by Allie Burton
Tos ran up and kicked my pursuer.
I stand corrected. We had our determination and grit.
The Rock wasn’t fazed by the brownie’s kick. He was tall, and big, and buff for a guy only a couple years older than me. He probably overdosed on banned steroids.
Two guards held Hokima down. Keltie held her hands up in surrender. Her stick was broken in two and lying at her feet. Bim lay on the ground. Tos and I were pressed against a wall by Rock.
We were surrounded. Ten guards against the five of us, blocking the exits. Our battle hadn’t lasted long.
“Don’t move.” Rock’s deep voice held authority. The muscles on his arms bunched.
Click, click, click. The guards prepped their weapons. Pointed.
My heart clacked at the sound.
“This won’t hurt.” Rock’s assurance didn’t assure.
I froze in place. My friends did the same. There was nowhere to go. I was too young to die. We all were. And poor Arbor. She’d never know I’d tried to save her, that I cared about her.
The weapons fired. Streams of electric light shot from the nozzle. The streams curved and waved in varying colors of blue and purple and red. The colors wove toward us.
Bracing for death, my last thought wasn’t of my family or Arbor or my new friends. It was of Rye. I’d never get to dance with him. Never get to see his smile again. Never get a second kiss.
As the red color hurled toward me, I swung my bag away from the light trying to protect the dragon. Maybe it could live by sneaking out of my bag when my body fell to the ground. The light hit my torso and I felt…
Nothing?
I slapped my hand against my chest and stomach. I was alive. What about everyone else? “Keltie?”
“Yes?” Her confusion made me worry.
“You’re okay?” I wanted to make sure. “Tos? Hokima? Bim?”
“You’re all fine.” The old man got back on his feet and spit. “Stupid Zaubers.”
“The tasers take away your will to fight. Much better than the serum.” Rock’s even-tempered tone made him seem nice, except he was SCUM and I couldn’t let my guard down.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” The old man’s reprimand of Rock caused him to narrow his glance.
He wanted to respond. Instead, he faced me and my friends. “Hand us your weapons.” He said the word weapons with his lips twitching. Was he making fun of us? “Now.”
Keltie slapped the broken stick in his large hand.
I tossed my dagger to the ground. “What do you want with us?”
Rock picked up my weapon and studied me. If he wasn’t a human and a jerk, he’d be attractive. “What’re you doing in the tunnels beneath the palace?”
My skin tingled. It wasn’t a foreboding-bad tingle, more of a wary sensation. Was it the effect of the taser gun?
“They’re a group of dirty, teen zaubers.” The old man grabbed Tos, avoiding Keltie’s wrath. “More power for the regent’s auraguillotine.”
The repetition of the machine name sent a crisp shiver down my spine even though I didn’t understand what the machine did. Just the fact that it was real was terrifying.
“What does the auraguillotine do?” If I was going to die, I wanted to know how.
My friends cringed. They knew or had heard stories. The guards’ cruel chortle echoed through the chamber and sent goosebumps racing across my skin.
Even Rock choked. “You’ll find out soon enough. Take them.”
One of the guards’ hands clasped around my shoulder. His fingers dug into my skin and signaled my demise. “This one is human.”
I bit my lip and my thoughts ground against each other. If the guards believed I was one of them they’d let me go. Then, I could find a way to help my new friends and save Arbor.
“Magic.” The old man scoffed and veered away, not really looking at me.
Okay, maybe they wouldn’t believe I was human. Probably best to stay with my new friends. I opened my mouth and slammed it shut. Although, if I was set free, I could help. Somehow.
“Magic doesn’t work down here.” Rock ogled me again, making my entire body prickle.
I squirmed from the uncomfortable attention.
Now, we understood why none of our powers worked. Some type of magic containment system resembling the sprayers the SCUM had used at my house. And if magic didn’t work down here it meant I couldn’t be using a glamor which meant…
“He’s right. I’m not a majik. I’m human!”
Keltie sucked in making a low whistle. Hokima snorted. Bim’s eyes popped in surprise. And Tos dropped her jaw open.
“What?” The hurt in the brownie’s voice dug the deepest.
I’d pulled the human card and they felt betrayed. A dark cloud enveloped me. I never would’ve claimed being human if the guard hadn’t made the suggestion. I saw a way out and fallen back on the lie I’d lived my entire life. Smashing my lips together, I wished I could take back the claim. And yet, maybe if they let me go, I could help my friends.
The old guard leered. “What’re you doing underneath the palace where the prison is located, girly.”
“I was searching for a friend.”
My new friends’ expressions grew hostile.
“Right.” He smirked. I was sure he’d heard plenty of lies before.
“I can prove I’m human.” I spoke fast out of desperation and remorse. It was too late to take back my words. I needed to push forward even if my friends didn’t understand. Everyone who saw me believed I was human. I’d passed for sixteen years. “I was at the ball. I’m wearing a ball gown.”
I peered at my dirty top and where the skirt should’ve been. Only the shorts existed with most of my legs showing.
Rock leered at my bare legs and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. You were helping the zaubers escape.” His tone went hard and unforgiving.
Similar to my friends’ glances when I peered at them. Their gazes changed to glares and I became a target on both sides. Was I being selfish or smart? I scrubbed a hand across my face regretting my plan and yet pushing forward.
“We were heading deeper into the prison.” I forced myself to speak slow so the guards would understand. “If we were trying to escape, we’d be going the other way.”
“Not my problem zaubers are so stupid they don’t know which way is out.” The old man’s bias tore at my insides.
They didn’t believe I was human. My friends were mad because I’d claimed the status. My betrayal hadn’t helped and had made things worse.
Twisting away, I broke the guard’s hold and took a swing. My fist connected with his stomach and pain billowed through my fingers. The guard doubled over. I took a step ready to run when the same guard grabbed my arm and jerked me back. Stumbling, I fell to the ground and scraped my knee.
“I’ve got her.” Rock’s hands gripped my arms and he lifted me to my feet, and away from the now-angry guard.
“Why wasn’t her will to fight taken away?” the angry guard asked.
“I must not have connected to her body correctly with my aim.” Rock spoke through gritted teeth. He must hate admitting doing something wrong.
Had he done it on purpose? First, the weird warning and now missing me on purpose? By his actions, I’d guess he was normally a perfect shot.
“What do you mean by will to fight?” Because my will to fight was strong. I tried to jerk away, jostling my bag.
“Eep.”
“Fine. I’ll go peacefully.” I didn’t want the dragon to face the same fate. He was only a baby. “This bag is strangling me. Can I take it off and leave it?”
A thick blond brow curved in question. Rock’s gaze went from me to my small bag. He nodded.
I slipped the bag from around my neck and shoulder knowing I was throwing away any future magic. Saving Drago was more important.
“Eep. Eep.”
“What’s making that yelp?” The old man quirked his head to listen.
“Nothing.” I se
t the bag down on the ground.
The old man handed Tos to another guard and stomped over to me. “Pick it up.”
Was the old man afraid it was a trick? A magical explosion or something that would help us escape.
“Pick it up!” He yelled.
I glanced at Rock and he jerked his head down in an almost imperceptible nod. Bending down, I picked the bag back up wishing the dragon would be quiet.
The old guard ripped it out of my hand and opened the bag. “A dragon?”
“She’s got a dragon in her bag?” Rock’s other eyebrow rose.
“It’s a baby.” I ached for the tiny creature. “Drago won’t harm anyone.”
“Drago?” Rock’s smirk showed his amusement. He thought I was ridiculous for naming the dragon.
“This is the escaped baby dragon we were looking for.” The old man held the bag out as if it was toxic. “It was born earlier than expected and snuck away.”
“Smart Drago.” Maybe he’d find another way to escape. I certainly wasn’t any help.
Rock took the bag from his superior. “The only reason we were in the tunnels.” His tone sent a message.
To me?
Why did I sense he was trying to send me secret messages? He was my enemy.
“Now, we can kill two birds with one stone. Or at least at one time.” The old man’s triumph rang in his voice. He took a position in front of the group. “Let’s get them back to where they belong.”
We trudged forward. Worry zipped through my midsection and zinged across my skin. I didn’t want the dragon hurt and didn’t want the purse to become magical again. My friends hated me, and we were going to die. I’d never see Arbor again. And Rye would return to the cavern and wonder what had happened.
At least, I hoped he wondered.
Dragging my feet, I slowed our progress and the two of us fell behind the group. I tried to tug out of Rock’s grip. He held me tight.
“Play it cool.” His whisper was so light I wasn’t sure I’d heard.
“Excuse me?”
“The Compliance Taser doesn’t work as well on half majiks.”
I sucked in a breath. He knew.
“You can’t get away so stop trying.” His voice went loud, and his fingers dug in tight.
His scent of evergreen wove around me, making me more relaxed. Which was ridiculous. I needed to be afraid of him. He was one of the most handsome humans I’d seen with his chiseled chin and strong cheekbones. His thick blond hair looped in front of his face. Even though I liked Rye, I could appreciate this guy’s looks. The two of them were opposites in appearances and prejudices.
Rock was SCUM and holding me prisoner. Rye had influence in the palace and wanted to help. He’d been sweet and nice and protective. Rock had shot me with the Compliance Taser. His messy blond hair and hard green eyes reeked of authority and superiority. Rye’s long, dark hair had burnished highlights at the end as if he’d been kissed from the sun above.
Jerking my arm again, I needed to stop thinking of Rock like a vid star. He was the enemy. And yet, something about him was different. The veins around his thick neck were greener than the usual purple of bodybuilders. And how could he have a scent if he’d been hunting for the dragon underground?
“What’s your name?” I needed to get my mind off his handsomeness and dig for information. Maybe finding out a human’s name was an advantage, too.
“Stone.”
A laugh gurgled out of my lungs. My nickname hadn’t been too far off.
He flashed an annoyed glance. “What’s so funny?”
Bim watched us. Keltie did too, giving an aggressive scowl. They must still be angry at me for saying I was human.
“Your name.”
Stone tilted his chin up. “Nothing’s wrong with my name.”
“It’s so descriptive of you.”
His lips lifted in an egotistical grin. “Thank you.”
Way to boost the enemy’s ego. I berated myself. “In an ugly, stone-stupid kind of way.”
“Ouch. That hurt.” He didn’t look hurt. He looked as if nothing could hurt him.
The rest of the journey I stayed silent, stewing in my thoughts. The more I thought the more my gut churned with emotions. Fear because I didn’t know what would happen to us. Sadness for Arbor and my new friends for suffering the same fate. Humiliation because of our easy defeat.
The tunnel grew wider and taller with a metaloid door. The old man opened the door and led us inside.
“Welcome to the holding cell for the auraguillotine.” Stone released me and pushed forward.
I blinked at the brightness of the room.
Steel walls and a shiny floor glared from the brilliant lights built into the ceiling. The sterile room reminded me of a hospital or a laboratory. The antiseptic smell burned my nostrils. The metaloid door on the opposite side had a small window. My friends and I filled up the space.
Not a caring place. Or even a comfortable one. I wrapped my arms around myself.
“Don’t get too cozy. You won’t be here long.” The old man took out a set of remote keys. “Welcome to the end of your lives.”
Chapter Fifteen
After the guards left, the memory of the old man’s cackling laughter echoed in the sterile environment giving me a headache. The entire night had gone from one bad scenario to another. And now everything was worse. I was a captive in the palace’s infamous holding cell waiting to be tortured by an auraguillotine, the stuff of legends.
I pounded my fist into the wall, unsure if it was frustration or the will to get out. At least I still had my will. The others had just marched alongside the guards as if on a stroll.
“Way to flirt with the enemy.” Keltie’s haughty tone caught me off guard. Her angry red cheeks matched her hair. She scampered to the other side of the small, sterile-smelling cell.
“Flirt?” I didn’t even know how to flirt.
“I saw you giggling with him.”
I expected them to be angry for trying to pass myself off as human, not for flirting. I wasn’t about to explain the reason for my laughter. “I was digging for information.”
“What did you find out?” Bim’s wings flapped, clearly distressed.
My shoulders slumped knowing I’d achieved nothing. “Only his name. Stone.”
Bim stopped his flapping. “Stone?”
Hokima slumped onto the ground with a dire expression. “Just like a human trying to save their own skin.”
“I’m not human.” The room was cold, but the other majiks were colder. I understood why. I’d denied my majik heritage after claiming I was one of them. After asking them to trust me because I was a fairy.
“That’s not what you told the guards.” Tos, who’d believed in me from our first meeting, now doubted.
“I know and I’m sorry.” Heat plowed through me making my knees weak. “The one guard believed I was human, and I thought…” My head dropped. “I thought if they let me go, I’d be able to save my friend and—”
“Your old friend is more important than your new friends.” Keltie crossed her thin arms and faced the metal wall. “We understand.”
Hokima joined the elf by the wall, turning his back to me. So did Bim and Tos. My new friends hated me. My eyes burned. I didn’t know how to make it up to them. I hadn’t meant anything negative about them by my claim.
“I said it to help all of us.” I stepped closer and hung my head. “And I’ve been pretending to be human for so long it was a natural reaction. It won’t happen again.”
“Because we’re not going to live much longer.” Hokima with his death-and-gloom outlook didn’t seem so wrong.
“Forgive me.” Blinking, I forced the wetness in my eyes away. “I didn’t mean to hurt any of you. If we’re going to die, then please, please forgive me before we do.”
No response.
Shivering, I hugged myself and paced away. I couldn’t promise to help them in the future because there’d be no future. I could
n’t convince them I was one of them. I paced toward them again. Each of their profiles were so different. The tiny brownie. The skinny fairy. The stout troll. And the brave and muscular elf.
So different and yet we’d worked together.
The thought gave me hope. Even though my friends and I might die, maybe the majiks in the kingdom would learn to work together. If our small group could do it, so could others.
Pivoting, I paced the other way. Arbor had left her habitat because her home had been destroyed by trolls. Legally, she wasn’t supposed to come to the city. She’d found me, and I’d helped her. Not as much as she’d helped me.
Becoming my best friend, my one ally, my tutor in the ways of the majiks.
I hadn’t been a willing student. I’d resisted learning about fairies. She’d managed to slip in a lesson here and there. She’d talked about the powers of Mother Earth. She’d been there when my powers activated. She’d defended me. Most important, she’d made me laugh.
My lungs squeezed, and I stumbled. I’d never find her. I’d failed my best friend. Was I going to fail my new friends too?
Pressing my hand against the wall, I closed my eyes trying to get a grip. I couldn’t give up. Rye was going to talk to the prince and regent. He planned to better the conditions of the prisoners if he couldn’t secure their release. I only hoped he made things better before my time was up.
Bim swished to where I slumped against the opposite wall. He surveyed me as though he was seeing me for the first time.
I wiggled, trying to get him to un-focus. “Why are you willing to be seen near me? Won’t they get angry? Believe you’re a traitor?” I couldn’t help sounding harsh. I’d apologized, I’d begged, and they were still mad.
They thought my claiming human status was a betrayal to them. Just as I’d betrayed Arbor by not finding a way to prove my guilt. My throat thickened and my mouth went dry.
Keltie leaned against the wall with her eyes closed. Tos and Hokima sat on the ground whispering between them.
“Us fairies have to stick together.” Bim tugged on my crossed arms.
“You’re not mad at me for claiming to be human?”