by Kristie Cook
Before I make my way down, I decide on a wardrobe change. Alberico will undoubtedly be surrounded by his council and other important elves, so I should probably look the part of a princess. I enter my massive closet and browse through the endless rows of flowy dresses, finally deciding on a pale yellow dress with long sleeves that flare out at the wrists. The bodice is laced and ties at the neckline. I don’t really know what to do with my hair, but since I will likely be doing some training later anyway, I pull it to the side and braid it. I notice that Freya has a vase of freshly cut yellow roses on my bedside table so I pick a few buds and slip them in my long braid. Once I deem myself presentable enough, I take a deep breath and head down the hall.
I literally run into Grey.
I seem to do that a lot.
But at least this time I didn’t land flat on my back.
“Hey, I was hoping I’d run in to you,” I tell him.
“You were?” he seems surprised and I detect a hint of amusement in his indigo eyes.
“Yes, well, not quite so literally,” I tease him, earning a small smile in return. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Does anybody know you are here yet?” he asks as he looks around.
“No, I just got here.”
“Where’s Jacoby?”
“I’m guessing he is still sleeping.” Jacoby likes to sleep in whenever possible and on the days he doesn’t get to sleep in, he naps. The boy sleeps all the time. I left him a message when I was driving around earlier letting him know where I would be in case he came to check on me like he is supposed to when it was his turn to ’play babysitter’ as he likes to call it.
“He doesn’t know where you are?” he says sternly.
“I know where I am and that’s all that matters.”
“Why are you being so difficult?” he exhales, exasperated over my stubbornness.
“You’re one to talk,” I snap, and immediately the guilt washes over me. “Sorry. I actually came here to try to make things better between us.”
At that his eyes soften and he reaches for my hand.
“Mia,” he whispers. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I should have kept my feelings in check. I need to do a better job at keeping them under control. It’s just so much harder than I ever dreamed possible.”
He pulls me closer to him and rests his chin on the top of my head for a minute. Or maybe an hour. I don’t know how long we stand there, but eventually he pulls away. “I should go.”
Without another word, he turns and walks away from me. I think about following him for a second but force myself to continue down the hall to meet my father for breakfast.
It’s amazing how different he is when it’s just the two of us versus when other people are around. But I suppose he has always been like that. He is all sweet and attentive when it’s just us, but as soon as somebody else enters the room he becomes distant and impassive towards me. It’s frustrating. And so different from Jacoby. Jacoby is constant. He is the kind of guy who would kiss you in the middle of a busy street and not feel remotely embarrassed by the public display of affection.
I am suddenly not in the mood for breakfast after all, so I make my way back to my room. I’ll just spend a few minutes on the balcony, soaking up the fresh air before I go see my father.
Lately, it seems that I have been drawn to the outdoors, especially during the day. It’s almost like I am addicted to it. When I have been indoors for too long I start to feel on edge, but once I step outside I feel calm and more at peace. The fresh air and sun are a source of comfort and energy for me now. I’ve always been more inclined to stay indoors. I never really was the outdoorsy type, until now. I idly wonder if perhaps this has something to do with discovering the truth behind my heritage or the blessing of the Sun goddess?
“Daydreaming about me, Lark?” I turn to see Jacoby leaning casually against the door frame. I guess he got my note.
“Ha. Don’t you wish.”
“Actually, I do,” he smiles.
“I’m surprised you’re up this early.”
“You and me both,” he laughs. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you tonight?” He reverts to speaking in my head since there are probably elves close enough to hear us. “It would make me feel better if I knew you were safe.”
“Jacoby, please! You promised! I want to spend some time with my best friend. It’s just one night.”
“Fine!” he relents, but I know he really doesn’t want to.
“Come on. Let’s go see Alberico.” I drag him behind me.
Fortunately, Alberico doesn’t have any new updates for us. The plan remains the same: attack the DÖkkÁ lfar next Saturday. As nervous as I am about the upcoming battle, I’m relieved that I will be able to head home early today.
“You seem like you are in a hurry to leave today.” Alberico notes. “Do you have big plans tonight?”
I look at Jacoby before I respond, “Nope, not really.”
“Okay, well I will see you tomorrow.”
“See you.” I turn around just as the door opens, and I run smack into the heavy frame. “Ow!”
Alberico and Jacoby immediately rush to my side, looking me over as Finnegan enters and frantically starts apologizing. But not to me.
“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he says, his eyes crazed with panic.
“Shouldn’t you be apologizing to my daughter?” Alberico states calmly, giving Finnegan a pointed look.
“My apologies, Mia,” he says, bowing before me, but when he looks up to meet my eyes, the look is anything but apologetic. I am taken aback by his obvious disdain at having to bow before me. I know that he has never been openly friendly with me like his wife, Isobel, has. I hadn’t really given it much thought up until this point since most of the elves are wary around me because of the prophecy, but this is different. He really seems to have a genuine hatred towards me.
“It’s okay. It was an accident.” I reply as Jacoby places his hand underneath my arm.
“C’mon Lark, we need to get going,” he says as he ushers me out the door. “See you tomorrow, Your Majesty.”
“Bye, Dad.”
“Good night to you both.” Alberico smiles distractedly, then a perplexed expression crosses his face as he eyes Finnegan.
***
As expected, Hannah decides we are going to watch the latest book-to-movie adaptation. Though predictable, it was exactly which movie I would have chosen for the night. We are a little obsessed. Any time we see a preview for a movie that we think we might enjoy, we immediately go to Amazon.com to see if there was a book first. Then we devour the book right before the movie comes out. It’s sort of our thing. This movie is based on a series of books about vampires and it’s the last installment. We’ve been waiting to see it though so we could avoid the insane crowds and actually get good seats.
As we stand in line at the concession stand waiting to get our snacks, I get a weird feeling that someone is watching me. I casually look over my shoulder, but there is only an elderly couple standing behind me. My eyes wander around the red-carpeted lobby but nobody seems out of the ordinary. I’m supposed to be forgetting about the supernatural element in my life and enjoying a normal Saturday night with my normal best friend and yet I still can’t seem to really escape my reality. I try to shake the weird feeling I’m getting and just concentrate on the mundane task of choosing which overpriced candy I’m going to indulge in tonight.
I end up getting nachos and a small coke while Hannah gets a large popcorn with extra buttery topping, a box of Sour Patch Kids and a large cherry slushy.
“So are you going to tell me what is going on between you and that Jacoby guy?” She whispers during the previews.
“What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? I mean, don’t tell Seth or anything, but that boy is freakin’ hot!”
I laugh at her absurdity.
“But I don’t understand, whatever happened between you and Grey?�
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“Oh God, I don’t even want to go there tonight,” I sigh. “Let’s just say, it’s complicated.”
I wish that I could explain everything to her, but unfortunately, I’m not supposed to tell anyone about the Light Elves. And besides, it’s not like she would believe me anyway. Nobody wants their best friend to think they’re crazy.
“Complicated? Having two ridiculously swoon-worthy guys vying for your attention? Yep, I’d say that is pretty complicated,” she cocks an eyebrow at me.
“It’s not like that. It’s just weird and complicated and I don’t know how else to explain it, but trust me, neither are vying for my attention.”
She doesn’t look too convinced, but she doesn’t ask me any more questions about Grey or Jacoby during the movie and by the time it’s over, she is gushing over something besides the guys in my life.
“Oh my gosh, Mia,” she squeals as we are leaving the theater building. “That was epic! I think it’s my favorite!”
It’s dark already and the air is surprisingly chilly tonight. It causes chills to run up and down my spine and goosebumps cover my arms and legs. I start to regret the fact that I automatically parked in the very back of the theater like I would do if I was working. The only other vehicles back here are those of the employees working right now which means there isn’t anybody else back here except for me and Hannah.
“Definitely! Mine too,” I agree, as I walk swiftly to my car hoping she follows suit. “I liked that it followed the book more closely than the other movies anyway.”
It is a huge pet-peeve of mine when movies change a bunch of unnecessary things. I understand that some things have to be altered in book-to-movie adaptations to make them more cinema-friendly, but I’ll never understand why they will sometimes cut what I would consider to be important details, but then add completely random things. For example, the Harry Potter movies left out the entire history of the Marauder’s map, but managed to fit in a choir singing with toads in the beginning of the movie. How does that make any sense?
“Do you want the rest of the popcorn?” she asks as she hands it to me.
I know most people probably think it is gross but stale movie theater popcorn is my favorite snack. Next to chocolate covered chocolate chip granola bars, that is.
“Thanks,” I take it from her as I try to dig out my keys as quickly as I can. “Where do you want to go for dessert?”
She doesn’t answer me right away like I expect so I glance up to see what has her attention. She is staring at something behind me. She is shaking and her eyes are as big as saucers. I slowly turn around to look at what has her so scared. A pit forms in the bottom of my stomach as my heart rate accelerates.
“So we meet again,” a greasy sounding voice greets me.
Brian. His dark, oily hair has grown a few inches since the last time I saw him, but he’s wearing the same dirty white shirt and threadbare pants he has always worn.
He isn’t alone. There are five others with him all looking us over menacingly. I notice all of them are dressed similarly to Brian, dirty and ragged. Most look like they are older than me. I look at each of them, trying to memorize identifying details just in case we are able to escape. The guy standing closest behind Brian is wearing an eye-patch and a sneer. Another one reminds me of Mr. Clean with his shiny bald head. Only I’m pretty certain Mr. Clean would never wear a white shirt that dirty. Two other Hulk-size men stand on either side of Brian, cracking their knuckles and glaring at me.
“Where’s your boy-toy, Mia?” one of the guys cackles from behind me. I recognize the voice before I turn around to see his face.
I was so distracted by Brian’s sudden appearance that I didn’t notice the familiar gangly teenage boy with stringy blond hair grab a hold of Hannah. I stop breathing, and my stomach drops to my feet. How could I put Hannah at risk like this? All for a girls night out so I could attempt to momentarily escape reality. I shouldn’t have been so selfish.
“Ethan?”
“Miss me?”
“You’re one of them?” I ask completely shocked by this sudden turn of events.
“You really didn’t think that I would subject myself to rejection after rejection because of your irresistible charm, did you?” he glares at me. “Because trust me, you aren’t that charming.”
I’m too stunned to say anything. How could I have been so stupid? I should have known that even if Dugan and the other Dark Elves couldn’t come above ground, he would certainly have his human and Half-blood spies watching me, waiting for a chance to get me alone and take me back. The thought terrifies me.
I wish I would have listened to Jacoby. If he or Grey would have been here tonight, we would be safe. I should have known better. But then I realize that while I can’t escape the threat of the Dark Elves, that doesn’t mean I have to be a victim again. I don’t want to depend on someone else to save me.
This time I plan on fighting back.
It’s time for me to be the hero.
“Let go of her,” I demand.
“What are you going to do about it? Perfect little Mia?” Ethan laughs while increasing his grip on Hannah. I respond with the most evil smile I can possibly manage.
I know from talking to Jacoby that during a mind attack you can make your victim suffer in several different ways. I’m still just a beginner, so right now the only thing I can do is cause enough pressure in someone’s mind to make them feel like their head is being crushed in a garbage compactor.
From what I’ve been told, it’s excruciatingly painful.
He immediately lets go of Hannah and grasps his head in his hands, falling to the ground. Hannah, finally free, screams.
“Hannah!” I yell over her. “Get behind me!”
She immediately reacts and cowers behind my back.
“You need to leave now,” I tell Brian. I’m hoping that the realization of what I am now capable of will be enough to send him and his cronies back to Dugan with their tails between their legs. I really hope the threat is enough because I am certain I won’t be able to do it again. Though I have gotten more control over my abilities, it still is physically draining.
He stares at me skeptically for a minute, and I try to stand tall and confident.
“You seem to forget, even with Ethan down, you are still outnumbered,” he points out.
“Yes, but how many of you can do what I just did to your little friend over there?” I taunt, pointing to Ethan still writhing in pain on the ground. I sincerely hope that they are all just humans working for Dugan and none of them are Half-bloods who actually could inflict some damage on us. But of course, I’m just not that lucky.
“Yeah, yeah. Impressive. But you seem to forget that I have worked for Dugan for years. I know all about elfish magic and how exhausting it can be, especially for beginners,” he snarls. “So sweetheart, would you like to try that again? ’Cause I am betting it is a struggle just to stand upright right now,” he instigates.
“I mean it, Brian. Leave us alone.” I try to make my words as confident and forceful as possible.
“Or what?” He sneers.
“Or else you’ll regret it.”
Brian laughs and then he turns to the Mr. Clean look-alike.
“Marcus, apparently our little friend here needs to be put back in her place.”
Marcus nods slowly. With a menacing grin he throws his hands up in the air and fire shoots out of his palms encircling us. We are immediately trapped. Hannah is still cowering behind me screaming at the top of her lungs. I don’t know what to do. I’m completely helpless. Brian and the remaining four cronies laugh at my expense and I feel the anger boiling inside me.
What made me think I could ever take care of myself?
They surround us, and I am really starting to freak out, when suddenly they are all on the ground groaning with their faces contorted in pain. The circle of fire is gone just as quickly as it appeared. I look around for my savior and my heart bursts in relief when Jacoby
appears at my side.
“Are you okay?” he asks frantically.
“Yes.” I exhale painfully, not realizing that I had been holding my breath until now. “How did you get here so fast?”
“You didn’t really think I would leave you alone, did you?”
I should be mad, but I am immensely grateful.
“Let’s go!” I grab a hold of his hand and Hannah’s.
“I’m not quite finished with these losers yet.” He stands in front of me and Hannah, who is shaking and crying uncontrollably. I put my arm around her.
“It’s okay Hannah. I promise. We are going to be okay now,” I whisper the words of reassurance.
“Get up,” I hear Jacoby demand.
He must have released them from the mind attack because they are slowly regaining their composure, though most of them still appear to be visibly shaken.
“Look boys,” Brian spits out weakly. “It’s the traitor.”
“Are you trying to offend me?” Jacoby smirks. “Because I can assure you that isn’t the way to go.”
“Not trying to offend. Just trying to insult you, you ungrateful little bastard. After everything Dugan did to ensure your future, you turn on him for the first chance you get for a cheap piece of pretty little ass.”
With that, Brian is once again on the ground in convulsions. The other guys don’t even attempt to overtake Jacoby. He is so obviously in control of his enormous power, he is even intimidating me, and I’m not on the receiving end of his wrath.
“Don’t you dare talk about her like that,” Jacoby growls protectively.
“I—guess your—parents died— for—nothing—after all,” Brian can barely get out the words but it’s enough to cause Jacoby to release him from the mind attack.
“What are you talking about?” he demands, grabbing Brian by his throat.
“Turns out you aren’t that special after all. Your parents were killed and you weren’t even the right one.”
I gasp loudly. Oh God. Please don’t let Jacoby find out like this. Brian must’ve noticed my reaction because his eyes meet mine and I can tell that he knows I know something.