The door shattered, sending shrapnel in all directions. Caitlin raised her palm and screamed as she pushed her magic out. It hurt. It really hurt. She derived no pleasure from it this time. A thin white light erupted from her hand. It hit Essecks in his wing, the scent of burned flesh enveloping her nostrils. He bellowed and continued toward her. She was spent. She had used everything within her, and it didn’t even slow him down. Caitlin was going to die, and her daughter would be trapped. Despair filled her as Essecks knocked her back over and climbed on top of her.
“Silly human. Mean human. Essecks will enjoy seeing your insides.”
Caitlin closed her eyes, refusing to shed tears, and waited for death. The beast began his eerie cackle. He stopped short and said, “She’s ready for you, master. Essecks did good. Essecks deserves a bite.”
“Now, now Essecks. You know it’s not polite to eat our guests.” Cold ran through Caitlin’s veins. She knew that voice. It still haunted her nightmares. Dave.
“I apologize sincerely, Caitlin,” Dave continued. “Essecks has served me faithfully for a very long time, but he does get overzealous with his instructions sometimes. I simply asked him to fetch you for me. I think the poor boy has been cooped up for far too long. He was just having a laugh.”
“Hilarious,” Caitlin responded, amazed she was even able to speak. “Where’s my daughter, you dick?”
“There is no need to be rude,” said Dave. “Your daughter and her companion are safe. She’s a feisty one, that Elise. You must be so proud. She clearly gets her fire from you. Even so, I think I have sufficiently convinced her it’s better to be agreeable.”
Caitlin looked up at the man who had caused so many sleepless nights. He was almost handsome in a psychopathic, I’m going to kill you sort of way. His long, dark lashes framed his large eyes. The scar that bisected his face was gone.
“You have me now. You don’t need a little girl. Please, just let her go. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“While it warms my heart to hear you say that, I am going to have to politely decline,” said Dave. “You see, I need you if I am to truly gain rulership of Clarensdell. You have so much untapped potential. I can taste the magic radiating off of you, and holding your daughter gives me leverage over that power. Now, let’s get you off the floor. It must be terribly uncomfortable down there.”
Dave reached a hand down for her to grab. Caitlin spit on it. Disgust registered on his face. He raised his arm and backhanded her. The runes on her belt flared and the mist rendered his attack into a light tap. He drew his hand back with an audible intake of air. “Carey’s Protection,” he said. “That’s nothing I can’t deal with.” He pointed at her and raised his arm. Her body rose into the air. “This way, please.” He turned around and walked out of the room. Caitlin floated after him, unable to move her limbs.
He walked for a long time, twisting and turning through corridors. Caitlin tried to speak but found that her voice was as stuck as the rest of her body. Finally, he walked into a large domed room. Rows of pews flanked her on either side. The ceiling rose at least twenty feet into the air and was covered with intricately designed stained glass that filtered in beautifully diffused colored light.
“Mom?” Elise’s voice penetrated Caitlin’s thoughts. “Mom!”
“Hold her back,” said Dave, nonchalantly.
“Stop, Ashley. It’s my mom.” Caitlin heard a muted thump but was turned so she couldn’t see her daughter. “I swear, if you hit me in the head again, I’m going to wallop you.”
Please, I have to see my daughter, Caitlin thought. As if he could hear her, Dave rotated her body just enough so her daughter came into view. Caitlin’s heart swelled. It felt as if a lifetime had passed since she last saw her daughter’s face. The young girl was dirty. Very dirty. Her clothing was ripped, and there was a remnant of blood dried to the side of her face. Oh, my sweet baby.
The pressure of the spell that held Caitlin in place evaporated a second before she hit the floor. She was up and running to Elise faster than she had ever moved before. The young, one-eyed girl stepped into her path with her hands wrapped around a plain, wooden staff. “It’s all right,” said Dave.
Caitlin ascended the staircase that led to the throne two steps at a time and pulled her daughter into her arms. She kissed Elise, caring not about the accumulated grime. “Oh, baby! My sweet baby. Are you okay? Why are you bleeding? What happened to your hair? Oh, it doesn’t matter. I missed you so much! I never stopped looking for you.” Tears rolled freely from her eyelids.
“Mom. Mom! Stop,” Elise said, pushing on her mother. Caitlin eased up but never took her hands off her daughter. “I’m okay. Really, I am. I never stopped looking for you either. Why are you shiny?”
Caitlin looked down at her arms and realized the mist had never dissipated. “I’ll tell you everything, absolutely everything. I promise.”
“So heartwarming,” said Dave. Caitlin turned, placing her body in front of her daughter. “No need to get defensive. I have no intention on harming either one of you. I did previously, but that was before I knew… Well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are both healthy and happy. You, girl. Prepare baths for our guests.”
“Yes, master,” said the black-haired girl Elise had called Ashley. “Don’t worry, kid. I’ve got you covered.” She produced a dimpled smile.
“We will get cleaned up together,” said Caitlin. She didn’t trust Dave.
“Of course,” said Dave. “I would expect nothing less. I will have clothes sent to you.” He turned to Ashley. “Be sure to bring her belt to me once they have disrobed. And you two,” he turned back to Caitlin, “please don’t try to escape. My castle is filled with my floreans. I guarantee they will not be nearly as gentle as I am. Essecks will accompany you to be sure you follow instructions.”
“Can Essecks taste the small one? She looks like a delicious appetizer.” Essecks’ eyes shined, and he licked his lips. Dave flicked his wrist at the creature. His body contorted, and he shrieked in pain.
“You will not touch either of them. Do you understand me?” Dave said calmly as he continued to manipulate Essecks’ body.
“Yes, master! Sorry, master,” Essecks cried out. “Essecks will be good. Please, master, please!”
The creature’s body stopped its contortionist act, and he fell limply to the ground. “Thank you, master. Glorious master.”
“Now go and do as I bid,” said Dave. “I truly look forward to seeing you lovely ladies shortly. A feast will be prepared in your honor.” He turned and strode out of the room.
Ashley appeared to have left the room during the spectacle. Caitlin turned back to Elise and sunk down onto the throne next to her. Elise crawled into her lap and rested her head on Caitlin’s shoulder. Caitlin could feel silent tears dampening her tunic. She put her arms around her daughter and stroked her cropped hair. “Shhh, shhh, my darling,” she said, rocking her daughter gently. “It will be okay. I’m here now. I will make this okay.”
“We have to save Ashley,” whispered Elise.
Caitlin was surprised. “The guard?”
“My friend,” responded Elise. “The bad man tricked her. He used magic to take over her mind. We have to get that eyepatch off of her.”
“We will, Elle,” said Caitlin, gently kissing her daughter’s forehead. “We’re together now. We will save your friend and save ourselves.”
“There’s no escape,” said Essecks straightening up from his cowering position. “My master is stronger now. You will serve him as we all do.”
“You’re just a mindless slave,” barked Elise from Caitlin’s shoulder. Caitlin was surprised by the ferocity in her child’s voice.
“Mindless? My mind is my own, rodent,” said Essecks. “Master has no need to enslave my mind. Essecks’ loyalty is true. It was Essecks who tended to the floreans in master’s absence. Essecks who kept villagers away from the castle. Only the knights of darkness could pass through the gates to gaze
upon the living statues. Essecks will be rewarded.”
Elise gasped and tensed at his statement. Something about what he said had really upset her, but Caitlin chose not to ask her about it in the creature’s presence. The sound of a door opening to her right caught Caitlin’s attention. She turned her head and saw Ashley enter.
“The tub’s ready,” the girl said. Her smile was disturbing to Caitlin.
Caitlin stood up and grabbed ahold of Elise’s hand. Her daughter held on so tightly she lost feeling in her fingers. She didn’t say a word about it. Nothing on earth or beyond would make her tell her daughter to loosen her grip. “Please, lead the way,” she said.
Ashley turned, and they followed. Essecks’ body slid noisily across the floor behind them, but she chose not to look back. After a few turns they entered a room that billowed with steam. The tub turned out to be an elegantly tiled gigantic hot tub that sunk down three feet into the floor. There was plenty of room in it for eight people to spread out comfortably. They walked in with Essecks close on their heels.
Caitlin turned to him sharply. “We need privacy.”
Essecks laughed. The sound sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. “A prisoner does not get the luxury of privacy.”
“Oh, come on,” said Ashley, surprisingly. “There’s no other exit. I’ll stay in here with them. No one wants to get naked with a big, scaly freak in the room. You can wait right outside if you like.”
Essecks hissed at her. “You have no authority here, slave.” He slapped her. Ashley’s head turned with the impact. Blood dripped from her lip as she straightened herself.
“This slave may not have any authority, but our master made it clear he wants them to be healthy and happy. I will gladly go get him and see what his opinion is on this.”
“Essecks will grind your bones to dust, insolent bitch.”
“Ellie, would you be happy if this wretched excuse of a lizard killed me?” asked Ashley, turning to the girl.
“No,” said Elise, urgently. “If you hurt her, I’ll…. I’ll drown myself. Anything you do will cause me and my mom more harm.”
Caitlin’s jaw dropped as Essecks let out a string of expletives. She had never seen her daughter in this light before. The beast spit out one more curse, exited the room, and slammed the door shut behind him. Caitlin was sure if he had legs, he would be stomping his feet. “Wow,” Caitlin said. “Who are you and what have you done with Elise?”
A shy smile crossed her daughter’s lips. “It’s been an interesting few days,” she said as she stripped. “I really could use a bath.”
“Yeah you could,” said Ashley as she grabbed the girl’s soiled clothes. “You smell as bad as my eye hole, Ellie. I’m so happy the master decided not to kill you. That would have been a bummer.”
Elise finished undressing and eased her way into the tub. “You too, Ellie’s mom. I need to bring the master your belt or else he’ll be pissed. You understand, right?”
“Of course,” Caitlin said, watching the girl closely. She thought maybe, just maybe, she could snatch the patch from the girl’s head.
Just as she contemplated reaching out, Ashley continued, “Please don’t try anything. The master can see through me and will retaliate immediately with force if something happens.”
“I thought Dave wanted us happy and healthy,” said Caitlin.
“I wouldn’t test it if I were you. He’ll settle for alive if he has to. Give me the belt and enjoy your bath.” Ashley held out her hand.
Begrudgingly, Caitlin removed the belt. The light sparkle that ran across her body winked out of existence. She handed the belt to the girl and removed the rest of her clothes. “Thank you muchly,” said Ashley.
Caitlin lowered herself into the water. Elise floated in the center, head up, with her eyes closed. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a bath so much,” she said.
“Our tubs aren’t quite this fancy,” replied Caitlin as she made her way to the opposite side of the tub where an assortment of soaps and ointments sat. She grabbed a bar of soap and moved back to her daughter. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up.” As she scrubbed, the ingrained dirt in her daughter’s skin fell off, muddying the crystal-clear water. “Now tell me, what happened to your hair?”
“A shape-changer had to cut it because it got all tangled when we were running from outlaws,” said Elise. “I like it now. It makes my head feel light.” She giggled for a moment and then became serious. “Mom?”
“Yes, honey,” Caitlin replied as she poured water over her daughter’s head.
Elise wiped the water from her eyes and looked at her. “I want to go home. I don’t want to die here.”
Caitlin’s heart shattered. “Oh, sweety, we’re not going to die. I’ll do everything in my power to get you home.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you so much,” said Caitlin. “I don’t know how, but I’ll fix this, and we’ll go home together. Everything will go back to the way it was before. Before the trial. Before the attack. I’m so sorry about everything.”
“I would like that,” said Elise somberly.
The two girls finished washing in relative silence. Caitlin didn’t want to discuss anything that may be relevant to their escape with Dave’s spy in the room. Finally, she pronounced them clean enough. Ashley waited at the edge of the tub with two billowing towels. Their clothing had been replaced; the belt no longer evident. Caitlin inwardly mourned the loss of her father’s clothing.
The dress left for her was the one she’d seen in her dream. The yellows and oranges reminded her of sunshine in summer. She pulled it on. It couldn’t have fit better if a seamstress had sewn her into it. The fabric was silky and cool to the touch. It cinched around her bust and flowed freely below. Expert layering of the fabric gave the impression of curves where her body was lacking. The neckline hit just below her clavicle and attached to a single, off the shoulder long sleeve the covered her right arm. Her left arm was bare.
She looked at her daughter who had just finished donning her own attire. Caitlin almost laughed. The dress was pink. Not a dusty rose or a light salmon. It was bright, eye-blindingly pink and covered in ruffles. The sleeves were long, ending in points that wrapped around her middle fingers and the bodice was covered in crystals that twinkled in the lamp light. She had a small frown on her face. No doubt she was disgusted with the outfit. Her daughter didn’t “do” pink.
“Please pull this through your hair. The master is waiting, and he isn’t the most patient sort.” Ashley handed her an oblong discus with bristles. Caitlin pulled it through her hair. The water evaporated as if it had never been there in the first place leaving her hair soft and full-bodied. She ran it through Elise’s hair as well. The curls left behind in the longer sections were perfectly in place.
“I guess we’re ready,” she said to her daughter.
Elise gave her a resolute look. “Let’s do this,” she said.
Chapter Twenty
Henry
The old woman berated Alexander with such whimsically colorful language Henry couldn’t do anything but stare. Detective Stathem must have had a similar reaction, because he just sat there with his mouth hanging slightly open. After a good ten minutes of this, Alexander finally threw his arms up into the air. “Enough, woman! Enough!”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that, Carey Alexander Leifson. I was there the day you came screaming into this world. I am not afraid to send you screaming out of it.”
“It takes more than idle threats to frighten me, Esme. Even coming from a witch like you. I am no longer a child.”
“You could have fooled me,” the old woman spat. “Was it your pride that kept you away for so long while your child and grandchild suffered trying to understand this land? A land, may I remind you, they didn’t even know existed! You are a damn fool, Carey.”
“Where are they now, Esme?” Alexander asked, his tone no less aggressive. “And I swear, if you try to prolong the issue
with riddles, I’ll find that ridiculous moose of yours and mount his head on my wall. Don’t test me. Tell me where my family is.”
“If I knew where they were, I would have brought them with me, you idiot. I lost a damn arm to keep my grand-niece safe and this is the thanks I get. I told your father he shouldn’t have impregnated that woman. I told him nothing good could come from it, and I was right. You ungrateful, useless piece of…”
“Excuse me,” Henry said loudly, as he stroked Chase’s head.
“What?” yelled Esme as Alexander said, “Not now, Henry.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt whatever… this is, but my wife and daughter are out there somewhere, and your bickering isn’t getting us anywhere.”
“So, this is the husband,” said Esme, sneering. “At least you’ve been somewhat useful in this mess. Your wife would have had a hell of a time escaping her entrapment if you hadn’t showed up.”
“Entrapment?” Henry asked.
“The dream with her aggressor. She would have given her power freely if you hadn’t made an appearance and made her doubt him. As it was, he still managed a noncorporeal transfer of a small portion of her power.” She turned back to Alexander. “And do you know how he managed it, Carey? With one of Helenab’s knives, that’s how. Knives I had been assured were destroyed. Assured by you. How the hell did he have that if they’d been destroyed, nephew?”
“I don’t have to explain my choices to you,” responded Alexander.
“Damn skippy, you do,” said Esme.
“Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Apparently, Detective Stathem found his voice. They all turned to look at him. His gun was in his hands, and he stood pointing it shakily at the other three. “I swear to Christ I will start shooting if someone doesn’t tell me what happened. We were in your house, and now we are standing in the middle of the fucking woods.”
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