Don’t be fooled, Jamison, a plan.
“What are we doing?” Lily demanded looking over her shoulder. “We can’t stand here,” she said adjusting Tiger onto her other hip.
What do you think we should do? Gwen silently asked, touching her mark and watching hoards of sworn ones scale the fence to make their escape.
Just then, Gwen felt thunder beneath her feet she looked to Andrew who already began throwing her onto his huge back.
Three red eyed mangy looking manticans rounded the corner, running at full speed. They were huge, bigger than Andrew for sure. Gwen could feel her strength fading as she attempted to put up the shield.
“I can’t hold it for long!” Gwen screamed.
Andrew threw the shield girl on next as Lily handed a trembling Tiger to Gwen.
Andrew reached for Lily who pulled herself away. What was she doing?
“Lily, come on!” Gwen yelled, staring at the approaching manticans. Suddenly, Lily’s eyes began to change and her mouth turned into more of a snarl.
No! Andrew yelled inside Gwen’s mind. Gwen stop her don’t let her do it.
Gwen was horrified as she watched Lily begin to snap and crack as she screamed out in pain. Before her eyes, Lily had changed into her primitive form. She had become a mantican.
Andrew, what’s happening? Gwen thought.
She was huge, close to Andrews’s size but darker in color. With one last glance at Tiger, she crouched down and ran head on into the approaching enemies, who swarmed her like a rabbit in the middle of a wolf pack.
With a loud growl, Andrew made his way over the fence, moving faster than Gwen had ever seen before. He flew through the forest, like a hawk soared above the trees, not missing a step.
Andrew we can’t leave her go back! “Go back!” Gwen went between shouting at Andrew in her mind and out.
We can’t. She’s dead. Even if they don’t kill her she’s dead! He said lowering his snout to his chest.
What the hell are you talking about! Gwen screamed, tears running down her face, she held on to Tiger even tighter now.
She used her one change. Every mantican gets a change, sworn or not…they die afterward. There’s no coming back. Fuck! He yelled as he pushed harder, running even faster.
She died? She sacrificed herself? Lily wasn’t coming back. Gwen could feel hot tears searing her eyelids. She never even got a chance to thank her. Tiger, oh god, Tiger. How would she tell Tiger her mother wasn’t coming with them. That she died in that hell. What would Pete say? Anxiety took over her. Gwen could save her. Yes, she could save her.
Andrew I’ll bring her back. I’ll bring her back. Get me to somewhere safe and-
Andrew interrupted, You can’t.
Yes I can. I can do it Andrew I did do it with Samuel and Etu and-
You can’t bring back a mantican who uses their change. They killed themselves Gwen. There’s no on left to bring them back. He panted. We’re almost there, but get ready. I’m sure they’re not far behind.
Her heart sank. Lily was gone for good. Gwen could feel the little immortal hugging her waist slump into her back. The energy drained quickly from Gwen’s body.
Andrew, wait! Gwen thought. Reaching out a hand to keep the girl from sliding off.
I can’t stop, hold her. The rebels are right ahead. He was right. Gwen saw them. An army standing in formation, preparing for battle. They parted as Andrew ran through and skidded to a stop. The immortals that made it were sitting in a group most covered in blood. Their manticans still in their animal forms sitting guard beside them.
“Adeline, take her,” Gwen said horrified as she handed Tiger off.
Sliding quickly down, she pulled the lifeless girl from Andrew’s back. Her eyes were closed and she wasn’t breathing. Gwen felt for a pulse on the girl’s loose neck. Nothing. She was dead.
“Damnit!” Gwen yelled. As she ran her fingers through her Auburn waves. Andrew grabbed her by the back of the cocktail dress with his teeth, sliding her away from the still warm corpse.
“My mantican said her sworn one, Briella, was searching for her…she must have waited too long looking for her...the fairies got him,” Adeline said softly, holding a now sobbing Tiger.
“Gwen,” she heard a familiar voice behind her. Pete. He was fully armored and ran to her. Taking her dirty face in his gloved hands he pressed his forehead to hers. She wanted to melt. Cry. Stay safe in his arms. His smell. His messy brown hair. His green eyes welled with tears. The same eyes that lied to her. That sent her to hell. She stood lifeless in his arms, as the refugees watched with adoring eyes. A show. She’d put on a show. No use for more panic…right now. He was going into battle.
“Jonah and Mike?” she whispered, her lip quivering.
“Safe at the cabin with Art. He stayed in middle earth with them. My god Gwen I’m so glad you’re ok,” he whispered. “I did all I could to come for you,” he lied.
Gwen smiled back softly. “I’m sure you did, but I’m here now. We’re together,” how she wished she spoke the truth. “I. I met someone Pete. Lily…and your daughter.” Pete searched the crowd.
“Gwen I wanted to tell you, please believe me I wanted to tell you but it wasn’t the time. I wasn’t even sure she…they were still alive.” He stopped. “Is that her?”
Gwen nodded. “And Lily? Where is she?” Pete asked anxiously.
Real tears fell down Gwen’s cheek. “She didn’t make it.” With a nod Pete made his way to his daughter.
He studied the girl in Adeline’s arms. “Hello,” he whispered, stroking her black hair tenderly. Gwen’s heart ached. She brought her hand to chest and watched as Pete met his daughter for the first time.
“Who. Who are you?” Tiger said through sobs.
“I. I’m…Pete,” he settled on, staring in amazement at the tanned little girl. How could he have sent her? Gwen thought. It was clear his love for his daughter was true, but…his love for her? Was it true as well?
“They’re here!” a woman’s voice shouted. Pete looked torn. With one last glance at his daughter, he ran back to Tokala and Koli. “I’ll be back Gwen,” he said “I promise.”
The first wave took off to meet the approaching dark manticans. The ones that killed Lily.
Did I hear that correctly Gwendylon? Please…tell me I didn’t. His velvet voice appeared in her head full of rage.
Hear what? Realizing her hand was placed against her mark. Damn.
He sent you…us? To our probable deaths?
I…yes. I was going to tell you after all of this. She could feel the tears begin to flow once more. He sent us for Tiger. Gwen said. Andrew grabbed her carefully by the back of the dress once more and pulled her aside, dragging her further into the forest, until they were away from the group. In the solace of Andrew’s fur covered chest, Gwen broke down. She pushed her faced into his coarse coat and bawled gut wrenching tears. She threw her arms around his neck as he stood unmoving. Her rock.
I’ll kill him. Andrew said.
You’ll be killed. Don’t be ridiculous.
He shook her off and knelt down, until he was nose to nose with her. Gwen avoided eye contact with him, ashamed she let him see her like that. Gwen. He set us up. You could have been killed. We went through hell.
For your niece. Gwen said, forcing herself to stare into his angry brown eyes. Gwen heard the rumble of battle grow closer.
And for that I am thankful. It’s the only reason I’m not tearing Pete to shreds as we speak. Well, and for you…
Gwen felt him tugging at her heart. I know.
“Andrew!” Gwen screamed just as Captain Jamison Hookner appeared behind her protector. He was guarded by only one dark mantican, twice the size of hers. Turning, Andrew shoved Gwen behind him and prepared to fight.
Jamison was smiling eerily, stroking his mustache as he spoke. “Well Gwendylon, I underestimated you, and Lily for that matter, feisty little thing she always was but so selfless? I didn’t know she had it in her.�
� At the mention of Lily’s name Andrew bore his teeth and lunged at the captain only to be faced with the dark animal stopping him in his tracks with his paw. Andrew rose his paw to his chest.
“Don’t bother beast. I’ll be gone before they get here,” with that a portal began forming behind him.
“I just came to say good bye Gwen…for now, and congratulate you on your small, insignificant…victory. The war has just begun princess and while you might have won this tiff, you are sadly mistaken if you think you’ve begun to make a dent in my plans,” the portal grew with every word he spoke. His slicked back hair and refined clothing made him almost appear…human, though Gwen knew it couldn’t be. No human would do to people what they had done in that camp…would they? He sensed Gwen’s disgust. “You think I’m so terrible darling, Pete is no different than me. He kills in the name of protection. He slaughters my people, he puts himself first. He’s just the other side of the game my dear. The side with the prettier covering and the same…guts.” Gwen’s stomach turned at the way he said the word. “Another player killing in the name of protection. Killing for good, killing for evil, it’s all the same in the end isn’t it? Feel free to join me Gwen, on the winning side.” Andrew again snapped at the man. “Down puppy,” he said. “The princess doesn’t have to come. Just remember I warned you.”
The black mantican growled and the hair on his scabby back stood like a black cat on Halloween. He paced bath and forth behind the captain, just waiting for the chance to tear Andrew to apart.
Just then, Tok and Koli appeared in the distance, sprinting ahead. The portal was full size and with a snap of his manicured fingers he ordered the massive mantican through. Reluctantly, the mangy beast jumped inside, vanishing from sight.
Jamison began backing towards the spinning circle, still smiling. “Tell Petren hello for me, and Andrew, I’ll miss your sister’s…beauty,” he said his licking his lips. All at once, her protector snapped. He unthinkingly lunged ahead at the captain, clamping his lock tight jaw, filled with razor sharp teeth, around Jamison’s hand – severing it from his body. The handless man fell backwards into the portal, screaming in agony, until in an instant the portal closed, and silence replaced his raw screams. Andrew held the hand in his teeth, blood spilling from the detached end. Tokala and Koli walked slowly to Andrew’s side, as Gwen backed up behind them. He was full of blind passionate rage.
Andrew. Put it down. Please. Breathing hard, he ignored her.
Andrew. Put. It. Down. She demanded.
A small voice appeared from behind Gwen. Tiger. “Uncle…Andrew?”
With the sound of the girl’s voice, he whipped around, still holding the hand in his bloody mouth. Tiger was horrified and moved closer behind Gwen. He studied the girl and the madness disappeared from his eyes as he dropped the extremity. Suddenly, Koli and Tokala took off in the direction they came.
We have to go. Andrew’s voice finally appeared in her head.
Gwen touched the golden figure eight. What do you mean we have to go? Go where?
He was right you know. Andrew walked closer to Gwen. Pete is like him. They all are. We’re all just players in this sick game. We have to go… Come with me.
Gwen knew he was right. She was a pawn. Pete and Jamison, Jamison and Pete, it was all the same. They would do whatever it took to be in power, no matter whom or what it cost them. In the depths of her soul, Gwen knew he was right. She knew what she had to do. Okay.
Okay? he questioned.
Gwen nodded. She looked at the small spitting image of Lily. She wouldn’t let her become a piece of the game. A tool. A target. I’ll go with you.
Chapter 13
To Gwen’s surprise, Ry nodded. “We have to make it fast.”
“I will,” she said, extending her hand and closing her eyes. With her stomach fluttering she envisioned Pete and waited for her mind to take them to him. When she opened them, they were in a forest, though no kind of forest Gwen had even seen. Everything seemed to shimmer. Even the leaves on trees sparkled in the pink sunlight. It reminded Gwen of that perfect time of night when the setting sun cast its honeydew light upon everything that lay before it. The golden hour, but even more golden. The smell was the best of all. Vanilla, honey, cupcakes, lavender – Gwen couldn’t even begin to identify everything she smelled.
“The royal forest,” Rynnal muttered. The trees were massive, around the size of a small house in middle earth. Fairies flew, Manticans and Immortals were dressing for battle. Andrew told them, good she thought. Gwen was tempted to leave, but couldn’t force her feet to move when she saw him. Pete was carrying his heavy steel armor through a door in the base of one of the trees. She followed and stopped at the door attempting to turn the handle but remembered her hand was not solid.
“Just walk through,” Ry reminded her. Gwen squinted as she made her way through the thick base of the tree. Once inside, she glanced around the room. It was like something from a movie, from someone’s wildest imagination but better. It was cozy. Like a cottage. It had a bed etched decoratively into the far side of the room that was surrounded by some sort of flowing sheer. The blankets, Gwen noticed, were made of some sort of purple silk that reminded her of flower petals. There was a small table and chairs and a television like image was projected onto the wall of some news reporter like man speaking of the weather. A modern wonderland. Gwen thought to herself. She saw Pete dressing in the far corner. He was so stoic as he looked into the large mirror and buttoned his shoulder armor. Gwen felt a fluttering in her chest as she remembered their kiss. The way he lifted her up as the danced. She wanted to go to him. To be safe in his large arms and at the same time ask him about Lily and Tiger.
Rynnal startled her as he spoke, “Okay we’ve got to go.” Gwen nodded. As she began to turn around, Tok entered and she stayed. He was in his human form and reminded Gwen of Andrew in his athletic shorts. Even in paradise, those boys wore gym shorts, Gwen reflected.
He spoke low and deliberate, “Did Andrew tell you how many?” Tok asked. Pete answered by shaking his head still looking in the mirror.
“Did I do the right thing?” Pete asked as he studied his unchanging reflection.
Tok pulled out a too small chair as he sat down elbows on his tan knees his head in his hands. He looked up. “With Gwen?”
Pete nodded.
“You had no choice. You knew she’d find her and bring them back.”
“I hoped. I hoped she’d find my daughter and bring her back. I turned her over Tokala. I turned her over to the pirates on hope.”
Gwen felt her stomach drop. She couldn’t believe her ears. “He sent me?” she whispered.
“I know,” Tok said quietly.
“I sent your brother without even telling him,” Pete said.
“You know we couldn’t have told Andrew. He wouldn’t have let her go-”
Pete cut him off. “I shouldn’t have let her go.”
Tok was silent then added, “We will get them back…she’s already used Tiger’s ability and in the spirit world as we speak. She should be back to break the barriers at any moment. Then, we attack. When Andrew sends word we attack and get all of them out.”
“I love her Tok. What kind of man sends the woman he loves to her possible death?”
“A man who loved his daughter as well,” Tok said softly.
“Ugh!” Pete hollered as he punched the mirror shattering it into a million pieces as he stormed out, Tok following.
Gwen stood staring at the glimmering glass lying haphazardly on the beautiful stone floor. It might as well have been her heart. He sent her. He sent her to her possible death. She felt the emotions burning in her stomach. The anger spread to her limbs and she fell to the floor, sobbing into the glass.
“I’m sorry Gwen. I don’t know what to say,” Ry muttered, hands shoved deep into his pockets. Gwen didn’t want him to say anything. She didn’t want to do anything. She wanted to be the pieces. She wanted to fall apart and lay like razor blades o
n the floor. Gwen stared at those pieces and her tears abruptly stopped. She grit her teeth and stood. Without a word, she placed her hand through Rynnal’s and closed her eyes. Imagining the room where her solid body laid beside the small tan girl who depended on her. No matter how she got there, Gwen was there. She would complete her mission. She would save them. The rage built in her soul like smoke trapped inside a windowless room.
Gwen opened her eyes and saw Lily now praying beside a coughing Tiger.
“She’s weak,” Ry said. “We have to hurry. Come on. Gwen followed Rynnal to another boy who stood alone. He had dark skin and deep brown eyes. He ran his hands over his fuzzy hair as he clenched his jaw. He was in no group, standing completely alone. “He’s Aeton. I think you can break his collar’s barrier Gwen.”
“How? I can’t even touch him,” Gwen said, staring at the boy.
“I have a theory. If you become one with him, by walking into his body, you may be able to channel his energy. Follow the energy line to his mind and break his barrier. You’re a taker or borrower in whatever form you’re in.” Gwen was confused but agreed to give it a shot.
“Okay, but why him?”
Ry smiled. “You’ll see.” Gwen walked to the boy and stood face to face with him. Slowly, she closed her eyes and stepped into his body. She felt his energy instantly and found the channel. She followed it quickly to his the block in his mind. With all her might, she focused her energy through it. Nothing. Gwen thought of Pete. His lies. His deceit. She tried once more and felt the barrier crumble. It was gone. Quickly she stepped out of the boy whose face lit up.
“It worked!” Ry said excitedly. “Hurry now, come on. We have to get give Tiger’s energy back.” They rushed back across the barracks. “Alright Gwen. You need to make your body one again and push her energy back. Slowly and steadily. Remember it will be difficult like a pin brick in a water balloon.” Gwen nodded.
“Good luck, my friend,” Ry smiled.
“I will be back, Rynnal,” Gwen said sternly. “I promise,” she wished she could hug her mentor, but waved instead.
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