by H. D. Gordon
From the mouths of babes &. I slowly climbed to my feet, wobbling a little and feeling nauseatingly lightheaded. Soraya seemed wise enough not to make physical contact with me again, but looking at her seemed to be even more difficult than touching her. I knew from her mind that she was seven years old, but small for her age, with dark, curly hair and big golden eyes. She had a cleft lip that did nothing to take away her beauty. And, she, like all the others down in that village, was being milked for blood. Oh God, I thought. Oh dear God.
Soraya began leading me back toward the lake. I put one foot in front of the other, drawing in harsh breaths that came easier with every step I took away from the damaged souls of the village. When we reached the rickety bridge, Soraya had to take my hand again, as I was still unsteady on my feet. I focused all of my concentration on blocking myself from seeing into her soul. By the time we made it across the bridge, I'd managed to gain some control over myself.
We sat down on a fallen tree trunk, and neither of us spoke for quite a while. The thing I kept thinking about was that Alexa hadn't told me about this. She hadn't told me that she'd met a little girl, who by the way, was Kayden's niece, and found a village full of vampires and werewolves who were all essentially blood slaves. Things started to click together in my head. The people disappearing from Two Rivers after they'd outgrown their use , the reason they all thought that a war was coming, and expected my sister to lead them in it, why Alexa had been so shaken up and disturbed while she was here, and maybe, though I didn't think this was right, but maybe, the reason she'd left. Upon seeing those poor people at the bottom of the hill, things had indeed changed for me. Bigger questions than the ones I'd come here with had presented themselves. The first one, and perhaps the most important, was why these supernaturals were being leached of their blood. I knew that Two Rivers was supplied by human blood banks, and I would definitely have known if the blood there was from supernaturals. The contrast between it and human blood is unmistakable.
Just as I knew my sister had probably done before me, I vowed to find out why. Someone at Two Rivers had to know what their blood was being used for, and I was confident that this would be one mission that I could succeed at over my sister. I would find the answers that she'd been looking for, and I would do it soon.
So, what's your name, Soraya asked, cutting into my thoughts.
Nelly, I replied.
Did Alexa tell you about me?
I looked over at the beautiful child and felt my stomach tighten all over again. I considered telling her the truth, and found that I just couldn't do it. Yes, I said. She's very fond of you.
I could tell immediately that this had been the right response, but at the same time, it seemed to worry the girl. But, don't worry, I added. I'm her sister, and she tells me things that she would never tell anyone else. Or at least I thought she did.
Soraya nodded. Why did she send you out here? It's not really safe. If someone sees you, you could get in a lot of trouble.
I ran the back of my hand across my damp forehead. This was why I hated lying. It always led to more lies. She didn't send me out here, I said. I had to come see for myself.
Soraya smirked, and it was a little crooked because of her cleft lip. I thought it was cute. What are you? she asked.
I was hoping she'd forgotten that question. I looked down at my hands. I supposed there wasn't really any reason to lie about this. Who was she going to tell? Certainly not the people who were enslaving her here. Then again, I didn't want to scare the crap out of her. I'm mixed, I said slowly. Like you. I'm half Searcher.
Soraya's little eyebrows drew together. After a moment, she shook her head. No, you're not like me. I'm half Searcher and half Brocken, so I'm not very strong at Searching or fighting. You & well, I don't know, but you're not like me. Whatever you were doing back there on top of the hill & your soul was practically & on fire.
I sat silently, waiting to hear where her clever conclusions were going to take her. She scratched her curly head. You're a Searcher, alright. But & She looked over at me. Well, just tell me.
I studied her for a moment, indecisive about what to say here. I guess I kind of wanted to share my secret with someone. It had been eating away at me for so long, but I'd have to tread carefully. Can you keep a secret? I asked. Soraya nodded, her hair bobbing around her little face. Okay, I continued, But before I tell you I want you to promise me that you won't judge me.
This made her laugh. Judge you? she said, grinning at me as though I was a few cards short of a full deck. Nelly, I'm the last person who would judge anyone.
I had to admit, she was a smart little thing. I could have reached out with my mind again, and Searched her to make sure she wouldn't freak out if I told her what I am, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. What had happened to me on the top of the hill had been too awful for words. My mind was my own right now, and I was kind of scared to let it back out again.
Okay, I said. I watched her face as I said my next words. I am half Searcher, but I'm also half Lamia.
For a second, I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting the girl to jump to her feet and take off screaming. When I heard nothing at all, I opened them back up. Soraya was staring at me, her little brows drawn together once more, with a very serious look on her face. After a moment, she sat back. Well, I'll be damned.
My eyebrows shot up. What? she said, after seeing my expression. You can't just say something like that and expect me not to say anything. Would you rather I run off screaming?
I couldn't help a laugh. No, I said. I wouldn t. I can see why Alexa likes you. You both speak your mind.
So, what's it like? she asked.
What's what like?
Being half Lamia. I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing.
I tucked my hair behind my ears. No, I'd bet not. I'm pretty sure I'm the only such thing . But, well, I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to lie about it all the time. They'd kill me if anyone found out what I am. I'm pretty good at Searching people because of it, though.
I was surprised that I was being so open with this little girl, who I barely even knew. What was even more surprising was that she didn't seem scared of me in the least bit. I guess when the only life you've ever known has been just one big nightmare, monsters in the dark lose their effect after a while. She smiled at me. I bet, she said, and then her face lit up with understanding. That's what you were doing on the hill, wasn't it? That's why it was too much for you. You were & Searching all of us, at the same time, weren't you?
A lump seemed to form in my throat. I nodded. Soraya's face grew thoughtful. So, you and your sister are both the only ones of your kind? she asked.
This question caught me off guard. It seemed so entirely random. But, then again, it was arguable that Soraya was just a strange little girl. She seemed to be waiting for my confirmation, though, so I nodded.
She glanced at the position of the sun, and my eyes followed her gaze. Well, you should be going, Kelly. You want to be out of the woods before nightfall. Finding your way back will be hard enough as is, and I gave my only compass to your sister.
She stood up, and I followed suit. Okay, I said. And, it's Nelly.
She smiled her crooked smile. I know. I was just messing with you.
I laughed. Good one. It was a pleasure meeting you, Soraya.
She was already skipping back in the direction of the bridge, but she stopped and turned. Yeah, nice meeting you too. If you come back, bring some cookies, would ya? Uncle Kayden sometimes brings them, but I haven't seen him in a while.
I nodded, wishing I could give this girl much more than just cookies. Absolutely, I said.
I continued watching her until she made it across the bridge and disappeared from sight. Then, I took a deep breath, and let my mind stretch back out. I forced it to go straight ahead, in the direction I thought Two Rivers to be, but I cringed a little when the buzz of the unfortunate souls at my back made themselves known again. That was all the ince
ntive I needed to put some pep in my step. At the same time, I felt awful about just leaving them and doing nothing. It made me feel extremely helpless.
I glanced down at my watch as I made my way through the trees. I would need to move fast if I wanted to reach the city before the sun set, and even then, I wasn't sure I would make it. This thought made a little fear coil inside me, and after a moment, I was running at full speed. Tree branches and sharp pine needles scraped at the exposed skin on my face and arms. The knees of my jeans were muddy and soaked through. The rain still fell. The sun continued to sink. I was becoming more and more anxious to reach my destination by the minute.
It helped me to just keep my mind focused on the souls of Two Rivers. I couldn't pick out any one in particular, but because there were so many of them in one place, their souls shined out to me like a lighthouse. I ran and ran and ran, wishing more than ever that my sister were with me. I was racing against the slowly settling darkness, and soon it became obvious that time was not on my side.
I had to stop once. I had run six miles straight and my chest was burning and my heart seemed to be pounding out of my chest. I didn't sit down, though. I just kept walking. When I felt the fatigue of my physical exertion today setting in, I picked up my pace again. If I stopped completely, I may not have the strength to keep going.
Although I had to concentrate on the direction I was heading in, and I was scared to be out in these enormous pines by myself after nightfall, I still had plenty of time to think about everything that I'd learned over the past few days. And, when I thought about all of it, I began to realize that perhaps some of the unease that seemed to be choking me at the moment was not just a result of being alone in the woods. Perhaps the place I was running toward was the real source of it. How could I just go back, and sit in my classes, and laugh with my friends at lunch, and smile at people who passed me by when I knew about all that I did? The people at Two Rivers were afraid, I'd seen it in their souls, felt it, and now I understood why. Their fears were akin to those of a child, who instinctively feels that there must be a horrible monster under their bed, waiting to come out as soon as the light switched off, with their parents assuring them that they had nothing to fear. The thing was, now I knew for a fact that their fears were founded. I'd seen with my own eyes the monster hiding under the bed.
I was only about two miles from the city when the sunlight peeking through the trees suffocated completely under the darkness of the falling night. I looked up when I passed through a small clearing. A bright, full moon was overhead, but its luster did little to penetrate most areas of these woods. For the first time ever, I was kind of glad to be what I was. Most supernaturals see reasonably well in the dark. Lamias see better.
So, I kept moving, telling myself I only had a little further to go, but a little panic swirled inside me nonetheless. I couldn't help it. I felt so tiny and helpless in this seemingly endless and foreign forest. I did my best to focus only on the glow of the souls up ahead, like the distant light at the end of the tunnel.
When the hair on my arms stood on end, I was only about a mile away from the city. My instant, involuntary reaction was to throw my mind out in a circle around me, scanning every living thing within a hundred yard radius of me. Silent alarms cried out in my head nearly as soon as I did so. I froze in my spot, the trees deceitfully quiet around me. My heart seemed to skip four whole beats. Someone was moving toward me, with bad, bad things on her mind.
Victoria. And, she was moving fast, on all fours.
Alexa
I can't believe you bought this, I said to Kayden, gripping the sides of my seat and speaking loudly as to be heard over the sounds of the water rushing by underneath the boat.
Kayden shrugged, and his hand eased up a little on the throttle. The boat slowed, and the engine quieted. He held the GPS device that we'd picked up earlier up so that he could look at the screen, which seemed to glow annoyingly bright out on this uncomfortably black ocean. For reasons unknown to me, one of my only fears, other than losing my sister, was of being lost out on the ocean, or worse,drowning in the ocean and being eaten by sharks. In fairness, I had only ever even seen the sea twice in my life, and while I'd been on boats in lakes and rivers and such, I'd never been on a boat at sea. Perhaps I wouldn't have been so uneasy if it were day, but it was full and dark night out; the only lights were just dots in the distance. Though the boat wasn't small, it was no yacht either, and the movement of the water rocked it with unsteady consistency. I didn't like the panicky feeling it gave me. I wished Nelly were with me. She'd probably be scared too, and then I would be able to force myself to be more in control of my own fear to soothe her. Instead, I was beginning to feel a little nauseated.
The water had a way of making me feel small, insignificant & underhanded. It showed no care that I was a mighty Sun Warrior on a mission to save a dear one. My Gladius, which was tucked underneath my legs at the moment, was no match for its fierceness. No matter how hard I punched or kicked it, it wouldn't buckle under my strength. If it wanted me, it could claim me, and there would be nothing I could do about it.
Stop thinking like that. You need to focus & or let me focus for you.
I can do this without letting you out to murder everyone we come across.
You sound dreadfully bitter & and ungrateful, dear girl. You run into trouble in there, and I'll bet you'll be whistling a different tune.
I run into trouble in there and I'm dead, and stop calling me girl .
Stop calling me monster .
I rolled my eyes, and then noticed that Kayden had turned to face me. Even though it was quite dark, I could see the confused expression on his face. Did you hear anything I just said? he asked.
I pressed my lips together and shook my head. No, sorry, I said.
Kayden was silent for a moment. You need to focus here, Warrior. I asked you if you need to go over the plan one more time.
I shook my head. No. I know what I need to do. And, you're right I'll try to focus.
I could tell Kayden was studying me. Does the water make you nervous?
I hesitated, then, nodded. Yeah. I've never been out on the ocean before.
You know we have to get in the water to get on the island, he said.
The reminder made my stomach clench. Yeah, I know. I'll be fine. I'm a pretty good swimmer. My mother always thought it was one of the best ways to build muscle.
He nodded. I'll be right next to you. The smaller island where Manny told us to dock the boat is only about fifty feet from the island where Dangeon sits. It's not a far swim.
Kayden turned the throttle and the boat started forward again. I looked up at the sky to try and calm my nerves. I had to admit, the night sky was beautiful out here on the water. I could see thousands of stars twinkling above, and again I felt really small staring up at its vastness. I'm not one with too many religious beliefs, probably because I wasn't really raised with any, but I couldn't help but send up a silent prayer that all would go well tonight. I got the feeling that no one was listening. I was on my own with this one.
Kayden eased up on the throttle again, and the boat slowed. He pointed ahead. There it is. Try to conserve as much energy as you can while we're in the water. If your mother is in there, I have a feeling that we are going to have to tow her back to the boat.
I nodded. Got it.
The small island that Manny was talking about was really just a large piece of what seemed like all vegetation. I doubted we would be able to walk around on it too well, but it seemed solid enough to hold the boat in place, and that was all we needed. When we reached it, Kayden took a rope and secured the boat to a sturdy branch. I clenched my fists. My hands were shaking.
After the boat was in place, Kayden held up the GPS once more. Then, he looked to the east and squinted. His breath drew in sharply, and I followed his gaze. There it was.
It wasn't completely clear at first, and I knew that the magic that kept humans from finding this place was more th
an efficient. The air around it seemed to shimmer, and slowly, I began to be able to make out the prison. Clenching my fists did nothing to stop my hands from shaking now.
Dangeon. I supposed the name fit. The island that it sat on seemed to be made of shiny, slick black rock, and the prison covered its surface from edge to edge. The structure was black stone as well, and the walls were steep and neck-bending high. I looked up and up, trying to see if I could make out the top of it, which seemed to blot out the sky behind it. From my vantage point, I could see all four of the guard towers that were positioned on the prison's corners, and a flickering light, as if a flame were ablaze, glowed from each one of them. I shuddered. The place seemed completely impenetrable, and looked like it was built by Dracula himself. The water smashed against the rocks at the foot of it, and my confidence in my swimming abilities faltered. I hadn't known that a place could be so intimidating; so scary. The hairs on my neck and arms were standing on end, and I noticed that even though the night air was warm, my teeth were chattering.
Strong hands fell on my shoulders, and I felt a familiar warmth settle over me. I turned my head to see Kayden standing behind me where I sat on the leather seat of the boat. Involuntarily, my hands reached up and clutched his. There was no point in trying to hide it. Kayden could tell that I was scared.
You ready? he asked.
I stood, not liking the fact that the way the boat was rocking in time with the water made me feel unsteady on my feet. I stared up at the prison of horrors; the place that my Mother may be trapped and tortured inside. The very look of the place confirmed the second part. I knew in my gut that bad, bad things took place behind those stone walls. My resolve strengthened a little. I supposed that this was the definition of courage. You can't be brave if you're not scared.
I'm ready, I told him, and in my head, my monster clapped its hands together and grinned broadly. It was go time.
