From the trees stepped the creature, Cora’s demented nightmare, Sean’s father. They glanced at each other and then at the dark form that stood not far in front of them. Clamping down on Cora’s hand, Sean sent one message that she heard loud and clear.
“Run.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
WHIRLWINDS
Cora had never run so fast in her life, her own future and possible murder flashing before her very eyes. Sean was at her side, racing through tall grass and brush, never once letting her go as he pulled her every length of the stride.
“Can’t we stop and rest for a second?” Cora was breathless and her lungs felt as if they were on fire.
“We can’t risk stopping, he doesn’t rest once he’s targeted his mark. You’re his mark, Cora. Now run, your soul depends on it.”
Cora’s legs burned as much as her lungs, but she pushed herself to keep moving.
“Here.” Sean found a place for them to hide. Shoving aside some tall brush, a cave opening came into view. Sean quickly shoved Cora inside. Crawling in after her, he let the tall weeds cover the entrance. Like a couple of hunted animals, they stayed low holding their breath. There was no sound as they waited for Sean’s father to pass. Behind them, an arm smashed through the back entrance as Cora’s eyes came into contact with their pursuer. Sean yanked on Cora’s hand pulling her back through the entrance of the small cave. As fast as their legs would carry them, they both took off running back towards the cluster of trees.
A moment later, Sean’s father jumped down from a tree landing on both feet in front of them. The moment happened so fast that Sean had no chance to react. With one strong blow, the creature brought its hand up and knocked Sean across the side of the head with a jagged stone. Cora screamed as Sean’s body fell to the ground with blood trailing down the side of his face. His eyes remained shut as his body lay still.
For Cora, all sense of time stopped. She continued to scream for Sean to get up as the puddle of blood grew around his body. The fear on her face shown as she reached for him, but it was too late; Sean’s father clamped his hand around her wrist. She was struck by guilt, rage. She was swallowed by fury at the loss of her heart and soul draining away with the dimming life of Sean.
She was yanked hard, away from the lifeless body. She fought against her abductor, fell to her knees and was dragged across the forest floor. Cora felt cold, unfeeling. Sean was dead, dead, the other part of her soul.
“Get up,” he grunted out pulling her.
Horrified, she shrieked at him. “You killed him, you killed your son!”
He ignored her words as he switched his hands to her hair, yanking her from the ground. She tried to pull away but he tightened his grip as pain rippled through her scalp. He brought her up as she screamed in agony, walking her in a stumble away from Sean’s body. He marched her through the woods and water puddles. Fear caused her to flinch; she bit down bile and almost gagged. She looked around, listened, no sign of life. There was no one to help her, no one to save her, her heart and soul dying with every step they took.
“How did you find us?” her own voice cracked to the point she almost didn’t recognize it herself.
“Don’t you know by now that I can sense wherever you are?” he gripped her tighter. “Did you really think that you could run from me?”
“Not long,” she realized. “How long did it take you to find us?”
“Last night,” he said gruffly, then glancing at her with a sneer, “Too bad about your friend.”
Cora swallowed hard. “He was your son!”
“Not my son, that boy’s father died long ago.”
Tears rolled down her face, she could not hide the pain. How cruel this monster could be. It hurt so badly, her heart breaking as it whispered his name, Sean. In one last effort, she slammed her body into the creature. There was just a split second of surprise. He loosened his grip as she tried to run. Swinging his body around, he slammed into her and knocked her from her feet to the ground. She landed hard as more pain raked through her. He reached for her as she kicked her feet out at him. Catching her by the ankle, the creature held tight blocking any further attack.
“Let me go,” she screamed desperately.
“Easy now, we’ll be there soon enough.”
Cora drew in a shuddering breath, “Where?” she was hardly able to speak past the fear. “Where are you taking me?”
“You will see soon enough,” he said. “Or maybe you won’t. The enchantress wants you dead this time.”
Cora’s body shook, her knees threatening to give out from under her, “Who?”
“The enchantress, a powerful sorceress,” he replied.
“What have I done to her? Why does she hate me so much to want to kill me?”
“Stop talking,” he yelled. “Before I clamp your mouth shut for good!”
They reached the road, a car parked just a few feet from them. He pushed her towards the car, popped the trunk and pushed her in. before the trunk lid shut; he glared at her and smiled. “Enjoy the ride.”
Cora shut her eyes to the dark and swallowed a sob. She realized the ring was gone; it must have slipped off her finger when they were running through the woods. That’s the only reason the creature dared to come near her. “Where are you Magnus?” she choked out. “I need you, why are you not here?” there was no answer, only ear deafening silence. “You’re a survivor Cora. You have fought too long to give up now. Fight Cora, fight,” she told herself. Cora beat her fists against the lid of the trunk until they bled. She did not care; she would beat against it until she had no more feeling in them if she had too.
The car slowed and stopped moving. She stilled as she listened. There was no sound. Then she could hear a struggle, shouting, and then nothing. She braced herself. The lid flew open, only to find that she was staring at Sean. He was alive. He had come for her, found her. She reached up for him, needed to touch him, know that he was real.
Sean grabbed her hand, pulled her up towards him and pulled her from the trunk. She tried to speak but was overwhelmed by a steady stream of tears. Sean looked around, up and down the road. Without a word, he shoved her in the back seat and shut the door. Getting in front, he started up the car, reversed, and then sped off squealing the tires in the process. Cora looked back, no sign of Sean’s father. She crawled over the seat and readjusted herself next to Sean. She looked at him still stunned to see him alive. “I thought you were dead, how did you know where to find me?”
He kept both eyes on the road. “I sensed you, somehow felt you. When I came to, I was able to hitch a ride and catch up.”
“But the car was still moving.” Cora asked curiously, “How did you stop the car?”
He shrugged his shoulders as if that was no big deal. “I stood in front of it when the car came down the road. I may have had a little help.” With one free hand, Sean reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. “He really doesn’t like this thing when it glows.”
“The ring, you found it!” Cora took it from Sean and slipped it back on her finger. “I thought it was lost for good, thank you.”
Sean shrugged his shoulders again. “I’m alive, you’re alive, so all turned out well.”
Cora leaned her head against his arm. She savored the smell of the sea and the warmth of his body close to her. Sean wrapped a free arm around her, pulling her closer.
“I was so frightened,” she mumbled. “I thought I had lost you.”
He kissed the top of her head gently.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” she whispered. “My heart can’t take it.”
“I could say the same to you,” he whispered in her mind.
…
They drove as far as the tank of gas would allow. Finding a barn nearby, they ducked the car inside. Sean backed the car into a far corner of the barn; it would keep them out of sight of any cars or anyone else passing by. Turning off the engine, they were both weary and needed sleep. Morning would be coming soo
n and hopefully, that would buy them the time they both dearly needed for rest before Sean’s father started tracking them again.
Sean turned looking at Cora. “We should be safe here for a while.”
She turned gently touching the side of his head where dried blood now was. “I thought you were dead.”
“No, I’m not dead, just a bit of a headache. He hit me pretty good. I told you my father has not been the same since…” his words cut short. “It’s complicated.”
“But you’re his son,” she said sharply.
He hesitated before answering her. “He does not see me with the same love as he once did. To him, I am only a stranger now.” He closed his eyes and swallowed hard before continuing. “My father can no longer feel compassion. A curse has turned his heart as cold as ice and his soul as black as midnight.”
Cora’s eyes darkened. “Someone placed a curse on your father? Who would do such a thing?”
“Someone more dark and evil than what my father has become. They call her the enchantress.”
The word echoed through Cora’s mind, along with all of the words Sean had told her.
He looked at her curiously, “Cora?”
“I heard your father talk about the enchantress. He said she was the one that had sent him after me.”
“I knew there had to be something more going on.”
Her stomach lurched, she felt sick. She had no words, but Sean could sense her fear. He brushed the hair from her eyes. “You’re safe, Cora. I won’t let the enchantress get to you.”
“Your father said that he always knows where I am, that he can sense me. The same as you can, Sean. We can’t keep running. He will find us again eventually. What are we going to do?”
Sean touched her hand. Then with his other hand, he tilted her chin up to look at him. “Some way, somehow, we will figure this out together.”
Tension built between them, “I was afraid to trust, afraid to trust you, afraid to trust myself.”
“Were you ever afraid that I would betray your trust? Or more importantly, were you ever afraid that I would harm you?” Sean asked.
“No, no I wasn’t.” Cora answered, looking into Sean’s deep blue eyes, eyes of the sea. “But I was afraid that you would give up on helping me. Because once you knew who I was running from, that no matter how desperate my situation became, the outcome would be the same. You would choose your father over me.” Cora shook her head. With her hand, she caressed the side of his cheek gently. “But now I know different. I will not doubt you again.” Her voice dropped into a whisper with the last words. “I have never known my heart to trust anything or anyone, which is until I met you, Sean of the sea.”
Sean said nothing as Cora closed her eyes, confused and stunned by her own words. “I’m sorry; I’m blabbering like a fool.”
His thumb stroked her cheek. And a moment later, she could feel his lips pressed to hers. She was lost in silence, one that both stilled and calmed her own soul. Taking that one small chance, she scooted closer, allowing her body to rest against his. As her head lay gently on his chest, she listened to the rhythmical beat of Sean’s heart. It was almost like an ancient melody, whispering its secrets to her. “You and I, in destiny and life, we are the same.” She looked at the ring on her finger, a solitary jewel, but more magnificent than any she had ever seen. “I was meant to find you that fateful day, I was meant to hear your call. You have called and now I answer. I freely accept the destiny for which you offer.”
Sean’s hand found Cora’s. “Your destiny is my destiny.”
Cora smiled as a tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek. “My heart is your heart.”
…
As they both began to fall asleep in each other’s arms, a gentle breeze blew outside the car. Through heavy eyes, Cora saw a light appear in the distance. She stiffened and felt fear for only a moment, but fear subsided as she knew the sight. Sean had seen it too, he let out a breath.
“And the prophecy rings true as the second seer and guardian accept an untold fate.” Both Cora and Sean peered at the face that met them outside the car.
Cora peered up into the face and smiled. “How did you find us?”
Magnus tapped the hood of the car with the end of his staff. “What a ghastly atrocious machine. To this day, I have still never been in one.” Magnus turned his attention back to Cora’s question. “Dear girl, I know where you are at all times, whether it is near or far. Now, we are wasting precious time. We must begin on our journey again. Now come along.”
Sean and Cora both looked at each other and then back to Magnus. Quizzical, they both asked in unison, “Where?”
“Where or how, leave that destination to me. Now come along both of you. We have wasted too much precious time as it is.”
The two exited the vehicle and made their way over to stand next to Magnus.
“You trust him?” Sean asked.
“Of course I trust him. But he may be a bit daft.” Cora whispered.
“I am not daft. I can assure you that there is nothing wrong with my head! Now take my hands, both of you, and do exactly as I say. My way will be a much faster travel method. Just hold my hand and don’t let go. Oh, and don’t open your eyes until I say so.”
“What did he just say?” Sean asked in shock.
Cora was about to answer when the whole world spun, forcing her to shut her eyes.
Magnus chanted a few short words, “Limbo, mambo, intronos, outro, and windtronos!” Magnus swallowed hard. The intensity of his stare into the wind vortex as it spiraled around them never faltering. He became stone still and quiet.
Cora began opening her eyes, but Magnus shouted at her. “Shut them and keep them closed.”
“I only wanted to see.”
“You will see soon enough when we reach our destination, trust Cora. No doubts, only trust.”
Cora nodded her head.
Poor Sean looked as if he would heave, “Bloody hell! Are we almost there? I feel as if you are spinning me down to Davey Jones locker, old man.”
“Stay easy there lad, not much further, almost there. It’s just a jump and a hop now.” Magnus smiled, “First timers, now both of you open your eyes.”
Slowly, Sean and Cora opened their eyes. But what they saw made them want to close them again. All around them, a swirling vortex of wind spun. Worse they realized they were in it, their feet suspended in air, no ground, no top.
“Now when I tell you to, let go.”
Sean’s eyes got wide, “Like Bloody hell!”
“Now let go!” yelled Magnus.
Sean and Cora were separated from each other’s grasp, just as Magnus let go of their hands. Both of them were wide eyed as they looked at each other in disbelief, stunned they were suspended in air.
“At least the winds are keeping us from seeing how high we are.”
As if her words held bearing, the wind and vortex vanished. Sean peered at Cora as she cringed. “Sorry.”
Both Cora and Sean began to fall to a ground several miles below them. Both were screaming and flinging their arms this way and that. Magnus, who was still suspended in air, only shook his head, “First timers.”
Shooting through the air like an arrow shot from a bow, Magnus made his way to them. When he reached them, he wrapped an arm around both and with the other shot a blast towards the fast approaching ground with his staff. A tall pile of hay appeared where both Cora and Sean were dropped to land with a thump.
Magnus who was experienced at this sort of thing, landed feet first on the ground. “Bloody good ride, I say we go again.”
Both Sean and Cora collapsed onto their back.
CHAPTER EIGHT
HIGH STAKES
“So where are we, Magnus?” Cora asked curiously.
“A fishing village lies just over yonder, home, for now at least.”
Cora found the countryside to be a serene and beautiful setting. They had walked for some time now with wonders of a new land aroun
d every corner. Not a single sign of life had been seen, not even the sound of a chirping bird. So when a group of people came running towards them, it was a moment of complete surprise. A young man and woman of blonde hair and blue eyes, about the same age as she and Sean Cora had guessed, led the group followed by two other young men of maybe the same age with hair as black as ravens wings. All were tall in stature, but none seemed to pose a threat.
“Ah, I see our welcoming party has arrived,” said Magnus happily.
“You know them, Magnus?” Cora asked.
“Quite well actually, they are friends. Come, let me introduce you.”
For friends, they sure had a look of surprise when they saw Magnus, thought Cora.
“A tornado comes barreling through here missing every home and person, and the sight I am greeted with is your return looking like a man who has aged fifty years over night. What is going on here, Magnus?”
“Now, Percy, there is no danger. I will explain everything soon enough. Now don’t be rude my lad. As you can see, I have returned as promised, and with guests at that. I am sure a nice hot meal and a warm bed would do them well.”
“Of course, Magnus, you are absolutely right. We have seemed to have forgotten our manners. I am Victoria, welcome.” She extended her hand in friendship and Cora took it gladly.
“You are the Seer of the Hunter’s Moon. Magnus has told me about you.”
“Yes, and this is Percy, my guardian Fae. You are amongst friends here.”
Almost as if another connection had formed from ancient times, the ring of Mer began to glow and sing. As if in answer, the Fae Medallion shone brightly in reply. Two legendary items connected once again, a prophecy half fulfilled. And with it, a war of magic would soon begin. Magnus knew this too, it was of course inevitable. The knowledge of Morgana’s return was proof enough. And that only meant the stakes had become that much higher in a dangerous game to everyone involved. The two remaining items would have to be found before Morgana could discover their whereabouts. The evidence for that alone had never been clearer.
Blue Moon: The Ring of Mer (Seer's Of The Moon) Page 6
