by S Cinders
I turned to ask Ryan what was going on, but I noticed his hardened chin and clenched jaw. His eyes were like ice, no hint of amusement or kindness lingered there. This was the powerful COW, the side of him that I had ever met, and one I was a little afraid of. Whoever these people were, Ryan hadn't expected them to be here.
CHAPTER 16 - Ryan
"Shit!" I couldn't believe that my father just barged in, it goes to show how much he trusts me, which is not at all. He only gave me one freaking day. How does he expect me to do anything in a day?
What's going on? I could sense the fear in Apple's voice when she spoke telepathically to me.
I wanted to reassure her, but I also wanted her to realize the severity of the situation.
It's my father and his men. They are ruthless and will not hesitate to harm you or anyone in their path. I will protect you, but try to speak as little as possible around them. The less they know the better.
I looked over into her eyes; she was so beautiful standing there at my side. And although I could still see the fear, the strength and determination that was so intrinsically her radiated from her face.
I trust you, and then she smiled and squeezed my hand.
I know it sounds corny and cliché, but I truly feel like I'm falling in love with this woman. She's amazing; I can only hope to live up to what she really deserves.
I faced my father's men. "Where is Commander Ruttledge?"
"Officer Ruttledge, the SOW's in the cabin waiting on your," The Hispanic man speaking was cut off.
"Well, well, well. Look who's come back." My father sneered from the cabin doorway.
It can be disconcerting to people outside of the magical world to us in a familial setting. My father standing in the doorway looked as if he could be my brother. We have the same build, dark eyes and dark hair. And because of the de-aging process, he looks to be around 25. Just like all his men do.
That's your father? Apple asked in amazement.
For a moment, I felt a flash of jealousy. Did she find him more attractive than me?
A big smile crossed her face. No, he doesn't hold a candle to you.
Oh, shit, I haven't made a slip up like that in one hundred years. You are making me lose my mind Apple.
It's kind of nice to see that I'm not the only one. Apple replied saucily.
"Erm..." my father cleared his throat and I was immediately brought back to my senses.
"Well son,” he smiled silkily as he approached us, “Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful creature?"
My father had no problem pulling women. They flocked to him in droves. He would sometimes keep a girlfriend around the house. But she had one purpose, and we all knew what it was.
I stepped in front of Apple slightly to shield her from his gaze. He was like a predator never taking his eyes off her.
"Apple, this is the Senior Oppositional Warlock, my commanding..."
I was cut off by my father stepping forward to take Apple's hand.
"Carl Ruttledge, I see you have met my son Ryan. I've taught him everything he knows."
He bent over to kiss her hand but she quickly withdrew it. I felt a shudder of revulsion go through her.
From out of nowhere I grasped Apple's waist and pulled her tightly into my side. My body started emitting fireworks at her closeness. And I could see that I had surprised her too.
But I think the person most surprised was my father. His eyebrows rose to his hairline. For a moment, I thought he'd throw a huge fit. His mouth was formed in a thin line.
Slowly I saw his lips curve into what I can only describe as a cruel smirk.
"It's nice to meet someone in Ryan's family sir." Apple replied softy at my side. Although her tone was soft, I could feel the strength behind her words.
It was all in what she didn't say. She didn't say anything about Emily being here. She didn't say that we were happy he was here or even that it was nice to meet him. It’s just nice to meet someone in my family, I considered Emily my only family.
At least until I'd met Apple.
"You two are awfully cozy together," Carl's oily voice grated on my nerves.
"We have a lot in common." I replied shortly. "What brings you out here sir?"
"It seems that the paperwork you submitted for Gladys Applebottom is incomplete."
There was no way it was incomplete I did it myself.
"You don't say?" I replied noncommittally.
"I'm afraid we are going to need to bring her in." He smiled as he said these words as if inviting her to a Sunday picnic.
"I'm sorry, but you just missed her." Apple's Aunt Sally said coming down from the porch where she had been watching the exchange.
Carl's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"
"Left on a hiking trip yesterday," Aunt Jessica added.
"Why in the hell would she go hiking on her own?" My father was starting to lose his composure. He didn't like being crossed.
"I never said anything about her being alone," Sally said suggestively.
"She always takes a... companion on these types of trips." Jessica confirmed crossing her arms across her small frame.
"Why don't yawl go back to wherever you came from and we'll let you know when she is back." Sally said in a sugary sweet tone, while smiling like an angel.
I could tell that my father wasn't happy with these turn off events.
"Three days, she better be back when we return in three days or I'll take you all in for harboring a criminal."
"She's not a criminal!" Apple's voice rang out beside me. "She's my lovely old Nana and wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"Hmmm... feisty, I like that in a woman," he looked at Apple with lust clearly in his eyes.
She shrank away from him and I pushed her behind me. "She's mine."
Part of me knew that I was acting like a caveman. But another part of me knew that if I wanted to have anything with her I'd need to set clear boundaries with my father.
He shrugged his shoulders like it was no loss to him, but we both knew better. "Three days," he reiterated before signaling to his men to pack up and leave.
"What a complete ass-wipe." One of the aunts said. I think it was Jessica.
I could hear Patrick and James snort with laughter. Obviously in complete agreement, as was I.
I was beginning to love these women. There was no way I was going to let Carl or anyone else harm them.
I took Apple in my arms, resting my chin on her blond curls. I soothed her back and felt the tension leave her. The faith and trust she had in me was overwhelming. I gently kissed her forehead and whispered to her that I would not let her down.
"What the hell was that about?" James asked.
"Where are Nana and Emily?" Apple asked.
"Let's get everyone inside," Sally suggested. "It's time we started coming up with a plan."
CHAPTER 17 - Apple
Ryan's jaw was clenched like granite. I felt sickness in the pit of my stomach knowing how upset he was. I was also terrified for my Nana and Emily. Those soldiers and Ryan's dad really freaked me out.
"Gladys somehow sensed they were coming and did a relocation spell opening one of the old tunnels so that they could escape." Sally explained.
"So where is my sister?" Ryan bit out tensely.
I laid my hand on his arm to reassure him and to my surprise he looked down at me before tucking my small hand into his larger one.
"Well, that's the tricky part." Jessica answered. "When my father blew these lands apart the tunnels went in all kinds of different directions. Gladys only had time to grab Emily cast the spell and run. We all went outside to create a distraction for the COW's and the SOW."
"So, you're saying that they could be anywhere in the Grand Canyon?" Patrick asked. "You do realize that it's 277 miles long and more than 18 miles wide."
"Not to mention 6,000 feet deep," drawled James, "give or take a foot."
"Look, she did the best she could!" Sally said defensively.
"Can these tunnels be opened again?" He asked quietly.
Jessica and Sally nodded, "Yes, but an Applebottom woman."
"Ok, we will split up. Apple and I, Sally and Patrick, and that will leave Jessica and James. We have three days to find them before my father does." Ryan sounded grim.
I hated to ask, but knew that it would bother me if I didn't, "Once we find them, then what?"
Ryan swallowed, "Let's cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, just focus on finding Gladys and Emily. If you see my father or his men, try and avoid them. But if confrontation is unavoidable shoot to kill."
Sally hissed, "Dark magic?"
Patrick chuckled without mirth and pulled a small black revolver out of the back of his jeans. "I think he means this darlin', but these suckers chasing us will have no hesitation using dark magic against you so just be aware of what you are going up against."
She gulped wide eyed, "okay."
Jessica and Sally motioned for me to join them in a circle. Clasping hands the aunts closed their eyes and so feeling like a right idiot, I blindly followed.
Then they began chanting softly.
Precious lands so vast and deep
Share the secrets that you keep
Hidden gates beneath the floor
Make clear to us the open door
I was certain that nothing was going to happen. This didn't feel like what I had been doing with Ryan at all.
Then I heard him in my mind, Find the magic Apple, use the strands to wield your wishes.
I opened my eyes and saw him staring intently at me. I knew he believed that I could do this. I looked around me and noticed silvery and gold strands glittering around my aunts and my arms but they were disconnected. They didn't complete a full circle.
I focused all my thoughts extending those strands so that those gossamer threads curled and grew into one another.
To my utmost surprise, we no longer were in the cabin at all. But the six of us, Ryan, Patrick, James, Sally, Jessica and I were in a cavernous room deep below the earth. We had not only done it, but I had helped, my magic worked.
You are amazing. I flushed at his praise, but was secretly very proud of my accomplishment. My face was probably five shades of pink.
"Does everyone have their cell phones?" Ryan asked.
"How can we possible have coverage down here?" I asked and then it dawned on me.
This broke the tension.
"Man, I sure wish I had magic to make a phone call," Patrick teased, "Being down below in this tunnel and all."
"Hardy, har, har," I joked back. "For that I might put a hex on your phone. "From now on you will only receive calls from ugly women."
He looked at me in mock horror, "I'm sorry! I was joking Princess Apple Pie! Take pity on your humble servant."
"Well Patty whack, this is your last chance, so don't screw it up." I winked at him as he gave me a pitiful bow.
I was grateful that even in these difficult times my new friends could make me laugh.
Ryan took my hand, "I'm afraid Princess you must come with me now, say goodbye to your subjects."
I hugged everyone, giving my aunts extra tight squeezes and promising to call at night fall regardless of if we've found them or not. This was agreed upon and we all split ways.
Ryan and I walked for some time alone. It was rocky beneath the earth, the dirt brilliant red and somewhat sand stone in certain areas. So, we had to be careful we didn't end up plummeting down an unnoticed pit.
There were natural springs in some areas and even water falling from what would seem to be the ceiling of the cave.
After a while I couldn't stand the silence any longer and blurted out, "Are you angry with me, or just upset about the whole situation?"
Ryan blew out a deep breath he'd apparently been holding. He motioned for me to sit on a rock and then sat down beside me.
"I'm mad at myself Apple."
"Why," I asked, clearly not understanding.
"There is more to ‘the prophesy’ that you don't know." He said hanging his head, "I didn't want to scare you away or rush you. But it would seem that my father has no issue with either of those things."
"I don't understand," I searched his eyes trying to read what he was telling me.
"The prophecy states that a child born of the union between Apple and Ruttledge will rule them all."
"Right," I said slowly, "I already freaked out about that. I'm good now."
"Apple, have you ever noticed that none of the women magical people you know have kids?"
I thought for a moment, "Well Nana did, she had my father, he just didn't keep me. So, she raised me instead."
"Apple, listen to me. It's extremely difficult for magical people to have children. A warlock must be in love for his seed to take and a witch must be in childbearing years."
I was confused at what he was saying; I knew what sex was I wasn't that much of an innocent!
This corner of his lips quirked briefly, "I'm not talking about sex. Well I guess I am, but there is more to it with us."
Flushing at being caught broadcasting my thoughts once again I huffed, "Okay, tell me once again how this works."
"A warlock can only impregnate a woman if he truly loves her. A witch must be in childbearing years which are age 18 to 25 when the de-aging process begins."
"But Nana is much older than that? Hundreds of years, how can that be?" I truly wanted to know, was he saying she wasn't my grandmother?
"I've heard of a few witches being blessed with a pregnancy from the earth goddess on the autumn solstice past their de-aging process. (But I must admit, this is extremely rare) If your Nana is one of them, she will be the first one I have ever met in all my years upon this earth."
"Okay, so let me get this straight. You plan on knocking me up in the next 7 years before your dad does. To give birth to a ruler of a people I've never met. And my grandma may or may not be my grandmother; she could have gotten pregnant by the earth goddess?" I stood up.
"I'm going to need some time."
CHAPTER 18 - Ryan
I knew that Apple was pissed at me, and I know that it makes me sound like a pig but it totally makes her look hot when she’s pissed. Obviously, I am either on major withdrawal from the female population or I am seriously whipped and I am guessing it is the latter.
I really am not sure what to say to her to make it better. It’s not like I spoke the prophecy, and truth be told it’s kind of been a burden around my neck my entire life. How would you like to know that no matter how attracted you were to a girl, that you were destined to be with some girl you had never heard of? Honestly a part of me is a little jealous of the fact that at least she got to live the first eighteen years of her life in normalcy.
I finally understand the gift her father had given her keeping her away from all of this.
I hated the tension between us and knew of only one way to brush past it and she’d never see it coming.
I slammed my body into hers; taking care to place my hands behind her head and hip so that they took the brunt of the force against the wall. My lips hard and demanding against her angry mouth, this kiss wasn’t like the ones we shared while we were training. This was raw, I slanted my mouth and she willingly opened hers her anger all but forgotten. It was hot and carnal. She whimpered and clutched my shoulders to lift herself more tightly against me, her firm breasts rubbing up my chest.
I switched us around so that I was against the rock wall and lifted her against my body so that I could feel those firm breasts pressing into me. Her sharp hip bones pressing into my pelvis and so I could rub her slowly against my firmness.
She was everything I had ever wanted, everything I had ever needed and everything I had never even known existed. Her hands dug into my hair and clutched it hard causing my hips to jut forward, I worried I was going too fast for her. But then she m
oaned it was low and decadent. I would hear that moan in my sleep I knew for years to come, it was a siren's call.
My hand came around to rest on the curve of her ass, it was a perfect fit and I could picture myself holding it as I pounded into her.
Suddenly Apple stopped and looked at me blushing profusely.
“What,” I stammered, “Did I do something wrong?”
“Ummm, I don’t exactly look like that.” She blushed even more than looked away from me and I realized what a complete idiot that I really am. I had broadcasted my fantasy of us having sex.
“Apple, I am so sorry. I am an idiot. Guys are always thinking about sex, especially around beautiful women. I didn’t really think about what you looked like it was more about what we were doing and feeling. I am so very sorry.” I was terrified I had scared her away.
She looked at me shyly, “It looked like I was enjoying it.”
I groaned feeling my cock harden to new heights and responded gravelly, “Trust me Apple, when you are really ready, you will love every moment of it.”
“Can you, I mean… Never mind,” She flushed hotly and tried to turn away. I caught her shoulders and turned her back to me.
“Apple what is it?” I asked.
Clearly mortified she shook her head, “No, I can’t, it’s way too embarrassing.”
“Apple, you can tell me anything.” I said gently tipping her beautiful face up to mine.
“Could you show me how that ends?” she asked timidly.
I closed my eyes for a moment. It’s not that I wouldn’t love to show her right here and now how that would play out but she deserved better than her first time to be on a cave floor. I also was worried about going off in my drawers like an untried teenager, James and Patrick would absolutely love that.
Sensing my hesitation, she rushed to say, “I shouldn’t have asked. I am so sorry, let’s just keep going.”
I could feel her walls going up with every step that she took, so I slammed her with a vision so hot it would stop her in her tracks.