by L. P. Dover
“You seem to have it bad, too, little brother,” I say teasingly.
Kalen shrugs and laughs.
“Me, I don’t think so. I do not see myself settling down any time soon.” He says that now, but I can’t wait to see what he says when he finds the one he’s supposed to be with. From the way things look, it looks like Meliantha is tugging pretty hard on his heart strings.
Not believing him at all, I say, “OK, I believe you. Now let’s find Warren.”
We look for what felt like hours searching for Warren, but we never find him. We search his room and most of his stuff is gone. When and where would he have gone? The sinking feeling in my stomach is letting me know that something is seriously wrong and I need to figure it out fast.
Chapter 18
Calista
I wake to the sound of horses galloping and the swaying of the carriage. I sit slumped over, resting my head on the hard wall inside the carriage. It’s definitely not a comfortable position. I see nothing but blackness because I am blindfolded. My hands are tied behind my back and my feet are tied at the ankles. Someone is in here with me and the only sound I hear from him is his breathing. I am trying to listen for any clue as to where I am going or whom I am with, but no luck yet. I pretend to be asleep so I don’t alert my captor that I’m awake. I will do this for as long as I can. The carriage is moving awfully fast and I would assume it’s to get away from the Summer Court as fast as possible. If what my gut is telling me is right, then we must be headed toward the Black Forest.
I don’t know how long I had been unconscious, but it must have been a long while. I am hungry, thirsty and I could really use a bathroom break. I wonder if anyone at home has noticed I’m missing. I hope Ryder and Merrick got out of the vines and are looking for me.
The carriage begins to slow down and I hear a gravelly voice yelling for the horses to stop. Most trolls have the same sounding voice so it must be a troll driving the carriage. My captor gets out of the carriage and I hear bits and pieces of the conversation going on outside. I heard something about setting up camp and getting some food. Food would be welcome, but I wouldn’t trust what food they gave me. I wonder if Merrick can hear me from where I am at.
“Merrick. Merrick, can you hear me?” I ask frantically, but I feel like my mind is blocked somehow. It’s like there’s a wall that’s disconnecting me from him. Well, damn, there goes that idea. How am I going to let my people know I’ve been taken?
The door to the carriage opens and my captor lifts me out. I keep my body as limp as possible. I hear a door opening and then another. I am placed on a bed and my captor unbinds my wrists and ankles and then leaves and locks the door. Where the hell am I? I stay still for a few more minutes, making sure no one is coming back in before I decide to move. The blindfold was left on, but I swiftly take it off so I can view my surroundings.
Wow.
I wonder where I am. I’m in a huge bedroom with a large, four-poster, king size bed. The sheets are black satin and there’s a scarlet red comforter and pillows. The walls are painted black as well. The person who decorated it must have been going for dark and seductive. If that person has that in mind for me, I will have no problem with chopping off his balls. The room is laced with magic. I can feel the power of it and it’s stronger than anything I have ever felt. It isn’t fae magic because that magic would be pure and light. This magic is dark and menacing. As it swirls around me, it makes me feel violated and dirty.
I head toward the bathroom and turn on the light. The entire bathroom is made of black marble that has golden swirls throughout it. A selection of shampoos and soaps are lined across the counter and there’s even a toothbrush with toothpaste. This is really weird. What kind of person captures another and treats them like this? I hope I get some answers soon. I did complain about needing a bathroom break and a shower, but I have no clothes. I walk back to the bedroom and open the closet doors. I have never seen so many clothes in a closet, but the only problem with these clothes is that they are all skimpy dresses that will show too much skin . This is absolutely ridiculous. I decide to take a quick shower first to clean off all the dirt and dried blood in my hair. I search through the dresses angrily and settle on the one that will cover most of my assets. It doesn’t exactly cover a lot, but it covers more than the others. It’s one of the only long dresses in the closet; however, the back of the dress is fully open. The neckline of the dress swoops so low it looks like my breasts will fall out if I move the wrong way. When I find out who is responsible for this I am going to kill him. I change quickly into the red dress and sit in the black leather chair in the corner of the room beside a small table and lamp.
My head no longer hurts, but now I need answers. There are no windows in here so the chance of escape through one isn’t going to happen. I still feel the wall in my head that’s blocking all communication from the bond with Merrick. I can’t even access my own powers in here. I’m starting to believe the stories about a dark sorcerer that roams the Dark Forest. This magic feels exceptionally stronger and more powerful than mine. All I know is that I have to get out of here.
I hear footsteps approaching and the lock being turned in the door. The door opens and I find that I am not shocked to see the man who is now standing in the doorway. He is carrying a tray of food and my stomach grumbles.
“Hello, Princess,” he says with an evil smirk.
“I wish I could say the same to you, Warren,” I hiss.
“Now, now, Princess, there is no reason to be hostile.” He walks over to me and sets the tray of food beside me on the table. He doesn’t seem to be bothered at all that he has taken me against my will and is keeping me captive. This infuriates me, but he hasn’t seen what I can do when I’m angry. I stand up from the chair and meet his eyes dead on. The anger and hatred boils out of my voice when I speak.
“You haven’t seen hostile yet, Warren. Unfortunately, this room is contaminated with the stench of dark magic so when I get out of here, I’m going to show you just what I mean when I rip your damn head off and kick that evil smirk off your face.” I pause to calm my erratic heartbeat and I smile boastfully.
“Not unless Ryder gets to you first and does a whole lot worse.”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“I don’t think Ryder will be caring what happens to you. I did a pretty good job filling his head with nonsense. I told him some pretty convincing lies about how you and Merrick were being a little more than friendly this morning and he ate it all up.”
My face falls and all traces of my smile are gone. So that’s what was wrong with him. Warren had told him a bunch of lies and Ryder had believed him. The lack of trust hurts, but Warren has been his best friend for years and he’s only known me for two days. Can I really blame him? No, but the lack of trust pains my heart. I would never have doubted him like that.
Confident, I say, “Someone will come looking for me. I have no doubt.”
“They can try, but once we reach the Black Forest it’ll be a hopeless attempt. My master has been waiting for you a long time and he’s not going to let you go without a fight,” Warren says.
How are my people going to save me in the Black Forest? No one goes in there so how will they know where to find me? I need to find out as much as I can because if no one can save me, I need to save myself.
“Who is this master you speak of?” I ask.
“You will meet him tomorrow, but tonight you must rest. If you must know, he was the sole survivor of the war between the sorcerers a century ago. His name is Alasdair and he has been building his army and his power slowly during this time in the Black Forest. He needs your power to speed things along.”
“What can my power do?” I ask. The more I know the better chance I have of thwarting this sorcerer’s plans.
“He needs your power to help fulfill his. You are the beginning of The Four and he must start with you. I’m sure he will explain everything.” Warren motions to the food.
“You need to eat. We have a long day of travelling tomorrow and the master doesn’t want you starved.” He looks my body up and down slowly and smiles.
“The master will love you in that dress.” I make a disgusted noise. He winks and walks out of the room locking the door behind him.
I tear the dress off and put on the robe that I saw hanging on the bathroom door. I make my way over to the food and pull off the cover. What I find surprises me. On the plate is a mound of spaghetti, a bowl of salad with ranch dressing and garlic bread. How did Warren know this was my favorite? As much as I want to eat it, I don’t. My body is tired and my eyes start to feel heavy. I feel weak from malnourishment, but I can’t bring myself to eat the food. I decide the best thing to do is try to sleep.
I lay there for what feels like an eternity knowing very well I won’t be able to fall asleep, but then I feel a pull dragging me down into blackness. The first thing I hear as I’m falling under is the sound of Ryder’s voice.
“Calista.”
Chapter 19
Ryder
Kalen and I search for Warren until right before the meeting was supposed to start, and we end up being the last ones to enter the room. The King and Queen are in their respective thrones while the council members are arranged around the table in the center of the room. The elvan leader is here, along with his wife and the only council members missing are Avery and Xylia’s parents. I wonder if anything has been discovered about her parents. Merrick is not yet in the room and neither is Calista. I know she wouldn’t miss a meeting, not unless she’s that pissed off at me, but I can’t see her neglecting her duty because of that.
Kalen gets my attention by tapping my shoulder.
“How long do you think it’ll be before they find out anything?” He asks.
As soon as he says it Merrick and Elvena walk through the Great Room doors looking grim.
“It looks like we’ll find out now,” I say.
They both have a look of anguish and heartache on their faces and they walk toward the front somberly where King Oberon and Queen Tatiana are seated.
King Oberon stands and says, “What have you seen Elvena? Is it true about Raisa and Foster?”
Raisa and Foster must be the names of Xylia’s parents. Elvena looks like she’s been crying, but that doesn’t stop the strength from coming out in her voice.
“It is true. There were two traces I found of ash, and one was Raisa’s and the other was Foster’s.” Her lip trembles and she looks down at the floor. Her shoulders shake with a silent sob and then she says softly, “Xylia must be told about her parents.”
King Oberon nods solemnly and says, “I agree.” He turns his head, looks at one of the warriors and calls out the warrior’s name.
“Conall.”
Conall was one of the warriors that fought in the competition to earn the title of Guardian to Princess Calista. He walks to the front and bows his head before the King.
“What do you need me to do, Your Majesty?”
The King looks sorrowful and apologetic when he responds.
“I need you to find Xylia and speak to her. I would ask Calista to go with you, but she’s not here yet and I fear the longer we wait the worse it will be for her. I know Xylia thinks highly of you and she will need you there to comfort her. Please tell her we will do everything we can to find who is responsible.” Conall bows to the King again and then straightens up to walk out of the Great Room. I could see it in his eyes that it pained him to have to tell Xylia of her loss.
King Oberon’s voice sounds determined when he announces, “Raisa and Foster will not be forgotten, nor will their deaths be in vain. They were loyal council members and dear friends to Queen and me. Once things have settled we will hold a memorial for them and honor them the way they should be honored.” Losing a close friend is not easy and I will have to endure the same feelings of it soon once Warren and I find out that he is indeed a traitor.
Elvena takes this time to speak.
“There is more, Your Highness.”
The King prompts her to continue.
“I hate to say it, but Avery is missing as well. Meliantha came to me and asked for a favor. It appears that Princess Calista and Prince Ryder had some reservations about him and I was asked to look around his quarters.” Elvena looks around and makes sure everyone is listening to her.
“It appears that not only is Avery missing, but he had traces of dark magic around his room. It’s the strongest magic I have felt in a very long time.”
The room falls silent.
With Avery and Warren both missing, it’s starting to look like they were in this together. I did see them talking at the ceremony and if it’s true, Warren is definitely a traitor. He is my best friend, but even that will not save him from the punishment of death.
King Oberon finally speaks.
“What does all this mean? Are you saying we’ve had a traitor beside us this whole time?”
Elvena nods her head.
“That is exactly what I’m saying, Your Highness. The magic I traced is the same magic of the sorcerers I felt a century ago. I believe it is what we have suspected all along.” She pauses and looks around the room again with a grave expression. “Another dark sorcerer is in the Land of the Fae,” she reveals.
Commotion explodes at the mention of a dark sorcerer being alive and the voices echo loudly from the walls of the Great Room. It’s a deafening sound. We all speculated there was a chance a dark sorcerer still lived, but no one really wanted to believe it. I heard stories growing up about the dark times in the Land of the Fae a century ago.
The King is obviously irritated by the chaos in the room because he yells above the crowd, “Silence!”
The room falls quiet again and I can tell he is thinking of an appropriate response to what Elvena has disclosed.
He commands, “We need guards searching the Summer territory for Avery in case he hasn’t escaped yet. When he is found he will be executed. We need to be on our guard fully.”
He turns to Elvena and asks, “Do you know what the sorcerer wants?”
She nods her head and gives the King a grave look.
“He wants power and as we all can assume, he is most likely the evil the prophecy speaks of. He needs the power of The Four. The power of The Four involves Calista, so she will be his first target.
“Does she know this?” The King demands and then turns to Merrick to ask, “Where is she?” His voice is laced with fear and worry and I don’t blame him because I’m feeling the same way. Calista is not here and I fear that something may be wrong.
Merrick looks at me and then turns to bow his head to the King and answers.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but she ran away from Ryder and me this morning.” He looks sheepishly around the room and adds, “She subdued us both this morning and left us there.”
King Oberon looks agitated and asks, “Why would she do that? Did she beat you up as well? You both look like hell.”
I decide to jump in and explain.
“She left because we both…” I point to Merrick and then back to myself. “Acted like complete jackasses. She got pissed at us and brought the force of her power down on us.” I pause for a second before saying what needs to be said next. If anything happens to Calista because Warren was here, I’ll never forgive myself.
“There’s something else you should know as well. Warren, my friend that accompanied Kalen and me, has disappeared, too. We searched his room and found most of his things missing. He has been acting oddly since we arrived and I saw him talking to Avery yesterday at the ceremony. I believe he has turned traitor.”
The King is in despair. It can’t be easy to know that traitors were here under his nose this entire time and he didn’t know.
He quickly demands, “I want guards watching my family at all times and do not, by any means, let them out of your sight.” He looks at Merrick and Merrick drops his gaze to the floor in shame. I can honestly say I feel somewhat ba
d for him because he let Calista get away, but so did I.
“Elvena, please go and find Calista,” the King pleads.
“Yes, Your Highness.” She bows and turns to walk away, but not before giving me a questioning glance. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head so she knows I have no clue where Calista is. I wish I knew.
Elvena leaves in search of Calista and everyone in the great room spends this time talking about strategies and preventive measures. I’m beginning to get worried and I see that Merrick is looking agitated and worried, too. I lean over to whisper to Merrick.
“Can you hear her…you know, in your thoughts?”
Merrick scrunches up his face in concentration and then deflates.
“I try, but I can’t hear her. It doesn’t feel like her usual shield, but there’s something there physically blocking me from entering her mind. I’ve tried all afternoon, but nothing happens.”
I look up to see Elvena and Meliantha running through the doors.
Meliantha is sobbing hysterically and screams, “She’s gone! Calista’s gone!” My heart stops and the feelings of dread wash over my body. Where could she be? If Warren has something to do with this I’m going to kill that fucker with my bare hands.
Meliantha quickens her pace as she walks to King Oberon and wails, “We’ve searched everywhere and Elvena can’t sense her anywhere here.” She sinks to the ground holding her face and rocking back and forth. Out of all of Calista’s siblings I can tell that Calista and Meliantha are the closest. Kalen is about to go and comfort her when Queen Tatiana runs toward her and takes Meliantha into her arms holding her tight. Kalen backs up and I know he wanted to be the one to go to her. The queen takes the crying Meliantha and leaves the room.
“Meliantha is right. I can’t feel Calista anywhere near here.” Elvena turns to Merrick.
“Can you feel her, Merrick?”
He says the same thing he told me, but now that he knows Calista is missing his face and voice show all the tension he must be feeling. I can tell he blames himself for Calista’s disappearance.