by Allison Sipe
"I know. And I get it. But I want you to know that from here on out, I'm on your side no matter what."
I gave her a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. I wanted to believe her but after everything we'd been through over the years I knew how strong of an influence her father had on her. She might mean it in the moment, but there was no way I would let my guard down around her.
We spent the rest of the train ride in silence. There honestly wasn't much more to say. Lila had helped me escape from Avalon, but now she was at my mercy.
We arrived in Perth and found a hotel with vacancies that overlooked the River Tay. I was anxious to get back to Pismo, but I couldn't begrudge a little R&R. We were both starving by the time we got settled in, so we went to the local market and grabbed a stash of frozen dinners and toiletries to take back to our hotel room. It wasn't ideal, but neither one of us wanted to be out in the open. We may have lost Ian for now, but we had no idea who else might still be looking for us. It was best to stay in our room until the time came to head to Glasgow.
Day 17
Today was the day. I was finally going to return to Pismo and get back to Violet. We checked out of our hotel and made our way back to the station.
Over the last week, Lila and I had gotten into a comfortable routine and it felt almost like old times. Almost. I was still cautious around her, but I started to realize she could be a valuable asset to us.
The train ride lasted only an hour and twenty minutes but it felt like an eternity. I fidgeted in my seat like a first grader I was so anxious to get back to Pismo, to get back to Violet. The train started to slow as we neared the station and my body tensed even more.
"When the train comes to a stop, stay close to me, alright," I said and looked at Lila. She nodded.
The train car rattled slowly into the station and the people around us stood to gather their belongings. I grabbed onto Lila's hand as she slung her bag over her shoulder. The moment the doors opened, I rushed onto the platform, dragging her with me.
Another train departed as we walked up the pathway. The roar of the wheels on steel gliding out of the station filled the air. The smell of fuel and wet concrete assaulted my nose and brought a thousand memories of days gone by flooding into my head. I had always loved train stations. The hustle and bustle of commuters and tourists rushing past one another like a choreographed dance timed perfectly to the departure of each train.
But now was not the time to reminisce. We were here for one thing and one thing only, a way back to Pismo.
"Come on, we have to be quick about this," I said and walked toward the exit with purpose. Lila jogged to keep up with me.
I put my ticket into the turn style and the barrier opened up for me to pass into the station. Lila did the same next to me and we followed the overhead signs directing us to the street.
I had looked up directions from this station to Central Station while we were still in Perth and memorized our route. Exiting the building with Lila in tow, we headed south toward west George Street. I estimated it would only take about six minutes to walk from one station to the next but I was determined to move faster than the average tourist.
It had been years since I was last in Glasgow and I wished I could take my time and enjoy the sights. The entire city was an exquisite mixture of stone and metal, something I'd always admired about the flourishing city.
"Almost there," I called back to Lila as we turned left onto Buchanan Street, which just so happened to be the main stretch of shops in Glasgow and completely blocked off from cars. I'd chosen this route in the hopes of blending in with the tourist and shoppers. Bagpipes screeched to life somewhere further down the promenade, no doubt a street performer trying to make some extra cash.
I inhaled deeply as we passed a Starbucks. The only thing better than the smell of fresh-brewed coffee was the first sip of a dark roast.
"The station is just up ahead," I said as we quickly made our way down Gordon Street.
When the station came into view, we slowed to a walk and I pulled Lila across the street, searching the crowd for anything that looked suspicious.
"Looks like the coast is clear." I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the train station. Dodging taxis and commuters, we slipped through the side entrance closest to the drop location.
We passed a few shops and restaurants where waiting passengers milled about until their time to leave arrived.
"Alright, you wait out here," I said as we walked up to the coffee shop next to the restroom entrance.
"What, no way," Lila countered.
"I'm going into the men's restroom. You can't exactly follow me."
"Fine, I'll look out for any trouble. But if you're not out of there in two minutes, I'm going in after you."
I nodded and walked through the archway and down the stairs leading to the restrooms and showers. I dug the required thirty pence out of my pocket and paid the turn style to let me enter.
One of the stalls was occupied and another gentleman stood before the sink washing his hands. I entered the middle stall as planned and waved my hand across the wall behind the toilet. A hidden panel raised from the otherwise smooth surface and I reached forward to open it.
It was empty. I stared in disbelief at the vacant space. Malcolm had never been late or unable to deliver before. Something must be wrong.
Realizing a moment too late that it was much too quiet for a public restroom. I turned to leave the stall, but the door fell in on me. Crawling under the wall of the empty stall next to me, I was able to make it into the main restroom before that door fell in as well.
Two men stood in front of me. One held the envelope containing our fake passports and money to get us home. The other stood in a fighting stance. He was clearly the one knocking-in the stall doors.
"Looking for something, Mr. Maxwell?" the man holding the envelope said with a thick Scottish accent.
"Just hand it over. I don't want any trouble," I said, trying to sound threatening but cautious.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. We've got orders, ye see." He turned away from me to head up the stairs. "Take care of him."
The other guy attacked without a second thought. I ducked as his fist came at me and immediately went into a defensive stance. He swung at me again and again as the other guy made off with our envelope.
I couldn't let him get away, I tapped into my Magic, raised my shield and then summoned enough energy to knock my punch happy friend out without killing him. A wave of Magic pulsed off of me and he flew back into the sinks and collapsed to the floor.
Running past his crumpled body, I pushed through the turn style and saw the bulky Scot with our envelope start up the stairs.
"Lila!" I yelled as something hit me square in the back and knocked me over. A heavy boot kicked me in the ribs and I felt a few crack.
"Ye think a little Magic is enough to knock me out?" asked the man I thought I'd taken care of.
I groaned as I stood up and muttered, "It should've been."
"Try again," he said, swinging his leg out and kicking my legs out from under me. Falling like a bag of potatoes, I hit the tile floor with an audible thud and he pinned me down. This guy was pure muscle. I was strong, but not strong enough to beat him physically.
He raised his arm to punch me.
"Tardi," I said, and everything around me slowed. His fist moved toward me at a glacial pace and his face froze in an angry snarl as he hovered above me.
I was stuck in slow motion as well, so all I could do was get my shield up in time not to be punched. It wasn't the best spell to use, but it typically took your attacker off guard.
I could feel my shield slowly materializing around me. A bead of sweat on my attacker balanced perfectly on his brow, moving so slowly my eyes couldn't track its progress. I began to turn my head as fast as I could toward the stairs.
The other man running off with my envelope was also caught in the spell and ran in slow motion up the stairs. His foot hovering between s
teps in mid-air.
My eyes began to burn and I blinked. Just like that, the spell broke. The man with the envelope's foot hit the next step and my attacker's fist bounced off my shield at a normal speed again.
"Going somewhere?" Lila's smooth voice echoed down the staircase as the burly man with our paperwork flew over my head and crashed into the wall.
My assailant turned his attention off of me for a split second and I took full advantage.
Summoning an Arcane spell, I let the Magic pulse out of me like a shock wave. The spell hit both men, throwing them like rag dolls. They crumpled to the tiled floor in a heap and before either one of them could stand back up, I threw a stunning orb at them to make sure they wouldn't be following us anytime soon.
Lila came running down the stairs as I grabbed the thick manila envelope from the floor.
"Let's get out of here," I said before she was halfway down the steps.
Turning on her heel, she went back the way she'd come. Following behind her, I let the warmth of my healing ability course through me and heal my broken ribs. There weren’t enough words to describe how good it felt to have my Magic back.
I took the stairs two at a time and reached the top just behind Lila.
"What the hell happened down there?" Lila asked under her breath.
"They were waiting for me. Somehow they knew we'd be here," I explained.
"Do you think Malcolm sold you out?"
"If he did, he didn't do it willingly."
"They'll send backup now that they know where we are." Lila frowned and gave me a grave look.
"I know," I said and held up the envelope. "But we're getting out of here." I smiled and for the first time in weeks, I felt the weight on my chest lift ever so slightly. I was going home, to my family and to Violet.
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“I was completely captivated while reading Avalon.”
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“She has an amazing writing style. Pick this series up- you won't regret it!”
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“…action, betrayal, and intrigue that I long for in a book. Two thumbs way up! I'm aching to find out what happens next!”
With your support, we can share Avalon with the world!
Dear Reader,
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I hope you enjoyed Avalon. Robert was a lot of fun to explore in this Novella and it’s such been a privilege to share his story with you. I’m sure you’re wondering what happened next and you’re in luck! You can pick up Trivium here:
books2read.com/u/4N1eo9
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I love to hear from my fans, so please feel free to email me any questions or just drop me a line and say hello on my website, http://www.allisonsipe.com/ And again, thank you for taking this journey with Robert and Lila!
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Until Next Time,
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Allison Sipe
Also By Allison Sipe
Soothsayer
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Trivium
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Le Fay: A Soothsayer Novella
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I must thank my friends and family for their continued support. Writing a book takes a lot of time and effort and without your encouragement and constant text messages asking for the next book, it would be much harder. Thank you so much and I love you all!
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David, you have helped me grow as a writer over the last two books and I count my lucky stars that you are my editor. I can’t wait to work on the next book with you and continue to make Magic!
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I would be remiss if I didn’t thank one of my closest friends, Jessica. You have been on this journey with me from the beginning and it makes me so happy to share each and every book with you. Thank you so much for reading every first draft and thank you for letting me always talk to you about the fictional characters living inside my head!
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Eric, you gave me the courage to follow my dreams and I will never be able to thank you enough for that. Without Soothsayer, there wouldn’t be Avalon. You’re support, love and patience keeps me writing! I love you to pieces!
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Where would I be with my parent’s. They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself and I can’t thank them enough for it. Growing up my brother and I watched my parents build an empire of their own and I can only hope to follow in their footsteps. Thank you guys for everything you’ve done for me over the years and thank you for helping me follow my dreams now!
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Lastly, I must thank everyone who read Soothsayer! Your kind words and praise have encouraged me to keep writing and keep telling stories! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
About the Author
Allison Sipe lives in Southern California with her two Pomeranians. She has a degree from California State University Northridge in English Literature and is very proud to have gone to school for something she loves.
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Avalon is the second installment in the Soothsayer series, which she has been working on since 2009. The next installment will be out this winter, 2015.
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When she’s not reading and writing, she loves to travel. She’s been around Europe a bit, London is one of her favorite cities and Hawaii is where she gets a lot of her writing done.
www.allisonsipe.com
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