As the creatures shoved me forward, I began to tick off all of the ways to get out of this situation. First, I reluctantly admitted to myself that I had to stop with my denial. This situation was very real. Second, I had to fight them. That part was proving to be difficult.
I kept trying to yank my arms from the demon’s grip but I only succeeded in hurting myself. Its’ grip was bruising.
Suddenly, a massive wave of heat stirred deep within my chest, creating a surge of courage and strength that overwhelmed me. I kicked my foot out at my attackers and struck the one in front of me, in what I fervently hoped was the back of its knee. The sound that was emitted from the Semvon’s mouth caused my blood to freeze, and its red eyes flared at me.
It struck me across the face so hard, that if it hadn’t been for the demon that held me from behind, I would have fallen to my knees. The taste of salty blood filled my mouth.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Relief flooded through me at the sound of Xander’s calm voice. “Sorry I’m late, Skye. Their friends were a bit more trouble than usual back at the house.”
At the thought of these creatures having attacked Janelle and Rex, panic began to flow through me. Unfortunately, my hands were a little full at the moment. My heart began to beat furiously when Xander stepped further into the woods and peeled off his jacket, revealing a dagger strapped to his chest.
“So, who’s first?” he asked; lightly stretching his arms over his head.
His arrogance rolled off of him in waves, and my panic threatened to overtake me as I struggled to get away from my captor once more.
“No! Just run, Xander!” I warned, my eyes flying to his.
He actually winked. Winked, and then laughed at me.
“Nah, I think I’m gonna play with these fellas for a bit.”
Incredulously, I realized that he didn’t seem bothered at all by the two creatures that held me. In fact, he seemed to be playing it off like they were a joke.
I could see that the one I’d kicked had started to morph into something with a larger shape. I couldn’t explain exactly what it looked like, but one minute it was normal size, and the next it seemed to be towering over me. Fear gripped me at the thought of Xander fighting that creature.
“You are so confident, Guardian. Tell me, how did you come to be here?” the demon inquired, as it started to circle Xander.
Xander kept his eyes on his opponent and his hand on his dagger. He replied back sarcastically to the taunt, “I belong here, Semvon. But you belong in Hell, and I think I’m going to be the one to send you there. Are you ready?”
The Semvon lunged forward, but Xander was lighter and quicker, and was able to easily jump back and to the side. In the swirl, his dagger narrowly missed the creature as he swung it forward. I watched in horror as Xander and the demon stalked each other in a circle. The Semvon snarled angrily, while Xander continued to look smug and somewhat bored.
It was mesmerizing to watch - his confidence, his strong frame as he hunched down into warrior mode - he was amazing and strong. And oh lord, was he HOT!
Xander’s eyes were locked on his target, and his jaw was clenched tight. Xander had discarded his hoodie, which allowed me to view the strength in his well-defined arms as he swung his dagger at the Semvon continuing to block his advances.
As the two sparred, the Semvon who held me proceeded to drag me away.
“Skye! Tell your friend to be patient and to stay put now, okay?” bellowed Xander, as he noted the distance my captor had put between us.
If I hadn’t been so scared I would have laughed at his humor, but it was taking all I had in that moment not to just pass out. I tried to fight the demon’s grip, but it didn’t even flinch…it was freakishly strong! After struggling a moment to get me to walk, the Semvon wrapped its arms around my waist and simply picked me up. It then somehow extended its height so that I was no longer touching the ground with my feet.
“Where are you taking me?” I begged again, kicking and screaming as we went along.
“Home,” it grunted.
“Home? I am home! What do you even want with me anyway?”
“Shut up!” it screeched, and squeezed me a bit tighter around my waist.
A few seconds later, an inhuman, vulgar howl sounded behind us. My heart leapt with joy at the thought that Xander may have actually injured his opponent.
My kidnapper growled low in its throat, then put me down and yanked me back against its body; wrapping a hand securely around my neck. Its wide, red eyes searched the area, scanning the grounds as if it expected a visitor.
It raged, “Show yourself, Guardian! I will snap her pretty little neck, boy.”
The forest was eerily quiet. Night had almost fallen, making it hard to see more than a few feet in front of us.
The demon, or ‘Semvon’ as Xander called them, placed its hand on my windpipe and began to squeeze. Tighter and tighter it squeezed, and the longer it waited for Xander to show, the tighter its grip became.
I tried to speak but all I managed was a strangled cry, as I grasped its hand and tried to scratch and pry it away.
I was beginning to see stars when I heard Xander’s beautiful voice, just a few feet away. “Your master won’t reward you if you don’t deliver her alive, Semvon.”
Relief flooded through me but it was to be short lived, as the demon’s hand flexed and tightened more on my neck. It slowly began to lift me from the ground.
Choking and full of panic I kicked out at the Semvon, digging my nails into its hand and arm to no avail.
“Xander,” I gurgled, as I looked around for him with dark tears burning in my eyes.
“Let her go. You cannot kill her. You know that she’s too important, and McClintock is not going to be happy with you if she is damaged,” Xander reasoned, as I tried to maintain consciousness. “I will kill you either way, but if you drop her now I’ll do it swiftly.”
Just as I felt myself starting to slip into blackness, the Semvon growled loudly. I felt myself being thrown through the air before landing roughly on my stomach. The landing hurt, but at least I could feel sweet, cool air filling my lungs as I gasped for breath.
Through my dazed senses I heard Xander’s roar, and then the rustling of leaves and branches breaking under their feet. The Semvon wasted no time in attacking Xander.
They each struck powerful jabs at the other, grunting every time a blow connected with its target. Xander wielded his wicked dagger, while apparently the Semvon was just using his brute strength.
I dragged myself towards a large tree while continuing to keep a wary eye on Xander throughout the battle. It was soon apparent that his swift movements were too much for the Semvon, and Xander quickly restrained it against a tree and began to interrogate it.
“How were you planning to get home?” Xander thundered, while holding his dagger to its neck.
The blade seemed to have magical properties; I watched as it glowed and singed the monster’s neck. I could even see smoke coming off its black skin and smell the stench of charred flesh.
The Semvon growled and bucked away from the dagger, but refused to answer Xander’s questions.
“Tell me, and I will end your suffering.”
“Nothing you do will stop them from getting her!” growled the Semvon. “You will be killed and she will fulfill her destiny for my master. Kill me, Guardian scum,” it laughed wickedly.
“Damn it, where is the portal?!” Xander shrieked. “Where is McClintock?”
The hideous sound of the Semvon’s howling laughter filled the woods as Xander pleaded desperately with the creature to give him answers.
“HA,” it finally groaned, ‘I will tell you nothing!”.
After a moment of hesitation, Xander slashed his dagger across the creature’s neck; releasing a stream of brackish-looking blood. I tried to look away but was mesmerized, as the creature sank to the ground and released a final guttural moan, filled with pain. Finally the
re was nothing left to release, just silence, and it turned to dust before my eyes.
Kicking at the ground, Xander spat out a few choice words and flung his dagger into a nearby tree.
I coughed slightly and pulled myself up, using the tree for leverage. My legs felt like rubber and my throat felt like I had gargled a bucket of sand. Xander pulled the dagger from where it had wedged into the innocent bark of the nearest tree and then quickly strode towards me; tucking his dagger away into the holster he kept wrapped around his side.
“Skye? Are you okay?”
I stared at him as he stood there before me looking more like a model from a magazine than the assassin he obviously was. I thought that his composure was magnificent for having just killed two creatures from hell. His concerned eyes searched mine.
“Janelle and Rex?” I questioned, as I let go of the tree and wobbled towards him. My voice was raspy, like a 90-year-old smoker’s, and when I tried to clear my throat and swallow it hurt like hell.
His eyes widened in understanding, but he reassured me that they were both fine as he took my chin in his fingers and lifted it to examine my neck.
“I can’t see here in the darkness of these trees,” he said, his voice soft. “Are you alright?”
He emphasized the word you; his baby blue eyes penetrating the darkness to search mine. Trying to be brave and tough, I checked my desire to throw myself into his strong arms and weep…so instead, I lied.
“I’m alright. My throat burns like hell, but I’ll be okay.”
“Come on, let’s get back to the hotel and fill Rioden in on what’s happened.”
He held out his hand but I just stood there for a moment, the heat of him being so near to me rolling around in my chest. Obviously mistaking my hesitation, Xander stepped up to me and placed his hands on my arms. “Skye, I promise you with my life that I won’t let anyone harm you.”
He softly placed his fingers along my neck and stroked it, his eyes turning hard. “I’m sorry,” he whispered in a voice so compelling, it made my heart skip a beat. “C’mon, the longer we stay here the more danger we’re in…please.”
Tears clogged my throat as he apologized to me. He had just risked his life to save mine, and I had never been so confused in my entire life. I painfully cleared my throat again, and I echoed his words.
“I’m sorry.”
A pained look flashed in his eyes and I shook my head as he tried to interrupt me. “I’m sorry, I am. Thank you for saving me,” I finished, and then placing my hand in his, allowed him to pull me along through the dark forest.
FIVE - I MUST LOOK A FRIGHT
Xander
As we carefully made our way back to the hotel I could hear a low rasping sound coming from Skye as she labored to breathe. The Semvon had certainly bruised her larynx.
I struggled to maintain my cool as I held her warm hand in mine. I shouldn’t have let her run off by herself. I shouldn’t have killed the second Semvon until I got more Intel. And I shouldn’t have wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss away the pain that I knew she must have been feeling.
“Damn,” I muttered, causing her to pull up and squeak in fear.
Looking into her large, brown eyes, I mentally kicked myself again for causing her unnecessary duress.
“Sorry, I’m just thinking to myself,” I promised, and I whisked her into the hotel breezeway and back up to my room. She raised her brows in a silent question, but did not speak.
I couldn’t help but wonder if her lack of communication since we had left the park was due to shock, injury or both. Before pulling Skye along behind me, I slipped into the dark room, flipped on the light and did a quick search to be sure if was safe. If she thought it was strange that I didn’t want to let her go, she didn’t mention it. Once I was assured that everything was clear, I allowed myself to relax.
I marched her into the bathroom to examine her face and neck and was enraged at what I saw. The delicate skin of her neck was covered in red marks that would soon become deep black bruises. The whites of her eyes were almost completely red where the blood vessels had popped. Her bottom lip was split, and dry blood encrusted her mouth all the way down to her chin.
I struggled to maintain a straight face as I surveyed her appearance. Every part of her was covered in dirt and debris from the forest.
Like a child, she let me guide her to the toilet seat and then watched as I turned on the warm water and soaked a washcloth under it.
I knelt between her knees and gently wiped her tear and dirt streaked cheeks first. Then, with the utmost care, I gingerly dabbed her lip and chin. She gave a small gasp when I touched her cut, but other than that she quietly watched me with soulful eyes. Her small hands were folded in her lap, and I noted a slight tremor as she clasped and then unclasped them repeatedly.
Placing the washcloth on the sink, I covered her hands with my own and in a ragged voice finally spoke.
“You’re safe now, alright?”
Her head nodded like a puppet’s, causing her long hair to form a curtain around her face. She gently pulled her hands from mine to push the mass of chestnut locks back, and then sighed.
“I know I’m safe…it’s just…unreal,” she finally finished, as she began to comb her fingers through her matted hair.
Reaching up, I pulled a leaf from the knots, which caused her to blush. “I must look a fright,” she croaked as she tried to stand up to face the mirror.
I stepped back to let her look and then watched as she grimaced at her reflection. To my amazement she didn’t burst out crying, but instead laughed at herself. “I do look a fright!”
I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her how beautiful she looked, so instead, I walked over to the shower and turned the knobs on for her. “Why don’t you jump in and clean up?” I offered as I stepped into the doorway. “I’ll be right out here if you need me.”
I removed the duffle bag that contained her clothing that was still – remarkably - hanging around her, and placed it on the floor.
I stepped out of the bathroom, pulled the door closed and leaned up against the wall next to the bathroom. I ran through the day’s events in my head as I listened to the water running. Killing the Semvon had been a necessary evil, but it still irked me to think that I could have gotten more information out of them. Trying to find a portal home to Tyalbrook was something that Rioden had been working on, almost since the moment he had been stranded here ten years ago. The truth was that only someone from Tyalbrook would have the magic to create one, so he had scoured the region for years, looking for anyone who might stand out to him.
It seemed obvious that with Skye closing in on her 18th birthday, the forces that had caused her to be sent to this dimension had finally decided to chase her and bring her back. The water turned off in the shower, which caused me to straighten and forget my thoughts for a moment as I waited for her to come out. This was getting out of hand, I thought to myself. The anticipation of seeing her clean and fresh from the shower made my pulse race and my palms sweat. She had always had this effect on me. From my earliest recollections, I remember feeling this fierce need to love and protect her like none other. It was the reason I had watched her, even when I wasn’t supposed to. It was also the reason I - no, we - felt the warm energy flow through us whenever we were near each other.
The bathroom knob turned slowly, and I gingerly stepped back so that I wouldn’t frighten her as she exited. Dressed in a plain white tee and black yoga style leggings, she stood in the doorway of the bathroom and towel dried the wet ends of her hair. Her bare toes peeped out from underneath the frayed edges of her knit pants.
The barest smile crossed her lips. “You know, you’re quite a fright too,” she hinted teasingly, as she eyed me up and down.
I glanced at my clothes to find that she was right. My shoes and pants were covered in a spray of black blood, and I’m sure my face was smeared in blood and dirt as well. Nodding in agreement, I kicked off my shoes and grabbed
some fresh clothing to change into.
“I’ll wash up really fast,” I promised her, hoping that she felt safe enough to sit in the room alone.
She scampered over to the bed and crawled under the covers. Droplets of water dripped down onto the pillowcase behind her as she began to run a comb through her wet hair.
“Would you mind…” she started, and then trailed off.
“What?” I prodded, and watched her hand pull the comb slowly through her hair.
Her hand faltered as she confessed, “I don’t want to be alone. Would you mind showering with the door open?”
Her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink as she continued, “I will sit here on the bed to allow you privacy, but I would just feel better if I knew that you weren’t behind a door…sorry.”
I tossed my fresh clothes onto the bathroom counter and found myself moving towards her and the bed on automatic pilot.
“Skye, you have nothing to be sorry about,” I reassured her as I knelt down to her level; being careful so as not to touch the clean bedding with my stained clothing. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and if anything scares you, anything at all, you just come in there. Okay?”
“Okay,” she promised, and I vanished into the bathroom to strip down and jump in the shower. When I reemerged, I found her sitting with her back up against the headboard; her knees and the blankets pulled up to her chin. Her delicate face looked pale, her eyes and mouth bruised.
“You alright?” I asked, as I pulled a chair up to the bedside. I found that I was stalling, but knew that soon I would need to explain all of the things she had the right to hear.
“Yeah, I’m alright.”
Glancing at the clock on the bedside table it read 8:30 p.m., and I wondered again where Rioden had gone off to. I debated on whether to call him or not, but then again Rioden had seemed to intimidate Skye that morning, and I didn’t want to scare her off.
I crouched down in the chair and closed my eyes. I was utterly exhausted and would love to just sleep for the next twelve hours.
Never Let You Fall (The Prophecy of Tyalbrook) Page 5