‘You don’t have to continue,’ Laura told him, but he did anyway.
‘Well, Grace and I knew there was nothing we could do. Not against three trained Wicked. We were still only middle grade students, trained to fight dummies. Not the real thing. So…’ he hesitated. ‘It was the hardest thing we have ever done, but we snuck back down the hall. We didn’t hear or see them die, but by the time we made it through the house and out the back door, we knew they were already gone, because the Wicked were suddenly charging after us. We ran. We knew the streets like the back of our hand and managed to out run them. By morning, we’d made it back to our home, and…’ Drew cut himself off, unable to describe the scene he and Grace witnessed when they entered the house. ‘They’d fought hard, that was obvious, but they didn’t make it. And so we were moved to the Manor, and the search for their killers began. However after only a month of searching Mr Stark ruled it a freak accident and the case was closed. The only witnesses were Grace and I and it was claimed that because of the shock of loosing Gavin and then our parents so soon after, we’d made up the story about the Wicked and our parents were simply poisoned. Of course no questions about all the blood and lack of poison were asked. And of course no case about the poisoning in general was opened. So Grace and I were left with no closure and a pressure to move on, because no matter who we talked to, they didn’t believe us. Mr Stark had cleared the case and no one went against Mr Stark’s orders.’
‘Oh Drew,’ Laura whispered. ‘I can’t imagine what that must be like, knowing the killers are still free.’
‘They won’t be forever. Their time will come.’ Drew told her.
He expected Laura to lecture him on how dangerous it would be for him to hunt them down, so was surprised when she replied, ‘when it does, I hope they get what they deserve.’
Drew turned to his bag and pulled the navy leather book he treasured so deeply from it. He held it for a moment, the emotions that always resided with the old volume capturing him briefly, then passed it to Laura.
‘What’s this?’
‘My mother’s journal. The last thing I have of hers. Everything else was taken as evidence then destroyed by an accidental fire in the Force evidence department.’
Laura brushed her fingers over the cover, and Drew watched as she turned it over, reading the inscription on the back.
To love is to be loved. He liked that quote.
He realised that Laura had frozen in place, staring at the words.
‘What is it?’
She reached over and unclasped her silver bracelet from around her wrist. A heart dangled from it, and she turned it around, passing it to him.
To love is to be loved.
‘My mum gave that to me. It’s her favourite quote.’
For the first time since starting his story, Drew smiled. ‘I guess our Mothers had something in common.’
‘I guess so.’
He leaned across and secured the bracelet back around her wrist. It was nice to know they had that connection between them.
‘I’m sorry for the losses you suffered, it’s not right. To lose your family so young.’ Laura said, touching the bracelet, and Drew knew she was thinking about her own parents.
‘No. It’s not right.’ He agreed.
‘Promise me something Drew.’ Laura said suddenly.
‘Depends what it is.’ He said lightly, though he knew he’d promise her anything.
‘Promise you’ll be careful, when you go after them.’ She hesitated, exhaling quietly. ‘And promise you’ll come back.’
His heart beat a little faster, the nerves in his stomach grew a little stronger. She wasn’t asking to go with him, and he was grateful that she understood it was something he had to do on his own. But could he really promise he would return?
Of course he could.
‘Promise.’
Chapter Seventeen
Answers That Change Everything
Laura and Drew didn’t arrive in Savanna until the following afternoon, and were pleasantly surprised to find it was more so a desert city rather than a town.
‘Should we ask around?’ Laura asked Drew.
‘Can’t hurt. There’s still plenty of daylight.’
They climbed from the motorbike and removed their helmets, ensuring to secure their considerably lighter bags tightly to their backs.
‘Excuse me?’ Drew prompted, intercepting a young boy as he wandered past.
‘Mhm?’ The boy mumbled, stopping.
‘We were just passing through but we’re tired and looking for a place to stay for the night. We’ve heard strange stories about this place though. Know anything about that? We just want to make sure it’s safe to stay here.’ Drew inquired, maintaining the face of innocence.
The boy shrugged, his blond hair falling into his eyes. ‘Yeah it’s safe. Nothing like those weird deaths out at Greysmill. Just a couple of strange dressed men hanging around.’
‘Are they still in town?’ Drew pressed.
‘Nah, they came back yesterday but disappeared again.’ The boy’s eyes widened. ‘Hey, cool! Is that a sword?!’
Laura followed the boy’s gaze and realised his eyes were fixed on the hilt of Drew’s blade protruding from the top of his bag.
‘No, that’s a hiking poll, you know, to help with the sandy areas.’ Laura interjected before Drew could whip his sword out to show off.
The boy scrunched up his face, ‘looks like a pretty fancy hiking poll…’
‘We had them specially made.’ Laura jumped in again, catching the look on Drew’s face.
When it came to his sword, he was as much a show off as he was a boy.
‘Sean, come here! What did I tell you, meet me at the store at half past and it’s now quarter too!’ A middle-aged woman with the same blond hair as the boy scolded, approaching them angrily.
‘Sorry ma’am, I believe it was us who were holding him up.’ Laura said, smiling at the woman.
The woman appeared to notice their existence then for she turned on her heal to eye them suspiciously.
‘You’re not the kids trying to sell my Sean here drugs are you? Because I ought to turn you in if you are!’
Laura bit her lip to stifle her giggle.
‘No, no, like I was just telling Sean here, we’re passing through and need a place to stay but wanted to check this town was safe.’ Drew replied.
The woman’s face softened. ‘Of course this place is safe. Couldn’t find a safer town in the desert.’
‘Are you sure, Sean was just telling us about the strange men who keep appearing in town.’
‘Oh… them. Yes, well, we’re a town of opportunity; we always keep our arms open to anyone seeking to join the community. We don’t like to frown down on the different or challenged. However, I will admit, they were a peculiar bunch. Dressed up as if ready for a battle. None of us are really sure what they’re after, they just show up every now and again out of nowhere, look around the town, and then disappear.’
Laura caught Drew’s sidelong glance as the sickening feeling of worry crept its way into her gut.
‘Did you ever see where they went?’ Laura urged.
The woman shook her head, ‘no, though I didn’t pay much attention. And they never spoke to anyone either. Sorry but we must be getting home, Sean has chores to do.’
‘Yes of course, thank you for your time.’ Laura said.
‘There’s a great Inn that way if you’re looking for a place to stay,’ she added, casting them a brief smile, then she turned away and began ushering Sean along.
‘I think this is the place.’ Drew murmured.
‘Me too. We just have to find the location of the riddle.’
‘Do you really think this is where Kane lives?’
Laura shrugged, ‘the riddle isn’t specific as to what we’ll find, but I hope so. I need answers.’
They set to work asking around town, searching for clues that indicated they were on the correct path, and se
eking signs of the strange men that kept appearing out of nowhere. Laura was growing more and more nervous, the twists in her gut setting her on edge. They were so close, yet so far.
‘It’s underground, we know that. We’re in the desert, and the walls shake from earthquakes. Plus, this is such an out of the way place it’s one of the last locations you might expect to find the contents of the riddle.’ Laura reasoned.
‘But where do we go now?’ Drew question, taking the words right out of her mouth.
They were wandering down a small, quiet back street, darkness was descending, and they were close to giving up for the day, when Laura was hit by the flash of a memory; one of her parents backs, a door opening seemingly out of nowhere, a house hidden in the dark. She recalled the alleyway was rather similar to the one they were wandering down. She stepped closer to the wall, studying it, searching the brick for any sign of an opening.
‘What is it?’ Drew asked, joining her.
She frowned, ‘I’m not sure.’
She caught sight of something, and found herself pressing her hands to the brick, feeling a slight indifference in the layout of the wall. She ran her fingers further along and finally, they hit something. A latch. She dug her nails in underneath the metal ring and yanked. Out of nowhere, an opening appeared on her left; a row of stairs leading down into the darkness.
‘Just like my memory.’ She whispered.
‘What, the one with Kane that your Mother wiped?’
‘Yes, his home was hidden in a wall like this, though I think that was a different place. I think that was in Corin. Maybe he moved around a lot.’
‘Considering his line of work, that wouldn’t surprise me.’ Drew remarked.
‘Shall we follow the stairs?’
‘After you.’
A pang of nervousness and giddy excitement fluttered through Laura’s stomach as she began her decent of the staircase. She hoped with every fibre of her being that at the end of the steps they would discover Kane, and along with him, the answers they’d been searching so very long for.
‘Should we knock?’ Laura whispered when they reached a closed door.
Drew stepped forward and wrapped three times on the wood in answer. No one appeared. There was no sound of movement, no scurrying of feet, nothing.
‘Maybe he’s not home?’ Laura reasoned, knocking again.
She received only silence in return.
‘Or maybe those little visitors got to him first.’ Drew replied grimly.
He reached out, grasped the doorhandle in his palm, twisted the knob and pushed against the wood. The door opened wide, and Laura’s stomach dropped when she saw what was inside. The place was a mess; overturned furniture, shattered glass, papers strewn about, books torn apart. Everything was destroyed.
‘No.’ She whispered in disbelief. ‘No we were so close!’
She stepped over the threshold and froze, eyes searching desperately for Kane. She was broken, defeated, lost. She’d truly believed that she would find Kane; that she would receive her answers.
‘Ace, you should see this.’
Laura pivoted to see Drew squatting amongst the ruins, sifting through the many sheets of torn pages. She took the paper from his outstretched hand and glanced down at the messy scrawling’s of Kane Marker. Her breath hitched and she began to read.
February 6th 2009
The heart of an Enchanted or Wicked is replaced by a soul, or rather, the spirit of a person, thus keeping the Witch, Wizard or Warlock alive. This soul powers the Lightening in our veins, in turn providing our bodies with life and allowing us the authority to release that Lightening when required. However, young Laura appears to have both working lungs and a beating heart, which begs the question, what happens to her soul, and to her Lightening? And what further abilities will she obtain with the addition of a human heart?
Laura’s lips parted as she raised her eyes to Drew’s. ‘Is there anything else?’
She took to kneeling down beside him, the desperation returning as she realised her answers could still be among the mess surrounding them.
‘Here’s a journal entry from Kane. Explains why he isn’t here.’
July 21st 2013
Cara has been captured, and as a result the girl now resides at the Corin Manor. I yearn to go to her, to help her in a time that must be both confusing and heartbreaking. Yet, I know Cara’s kidnappers will return for me. They’re after the girl, that much is clear, and the moment they find ties between Cara and myself, they will know I have information on Laura. If only I wasn’t such a coward… but this information is too important. I can’t let them get their hands on it.
Laura’s heart was hammering painfully in her chest, echoing right through her body, and her breath came out in gasps.
‘And this one…’ Drew said quietly, passing her another frayed page.
August 9th 2013
They came for me in the night, claiming they were searching for the criminals wreaking havoc in Alast due to the jail break orchestrated by Laura and the residents of the Corin Manor. They found my papers, and knew then who I was. I realised who they were too. Wicked. Sent by whom, I didn’t understand until later when the claims of Erebus’ return were made by Laura and her friends. I knew then that Erebus had found out about me. He’d sent his followers to seek me out, hoping to confirm that I did indeed hold the answers they, he, required. Answers about what the girl was. What she could do.
I escaped barely, and made it back to my desert home, however I know they are still searching. They won’t stop.
I must find out what I can of the girl before they capture me, so if she should ever come looking, she will find her answers, and be able to save herself.
Laura felt the tears welling in the back of her throat, begging for release. She swallowed them down and began sorting through the papers and books with Drew.
After a moment, Drew paused. ‘They won’t be here, they’ll be hidden somewhere.’
‘Somewhere here?’ Laura asked, ‘Or somewhere in his many homes? Because we haven’t the time to search them all.’
‘This might answer that.’ Drew said, passing Laura yet another sheet of paper.
May 16th 2010
My homes are connected. One home for all locations.
‘It’s a Changing Charm.’ Drew told her. ‘He is a Sorcerer, after all.’
Laura turned to Drew, ‘where would he hid something important then?’
Drew sat back on his heels, scanning the room with hawk like eyes. ‘A secret compartment. Nothing predictable like behind a painting but something obvious enough for us to find.’
Laura rose and began searching the room too, eyes skimming the walls, the ceiling, studying the overturned desk and pulling aside pillows on the furniture. Nothing.
She moved on to the fireplace, wondering if perhaps Kane had hidden his information up the chimney somehow. As she crawled on her hands and knees into the ash, however, she caught sight of something squashed into a crack in the hearth. She pried it loose from the brick and sat back, unfolding it carefully.
‘What is it?’ Drew asked when he noticed her ashen face.
‘It’s an address.’
‘A what?’
Drew took a step towards her, accidently kicking the corner of a chair, sending it sprawling across the floor. He groaned and Laura watched as he bent down to rub his toe. He frowned suddenly, and, appearing to have forgotten the pain in his foot, he began prying at the floorboards. Laura gasped when he found a slight groove in the wood that allowed him to lift a patch of the floor free. She cried out at the sight of the notebooks, papers and journals inside, and dropped down beside Drew as he reached in carefully, pulling them from their hiding place.
Drew passed them to Laura, and she stared down at the pile, an unexpected feeling of fear washing over her. She was afraid of what she’d find. Was this finally it? She wondered. Would these papers tell her exactly what she was?
She picked up the first page
with trembling hands.
17th April 2011
The girl was born to a Warlock and Human, something that’s always been considered physically impossible. However, with an Angel living inside the Mother, it became not only possible, but has changed the course of the Spirit World forever, for now we know that Angels can provide us with the strength required to create beings more powerful than this world has the right to see. And if Angels can do this, who’s to say Demons can’t do the same for Wicked? If this information were to be passed around, it would not only be catastrophic for the Spirit World, but also for the Human World. The Enchanted and Wicked would literally destroy one another if they were to obtain such power. The girl must remain a secret. This story must remain a secret.
July 22nd 2013
Erebus has discovered the girl, and now comes after her with the hopes he can take her body, thus control her power. What he does not know is how the girl was made. All he knows is she survived a birth she should not have, thus his reason for trying to force the same outcome on many unwilling Human and Warlock matches. Cara has kept her secret, knowing it will destroy the world if it were to get out. I only hope Erebus doesn’t break her. He does not realise that there is a question he forgets to ask. How did Cara and Laura survive?
There was a scraping of boots from above and Laura froze. Drew quickly replaced the compartment then pulled the chair back over the boards. He took the papers from Laura, spun her around and shoved them into her bag. Together, the two retrieved as many papers from the ground as they could, stuffing them into their packs as they went, then rushed into the bedroom to hide.
Laura heard the creak of a floorboard just as they pressed the door closed and knew the intruders had arrived.
‘Get to work, there has to be something here.’
Laura spun to Drew, eyes wide. They knew that voice.
The Sacrifice (Wicked Book 2) Page 20