He followed suit. “You have to understand this was only a mission at first. I was supposed to determine your capability, and if you failed, I was to take the stone to those who can handle it properly.”
The anger in her burst into flames. With gritted teeth she turned on him and said, “I’m the stone’s keeper. It doesn’t belong with anyone but me. You heard what Serwa said and these people...I was just a mission.”
The words replayed in her mind and with them a weight sunk in her stomach. She looked at the floor, before turning her eyes back to him. He shook his head but she knew the truth. “You were after the stone the whole time. Everything’s been a lie! All of it.”
Every time we walked together. All the times you held my hand...
Her eyes burned and her chest felt hollow.
Jacob sighed. “That’s not what I meant, Sarah. Stealing the stone was not my main goal.”
“But it was one of them?” She eyed him and crossed her arms while she fought back tears.
He tensed but nodded. “Look, I had to accompany you on your quest because I was ordered to. This was the only way I was going to be able to get my wings returned.”
She slanted her brows at him. Didn’t he see those huge things springing from his back?
“I mean my white wings, Sarah. I’m a fallen angel.”
Sarah let what he said settle into her mind before she spoke. “A fallen angel? Like from the Bible?” Like Satan? But Jacob wasn’t... She let her thoughts go unfinished.
Immediately, she began to think of ways to escape. The person in front of her was a demon. He had lied to her. How could she trust him? Serwa had said the demons were fighting to take the stone. Had that been Jacob’s real goal the whole time?
“See, look how you’re reacting. This is why I didn’t tell you. You would have turned against me like you are now. Look, I’m not a demon.” He moved forward, but she put a hand up.
“Fallen angels and demons are about the same thing. The Bible says –”
“Yes,” he said, “that’s what it tells you, but fallen angels aren’t demons. Not all of them.”
She shook her head. “Then, what are you?”
“I’m somewhere in the middle,” he said. “Not an angel, not a demon either.”
Sarah released her arms and tried to push the nerves from her body. Panicking wasn’t going to help anything. “How long have I been here?” she asked jutting out her chin and pushing her shoulders back.
He averted his eyes. “You’ve been out for a few weeks. Both your soul and body needed time to heal.”
“When can I go back? I want to see Serwa and Alex.” She couldn’t stop tapping her foot.
“You can leave now,” Jacob said. “You’ve healed completely.”
She nodded. “Good. How do I leave?”
He offered his hand, and she hesitated.
“This is the only way, Sarah. As you can see, there’s no door.”
She gave him her hand and kept her face stoic. He tried to smile.
“I know all of this is sudden and I know you’re angry, Sarah, but...before I take you back, can I ask you a question?”
“I suppose.”
“Is there any chance we could still be friends?” His grip tightened on her hand.
She bit her lip and looked at him. “Goodbye, Jacob.”
Sarah opened her eyes and found herself in another room, except this room she recognized. It was the same room she had stayed in when Alexander first brought her to Serwa. The painted flower walls made her lips curve up. She got out of the bed, opened the door, and followed the stairs down onto the first floor. Alexander and Serwa were sitting at the table talking. Sarah took the last step. As it creaked, her friends looked up at her. She grinned and waved.
“Hey.”
“Oh, Sarah!” The witch swept the girl in her arms before she even realized what was happening. “I’m so glad you’re awake. We didn’t know how long you were going to be out.”
Alexander stood up from the table and wrapped his arms around the both of them. “Two of my favorite people,” he said smiling at them. Sarah hugged them back, feeling like their arms were where she belonged. It was just like home.
“I’m glad you’re awake, Sarah.” His voice made her face turn red with anger. From the corner of the room, Jacob stood beaming at her.
Sarah ignored him and turned her affections back to her two friends. Serwa ushered for her to sit at the table. Then, she ran into the kitchen and brought out a plate of pastries and a mug of milk.
“Eat up,” she said. “I made them fresh this morning for a little breakfast treat.” She pushed the plate toward her.
Sarah could feel her mouth watering. Suddenly her stomach was rumbling louder than any monster she had met on the journey. She grabbed two of the pastries and quickly stuffed them in her mouth, deciding that now wasn’t a time for manners.
“Good thing you haven’t lost your appetite,” Alexander remarked. “But I guess being out for a few weeks can do that to you.”
Sarah examined him. The last time she had seen him the skin was melting from his bones. His body was charred, and she wasn’t sure if he was going to make it or not. Of course, she also wasn’t far from death herself last time. She placed a sticky hand on her cheek.
“What happened after I jumped?”
For a moment, everyone froze. Alexander and Serwa turned to Jacob, who was already leaving the room. Sarah watched every step he took, the rage she felt toward him building in her with each movement. Finally, he disappeared into the other room. The tension eased. Serwa turned back to face Sarah.
“Jacob saved you. He –”
“He told me, and I don’t care. Actually, I want to ask you both something.”
They nodded.
“Darkness and Light...they said you all were lying to me. Is it true? Is there something you guys aren’t telling me?”
Serwa shook her head. “As you once said, I enjoy honesty so, no. Neither Alexander nor I are lying to you.”
Sarah inspected their faces, searching for a lie in their eyes. When she found none, she tried their auras, as well. They were telling the truth.
“So, what happened after he pulled me out?”
The witch glanced at Alexander. He shrugged so, she continued. “After he got you, we left the volcano and ran out onto the battlefield. The elemental dragons had disappeared, returned to their domains. Our forces managed to fight off the enemy. The elder dwarf was very worried about you, but we told him we would send a letter as soon as possible. I needed to get you to a place so, I could heal you.”
Sarah didn’t remember any of that. It was like a blank space between then and now. Part of her was scared to ask, while another part of her was too curious. She gazed down at the dessert in her hand. “How bad was I?”
Neither of them responded.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I want to know the truth. I knew what I was doing when I jumped.”
Alexander sighed. “Neither one of us was in the best condition; however, you were far worse than me. I returned to my home, and I was good within a few days but you Sarah... honestly, we weren’t sure if you were going to wake up. It wasn’t only your body that had been burned. Your spirit was hurt, as well. The journey, holding the stone, had a stronger toll on you than expected.”
“Burned,” she whispered the word. Sarah tried to picture herself, weak, helpless with dark leather like flesh, her hair gone from her head. Then, it all came back. She could see herself back at the volcano. Jacob was running with her, Serwa by his side holding onto Alexander. They found Solar, and she flew them to the closest body of water. Jacob was holding her close, rocking her damaged body back and forth. It hurt to move, so she stayed in the fetal position trying to stop the pain. Her hands had peeling burnt skin, and her face was dry from the heat. Any good flesh was melted and misplaced... Everything was so wrong. She shook herself back into reality.
Serwa placed a hand on Sarah’s. “D
on’t remember. Don’t try to remember. Some things are better left forgotten.”
“Agreed,” Alexander said.
Sarah exhaled. She was right. What was the point of recalling pain? Sarah would let the memories go, let them slide back into the darkest corner of her subconscious, so she would never find them.
“All right,” Sarah said. “Well, the point is that the battle is over with. Lyrica is balanced and everyone is happy. Now things can go back to the way they’re supposed to be. I need to go home, back to my parents.”
Alexander and Serwa nodded, but their eyes wavered.
“I’m glad to see that you two are getting along again.” Sarah grinned.
Serwa glared at her. “Don’t make me regret saving you. Initially, I thought I was going to knock you unconscious again once you woke up for being so dumb to jump into boiling lava.”
The girl chuckled. “You’re really bad at changing the subject.”
Serwa narrowed her eyes.
Alexander gently patted her back. “Relax. She’s teasing you.”
“Humph.” The witch stood up and left into the kitchen.
Sarah smiled. “I’m going to miss her. I’m going to miss all of you. Where are Solar and Nettle? I want to say bye to them, too.”
“They’re outside... with the others.” He slowly gestured to the window.
“Others? What others?”
The vampire sighed and wiped his face. He waved his free hand toward the window.
Sarah peeked out. A countless number of camps were set up outside Serwa’s house, each one with different creatures crowded around the campfires. She turned to Alexander, not sure what question she wanted to ask first.
“That’s what I wanted to tell you,” he said scratching his head. “All of Lyrica is waiting for you, the Child of Legend. They want you to lead them.”
Lead them?
“I can’t,” she said. “I have to leave. How can I lead if I’m not here?” She shook her head. “How long have they been waiting?”
“Most of them were here before we arrived,” Alexander said. “Serwa wanted to destroy them for trespassing, but I convinced her to hold off until you woke up at least. I know you have to go home and can’t be the ruler of Lyrica. We need guidance though, something to lead us when you’re gone.” The words left his mouth in quiet clips.
Sarah placed her hand over her friend’s. He looked at her, and she smiled. “It doesn’t have to be goodbye forever. My magic’s powerful enough. I can come back, can’t I?” The idea of never being able to return to Lyrica hadn’t struck her. Would the portal seal up forever once she returned home?
Alexander stood up from the table and peered outside the window. “I don’t know what you’re going to do, Sarah. I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He gave her his biggest grin. “You’re a smart girl. I’ll go calm down the steaming witch,” he said with a wink and headed off into the kitchen.
Sarah dared another peek outside. What am I going to do? I’m not a queen. What could I possibly do?
Sarah held her head in her hands and released a heavy breath. The weight of a world was on her shoulders. She ran her hands through her hair ferociously and thrust her head up in irritation. As she did so, she caught sight of a map attached to the farthest wall. Sarah rose from the table. She eyed the map, and let her hands glide against the delicate material. She had never realized how big Lyrica was. During her journey, she hadn’t even covered a third of it.
Her fingers moved north to rocky mountains then west to dry desserts. Everywhere across Lyrica were different environments and different landscapes. Sarah could hardly believe how diverse the world was. Mountains, jungles, desserts, forests, plains...she wondered...
Could it really be possible for her to guide them while she was away? Could she guide them with a map?
Then, like a wild fire she was off. She scanned the map and mentally pictured the different lands. “I think...this could work,” she whispered. She raced to Serwa’s bookshelf and began rummaging through the materials.
“Sarah, what’s going on?”
Serwa and Alexander stepped out of the kitchen. Sarah tossed books from the shelves like dirty laundry. The witch marched over to Sarah and snatched her by the arm. “What’s wrong with you?”
Sarah smiled widely, her eyes twinkling. “I have an idea.” She hugged a book to her chest and wrestled herself from the witch’s grasp. She flipped through the pages. “This may take a while,” she said, “Do you have a pencil or something to write with?”
The witch withdrew a quill and ink well from the shelf and handed it to the girl. Sarah sat cross-legged on the floor and flipped through the book, every now and then looking at the map above her.
Serwa arched a brow at Alexander. He offered nothing but a shrug.
“She says she has an idea. So, maybe we should leave her be for now.”
Serwa watched her young friend flipping through the old dusty pages. “I think she’s finally gone crazy,” she said and walked up the stairs to her bedroom.
Alexander smiled as he followed her. “So, you believe in her is what you’re saying.”
The witch huffed. “Shut up, Alexander.” He chuckled as they disappeared up the stairs.
Chapter 30
Sarah couldn’t believe she had done it. She stared at the map, examining it to try and reassure herself it would actually work. It was simple enough to follow. Now, she just had to see what Serwa and Alexander thought.
A light knock came to the window behind Sarah. She moved a corner of the curtain aside and peered out cautiously, hoping it wasn’t anyone begging to see her like they had done to Serwa while Sarah had been asleep.
Nettle was hovering by the window in her little red dress. At the sight of Sarah the fairy’s wings fluttered with light. Fairy dust twirled all around her. Sarah, immediately, opened the window to greet her tiny friend who flew in and landed on Sarah’s palm.
“You’re awake!” The fairy squeaked and did a twirl. “Solar and I were so worried about you. When did you wake up? Why didn’t anyone let us know?” She crossed her arms like a child. Sarah sat back down and placed Nettle on the table.
“Don’t be mad,” the redhead said. “I only woke up late last night. Where’s Solar?”
“She wanted to come with me, but if any of the others saw us approaching the house they’d grow suspicious. Being small has its benefits; I managed to sneak away for a while.”
Mentioning “the others” made Sarah’s stomach flip. How many others could be out there? All of them, waiting for her to step out and speak.
“How are you feeling? You look so much better.” Nettle smiled while prancing around the table.
Sarah thought for a minute. Of course, red curly hair and freckles looked better than the burnt crumbled figure Jacob had carried from the volcano. Still, waking up and realizing he was a...whatever he was and that she was only his mission, that he may have been an enemy... and that there was a town of Lyricans waiting for her didn’t exactly make her feel better.
She touched her face and decided she was better physically but still exhausted emotionally. Like her mother always said, “These things take time.”
“What’s this?” Nettle said standing over the map. “A map of Lyrica, right?”
Sarah leaned over the table and traced her fingertips over the thin lines. “Yeah, it’s Serwa’s.”
“It’s pretty old. Older than me maybe,” she said laughing.
Sarah regarded her. “How old are you, exactly, Nettle?”
The fairy smirked. “As my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother always says, ‘A lady never tells her age.’”
“She says?”
Nettle winked at her. “What are these lines here?” She turned away from Sarah and walked around the map.
Sarah tried to pull up her jaw. “They’re the lines I drew on. Different territories for different Lyricans. Permanent boundaries to stop the fighting. I ha
ve some neutral spots, too.”
“So, that’s what you were doing all night?” Alexander appeared behind them from the stairs. He peered down at the map. “Well,” he said, “the good news is that I think it’s a great idea. It could work. The territories are now fairly distributed, and the lines are set. Unlike before, there’s nothing arbitrary. If you make it official the land squabbles will come to an end at least and wanderers will have a place to call home. The bad news is I’m not sure how Serwa will feel about her antique becoming your canvas.”
Sarah’s smiled faded. “She’s not awake, is she?”
“Well...”
“I’m definitely awake. Where’s the map?” Serwa stood in the small room and glared down at Sarah, eyes red from sleep.
Sarah slid the map behind her back.
“Uh-uh, let me see.” She held out her hand. Sarah sighed; she was going to die at age thirteen. She handed the map to Serwa, who like Alexander examined it before placing it back on the table.
Serwa crossed her arms. “I guess if it will help Lyrica, the vandalism of an antique map is worth it. There’s a little touch I would like to add on later.”
Sarah nearly melted into the floor.
“That’s fine with me. So, now what are we supposed to do?” she asked.
“For now,” Alexander said, “we’re all going to have a good breakfast, then we’ll go talk to your public.”
“There’s no other way to start the day,” said Nettle. “A little coffee, please.”
Sarah inhaled as her hand rested on the doorknob. This was it. Both Alexander and Serwa placed a hand on her back. She turned the knob and opened the door. It was midday and the sun was shining its brightest. Sarah shielded her eyes from the blinding light as her name was murmured through the crowd.
“It’s her, it’s her,” they said.
“She’s awakened. The Child of Legend.”
“Sarafina...”
When her eyes adjusted, she could see her friends weren’t exaggerating the number of Lyricans waiting outside. Serwa’s once peaceful and isolated land was now home to thousands. The stretch of people was so far Sarah couldn’t even see where it ended. As she looked at the crowd they bowed down before her. Immediately, the anxiety rose in her, shooting all the way to the tips of her hair strands.
The Pariah Child & the Ever-Giving Stone Page 28
