by Patty Taylor
A piercing screech raced overhead. The barking seals fell silent as a winged body glided over their heads.
“Kalista,” Quinn uttered. His heart raced in his chest. Taking a deep breath, he called out to her, “The chains. They’re laced with poison.”
Kalista hovered over their heads. Her bright gaze locked with Quinn’s. Like a hawk spreading its talons and diving for its prey, Kalista seized the links in her splayed clawed fingers as she plummeted from the sky. The snowy mist shooting from her breath stuck on the shackles like frost clinging to a glacier. The silver links turned sparkly white and made snapping noises, like a window shattering glass across the floor. The restraints that kept him prisoner finally bulged in protest and exploded into thousands of pieces.
Like thorns severed from a stem, the poison had lost its main source of life. Quinn’s energy gradually returned, and his renewed strength flowed through his bloodstream. He flexed his arm muscles and jumped to his feet. Kalista hovered in front of his face and chattered. Quinn spotted the necklace that Beth refused to part with dangling around the dragon’s neck. The muscles in his face grew taut. “That’s Beth’s necklace. Is she . . . ?”
The troll snickered. “The human witch is running out of time, shifter.”
The seal slid its body off the hideous ogre. Quinn growled, and his body shapeshifted into the black wolf. He lunged at the despicable imp and sunk his canines in the back of its neck. Quinn shook the disgusting troll from side to side, and it whimpered and squealed. The Kraken heard the troll’s screams and thrashed its giant tentacle arms in the air, causing a swirling whirlpool.
Kalista screeched, spread her wings, and soared for the clouds heading in the direction of the mammoth squid. Its glassy black eyes spotted the dragon and clicked its crab like claws, pinching them together.
Quinn dropped the troll to the ground. He reared his head back and howled.
The Kraken swiped its arms at Kalista. The wee dragon darted between the monster’s legs like an annoying fly buzzing around its face.
Kalista breathed a white mist over the creature. It cried a bloodcurdling squeal.
“No!” the troll screamed, before clutching his throat and gasping for air. “Stop . . . her.”
Kalista dove and headed for the Kraken’s face, dodging the groping tentacles. Kalista hovered in front of its eyes and opened her mouth, spurting more of the mist over its glassy eyes.
The Kraken swung its legs in a wild frenzy and wrapped them around its face. Its body twisted and rolled, heading straight for the churning whirlpool. The monster’s squeals echoed through the night as its body was swallowed by the swirling currents.
The bloody-faced troll was laying on the ground sobbing.
Kalista flew back to the beach and hovered over the troll’s trembling body while keeping her attention centered on Quinn. The seals barked and nodded their heads before heading back to the sea.
Quinn shifted back to human form and clutched his plaid and leather boots from the ground.
“Dinna waste yer breath on him. He willna hurt anyone now. He’ll pay.” Quinn glanced down at the trembling ogre. The boiling anger in his veins cooled, as a trace of pity for the bewitched creature tugged at his heart. “He canna hurt anyone now. Brianna’s wrath will be punishment enough.”
The dragon fluttered her wings and bobbed up and down in front of Quinn. “Our time’s runnin’ out. Hurry, Kalista, and lead me to Beth.”
Chapter 26
Darby scrambled to the edge of the alcove and brushed the green powder remnants from his stubby fingers. The fireball landed not far from his feet, shooting tiny hot sparks everywhere. He shielded his face with his arm until the blazing sphere finished crackling and sizzled out. A glistening white orb resembling a snowball the size of a tennis ball popped directly in front of his face.
“I seek the one called Darby, the son of Thoryan, the Scottish Brownie from the Isle of Skye, who joined in forbidden union to Shaylee, the Irish fairy from the Emerald Fields,” a deep masculine voice commanded.
“Aye, I’ve been expectin’ ye, and ye bloody well know who I am,” Darby snapped. “I’m proud to be one of their four offspring. ’Tis no shame in admittin’ that me parents fell in love and had the courage to go against the ridiculous decrees. I’m just surprised it took ye this long to hunt me down.”
“I did not come to exchange words with ye or discuss the wrongdoings of yer parents. ’Tis only the worthy deeds ye’ve exhibited in the past that has granted ye this second warning. Since ye have shared yer healin’ skills with the wild creatures of nature and others in need, ye have been given another chance.” A white mist hovered near Darby’s face.
“I have kept me word and done what ye asked of me, against me better judgement. Why must ye come and harass me now?” Darby tugged at the hem of his jacket. His bushy eyebrows arched.
“I was sent to remind ye that ye must not interfere with the human witch, as warned. If ye dare to cross the Elders, then ye will be made to suffer the consequences.” The snowball orb spun in circles.
“The Elders are the ones that didna understand. I’m not proud of meself for abandonin’ me good friend. I should have stayed by her side and helped her. She trusted me. Now I must live with what I did.” Darby clutched his chubby fists by his sides. “What ye ask of me is not only unreasonable, but selfish and cruel. That woman has as much right to bein’ cured of that dreaded curse as did the blasted beast that condemned her.”
“That is not for ye to decide. Heed the Elder’s words. Ye have been forewarned, Darby. If ye insist on helping this woman in any way and deliberately lead her to the falls, the Elders have decided upon yer fate, and yer punishment will be duly enforced. If ye go against the decree, ye will be made an outcast from both Brownies and fairies alike, and forbidden to see the human witch ever again.”
A lump swelled in Beth’s throat, and a sharp pain stabbed her heart. Her eyes swelled with tears. Darby had never abandoned her on purpose. He’d been forced to leave. She recalled the pain in his eyes and the distressed look on his face the evening this nightmare had begun. Now she understood why Darby had vanished and veiled himself inside the glass globe. He’d never really left her; he was still protecting her in his own way. It must have been Darby that made sure her parchment was kept safe all this time. He purposely had it planted behind the waterfall, knowing she would find it.
Her chest tightened. She wanted to rush to his side and ask for his forgiveness for ever doubting him. Beth stifled the urge to speak on Darby’s defense. If she let herself become heard or visible, then Darby was sure to be caught and exiled. She couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing her magical friend again.
The swirling orb abruptly stopped, suspended motionless in midair. It zoomed past Darby and headed straight for Beth. She held her breath, afraid she’d been discovered. As the orb whizzed by her and encircled the entire interior of the narrow alcove, it suddenly burst into snowflake particles that dissolved as soon as they hit the ground.
Darby hobbled his way over to Beth and waved his hand in front of her. A green mist streamed from his fingers and faded into the cavern wall. The magic powders broke the charm that held her hostage in the rocks. Beth opened her fingers, and watched as the flesh color developed from her fingertips and gradually spread up her arms and the rest of her body and returned her to normal.
Her knees buckled, and she dropped to the ground in front of Darby. His face glistened with tears. Beth drew in a sharp breath and threw her arms around him. “By the Goddess, Darby. Can you ever forgive me for doubting you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“And face the risk of gettin’ banished to the far end of Earth? I couldna have kept me eye on ye then.” Darby’s plump fingers patted her shoulders.
“But why, Darby? I don’t understand why they forbid you to help me.” Beth
frowned and bit her lower lip. She grasped a handful of empty space, in place of the gem necklace that she’d grown very fond of. She sighed and raked her fingers through her hair. “I’ve never done anything to harm or cross anyone in either Brownie or fairy realms. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Remember, lass, part-fairy blood runs through me veins. The shed tears from the fairy folk dwell in that cave. ’Tis only natural I could easily find it with the connection I share. ’Tis why they forbid me to help ye in the first place. They took away the part of me magic that could lead us to the falls.” Darby sighed and stepped away from her. He tugged at the disheveled whiskers on his chin and paced back and forth. “The Elders felt it would be an unfair advantage. The waterfall is there for all creatures in need, both good and evil. I’m afraid even the wicked Maras that gave ye the bloody curse is permitted to seek help there.”
“But what about Kalista?” Beth raised her eyebrows as she leaned back on her legs tucked beneath her. “If I remember correctly, from what Quinn explained to me, that waterfall is also fueled by the last fiery breath of a dying dragon. Ok, I’m a bit confused here. Talk about contradicting. How is it they can condone Kalista helping me, but not you?”
“I dinna understand some of those fancy words ye use, but ye have to understand something. Dragons are considered majestic beings favored by the Gods. The Elders will do nothing to insult the Gods by enforcing their own laws upon them.” Darby shoved his hands inside his pockets and lowered his gaze to the ground.
“There’s still too many questions unanswered. I’m sorry, Darby, but my intuition tells me you’re still hiding something from me. I have a strange feeling you know something about the special connection between Quinn and Kalista.” Beth stood and shook her head before walking over to the cavern wall. She leaned back, raised her left foot against the wall and closed her eyes, pressing her fingers to her aching temples. “And why did the old witch Halldora want my necklace in the first place? There must be something unique about that gem that she thought she could use.”
“Ye must be referrin’ to this.” A battered McGregor stepped from behind a dark shadow cast from the stone walls and stood behind Darby, gripping the top half of Halldora’s staff between his bloodstained fingers.
The stolen gem glistened, catching a ray from the light of dawn.
Chapter 27
They weren’t alone. Quinn steadied himself on a jutting foothold on the side of the steep cliff where Kalista had led him to find Beth. Distraught voices overhead caught his attention. He hurried and slipped his hands through the slippery moss and rubbed the oily mint over his face, arms, and legs, attempting to mask his own scent.
“Shh, they mustn’t know we’re here,” Quinn hushed a whimpering Kalista as they peered over the side of the alcove and spotted McGregor scowling over Beth. He arched his back, getting ready to lunge at McGregor from behind and grapple the old man to the ground.
A pointy-eared short man with carrot-orange hair peered around the corner of McGregor’s leg, winked at Quinn, and nodded his head. From Beth’s description, this had to be none other than her beloved friend, Darby. Quinn watched the little man straighten and pull at his beard.
Darby yanked on the front of McGregor’s shirt, drawing the focus to himself. “And what may I ask are ye doin’ with Halldora’s staff? What have ye done with the old woman?”
“The hackit witch is dead. Along with her bloody trolls.” McGregor, chuckling, seized Darby by the front of his jacket, and held him dangling in front of him.
“McGregor, please, put Darby down. He doesn’t mean any harm,” Beth pleaded, gripping McGregor by his arm. “You had me scared. We thought you were dead. You‘re lucky to be alive after that terrible fall you took. The last time we saw you, your body was lying straddled over a cluster of boulders at the bottom of the cliff. When we looked back, you were gone.”
McGregor turned his head, searching for Kalista before setting Darby down. “Where is the dragon? She can’t hide for long. The time is getting nearer.”
Quinn ducked in time, avoiding McGregor’s roaming gaze. But not before he got a glimpse of his friend’s blazing red eyes, consumed with hatred. The Maras’ evil had bewitched McGregor’s soul and claimed his body. Quinn wondered if the healing waterfall could even help the old man now.
Kalista poised herself on the foothold next to Quinn. She tilted her head from side to side, spreading her wings, getting edgy and ready to fly. Quinn held out his free wrist for her to perch on.
“Why did you come back?” Beth’s eyes widened, spotting the broken staff. She clutched Darby’s hand. “It looks like you already have what you want.”
“I was sent to fetch ye to the falls before nightfall.” McGregor snickered, clutching the splintered staff between his fingers. “The Maras Queen and Mistress Brianna grow impatient waiting for ye.”
“I can’t leave without Kalista’s help. She flew me up here while she went to get Quinn.” Beth hesitated and glanced around. She appeared to be stalling. “My friend Darby is not allowed to go to these miracle falls you all keep talking about, and I refuse to leave him behind. I’ll wait for Quinn. He should be here soon.”
McGregor threw his head back and snickered. “Then be prepared for a long wait, lass. Yer beloved Quinn has already been taken captive and on his way to the waterfalls. After tonight, he’ll belong to his intended mate, the lovely Mistress Brianna.”
“Don’t listen to him, darlin’. He’s just tryin’ to upset ye.” Darby straightened his spectacles on his nose. His pointy ears twitched.
Beth’s face paled and filled with anguish. Quinn struggled to keep from calling out and letting her know he was all right. Puzzled as to why Beth couldn’t feel his presence, he suspected the Maras curse was gaining more control.
McGregor frowned and stared at Darby. “How did that bloody imp get here anyway? I thought he was long dead. Why else would he abandon ye the way he did?”
“Leave him alone, it wasn’t his fault. The Elders banished Darby. It’s me you want, not him,” Beth snapped, a growl murmured from her curled lips. “I mean it, McGregor. Friend or not, you don’t want to rile me. If you have any thoughts about harming Darby, I suggest you get rid of them now.”
McGregor snarled, clenching his fists. “Whether you like it or not, the unfaithful elf comes with us.”
“This isn’t over yet, ye bloody wolf-devil,” Darby raised his voice, and his eyebrows bristled. “And I’m no more an elf than you are a full-blooded human.”
McGregor dropped the staff to the ground, his hand balling in a fist, and raised his arm to strike Darby. Beth stepped in between the two men, stopping the blow. McGregor’s reddened face paled. He turned and limped to the ledge.
Quinn squatted on the narrow foothold, holding his breath, and waited. If McGregor caught sight of him and Kalista now, he was afraid with the state of mind he was in now, the old man might try hurting Beth.
“Look, lass,” Darby called out and leaned over the fallen staff. “Halldora’s gem has stopped glowin’.”
McGregor turned and stared at the faded stone. He growled, shouting at Darby, “Ye must have used yer magic on it as soon as I turned me back. I’m warnin’ ye, imp, make it shimmer again. Now.”
“I didna do anything at all,” Darby disputed, picking up the splintered staff and handing it to McGregor. “Ye’re a fool, McGregor. The stone possesses magic of its own. It can sense the dark evil that’s taken over yer soul.”
Quinn gripped the ledge, trying to keep his head out of sight. A few pebbles and dirt crumbled beneath his fingers, tumbling to the ground. Quinn kept still, hoping McGregor didn’t hear.
McGregor leaned his head back and howled. His eyes blazing, the drool dripped from the fangs jutting from his mouth. He leaned down and picked the little man up by the back of his neck and dangled Darb
y’s body over the edge of the steep ledge.
Quinn ducked, casting a glance at Darby’s helpless body squirming directly over his head. Darby clutched McGregor’s arm, his feet kicking in midair. Quinn gripped Kalista next to his chest, keeping her from flying to Darby.
“No!” Beth’s screams echoed through the valley. “I’ll go with you, McGregor. Please, I beg you. Put Darby down and I’ll do anything you ask.”
The blood boiled in Quinn’s veins. His jaw tightened. He let out his breath when Darby disappeared from over his head and he heard his body tumbling to the ground.
“I’m fine, lass. Dry yer tears.”
Beth fell to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around Darby.
“Get up and pick up the staff, imp,” McGregor hissed. “If ye don’t want to find yer body lying at the bottom of the gorge, then hurry it up and make the stone glisten again.”
Darby staggered to his feet, tugging at the bottom of his jacket. He tucked the slanting barrel of his pipe safely inside his top pocket before grabbing the lifeless staff and holding it over his head. The faded crystals remained dim. He sighed. “The Elders have already stricken me powers from me. Can ye not see, McGregor? The magic in the stone will no more work for me than it will for ye.”
“Wait.” McGregor rubbed the deep scratch down the side of his face and stared at Beth. “The stone came to life when the hackit old witch, Halldora, placed it inside the crown of the wand.”
Beth squeezed Darby’s shoulder and put her hand around her waist. Quinn’s heart lurched at the sight of her pale face. She looked ill.
McGregor had been his best friend for years, and now the very sight of the man sickened him. The good-humored face always greeting him had become callous and filled with hatred.