shifted onto his side, his face angelic as he slept. He wasn’t safe with us yet wouldn’t be safe back home with Mom either. It was a lose-lose situation and I didn’t know how to protect him.
The wind picked up, sending leaves skittering across the ground. As it grew stronger, my hair swirled around my face. Evan jumped up and helped Muriel to her feet. Ava squealed and reached toward Evan. “Is this another one of those tornado things? Is it coming for me?”
“No,” Muriel said. “Her scepter can only summon those under contract with her.” She stared at Ava. “Well, and anyone near them when the funnel hits. Luckily, my scepter has the same abilities and I can summon anyone she contracts with as well. Gertrude has been forced to go out and find her victims on her own ... or send her Guard.”
I couldn’t even imagine how many more victims she’d have by now if she could have summoned them at will with her tornado.
The roaring of the wind woke Cal and he shivered. I stood up, not letting go of him. The air around us started rotating. “Then it must mean it’s for me,” I said. “But how? She released me from my contract when she sent me back home.”
Muriel shook her head. “Knowing my sister, she didn’t do the actual formal release. She would want to keep you tethered—just in case. She’s never been big on keeping her word.”
I stared past the lamp light and just made out the angry dark funnel forming behind Muriel. If the funnel hit me, then everyone would end up in Her Highness’ grasp. Muriel raised her scepter and drew a circle in the air. A gold light streamed from it and encircled our group in a cylinder of bright, shimmery light. The winds fell calm in the circle, yet the black funnel raged larger beyond it.
Cal stared around wide-eyed. “This is so cool!”
Cool was not the word that came to mind as the funnel slammed against the golden circle. Horrific was more along the lines of what I thought, but Cal probably thought this had to have a happy ending just like in his book. He didn’t realize that Her Highness had a very different ending in mind.
We stood there entranced in the magical eye of a storm.
Evan turned
in a slow circle. “How long will this thing hold?”
“That’s the tricky part,” Muriel said. “It can last just as long as her tornado. The problem is that her funnel can last indefinitely.”
Ava groaned. “And we can’t stay in here forever.”
Muriel raised an eyebrow. “Exactly.”
16
The safety of the circle seemed like a prison once I realized Her Highness had us trapped. We’d need food and water, not to mention sleep, at some point. She had us where she wanted us versus the other way around. Muriel looked weary even after seating herself in the middle of the circle with the scepter pointed skyward. Tears pricked my eyes when I realized what I had to do. Muriel might be right that I couldn’t beat the Queen on my own, but we wouldn’t have a shot of survival if we were all imprisoned and killed.
I kissed Cal’s head and gripped him fiercely, then let go and placed his hand in Evan’s. “You’re his big brother now, Evan. Watch over him. Find Ella, get the villagers, and rescue me if you can.”
Ava frowned. “What are you talking about? You’re right here.”
“I’m sorry, A, about everything.”
Muriel simply nodded as though in resignation. She knew there was no other way. Her scepter pointed toward the far edge of the circle nearest the funnel. The golden glow dimmed in one section and formed a hole that looked black from the funnel against it.
“I love you all.” I ran and dove into the black winds.
“Well, well, well, someone found their way back to Liralelle without my assistance. I’m ever so curious how that happened.” Her Highness sat on her throne, arms crossed, scepter in hand. She’d dropped all pretense of the gracious Queen act.
I stood in the center of the throne room. It was empty save for us, which made me wonder about Rolph. I hoped he was okay. For the first time, I also noted the lack of windows in the room. It hadn’t seemed sinister until now.
“Well?” She rapped the scepter against the arm of the throne.
My stomach tied into knots. I felt like a mouse trapped in a lion’s lair with no plan of escaping. “Muriel brought me. She said something about the scepters having shared magic and only being able to summon those under contract with you.” I lifted my chin. “If you send me away again, she’ll just bring me right back.”
She slammed the scepter against the throne. “That stupid witch and her spells. She shouldn’t have messed in my affairs.”
I took a breath. “She was only trying to save people ... from you. Why were you trying to get Cal?”
Her eyes widened. “How did you know—”
My gut clenched. I hoped I didn’t just give Rolph away. It wasn’t likely that the Guard members would have passed along that information. “Muriel told me. She’s a witch like you, so she must have ways of knowing things. But first my brother here in Liralelle, and then you tried to take Cal.” My voice broke and I choked down tears. “Why?”
Her Highness rolled her eyes. “Well that explains why I was unable to find Cal in your world. Muriel must be ‘protecting’ him from me.” She leaned down and stared into my eyes. “I was doing you a favor, actually. You see, the original plan was for you to lead me to Muriel, and then I’d kill you after she was dead. But you ended up being exceedingly good at your job, and you’re one of the few women who hasn’t dallied with my husband.”
She sighed. “When I thought we’d found Muriel in the woods that day, I was going to reward you with letting you have your life back ... go to that dance school you blathered on about.” She paused. “But, as you know, we didn’t find her, and your little friend ran away, so my good nature evaporated. I figured if I took your brother, it would look like a kidnapping in your world, and you’d be too devastated to think about Liralelle or your friend.”
I stared at her, incredulous. “You think I’d just forget about my best friend? And you think I’m stupid enough not to realize that someone here was behind Cal’s disappearance? I just had the wrong person all this time.” My anger started to outweigh the fear. “I know all about how your husband raped my mother and how you didn’t want an heir to take your throne. But why did you kill Snow and kidnap Ava? I bet you’re behind the missing village girls too.”
Her Highness stood. “I’ve given you enough answers. You should have left things alone when you had the chance.” She called out in a high, loud voice. “Guard!”
Four guards rushed into the room. They were the same ones who always escorted me into the throne room. Though they’d never been nice to me, now they almost snarled at me. Her Highness smiled frostily. “I’m afraid you’re all out of chances and I’m fresh out of patience.”
A guard took each of my arms. I pulled against them to no avail.
“Take her to the dungeon,” she ordered.
I tried to kick the guard to my right, but he moved easily out of my way. They dragged me toward a small metal door behind the throne.
Things weren’t going in my favor so far. I yelled over my shoulder at Her Highness. “You won’t win this. You thought you could take Ava, but you couldn’t. You thought you could kill my brothers ... but you couldn’t. I can’t believe I ever trusted you.”
“Stop!”
The guards halted mid-step and turned me to face the Queen. Her face was like ice. “What did you just say?”
Oh no. Maybe she really had no idea that Evan was still alive. “Um, which part?”
She strode up and bent down toward me, her faces inches from mine. The wrinkles in her face weren’t as deep as they seemed last time I saw her. Strange.
Her words were slow and precise. “The part where you said I didn’t kill your brothers, as in plural.”
I stammered. “I-I’m just saying that my brother Cal is alive, that’s all.”
Her brows knit together, then her lips stretched into a sinister smile. “I don’t believe you. You will give me the information I need, Bree. One way or the other, you will. I promise.”
The guards must have taken that as their exit cue. They grabbed me and pushed me again toward the door. We entered into a dim, narrow hallway. They pushed me down a long winding set of stone stairs, and the air grew damper and staler the further down we went. One guard used a large key to open a heavy door at the bottom of the stairs and we entered what had to be the castle dungeon. Her Highness must have gotten some decor ideas from some of her fairytale books, such as the torches lighting the hall and ornate axes hanging criss cross on the wall. However, the long rows of small cells containing only a cot and a bucket seemed more like something out of Alcatraz.
Most of the cells were empty, thank goodness, but I’d been hoping I’d catch a glimpse of someone—maybe one of the missing village girls. The mildew scent assaulted my nostrils and the whole place smelled like decay. The hallway of cells was long and appeared to dead end into large stones a little further down from us. That meant the only way out was through the locked door we’d just come through.
We stopped about three-quarters of the way down the hall. A guard unlocked the cell door. “Here you go. Home sweet home.”
The other guard pushed me inside and locked the cell behind me. They chuckled to themselves as they retreated. I heard the faint click of the lock when they passed through the door. They must love the fact that they got to throw me in here. The Queen didn’t trust them enough for the big jobs, which was why she’d hired me, but now they got to put me in my place.
I pushed my face to the bars and looked left and right but could only see a few cells down in each direction. A way out certainly didn’t present itself. Counting the locked door in the Queen’s throne room, the door at the bottom of the stairs, and my cell, there were three doors that I had no key for. I had to hope that Muriel and the others found an unexpected army to help them storm the castle.
I studied my cell. Stone walls made up the other three sides of the room, not a window in sight. The roof was low, maybe eight feet high at most, and was also made of stone. The cot looked dingy bu
t clean. I sank onto it and sighed.
“Bree?”
I looked around.
“Hello?” I called into the air.
“Is that you, Bree?” the voice called again. Their voice had a grating quality to it and I didn’t recognize it.
I ran to the narrow bars of my door. “Yes, it’s Bree. Who’s there?”
“Over here.”
I craned my neck and peered to the right, toward the dead-end half of the hallway. A face appeared two cells down diagonal to me.
I’d know that face anywhere. “Rolph!” He looked pale, really pale. “Are you okay?”
“Okay probably isn’t the best word to describe me at the moment ... I’m really thirsty.”
That explained the rasp in his voice.
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Not long. Only a day or two. Once I realized what that woman was up to, I did all I could to help you. She’s not dumb and quickly figured out where my loyalties were. Have I mentioned I’d kill a puppy right now for a glass of water?”
I didn’t understand how he could be so weak after only a day. “Is she starving you?”
Rolph sighed. “I wish. She’d drinking from me. I’m not sure how much time, or blood, I’ve got left.”
I blinked. “What? Like she’s a vampire?”
“No,” Rolph said. “Just an evil witch with a relatively new spell. She cuts me and drinks the blood out of one of her crystal glasses. Keeps her young. That witch plans to stay Queen for eternity.”
My own blood turned icy. “Oh God, Rolph. That’s why she wanted Ava. The missing village girls ... have you seen any girls down here?”
His scratchy voice sounded like it was about to give out. “No. I didn’t know this place even existed until recently. Her Bitchness said it was a storage area.”
It was—a storage area for girls.
Rolph went on. “After getting a little friendly with a rather handsome guard, I found out that the Guards were taking girls from the village and keeping them here. But the villagers, believing Muriel was behind it, started keeping their kids inside so victims were harder to come by. After draining the imprisoned girls—the Queen got desperate. Apparently, the blood of the young only lasts for so long—so she went out herself to find fresh meat.”
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