Meet me at The Chocolate Fountain at 10:30. We need to work this out.
Rush
She turned the note over, but the backside was blank. Why did Rush want her to meet him at The Chocolate Fountain? Why had he not come here? She pulled out her phone and glanced at the time—10:00. A hopeful excitement began working its way through her. Then she realized that she had no way to get there. Josselyn was still at the formal, and Seraphina and her dad had gone to dinner. The bike! She could take the bike. She’d never ridden it to The Chocolate Fountain at night, but it wasn’t that far. A feeling of warmth settled over her. Rush had left her a note. He’d known that she would come out on the roof. There was still the matter of the letter, but she wouldn’t think about that right now. She was a different person now, and she couldn’t keep pretending to be someone she wasn’t. Edward would have to understand. Her heart felt lighter as she opened the window and climbed into her bedroom. A minute later, she darted out the door.
* * *
Elle halfway expected Rush to be outside waiting for her when she arrived at The Chocolate Fountain. She’d thought that only she and Rae had keys to the building, but she supposed that Adele had given him one too. It would make sense. Then he could come and go as he pleased—practice whenever he wanted. She walked up to the door and saw the note that was taped to the glass. It read:
Come on in. I’m in the kitchen.
It was the same handwriting as the note. She frowned. Why was he in the kitchen? She’d assumed that he would be in the attic where they held their practices.
She removed the note from the door and stepped inside. “Hello … Rush … I’m here.”
No answer.
She flipped on the lights. Then she walked past the bakery cases and into the kitchen. “Rush,” she called. She stepped into the kitchen and gasped. “Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed, going pale. It looked like chocolate had exploded all over the place, and the planks on the floor were haphazardly scattered like broken toothpicks. Dishes, along with pots and pans, littered the floor. “What?” she blustered. A feeling of alarm raced through her. “Rush!” she yelled. Surely he’d not done this.
Rough hands caught her from behind. She jumped, startled, and spun around. “You’d better have a good explanation—” Her words got choked out by panic when she saw him towering over her. “Huntsden!” She took a step back. “What’re you doing here?”
He chuckled. “Elle, something tells me that before this night is over, you and I are going to become well acquainted.”
Her fight or flight sense took over, and she backed away and turned to bolt, but he was faster. He jerked her arm behind her back, causing her to howl in pain. He led her over to a chair and pushed her into it.
She fought and clawed him for all it was worth until the hard slap across her face stunned her into going still. Tears sprang to her eyes. “What do you want with me?” She jumped up to run, but he shoved her back down. His face grew hard as he pulled something from his pocket. She let out a cry. A gun. He was pointing a gun at her chest.
“Now, you’re going to do exactly as I say, or things are going to get very ugly.”
* * *
The text came from Elle’s phone to two separate locations. When Edward received the text, he immediately jumped in his car and headed to The Chocolate Fountain in an attempt to patch things up with Elle. Rush, on the other hand, decided not to go at first, but the more he thought about it, the madder he became. Ultimately, he went, thinking that it would feel good to give Elle a piece of his mind before he cut her loose and moved on.
* * *
Alexander stopped in his tracks. Even though Wisteria was being cold and aloof, he’d stayed by her side the entire evening. He’d only left her five minutes ago to go to the restroom, and here she was dancing with another man. A hot fury crawled over his skin. She was leaning in and laughing at something the man was saying. Her eyes caught his, and she gave him a snide smile before turning her attention back to her dance partner, pointedly ignoring him as he stood there glaring. Then they turned on the dance floor, and her partner came into full view. Alexander’s blood ran cold. Ruben! A cold sweat broke out on his brow. Ruben was dancing with Wisteria. He strode forward and stood beside them.
“May I cut in?” His eyes bored into Ruben’s, daring him to refuse.
A magnanimous smile spread over Ruben’s face and he nodded and moved to let Alexander take his place, but Wisteria held him fast, glaring at Alexander. “We are not finished with the dance.”
Amusement sparkled in Ruben’s black eyes. “The lady has spoken.”
“Wisteria, I must speak to you immediately!” Alexander said.
“After the dance!”
“I will be right over there.” He glared at Ruben. “Watching.”
Wisteria rolled her eyes as Alexander walked back to the side of the dance floor.
After the song was over. Ruben linked his arm through Wisteria’s and escorted her back to Alexander’s side. Alexander grabbed Wisteria’s hand and linked his fingers through hers. “Let’s go!”
She arched an eyebrow. “Watch your place, Alexander. I’m not your property.”
Ruben let out a throaty chuckle and began shaking his head back and forth. “Trouble in paradise. How quickly history repeats itself.”
Wisteria gave him a funny look. “What are you talking about?”
The veins in Alexander’s neck turned to ropes as blood rushed to his face. “Enough! Your grievance is with me, not her!”
Uncertainty settled into Wisteria’s eyes as she looked back and forth between the two men. She turned to Alexander. “What is going on?”
“I’ll explain everything in the car,” Alexander said, trying to pull her away.
“I don’t think so,” Ruben countered. “No one’s leaving here until I say so.”
This rubbed Wisteria the wrong way. She went stiff and then arched her back, giving Ruben a cutting look. “I don’t know who you think you are, but Alexander and I are leaving!”
Ruben chuckled and then his eyes grew hard. He looked at Alexander. “The three of us are going to your office … Now! There’s something that you’re both going to want to see.”
Wisteria planted her heels in the floor. “No! We’re not going with you, and if you don’t turn away this instant and leave us alone, we’ll call the police and …”
Ruben’s laughter cut her off short. “Still as saucy as ever, I see. Perhaps thou art not so different in this world after all, Lady Wisteria.”
A stupefied look came into Wisteria’s eyes, and she clutched Alexander’s arm. “This is crazy!”
Alexander leaned in a mere inch from Ruben’s face. “Leave, now!”
“I think not, brother!” He glared at them. “If you want your sons to live to see tomorrow, you’ll come with me!”
Wisteria went weak at the knees, and Alexander caught her. A look of anguish twisted over her face. “What?”
Ruben’s voice became neutral … polite as he looked around at the people around them. “Principal Kingsley, I would be honored to see your office.” He spread his hand. “After you.”
* * *
When they stepped into Alexanders office and closed the door, Wisteria bit into Ruben. “If you so much as touch a hair on Rush’s head, I’ll claw your eyes out!”
“Sit down!” Ruben roared.
Wisteria put her hands on her hips. “Make me!”
Ruben moved to strike her, but Alexander caught his hand before it made contact with her face. “Sit down, Wisteria,” Alexander ordered.
Shock registered over her features, turning her lips into a thin, hard line. “What hold does this man have over you, Alexander?”
“Sit down … please,” Alexander repeated, more gently this time.
Numbly, she sat down.
Ruben motioned to the chair beside Wisteria. “Now you.”
Hesitantly, Alexander took a seat beside Wisteria and clasped her clammy hand in his.
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Ruben leaned back against the desk, eying them both. His expression was thoughtful. “I have waited a long time for this moment, brother.”
“Brother?” Wisteria made a face. “What is he talking about? And where are our sons?”
“All in good time, Mi’ Lady. All in good time.”
Then the pieces started coming together for Wisteria. She shot Alexander an exasperated look. “Is he also under the illusion that he’s from Aandover Peaks?”
Howling laughter erupted from Ruben. He laughed until he doubled over. Finally, he straightened up and rubbed his hands together. “She doesn’t remember a thing. How delicious.” He reached in his pocket and retrieved a round stone and held it in his palm. He began rubbing circles over the stone as he spoke. “I’ve considered all of the ways that this could go down. At first, I thought about taking you to The Chocolate Fountain, so that you would witness the demise of your children firsthand.”
Wisteria gasped and looked as though she might pass out. She moved to speak, but Alexander motioned for her to remain quiet.
Ruben continued. “And then I considered Skype or FaceTime.” He let out a half-laugh. “Imagine what we could have done if we had access to such technology in our world!” He scrunched his nose. “But that’s a bit too modern for my taste.” An evil light stole into his eyes. “But then, I decided to do something that all of us can appreciate. A tribute to our world. Compliments of Griselda.”
He muttered unintelligible words … words that sounded like gibberish to Wisteria, and then the stone began to rise.
Wisteria took in a hard breath. She was squeezing Alexander’s hand for all it was worth. “This is crazy!” she kept repeating over and over. “Crazy!”
The stone began to expand like a balloon, growing larger and translucent. And then, before their very eyes, a room appeared. A young girl came into focus. Her face was red and blotchy from crying, and there was an angry red welt over her cheek. She was tied to a chair, and a gag was stuffed into her mouth. There was a large guy standing beside her.
“I recognize her,” Wisteria said. “That’s Elle Worthington.”
Ruben smiled. “Yes, but I like to call her Cinderella.”
Alexander nearly came out of his seat. “Huntsden! You brought Huntsden here!”
“Who is Huntsden?” Wisteria asked.
“His son!” Alexander looked confused. “You brought us in here to watch Huntsden kill Cinderella? Why?”
“Oh brother, thou art daft. Let’s take a closer look.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Candidates for the Throne
Edward was the first to arrive. He walked into The Chocolate Fountain and found his way into the kitchen. He took one look at Elle, tied to the chair, and dashed to her side. She tried to motion with her eyes, but it was too late, for Huntsden came up behind him and hit him in the head with the butt of the pistol. Edward went down, but came up fighting. He froze when he saw the pistol. Huntsden motioned at a nearby chair. “Sit down!”
“What’s this all about?” Edward demanded. “Huntsden, what are you doing?” Then they heard the chime signaling that the front door was opening.
Huntsden pointed the gun at Elle. “One word, and she dies.”
Edward nodded.
* * *
Rush stepped inside the front door. “Elle! Where are you? Elle! You wanted me to meet you here, and I came!” He rubbed a hand through his hair, a scowl on his face.
He went to the kitchen and stopped short when he saw Elle and Edward. Huntsden pointed the gun at his chest. Rush held up his hands. “Easy!” He looked at Elle. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, but fresh tears ran from her eyes.
A furious expression twisted over his face. “I’ll kill you for this! What do you want?”
Huntsden laughed. “What I’ve always wanted. The kingdom, of course.”
A furrow appeared between Rush’s brows. “What?” He looked at Edward. “What is he talking about?”
Edward spread his hands. “I haven’t the slightest. I got a text from Elle, telling me to come here so that we could patch things up. When I got here … I found him, and then he pounded me.” He gingerly rubbed his head.
Rush looked at Huntsden. “You sent the text.”
A cynical smile lit his face. “You really did make it so easy. The two of you in the hallway, fighting over the girl.” He made a clucking sound. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Enough talk! It’s time to get down to business.” He pointed the gun at Rush. “You know, I really hate you!” he sneered. “I’ve hated you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. I should’ve run you down when I had the chance.”
Rush’s jaw clenched. “You ran me off the road!”
“Yeah, amongst other things.”
“The marijuana in my bag?” Rush clenched his fists.
Huntsden nodded. “Yep. No one can accuse you of being a dummy.”
Rush pushed up his sleeves. “Put down that gun, and we’ll settle this like men.”
“Always touting honor.” He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think so. Here’s how this is going to go down.” In two swift strides, he went to Elle and grabbed a fistful of hair. Terror filled her eyes as he pointed the gun at her temple.
“Let her go!” Rush yelled, rage contorting his face. “I’ll tear you apart!”
“Huntsden, whatever this is about, we can work it out,” Edward said, keeping his voice even. “Tell us your demands, and we’ll do everything we can to meet them.”
Huntsden started laughing. “Always the rational one.” He gave Edward an appraising look. “You know, cousin, I like you. It’s too bad it has to end like this.” His voice hardened. “Too bad your dad stole the kingdom from mine.”
Rush made a face. “What are you talking about, man? You know, there are doctors that you can see.”
“Shut up!” Huntsden yelled. “Shut up!” He looked at Edward. “There’s a butcher knife on the counter.”
“Okay,” Edward said cautiously. “And …”
“Take the knife and kill him … or she dies.”
Edward’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“You’ve got about thirty seconds to make a decision.” He cocked the pistol and aimed it at Elle’s head. “Thirty … twenty-nine … twenty-eight … twenty-seven …”
Edward’s lower lip began to tremble. “I can’t kill him,” he said looking wild-eyed at Rush.
Huntsden kept counting.
“I won’t do it!” Edward cried, drowning out the counting. “Kill me instead!”
Huntsden shook his head. “Sorry, doesn’t work that way.”
Edward looked at Elle. “I can’t kill another person.” His voice broke. “I won’t!”
“Do it, man!” Rush yelled when the count got down to ten. Rush grabbed the knife and held it out to Edward. “Do it or she dies!”
Edward shrank back. Tears formed in his eyes. “No!”
“Three … two … one …”
“No!” Rush dived for Huntsden, knocking his arm up in the air. A shot was fired into the ceiling. They struggled but then Huntsden regained control and shoved Rush to the floor. He held the gun to his head.
“Fine! If Edward won’t kill you, then you kill him!”
Rush got to his feet. “You’re crazy, man.”
“Do it!” he yelled. He pointed the gun at Elle. “Do it now!”
Time seemed to slow as Rush looked at Elle. He grabbed the knife and thrust it at Edward’s gut. The knife plunged, but it wouldn’t go into his stomach. His stomach seemed to move back with the force of the blow, and there was the same barrier that had been between them earlier. Rush’s eyes went wide, and he dropped the knife. He looked at Edward. “What is happening?”
Edward looked down at his stomach. He seemed shocked that it was untouched. Then he looked at Rush. “I don’t know.”
“Just as I suspected,” Huntsden said. He turned
to Elle. “Unfortunately, I don’t think a barrier will protect you.”
* * *
“Stop this madness!” Alexander demanded. He could only imagine what Wisteria must be thinking. She’d about lost it when she thought that Rush was going to be killed.
Ruben shook his head. “Only you can stop it, brother.” His voice became musing. “As you can see, Rush was unable to hurt Edward.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now why is that?”
“Because he’s the Crown Prince,” Alexander spat. “Merek must’ve put a protective spell over him.”
Ruben brought a finger to his chin. “It’s a pity that Edward wasn’t man enough to go after Rush. If he had done so, he wouldn’t have been able to hurt him either.” Ruben’s eyes cut into Alexander’s. “Want to guess why?”
Alexander shook his head. “Enough of your games! Name your price!”
“Must I spell it out for you?” He looked at Wisteria. “Why would Edward not be able to hurt Rush?”
It was then that Alexander looked at Wisteria. There was a new fire burning in her eyes, and it was directed at him. He reached for her hand, but she jerked it away. He might’ve been a snake that was trying to strike her. A part of Alexander died in that moment as it all came crashing down. “You remember,” he said flatly.
She nodded.
“Tell him why Edward could not hurt Rush!” Ruben demanded.
“Why?” The word came out strangled as Alexander clutched the arms of his chair.
“Because he’s your son!”
Alexander’s eyes bulged, and he made a choking sound that was drowned out by Ruben’s laughing.
Wisteria stood and glared at Ruben. “How dare you threaten my son?” She raised her hands and flung them at him, but nothing happened.
“Sorry, your magic doesn’t work here.”
Alexander caught hold of her arm. “Rush is my son?”
Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws Page 33