by Amy C. Blake
They were a silent group—Sara walking close to her father, Monica and Trevor following hand-in-hand, Levi bringing up the rear with Dr. Baldwin. When they emerged from the dank, dark forest into the bright early morning sunshine, Levi sucked in a huge mouthful of air. He felt almost like he’d been underwater too long, like now his body could get the oxygen it so desperately needed.
Then he saw the castle looming before them and almost ran back into the forest. The Sylvesters were inside. Did he have the strength to face them?
A strong yet gentle breeze caressed his face. He drew in another lungful of fresh air. He could do this. The journey was almost over.
As they neared the lowered drawbridge, a trumpet blare pierced the stillness. Levi’s head jerked up. Albert leaned between the ramparts on the tower roof, the instrument at his lips.
“The signal that our lost have been found,” Dr. Baldwin explained.
When they entered the north foyer, a swarm of staff persons descended on them. Mrs. Dominic, looking old and frail, shoved through the crowd. When she saw Sara, she burst into tears and gathered her child into her arms. When her gaze fell on the burden her husband carried, she bowed her head and wept into her daughter’s hair.
A second later, Mrs. Sylvester ran into the room. She searched until her frantic eyes caught on Mr. Dominic. With obvious dread, she lowered her gaze to her daughter’s body in his arms. “No!” The color drained from her already-pale face. She swayed.
Levi lurched forward as if to catch her. But her husband, who had entered the room behind her, caught her before she hit the floor. With his wife in his arms, Mr. Sylvester staggered across the room to reclaim his child.
Chapter 46
Monica and Trevor
Under Dr. Baldwin’s orders, Levi, Trevor, and Monica waited for Mr. Dominic on the infirmary cots sipping hot tea. They’d washed up, changed their blood-stained clothes, and had their cuts and bruises cared for. A few minutes earlier, Dr. Baldwin had gone to his room to rest. Levi’s body demanded he lie down and sleep, but his heart wanted nothing more than to climb the stairs to his room, gather his things, and walk down to the southern tip of Castle Island to wait for his family. He wanted to go home.
It was much too early, though. He’d heard the buzz from the dining hall as the other campers ate breakfast, oblivious to the previous night’s events. The ferry wouldn’t arrive at the island until noon when they’d have the awards ceremony and a feast. Along with a second performance of The Trojan Horse. Levi’s fuzzy brain told him he needed to help move the horse down to camp, so he stood and set down his cup.
“Levi?” Monica called as he opened the door.
He didn’t get far because Mr. Dominic stood poised to open the door, Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester behind him. Levi peered into the couple’s ashen, tear-streaked faces and didn’t know what to do. He opened his mouth to tell them how sorry he was, how he wished he’d been able to save their daughter, how everything was his fault because he’d been so blind and stubborn . . . but before he could speak, Mr. Sylvester stepped forward.
“We”—he gestured between himself and his weeping wife—“wanted to thank you children for bringing our daughter back.” A sob escaped him. “After all she’s done . . . it still means so much to be able to say goodbye.”
Levi stood in wide-eyed silence. He looked back at his friends as the Sylvesters walked away. Monica wept into her hands, and even Trevor, who hadn’t spoken since they’d picked up Miss Nydia’s body, looked shaken.
Mr. Dominic moved into the room and guided Levi back to his cot. “Please rest and drink your tea. There’s nothing you can do right now.”
“But the Trojan horse—” Levi said stupidly, an image of the wooden prop imprinted in his mind.
“Yes.” The director sat down and patted the cot. Levi sat beside him. “Sara told us how Nydia hid her in the horse and sneaked her from the building.” He looked pointedly at both Levi and Trevor. “I know the two of you pushed it out of the castle for her.”
Levi gulped, suddenly alert. He deserved whatever Mr. Dominic was about to yell at him.
But Mr. Dominic said, “You bear no blame for that. You had no idea she was inside, so release any guilt you might be harboring right now.”
Levi blew out a breath, and Trevor’s shoulders sagged.
“And you, young lady.” The director turned to Monica, who stared at the teacup gripped in her hands. “You’re a good friend to my daughter, the best she’s ever had, and I want to thank you for it.”
Monica’s eyes flew to Mr. Dominic’s as a tear slipped down her cheek.
“In fact,” Mr. Dominic went on, “she wanted me to ask you to join her as soon as you could.”
“I’ll go now.” Monica jumped up and set down her mug, sloshing her tea onto the table.
Mr. Dominic smiled. “Before you go, I’d like to ask you to keep the events of the night to yourselves. Most of the campers are blissfully unaware of the danger and tragedy the past few hours held for you four.” His eyes squeezed shut. “As well as for the staff and inhabitants of Terracaelum.”
He opened his eyes and peered out the window, his thoughts clearly on his kingdom’s grief. After a moment, he looked back at them. “I will release you to speak of these events with your parents. And with your other friends, if you feel they can be trusted to remain discreet.”
The three exchanged questioning looks then nodded. No one in their group would betray a confidence.
“It’s not that I want to hide important information from the other campers,” Mr. Dominic continued. “It’s simply that the danger is past and, since Nydia always distanced herself from others, the grief is not theirs. They should be free to go home from summer camp without the burden of these heartbreaking events.”
“We understand, sir.” Monica’s fingers knotted. “If I weren’t involved last night, I really don’t think I’d want to know myself.”
With a sad smile, Mr. Dominic inclined his head. “I know you’re anxious to see Sara and your other roommates. Please feel free to go now.”
She moved to the door but turned back before opening it. “Sir, I don’t know what your plans are for Sara now, and I’d love to have her join me at boarding school.” She twisted the knob back and forth as if uncertain whether she should continue. Finally, she sighed. “But I really think she’d be better off here with you this year.”
“Thank you, child. You truly are the best kind of friend.”
Monica smiled through her tears.
The door clicked shut. Trevor stood and set his cup on the table next to Monica’s. “Guess I should go pack my stuff. I’ve still got a lot to do.”
“Trevor,” the director said softly, drawing Trevor’s troubled gaze. “Did anything happen last night you want to talk about?”
Trevor picked at his fingernail. Levi pretended to study a poster of the circulatory system on the wall.
“Did Deceptor say anything to you? Anything that bothered you in particular?” Mr. Dominic waited. “That’s his specialty, you know. Using words to hurt others.”
Levi sneaked a peek at his friend.
Trevor glared at his hiking boots as if he’d like to strangle them. “He pretended to be an angel when we first met him.”
The director’s eyes widened.
Trevor ground the toe of his boot against the floor. “Called himself Lucien and told us God loved us and talked about us a lot and stuff. Monica asked him about her parents, you know, if God had mentioned about whether they’d survive wherever they’re at and all—”
Mr. Dominic released a quiet, “Poor girl.”
“And I asked him”—Trevor’s voice broke—“I asked him how he could say God cared so much about me when my dad’s hated me since my mom died.” His glare cut to the director. “Deceptor told me God loves me even if my dad doesn’t. But how can what he said be true? Since he’s a nothing but a liar.” Trevor’s anger turned to silent sobs.
Levi twisted his fingers i
nto the sheet. Should he say something?
Mr. Dominic moved to Trevor and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Levi tried not to breathe too loudly.
After Trevor released a final noisy sniffle, he said, “Then there’s Miss Nydia. She was supposed to be like a second mother to Sara, and she betrayed her.” Pain flashed in his eyes. “Moms aren’t supposed to hurt their children.”
“First of all,” Mr. Dominic said in a soothing tone, “Nydia’s betrayal isn’t the same as your mother dying. Your mom didn’t want to leave you. She loved you.”
As Trevor nodded, Levi’s mouth fell open. So that’s why Trevor had gotten so mad at the elf the night before.
Mr. Dominic raised both eyebrows at Trevor. “As for what Deceptor said to you as Lucien, that’s one of the cruelest things he does, and he learned it from the Father of Lies himself. He says a true thing—in this case that your Heavenly Father loves you, even if your earthly father doesn’t seem to—but he says it under false pretenses. And his deception makes you fear his words were a lie as well.” He bent his head until Trevor met his gaze. “His words to you on that point were true, son. God the Father, Ruler of the Universe, loves you completely. Enough to send his Son to save you for all eternity. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir, I understand.” Trevor scrubbed his knuckles beneath his eyes. “My mom taught me about God. Jesus saved me before she died. I’ve kept going to church with my neighbor, even though my dad and brother make fun of me for it.” He looked down. “But when Deceptor lied, I wasn’t sure all of a sudden.” He met the director’s eyes again. “He threw me for a while there.”
“I understand, son. As I said, that’s his specialty.” With a gentle smile, Mr. Dominic stood, his hand on Trevor’s shoulder. “Now off with you. Get that mess of a room in order and pack up your stuff. We’ll need to head down for lunch before too long. I’m getting hungry.”
Trevor grinned and smacked a palm to his belly. “Me too.”
Chapter 47
Keep Fighting
After Trevor left, Levi and Mr. Dominic sat in silence.
Levi finally broke it to ask the question that had bothered him throughout the night’s journey, weighing heavier and heavier like the elf they carried. “Why did she do it?”
Mr. Dominic shook his head, though Levi could tell he understood the question.
“She said Mrs. Dominic stole you from her.” Levi bit his lip. He shouldn’t press the question when it was clear the director didn’t want to answer. And yet, he really wanted to understand the reasons behind what happened.
Mr. Dominic blew out a long breath. “I guess you deserve to know. You almost died because of my foolishness.”
“Never mind, sir. I don’t want to know.” And he didn’t really. A vague queasiness had suddenly replaced his need to know.
The director offered a sad smile. “I need to tell you, Levi, so maybe you won’t fall into the same sinful attitude I did.” He paused. “Long ago when I was a camper here—along with your Papa Levi—I fell in love. Well, not really in love.” He grimaced, his gaze sliding to the window. “When I was sixteen, I was taken with a girl from a different species, a girl most of the others had no idea wasn’t human. But I knew. Like you, I discovered Terracaelum early on and quickly learned one of the campers was an elf.”
“Miss Nydia?”
“Yes, Nydia Sylvester.” Mr. Dominic met Levi’s eyes. “Being an elf, she was much older than I was, but she looked like a human teenager. I’m sure you’ve noticed how young she still appears . . . appeared.” He sighed. “Anyway, she was my friend from the time I started coming here when I was your age. She’d always loved to learn, so she was allowed to attend camp with the humans. I convinced myself I loved her and told her as much.”
Mr. Dominic’s mouth twisted in self-disgust. “Her parents, in agreement with Terracaelum’s rulers at the time, made it clear we couldn’t be together. They told us to marry across species was against God’s law.” He shook his head. “But I was so headstrong, so sure I could handle the situation, so certain I knew best.”
Levi’s gaze slithered away at the headstrong description. It sounded too much like himself.
“I made Nydia promises of marriage I had no business making,” Mr. Dominic continued, seemingly unaware of Levi’s discomfort. “And spent a miserable school year until the next summer when I discovered her parents had sent her off to relatives. I got over her quickly and fell in love with Sophia a couple of summers later.” He smiled at Levi. “Mrs. Dominic to you.”
Levi’s ears burned. Did he really have to hear all this?
But Mr. Dominic kept talking. “To make a long story short, I married Sophia and we became Terracaelum’s rulers. When Nydia returned to her parents several years later, I told myself she was as over our foolish relationship as I was and never spoke of it. I should have asked her forgiveness, but, once again, I thought I knew best.” He shook his head and again drifted into silence.
A little later, he went on, “If I had only swallowed my pride and spoken to her as I should, she might’ve let the whole sorry relationship die. Then Deceptor never would’ve tricked her into helping him. But I didn’t and thought all was well. We didn’t see much of her until we had Sara decades later. When Nydia came to us and offered to act as nurse for our infant, we accepted. I thought it would be a way to finally smooth over the past. How wrong I was.”
For several quiet moments, Levi stared at the top of Mr. Dominic’s bowed head.
After a while, the old man looked up. “I can’t change the past.” He gave Levi’s leg a quick pat. “I want to thank you for bringing Sara home. My wife asked me to offer her thanks as well.” His face shadowed. “I’m afraid all the excitement has left her feeling unwell. We’re both feeling our age today.”
“At least Sara’s safe now,” Levi said as much for himself as the director.
Mr. Dominic pressed his lips together.
Levi frowned. “I mean with Miss Nydia and Deceptor both dead.” He waited for the director to agree.
Mr. Dominic touched his whiskered chin and flicked his eyes around the room.
Levi’s stomach bubbled. “What’s wrong? Miss Nydia stabbed Deceptor, and he crawled into a cave to die, right?”
Mr. Dominic shook his head. “I hate to tell you this, son, but Deceptor likely isn’t dead.”
Levi opened his mouth to argue. Deceptor had to be dead.
Mr. Dominic raised a hand. “Such creatures don’t die easily. He was wounded, and that bought you enough time to get back here safely. But he’ll be back once he’s had time to heal.”
Levi shut his mouth hard. How could Levi even think about coming back next summer if Deceptor wasn’t dead?
“Time and time again we’ve battled him, and he always returns.” The lines in the director’s face etched deep. “We never know what he’ll try next. This time he infiltrated from within the castle and took on the appearance of an angel. In times past he’s appeared in any number of disguises, both monstrous and beautiful.” He released a heavy sigh. “He always comes back to fight another day.”
Levi knotted his hands in his lap. “What will you do?”
Mr. Dominic met his eyes. “What we’ve always done in the past. We’ll keep fighting.”
Chapter 48
Going Home
Levi plodded through the castle doorway and onto the drawbridge, baggage weighing down his weary body, feet aching from last night’s journey, shoulder wound throbbing despite the doctor’s care. Everyone else had already gone down to camp for the play. He hoped if he moved slowly enough he’d miss The Trojan Horse performance. He couldn’t deal with seeing that horse again. He didn’t want to face Hunter either. He knew he’d been wrong about the bully all along, but he just couldn’t shake the fear of Deceptor that was all mixed up in his mind with Hunter.
“Leviticus Prince!”
Levi turned to see Dr. Baldwin clinging to the frame of the infirmary window.
&nb
sp; “Wait a second,” the doctor called, “I’m coming down.”
A minute passed before Dr. Baldwin appeared, huffing, in the doorway. “Didn’t want to miss you. Wanted to say goodbye.”
“You’re not going down?”
“No, too tired.” Dr. Baldwin pressed a hand to his chest. “If anybody needs a doctor, they know where to find me.”
“Yeah, I guess they do.” Levi offered his hand. “Thanks for everything, sir. The time you spent with me . . . it meant a lot.”
The doctor gave his hand a firm shake. “I enjoyed it, too. Keep working on your chess game.” He slapped Levi’s back. “I expect you to be a real contender by next summer.”
Levi smiled. “Yes, sir.” Yet as his gaze shifted to the castle, his smile faded. Was he ready to leave this place? Would he ever return?
“Get going now. You’re late.” Though Dr. Baldwin’s voice was gruff, moisture shimmered in his eyes.
Levi nodded but didn’t move. “Can I ask you something?”
Dr. Baldwin’s eyebrows pulled together. “I suppose.”
“It’s about Hunter.”
“I thought you’d figured out that boy is not Deceptor.”
“No, I know. It’s about something I overheard you and Mr. Dominic saying one day.” Levi flushed at the doctor’s stern look. “What you said made me think you knew Hunter’s ancestors somehow. Like maybe he had family here at one time.”
The doctor worried his lower lip, his eyes piercing Levi. “You shouldn’t listen to other people’s conversations.”
“I know. Sorry.”
“You should be.” Dr. Baldwin considered him another long moment. “I’ll tell you this much: many long years ago, Hunter’s great-great-aunt was here at camp with the Dominics and your great-great-grandfather.”
Levi’s jaw dropped.
“Now get on with you,” the doctor said, his eyes gleaming. “I’m going to bed.”
Levi sank into the back row as the Trojan horse was wheeled onto the stage. He avoided looking at it, his gaze instead skimming the audience in search of his family. There they were, in the front row. The sight of them only added to his confused emotions until he felt stuck, like a clogged drain, smelly and rank. He wanted to go home, yes. But what about his friends? What about Sara? With Deceptor alive, she’d still have to leave her home.