I didn't mean to do it! The gun just went off. I was angry, but not like that. It was an accident I swear. I would never have…
These thoughts raced throughout the forefront of her mind as Morrigan fell to the ground. The bracelet that sat on Gabrielle’s wrist burned with an intensity unfamiliar to her. It scorched her skin but she didn’t care. She threw the gun down to the ground and then ran to Morrigan.
All the pain of betrayal was gone. The only thing left was the monster that Gabrielle had become. She'd killed so many times now that it was second nature to her, but this time when she pulled the trigger she'd killed the one person she'd cared about. The one person that was always there for her.
Falling to Morrigan’s side, Gabrielle took her fading body up in her arms for the second time that day. Rivulets of remorseful tears streamed down her face. Morrigan’s breaths were becoming shallow and faint.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’msorryI’msorry,” her words slurred together as she rocked back and forth and ran her palm down Morrigan’s face. Morrigan didn’t look like she was in any pain; in fact it almost looked like she was smiling. She reached her hand up and placed one finger on Gabrielle’s chin.
Gabrielle pressed her hands to the wound in Morrigan’s chest but there wasn’t any blood this time. A faint ray of golden light shot out like a lantern in a bog. She pressed her palm to the wound to try and force the light back inside of her.
“How. Can I. Fix. This?” Gabrielle wept as she looked into Morrigan’s beautiful lavender eyes that had begun to grey.
“You can’t die. You are a god!” Gabrielle begged as urgency consumed her. Weakly, Morrigan shook her head.
“You're the only one that can stop him,” Morrigan’s voice was soft as if she were the one comforting Gabrielle and not the other way around. “You have the powers to vanquish evil. Don't let him take it from—” Morrigan’s words died on her lips and her once beautiful eyes were now grey and lifeless.
Gabrielle screamed. She didn’t know what else to do so she sat in the dirt and screamed. She screamed until there was no more breath left in her to scream and her voice was hoarse and dry.
She lay down next to Morrigan’s body, her tears had dried and she couldn’t muster the strength to cry anymore but she wasn’t ready to leave yet.
She didn’t know if she'd laid there for minutes, hours, days, weeks, or years but it wasn’t until a sudden, familiar squeal broke Gabrielle from her lost daze. She jumped up to her feet as another screech broke the still air.
Elizabeth was now hugging her and pulling her towards the grain. The sun had disappeared at some point behind dark storm clouds, and thunder rumbled. A third screech called out to the two of them from the crops.
“Carman….the Sluagh…they’re back,” Gabrielle said as she pulled Elizabeth close to her.
“What do we do?” Elizabeth trebled with every word she spoke.
“The real monsters are back,” Gabrielle said to the little one. A vicious crash of lightning ripped from the sky and struck the edge of the field before them. The field of grain went up in a fiery blaze that consumed everything it touched.
Through the dancing of the flames, the familiar silhouettes appeared all around them. Somehow the Sluagh had returned
“Run!” Gabrielle yelled, pulling at Elizabeth. They turned and ran towards the house. Every muscle in Gabrielle’s body burned from exhaustion, but she pushed herself faster, willing her legs to move.
She didn’t stop to think about how close they were, or if Elizabeth was able to keep pace. She grabbed the small hand of the young girl and pulled her along, dragging her through the field.
The reeds were like little razors as they ran, scratching and cutting at Gabrielle’s face and arms. She hardly felt the pain, her only thought, the only thing that mattered, was getting to the farmhouse.
The Sluagh’s screams echoed through the field and Gabrielle couldn’t tell exactly where they were coming from. She didn’t know what she was going to do when she got to the farmhouse.
Sam and Thompson were gone, taken by Carman and probably dead, Morrigan was dead. She had no one left to help her fight.
She had Elizabeth. She couldn't let those things get her. This became the only thought that occupied her mind. It consumed her and became her only purpose. She couldn’t save her mother, her friends or Morrigan, but she could save Elizabeth and she knew what she had to do.
“We need to hide. We have to get into your room!” Gabrielle yelled as the two broke through the field and ran with everything she had left to the porch.
She took a fleeting glance over her shoulder as they ran across the porch and into the doorway. The Sluagh were everywhere. Like a storm moving in over the mountains, they poured from all directions. The flames from the field rose into the sky and choked the sun from their sight.
With a fleeting breath Gabrielle pulled Elizabeth inside the kitchen door and slammed it behind them.
“Keep running!” she yelled as she ran past Elizabeth, pulling her into the air as she went. Gabrielle threw the cellar door open and they disappeared into the darkness, their feet echoing on every step.
A small light was visible from inside the secret room and it was a welcoming sight to Gabrielle’s exhausted body.
As she pulled the heavy door open, she pushed Elizabeth inside. Everything that had happened weighed down on her like a stone on her chest. Morrigan, her mother, Elizabeth, it all hardened her like ice.
Gabrielle looked at the scared child and knew she would never be able to save her like this. Her plan was crazy and she didn’t know if it would work or if she would be damned for doing it, but she had to try.
“I need you to hide, little one. Don't come out until they're all gone.” Gabrielle smiled and looked at her bangle. “Oh, and do me a favor and keep this safe.” She removed the ancient silver for the first time ever by herself.
The tarnished bangle glinted in the dim light as she tossed it to Elizabeth. Her small childish hands made the bracelet look unnaturally large and daunting. At that moment, the door to the cellar opened. Gabrielle gave one last sad smile as she prayed that her plan would work.
“Stay quiet and hide,” she whispered as she reach into the door and removed the small lantern that hung inside the doorway. Shutting the door, she then placed her head against the cold stone and closed her eyes.
“Forgive me,” she whispered to Alexandra, Morrigan, Hazel and everyone else she’d hurt by doing this. She felt naked without the companionship of the bangle. She felt alone.
Placing the lantern on the floor next to her feet, she turned to face her fate. The Sluagh had already made their way down to the bottom of the stairs, and Gabrielle now looked at the face of the slobbering soulless creatures.
There would be no escaping them this time. They'd come for her and she would finally let them, but being damned to torment meant nothing if she couldn’t at lease spare Elizabeth that same fate.
Come on Elizabeth, put on the bracelet. She thought as panic rose up from her within her.
The Sluagh continued to advance on Gabrielle in the twilight of the lantern. She kept her eyes fixated on the whirling pits of their eyes.
The first monster opened its fanged mouth and thick green saliva dripped from its maw. It screamed so loud that she felt the sound pour over her and reverberate throughout her body. Then, with one swift movement, the entire herd charged at her, all screaming their demonic songs.
“Put it on Elizabeth!” she yelled. Her screams turned into a roar of attack and she ran towards the horde, her arms out in front of her.
A set of fanged teeth flashed before her eyes, then nothing.
CHAPTER TWENTY
It sounded like a stampede of elephants were on the other side of the door. Gabrielle flattened her back up against the wall. The room was dark but she knew her plan had worked.
As she squeezed her hands over her ears she tried to focus on getting Elizabeth out instead of listening to the s
ounds of Hazel’s body being ripped apart.
As she looked around the small hidden room for something to help her out of this situation, Gabrielle became undeniably exhausted. She struggled to keep her eyes open but the dream world called to her tired eyes and wounded muscles. The world started to fade away as the darkness won the battle.
The air was hot and a pressure was building in her chest. She kicked and scratched and screamed at the darkness ahead of her, but the more she yelled and fought, the more the pressure on her seemed to lessen.
After a few moments of violent thrashing, she felt a sudden thud on her back and pain shot over her as the wind was forced out of her lungs.
“Well now, doesn't that seem a bit dramatic?” a familiar voice called at her from beyond the darkness. Gabrielle gasped for air and saw a flicker of light next to her hand.
She clawed at the sight until the warmth of illumination embraced her. She realized she'd been under a thick comforter and was overcome with a fierce embarrassment. She was in Alexandra’s loft once again.
Gabrielle stood and whipped the sweat-drenched clothing the clung to her body.
“Your games are getting really old, Alexandra,” Gabrielle muttered as she looked around the room. The older woman was sitting in her usual chair by the fireplace.
“I dare say you look far worse than I've ever seen you. How are you Gabrielle?” Gabrielle let out a condescending laugh in response.
“You know how I am, Alexandra.” The name Alexandra was dripping with more disdain than Gabrielle intended and she looked away.
“I think that you may want to sit down. We have a lot of things to discuss,” the old woman waived Gabrielle over to a chair where there was a tray of cookies from the last time they talked.
Gabrielle didn’t move. She didn’t know if she could trust Alexandra anymore. With everything that happened, how Morrigan had lied, what Gabrielle had done to Hazel; she was afraid.
“Why?” Gabrielle asked, the skepticism lacing her words.
“Well, I think that it may be more comfortable for you after—” Alexandra began before Gabrielle interrupted her.
“No. Not why should I sit, why am I here? Stop playing games Alexandra, I have a lot of questions that I need answers to.”
“Please sit down,” Alexandra’s voice dropped to a commanding tone. She cleared her throat then continued on in her usual chipper voice. “I'll answer any questions you have. Although I think I can very well guess what they are.” Alexandra motioned again towards Gabrielle’s chair.
Gabrielle knew there was no arguing with Alexandra. Like it or not, the old woman was the only one who really knew what was going on, and Gabrielle needed her. So, she made her way to the chair and sat.
The sun beat through the window just as it always had and the fire crackled. The loft looked like she'd last been there only moments ago. The familiarity was almost comical and Gabrielle had to stifle a laugh when Alexandra offered her a cup of hot tea.
“No thanks,” she said, even though she would have given anything for the comforting taste. It just didn’t seem right to be sipping tea, in Alexandra’s loft after everything that happened.
“Why?” she repeated, her head swelling with far too many questions to be specific. Gabrielle wanted the answers to life. She wanted a purpose and intent. She wanted someone or something to blame.
“Well, that’s something I think you are entitled to.” Alexandra began, as if she could read Gabrielle’s mind, which she very well may have been able to do.
“I’m sorry that you had to discover things out this way. What I have to say will be quite the tale. It’s important you listen to everything before asking further questions.”
Gabrielle gave a curt nod in response and Alexandra reached out for her hand, but she pulled it away. She may have to listen to what Alexandra had to say but she didn’t have to trust her.
“The world… life itself, is a complicated matter. With so many questions and beliefs, one could answer all life’s inquiries with ‘yes’. Though vague, this doesn't mean that it's incorrect…” Alexandra paused, as if she were expecting Gabrielle to object. Gabrielle stirred in her seat but remained silent. She’d come to expect complicated and vague answers from the older woman.
“In life, there needs to be balance. All life moves in an ever-renewing fashion.” Alexandra paused for a second as if she realized what she was saying was too complex for Gabrielle.
“Life is like a circle,” she continued, drawing a circle in the air with her finger. “In death, there is also rebirth. We talked a little bit about this before when we met.” Gabrielle nodded along as Alexandra spoke.
“As you know there are many planes of existence. There’s the mortal world, and the Other World. The Other World is a beautiful place of life, youth, power, and nature. A home to those who have passed from this realm and wait to re-enter at another time. Living in the Other World, you also find beings of immense power and ability. These creatures are gods and it's their job to make sure that everything in the world runs smoothly and in balance. But, with so many gods holding such limitless power and resolve, balance can be fickle. Are you understanding everything so far?”
“I think so.”
“Many years ago, these very beings collected themselves and decided on a ruling way to maintain balance. In this, the intention was simple; each deity would rule for a century. After which, that being would relinquish the throne to the next. This cycle would continue for eternity. Unfortunately, someone discovered a way to disrupt the balance.” Gabrielle nodded her head. She knew that this someone was Arawn.
“Yes,” Alexandra nodded. “He learned long ago, that with his power came the ability to trap or harness the essence of the living, of the Sentients, but he has no dominion over the living. So, he would wait and use his influences to shorten their lives and when they died he was there waiting for them. He would prevent them from passing over into the Other World, forcing the poor Lamented souls to relive their deaths over and over again. The power that he gained from the Lamented increased his power and made him stronger than any of the other gods in the Other World. He refused to give up his throne to Morrigan and there was nothing that anyone could do about it. Until now.”
At the mention of Morrigan, Gabrielle felt the stabbing pain of sadness mixed with betrayal.
“This has thrown off the balance of the Other World and Arawn has turned many of its lush forces into defiled monstrosities, some of which you have already had encounters with. Morrigan found a way to remove his power. If she could free the souls, they could pass over into the Other World and Arawn would lose their power. For her to do this, she would have to find a power stronger than Arawn himself. Something that he could not touch, something he had no dominion over. A living Sentient. Morrigan searched the world to find someone that would willingly take on this cause and help her best Arawn. That someone was you.”
“Why me?” Gabrielle interrupted. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to know.
“The bangle holds immense power, my dear. It is a key to the Other World and to the locks that bind the trapped souls. It has energy of its own, and it chose you. I cannot tell you why, but I can tell you that it's a blessing. You're pure at heart and fearless. You're exactly what we needed.”
“I didn't choose this. You and Morrigan tricked me into this and now I’m stuck in this war, my mother is gone, and I have nothing!” Gabrielle yelled, standing from her seat. She couldn’t handle his anymore.
“I did no such thing. I gave you the choice. You chose this oblation, this sacrifice. I’m sorry for your mother, but there are bigger things going on here. Now sit down!”
Gabrielle had never seen Alexandra look this mad so she sat, because what else could she do? Alexandra’s face dropped and a heavy sadness hung in the air.
“I'm one of the Lamented souls that Arawn trapped. Morrigan did this for the right reasons. Don’t look at this as a betrayal or a
s something that you have no part in. You’re needed, Gabrielle. Without you, without Morrigan, these souls… I... would be lost forever.”
Gabrielle’s face softened, how could she be acting so selfish when so many souls were stuck in the balance?
“Morrigan is gone now,” Gabrielle sighed and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Alexandra reached across and put her hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder. This time, Gabrielle let her.
“Don't cry for Morrigan. Cry for those still trapped in Arawn’s grasp. We still need to save them and remove him from the throne. This is all the more important now. Especially with your mother—”
“How can I make a difference now?” Gabrielle asked as she wiped the one rebellious tear away with the back of her hand.
“You must continue on, my dear. He can be stopped, but you have an even tougher task ahead of you. You must go back, and you must look for a man. He is a vile and hateful man. He will do many terrible and awful things. He holds the key to defeating Arawn.” Alexandra topped off her cup of tea and then poured a second cup for Gabrielle. It was time for her to go back.
“How does he hold the key to stopping Arawn?” she asked, taking the cup and saucer from Alexandra.
“My shop holds many old and powerful things. I know you remember looking through all my oddities. I wasn’t the first person to realize the power of these objects nor was I the first collector. All the magical and ancient items in my shop came from one man. He used these things to secure his power and bend others to his will. You will need to take them from him.” Alexandra reached behind her seat and withdrew a small section of cloth.
The fabric was red with a white circle in the center and a black rigid design embossed the circle.
“Wait, you mean—?”
“Yes, my dear. This will likely be the most treacherous part of the adventure yet, but it must be done.”
“I don't know if I can. I just lost a soul to the Sluagh. I left little Elizabeth in the dark alone. I tried to save her but—”
The Gabrielle Series Boxed Set Page 41
