“Were you a dog before?” Anabel desperately wanted to pet Brooke’s fluffy coat. She moved closer, but stopped herself.
For the first time Brooke’s voice seemed sad. “I don’t recall anything. I only remember you. It is almost as though I exist only for you.”
Saiya snuggled her close, closing her eyes as she buried her cheek in the softness of her fur. Kell moved over and sat next to them, stroking the top of Brooke’s head.
“I know I will protect you at all costs,” Brooke said, licking Saiya and Kell until their faces were sopping wet and they were giggling.
“Protect us from what?” Anabel asked, looking around suddenly afraid.
“From monsters in wells!” Saiya said, hugging Brooke tight.
“Did you get bigger earlier, when you were in the well?” Jakob’s voice was suspicious as he inched as close to Brooke as he dared, until they were almost nose-to-nose. He was intrigued by her presence, suddenly realizing that she had been listening and understanding him from the beginning.
“I did.” Brooke was panting, happy to be hugged and pet by the smaller children who didn’t seem to be alarmed by her at all. She buried her nose in them, her small, nubby tail wagging uncontrollably. Jakob was mesmerized by how normal she appeared, this small white Patronus. He began to scoff at the idea that she could protect them from anything, the memory of the well seeming ridiculous the more he thought about it. My eyes must have been deceiving me!
“How did you get bigger?” Anabel and Jakob both asked at the same time. Anabel looked at Jakob, immediately blushing as he met her gaze. There was something familiar about him, though she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“How?” Jakob repeated, his voice more demanding.
“You ask questions I don’t know the answers to,” Brooke said, stepping closer to him, her tongue hanging out and giving her the appearance that she was smiling. For a moment she looked only like a sweet, little, white dog and nothing more. The moment Brooke jumped out of the well flashed before Jakob’s eyes and he recalled how big she was. Nothing made sense. “You must have faith, Jakob.”
“Faith, in what?” Jakob asked, trying to keep the scowl from his face. He didn’t like the unknown, and at the moment, it was everywhere and in everything.
Anabel knelt next to Brooke and rubbed the spot on her forehead right above the middle of her eyes. It was the place she liked to pet her dogs the most and she found it soothed them as well as her. “I have faith in you, Brooke. You saved my sister, and for that I will always be grateful. You will always have my loyalty.”
“Me too,” Saiya said, kneeling next to Anabel. She kissed the top of Brooke’s head and nuzzled her close, inhaling her beautiful, familiar scent. She doesn’t smell like a stinky old dog, she smells like flowers, like Mama.
Kell suddenly grabbed Jakob’s sleeve and pulled in toward Brooke. Kell knew in his heart that Brooke wouldn’t hurt them, he could feel it in ways his mind couldn’t quite grasp yet. He needed Jakob to know it, too.
Jakob stared at Brooke for a long moment, a shiver running up his spine. “It’s getting cold,” he said, looking at the quickly darkening sky. “We can’t stay outside again. We should look for some shelter, at least for tonight.”
All of the children nodded in agreement, staring at Jakob for the next move.
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply for a long moment, almost as though he was waiting for an idea to come to him. He quickly opened his dark eyes and Anabel secretly marveled at how decisive he looked. He pointed into nothing and said, “Let’s go. We will go this way. There is something here. I can feel it.”
Nobody dared question him as they followed quickly, anxious to keep up, the younger ones in the back with Brooke bringing up the tail end.
“Slow down, Jakob,” Kell panted. Saiya was struggling more than he was to keep up, and Kell could tell she was getting tired.
“The young ones can climb on my back,” Brooke offered, not winded at all. As she spoke, she started to grow, effortlessly, until she was the size of a small horse. The children stood still in astonishment until Jakob broke the silence.
“Thank you, Brooke,” he said as he gently lifted Saiya onto Brooke’s back. Kell climbed on behind her, and they both grabbed hold of her fur, careful not to pull too hard.
“Don’t worry, children. Don’t be afraid to hold on tight, you can’t hurt me.” Brooke said, her voice soothing and soft.
Saiya immediately tightened her small arms around Brooke’s neck, feeling safe instantly.
“Let’s go,” Jakob said, motioning them forward.
They walked further, dismayed as the light began to disappear.
Jakob put his fingers on his lips to indicate that he wanted them to be silent.
As he did so, something jumped out of the woods and landed on Jakob, knocking him over. The girls screamed as Anabel jumped back and tried to shield Brooke and the children. Kell grabbed Saiya and quickly pulled her off of Brooke’s back and onto the ground. As he did so, he waited for Brooke to pounce on whatever was attacking Jakob. Instead, Brooke stood where she was, her feet planted firmly on the ground, a growl waiting to come from her lips.
Jakob tussled with his attacker, his scabbard knocked to the ground several feet away from him. His usual strength was hampered by his hunger and fatigue as he fought from being pinned to the ground. He realized his attacker was struggling as well as Jakob strained toward where his scabbard lay.
“Stop, stop!” the figure on top of him sputtered out.
Jakob was stunned to hear a female voice coming from above him. The knee in Jakob’s throat prevented him from responding.
“I’ll take my knee out of your throat if you promise to lay perfectly still.” The voice said, threateningly.
Jakob nodded as much as he could, trying not to choke. He felt the pressure come slowly off of his throat as the breath flowed mercifully into his body. He wondered briefly why Brooke hadn’t come to his rescue, but quickly pushed the thought aside as he try to lie perfectly still.
“Who are you?” the voice asked as Jakob felt the tip of something sharp sticking into his neck.
“Jakob.”
“Where do you come from?”
Jakob hesitated.
“I said, where do you come from? Answer me, now,” the voice was getting angry but strangely Jakob wasn’t afraid. He had heard the voice before, though he couldn’t place where or when.
“I don’t know where I come from,” Jakob said, his voice back to normal.
“What do you mean? That’s ridiculous!” the voice getting even higher.
“I’m sorry,” Jakob said, careful not to move. “But I don’t know anything. I don’t remember anything that happened before yesterday.”
There was silence as Jakob continued to lie perfectly still. He felt the sharpness of the blade disappear suddenly.
“Get up,” the voice said, low and thoughtful.
Jakob stood up carefully, looking for the others, and was relieved to see them frozen in place behind Brooke. Jakob and Brooke locked eyes for a moment, and he realized why Brooke hadn’t come to his rescue. She’s here to protect the younger ones. Not me.
He turned around, searching for his attacker, relieved to be upright. He was on edge, prepared for anything.
“I’m here,” the voice said, startlingly close to him.
Jakob turned toward the voice. He was shocked to realize that the face he was looking at was eerily like his own. Her eyes, shape of her face and fullness of her lips were identical to his. Even the shade of her hair matched his perfectly.
Jakob heard a gasp as Kell ran toward them and held onto her tight, tears running down his cheeks.
“Jakob, its Ava! It’s our sister!”
Jakob and Ava looked deep into each other’s eyes, and they both realized it was like looking into a mirror.
24
THE DEEP SEA
The Warrior walked alone into the darkness, unsure of what she
would have to face. The darkness was beginning to diminish, but the air was thick with smoke. Fog followed her at every turn, and everywhere she looked. She didn’t know what direction she was going in or what she was looking for, but something urged her forward. She wasn’t afraid to be alone; she knew she had been alone many times before, though her memory remained blank.
She occupied her mind with thoughts of the small golden-haired woman, and ways the Warrior would be able to get revenge. Their interaction had been short, yet she felt as though the thief was familiar, and the Warrior seethed with rage.
Will.
Her thoughts were interrupted by visions of her love, memories of him holding her, cradling her, and kissing her. Her heart felt connected to him, almost as though she could feel his heart beating inside of her. She knew he was alive somewhere. I will find him. I will find my love and I will bring him back to me.
She imagined her life with him, governing over Tamaryn. Somehow the Warrior knew that theirs had been a peaceful existence, which was partly why she had put down her sword. But why else had she put down her sword? Why had she stopped fighting? He never would have made me stop, he knew it was in my blood, in my heart. It had to have been my own choice, my own decision.
The Warrior felt as though Will was there with her, next to her. She searched blindly in the thick smog for signs of him, signs of anyone or anything, living. She stumbled through what appeared to be a thick wood, cautiously, her feet finding their way. She was agile and light on her feet, and was able to maneuver the difficult path easier than most.
Suddenly, she came to an open area in the wood, and she paused to survey her surroundings. There was no sign of life anywhere. The air was thick and still, and she realized she was surrounded by nothing but eerie silence. She strained for the possible sound of a bird or insect, but was dismayed to find there was nothing. She rested temporarily, eager to move forward and find something other than the thick gray that consumed her. She felt the grayness taking over her thoughts and found herself getting strangely tired. The air seemed to steal her strength, and the Warrior became angry.
How can this be? I’ve only walked such a short distance. I shouldn’t be tired at all.
As much as she fought it, she knew that if she were to continue on her journey, she would need to sit and rest. As she did so, she slumped down, suddenly exhausted. She rested her head on her arm and fell asleep instantly.
She awoke sharply to a strange, overwhelming sound taking over her senses. She wasn’t sure how long it had been since she had fallen asleep, but she was instantly refreshed the moment she opened her eyes. She wrinkled her nose as an unpleasant, salty smell wafted thick in the air. It was the smell of many battles and many deaths, the pungent odor that never seemed to leave her for days after, had settled into her nostrils. The Warrior quickly jumped up, desperately looking around for the source of the roaring sound that was dangerously close. The Warrior placed her hand on her sword, but didn’t draw. Something in the air didn’t feel right and she felt danger all around, her senses on high alert. Her fingers tingled with anticipation as she moved cautiously and carefully in a small circle, desperately straining to see her enemy.
The rushing sound reminded her of a waterfall as it got louder and more deafening with each moment. Suddenly, she was knocked off her feet and found herself submerged in what appeared to be a thick, red sea, tossing and twisting her small body at will. She struggled to stay afloat, the currents pulling her under, viciously attempting to drown her. She was overwhelmed by the stickiness of the liquid, the saltiness choking her.
She thought she heard his name echoing around her, Will …Will …Will …and she was confused.
She cursed silently, her arms and legs flailing desperately. She pushed herself to the top, gulping in the open air. She felt helpless being carried along by the waves.
She looked down at the thick, red sea she was floating in. The Warrior realized with horror that she knew the substance all too well.
Blood!
She felt sick to her stomach and fought the bitterness that threatened to creep into her throat.
I’m floating in a sea of blood!
The Warrior closed her eyes, fighting the nausea that threated to overcome her. She prayed desperately to Patronus for a way to get out of this sea that had somehow managed to find her. As she did so, a large wave overcame her, the current pulling her under until she could no longer find her way to the top.
25
THE ONE THING
The Ubilez were watching her, and waiting. Patiently. They had already been patient all this time. It had been one week since the Darkness, and they had instructed Kyla on what she needed to do in order to create a Blood Bond between herself and the Governor. They had been specific in their instruction, careful to emphasize that she would not be able to give them the One Thing unless she did it.
They watched as Kyla successfully pierced the Governor’s heart as she had been told and mingled her blood with the Governor’s. The Ubilez were pleased with their Little Yashwa. More pleased than they imagined they would ever be. When she came to them, they doubted she was strong enough to go through with the plan, but she was obeying them quite well. They knew that if she continued, they would have the opportunity to live on top of the earth once again, and rule over the entire world as they once had. All they needed was that One Thing that Kyla promised them. One Thing.
They could almost smell it, almost taste it, that One Thing.
They conferred with one another excitedly, their voices low and guttural. They disguised themselves in the shadows when they met with Kyla, because they knew they would scare her if she saw their true form and she would never agree to allow them to help her. They were dark and spindly, their bodies shifting with each movement, never far from becoming one or two or as many as they wanted to become.
They talked for hours and days about that which Kyla promised them. She had to come through because they needed it. The Ubilez had lived always, never more than what they were and never less. The Great Patronus had forced them under the ground by using the joined power of the Yashwa and the Warriors. But to honor the Balance, the Great Patronus was forced to decree when they were banished that only the beauty and purity of that One Thing would allow them to find their way above the ground again.
The Ubilez paced; collectively, separately, desperately, anxious for that One Thing. They were one and they were many, all at the same time. But the One Thing was nearly certain as promised by the Little Yashwa, and they could almost smell the freedom.
“She just has to give us that One Thing,” One hissed.
“I don’t know if she can do it. She’s a weak thing,” another One hissed back.
“She has done well so far,” another One reminded them, snapping its sharp black teeth at both of them. “She will suffice.”
“Yes, but others have failed,” another One spoke up, quieter than the others. “Others have failed,” a collective voice waved over them, the sound of many but the words of only one.
“Others have failed, others have failed, others have failed.”
The chant filled the room, the voices mocking.
“Silence,” One said, and suddenly the room was silent.
The voices all sounded the same; menacing, angry, needing, pained.
“This Little Yashwa will come through for us, and she will bring it and she won’t disappoint us,” the One said, pointing a spindly, oily finger at the rest of them. “She will bring that One Thing.”
The Ubilez were satisfied as they watched Kyla plunge the scissors into the Governor’s heart. It was their favorite part to watch as the blood exploded into the air. A collective groan rose at the sight of the blood. They loved blood and imagined the taste of it on their tongues, sliding down their throats. They missed the blood and they sighed at the thought of it.
“Soon enough,” they murmured throughout the room, comforting each other. “Soon enough.”
26
&
nbsp; AVA
Ava and Jakob stared at one another, both of them refusing to look away first while the rest of them looked on.
“Did you forget me, Jakob?” Ava asked, trying to disguise the hurt from her voice.
“No … I … I … this has all been confusing. Nothing makes any sense. The only person I have been able to remember is Kell.” Jakob’s head was reeling. Even with Ava in front of him, he only recalled brief encounters with her, but nothing as tangible as his life with Kell.
“What about you, Kell? Do you remember me?” Ava bent over slightly and looked Kell in the eyes.
“Yes, I remember you. But not until I just saw you. I forgot about you until then.” Kell said, his honesty always speaking first though he looked slightly ashamed.
Ava looked at both of her brothers, slightly wounded. Her dark gray eyes narrowed as she looked at Anabel and Saiya, seeming to notice them for the first time.
“Who are they?” she asked, placing her hand on the scabbard tied to her small waist in a similar fashion as Jakob’s, her dress practically identical to his.
“They are our friends,” Kell said simply, moving a little closer to Anabel as though he needed to protect her from Ava. Kell was clearly the peacemaker of their little group, which he wore well, despite his age and size.
Ava stared at them for a long moment until her eyes rested on the white dog that was oddly large in size. She noticed the dog’s eyes never left her almost as though it was studying her, and she shook her head at the thought. She didn’t like animals much, and she stared at the dog for a moment trying to decide if she liked it. Finally, she looked at Jakob.
“Do you have any food? I’m hungry,” Ava asked, abruptly.
Jakob shook his head. His stomach was gnawing at him as well, from the inside out. The fish they had eaten for breakfast had long since faded away. He wasn’t accustomed to being so hungry, but for this he felt fortunate. Kell wasn’t complaining so neither would he.
The Forgotten (The Lost Children Series Book 1) Page 9