“Enough Raina!” he growled. His body trembled from the force of his anger.
“Why?!” I shot back. “Why is it so hard to hear the truth? So hard to face the thing you've been running from your whole life? Well, you better face it Master, because I'm not showing you where any more gold is. I refuse!” Malcolms eyes narrowed to slits, his jaw clenched and he stalked towards me. I stumbled back a step before I steeled myself.
I'm done cowering. He stepped up so close to me that I could feel the body heat radiating off of him. His warm breath fanned my face and I could hear his heart thundering in his chest. I stood my ground and glared up at him, challenging him. Very slowly he lifted his hand and wrapped his thick fingers lightly around my neck and slowly applied pressure.
“You will tell me Raina.”
“I would rather die,” I hissed. His fingers tightened more, cutting off my air supply. He lowered his eyes to mine and I could see determination mirrored there.
“If I Kill you, I kill this planet. I'm not that stupid.” slowly he released me and took a step back.
Both of us were so preoccupied with each other, that neither had seen Ruby slip out from under her bed. As quiet as a shadow, she snuck up behind Malcolm and pulled a makeshift knife from under her shirt. In one smooth motion, she embed the knife into his back. Malcolm gasped, his face paled, and I watched in shock as he hit the floor. Ruby’s blade was still sticking out of his back.
Ruby glanced from Malcolm to the blood coating her hand and her face paled to a sickly white.
“Oh no!” she whispered. “What did I do? What did I do! There gonna kill me for this!” Her breathes started coming in panicked gasps.
I reached for her. Pulling her into my arms.
“Shh, it’s ok.” I whispered. “I'm gonna fix this. But you and Caleb have to get out of here right now. He didn’t see you, he doesn’t know it was you. Go,” I said pushing her towards the door. Ruby held out her hand for Caleb and they both ran for the door.
Caleb stopped them at the door and turned back to me.
“What about you?” He said. His eyes pleaded for me to come with him.
“I’ll be fine.” I said. “Go! Hurry!”
They nodded and disappeared out of the room.
I looked from Malcolm’s prone body to the bag of poison in my hand.
There has to be a better way. But just in case there wasn't. I took the time to hide the poison under my mattress before I bent to attend malcolm.
I was surprised by how steady my hand was as I yanked the blade from his back. As soon as the knife was out, rich burgundy blood began to floor unobstructed from the wound. I planed both my hands on the wound and applied pressure to ebb the flow. That way he wouldn’t bleed out. Then I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.
It’s not working! I could feel my own panic building. It’s ok. Breathe… Just breathe and stay calm. You have to stay calm so you can focus. I told myself. Focus….breathe… focus… breathe... It took my of my energy to push through the cuffs magic to release my healing power. But after what felt like forever, I could feel his punctured kidney repairing itself. I felt his skin grow and fuse back together. His heart rate and breathing returned to normal. Then his eyes fluttered open.
I pulled back from him. Our eyes locked. Then he slowly sat up.
“You saved me?” he whispered in awe.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Why?”
For a minute, I couldn’t answer him. I didn’t really know.
“All life is sacred,” I answered finally. It was the only reasoning I had that I could tell him without getting Ruby into trouble.
“Thank you Raina,” he whispered and his eyes shone so brightly that for a moment it allowed me to hope.
Since I saved his life, maybe he’ll let me go…
“Release me?” I pleaded. His expression instantly darkend.
“I can’t Raina,” he answered wearily.
“Why not? You’re people have everything they need. You are an amazing leader Malcolm. Your father would be proud.”
He still shook his head.
“It’s still not enough. My village is growing Raina. Sure they have everything they need now, but what about in a few years? They’ll be too many people to support. We need more to sustain ourselves.”
For a moment I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it.
After I saved his life, he still won’t set me free. Everyone was right. He’ll never stop. He’ll never let me go.
“I still refuse to show you,” I finally said. “You can’t keep doing this Malcolm. The earth can’t keep up at this rate.”
“Then I’ll have to make you,” he warned his expression dark.
“You can’t.”
Malcolm stood to his feet and gazed down at me, a clear warning in his eyes.
“Don't underestimate me Raina. I know how to get what I want, and I'm warning you, it won't be pretty.”
“Do your worst,” I snarled, I was done with the threats. Done with everything. Malcolm actually smirked.
“Oh this is going to be fun,” he smirked, then strolled from my room and locked the door behind him. My legs turned to jello as soon as the door shut and I sank onto my feather mattress. My hand rose to tenderly caress my throat where the collar still hung, a reminder of my weakness. My fingers trembled. Closing my eyes, I took a few steadying breaths.
“Oh Raina,” I whispered to myself and I flopped back on the bed gaze up at the stone ceiling, “I hope you know what you're doing.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mistakes and Memories
“Where are you taking me?” I demanded as Malcolm forced me from our mountain home and down into the courtyard. The entire village had gathered in the center to gawk again. In the middle of the crowd a large iron cage stood gleaming in the sunlight. Low growls carried over the crowd and stilled my heart.
Was that a panther? Oh no, don't let it be her, don't let it be her, don't let it be her… I followed Malcolm through the crowd. My breath caught in my throat. Don't let it be her…Please...not again... I froze when I entered the center.
It's not Jade...but it was just as bad. The cage was filled with at least ten leopards. The sun shining off their spotted fur almost looked like gold. Their voices echoed inside my mind.
It's the Drifter, she'll help us!
Help us Drifter!
Yes help us!
Help us Drifter, help us!
Drifter!
Drifter!
Drifter!
Malcolm forced me around to face him. “I'm going to ask you again Raina. Where is the gold?”
I glanced over at the ten terrified faces and my heart ached.
But I can't let him win. If I keep letting him win, he'll never stop. I straightened my shoulders and glared up at him. “I'll never tell you.” Malcolm shook his head slightly, a sad smile on his face.
“That was the wrong answer.” He turned to Gerald, his top henchman. “Do it.” he ordered.
“Do what?” I asked eyeing the leopards with fear. What have I done? “Malcom what is he doing?” There was that sharp high-pitched edge of panic in my voice again.
He didn't’ answer but he didn’t have to, it didn't take long to find out on my own. An entire circle of men, dressed in black hoods, stepped forward with gleaming torches. People in the crowd tossed small logs of wood through the holes in the cage..
Drifter!
They were terrified now.
Drifter! What are they doing!
Help us!
Help us!
We’re gonna die!
I don’t want to die!
“No!” I gasped. “Malcom don't do this. Please don't do this. They're living creatures Malcolm!”
He rose his hand into the air, “Ready!” he shouted. I gripped his shirt and my gaze pleaded up at him.
“Malcolm please I'll tell you!” I begged. Tears slid down my face. “I'll tell you.” Malcolm's hand slowly lower
ed and he smiled down at me.
“Swear it to me Raina.” His gaze penetrated mine. “Swear you’ll take me to the gold.”
At first I couldn’t answer him. Did he know that if I made this vow, I’d be physically unable to break it? The thought scent shivers down my spine. He’d have even more control over me.
“Swear it!” He demanded, his raised hand clinked into a tight fist…
He’ll kill them all!
“I swear it!” I cried.
“I warned you Raina,” there was a strange tone to Malcolms voice I’d never heard before. Then his smile turned sinister. “You belong to me. This earth belongs to me. I want you to remember this the next time you defy me. Do it!” he cried.
“No!” I screamed as I instinctively turned towards the cage in a wild attempt to free them. Malcolms hands wrapped like steel around my arms and he held me back as his men tossed their torches into the cage. The wood inside caught instantly. I could hear their screams in my mind as they died. I could feel the fire as it burned away their skin. I cried and screamed and begged but it didn't matter. All of them died, right in front of me, and I couldn't do a thing to stop it.
“Load up a small group of families men,” Malcolm announced. “We're expanding and we leave tonight!”
His iron grip still trapped my right arm as he forced me from the crowd and back towards the tower.
“NO!” I screamed and turned on Malcolm with fire in my gaze. “I am not just going to follow you around like an obedient puppy dog. Not after what you just did.How could you Malcolm?! You killed them!” Tears were streaming down my face and my fists pummeled his massive chest.
He grabbed me by my collar and forced me up against him, and effectively stilling my movements. His brown eyes bore into mine and a savage grin spread across his face.
“I will do anything necessary to get what I need Raina. Anything. I hope I proved that to you.”
“You proved that you’re a coward!”
His jaw clenched, his gaze turned deadly.
“It doesn’t really matter though, does it? As a Drifter, you can’t break a vow. Which means I still get what I want.”
He must of saw the shock on my face because his smile widened.
“Yes. I know all about vows and Drifters. There are legends about your kind that have become very helpful to me over the last few years. I know how your over curious nature can get you into trouble. Just like I know the sound of a wounded bird would bring you running.”
My jaw dropped, my eyes widened, and it almost felt like my heart stopped.
No. He didn’t...
“I’ve always known who you were Drifter. I saw you that day on the beach. I watched you toss around the water and go swimming with dolphins. At first, I thought maybe you were a mermaid, but then I watched you run. You ran as fast as a cheetah on that shore. Our people have a legend, about the first of your kind, so it was easy to piece together what you were. An Interdimensional Drifter. And it just so happened I had been searching for one of your kind since, well, since before I can remember. Would you like to know why?” He didn’t give me time to answer.
“It wasn’t some secret healing potion that my dad was searching for. I know what aunt Mindy told you but that part was a lie. No, my father was searching for a Drifter.”
My body started to shake as my mind was suddenly bombarded by flashes of memory. Malcolm’s memory.
He was so little, maybe four or five, and he sat by the fire at someone’s feet. That someone must have been Malcolm’s father because he looked just like him. From his dark brown hair to his golden brown eyes, and even the way they were built. It was like I was looking at Malcolm all grown up as he was talking with little him. As first I couldn’t hear what they were saying, it sounded like it does when your head's under water. Then slowly, it cleared and I could hear everything...
“Father, do you have to go?” Malcolm asked as he gazed up beseechingly at his dad.
His father’s eyes misted up and he held out his arms to his boy.
“Come here son. I want to talk with you a minute.” Little Malcolm crawled up onto his father’s lap. The contrast only made Malcolm look smaller, even more fragile.
“Son,” his fathers spoke softly, his voice heavy, “your mother is very sick. So sick that the medicine we have can’t fix her.”
“Is mama going to die?” Malcolm’s eyes pleaded for the answer to be no.
“I don’t want to ever lie to you Malcolm,” his father answered, a tear slid down his cheek. “She may, son.”
“I don’t want mama to die!” Malcolm cried and tears erupted from his frightened eyes. Malcolm’s father pulled him gently into a warm embrace. His large hand smoothed back his son’s hair.
“Shhh… it’s alright Malcolm.” I could hear the tears he was trying not to shed as he spoke. “I don’t want your mama to die either. That’s why I have to leave. I know it might seem scary with me gone. But the only way I can save your mama now, is if I can find a Drifter.”
“A Drifter?” Malcolm whispered snuggling into his father’s chest.
“A Drifter is a magical being,” his father explained. “They have special abilities that other beings do not.”
“Like what papa? Can they fix mama?” Malcolm asked hopefully.
“Yes, I believe they can. Some have special abilities that help heal other beings. Not just people, but animals and plants too. I know that one of them could save your ma. So I'm going to go find one and bring it back here.”
“Can I come? I wanna find a Drifter and help save mama too.”
“I'm sorry son,” his father sighed. “But it’s too dangerous. Besides, someone needs to stay here and look after you ma. Do you think you’re big enough to help me with that?”
“Yes father,” Malcolm said sitting up straight and proud on his father’s lap. “I will take care of mama so good. You’re gonna be so proud of me.”
“I already am son,” his father whispered and his brown eyes shone with love. “I'm very proud of you.”
Suddenly the memories cleared and I was once again gazing up into Malcolm’s honey brown eyes. But this Malcolm was all grown up and he wasn’t smiling.
“So your people are the reason my people were penniless. Your people are the reason my father abondonding to care after my dying mother. I had to watch her wither away to nothing! Right in front of my face. And every day, every moment, I was waiting for you! For a Drifter to walk through our front door and come heal my ma. But you never came, no one ever came! My ma died right in front of me, and i was alone! No one was there for me! I had no one to take me in their arms and tell me everything would be ok. Because my father, who should have been home with me, was gone trying to find a Drifter!” He took a few calming breaths and his expression cooled.
“So now that I finally have one, i finally have a Drifter, I'm going to use you for everything you’ve got. The way I see it, your people owe me and I'm going to collect one way or another.”
“Eventually, I will stop you,” I whispered.
He smiled down at me.
“Oh, I'm sure you’ll try. Just like I'm sure you’ll fail. Just like you failed last night.”
I felt my body freeze, my heart skipped a beat… Does he know?
“Oh, you didn’t think that I’d forgotten that somebody stabbed me in your room last night, did you?” he smiled knowingly. “Who was it Raina? Who was in your room last night?”
“I’ll never tell you,” I spat, glaring up at him.
His eyes flashed. He tipped his head to my ear and his breathe warmed my neck as he whispered, “Tell your boyfriend. Next time, make sure to hit my heart. Because if he touches what is mine again, I will find him and I will kill him.”
Then he abruptly pulled away. One hand remained on my wrist as he forced me up the mountain. This time I didn’t fight. Oh no. I let him lead me back to my prison willfully. A small smile touched my lips as I followed behind him. My mind on one thing… a tiny br
own leather bag.
Chapter Fifteen
Life or Death
My hand shook as I dumped the contents of the leather pouch into a large bowl of beef stew. A thin layer of sweat beaded along my skin, my hands were clammy and cool, my stomach twisted and swarmed like a sack of worms. There were only a few hours left before everyone would be heading out. That only gave me a few hours to accomplish a poisoning, find Ruby and Caleb, and escape unnoticed.
That’s not a lot of time. I need to do this now. Stop being a scaredy cat. I closed my eyes. You got this. You can do this. You got this. You can do this. I chanted in my head. Then I took a few steadying deep breaths and opened them. But when I grabbed for the bowl, my hands still shook.
“Oh get a grip!” I growled at myself and shook my hands like crazy to loosen the tension. “You got this.”
I inhaled slowly, and as I exhaled, I wrapped my fingers around the warm bowl and picked it up. My hands stayed steady.
“Ok. Let’s do this.”
Just pretend it’s regular stew.
I breathed calmly and deeply the whole way. The walk from my bedchamber to Malcolm’s was one long twisted stairway. Each step was actually chiseled stone from the mountain itself. All of which were a beautiful ebony color with flecks and swirls of gold mixed in. And all had been polished to a crystal sheen. They were so shiny I could see my reflection as I walked down. The bowl of death nestled in my palms.
You got this. You can do this.
My feet touched the bottom with a soft tap. I looked from the stair opening into Malcolm’s bedchamber, knowing I would find him there. My breath caught in my throat and I stood frozen. My gaze transfixed. Malcolm wasn’t alone in his room.
Ruby and Caleb were both sitting next to him beside his fireplace. He was reading them a story in a rich deep voice. His movements and expressions animated to suit the characters. His brown eyes filled with genuine warmth. Both of the kids sat, their gazes transfixed on Malcolm as he spoke. On the floor in front of them were two large trenchers overflowing with food. Chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans, strawberries, grapes, and large buttery dinner rolls were quickly being devoured by hungry mouths. And shockingly, both of them were clean and wearing fresh new clothes.
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