Curse of Shadows and Light

by Penelope King

  I start to get on my feet, but he holds up his hand and waggles his finger at me. “Ah! Ah! Ah! You don’t want to do that. You might lose your head. We wouldn’t want that… no we wouldn’t.”

  I eye the dome of green haze. It’s only about five feet over our heads and about ten feet in diameter. “What happens if I touch it?” I ask.

  “Anything that comes in contact with the shield from your side instantly disintegrates. So I’d be careful if I were you.” He laughs, and in this moment the only thing stopping me from running at him and pummeling his ugly face with my bare fists is that fact that I believe he’s telling the truth.

  I sit back down and bury my face in my hands. “What do you want with me… with us? Why did you take her?” I motion to Corrine who is still lying motionless.

  “I want to collect the bounty on you. As for the human girl, well, she’s just a bonus. Leverage to make you behave if necessary. I’m sure they’ll pay extra for that.”

  “Who’s they? The Light-angels?”

  He shrugs. “They put out the initial bounty. But apparently you’re also wanted by some Dark-angels, so I figured I’d see who was willing to cut old Otto here a better deal.” He rubs his hands together and paces the perimeter of our cell. “But it might take some time, and meanwhile, I need to keep you somewhere safe. Somewhere no demon or angel or human will ever be able to find you. So you might as well get comfy in there, because this might take a while. Or not. You never know with these things.”

  I frown. “So which side are you on? Light or Dark? Are you Angel or Demon?”

  Otto shakes his head. “Both. Neither. I come from a long line of Sovereigns. We’re the outcasts, the unwanted.”

  “I’ve never heard of that. I thought it was only one or the other.”

  “Originally it was. But at one point some in the two races merged, and we became something else. There’s not a lot of us, and we keep a low profile. We’re not bound to any side, and we do what we want, any way we want, and for whoever pays the best, usually.” He lets out a gruff laugh.

  “So you’re a bounty hunter.” I brush the hair from my face, and am surprised to notice that it and my clothes are already dry. We were in water not fifteen minutes ago.

  “I’m what you call a jack of all trades, master of none,” the Sovereign goes on. “Well now, I take that back. I’m pretty good at stealing stupid little girls who wander off their protected property. If you woulda just stayed there, I wouldn’ta never been able to touch you. ” He chuckles again.

  “I don’t understand. Are you bad or good?”

  “Neither. I just go where the work is. I don’t judge, and I don’t ask why. I just do the deed and move on.”

  I glare at him. “So you stole me, and you want to see who will give you the better deal, the Light or Dark-angels.”

  He nods and walks around the green prison again, tapping it in random places with his stick. “Light-angels want you alive. And from what I hear, Dark-angels don’t care if you’re alive or in a hundred pieces.”

  I gulp, and from behind me I hear Corrine give a quiet gasp.

  “So you’re just going to… what? Hold some sort of auction for me?”

  “Something like that.”

  I ponder everything he’s just said. Light-angels want me alive, demons want me hacked to bits. I give a rueful laugh under my breath. My spot between the rock and a hard place just got even smaller.

  “How did you find me?” I ask after a few moments. “How did you know where I was hiding?”

  “Well, I admit that part was a bit tougher. Lost your trail several times. I started sniffing around your old house, and that whole area had a pretty solid protection blanket, too. But I was able to get enough. I learned your signature, so to speak. Can’t cover the stench of demon. The rest is my secret, little girl. Maybe I’ll tell you one day, or maybe not.”

  “Liora. My name is Liora Greyson. And I am a girl. I’m a human. And this is Corrine, Corrine Wilson. She’s an innocent human.” I nudge her and she sits up, her eyes filled with fear. “I’m only seventeen years old, and so is she. We haven’t done anything in this life deserving of this treatment. Your name is Otto, right? Otto, don’t you have a heart in there somewhere? Name your price, whatever you want. I can get you money… all the money you could ever want. It’s yours. Just let us go. Please.”

  He shakes his head. “You know I can’t do that, little girl.”

  “Then please, please just let her go. I swear, I’ll do whatever you want. I swear! Just let her go. She has nothing to do with any of this.”

  He shakes his head again. “Sorry, little girl. No can do.”

  Frustrated tears stream down my face.

  He turns and walks away, disappearing from sight in the blanket of white haze. A few moments later he returns carrying a red duffle bag. He throws it through the green dome and it lands harmlessly at my feet. I look up at him, surprised.

  “Open it,” he says.

  With trembling fingers I pull the zipper, hoping there’s not a bomb inside. But all I find are several wrapped sandwiches, dozens of candy and protein bars, a bag of apples, two bunches of bananas, and four big canisters of water. I look at him.

  “Toss me an apple,” he instructs.

  Confused, I pick the smallest one and throw it his way, resisting the urge to hurl it as hard as I can right at his smug face. But it wouldn’t have mattered anyways. The second the apple hits the green neon plane it makes a funny zap, and completely disappears into thin air. Otto laughs.

  “Just thought I’d remind you what’ll happen if you try to escape. Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll try not to be too long.”

  And with that he turns and walks away, leaving us alone in our green prison.

  Chapter 21. Liora

  I wipe my tears and turn to Corrine. “I am so sorry.”

  She shakes her head. “I know this isn’t your fault. You didn’t mean for this to happen.” Tears are streaming down her cheeks too, and I feel even worse.

  How could I have been so careless? So mind-blowingly stupid? All I had to do was stay within the boundaries of Anastasia’s property. That’s it. Doing this to myself is bad enough. But I’ll never forgive myself for what is happening to Corrine because of me.

  I sniff and rub my eyes. “It is my fault though. Not just for falling for that stupid trick, but taking so long to decide to do the right thing. I knew I was putting everyone in danger. I should’ve just done what I knew needed to be done. And I was going to— it’s what I wanted to talk with you about, actually. Right when he did this.”

  “What were you going to do?”

  “End it. End me. Let Lucky take over full time. Anastasia knows a spell. It’ll be like I never existed.”

  Corrine’s face crumples. “No, Liora, you can’t! I don’t understand—”

  “Yes, I CAN, and I have to! I should’ve done it already. I mean look at us! This would’ve never happened to Lucky. They only came after me because they know I can’t defend myself. And look at you. You’re caught up in it, too. All because of me.”

  “Stop saying all that, and stop blaming yourself! God! Why do you always feel like everything bad that happens is your fault? Like you should’ve done something different or been someone different or made a better decision sooner somehow. Come on, this guy is an evil asshole! It’s his fault he’s a kidnapping dickface, not yours! You were trying to help save a little baby. He’s the one that manipulated that goodness in you and used it against you!”

  “Exactly my point! My goodness is a liability. To everyone.” I frown as I think of Vincent being flung away out to sea. I really hope he’s all right and was able to teleport himself to safety.

  Corrine shakes her head and brushes her stringy hair back behind her ears. “Not to me, it’s not.” She wipes her cheeks again, and for the first time I realize that she’s still wearing her ill-fitting eyeglasses. Seems like they would’ve fallen off during our violent underwater voyage.<
br />
  And strangely, everything on me seems to be intact as well. Even my Boumeaux is still safely tucked beneath my tank top. Thank goodness I didn’t lose that! Then I’d definitely never forgive myself, no matter what Corrine says. It has always been the most important thing Lucky and I have owned, even though I only recently started wearing it again. Sure, I might be able to replace the stone if necessary, but the sentimental value… how we got it… is entirely irreplaceable.

  Corrine gets up on her knees and starts looking around. “Where do you think we are?”

  I scan the area, but all I see outside the dome is a blinding, greyish-white haze. “I’m wondering the exact same thing myself. I mean, I have no idea even what direction we traveled in. Alaska? Antarctica? Some remote mountain in the Swiss Alps? Really, we could be anywhere.”

  “It doesn’t even feel like we’re on planet Earth anymore,” she whispers sadly, and my heart skips a beat at the possibility. What if he’s taken us to another dimension, a parallel world like Thiberoux?

  I close my eyes and concentrate for a moment. Then I shake my head. “No, I’m certain we’re still on Earth. This is our world.”

  Corrine looks at me. “But no one knows where we are.”

  I shake my head again and take a deep breath. “Probably not.”

  “So what that guy said about us not leaving a trace… that really means no one will be able to find us?”

  I shrug. What can I say?

  She twists some of her hair around her finger and tugs. “Isn’t there some demon psychic thing anyone can do? Thought that was part of the deal, having all those cool powers. Or maybe Anastasia can do something? She’s a powerful witch, right? Maybe she’ll find us and tell Vincent where to teleport to and save us?”

  “Yeah… maybe.”

  Deep down I know our chances are pretty bleak, but I don’t want to let Corrine know that. Otto seems to know what he’s doing, and that would include covering his tracks. I’m pretty sure this isn’t his first kidnapping.

  Corrine looks at the ground and wipes her cheeks again. I feel my heart crushing, and I reach over and pull her in for a hug. “Please don’t be scared,” I tell her softly. “I’m so sorry that I got us into this, but I promise I’ll get us out. I promise, okay? No one will hurt you!”

  She hugs me back and sniffs. “I just wish I could do something. I hate feeling so helpless.”

  I give a rueful laugh. “Yeah, tell me about it!”

  But then I remember something… what happened earlier when we first got here and I was freezing to death, and how my body had warmed itself. Was that Otto’s doing, or was it something else? I think about Anastasia’s earlier prediction, how the babies might make me manifest some powers and act as my protectors. Are they protecting me now? Maybe I’m not as helpless as I think I am.

  But I quickly dismiss the thought. Even if it was them, it’s not like it’s something I can control. And putting my life in the hands of two demon fetuses half the size of my pinkie doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.

  “What about Lucky?” Corrine asks, her face tight.

  “What about her?”

  “Do you think she can do anything? Bust the magic shield or something?”

  I shake my head. “I really doubt it. I mean, the guy knew exactly who he was kidnapping. I’m sure this cage is guarded against her powers. I actually woke up in a demonic prison not too long ago because of her.” I throw up my hands and look around again. “But even if she did get out, where would she go? She can run far and fast and could carry you no problem, but having no idea where we even are—”

  “Ha! Yeah, good one,” Corrine snorts.

  I glance at her, and she raises her eyebrows. “Lucky wouldn’t carry me five feet. She’d happily leave me here to die.”

  “What? That’s not true. No she wouldn’t!”

  Corrine rolls her eyes and looks away. “Well, maybe she’d help me, but only out of obligation to you. Trust me, if it was up to her, she wouldn’t lift a finger to save me.”

  “Is she really that awful to you?” I ask softly.

  Corrine is quiet for a moment. “It’s weird. Yeah, she’s pretty rude, not gonna deny it. But it’s more than just that. She looks at me with such hostility, but at the same time, I feel this weird sadness from her. Like she acts all tough because she’s trying to protect something. But she just barely tolerates my presence, and I fear the slightest provocation will send her over the edge.”

  I lean forward and rest my forehead on my palms. I’ve always suspected Lucky wasn’t all that kind to Corrine, but it saddens me to realize how right I was.

  “I don’t know why she does a lot of the things she does, or says what she says,” I begin quietly. “And obviously I don’t approve. But I do have an inkling of an idea why she’s mean to you.”

  “Why?”

  I lick my lips and try to choose my words carefully. “It’s because of what happened with Kayla and Michael. We saw it happen, and it’s what caused this…” I wave my hand towards myself.

  Corrine nods. I’d already told her about them on the car ride to California, but I want to make sure she understands the context and implications.

  “I think when she sees you, she worries that getting close or caring will end in heartbreak,” I continue. “And she’s already had so much pain and suffering. Besides Kayla and Michael, I know she’s lost several of her good demon friends lately, and that’s not even including Bones, who was basically her soul mate. Other than me, that is,” I add with a sarcastic smirk. “So don’t take it personal. She has intimacy issues, you could say.”

  Corrine grimaces. “Don’t we all,” she mutters.

  “It’s just her way. Try not to let it bother you. I’m sure in time she’ll loosen up.”

  Corrine shrugs noncommittally. I can tell she’s not convinced, and who could blame her? It pains me to hear Lucky treats her badly… but it doesn’t surprise me.

  “Can I ask you something kind of personal?” She suddenly sounds shy.

  I can’t help but laugh. “Corrine, you know every dirty, dark detail of my sick and twisted life. I assure you at this point there really isn’t much off limits between us anymore.”

  She gives a small smile. “I just didn’t want to pry or seem nosy, you know, but, well... is everything okay with you and Kieron? It seems like ever since we got here things have sort of changed between you guys. And with him and Lucky, too.”

  “Oh. I… uhhh…” Somehow I feel more trapped by her question than I do by our magical green prison.

  She shakes her head and looks away. “Never mind. Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  I take a deep breath, and let it out with a whoosh. How to answer her?

  “No, it’s fine. I guess… I guess I’ve been in denial about some things, and having to actually vocalize them makes them all too real.” I give another deep sigh, while Corrine sits there patiently.

  “Something definitely has changed, and I don’t know what or why. I love him… I really do. He sees the whole me, the good and the bad, and he loves me. Do you know how amazing and rare that is? Yet lately, for some reason, even though I care for him just as strongly as I always have, the way I feel about him seems to be shifting, and it’s not under my control. And I feel horrible about it! It’s like more than anything my head wants to love him, but my heart just isn’t willing to cooperate.”

  Corrine frowns and makes little snowballs with her hands. “Do you think it’s because of what’s happening, you being pregnant and all?”

  I’m quiet for a moment. “The thought has crossed my mind. I don’t know if it’s guilt, or shame, or if I’m just protecting myself from what will happen when he learns the truth about us. I mean, there’s no two ways around it – we totally betrayed him! Lucky slept with Bones knowing Kieron was alive and in danger and needing our help. And now I’m afraid the thing that made Kieron’s love so amazing—how he saw through our split and saw her and me as one—will
also be our undoing.”

  Corrine looks up. “Maybe he won’t be that mad,” she says hopefully.

  I shake my head and gaze out at the whiteness. “That would almost be worse.”

  “Yeah… I see what you mean. So do you think maybe you’re not in love with him anymore?”

  And there it is. The question I’ve been dreading.

  I take a deep breath and stare at the snow until I see swirly spots. “I don’t know. I do know I love him… what’s not to love? But I don’t know if I’m in love with him anymore. I’ve always hated that stupid expression, but now I think I understand how it can be true.”

  Corrine shrugs. “No, it makes sense. There are many different types of love. Like for instance, I love you. But I don’t want to make out with you or anything.”

  I give a low chuckle. “But I love him more than a friend. Or different… I dunno. He’s so special to me. I just don’t know if he’s the one for me. I can’t explain it.”

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to. I understand. You’re just going through some stuff and need to sort out your feelings. It’s normal. And just because you feel a certain way about a person at one point in your life, it doesn’t mean you’re absolutely going to feel the exact same way forever and always. Feelings are living, breathing things. They can grow, change, and die. The most important thing is just to be true to those feelings and don’t lie about them to yourself, or anyone else.”

  I shake my head. “But how would it happen so fast? I felt so drunk in love with him a few weeks ago. Now I feel like that was another lifetime or something.”

  She raises a knowing eyebrow. “A lot has happened during these past few weeks.”

  “You mean this?” I point to my stomach.

  “Among other things. Not to pry more… but maybe the arrival of a certain someone has made you question your feelings? I’ve seen how you look at each other.”