by R L Medina
“It’s not forever. I promise. I’ll think of something. Just give me time.”
My arms flew up. “How long?”
He didn’t answer.
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
With that he turned and slammed the door. It locked with a loud clang.
My heart skipped. No.
I pounded against the wood, screaming.
No.
Angry voices echoed outside my room. Javi and Tía.
“Let me out. I’ll keep your secrets. Just let me out of here.”
Footsteps moved toward me. I paused to listen.
“Rose. It’s okay. I’ll get you out. I promise,” Javi hissed behind the door.
Hot tears pricked my eyes. “Did you know? Did you know he was going to do this?”
“No. I promise. I didn’t know. But I’m going to find a way to save you, I promise.”
I held up the picture of my mom and glared at it. This was her fault. I threw the picture down.
There had to be a way out. A way to escape everything. Movement caught my eye. The sword. Did it move… on its own?
I jumped to my feet as it floated toward me. What the?
The blade brightened and jerked to the right. Not enchanted, huh? Was it trying to lead me somewhere? My eyes followed its path, landing on a giant black book on my bed that I knew had not been there before. I stood before it, heart pounding in my ears. Did tía leave it for me?
I traced the large, silver lettering: Rosa.
My eyes widened. My mother’s. I opened it, surprised to find a hollowed compartment instead of pages. Inside was a single folded note.
I glanced at the sword. No longer glowing, it lay flat on the bed next to the letter. My breath hitched. With a shaky hand I picked up the paper and unfolded it.
My dear Rosita,
I wish I had more time. I wish I were with you now. I wish so many things.
Tears blurred my eyes. I blinked them away, steeling myself.
If the future is as I have seen it, you have lost both your father and I, and for that I am so sorry. We were supposed to be there for you, but I’m afraid I’ve failed in the worst way. What’s done cannot be undone. What happens next is up to you. There is too much to explain and not enough time as I write this. You deserve so much more than a letter, but it’s all I can do.
To break the blood promise, you must find the wizard. He’s your only hope. I don’t know where this letter will find you and I can only hope it’s at the home of your tío. He will want to help you, but he can’t. Find the wizard. You will have to track him down. Ask the wolves. Los Reyes. Be safe.
Love you,
Mama.
I reread it, a clash of emotions warring inside me. Be safe? Safe was the last thing I could be, and it was her fault. I did deserve more than a quick letter. Anger stirred in my chest. Crumpling the note in my fist, I blinked back the hot tears. There was so much more I needed to know and the unfairness of it all burned like a fire deep within me.
I needed you. I needed both of you.
Pushing away the anger and sorrow, I took a deep breath. Find the wizard. Okay. At least it was something to go on. I still had a chance to save myself. Hope flared in my chest.
Wasting no time, I replaced my fishnets and skirt with some sensible cargo pants and packed a bag with essentials.
I picked up my sword. “I hope you work on enchanted locks.”
It felt solid and cool in my grip and… comfortable as if it had been made for me all along. I didn’t know exactly how I would carry it and conceal it once I was out, but I wasn’t leaving it behind.
With a loud swish, it bolted for the locked balcony doors, pulling me with it. My eyes bulged as it glowed. The door burst into pieces, making me scramble back.
Well, that’s handy.
Footsteps pounded outside my bedroom. My heart slammed into my chest. I stepped over the shattered door and out onto the balcony. Cold air hit me. I threw my sword down over the ledge and watched as it landed, tip down into the grass below. My bedroom door flew open. I flung my leg over the railing and swallowed my fear as I hoisted myself over.
Sweat beaded my forehead. My knuckles whitened as I clung to the bottom of the rail.
“Rose!” Javi’s voice came from above.
I braced my boots along the wall and scanned the stucco for a hand hold. No such luck. I’d have to drop and pray I didn’t break any bones.
“Rose, what are you doing? You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“Then help me. I’m sure you know a chant,” I snapped.
My grip was loosening. Fear shot through me.
“How did you get out?”
“Magic sword.” My teeth clenched.
I was slipping and he wanted to play twenty questions?
“Don’t do this, Rose. You can’t do this.”
“I have to. I found a letter from my mom. She told me to… find someone who can help. With the blood promise.”
“What? That’s impossible. Rose, come back up before you fall.”
“Let me go, Javi. Please. I have to do this. Hurry, Javi. I’m slipping!”
My stomach jumped to my throat. I flailed in the air, trying to grab the wall. A jolt went through me as an invisible force struck me. It slowed my descent, landing me gently on the ground beside the sword.
I looked up and met Javi’s eyes.
“Wait for me. I’m coming with you.”
I shook my head. “No, Javi. You can’t. The GRIMMs. You’d be in even more trouble.”
“I don’t care. You’re not going alone.”
His words made me smile. “I’ll be okay. Please, Javi. You can’t walk away from everything you’ve ever wanted and worked for. I won’t let you.”
Distress flashed across his face. “No, Rose.”
Picking up my sword, I gave him a reassuring nod though I didn’t know what it meant. Would I see him again? If I did, would we be enemies?
We stared at each other for a minute. I refused to say goodbye. I’d had enough of goodbyes in my life. Voices carried from inside the room, snapping me to attention.
“Go.” Javi’s words were soft and pained.
I turned away before he could see me tear up. Holding my mother’s sword, I ran. I ran and I didn’t look back. Slipping out of the front gates, I made it out just as they began to close. Someone slowed them for me. Javi.
Free. I was free.
The sky had lightened, morning on its way. I paused to breathe in the salty sweet air and began running. I didn’t know where I was going, but the sword pulsed, an invisible tug leading me, I hoped, to where I needed to be.
Find the wizard. He’s your only hope.
“Okay, Mom. I’ll do just that.”
With renewed strength, I pressed on. I would find a way to fix the mess my parents made. No one but me would decide my fate.
The End
Acknowledgments
Once again, I have to thank my editor at Cate Edits for her help and Kristin Masbaum from Moonlight Proofreading. Also my family for their never ending support. A special thanks to my husband who did a supreme job of keeping our crazy busy toddler entertained while I got the words in. Lastly, I want to thank all the readers who took this journey with Rose and I. If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a review and if you didn’t enjoy it, I’d still love to know your thoughts. Thank you!
Also by R. L. Medina
The Inner World Series
Book 1: Princess of the Elves
Book 2: Goblin King
Book 3: Fae War
Prequel: Feylin
GRIMM Academy Series
Book 1: Shifters and Secrets
Book 2: Vampires and Werewolves September 2020
Coming soon….
Book 3: Witches and Wizards Fall 2020
Moon Blood Covenant Series
Book 1: Order Fall 2020
About the Author
R. L. M
edina was born in the Amazon, adopted and raised by two upstate New Yorkers. At age six, she vowed to hate reading forever. That hate quickly turned to love (or obsession) and by age eight she was filling every notebook with story after story. Now a mother herself, she juggles her time between a busy four year old and the stubborn characters that demand her time. When she's not exploring all the Sci-fi/Fantasy worlds in her head, she enjoys life with her family in Florida.
Check out her website at www.rlmedina.com to sign up for freebies and updates!