by R L Medina
I pleaded. I screamed. A string of obscenities rolled off my tongue, but my hands wouldn’t stop loading the final suitcase.
They thought they could control me. Keep me moving in whatever action they wanted, but they couldn’t hold me forever. I refused to spend the rest of my life as their prisoner. Somewhere along the line, they would slip up and I would get away.
As if hearing my vow, my tía flinched. “We are not trying to hurt you, Rosa. We are trying to protect you.”
I glared at her. “By making me your prisoner?”
Her lips pursed. “You are not a prisoner. Just give us time to explain everything. It’s not safe here for you alone. We will take off the bracelet when it’s time. I promise.”
My eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”
She sighed and zipped up the giant suitcase. “I know, but you will in time.”
With that she turned on her heel and left me standing by my bed, my bags all packed. Javi entered, his eyebrows drawn together in worry as he reached to help with my luggage.
“Rose.”
I turned my head from him. “Don’t talk to me.”
I wanted nothing more than to storm away from him, but my feet refused to budge from the floor.
His shoulders stiffened as he swung my suitcase off the bed and headed for the door. He glanced back, sorrow and regret flashing in his eyes.
Good. He should feel guilty.
Numbness spread through me as I hugged all our old friends and workers goodbye. As desperately as I tried to tell them what was happening, the words wouldn’t come. I hoped the terror in my eyes would be enough to alert them, but they mistook my fear for grief.
Their well wishes and teary goodbyes were like arrows to my heart. When Marta wrapped me in a tight hug, I tried as hard as I could to cling to her, but whatever spell they’d put on me forced me to shrug out of her grasp.
“The driver is waiting. Time to go,” Tío Javier interrupted.
Panic rose inside me. This was it. I was leaving the only home I’d ever known. Papi was dead, and I was enslaved to my crazy, monster hunting family whom I barely knew.
Things couldn’t get any worse.
Inside the limo, I glared at my tío, who did a superb job at ignoring me. Every time I tried to get out the words to express my loathing, the bracelet bit into my flesh, inciting me further.
Wanted to keep me quiet, did he?
Javi sat next to me, guilt stamped on his face. “If you just calm down, he won’t be so hard on you,” he whispered.
I swiveled toward him and shot him a dark look.
Calm down? I wanted to drive my fist into his jaw too. Heat spread across my face. You didn’t tell a girl you were freaking kidnapping and mind controlling to calm down. My body trembled, the muscles burned, aching to escape whatever freaky hold my tío had on me.
Javi glanced toward his father, his posture stiffening. His face hardened as Tío Javier ignored him too. A thought came to me. What if I could use his guilt? Get him to help me break free? I studied him, weighing the outcome.
It could work. Javi was dying for a chance to rebel against his tyrant of a father. A smile lit my face. Maybe, I wouldn’t have to wait too long after all.
In no time, the car stopped and we arrived at an airplane hangar. I followed the others out, nose crinkling. What were we doing there?
I didn’t have to wonder long as a small, sleek, black plane came into view. My mouth dropped open. I knew my uncle was rich, I mean he lived in Malibu, but I didn’t realize he was private jet rich.
Javi flashed me a tentative smile. “Ready?”
I flushed. My stomach was doing flip flops. I’d never flown in an airplane before, but that wasn’t something I wanted to admit to my cousin.
“Yeah.” I pushed down my nerves and strode inside.
4
Smooth, black seats greeted me. There was a leather cushioned bench seat beneath the small square windows. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the narrow aisle.
I looked around and whistled. “I guess hunting monsters pays well.”
Javi grinned. “Hell yeah. But it’s not an easy job and not just anyone can do it. We’re special. We can see through the glamour and veil.”
He led me to two seats down the aisle.
“The veil… is that what you mean about the sight?”
His face lit up. “Yes.”
“Does that mean we have… magic?” My nose scrunched up. Were we really having that conversation?
He frowned. “No. We’re sensitive to it unlike the other ordinaires, but we can’t use it in its raw form.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what any of that means.”
After the horrific event of last night, we still didn’t get around to having the talk that was a long time coming. The jet jolted, making my stomach lurch. I turned to stare out the window as we took off. My stomach leapt into my throat and a ringing filled my ears. I let out a breath as we evened out.
I was flying. Excitement stirred inside me, followed by guilt. This wasn’t freedom. I was on my way to whatever cage my tío had waiting for me.
Javi broke the silence. “Magic is way too powerful for humans to use. It would destroy our bodies and minds. Only with the help of a conduit, like an enchanted weapon, rune, or a silver or iron object, can we use it.”
He held out his hand to me proudly. “This is mine.”
I blinked at his chunky gold ring. There were words written in another language carved around it.
“Gold magic. There are different types of magic because the nature of the magic changes depending on what elements it unites with. There’s gold magic, earth magic, fire magic, silver magic…”
I held up my wrist to him. “You mean like this bracelet?”
He winced. “Yeah. That’s silver magic.”
My fingers traced the thin metal. It didn’t look enchanted or magical. I frowned as I inspected it. If I was a GRIMM like Javi said, shouldn’t I be able to sense or feel something?
I had so many questions, but my fear and resentment stopped me from voicing them. Everything I’d known about my past and the world was wrong. My cousin knew more than I did, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of explaining it to me. It was petty and childish, I knew, but I was still angry with him. How long had he been carrying that bracelet for me?
“There’s a lot, I know, but I can show you everything.”
I turned away from him and looked out the window. Clouds filled my vision and the roaring of the jet drowned Javi’s next words. I pressed my face against the cold glass and stared at the puffy whiteness below. It wasn’t so hard to believe in magic as I stared out at the billowing cloud world around us. In some strange way, it even made more sense. I mean the stories, all the fairy tales and stuff had to come from somewhere, right?
“You said the spell is worn off, right? My mom’s spell.” I continued watching out the window.
Javi shifted closer. I turned to hear his answer. He nodded, his eyes searching mine as if to judge how much he should reveal.
“So, my mom and dad. They put the spell on me. They were GRIMMs?”
His gaze shifted toward his parents and back to me. He sighed. “Not… exactly.”
I frowned. “Then what exactly?”
“Your mother left the GRIMMs and joined a coven. Your father was just a regular ordinaire.”
My scowl deepened.
He flushed. “No, I don’t mean that like an insult. He was like, you know, a regular human. He couldn’t see through the veil.”
“But he knew about my mom?”
Javi bit his lip, his eyes darting away. “She left the GRIMMs and then her coven too. She chose him over, well… everything else.”
His words left me stunned. It wasn’t the love story Papi told me. He always said Mama’s family didn’t like him because he was too poor and too indito. And I believed that. A bitter taste filled my mouth. How could I have been so naïve?
�
�Why did she leave?”
Javi shifted in his seat, his eyes dancing away. “I… I don’t really know. My dad won’t talk about her. He says she was power hungry. She wanted to use dark magic, so she became a witch.”
“And then she left the coven.”
He nodded. “Yeah, but… the coven she joined, they’re one of the worst ones. We’re constantly having to keep them in check.”
I blinked as his meaning registered. “You mean… you’re enemies? With the witches?”
“Well, yeah. They practice dark magic. Someone has to keep them in check.”
For some reason his answer didn’t sit well with me. I’d known about this secret world only a day, but I found it hard to believe his simple reasoning. Was I just being biased because I didn’t want my mom to be some evil witch? I frowned. If my mom left the coven, then maybe they were bad.
“There’s more, but I’m not sure I should tell you yet. It’s… a lot to take in.”
I snapped to attention. “Tell me.”
He hesitated. “Not here. But I promise, I will. Later.”
My eyes met tío’s as he glanced over at us, a frown on his face. I returned the glare until he looked away. I spent the rest of the short trip feigning sleep, tossing the questions and answers Javi had given me around in my head.
In no time, Javi was telling me to get ready to get off. Below us, blue water and white beach stretched. I stared out the window as we passed over gorgeous greenery and buildings.
I sucked in a breath. We’d made it. How in the world was I going to make it all the way back home now? It’s not like I could sneak back onto the jet without anyone knowing. No, I’d have to hitchhike my way back to wine country. Dread filled me at the prospect. No. Even if I did manage to run away, I couldn’t go home. They’d only drag me back.
I needed to disappear.
My stomach leapt into my throat as we descended. I bit back a grin, but not quick enough to hide it from Javi. As much as I wanted to hate it, I couldn’t.
I loved flying.
It was exciting and disappointment filled me when it was over.
I followed the others off the jet and stepped cautiously down the stairs. My eyes scanned the area, shoulders tense. The air was warmer and saltier than home and the ground we stood on was mostly sand.
Opened doors along the hangar revealed more jets. People milled about outside, glancing in our direction. I blinked. Did my tío own more than one jet?
“This is the academy’s property,” Javi interrupted my thoughts.
I turned to him with a frown. “Academy?”
He grinned. “GRIMM Academy.”
My eyes widened. So, this was where he went to school? Where people—kids—trained to hunt monsters? How did they keep it a secret from the rest of the world?
“Can I show her around campus?” Javi’s eyes flashed with excitement.
Tía Teresa gave him an indulgent smile and shook her head. “Not now, Javi. Let her get settled first.”
Dread coiled in my gut and despite my reluctances, I did want to see the school. Who wouldn’t want a tour of a magic, secret school? I shook my head.
This couldn’t really be happening. Any moment and I’d wake up and find myself returned to my normal, boring life. An ache filled me. No, it wasn’t boring. My life with Papi was good. More than good, actually. We were happy.
I stared down at the thin metal bracelet around my wrist. Anger stirred inside me. I attempted to wander off, just to see if the creepy hold over me lessened.
It didn’t.
But I would keep trying, keep waiting. I was not going to accept my captivity no matter how much they claimed it was for ‘my own good.’ Heat spread up my neck.
“Rose?” Javi’s voice startled me.
Relaxing my face, I turned to find the others standing and waiting for me. My eyes met tío’s. His cool demeanor made me seethe. What kind of man kidnapped his own niece? What other horrible things had he done?
Tía Teresa folded her hands in front of herself. “Joe is here.”
A sleek, black SUV pulled up. I blinked as the driver got out to open the doors for us. He was middle aged and dressed in dark slacks with a button up yellow shirt. He nodded to my tía and motioned us in.
I glanced at Javi. He shrugged off my questioning gaze. Did my tío not drive either? Following the others, I slid into the plush leather seats. Was hunting monsters really that lucrative or was part of their wealth inherited from my grandparents? I knew they were rich and they disinherited my mother before I was born, leaving my tío as their sole heir.
When the door closed after Javi, I frowned.
“Tío isn’t coming?”
Tía Teresa shook her head no. “He has business to attend to and will return home later.”
I looked away, trying to mask my excitement.
Without him hovering around, maybe the bracelet wouldn’t work as well. This could be my chance to get away.
The car ride to Javi’s house was filled with awkward silence and Tía Teresa’s occasional attempts at small talk. I rolled down the window to stare out at the coastline. Blue water sparkled in the afternoon sun and lush greenery dotted the smooth sandy beaches. So different from Sonoma. I was entering a world of surfboards and thousand-dollar designer bikinis. I’d stuck out back home for my odd taste in fashion and here, I grinned—I couldn’t wait to see the reaction of my family’s friends when they introduced me.
A thought startled me. What if they intended to keep me locked up? Hidden in their home? I tried to halt the fear creeping in. I’d seen way too many crime documentaries and the various scenarios playing out in my mind freaked me out.
I sucked in a deep breath. One thing at a time. You’re going to survive this.
All dark musings stopped as we pulled up to their house. No, not a house. It was too colossal to be categorized as a house.
My jaw dropped. “You live in a mansion.”
Javi turned to me and glanced out the window. “Yeah. I guess you’d call it a mansion.”
He shrugged and leaned back as the car stopped. My heart pounded as the driver opened the doors and ushered us out. There had to be multiple places in their home to hide a person. Fear came rushing back in waves and for a second, I contemplated staying in the car and bribing the driver to take me back to the hangar.
My legs made the choice for me.
Once again, I was a puppet. Anger sparked inside me as I was forced to follow. I glared at Javi as I stopped and stood beside him. Like a dog to its owner. His eyes darted away from mine, unable to meet my gaze. Good. I wanted him to feel guilty. I needed him on my side.
“Thank you, Joe.” Tía Teresa smiled and motioned the driver off.
My throat turned dry as I watched the SUV drive off. I turned to face the gigantic structure and steeled myself. The home itself didn’t feel creepy, but its utter lack of spookiness made me suspicious. Who knew what horrors were held within the sparkling white stucco?
What I found inside left me stunned. I’d never been inside an honest to goodness Malibu mansion before. Sure, I’d seen them on the trashy reality shows, but seeing it in person was a totally different experience.
The entry was filled with a mix of Spanish-Mexican décor, a tribute to our heritage. Somehow instead of clashing, the cultures blended, giving the house a rich, traditional feel. A wide-open foyer made of dark terrazzo shone from the light streaming in the high arched windows.
As I followed the others deeper into the house, my head swerved taking it all in. This was the kind of house where the children were seen, but not heard. Even at seventeen, I felt as if I needed to hold my breath as we walked past the cabinets filled with fine china and dazzling crystal.
“I have to go, but I’ll be back later. I promise. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Later.” Javi game me a guilty smile.
I frowned and watched him disappear down a hallway and the twins walked off in the opposite direction. I was left with
my tía, who motioned me toward the dining room.
“I’ll give you a short tour, just so you know where things are and then I’ll let you get settled in your room.”
I nodded and trod after her, the obedient dog that I was. Their house was like something from a magazine. They had a small movie theater room, a ginormous gourmet style kitchen and five and a half bathrooms. Five and a half. I’d never seen such wealth all in one place before. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I was impressed and a little suspicious.
How did my tío make their money?
Outside, the gardens and dazzling blue pool and hot tub were just as impressive. This was the kind of place celebrities and politicians would party. I’d grown up among the rich of Sonoma, but even I was way, way out of my depth.
By the time my tía was done showing off their palace, my head pounded. I sighed in relief as she led me back inside and to the biggest, windiest staircase I’d ever seen.
My mouth hung open as I took in the majestically carved and polished wood.
Tía Teresa cleared her throat. “This way to your room. Sergio will bring your bags.”
I glanced back as a scar faced man appeared. He grunted in response. I wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. He looked like someone from the Godfather. Someone who schlepped bodies not luggage.
“Rosa!” Tía’s shrill voice scattered my thoughts.
I hurried up the stairs, leaving Sergio to take care of the luggage. The room was surprisingly simple compared to the rest of the mansion, not exactly homey, but not as lavishly fancy either. A lush dark red duvet covered the large four poster bed. The closet doors were a rich mahogany and a vanity, also carved in the dark wood, stood in one corner along with a coffee table and chairs. On the opposite side, daylight poured in from two large glass-paned doors.
“Of course, you can make it to your liking… within reason.” Tía Teresa gave me a hesitant smile.
I grinned. “Does this mean I can’t hang up my collection of shrunken heads?”
