by Jen L. Grey
“Are you serious?” He rubs a hand over his forehead. “Are you eight? This isn’t some fairytale. There are four artifacts. If someone can find and possess all four, they can control all the elements in tandem or individually across all realms.”
“No, this can’t be happening.” My knees go weak. This is what the council wants. They want to control the realms. “That’s what the council wants me to find. All four artifacts.”
“Of course, they do, and we can’t let them.” He shakes his head. “They aren’t good, Christina. They don’t deserve that power.”
For the first time, someone else has spoken out what I’ve always thought about them. “I know.”
He blinks several times. “You do?”
“Yeah.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m surprised you do.”
“Why’d you go without me?” He walks over to the crystal and inspects it.
“Well, I told Damien where the crystal was, and he told me that Becca could realm jump. So, he left to go get her. When he came back, he saved me from the witch that was attacking me, and Becca and I left immediately to get the crystal.” How do you summarize a nightmare into a few sentences? “Anyways, we went there, got it, and came right back. As soon as she left, I called you.”
“Wait, the demon helped you?” Charlie tenses.
“I guess you could call it that.” Who knows what to call it? I’m just over it.
“What did you have to promise him?” His tone is low and his breathing becomes short.
He’s always been smart. Too smart. He’s not going to like this answer, but he’s going to have to deal with it. “A piece of the crystal.”
“Are you out of your mind?” He turns the crystal in his hand.
“She was my only way to get to the realm.” Now, fighting with him is something I’m used to. “What was I supposed to do?”
“You’re supposed to wait for me.” His nostrils flair, and his knuckles turn white from how tight he’s holding the crystal. “This is my sister’s life you’re putting at risk.”
So that’s why he was worried about me earlier. It had nothing to do with me, but rather if I mess something up to keep Beth from coming back. For some reason, that burns deep, but I don’t have time to analyze why. “Don’t you know I wouldn’t put Beth at risk? She was like a sister to me.”
“Then why didn’t you take me?” His tone gets loud.
A loud knock at my door interrupts our conversation. “Christina, everything all right in there?”
Charlie drops the crystal on the carpet and kicks it under the bed.
My dad opens the door, his forehead creased as he looks between me and Charlie. “It sounds like you guys are arguing. I could hear you all the way in the den.”
That’s great. I didn’t even realize we had gotten that loud. “Sorry, we were just disagreeing about something.”
“Obviously. I think it’s time you put Beth behind both of you.” Dad glares at Charlie.
“I will never put my sister behind me,” Charlie growls out.
“I think it’s time for you to go.” Dad raises an eyebrow at him and then turns to me. “And the council wants to see you first thing in the morning, so you better get some rest.”
“Okay, that sounds like a good idea.” Lying in bed sounds like the exact thing I need. “Sleep sounds good. Let me have one more minute with Charlie and he’ll be on his way.”
“One more minute, that’s all.” Dad scowls at Charlie one more time then shuts the door.
There is no way in hell I can give the council that crystal, especially if I know they’re planning to use it for something far bigger than I realized. I bend down and grab the crystal from under my bed. “You’re right. I can’t give them the crystal. I need you to take it and hide it.”
“Are you sure?” His tone is surprised.
I stand and turn to hand him the crystal. “Yes. You’re right. They can’t get their hands on these. Take it. Keep it safe. Don’t let me down.”
After a moment, he takes it from my hand and puts it his pocket. He reaches out and runs his fingertips down my arm. “I won’t let you down. Call me soon.” He then turns and leaves my room.
The council wants to see me tomorrow, and they are expecting the crystal. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but can I justify saving my life if at the end it might be subjecting more than just mine to that same exact fate?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
My phone rings, waking me from my deep sleep. I startle awake and rub my eyes. Who the hell is calling me? No one calls me anymore, especially at… I glance at the clock… eight in the morning.
It keeps ringing, so whoever it is isn’t going to hang up. Dammit. I reach over and pat around for it on my end table next to the bed. Cold plastic meets my fingertips, and I grab it, bringing the shrill ringing closer to me. Ugh, this needs to stop.
The name flashing on the caller ID is blocked. What the hell is this? Against my better judgement, I answer the call. “Hello?”
“Is this Ms. Malone?” A man with a very polished voice is on the other line.
“It is.” Who the hell is this?
There is shuffling as he moves the phone around. “I’m one of the butlers here at the manor. The council would like to see you as soon as possible. If you could be here within an hour, that would be great.” He then hangs up the phone.
It would have been nice if he could have at least said bye. I throw the phone down on the bed and put the pillow over my face. Of course, they want to talk to me. There is no getting around this, and the longer I take to get over there, the more suspicious they are going to be.
I’ve got this. Or, at least, I hope I do. I swing my legs over the bed and stand. I get dressed and brush my hair and teeth and go downstairs. Once I’m down the steps, I walk into the kitchen to grab something quick to eat. Mom and Dad are sitting at the table drinking coffee.
Dad sets down his cup when he sees me. “Good morning, dear. How are you?”
Is he talking to me? He’s never called me dear before, I don’t think. Maybe he’s just talking to Mom.
“Christina, aren’t you going to answer you father?” Mom smiles at me and takes a sip of her coffee.
What alternate universe did I wake up on this morning? Between this and meeting the council, something is going awry. “I’m good. How are you guys?”
“We’re fine.” Mom stands and heads over to the oven and pulls out some cinnamon rolls. The sweet cinnamon smell fills the kitchen. “I thought you might like some this morning before heading over to see the elders again.”
Holy shit. These are my favorite, and I can’t remember the last time she fixed them for me. “Thanks.” I grab a plate from the cabinet and pick up the gooiest roll. I take a bite and let the heavenly taste fill my mouth.
I take the plate over to the table and join them. We sit in silence as I eat my roll and they drink their coffee. This is the most time we’ve spent together in years. Most of the time we’re together, I’m getting lectured, told how I’m doing things wrong, or annoying them with my presence. I’m not sure what changed, but I have a feeling it has something to do with the upcoming council meeting.
When I’m done, Dad glances at Mom. “You ready to head on over? We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Of course I’m ready. Let’s go.” She stands and grabs their two cups and my plate, carrying them to the sink.
Dad walks through the kitchen to the garage area and grabs the key to open the doors. “Come on, Christina. Let’s get going.”
This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for the past few days. We all three walk out to the garage and slide into the car. As usual, the ride over is in silence, and all to soon, we turn into the manor’s long driveway. The door opens when we reach the porch, and we follow the butler inside.
The house gives me the heebie jeebies, as usual, but worse. It’s almost as if the walls are closing in on me. This place seems even darker than it has before, and I’m
not sure why. It’s as if whoever lives here is not pure.
But we’re reapers. We take lives and keep the balance. How can it not be pure when that’s our intended jobs? Something else has to be going on. I’m just not sure what.
We are left in the council room, but the back doors open and the two elder couples walk in as soon as we’re settled. They are dressed in their elaborate dresses, but there is unease between them all.
Once they are settled in their designated seats, the eldest man glances at me. “It was brought to our attention that you have retrieved the Earth crystal. Is that the case?”
How did they find out? Shit, what am I going to do? I planned on having more time than this to come up with an excuse. “No, it’s not.”
He raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean, it is not?”
All right, I’ve got to lie my way out of this. “Well, we… I went there to get it, to Bramble, but there were some weird looking people there guarding it. They had swords and attacked me. I had to leave or I would have died.”
“So, you got to Bramble?” The eldest lady leans back in her seat. “When did you become able to realm jump?”
My heart races. Trying to do the right thing shouldn’t be so hard. “I can’t. I had to get help from a witch.” I hope lightning doesn’t strike me down from all the lying I’m doing.
Dad turns to me. “Why in the world would a witch help you?”
Oh, great. Now, he’s siding with them. “I promised I could help her locate one of her spell books. It’s in her house somewhere. She just can’t find it.”
“Huh, well, it is unfortunate that you weren’t able to get the crystal.” The younger lady councilwoman stares down at her hands. “It would have been able to help our people so much.”
I’m sure it would have. I’m just glad they’re buying my lies. “I know. I’m so sorry. Maybe I can try to go back later.” Yeah, right. I hope to never have to go back to that place again.
“Well, I’m just glad you made it back in one piece.” The younger councilman smiles.
“Okay, well, I guess I’m going to head on home and see if I can figure out another way to get it.” I need to get out of here and fast. Being in here with them is making my skin crawl.
A few butlers enter the room and walk around us.
What the hell is going on? This isn’t normal.
“I’m really disappointed in you.” The elder lady stands. “We know you brought the crystal back, and you’ve stood here and lied to your council of elders about it. We were going to let your family off the hook and this is how you repay us?” She glances at the butlers. “Take her to the dungeon immediately.”
No, this can’t be happening. They believed me. My ears pound as the butlers circle around me. There is no getting out this.
My parents stand there, shaking their heads.
My dad avoids my gaze. “I’m so disappointed in you.”
A butler grabs my arms and tugs me out of the room.
I push against his hold, trying to get back to my mom and dad. “Help me. I’m your daughter.” I break free for a second before another comes up and grabs me around my waist. He then picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.
No matter how much I kick, scream, or bite, he won’t let me go.
All too soon, we’re walking down a steep stairwell, going underground. The smell of piss and shit is overwhelming, causing me to gag. Keys rattle, and another butler opens a door. Soon, the one carrying me tosses me into a cell. They shut the door and lock it, leaving me down here.
There is no telling how long I’ve been down here. I’m thinking it’s been three days, but I’m not sure. I kind of lost track of time, but I’m pretty certain the sun has risen three times. All I’ve been given is a single bottle of water each day and no food. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to survive down here.
I lie down on the cement ground and stare at the uneven ceiling, trying to count how many tiles there are above me. Each time I count, I get a different number. It’s driving me crazy. Maybe I should have given them that crystal after all. I’m sure I overreacted, but if I had to do it over again… Ugh, I still wouldn’t have given it to them. I deserve this fate anyways.
The door opens to the main entryway. Maybe I’m getting some actual food. My stomach growls at the thought. And to think the last thing I ate was a cinnamon roll.
“Christina, is that you?” My dad’s at the bars, his hands wrapping around the iron.
“Dad?” I sit and stare. “Is that really you?”
“Oh, dear God.” Mom appears beside him and shakes her head. “You look a mess.”
Yep, that’s them all right. “How in the world am I not supposed to look like this down here?”
She points at me. “If you didn’t behave so badly, you wouldn’t be here. What is wrong with you?”
My heart cracks a little. “I’m sorry, but I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Look, you’re our daughter, we can’t change that even if we want to.” Dad sighs. “But we’re ashamed. You shouldn’t have hidden that from the council.”
They don’t realize what it’s for. “But…”
“No buts, Christina.” My mom glares at me. “You are wrong, and you’re going to be down here for a long time because of it.”
“Yeah, we just wanted to see you. We’ll try to come again soon.” Dad turns around and takes Mom’s hands. They both walk toward the door.
“Wait.” I need them here a little longer. I haven’t had company in days.
But they ignore me and continue up the stairs.
How can they leave me like this? I’m their daughter. Tears sting my eyes, and I fall back down on my back. They’re right; I’m a screw up. Everything I touch doesn’t work out the way it’s supposed to. I cry until it turns dark outside.
Something rattles in the corner of the room. I stand and walk over to the edge of my cell and squint. What is that? Please, don’t be a rat.
The rattling turns into footsteps, and soon, someone steps out of the shadows.
I open my mouth to scream until I realize it’s Charlie. “Charlie?”
His mouth drops when he sees me, and then he hurries to my cell. “Oh my God, are you okay?”
A hard laugh leaves me. “No, not at all. I don’t know how long I’m going to survive down here.”
“That’s why I’m here.” He grabs the rails.
What is he talking about? “Why?”
He grins. “I’m breaking you out.”
Chapter Thirty
Did he just say what I think he did? “You’re what?”
“Hey, we said we’re in this together.” He takes a step back and pulls out some various picks. “Sorry it took me so long, but I had to make a plan to make sure we can bust out of here without detection.”
I’m still trying to comprehend that someone is here trying to get me out. “No, I don’t want you to get in any trouble.”
“You don’t think I’ll already be in enough trouble when they realize who hid the crystal?” He selects a pick and begins working on the lock. “This will just be the icing on the cake.”
He does have a point. “I’m so sorry I got you involved.”
“Just shut up and let me focus.” He continues to work on the door with a click every few seconds.
Never in a million years would I have thought Charlie would be rescuing me from the elders’ dungeon. I always figured he’d be the one leading the charge, so this moment is a little surreal. The room begins to swirl, and I reach out and grab a bar. Holy shit, I’m weak. How am I supposed to get out of here?
A loud click fills the room, and then the door swings open. Charlie motions for me to come on.
I hold on to the rails and head toward the doors. I stumble just as I get to where he’s at.
“Hey, are you okay?” Concern fills his eyes.
“Sorry, I’m weak.” My hands shake a little. “I haven’t eaten since I’ve been down here.”
>
“Shit.” He wraps his arm under my shoulders. “I knew they were bastards, but I figured they would at least feed you. I’m sorry it took me so long.”
“I’m just glad you’re here.” I lean against him. “Thank you.”
He leads me toward the area he came from. We walk into the shadows, until a sliver of moonlight guides us to a window. It’s several feet up, but there is a rope dangling from it.
“I don’t think I can do that.” There is no way I can climb that rope with how weak I am.
“Don’t worry.” He grips the rope and begins to climb up. “I have a plan.”
It doesn’t take him long to get to the top, and he climbs out the window making the same rattling noises as earlier. Once he climbs out the window, he leans his head back in and whispers, “Tie the rope into a loop and sit in it. I’ll hoist you up.”
At this point, beggars can’t be choosers, but I’m not loving the idea. I grab the rope and tie it around my waist. “All right, I’m ready.”
He begins lifting me, and I push off the wall, making sure I don’t swing into it. It takes a few minutes, but soon, he’s got me to the top and is pulling me through the window.
Once I’m outside, the fresh air hits my lungs and I lean over in a coughing fit.
“Take slow breaths.” He leans over and rubs my back.
I breathe in slow until the coughing subsides. When I have my bearings back, I glance around. We’re in the back of the manor, and it’s pitch black outside except for the moon. “Okay, we need to get out of here.”
“Don’t need to tell me twice.” He wraps his arm around my waist, and we take off to the side of the manor.
The one good thing about this place is the land is huge, so we’re able to go around it without running into anyone. We’re about a hundred yards away when I notice Charlie’s car isn’t too much further away.
We both speed up, knowing our exit is in sight.
He runs ahead of me and opens my door and starts the car.
I’m slower than normal but am determined to get the hell out of there. There is no way in hell I want to get stuck back down in that dungeon.