“What you going to do with those?” she asked snidely.
“Umm, I was going to give it to that house where Chuck and Dave are. They just lost their kid. It’s not much but maybe it will help. Maybe pay for a gravestone or something,” Jack hung his head.
“Sounds good,” she put her hand on his back and ushered him outside.
She quickly walked back inside and removed the witches head.
“Can’t forget this,” she said holding up the disgusting head.
Now that Jack could see it better it was clear that it wasn’t human. It looked more like a cat than human. It had fangs and shorter, sharp teeth all through its mouth. It had no fur, just greyish skin. It only had two holes for its nose and it was much smaller than he remembered. Perhaps it was the excitement and fear but he could have sworn it was Rachel’s size when they were fighting it. Now it looked not much larger than the children it had stolen. It was about the size of a ten year old kid, at most.
“We did a good thing here, Jack,” she said, noticing Jack’s expression.
“I know. I’m feeling sorry for the ones it killed, not for it. It was vicious. You were right about the vampire thing. It’s just like a vampire.” He turned away from the hideous thing and eyed the edge of the forest.
“Actually they’re related. Very similar except for the way they kill their prey.” Rachel stopped. There was no need to go into details. In an educational setting it might be productive and useful. Now, after seeing the creature first hand and knowing what it had done, the children it had killed, it was pointless. Jack knew all too well what this creature was capable of. He didn’t need her to explain it. The look on his face told her that Jack understood much more clearly than any of the other kids she’d studied with.
They walked silently until they were back at the house. The couple was in tears as Rachel explained what they had found. She showed them the beasts head and the couple tried to push money at them. Instead Jack handed them the two silvers and explained that it was for their little boy’s gravestone. The couple again broke out in sobs so the four of them left. The couple had tried to give them the last of their money. It wasn’t fair that life had taken their little boy, why should they take the couples last silvers. The collection in town was enough payment, these poor people had paid far more than the townsfolk.
Chapter 8
After receiving their reward the four of them split up. Chuck and Dave wanted to hit the tavern again but Rachel and Jack were both in sour moods. They felt no desire to celebrate, not tonight, not after what they’d seen in the witch’s lair. The bones haunted them both, knowing that they had once belonged to a child. There was no reason to celebrate tonight.
When Rachel and Jack were back at their camp they lit the fire and sat silently across from each other for a while. After a few sad glances, Jack decided that it was his job, as sidekick, to cheer her up. Where he would usually tell a joke or act silly, tonight would have to be done differently.
He smiled at her first then when she finally caught his gaze he stood up.
“Next week you’ll be twenty seven,” he started and she looked at him surprised.
He remembered. Why had he remembered? Last year she’d only told him after the day had passed. Sure, he acted guilty but she hardly thought he’d remember this year. In fact, she’d dreaded her birthday for the last week. Just another reminder of the life she couldn’t have. She should be back at her father’s castle, celebrating with him but her uncle, Xavier, would have killed them both. Her running away was the only thing that had kept her father alive for this long. That and the fear Xavier had for this mysterious man she was seeking.
“Yeah, let’s not dwell on it,” she said somberly.
“Why not? I’m going to treat you,” he said. “Drinks are on me.”
“Thanks,” she replied sadly.
He moved beside her and sat down. He hoped she might lean against him again.
“Tell me more about you, please,” he pleaded.
She desperately wanted to fill him in on everything. Things that even Dave hadn’t figured out but she just couldn’t. Maybe she could sugar coat it for him. That just might give her some peace while not putting him at too much risk.
“Well, where to start?” she asked rhetorically, trying to figure out a way to spin the tale while not getting too specific. She leaned against him and pulled his arm around her. Jack’s heart raced. She grabbed his hand and held on tightly.
“My mother died when I was young. At first we thought it was bandits. It looked like she had been robbed but as I grew older I found out my uncle had killed her. He was jealous of my father. My father had the wife and family he always wanted but could never have.” She looked at Jack and was pleasantly surprised at how attentively he listened. She turned back to the fire and continued.
“When I was eighteen I found out what my uncle was really up to. He…” she searched for a good way to disguise this part. “My uncle wanted to take over the family business but knew all the customers wouldn’t trust him. He locked my father up in the storeroom and soon I caught on to what was going on. My uncle said my father went on a trip to get supplies but I found him. He was chained and…” How could she explain this part?
“It’s ok, tell me what you feel comfortable with,” he consoled.
“He was beaten. I couldn’t get him out and my father woke for just a moment. Just long enough to tell me to run. He told me to run and never come back.” She didn’t dare tell Jack about the fact that her running was the only thing keeping her father alive. That would be too much and Jack would find the similarities. She would be lucky if Jack didn’t see the coincidence in the evil uncle. The same uncle that was the king’s brother.
“So you’re running from your uncle?” he asked. His question brought her a small amount of peace. Jack hadn’t been looking for lies but at the same time it filled her with guilt. He was so kind and trusting. If only she could share the whole ugly truth. The fact that her uncle wanted her to give birth to a demon. He had even procured a man to impregnate her. The demon would be raised by him and rule the world with Xavier at his side. She had overheard the conversation with the man Xavier planned to use. As her uncle explained the plan she realized the depths of her uncle’s evil. The next day she found her father chained and beaten in the dungeons. Xavier had used his magic on his brother and nearly killed him. The only thing stopping Xavier from killing her father was the fact that no one would accept him as king so long as she lived. With her father still alive Xavier could act in his stead. Giving excuses for the king not being able to be there. If anyone questioned him he could produce the king as a sickly man, him the devoted brother caring for him, and keep his tenuous hold on power. This would last until Rachel had given birth to the demon. After the demon was born, it wouldn’t matter anymore. Even if no one accepted Xavier he’d still rule. The demon would destroy anyone standing in their way.
The story she told Jack was as close to the truth as she’d ever dared tell anyone. She hoped it might make her feel better but, with Jack, it only made her feel worse. She hated lying to him. This was Jack, the man she might…the man she hoped…if only her life weren’t so complicated. He was the man she wished she could have. These last few days, even more so. Why had he hidden this side of himself for so long? Maybe this was a good thing. If this Jack had been with her the whole year? She might be pregnant already. This Jack was hard to resist and she really didn’t want to.
“Yes, he’s the one who put the bounty on my head. He wants me alive so he can kill me himself.” This was also a lie but very close to the truth. After giving birth to the demon she would be tossed aside, useless and very much dead.
“I see why you don’t tell everyone that. It’s hard to take. Some might even turn you in for the reward.” Jack used his other hand and brushed her hair behind her ear as he looked down to watch her reaction.
“A hundred gold is quite a large sum. I’m surprised you don’t tie me up
right now,” she joked.
“Holy shit! A hundred gold?!” He shot to his feet and looked at her deviously. “Where did we put that rope? No reason. Just curious.” He smiled down on her and she felt her resolve wavering. Maybe just once. Maybe she wouldn’t get pregnant. It was a fifty-fifty shot. Women didn’t always get pregnant.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she laughed as she got to her feet and took a fighting stance.
“Not even for a thousand,” he said with a smile.
“Good, I’d hate to have to kick your ass again,” she smirked and relaxed. Inside she was still wrestling with herself. ‘Not even for a thousand?’ Was he serious? Of course, he was. Maybe just once?
“Yeah, yeah. Pick on the injured guy,” he pulled open his shirt and she could see the wounds. They were still bleeding a little and she winced.
“They hurt much?” she asked as she gingerly put her finger on one of the claw marks.
“Only when you touch them,” he laughed. She pulled back quickly and he felt guilty. “Totally worth it though. The one time I get to save you and I get a nice souvenir. No one will ever be able to say my story is fake. The homely, bumbling fool who happened to be in the right place at the right time to save the heroin. I may not be much to look at but I got to save the beautiful girl for once.” He held out his arms and bowed to an invisible crowd.
Rachel took a few steps closer. She could feel the pull between them. Maybe just a kiss? Is that really how he thought of himself? A bumbling fool? That wasn’t how she thought of him. He was her rock and her friend. The one person she could always count on. Despite their arguments and their disagreements, he never left. He was always there the next morning with a smile and a joke. Not to mention the fact that he was probably the best looking man she’d ever seen. Sure she teased him and joked about him being a wuss but he didn’t take it seriously did he? All her jokes about his many conquests with waitresses. She wasn’t serious about them taking pity on him. She often thought the waitresses were the ones getting the better end of the deal but she couldn’t tell him that. She could never tell him what she really thought. Was he just joking? Was this just more teasing or did he really not understand how good looking he was?
She looked into his eyes as he stood up, confused by the fact that she wasn’t laughing. She stared at his grey eyes. So dull and grey until they caught the firelight or the reflection of something. The way they changed color, just a hint, when his mood changed. Anger made them speckled with red, the color of his rage. Joy brought with it a tint of green. Then there were times when he’d look into her eyes and she’d see a hint of purple. She had no idea what that color was for but it was gorgeous. They were purple right now. She felt herself being drawn to him and took another step closer. She was so close now that she could just reach up and pull him in. One kiss. That would be enough. Would he reject her?
“Aw, you were supposed to laugh,” he said, disappointed and was lost in her gaze. What was that look for? Why was she getting so close? Jack’s heart raced and his hands shook. Why was she so close?
Rachel leaned in and desperately wanted to kiss him. She stared at his mouth and then back at his eyes. Her pulse quickened as she felt the urge fill her. Then she remembered that it would only hurt Jack. She didn’t care about anyone else at this moment but she couldn’t do that to Jack. He deserved better.
“Sorry, just tired,” she replied as she turned away, yet another lie. She hated lying to him but it was for his own good. She was protecting him. Even though he was entangled in the mess that was her life, she hoped that after Jack led her to this rogue he would be left alone. She could envisioned Jack on his farm, near the river. She really wanted to believe in the tale she told of living beside him but that was not her life. If she lived, she would be stuck ruling this kingdom. One of the earlier seers had told her this. She was destined to take her father’s place and rule the kingdom in a time of peace. If she could find the rogue he would ensure that her father lived and was able to spend his remaining days beside her as she ruled the land. No, she would never get to live on a farm. Her life had two paths and only two. Rule the land and her father lives or give birth to the demon and die herself.
She looked at Jack again, he still looked worried.
“Would you lay behind me? Like we used to. I’m feeling a little…I’d just feel better if you were beside me,” she asked almost guiltily. It was risky but she really wanted him near. They used to snuggle a lot before things got complicated. She hoped that he wouldn’t read too much into it but talking about everything made her feel lonely. How many times had she wanted to ask Jack that very question but stopped in order to keep him out of harm’s way? Too many to count. If her life were her own and she actually had a choice, she might even take this farther. If she were allowed a lover, he’d be the one she chose, no question, but that could never happen. As much as she wanted to protect her father and the world, she’d still be with Jack. It was only the thought of hurting him that stopped her tonight. This new Jack was very dangerous, dangerous to himself.
Jack quietly pulled his bedroll beside hers and she snuggled up inside her own.
“Thanks,” she said meekly.
“Any time,” he replied and scooted closer to her.
She pushed on the dirt and scooted back just a little more until they were almost touching.
“Night, Jack,” she said wishing he’d put his arm around her but that was too much to ask. She couldn’t do that to him. Give him hope then smash it. As soon as she found the rogue she’d be gone and Jack would, hopefully, be off to find his farm. Everything she wished for with Jack could never happen. She’d just end up hurting him if this went farther and she wouldn’t do that, not to him.
“Night, Rachel,” he replied and then was silent. He listened to her breath, then when the cute little snores started, he let himself fall asleep.
Chapter 9
Jack blinked the sleep from his eyes and stared up at Dave. Dave was standing above him with a stupid grin on his face.
“Sleep well?” he asked, the small giggle made him look even more stupid.
“Sure,” he replied, annoyed.
Then he realized what the giggles and silly looks were all about. He looked down at his chest and Rachel’s head was on it, her arm stretched across his waist. She stirred and looked into Jack’s eyes. She smiled at him kindly.
“Morning,” she said absentmindedly then looked at who she was lying on. She jumped up and shot out of her bedroll. “I’m sorry!” she yelled. “I umm I…I had a bad dream. I must have thought…” She couldn’t figure out a good excuse. She knew exactly why she was on top of him but she didn’t want anyone else to know. The dream had felt so real. She had been kissing Jack and other things…things she didn’t even want to think about right now. She knew her face must be bright red so she started walking to her pack. “I’ll get breakfast made in a minute.”
Jack just laid there stunned and confused. Why was she so upset? Did she think he’d done this? Was she afraid of what Dave might think? Strangely Jack felt like apologizing. He got out of his bedroll and while he was putting it away he felt the uncontrollable desire to explain himself.
“Sorry, Rachel. I must have been dreaming.” He kept facing away from her as he put his bedroll away and then took his time finding his bowl and spoon.
“You two are weird,” Chuck said with a laugh. Dave shushed him and Chuck shrugged his shoulders.
Rachel silently made breakfast while keeping her face pointed away from Jack. Every time she snuck a peek at him she could feel her face getting red again. The dream had felt so real. It was everything she wished she could have with Jack but would never allow herself.
Jack kept his distance, feeling guilty and waiting for Rachel to quit being so mad at him. Finally, Dave started talking about a job he’d heard about. It was a few days from them but it sounded promising. Rachel and Jack got pulled in and slowly forgot about the morning’s embarrassment.
�
�There’s a huge contract about two towns away. It will take us three days to get there. It’s pretty far north but I think we can do it,” Dave started. “The contract is worth three hundred silver. That’s seventy five each.”
“That’s quite a lot,” Rachel said apprehensively. For three hundred silver there must be a catch. “What do we have to kill?”
“For three hundred, does it matter?” Jack asked confidently.
“You obviously have more confidence than I do in myself,” Rachel laughed.
“Of course I have confidence in you. You’re Rachel, the fighting fire maiden,” Jack laughed then noticed Rachel looking away from him again. Was it that bad waking up on his chest? It’s not like they had done anything. Why was she so upset?
“That’s beside the point, Jack,” she said still looking away. He could hear the smile on her face and even the hint of a laugh. Maybe she wasn’t that upset after all. “What do we have to kill?” she asked looking at Dave.
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