Jacob glanced between Solar and Sarah. Approaching footsteps could be heard in the distance.
“All right. Let’s go.” Without another word, he leapt on Solar’s back. “Giddy up, dragon.”
She glared at him then at Sarafina. The redhead blushed and shrugged. “Can we ride you, Solar?”
“Of course, but I don’t take orders from him,” she huffed and balls of smoke flew from her nostrils. “Climb on.”
Sarah hopped on the dragon’s back and grasped her neck as Solar took flight. The dragon’s blue scales felt like the smoothest glass under the girl’s hands. Together they rose higher and higher in the sky, far away from the enemy. The wind swirled in Sarah’s hair, caressing it. The sun, with its warm rays of light, kissed her skin. She could feel herself falling asleep.
Jacob placed a hand over Sarah’s, making her alert once again.
“Are you okay?” he asked. He took her arm and rolled up the sleeves of her torn dress. There was a light purple hand mark from where one of the men had grabbed her. He touched it, and Sarah flinched.
“Sorry.” He released her arm and looked around them. “I don’t even know what happened. How did we get here?”
Sarah took in the new view as well. Everything below them had become small. “You followed me into the well. I didn’t want you to.”
“I guess that means you’re still mad, huh?”
“You’re a liar, Jacob. I don’t want a liar for a friend.”
He grunted and ran his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t lie, Sarah.”
“Yes. You did.”
“For me to lie, I would’ve had to have told you that I wasn’t going to kiss Elaine.”
“So you wanted to kiss her the whole time?”
“What?” He shook his head. “No, what I was trying to say is I didn’t really lie.”
Sarah’s hair was standing on edge, frizzled in irritation. “If you wanted to go to the dance with me, then, why kiss her?”
“She kissed me,” he yelled. “We were talking and BAM! I didn’t see it coming.”
She turned away from him, nose in the air. “Mama always said men have a strange weakness for blondes.”
“What? Ugh.” Jacob slouched and took a deep breath. He turned her toward him, making direct eye contact. “Sarah, I promise.”
“I don’t trust you,” she said without a second thought. “Best start learning to keep your hands to yourself.” Her voice was flat and emotionless.
She rested her head on Solar’s neck and allowed herself again to drift off to sleep. Her eyelids were getting heavy. She heard Jacob whispering.
“I’m not a liar,” he said.
Yes, you are, she thought, and just as her eyes closed, the sky filled up with strings of orange that reminded Sarah of the sunset.
Solar jerked beneath her, and Sarah opened her eyes. The sky was consumed by fiery orange heat that surrounded them.
Fear prickled across her and just as she leaned over to determine the source of the fire, Solar moved again, making Sarah fall over the side. Jacob reached for her but not fast enough. A scream erupted from her throat. Branches snapped under her as she fell through the trees, a slamming pain puncturing her back when she finally reached the ground before tumbling several yards away.
Something hard hit her head. The air pushed from her lungs. Coolness rested below her, and sleep finally captured her.
Chapter 9
Sarah awoke in a dark cave. She could feel cold stone under her body and the small pebbles that had embedded in her skin. She pushed herself up and immediately fell back to the ground. Sarah clenched her teeth and took a sharp intake of air as the aching rolled over her. She remained motionless until the pain subsided, taking in only a few breaths and doing so slowly.
Rain pitter-pattered outside. Sarah turned to the mouth of the cave. There was a light mist coming down from the gray sky. She blinked and looked up at the cave ceiling trying to remember what had happened.
We were flying... I fell asleep then there was... there was – Her mind went blank, and a jolt of pain split her head in half. She hissed and turned away from the mouth of the cave. She didn’t know where she was, where her friends were, and most importantly, she didn’t know where she was supposed to go.
A low groan came from the depths of the cave. Sarah jerked up and more pain shot through her. She looked into the darkness. From the darkness, there was another growl, this one longer, slower, more like a groan. Her heart was already ten miles ahead of her, and she needed to catch up. Though it hurt to do so, Sarah attempted to stand. She moved herself against the cave wall and pushed up only to let out a yelp when she made it to her feet. Her legs were weak, and she thought her left ankle might be twisted, but whatever was coming from in the cave, she didn’t want to meet.
Then, a thought occurred to her. Maybe her friends weren’t so far away after all.
“Jacob,” she whispered as she began to walk farther into the cave. “Jacob,” she said again. Sarah could see something approaching. It was hunched over, and she couldn’t make out its identity. With hope and without thought she reached for the figure. As she reached out, the darkness lit up with two red eyes.
Sarah gasped and began to stagger backward toward the cave entrance. One foot stepped on the other, and she landed on her back. The figure continued to approach like a beast stalking its prey. She crawled back until she could feel the rain on her skin. Finally, the figure stepped into the light.
“Who are you?” Sarah whispered.
The man sighed and stood straight up forcing his hunched shoulders back. He was older than Sarah. Late twenties, early thirties with pale skin, a stubble-covered face and disheveled brown hair. He was around average height, not tall really but not short either, with a small frame and strange burgundy colored eyes. He wore a torn shirt and tattered pants with no shoes.
The man swayed from left to right, disoriented. He scratched his head and finally his eyes rested on Sarah. They flashed that dangerous red again as if he were trying to warn her to stay away.
Staying away was all Sarah wanted to do. She screamed and made a run for it. He grabbed her by the forearm and swung her around to face him. He stared into her eyes for what felt like eternity. She stared back with a dry mouth and a closing throat. They remained silent for several minutes before the beast-like man said, “Hello.”
Sarah could feel a little piece of her die, not all of her but just one piece that was so scared it gave in unable to handle the stress of the situation.
Hello. That was all he had to say after nearly scaring her to death. She inhaled to stop the shaking.
“Hello, sir.”
“What are you doing in my cave?” he asked.
“I didn’t know it was yours, and I’m not quite sure what I’m doing here myself,” she responded.
He nodded. “I guess it’s not really mine, if you think about it. I only used it to sleep for the day as I passed through. I guess that doesn’t really make it mine, does it?”
Sarah nodded, getting the feeling that the man must have lost some of his marbles in the cave.
“Good. Well, I guess there isn’t more for us to talk about,” he said.
Again she nodded, glad to conclude their conversation.
“Now, I’ll just eat you.”
“What?” her voice echoed through the cave.
He shrugged. “Well, I’m hungry, and you are the only snack around here so...”
“I’m not a snack,” she cried. “I’m a person. A human being like you.”
The man laughed. “I’m not human, child.”
She looked at him. He seemed human. Two arms, two legs and a head with all the trimmings...including burgundy eyes.
As if he could read her mind, the man patted her head. “Don’t hurt yourself too much trying to guess. I’ll just tell you. I am vampire.”
Sarah’s blood stopped rushing through her. All of it drained from her face and left her looking as pale as him.
The man’s brows furrowed.
“Now don’t do that. I’ll have to suck harder if you get too scared. Though it does taste better that way,” he remarked.
Her eyes grew twice in size, and her jaw dropped. He remained stoic. Sarah could not believe the reality she was now living. Tears breached her eyes as she released a heart-grabbing sob. “I’m never going to see my parents again. Oh, God, I don’t want to die. Why did I ever listen to that fairy? Why didn’t I stay at home? I hate Lyrica! I hate it! Stupid Jacob!”
“Home,” the man said with a questioning look. “Where is home for you, child?”
Sarah stared at him, silent, not sure if telling him where she lived was the best idea. He was a stranger after all, and he wanted to eat her.
Holding her arm in his hand, the man brought her closer to him and sniffed. Sarah cringed, wanting them to be as far apart as possible.
“Well, isn’t this interesting. You smell just like an antique shop. You’re an earth human. It’s my lucky day; I’ve never had earth human before.”
Sarah’s whimpers grew.
He exhaled and rolled his eyes. “Look, okay, don’t cry. I won’t kill you, I give you my word. I only need a snack. Something to hold me over. You may be passed out for a few hours and feel weak for a day or two, but that will be the worst of it.” He gave her a reassuring smile.
She stared at him in disbelief. “You’re acting like I’m a Christmas ham! I don’t want to be a snack, a meal or anything. I don’t want you to eat me at all.”
“I’m hungry,” he replied.
She struggled in his grasp. “Then, let go of me and go get a rabbit or something!”
The man ran a hand through his brown hair. “Relax and it will be over before you know it.” A comforting smile appeared on his lips. Slowly, he opened his mouth to reveal two long fangs. His eyes glowed red, and he bent down to Sarah’s neck. She could feel his lips pressed against her skin.
“Just relax.” He opened his mouth and hissed. His hot breath swam over her, and Sarah felt the strongest disgust for the monster. Hope slipped from her mind and on instinct she released a blood-curdling scream.
The ground beneath them shook and rocks began to tumble. The floor cracked and the light rain turned into a full shower. The man looked at her curiously as the hunger in his eyes died down. The girl’s right pocket was illuminated a bright orange. Suddenly, white beams of blinding light pierced her pocket and touched every inch of the cave. The man hissed, released his grip and fell back, trying to shield himself from the inescapable light. Sarah fell to the ground, as well, pulled the stone from her pocket and held it in front of him.
The wind blew and a mysterious voice traveled with it. “Alexander...Alexander...you must protect the girl...”
“Who are you?” the vampire hissed. He moved further into the cave but the light consumed the space, burning his flesh. “Tell her to stop, please.”
“You must protect her, Alexander... it is time to change, you will no longer wander...”
“What?” the man shouted.
“Protect her...” the voice bellowed again.
“Yes. I will, I will. Just tell her to stop!”
Sarah drew the stone close to her lips. She whispered, “Thank you.”
The light disappeared. The vampire grunted and collapsed. Sarah watched with her big blue eyes as the smoke rose from his body, and he squirmed like a worm. She took cautious steps toward him.
He looked up at her, his body burned black from the light. He said, “Who are you?”
She hesitated before saying, “My name is Sarah.”
His skin burned and itched. It was dark out and the moon was casting a beautiful glow on the vampire. He heard waves rushing and suddenly realized that he was floating in water. He turned his head to the side to see Sarah standing over him.
“Sarah...your name is Sarah?” he asked.
She smiled and nodded. “You’re finally awake. I was scared for a little bit there. Thought you would never come to.”
“I am... I am sorry. I didn’t know it was you. If I did –”
“Shhh,” she whispered. “I don’t know what you’re yammerin about, but you’re still hurt. Your wounds are a little better. I still think you need some rest.”
He nodded with his brown hair sprawled in the water. “Why did you save me? How did you get me to the water?”
“The voice...you heard it too, right?”
He nodded again.
“At least I’m not the only one now,” she said. “Well, it told me to save you. I dragged you out the cave, which wasn’t easy by the way. When I saw the water...it felt right.”
“And you trust it,” he asked. “The voice?”
“Yes...I guess, I don’t have anyone else I can trust right now, so...maybe.”
He continued to watch her. She would not look into his eyes.
“I’m not going to eat you,” he said.
Sarah turned away. She cleared her throat and took a few steps back.
“I heard what it said to you. You’re supposed to protect me. Have you changed your mind?” She placed a hand on her right pocket.
The man sighed. “Fate has pulled me another direction, my Lady. I am, for now, in your service.”
Sarah smiled. “I think you can stand now, maybe. Your body looks, okay, I think.”
He examined himself. Not one single blemish.
“How did you heal me?”
“I’m not sure. The voice...I just knew what to do. Kind of like what my Mama calls maternal instinct, but I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Sarah placed one hand on the surface of the water and closed her eyes. She raised her hand and the water rose as well. The stream grew higher following the hand’s path.
The man watched her manipulate the water. He was now even more confident in his guess.
An owl howled in the night. Sarah opened her eyes, and the stream broke, falling back into the ocean. “I can’t hold it for long,” she said, a blush crept to her face.
“You are the Chosen One. You are the Child of Legend.”
Her face scrunched up. “The what?”
“The Child,” he said roaming his eyes over her face, taking in its details. “The one meant to restore Lyrica to its former glory.”
“Uh...” She shook her head and began to fiddle with her fingers. “I’m not sure what that is, but I’m sure I’m not it. I only know I’m supposed to bring this back.” She reached into her pocket. The moonlight shined on the stone. Streaks of color shone across it.
He gasped and turned into the water. “Are you okay?” Sarah said and helped him up. The man grabbed Sarah by her arm and covered the stone with his hand. He rose from the water like a sea creature looking into her eyes with a steady, stern gaze.
“Sarah, something so precious is not to be flaunted in public. Do you understand?” His eyes were cold and serious. She gulped and gave him a hard nod.
He continued to stare. “There are many who would see your hand cut from the rest of you for this stone.”
“I... I... I really don’t want that to happen.”
“It won’t. You are now under my protection. Come with me, we have to go.” He took Sarah by the hand and led her to the shore.
“Sit here.” He pointed to the ground. She took a seat in the sand and stared up at him. He gazed down at her, his eyes looking like rubies against his pale skin.
“Don’t move.” He disappeared into the cave and returned a few moments later with a dirty cloak.
“What do you need that for?” she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. “Vampires burn in the sun, my Lady. This cloak may be stinky, but I need it.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn my nose up.”
He smiled and tied the cloak around his neck. “No need. I understand you don’t know our ways because there aren’t that many of us on earth.”
The vampire thought Sarah’s neck would snap off, she turned her head so quickl
y. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing,” he said. “We need to start walking if we’re going to get there in time.”
“Get where?” she asked.
“To the witch’s house, of course.”
“Of course...”
He looked at her with an amusing smile. “You don’t have a good card face, my Lady.”
“A what?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. Are you ready now? Any more questions?”
Sarah was silent, glancing between him and her hands
He smacked himself on the forehead. “I’m sorry. I suppose a formal introduction is in order.” He walked toward her and got down on one knee.
The girl’s eyebrows were nearly touching her hairline, she was so shocked.
“My Lady,” he started, “my name is Alexander Alclian, and I will be your guard until fate departs us from one another’s company. That is if you will allow me?” He turned his burgundy eyes up at her.
“Uh...” She looked around. “Sure...I mean...yes. Yes.”
He jumped up and smiled. “Perfect. Friends, then?” He offered his hand.
She looked at him, then at her own hand that was much smaller than his. Her eyes glazed over and dilated just as her hand begin to shake. Sarah bit her lip.
Alexander grabbed her hand and shook it for her.
“Can I make one request?” she asked, still refusing to meet his gaze.
“Just call me Sarah,” she said.
Chapter 10
“Based on what you told me, I believe your friends have been taken hostage by forest elves,” Alexander said as he led Sarah through the woods. “Though I have wandered for many years, even I do not know the location of the elves’ home. They are very tricky, and it would be unwise of me to attempt to search for your friends unaided.”
“And that’s why we need the witch?”
“Yes, a witch named Serwa. One of the few friends I actually trust.”
“Shouldn’t you trust all your friends?” Sarah trailed behind him, tripping over rocks and tree roots. The ground was soft making it even harder for her to walk in her school shoes that were ruined by now.
The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone Page 8