“That won’t be necessary. I’m coming with you.” She let out a neigh-whinny-neigh type laugh. I had to join in. “Okay?”
“Oh, I—”
Envy interrupted. “Don’t say no. I’m supposed to go. Devoran even decided, agreed, approved.”
If I took her, we’d have to walk. Or, I guess I could carry her, if she let me. “Ryden and I are going to fly.”
“How I would love to fly, to soar, to flutter!” Envy closed her eyes. Her lashes trembled against her lids and her whole body shook like she was concentrating too hard. A black cloud began to form around her legs and rose up until it covered her whole body in its velvety tendrils.
I stepped forward, thinking she was in trouble. “Envy, what’s the matter?”
“Stay back.”
I stopped, watching in shock as the wispy ebony cloud became a glorious, feathery pair of deep violet wings. Inside my head Snow White gasped, and I swallowed. It was as Devoran said, the unicorn possessed a great deal of magic. “They’re beautiful,” I said, unable to stop myself from stroking the downy feathers. “Your magic is even greater than Devoran knows, I think.”
She whinny-neighed again happily. “See, Silindra. I’ll fly with you.”
“Yes, you will.” I rubbed her between the ears before heading through the falls.
Once we were out of Crystal City, we made our way out of the forest, keeping watch for any phantoms. We journeyed by foot since there was no place to take off and fly, and I felt myself and Snow being tugged forward to her time. This time I didn’t fight it. From what I’d seen, there were many people mourning for her. If I knew of a way to release her, I would, but even Abernathy had said I needed to let this be. She and I were in this together whether we liked it or not, but I could give her a moment.
... “What’s the plan? Continue to take care of her here?” Dorian asked, his voice tender.
“We are moving her to our house. I’ve already explained the situation to child services. With her father gone and the crazy stepmother out of the picture, I’m her legal guardian again. And I won’t leave her in this ridiculous house another second.” That was Professor Pops. I worried about my dad. What had happened to him? Ugh, whatever the Seal was doing to Silindra and me, I needed it to be over quickly.
“Good. It’s tragic, all that’s happened to her and her family. First her mother dies. Now her father vanishes. Poor Snow. She’s too good for this.” Dorian was sad, I sensed it even though I wasn’t completely there, in the room. No amount of trying would wake me up until I was done with Silindra. I knew that now, though I didn’t want to accept it.
“Agreed, son.”
“At least she isn’t as red and glowy anymore. Do you think she’ll wake up soon?”
“I don’t know. Magic is strange. It’s exciting, easy to manipulate if you possess the genes, but it can also be cruel and cunning.”
Chapter 36
My sister Sharra and I had been born with wings, and at a young age, became quite adept at flying. I had a training period, a time where I learned what it meant to beat my wings against the air, turn them, or tuck them according to what kind of flying I intended and where I wanted to go. With the little unicorn, there was none of that. Once we were out of the forest, Envy leapt into the sky and soared like she’d been flying forever.
“It took me ten tries before I could fly without crashing into something,” Ryden whispered.
“She’s magnificent,” I agreed, unable to take my eyes from her.
“This is amazing, wonderful, stupendous,” Envy said, her deep violet wings beating against the bright sky.
I flew over to her. “It really is the best, right?” Her giddiness and enthusiasm rubbed off on me.
Snow White was enjoying herself as well. I’ve never flown before, she squealed happily. Her voice caught. Is it all right if I talk? I was nervous to speak before, but now you know I’m in here with you, it would be… nice.
Of course, I answered, wondering if somehow I was only talking to myself, but was so far gone in my insanity, I didn’t realize it.
Thank you, she whispered.
For whatever reason, having her with me became a comfort. If I was crazy, then I didn’t want to be sane. We flew to the craggy mountains where the trolls dwelled, since I determined to believe in Envy and her horn. She could give it to me… somehow, but once it was gone, I knew it could grow back. Putting that worry aside, I focused on the trolls.
We could hear them long before we saw them—their battle cries, trees being torn unceremoniously from their bases, rocks carved with bare hands from the mountain.
“Their war with the elves is still raging,” Ryden said.
Devoran’s mission of peace hadn’t worked. I pushed myself faster over the mountain peaks and along the steep ridges to Ellavera Pass. The scene we came upon twisted my gut. Death raged below. Bodies of the willowy elves and the leathered trolls were strewn across the earth, along with hundreds of trees in various stages of mutilation. Large boulders lay broken and powdery, making the bleeding bodies appear covered in ash.
“This has to stop,” Ryden said, her tiny lips trembling in dismay.
“We cannot let this mayhem continue, go on, advance,” Envy added. Her eyes filled with tears.
This is awful, Snow White added.
It is, I agreed, searching the battleground. Since Devoran came to this fight, I knew Titan, the leader of the trolls, would be there as well. I spotted him at the top of the pass. Angry lines etched his potato-skin face. The troll yelled orders, spraying spittle into the faces of those unlucky enough to be near. Pointy yellow teeth seemed to swallow his face. Steeling myself, I headed over.
While I was still ten feet away, Titan turned his beady black eyes on me, an angry roar sending spittle my direction. Luckily, he didn’t have that kind of range, but I took that as his greeting. Ryden and Envy trailed behind.
“Titan, I have business to discuss.” I stayed in the air, beating my wings to keep me aloft so I could look him in the eyes. Had I landed I would’ve come to his protruding belly button, and that wouldn’t do.
“Can’t you see I’m busy? These senseless elves are nothing but trouble, insects to be squashed back into the earth where they came from.” He focused his attention on the warriors he was talking to before I interrupted. “I don’t care if Devoran wants to talk. I’m sick of his mind games. Kill them all!” he shouted, waving his three-fingered hand in dismissal.
As he spoke, I looked back to speak with Ryden, but she was no longer at my side. Neither was Envy. The pixilette was a way off, near the battle ground, hovering anxiously over something. I couldn’t see Envy. “Where did she go?” I searched the sky, worry twisting my insides. I hoped she was okay. The trolls cared little for other creatures, especially when they were in the throes of battle. “This is of the utmost importance. I cannot wait.”
His shrewd eyes studied me. The trolls looked dumber than rocks. Early on I discovered that was one of their greatest weapons. They were actually quite competent, especially in the art of war. I believed it was because they held no remorse.
“It’s for your benefit as well as mine, otherwise I wouldn’t be asking,” I continued when he didn’t respond.
He growled. “You have three minutes.” A troll standing to the side of Titan suddenly sprang into action, heaving a large wooden chair and placing it behind Titan just as the leader sat.
Impressive, Snow White said.
I snorted internally. Yeah, but if that assistant was a second too late, he’d be dead.
I felt Snow shudder.
Once Titan sat, I lowered myself, pressing my feet into the scraggily earth.
“You now have two minutes,” he said, taking a goblet of liquid refreshment from the troll assistant.
I watched in disgust as he drank, sloshing the orange liquid out the sides of his mouth, down his naked chest and onto his trouser-clad thighs, and I wondered how much actually ended up in his mouth.
/> “I’ve been to see Abernathy,” I said after clearing my throat.
He stopped drinking. The troll assistant took the glass. “Go on.”
I had to be careful. If Titan knew I possessed a piece of Abernathy’s soul, he would use his impressive strength-laden magic to slaughter me before he would allow me to leave. “He sent me on a quest to collect and save each of the seven great magics.” I paused, preparing myself to slather on the compliments. “Trolls hold the greatest strength in the world and you, Titan, are the strongest of them all.” He sat up straighter. “I have been sent to collect the strength of a troll so that I may keep it safe.” I didn’t add, just in case the troll people were destroyed, or became nothing but diluted sloths.
He wiped his mouth with the back of a hand and leaned his elbows on his knees. “And how do you propose I give you this strength, Silindra?”
The moment I was dreading. I didn’t know, but I had to think of something. Where did a troll’s strength come from? Sure, their bodies were large, tough like a rock, and their skin prickly as porcupine fur (not to mention their blood was black as tar and tasted like oil). But the trolls’ strength was more than that. It was a deeply embedded part of their personality. After a thousand years of living in the roughest terrain on the planet, they had to be strong or they would’ve died off quickly.
“Well?” Titan prodded.
“Where do you think your strength comes from?” I asked, sending the question back at him.
He guffawed, slapping his knee in glee. “I like you, Silindra. I always have.” He leaned back in his chair. “The strength of a troll isn’t in these.” He lifted one arm and flexed his enormous biceps. Titan winked. I tried not to retch. His bicep muscles were bigger than my head. “It’s in this,” he continued, tapping his hairless head. “Our brains, dear Silindra.” He gave me a surly glare, as though begging me to disagree. “We are more than brute strength, though the physicality of our species is beyond measure in that department as well.”
“I believe you’re right, Titan,” I acknowledged, hoping to appease him.
The troll stood. “I’ve decided to give you more time. Follow me.”
I hesitated. Sure, I was interested in what he had to show me, but I also worried about Ryden and Envy. What were they doing?
Titan didn’t wait to see if I followed, he just walked away. Never mind the raging battle, the slaughter mere feet away. He turned his back on them and me. With a sigh I plodded along after him.
He stomped down the side of the mountain, through leafy trees and plants, over thick, dry roots and yellow-orange flowers. When he reached what looked like the edge of the mountain, he jumped.
A hitch caught in my throat. Lifting to the air, I hurriedly reached the edge and peered over. More than four thousand feet of sheer rock went straight down until it reached a small valley below. On the other side of the grassy valley was another mountain, as great as the one I stood on.
Whoa, that’s a long way down. Where did he go? Snow White asked.
I don’t know. Flying over, I scanned the valley below, searching. After several minutes I still hadn’t found him and I was almost at the bottom. Glancing up, I saw Titan looking down at me from a slight lip in the rock. He had an arrogant smirk on his face.
I worked hard not to shake my head in frustration as I flew toward him.
“Find anything interesting?” he asked when we were eye level.
“No.”
“Tsk-tsk,” he said. The noise sounded like he sucked spit between his teeth. It was annoying, but I ground my jaw together, holding back any comments. The troll leader turned, and I noticed for the first time the oblong door behind him. It blended in so perfectly I would’ve missed it had I not been so close. He pushed, and the door scraped inward.
Not another cave, I grumbled. Snow White wasn’t excited either and her mind slipped through mine, pulling us forward to her time.
… “I can’t stay long. No one knows I’m here. Gabe would probably kill me if he found out. In fact, I know he would. It doesn’t matter though, not if you aren’t around. I’m alive because of you. The vampire queen released me after your party. She’s thrilled you killed Oberon and believes no one can stop her since the Seal of Gabriel is gone. She would be right, if not for you. You’re the key, Snow. We need you to wake up. I want to thank you for saving me.” Christopher sounded so sincere and my heart ached.
“Don’t let the Seal control you. It will try to keep you, make you its own. Okay?” He paused again. “Now, don’t freak out, but I figured since we’ve tried everything else, what could it hurt if I kissed you again? Maybe now I’m your true love, and if you’re no longer a vampire, then the Seal can’t control you. So, yeah. I’m going to kiss you now.” His lips pressed against mine. I felt the sweetness and tenderness of his kiss, but knew without a doubt, he wasn’t my true love. Still, I appreciated the effort.
So did Silindra. I heard her sigh.
Chapter 37
I took my first big adventure while still an adolescent. Sharra and I dove the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. Abernathy told us many stories of a dragon living at somewhere at the bottom and that if we found him, we could claim a wish, anything we desired, and the dragon would grant it. For weeks, we searched and were about to give up when we found a cave entrance. It sloped downward, and a dim blue-green light glowed within, begging us to see what secrets it held.
Hand in hand, we went down together, using our wings to push us farther, deeper. After a long time, we arrived at a glistening cavern filled with all manner of shimmering gems. They sparkled faintly from the ceiling, the floor, and the walls. There were red ones, blue ones, green, and orange ones. As soon as we entered, they began to shine brightly, like a rainbow of light. Dazzled, we sheltered our eyes until they became accustomed to the brightness. And then we saw him. In the center of the jeweled space, a sea dragon lay curled into a scaly ball like that of a white rose. Instead of clawed feet, he had fins, and a long tail like petals. Two blue eyes, the color of midnight, peered at us.
“I suppose you’re here for a wish, little vampires.” He shook his stark white mane, making it dance in the water and his fins and tail hovered—as the a rose floating on water.
“Yes, we are,” I said, admiring him.
“Very well. What is it?” He swam closer. His scales were the color of pearls and he shimmered in the light.
I glanced at Sharra and she nodded.
When we decided to search for the dragon, Sharra and I had long, sometimes hostile, discussions about what our wish would be when we finally found him. So, without hesitation, I looked directly at the dragon. “We wish to see our parents.” We had never seen or met our parents. My first memories were of my sister and me taking care of each other. We watched the other creatures have children, saw the way they cared for their infants, and knew we must have been born of parents as well.
The dragon blinked, blowing bubbles from his nose, warming the water with his hot breath. “Are you sure that is your wish?”
“It is,” we said together.
“So be it.” He blinked his eyes. Instantly, the cavern became dark, as though we swam in ink instead of water. I couldn’t see my hands in front of my face.
“Silindra?”
“I’m here.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.”
A clicking sound started from a great distance and grew louder and louder as it drew closer. Sharra and I clung to each other.
“I’m scared,” Sharra said.
I tried to calm her, stroking her hair. “Shhh, it’s okay. You’re safe.” I was terrified as well, but I didn’t dare move. I had no idea where to go or how to get back the way we came. When the clicking sound got so close, I thought it would run us through, a bright light flashed, startling us.
Two large sets of eyes, so beautiful and yet so chilling, peered at us. Light radiated and swirled around their bodies like a lightning storm. Their forms w
ere hard to explain. They were like all creatures and none at all. Swirling unknown entities one second and corporeal the next.
When Sharra and I talked about the experience later, neither of us could decide what we had seen.
I was frozen, my lips unable to move.
“Are you our parents?” Sharra asked. She was normally the shy one, but I was grateful for her courage in that moment.
“We are, and ever will be.” The voice was like liquid, neither male nor female, and seemed to reach me to my very core.
“Why didn’t you stay with us? Why do we drink blood? Why are we so different from all other creatures?” Sharra asked, moving out of my arms. She asked the questions we craved the answers to.
“Dear ones, you are the sum of all other magical creatures—the beginning. Blood is your sustenance because magic is strongest there. And we saw no purpose in staying. When we created you, we provided you with each other.” They turned, swimming away and taking their strange light with them. We were again plunged in darkness. The clicking sound, which Sharra and I guessed came from our parents, got farther and farther away. Blue-green light filled the salty cavern once again, but the sea dragon was gone as well. We were alone.
Sharra cried.
I forced back my tears, knowing they wouldn’t make a difference. From that moment on, Sharra and I became more than sisters, more than girls related to one another. And I promised to protect her, always be there for her. I became the parents she never had. That was several lifetimes ago. Since then I found myself in hundreds of caves, and every single time I thought of Sharra and the tears she shed for our non-parents.
Standing on the precipice of another, while Titan’s ugly troll face scanned mine, Sharra’s image crossed my mind. The beginning of the end, I thought sadly. The pull of Snow’s time called to the both of us, and I went willingly, feeling myself falling for this family I didn’t know.
Fate and Magic: Snow White Reimagined with Vampires and Werewolves (Seven Magics Academy Book 2) Page 13
