“All right then,” Ambriel muttered. Santiarns helping a part-Cusas, and yet happy to be locked in this dire place. Happy families…this is nothing like she’d expected. “You ready, Keiana?”
The loud noise from outside caught everyone’s attention. The sounds of animal feet pounded the ground; a loud voice carried into the shack. “Search everywhere! Find the witch! Ornias wants her alive!” Ambriel’s gaze immediately found Keiana, who was visibly shaking.
“You must go,” Layn said with trepidation. Everyone feared Ornias.
“Keiana,” Ambriel said softly. “Cast a protection spell, or an invisible spell, something to protect this house and the females that helped us.”
Keiana took a deep, calming breath and nodded to Ambriel. Closing her eyes, her voice rose and fell in a musical chant as she spoke words that only she understood. As the noise grew louder, her voice never wavered.
Ambriel, Dartha, and Layn stood as mannequins, each afraid of making a sound. The sound of… Ambriel didn’t know what they had here. The humans had horses, the Cusas had Cefises, but whatever the Santiarns had were getting closer. Their feet thundered on the ground. “Check the house!” someone yelled. It sounded as if they were right outside. The other two females huddled together as Ambriel closed her eyes. Keiana’s voice suddenly stopped, and Ambriel heard, “Nothing here!” and then the noise faded with their retreat.
“Shew,” Ambriel let out a long breath. “That was close.”
“Too close.” Dartha replied.
“Great job, Keiana.” With smiles, everyone patted her on the back.
“Okay, that was exciting.” Looking at the two females, Ambriel said, “Thank you for all of your help.” Looking to Keiana, she asked, “Are you ready to go?”
She blew out a quick breath before answering, “I guess so.”
“You take care of yourself,” Layn told Keiana before engulfing her in one last hug.
“Thank you for everything.” Keiana gave Layn a hug before stepping away. Looking at Dartha, she said, “Thank you for helping us.” Dartha just smiled and gave her a brief nod. Turning to Ambriel, she said, “I’m ready.”
“One last thing before we go,” Ambriel addressed Keiana with a serious tone. “I hope to take us to Brian’s apartment. Until we get things…changed, no smiling at anyone, and no making eye contact. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Wait, why does she have to do that?” Layn asked, her curiosity and concern easily heard.
Ambriel smiled, “Humans don’t know about other realms, and Keiana doesn’t look human, but she will.”
They grabbed the books and herbs, which were almost too heavy. Ambriel took the transport crystal and tried to open the portal. Nothing happened. She tried again, willing it to open… still nothing.
“What’s wrong?” Keiana asked.
“I can’t get the portal to open. Drinking Ornias’ blood must be a temporary fix.”
“Can I try?”
“You’ll have to.” Ambriel reluctantly handed Keiana the transport crystal. This could be disastrous. “I need you to think of a park in Sanstone. Just think trees in Sanstone over and over.” There was no way she could describe an apartment in Chicago.
“Okay, I can do this.” She held out her hand and the dark portal opened before their eyes.
Ambriel took Keiana’s hand and they stepped through.
Chapter Nine
The Human Realm
“Oh, my, it’s beautiful!” Keiana said with wide amazed eyes. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” She ran to the river and dipped her hand in, letting the water run through her fingers. “Look how much water you have,” she giggled in delight, which had Ambriel glancing her way with amusement.
“Well, we’re definitely in a park—or maybe a forest,” Ambriel grimaced. At least they were back in the Human realm.
Large trees, huge mountains, and a lively river lined with large rocks. The trees sported red, yellow, and orange leaves, so she knew that is was fall. Maybe September or October. The air was crisp, causing goose bumps to run the length of her arms. This would be a great time to have a coat. Keiana was too excited to notice as she ran her hands over everything—tree, leaves, grass, bark, rocks…
“It’s wonderful!” she squealed. “I could stay here forever!” Her sharp teeth gleamed in the sunlight.
Ambriel laughed, “I knew you’d like it.” Looking around, she sighed, “We need to find out where we are before the Santiarns come looking for us.”
Her smile fell. “You think they will?”
“Yes, they always show up eventually. Let’s start walking, maybe we can find a sign or something. Remember, if we see anyone, don’t smile and don’t look at them. Avert your eyes, maybe even close them.”
“Okay.”
The two of them headed downhill following the river, hoping to find a trail or path. The books and herbs they carried made them both weary, needing to take frequent breaks.
“How much longer?” Keiana asked, her back resting on the side of a tree. The books lay at her sore feet.
“I don’t know,” Ambriel huffed, joining her friend at the tree. Instead of standing, she plopped down before stretching her length out on the mossy ground. “I’m so tired,” she groaned.
Twilight was upon them, and Ambriel didn’t want to be caught in the woods at dark. Who knew what dangerous animals these woods harbored after dark. “Wish you had stayed with the Santiarns?”
Keiana grinned, “Not at all. Although it is very cold here.”
Ambriel laughed aloud. Looking at Keiana’s smile, Ambriel realized that she could give any animal a run for its money with those teeth of hers.
“I thought I’d burn up in the Santiarn realm.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Come on, let’s get out of here before it gets dark.” Ambriel slowly stood and grabbed an armful of books. The two of them continued their slow trek through the rough terrain.
“Do you hear that?” Ambriel stopped and listened.
“Hear what?”
“A car! I think I hear a car! Come on.” The two of them hurried down the hill until a road appeared in front of them. Darkness had quickly blanketed the Earth, so when two lights headed their direction, Ambriel almost cried with relief. “Remember what I told you.”
“I remember.”
Ambriel dropped the books and stepped in the middle of the road and frantically waved her arms. The car had to either stop or run her over. Fortunately for her, it stopped.
“Where you headed?” the older man asked.
“Nearest town,” she replied. She knew better than to take rides with strangers, but he seemed okay. What is she doing in the middle of nowhere?
“Well, hop in,” he said.
“Thanks.”
Ambriel grabbed the books and ushered Keiana into the back seat. “Lean your head against the window and close your eyes,” Ambriel whispered.
“What’s wrong with your friend?” the stranger asked after Ambriel climbed into the passenger seat, his eyes glancing at Keiana in the rear view mirror. The white SUV Trailblazer, which had padded leather seats, was very comfortable. But after walking for so long, even the back of a pickup truck would feel heavenly right now.
“She’s just really tired. We got lost and have been walking for hours. Where are we exactly?”
“It looks like you came from Banning State Park.”
“Where exactly is that?”
“Minnesota. If you’d stayed there all night, you might have frozen to death.”
“Well, thanks for the lift. Where are we headed?”
“Sandstone is the next town.” Ambriel laughed. Well, that’s close to Sanstone. She’d told Keiana to think of trees and Sanstone.
What is wrong with her? Maybe she’s dehydrated. “Would you like some water?”
“No thanks. I’m good.” She’d seen enough movies to know not to take drinks from strangers. He could drug her or an
ything. Besides, she and Keiana had taken their chances by taking sips of water from the river. “Is there a motel in Sandstone?”
“Yeah, the Sandstone Inn.”
“Can you drop us there? We’ll get some rest before heading out.”
He eyed her with curiosity. They don’t look like they can pay for a hotel. What should I do? My wife will kill me if I drop them on the street and leave them in the cold. Maybe I could take them there and pay the room, at least for one night. Irene would like that.
“Sure thing,” he said with a smile. “By the way, I’m Daniel. I don’t think I caught your name.”
“Amb…uh hum…Sorry, I’m Amber. Thank you so much for picking us up.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Amber, and you’re welcome.”
They rode in silence for a while. Ambriel wasn’t sure if Keiana was pretending or if she had indeed fallen fast asleep.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a cell phone I could borrow would you?”
“Sure thing.” Daniel dug an antiquated flip phone out of his shirt pocket and handed it to her. She stared at it for a moment and then grinned.
“Thanks.” Not sure how she ever remembered, she dialed Brian’s number.
“Hello?” he answered on the first ring.
“Brian?” she asked, relieved to hear a familiar voice.
“Amber, is that you?”
“Yes. I need help.” Her voice trembled as the weight of the last few days came crashing down. He once reminded her of a grandfather, someone to turn to, lean on, trust. He knew her secrets and about the other realms. She hadn’t hidden anything from him. Brian was her rock in the Human realm.
“What’s wrong? Where are you?” Concern rang true in his voice and she smiled, knowing she could count on him.
“I’m in Sandstone, Minnesota. I’ll be at the Sandstone Inn tonight. Can you come and get me?”
“Hang on.” She heard some typing. He was more than likely using the computer. “Okay, that’s about seven and a half hours away. I’ll be there in the morning. Do you need anything?”
Ambriel glanced back at Keiana before spying Daniel from the corner of her eye. He was listening intently. “Ah, just some really dark glasses, and maybe something to eat.”
“Done,” he said. “I’ll see you in about eight hours.” She hung up the phone and handed it back to Daniel. The burden she carried on her shoulders lifted, and she felt better. In eight hours, she’d have help. In eight hours, he’d see Keiana; in eight hours, she’d hopefully be rested and ready to start the day.
As they pulled into the parking lot of the one-level motel located in the center of town, it looked old, but Ambriel didn’t care. Right now, she could sleep on anything.
“I’ll be right back,” Daniel said as he climbed out of the SUV. Ambriel knew he was renting them a room.
“Keiana, are you awake?” No answer. “Keiana, wake up.” When she didn’t respond, Ambriel reached back and shook her shoulders.
Drowsy red eyes opened slowly. “What is it?” she asked in a raspy voice.
“We’re here. When Daniel comes back, make sure to keep your head down.” The last thing either of them needed was someone calling the cops of them. Who knew what they’d do to Keiana.
Daniel came back carrying a key just as Ambriel and Keiana exited the vehicle. Keiana looked haggard, carrying the heavy books.
“I paid for a one-night room rental.” He handed her the key.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay your kindness.” Sometimes, there were some really bad people in the Human realm, but Ambriel knew that there was just as many good ones…like Daniel.
“Just stay out of Banning Park, especially at nighttime.”
Ambriel laughed, “I think I can do that.” She felt Daniel’s stare on their backs as they headed to room number three.
Opening the battered old door, Ambriel flipped on the lights and then closed the door behind them. She slid the bolt home before dropping the heavy books at her feet on the stained up carpet. The room was tiny but still held two full-sized beds with barely enough room to walk between them. Not that they cared. Ambriel fell on one while Keiana dropped down on the other.
“I am so tired,” Keiana whined. She had never been outside the castle, and today they must have walked miles, or at least it felt that way.
“Me, too,” Ambriel mumbled before rolling onto her back. “Brian will be here tomorrow morning.” She glanced at the digital clock that sat on a table across the room. It read 9:45 p.m. “Let’s get some rest.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Ambriel made sure the curtains were tightly closed, used the bathroom, and then shut off the lights before falling back into bed.
A loud knock on the door had Ambriel bolting upright. What was that? she wondered. The clock read 6:01 a.m., and Keiana remained fast asleep. Another loud knock had Ambriel opening her mental door. This has to be the room. The clerk said they were the only ones who checked in last night.
Ambriel jumped out of bed and threw the door open. “Brian!” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He didn’t return the hug. When she let go and stepped back, he grinned and held up bags of food in one hand with a drink tray in the other. “You did say to bring food.”
“God, I’m starving!”
She ushered him inside, before closing the door. He set the food and drinks on the tiny round table before facing her. “What’s going on?”
“It’s a very long story,” she glanced at Keiana who remained asleep. His gaze followed hers before giving her a questioning look. Ambriel took a seat at the small table, Brian took the other. “I need you to keep an open mind, and stay calm.” He nodded as he listened intently. “Do you remember when I told you about the three realms?” Again, he silently nodded. “The Cusas are a peace-keeping race that is fighting the Santiarns. The Santiarns are evil and like to wreak havoc by whispering to the humans.”
“I remember all of this. Face it, it’s not something you easily forget.”
“Right,” she chuckled. “Okay,” she let out a long breath. “The prophecy says that a human will help win the war, and I’m half-human and half-Cusas, but I think the prophecy is wrong. I think two humans will help win the war.” Her eyes glanced to Keiana who was now awake and listening intently.
“So Keiana is also half-human and half-Cusas?” Brian asked.
“No. She’s half-human and half-Santiarn.” As Brian started to turn in Keiana’s direction, Ambriel grabbed his arm. “Brian, listen to me. Keiana has had a hard life, but she’s sweet and kind. She’s the key to winning the war.”
“Okay…” he said slowly.
“She has some Santiarn features. Please don’t be startled or scared. She’s a good person.” He nodded. She could see the curiosity in his blue-gray eyes.
“Keiana, why don’t you come and eat with us? Brian brought food.”
“Okay, I’m starving,” she climbed out of bed, still shielding her eyes from Brian.
When she pulled up a chair next to Ambriel, she lifted her head and looked at Brian.
His quick intake of breath was the only outward sign he showed. “Her eyes are red.”
“Yes,” Ambriel answered.
“Do all Santiarns have red eyes?” he asked, still staring at Keiana.
“They do.”
“What else, besides the eyes?” His eyes glanced to Ambriel before looking back at Keiana.
“Her teeth. Most Santiarns have dark teeth, but Keiana’s are white, like humans. Go ahead Keiana, show him.”
She smiled and Brian reared back in his chair. “I’m sorry,” Keiana said in a scared, sad voice.
Brian’s face softened. “There is nothing to be sorry for. I’m just not used to seeing anything like your teeth,” he chuckled, lightening the intense mood. Looking to Ambriel, he asked, “Any other surprises?”
She blew out a relieved breath. Brian had taken this extremely well. “Just her claw
s.” Keiana held up a hand, but Brian didn’t react. “I was thinking that we could cut the claws and make them more like nails, use colored contacts, and maybe get some dental work done?” she asked with uncertainty in her voice.
“Yeah, that would probably work,” he answered. Grabbing a bag, he started pulling out biscuits. “We have sausage biscuits, sausage and egg, chicken, and bacon biscuits. I also brought coffee, but you may have to warm it up.”
Ambriel passed Keiana a sausage and egg biscuit. She bit into it and started to chew. She swallowed and said in an excited voice, “Oh! That was wonderful!” It didn’t take long for her to eat the entire thing before starting on another one. Brian tipped his lips in a smile as they both heard her childlike voice.
Once they finished eating, it was decided that Keiana would shower first, leaving Ambriel alone to talk with Brian. When she heard the shower running, she said, “Thank you, Brian,” letting him see the fatigue in her eyes.
“What happened, and how did you find her?” he nodded toward the bathroom.
“I stupidly got kidnapped and taken to the Santiarn realm. It’s awful there.” She shook her head and then continued. “Imagine my surprise to find Keiana. A sweet girl who Ornias—their leader—kept locked up most of her life.”
“Why would he do that?”
“She’s very powerful, but I don’t think he realized that.” She took a sip of lukewarm coffee. “Some other Santiarns also helped us. Females. They are different than I expected. Apparently, Ornias takes the sons away from happy families and turns them into hunters…evil creatures. Keiana can lock the Santiarn realm, and the women were most happy about that. Ornias would no longer need all the males.”
“Amazing. Hopefully crime will go down and make my job a little easier,” he grinned.
“Let’s hope. But we have to hurry before they come looking for us.” Ambriel clutched the protection necklace around her neck.
Ambriel's Quest: Book 2 Page 9