The Haret (The Haret Series)

by Denise Daisy

  “That’s right” Ian said. “I‘ll break every bone in her delicate body.”

  Felicitas heart sank when she saw three Drakes emerge from the trees and surround them. She struggled against Ian. It couldn’t end this way, not when she was so close to freedom.

  In a flash Raine threw a knife hitting his target. Ian flinched in pain as the knife embedded itself in his shoulder. He growled and with one hand pulled it out and held the bloody blade against Felicitas throat.

  “Now that was a mistake.”

  She held her breath as the knife cut into her flesh. She tried not to swallow for fear of it slicing deeper into her skin.

  Raine stepped closer.

  “You can’t kill her Savas so let her go.”

  “Maybe not now, but I can put a nasty scar on her to remind her of her true loves most foolish act.”

  He moved the knife to the side of her face digging the point of it near the corner of her eye. Felicitas took in a sharp breath anticipating the tearing of her flesh. A drop of blood trickled down the side of her cheek and she prayed it was from the soiled blade and not from her own torn skin.

  Raine stepped closer and she felt the knife cut through her flesh. Her head felt light and the forest began to spin around her.

  “You’re hurting your lady Raine.” Ian accused him. “Take another step and I go another inch.”

  Raine stopped and Ian laughed through his own pain. He barked orders at the drakes this time he spoke in English.

  “Ryuu stay with me and help me get her to the well. We’ve been detained long enough. Gather the others take Raine and Caleb. Kill any of his friends you find in the woods.”

  The one called Ryuu stepped forward, his voice hissed when he spoke.

  “It’s just us my Lord. All the others have fallen.”

  Ian seethed with anger.

  “There were twenty of us you mean to tell me there are only four of us left?”

  “Funny, there were only three of us to begin with.” Raine mocked. “And three of us still left and you are out of ammunition. I am telling you now; I will never let you take her.”

  Ian laughed.

  “You will never be able to stop me.”

  He threw Felicitas to Ryuu who tossed her over his shoulder. He nodded to the other two drakes surrounding Raine.

  “Take him to the underground cavern of Adullam. This time if he gets away, both of you will be executed.”

  Ian led the way running through the trees and towards the well. The drake followed at his heels. Felicitas felt limp and helpless slung over his broad shoulder. The blood from her wound oozed blinding her vision and stinging her eyes. They were closer to the well than she realized. The drake threw her to the ground in front of a circle of ghostly trees, their bare branches entwined like barbed wire guarding an old abandoned well. A low fog hugged the ground while black waters stirred and overflowed from the surface. She had never seen anything like it. It was just as Esther described. Ian gave a look of satisfaction when he saw the water boiling over the surface. He cut his eyes over to her sprawled on the ground.

  “It’s just a matter of minutes now my love and we will be home.”

  Raine fought hard against the two Drakes refusing to be taken captive and hell bent on stopping Ian and Ryuu from taking Felicitas through the portal. His unadulterated hatred for what Ian was doing had given him the added strength allowing him to best one of the Drakes but the second one was armed with a large blade and without his knife Raine was at a great disadvantage. The drake lunged at him knocking him on his back striking his blade within inches of his neck. He fought hard but the drake moved powerfully pushing the tip on his blade into Raine’s throat.

  A gunshot ripped through the forest. The drake released his hold on the blade and arched his body upward. Another blast ripped through the night knocking him to the ground.

  Grant stepped from the trees followed by Sharon, Their guns held high scanning the area. Both their eyes searching for only one person. Raine jumped to his feet and began running, heading toward the well.

  “Savas has her, Sargon. They are at the portal.”

  Grant raced after Raine. Sharon followed trying to keep up but was no match for their speed and agility. The sound of gunfire alerted the rest of the group and brought Esther, Reed and Caleb rushing to the area. When they saw the others charging past the trees they too gave chase dodging low growing limbs and leaping over fallen tree trunks. Reed held on tight to Esther’s hand as they made their way to portal.

  Felicitas lay on the cold ground under the careful eye of Ian and the drake and watched in awe as the mystic trees begin to move around in a circle like ponies on a carousel. The ground trembled beneath her as the trees picked up speed spinning until they became a blur and disappeared completely. The wind picked up blowing hard spraying water into the air as if they were standing in the midst of a hurricane. A glowing door appeared out of nowhere.

  Ian jerked Felicitas up from the ground and pushed his way against the wind forcing her to the portal. At first she was too mesmerized by the event to fight but then suddenly realized if Ian got her through the door she would never see freedom again. She used the gale force winds to her advantage and pushed back against Ian slowing them down. He cursed and kicked at her legs sweeping them out from under her. She lost her footing and crumbled to the ground. He grabbed her by one arm and began dragging her toward the door. The power of the wind stole her protest tossing her screams aside. She kicked her feet struggling to stand but the whirling waters made the ground slippery to where she could not gain her footing.

  A bright light shot out of the door surrounding her like a warm blanket and instantly she could feel the pull of the vacuum sucking her into the doorway. Her pulse raced as fear of the unknown gripped her heart. She fought against the pull holding on to anything she could but the force drawing her in ripped everything from her grip. Amidst the howling wind and rain she thought she heard the sound of gunfire and was certain of it when Ian fell to the ground growling in pain and holding his bloody leg. Through the blinding rain she could see Raine and Grant rushing to the area. The sight of Grant was a dream come true. Never in her life had she been so thrilled to see someone. Instant peace flooded her as she reached out her bloodied hand for his help, and then to her horror Ian yanked her backwards causing her to lose sight of him as her body was sucked into the vacuum. She fell fast and the speed of it stole the breath from her lungs. Intense heat surrounded her burning her from the inside beginning in the soles of her feet and spreading upward the rest of her body. She tried looking around but the light in the vacuum was blinding she was forced to keep her eyes shut. There was no noise just a daunting silence and as Felicitas tumbled toward the unknown the fear that escorted her through the portal paralyzed her into unconsciousness.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Felicitas stirred in her sleep, comfortable in the softness where she lay. Warm light caressed her body relaxing her and she thought she heard the delightful song of twittering birds nearby.

  “Felicitas.”

  The voice was familiar and she tried to open her eyes to see the source of it but the light was blinding so she shut them and rolled over on her side.

  “Taz…can you hear me?”

  She nodded and laughed and although she had never drank alcohol she wondered if this is what it felt like to be drunk. She lay still inhaling the sweet scent of flowers and laughed feeling quite euphoric.

  Strong hands rolled her on to her back and slapped softly at her face.

  “Talk to me Taz. Look at me.”

  The voice was Grants and she was happy that he was with her wherever she was and she giggled at the thought of it. Then she heard another.

  “Here give her this.”

  Her head was lifted off the ground as sweet nectar was poured gently into her mouth. The taste of it was exhilarating so she licked her lips savoring the flavor and smiled. Her eyelids fluttered open allowing her to focus on Grant.
She had grown fond of his rugged appearance and she smiled at the beauty of his face then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

  Grant gave a slight smile with his mouth but his eyes danced and she saw them and continued hanging onto him.

  “Taz. I need you to focus and look at me.”

  She laughed lightly.

  “I am looking at you.”

  He sighed and poured a little more of the nectar into her mouth.

  Raine knelt beside him.

  “How long before she comes out of it?”

  Felicitas glared at him and tried to point her finger in his face but her hand fell heavy into her lap.

  “You! I loathe you.” Her voice slurred and trailed off. She shut her eyes wanting to go back to sleep.

  Grant shook her

  “Taz, stay with me sweetheart. Talk to me, tell me why you dislike Raine.”

  Felicitas smiled her eyes still closed.

  “Not dislike. I loathe him because he an Ian uses me to win their little war. I don’t think either one of them loves me. They act like spoiled little boys and I hate them both.”

  She began to cough and Grant knew she was coming out of her stupor; the nectar having taken affect.

  She sat up fast her eyes wide in fear as the memory of falling into the vacuum came rushing back bringing her to reality.

  “It’s okay.” Grant said. “You’re safe.”

  Felicitas held on to his arm and looked around. She was lying in a patch of cool green clover surrounded by large rocks. Trees heavy with hanging vines and moss grew in abundance shading the secluded area. A narrow creek cut through the small meadow its crystal clear water rushing by as if it were in a hurry to leave. A couple of saddled horses grazed among the clover while several slain Drakes littered the ground. She shivered.

  “Where are we?”

  “Haret.”

  Felicitas tried to stand but was too weak from the transition plus the pain of her wounds broke through her temporary paralysis and raged with intensity.

  “I need to get back home…I can’t stay here.”

  “You’re never going back. You’ll die here.” Ian’s voice startled her.

  He was lying on the ground holding his leg in pain. Rain stood over him, his sword drawn in caution.

  Grant walked over to Ian and kicked him over rolling him on to his stomach and secured his hands behind his back. Ian gritted his teeth in pain swearing at Grant reminding him he had a bullet in his leg. Grant was rough and didn’t care and by the looks of Felicitas he knew what kind of pain Ian had inflicted on a young helpless girl and more than likely delighted in doing it. He pulled a knife from his belt, slit a hole in Ian’s jeans and then cut into the wound. Ian roared in pain while Grant dug around in his leg searching for the lodged bullet. He retrieved it and then tossed it into the dirt. Ian thrashed about on the grown growling and cursing. Felicitas turned away. The sight made her nauseous and besides that she didn’t care for the cold stare he was throwing her way. Grant stood back up having completed his barbaric medical procedure; he wiped his blade on his jeans and left Ian to wallow in the grass.

  Felicitas ignored Ian and stole a few glances at Raine who stood several feet away from her with his sword drawn as he cautiously eyed the area just past the boulders not once letting his guard down. He was a stranger at best yet she was carrying his baby and the thought of it all intimidated her greatly. She hadn’t spoken with him yet and at this point didn’t care to. The only person she trusted right now was Grant he was certainly her guardian and had proved it more than once now.

  Grant placed his knife back in his jeans and spoke to Raine.

  “Her injuries need attending to. Take her to the safe house. I will meet you there after the men escort Savas to the Caverns.”

  Raine put his sword back into the sheath and walked over to Felicitas who gave Grant a pleading look.

  “Please don’t leave me.”

  He knelt down beside her.

  “I promise I’ll meet up with you soon. Raine will escort you to a safe place and see to your needs.”

  “Can I wait with you? I feel safer when you’re around.”

  Grant wiped at the blood dripping from her wound.”

  “You need medical care and we need to hide you right away. Savas announced he was bringing you through the portal and escorting you to his Father today. Draco is awaiting your arrival. This place will be crawling with Drakes pretty soon when they learn Savas has been captured and you have escaped. I promise I will catch up with you later.”

  Even though Grant was smiling at her, Felicitas sensed the urgency in his voice. She surprised herself at how calm she was despite being in another dimension and having a price on her head. She figured it was due to the fact that she was extremely tired and simply didn’t have the energy to worry about things. She hoped this safe house was not too far away. She didn’t think she could bear hiking very far let alone run for her life from drakes. And then there was the stress of having to make the trip with Raine who she barely knew. All she wanted to do was lie down somewhere and sleep for hours.

  She looked over at Ian gritting his teeth in pain and wondered what was to become of him. When she asked Grant what the Caverns were he told her it was a secret underground place where they will hide him from his father and keep him away from her and the baby. He said that once the baby came and they were back in power Ian would be sentenced according to his crimes.”

  Ian’s glare was like daggers stabbing into Grant and in spite of his pain he mocked Grant’s plan of action.

  “My father has his men out searching and it won’t be long until they find you. You efforts are futile.”

  Grant ignored Ian’s idle threat and motioned for Raine to take Felicitas up to safety.

  She looked back over at Ian and for some reason her heart went out to him regardless of what he had recently made her endure. Was her sympathy a left over effect from the intoxication of falling through the portal or simply the fact that she had dated the guy for over a year and had feelings for him during that time. In a way it seemed as if Ian had died. The guy bleeding and cursing in the grass did not appear to be the same person yet in her heart she knew he was. Her spirit ached in realization that all his affections and longing to be with her was only a charade in hopes of spoiling her purity so he could be king. Now lying in the grass bound and injured he offered no threat.

  “I want to speak with Ian before I leave.”

  Grant narrowed his eyes on her for a moment and then nodded.

  She crawled over to him lying in the grass with his eyes closed and his teeth clenched. His hair was wet with perspiration and he trembled uncontrollably. The blood from his wound soaked through his jeans and there was no doubt he was in excruciating pain.

  “Ian….I have something to say to you before I go.”

  “You say your name is Savas and you are the son of Draco. That may be true but you are also the son of woman who is from another kingdom. You are Savas and in a way you are Ian too. There are two sides to you. I saw the good part for a year so I know it’s in there. So while you are alone in the caverns think about that. You do not have to follow in your father’s footsteps you can follow in your mothers.”

  Ian opened his eyes. His gaze was frightening stealing the breath from her lungs. He struggled against the ropes that bound his wrist and rose to a sitting position then spit a stream of blood from his mouth. His words were cold reeking with hatred.

  “My mother’s dead; my father had her killed after I was born so it would be quite difficult to follow in her steps.”

  Felicitas swallowed hard and tried not to show the alarm she felt from his statement.

  “Then follow in your cousin Sargon’s. You have some of the same blood.”

  Ian looked at Grant and laughed.

  “What do you know about anything Taz? I love my father and want nothing more to follow in his steps.”

  Felicitas smiled despite of her swollen
lip.

  “To be able to love, there has to be a glimmer of good in you.”

  Ian spit a bloody stream across her face.

  “We all have good and bad raging a war inside of us Ian... Only you can decide which one you will let win.”

  She turned to Grant.

  “I’m ready to go now.”

  He helped her to her feet but her legs were still weak and she swayed some and clung to his arm to keep her balance. To her dismay he passed her over to Raine who gently took hold of her arm ready to help her mount one of the horses he had retained for their journey. She pulled away stating that she could mount it on her own.

  She took one feeble step but without much strength she fell into his arms. Color flooded into her cheeks as she tried to pull herself off his chest.

  “We’ll make it much faster if you allow me to help.”

  He was matter of fact and the tone of his voice infuriated her all the more.

  “Just give me a damn minute.” She cursed for impact but instead of bringing intimidation her choice of words only evoked a low chuckle from Grant and a disparaging insult from Ian who made a snide remark about true love.

  Raine mounted the horse and with Grants help pulled her up with him. She gave Grant one last plea before Raine nudged the sides of the stallion and led them out of the secluded meadow and down a hidden trail. She sighed and hoped the trip to the safe house would not take long and she hoped Grant would join up with them soon so she would not have to be alone with Raine. She wondered just how long they were staying on Haret before they went back through the portal to earth. She was frustrated that she didn’t get the chance to ask the question before she was hurriedly escorted away from the area.

  They followed the secluded path for almost an hour through low-lying terrain resembling a bog. Enormous trees lined the side of the footpath their foliage making a shaded tunnel blocking out the balmy rays of the sun. The scents wafting from the flowers and vines climbing the trees were spicy and therapeutic and seemed to relax her as well as lifting her spirits some.