He grabbed her wrists as they kissed. Never had she been kissed so passionately before. He was tender and kissed her slow, with her luscious bottom lip between his. His breath was sweet and his skin softer than she expected. She felt his cool hand slid down the back of her neck, sending shivers down her body. He pulled away.
“Wow,” Pete murmured.
Gwen looked up at him mischievously. She wanted more. Grabbing his neck, she pulled him in again and he kissed her harder this time. He backed her up against the wall of the gazebo setting her on the ledge, never letting his lips leave hers. Finally, his lips left hers only to find their way to her soft subtle neck. Breathing hard he ran his mouth along her flesh as she tilted her head back in delight. She felt breath now on her ear. “You’re beautiful Gwendylon. Everything I could ever have imagined.”
Turning she placed her forehead against his. “I’m just glad you imagined,” she said smiling.
He picked her up by the hips and set her on the ground. Walking behind her he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Close your eyes,” he said. She obeyed.
“Why am I closing my eyes?” she asked.
“Shhh,” he answered.
Gwen felt her bare feet leave the wooden floor. Laughing she exclaimed, “Pete, put me down!”
“Are you sure?” he whispered. “Open your eyes.”
Gwen opened her eyes and realized he wasn’t picking her up. They were…floating. Close to ceiling of the gazebo. She grabbed his arms, suddenly afraid. “How is this possible?”
“Fairy magic,” he answered, holding up a sapphire velvet sac of dust. “I um…borrowed it from Tina.”
“You stole it?” she asked.
Pete laughed and again whispered, “Enjoy it.” They hovered in the air swaying to the music as he caressed her neck with his lips.
Suddenly they were interrupted by Mrs. Amelio’s bloody scream.
Chapter 6
“I know they’re here Maria. Tell me where they are,” the monster growled. He was large and rotting with cheeks that already had holes where the skin was eaten away. His earlobes were hanging and large dangling hoops were strung through. A dark tuft of hair sat in the middle of his balding and dirty head. His eyes were black and shifted as he spoke. Kicking the old woman in the back, he laughed as she fell to the ground at the foot of the bridge leading to the gazebo. Her face hit the ground, bloodying her bottom lip, and she cried as he spoke.
“Talk or you’ll be gutted like your miserable insect of a husband.” She attempted to get up as he stomped on her back, forcing her into the gritty dirt once more.
Pete had lowered the two to the floor and covered Gwen’s mouth instructing her not to make any noise. Still standing behind her he whispered barley loud enough for Gwen to hear. “Don’t make a sound or he’ll hear us. He can’t see us. Call Andrew.” Horrified, Gwen raised her hand to her chest. Andrew. Get here now! She thought.
On my way. Are you okay? He asked.
No! They’re here, Andrew oh God, get here fast. He’s going to kill her!
Hold on Gwen.
The pirate grabbed the woman by the hair, raising her face out of the dirt and bending her neck back in a horrific position. She yelled out in agony.
“You will regret not telling me woman. This will drag out longer if you choose not to speak.”
Maria grit her teeth and said, “They’re not here and…if they were…I’d…never tell you.”
The pirate reached into his pocket and pulled out a bloody knife. “Wrong answer. Now it looks like I’ll have to slit your throat with the same knife that I disemboweled your husband with. How quaint.” He placed the knife against the woman’s neck and she met Gwen’s eyes. Maria brought her twisted old index finger to her quivering mouth and held it to her lips instructing Gwen to be silent.
Gwen peeled Pete’s hand from her mouth and screamed, “No!” the monster stopped and looked around. He laughed with disgusting delight.
“I knew you were here,” he hissed. “Come out, come out wherever you are princess. Petren, I am sure you’re with the little darling.”
Pete grabbed Gwen tighter and harshly whispered, “He will kill us Gwen. I can guarantee they are all over this place.” The filthy pirate waited a few seconds for an answer and when one didn’t come, he returned to his prey.
“Well too bad for you woman. I hope you had a good life because it is about to end, though much more slowly than I anticipated due to you little friends here.” Twisting Mrs. Amelio’s pinky up, he said, “I will begin by slicing this little finger here off. Don’t worry…I take that back,” he got closer to her ear. “Be terrified. This will hurt.” Slamming her hand down on the ground he pinned her arm down with his knee and raised his knife. “Ready, set….”
Gwen grabbed Pete tightly and closed her eyes, waiting for the fluttering feeling to enter her stomach. She found it and concentrated hard, sucking the energy from Pete like a sponge. Gwen felt him wince, but she kept going. He whispered louder than he expected. “Stop Gwen. Ugh. Stop!” Pete fell to his knees and Gwen opened her eyes and picked up a nearby boulder with her mind, or so she thought she picked up just the boulder. Soon she saw a whole tree being yanked from the ground. The snapping and cracking of the massive roots echoed in the gazebo. With one sweep of her hand, she turned the tree on its side and commanded it to swing like a baseball bat, smashing the pirate between it and a second nearby tree. Blood poured from the hideous creature and he lay slumped over, clearly dead.
With that, dozens more of the monsters came out of their hiding places, shrieking and yelling, ready for battle. Pete grabbed Gwen’s arm and yanked her to the ground. He took her head and held it to his chest, whispering he warned, “Gwen, you don’t have the strength to take them on. You’re exhausted now. Feeling lightheaded? I can’t help you. You took too much of my energy. We have to hide. Hold perfectly still. Call Andrew. Tell him to stay back. There’s too many for them.”
Pete was out of breath and the pirates were closing in. They were throwing some sort of powder into the air. “Don’t let it touch you. It will stick and they’ll spot us.” Pete managed to get out. Gwen was feeling lightheaded. The fluttering feeling was disappearing. She had used too much power.
Suddenly, Gwen heard snarling and growling as Andrew and the others approached. A loud roar like that of a lion echoed through the grove bouncing off the gazebo ceiling. Andrew. Gwen
shuttered as she remembered Pete’s warning. Call them off he had told her. There are too many. It was too late. They had to fight. Tok came in from the left as Andrew came in from the right.
Gwen trembled as Pete lay on top of her. He whispered, “We have to help them Gwen. It’s too late to hide.” He flipped her over so she was facing him. He looked at the approaching pirates and winced. Taking a deep breath he kissed her, hard, and whispered into her ear, “Stay hidden.” Before Gwen could answer, Pete stood and walked into the powder. Like a ghost, they began to see him. He was standing in the doorway of the gazebo, directly in front of one of the large monsters. The ugly pirate shrieked, as strings of spit dripped from his hungry, cracked lips. “Over here!” he screamed. Pete clenched his fists, and threw his head back. He raised his arms and summoned a sword from the hand of another pirate, just feet away. The knife slit the neck of the pirate and stabbed its owner in the chest.
Gwen pulled her knees in as she trembled against the wall, watching Pete take life so gracefully. He moved his hands like a poised dance, twisting and turning slicing and stabbing without a single touch. He shook and she could see he couldn’t hold on much longer. She watched as more and more pirates appeared. Pete was keeping them from her, but his strength was failing. Gwen, are you still in the gazebo? She heard Andrew’s familiar voice in her head.
Yes, she replied meekly. He continued. There are too many. We’ve got to get out of here. We’re going to form a retreat. I want you to get out of there. Go through the window in the back. His voice seemed labored. I’ll meet you the
re.
Suddenly, Gwen felt a stabbing pain in the front of her right shoulder. She winced as blood dripped down her arm from a good three-inch slice. Andrew had been injured. Pete turned and met her eyes. “Go!” he shouted. Too weak to continue using his telekinesis, he summoned an axe to his hand and began hand to hand combat. She forced her feet to move as she ran frantically to the back opening of the gazebo. Andrew was waiting for her, blood wetting his fur. A tall, slimy looking pirate leapt out from behind a tree sinking his teeth into Andrew’s back. Gwen screamed as Andrew pulled him off and smashed his skull against the ground. The sight of all the blood made Gwen dizzy. Her back hurt from the bite.
Come on! Andrew commanded. Gwen turned once more and saw Pete fighting four pirates alone. She saw Tok surrounded on all sides by the monsters. He took his massive knife like paws and swept them through the necks of four of the pirates in a row. It looked hopeless. She couldn’t leave them. Now! Andrew screamed through the bond. Instinctively, Gwen tried to summon the energy. Closing her eyes, she reached deep. Her abdominal muscles contracted and she felt her body turn scorching hot. Where was it? She needed it. Tears ran down her face as she reached for it. The spark. Any spark. Suddenly she trembled. She had it. A tiny bit of energy had entered her body through her back? Raising her slender hand she, she felt the blistering power leave her boiling stomach and flow out her palm. Opening her eyes she saw the fire. The group surrounding Tok was ignited in flames. Screaming, they rolled on the ground and ran haphazardly as Tok took them out one by one. Gwen fell, onto Andrew’s soft back, hearing his velvety voice. Stay awake, Gwen. Don’t pass out. Do not close your eyes. Do not close… and she heard no more.
Chapter 7
Cold. Hard. Must. Bars. Gwen opened her reluctant eyes and that was the first thing she saw, bars. Steel bars, and through the bars, a drooling pirate sharpening his knife. She closed her eyes and opened them again, praying it was some scene in a nightmare…but the pirate remained. Gwen was lying on her stomach on a freezing wet cement floor that felt slimy beneath her cheek.
She pushed herself up on her trembling hands and looked around. Four tiny cement walls surrounded her. Her mouth felt puffy, and tasted like she’d just licked a penny. Brushing her index finger across her lip, she felt liquid. Blood. She attempted to sit up. Pulling her legs in, she was met with the resistance of a steel chain. Her foot was chained to steel hook anchored firmly in the concrete. Heart racing, she tried again to pull her foot in, this time with much more force. It was no use, the chain would not give. She turned and examined the metal cuff secured tightly around her left ankle. The thick chunky chain was something she would have expected to see in a circus, holing an elephant in place, not someone as small as her. She began to feel claustrophobic. She needed out of the chains. Closing her eyes, she attempted to find the energy. Yes. She would command the lock to open. Or summon the keys, or light the pirate on fire…fire.
Her thoughts were suddenly consumed with her last memories before waking up in her new cement hell. She had actually lit them on fire. Examining her palms, she saw tiny burn marks in
the center of her right hand. She closed her eyes and attempted to find the spark but was met with…nothing. She couldn’t even access the part of herself that searched for the spark. It was as if a brick wall was separating her mind and the tunnel leading to the energy she needed. Her breath quickened.
She brought her finger to her mark. Andrew. Andrew, are you there? She waited, fearing no response. She was surprised at how alone she felt in those seconds. Gwen had gotten used to sharing her thoughts when she so chose.
I’m here, he answered meekly.
Andrew I’m stuck in some prison cell. They have me chained to the floor and I can’t use my ability. You have to come get –
Did they hurt you? he asked, sounding winded.
No…I don’t think so…yet. Where are you? How’d I get here? Please Andrew, come get me. She listened.
I’m so sorry Gwen.
What do you mean you’re sorry? she asked, confused.
He stammered. They have me too…
Her heart sank. Her ferocious fearsome protector was also apprehended by those more horrible than him. What chance did she stand if even Andrew was no match for them? Pete? she asked softly.
I’ve been talking to Tok; thankfully I can still communicate with my brothers. They don’t have Pete or the others. I guess…when you used your ability…we passed out and they…got to us and drug us through the portal before the others even knew where we went…
Her pulse raced. We’re in Everland? she asked, terrified.
Andrew paused. Yah. We’re in Everland…a part of Everland I’ve never seen. We’re in the depths of hell Gwen. They have us in their headquarters from what I can gather.
She started trembling as a tear ran down her face. What are we going to do?
I don’t know... Something didn’t sound right. Andrew sounded too breathless.
What’s going on Andrew? Are you alright?
Silence. She asked again. Andrew, don’t leave me what’s going on?
Finally his soft low voice reappeared. We’re not ok, Gwen…Look at your shoulder. She looked at her right shoulder and saw wet blood covering her arm and once perfect emerald dress. Pulling down the side of her clothing, she saw a puncture wound into her side around five inches under her armpit. It was deep… She understood.
You’re taking our pain, she said sadly.
I am…Oh geez… want it back? He attempted to joke through what Gwen knew was unbearable pain.
Andrew, she whispered. This is my fault. You shouldn’t have to suffer like this for me. I don’t even know how I did it…I didn’t intend on doing it. I just couldn’t let them kill…
Pete… I know Gwen. I just wish you knew…I just understand.
He didn’t seem to be making sense. The pain was the culprit, she figured. I’m sorry Andrew. I’m so sorry. She felt as if she were going to lose it. Hot tears stung her beautiful sleepy eyes.
It was your instincts…don’t be sorry…from what I understand your ability is the most sought after…but the most difficult to understand…and control…I don’t want to tell you this…but I know I have to because I don’t want them to tell you first, and if something happens you deserve to know. Gwen, we’re in trouble here, but we’re in trouble out there too.
Gwen didn’t understand. What? She wasn’t sure she could handle any more surprises. When you used fire on those pirates…you borrowed power from another royal…
She knew this. I figured, that’s how this thing works right?
Usually, people with your ability have to be in direct contact of another royal to borrow their energy, or at least within sight…A few borrowers throughout history could borrow through walls or within a few miles…
Okay? She questioned.
You borrowed the energy from a royal in…Minnesota.
Wow…that’s impressive, but I don’t see how that would get us into serious trouble.
Andrew hesitated. You…killed him Gwen.
It couldn’t be true. Gwen knew she was never capable of killing anyone. She’d spent her life protecting her brothers. She didn’t have it in her…on purpose. I killed someone?
We’re going to figure it out, Gwen, I-
Who were they? She asked bluntly.
It doesn’t matter, if you really want to know later I… we’ll talk about it…
Gwen was shouting in her mind. Who were they!? she silently screamed.
A boy…
How old? she demanded.
Knowing it was useless to object, Andrew answered. Eighteen.
Tears now streamed down her face. She pictured her brothers. I killed an eighteen year old boy…and his Mantican…did you know them?
Silence.
God damnit did you know them? She laid back down pressing her face into the slime where she belonged.
Yes. We met briefly. His sworn one grew up down the street from me. He whis
pered.
What were their names? She paused.
Samuel…and his Mantican was Etu.
I want to die here. I want to die right now. I deserve to die here. I’m dangerous. I hope they don’t let me leave she said.
Stop. It’s not your fault…It’s no one’s fault. No. If you want to play the blame game it’s my fault. I touched you and initiated the bond in the high school that day. I did that to you. Pete took you out there. He couldn’t resist taking you out, even though he knew they could come for you. He knew you didn’t have enough training. We killed them. Not you. Don’t you dare carry that…blame.
I’m scared Andrew, she thought quietly.
I know Gwen…I know.
The pirate outside Gwen cell suddenly rose to his feet. She heard a scratchy voice, “Is she awake?”
The pirate dumbly answered spit running down his chin into a puddle. “Yes, but Captain said no one’s to touch her.”
The scratchy voice answered, “You answer to me, flea, I’ll do what I see fit, unlock the door. I have her collar.” The dumb pirate limped to the lock, inserted a key, and pulled the squeaky steel door open.
Gwen saw a pair of legs, one foot covered with a tattered brown boot, and the other replaced with a splitting peg leg. She stiffened in terror.
“Good morning princess. I come bearing gifts.” The pirate grabbed her hair with his dirty hand, pulling her up from the cement floor and on to her knees. His face was cleaner than the rest, but hideous nonetheless. He wore a brown hat filled with holes and decorated with a broken red feather. He exuded a nauseating odor, a mix of rancid meat and decaying corpse.
He opened a glowing green collar equipped with two thick metal needles on the inside. Faster than Gwen expected he turned her around so her back was facing him and grabbed her hands securing them behind her. The monster took one filthy thick hand and placed the collar up to her neck. “This will only hurt a little bit sweetheart,” he hissed and he snapped the collar together, shoving the needles into the soft flesh of her neck. She screamed in agony and he pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear. “Yes, scream. Go ahead beautiful.” He laughed, and the
Darlings Page 13