by Sela Croft
The group strode away, leaving me trembling behind my rocky hiding place. That was a lucky stroke for me; not so much for the other men. I’d have to avoid getting within range of those fire guns.
I was beginning to wise up. This was no child’s play or fairy-tale adventure. The inhabitants of this world were deadly serious about the battle waging on. I had no weapon, an omission I needed to remedy.
The trouble was, there were no laser guns lying around, or knives, or swords—not that I knew how to use any item on the list. It wasn’t practical to carry a boulder around, and lob it at anyone unfriendly, even if I could carry it.
I drew on the only survival training I’d had. I searched for a hardy branch, then rubbed the tip against a boulder until it had an edge to it. I doubted it was very sharp, but I could poke someone in the eye. Or at the very least, whack an attacker in the head with it.
Since I had no other options, it would have to do. My best chance at making it out of trouble was to stay out of sight. Engaging the enemy was to be avoided, unless I was left with no choice.
Crouched behind a bush, I gazed down the mountain. The city still stood, seemingly unaffected by the battle waging around it. That was the place to go for help; it had to be. I hadn’t a clue what to do once I got there. I’d figure that out when I arrived.
There had to be some safety in this place. The residents couldn’t all be bent on killing, unless my luck was even worse than it appeared to be.
Some of the commotion had died down, but I could still hear distant explosions. Plus, random gunshots told me that the environment remained unsafe.
There was no direct route, so I made my way down, little by little. My hands scraped over rough rocks and branches tore at my clothes. I used the weapon I’d made as a walking stick for balance.
I had no food or water, so began to feel drained. Yet I couldn’t give in to weakness. The place to find supplies would be where there was civilization, not out in the wilderness. My survival training only went so far.
The down slope led to a flatter area and less challenging terrain, a welcome break. I stopped to listen, and make sure it was okay to keep going.
A rustling in the trees was a warning, but the intruders were upon me before I reacted. Two people swooped beside me, each taking an arm, then lifting me off my feet. So much for using my stick weapon. It fell from my hand and rolled away.
I screamed but was relieved to see my abductors didn’t have pointy ears. On my left was a woman a bit older than me, and on my right, was a strong man with a kind-looking face. Relief swept over me at the realization that they were human.
I didn’t resist too much, which would have been useless. The strength of their grips told me that I was out muscled.
My new companions lifted me off the path and darted around a tree. Each took one of my arms, and in unison, raced through an opening between two boulders—with me in tow. Much to my amazement, there was a well-trodden path, and my guides knew the way.
The woman turned to look at me. “What were you thinking? It’s dangerous out here. You can’t stroll, out in the open.” Her partner stopped to stare at me, with admonition in his expression.
I had no quick retort. Clearly, I didn’t know my way around as well as I should. Not that I’d had a chance to figure all that out. But I was so happy to see another human, I wanted to put my arms around her neck and weep.
Before I could express my gratitude, the ground vibrated like an earthquake, as though the mountain might open to devour us. My two rescuers pulled out real weapons and whipped around, staring up at whatever was behind me.
I dreaded to think what they witnessed but didn’t have time to worry about it. A powerful arm wrapped around my waist and lifted me off my feet. I had no delusions that the attacker was friendly. I screeched, then clawed at the massive arm.
The pressure threatened to squeeze the breath out of me. I kicked and fought, but it was of no use. Whoever had me was supernaturally strong, and I flailed around like a rag doll in the grip of Godzilla. The behemoth surely intended to kill me.
Chapter 4
Callie
Prepared to draw my last breath, I kicked against the monster’s thigh, but it was hard as concrete and hurt my heel. Through my wavering consciousness, the woman shouted, “No!” The pressure around my waist went slack, then air filled my lungs. I might live, after all.
“She’s a friend.” The woman stared up at my attacker, while I stared at her. Then she nodded at me and flagged me over. Needing no encouragement, I rushed to her side and her partner moved to stand in front of me.
The woman stepped bravely forward. “Help us save her. She’s not an enemy.”
The giant was powerful, as I’d witnessed. But he appeared human, except that he was about seven feet tall. He had a broad nose, a square jaw, and light brown wavy hair that hung to his shoulders. Looking in his crystal blue eyes, I perceived intelligence mingled with fierceness.
My mind reading ability surged to life and his thought popped into my head. I don’t recognize her blood. That threw me off. He couldn’t expect to recognize me, if he hadn’t seen me before. Yet I sensed there was more meaning to be gleaned from his perception.
“I’d introduce you, but I don’t know her name yet.” The sound of explosions, not far off, lent a sense of urgency to the scene. “Right now, let’s just get out of here.”
My companions took off at a brisk pace, and I kept up, not wanting to be left behind. The ground thudded, reminding me that the nice monster was behind us, as protection.
“Sorry about that scare. He’s rather attached to us and saw you as a threat…which is puzzling. He sides with human-kind, keeps us from…never mind. I’ll tell you later.”
Breathing hard, yet still able to converse, I said to the woman, “Is he human?”
“No, he’s a half-breed, part human but has Fae blood. He’s mute, so don’t expect any stimulating conversations. But he’s sharp, and very loyal.”
“And strong,” I said. So, he was part Fae. Well, I’d seen a crystal city unlike any back home, watched dragons swoop through the sky. My new monster friend fit right in.
“His name is Oisin.” I nodded at him, still barely able to breathe.
I had so many questions, but now wasn’t the time to ask. I’d have a chance, once out of harm’s way—which would be soon, hopefully. I wasn’t sure how much farther my legs could carry me, and I was a bit shaky from having the life nearly squeezed out of me.
Straightaway, my guides took me to a deeper part of the forest, somewhat lower down the mountain. A sheltered opening housed rows of stone cottages, a welcoming site. There was nothing fancy about it, but the community had a family feel, and even better, a human feel.
At the door to one of the identical cottages, I was ushered inside. The giant Oisin had gone his own way, so wasn’t there to follow us in. Maybe he guarded from a distance. The interior was much like I was used to. There was a fireplace, a wooden table, and a few scattered rugs on the floor.
My hosts shed weapons and other gear, then motioned for me to sit. I sagged into a rocking chair by the fireplace. “I’m not sure what I’d have done if you hadn’t come by.”
“I haven’t figured out why you were out there alone,” the woman said, her hazel eyes expressing friendliness mixed with wariness. “I’m Gretl Jarvey, and this is my husband Matteo.” He nodded, then went down the hallway, leaving me with his wife.
Gretl untied her long brown hair and shook it out. “So, who are you?”
“Callendra Mayfair but call me Callie. I’m here to find my twin sister Rosamon, who disappeared.”
“Disappeared, as in, she’s magic?”
I stared at her. “She’s not magic. She’s human like me. We live in Astoria, Oregon, and I followed her here. All I want to do is find her and go home.” That sure sounded good right then.
“Oregon?” Gretl held up a hand. “Explain yourself. That’s on the outside.”
�
�It’s definitely outside of this world, that’s for sure.” The day’s events tumbled through my mind. “Where am I, anyway? What is this place called?”
“Either you really are from the outside, or you’ve had a severe memory lapse.” Gretl studied me. “Humans don’t go in and out of Shadowland, so how exactly did you get in here?”
“So that’s where I am…Shadowland?” I hadn’t heard of it before, even in myths or legends. “What kind of place is this?”
“You don’t get to ask questions, until you answer mine. So, you were living in Astoria, was it? And then, poof, here you are?”
“That’s close,” I said. “My sister and I hung around an abandoned church, just for something to do, you know.”
A hint of a smile showed in Gretl’s expression. “I take it that Astoria is a small town?”
“Small enough. But this morning, or it was morning back home, anyway. I followed Rosamon to the church. I couldn’t catch up with her. And when I got there I saw her step into a dark alcove. I followed into the shadows, and ended up on the mountaintop where you found me.”
“That’s the answer then.” Gretl paced the floor. “Or part of one. Shadowland is another dimension.”
Of all the things that had stunned me that day, the idea of another dimension seemed the most outrageous.
“When you were in the shadows, didn’t you sometimes feel something?”
“Sure,” I said. “It’s spooky, and I’d feel like there were ghosts. Or we’d pretend stuff. But nothing was really there.”
Gretl looked at me.
“Do you mean to say that a whole world exists in the shadows?” The concept was worth arguing, despite the fact of where I was sitting. I could be dreaming, or I might be delusional. More than likely, I’d lost my mind.
“What I can’t figure out is how you got in,” Gretl said. “The only way I know of for that to happen is for the human to be brought here.”
“Well, my sister got in before me. I followed her. I’m sure she’s here, and I have to find her before something really awful happens.”
Then Matteo returned to the living room with a young boy in tow. He had his dad’s brown hair and eyes. Holding tight to his father’s hand, he partially hid behind him. “This is our son Davit. He’s only six, and a bit shy.”
I smiled at their son, and introduced myself. Davit didn’t seem to relish more attention, so he raced toward the kitchen. “I’m hungry, Mommy.”
The mention of food made my stomach rumble. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d eaten. We all migrated to the wooden dining table, then proceeded to eat and drink our fill. It wasn’t my favorite chicken dumplings from back home, but it was a chicken dish. As starved as I was, it tasted darn good.
I drank the ale I was offered, and relaxed. The conversation was engaging. I learned more about the land where I now resided—if temporarily. The Jarveys were part of a logging enterprise, along with the other residents. And Matteo was one of the supervisors. From what I could understand, the families didn’t profit from their endeavors.
Shadowland had a ruling class, and the humans were a slave culture. It seemed that my new friends had adapted to the lifestyle, but there was little choice. Having been born here, there were no other options. As Gretl had pointed out, humans didn’t leave by choice, if they left at all.
“When there’s fighting going on,” Matteo said, “you need to keep out of sight.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Not that I’d had any alternative earlier. “It seems quiet out there now. What was the fighting about?”
“It’s ongoing,” Matteo said. “The Fae encroached on our territory. We can’t let them take over.”
It was all too much for me. I’d had enough for one day, and Gretl could tell. When she lifted her son into her arms and headed off to bed, she waved for me to follow. “Come on, Callie, I’ll show you where you can sleep.”
I was tired enough to drop onto the wooden floor and use a log for a pillow. But I was offered a real bed, so I fell into it, nearly asleep before my head hit the pillow. The warmth of the tiny room enveloped me, and I closed my eyes, feeling like I could sleep for a week.
Chapter 5
Callie
I stirred against the soft pillow, burrowing deeper into the bed. Luxuriating, I dreamily thought of summer vacation. Rosamon and I would meet Noah at the river.
A sense of gloom descended, and I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room. It was not so different from my bedroom at home, yet it was so far from the life I had there. Dread riddled my belly. It was true: my sister was gone and faced with a strange land it was up to me to find her.
Whining wouldn’t make it any better. The sooner I found her, the quicker we could get home. I didn’t know how to achieve that second part, but I’d figure it out then. For now, I had more pressing issues.
I slipped out of bed to wash and dress. Gretl had left some clothes that fit decently well, along with a pack filled with necessities. Having heard my tale the night before, she lent support to my quest.
My long black hair was tangled, but a good shampoo worked wonders. Thank goodness, I’d run into another woman. Groomed and ready to face whatever was ahead, I felt almost human again—an odd concept considering where I was.
While I primped and pampered, my twin might be hurt or worse. Safety was something I might not experience again for a while, but saving my sister was worth the risk. I retrieved her necklace from the pocket of the clothes I’d worn the day before and put it around my neck.
There was noise down the hallway, coming from the kitchen. A family scene greeted me. Gretl stirred a pot on the stove, with her son clinging to her leg. When I came in, Matteo got up and tossed a napkin on his plate. “You look better.”
“I was a bit battered when we met, so I probably didn’t make the best impression.”
“In our lives, we don’t rely on impressions. But we do count on each other…we have to.” Matteo grabbed his jacket, then kissed his wife. “I have to be off.” He looked at me. “If I don’t see you before you go…” He didn’t finish the thought, just nodded and left.
That was a sobering greeting, yet I didn’t doubt his sentiment.
“Have a seat,” Gretl said. “I hope you like eggs.” She scooped eggs and bacon onto a plate and set it before me. It was odd how familiar it all was. Yet I’d best remember that things were not as they seemed.
When she sat across from me, Davit lifted his arms and she pulled him onto her lap. He nestled against her, staring at me with big eyes.
The food was tasty, and a hot mug of coffee was next to the plate. I sipped the coffee first, then added some cream to it. I’d recently acquired a taste for coffee, and the caffeine was welcome. I stirred the eggs around.
“You better eat,” Gretl said, while rubbing her son’s back. “You don’t know when you’ll have another chance—unless, you’re planning to stay with us for a while.”
“It’s tempting, but I’d only be kidding myself. I’m out of my element here, and I can’t put things right until I find Rosamon.”
“What does she look like?”
“We’re twins, but we have different features. She’s seventeen like me, same height and size. But she has blond hair and blue eyes, so she’s beautiful. Where I’m…well…”
Davit must have decided I was more friend than foe. He blurted out, “Where did you get that color of eyes?”
I’d been kidded about my deep violet eyes and raven black hair for most of my life. I had no explanation for it. But the way he asked wasn’t offensive.
Gretl squeezed her son. “Callie’s eyes are gorgeous. I haven’t seen a color like that. It’s striking. You must be special.”
“Um, just the opposite…but thanks.” It wasn’t difficult to read their minds, since they were human like me. All I perceived were kind thoughts and well wishes. That was certainly not how it had been at home, where I was used to bullying, from boys particularly. I had been thought of as a fre
ak. And the girls hadn’t wanted to be considered the same by association, so tended to steer clear of me.
It was kind of nice to encounter friendly people. Too bad I’d had to transport to another dimension to find them. “You don’t seem unhappy here.”
Gretl smiled. “We were born here, descended from many generations of human slaves. It’s all we know.”
“Slaves? Who owns you?” It sounded peculiar to talk about that.
“The kingdom’s royalty oversees all. And we have it better than some.”
I swallowed a bite of eggs, then dabbed at my mouth with a napkin. Just because I was away from home didn’t mean I’d lost my manners. That was one thing that had been drilled into me.
“How do you know about Oregon, or the outside, if you haven’t been there?”
“That is a long answer,” Gretl said. “But the short of it is that there have been outsiders here before. There was a period, long ago, when humans were transported into the kingdom. But I’ve been told there were issues with that. It wasn’t easy to control humans who’d known the other world. So now humans are farmed for the benefit of the powers that be.”
That was a new one. “Farmed? Like you’re cattle or something?”
“That’s not how we like to view it. But if we do as we’re told, it’s not too bad. Yet as I mentioned, some don’t have it as good.”
I hesitated to ask but had to know what I was dealing with. “What do you consider not as good?”
“Those bred for consumption.” Gretl spoke as though such was to be expected, yet it came as a shock to me.
“Who runs this place?” I had visions of cannibals, or some other kind of brute.
“The Bayne family currently rules, and has for centuries. Although, there’s upheaval in the kingdom now.” Gretl looked at me, and her thoughts conveyed that she understood I couldn’t completely follow her train of thought.
