by Jill Cooper
Robbie carefully crawled up onto a metal beast with four wheels, it’s glass windows long smashed and dissolved into the mud. From there he leaped to another one of these steel wagons and then onto the roof of a crumbling building.
We followed behind Beatrice. First Sebastian and then me with Ella by my side. Ana went last, keeping an eye on the land behind us, as if she expected someone to sneak up on us at any moment. As we leaped off the red metal carriage, it began to sink, bubbling in the muddy brook. Ella screamed and jumped ahead of me. She scurried up onto the top of the roof beside Beatrice, the three of them studying the landscape.
Sebastian and I jumped together onto the roof and saw what our friends did—the horizon was red and a giant tower loomed against the mountains. “We’re getting close,” Ella’s breathless voice whispered. Her eyes filled with fear, she slunk back a bit at the sight of the tower. “Now might be a good time for me to run away.”
“You can’t do that. I need you.” As I said it, she did a double take and her eyebrows angrily came to a V.
“You don’t need me for anything. You’re powerful enough on your own.”
Robbie held up his hand to quiet us. “Next step is to head that way, across the sinking rocks, back across that moveable crate.”
I followed the trail of his finger and saw he was pointing to a giant rectangular box on wheels with a box on the front. It must’ve been some sort of metal storage device. All around the metal box, the bog bubbled and steam wisped up from the depths. I certainly hoped no one fell.
Single file, we walked down the other side of the roof. I held my arms out for support and one at a time we leapt from rock to rock. Robbie jumped up onto the metal shipping cart, barely catching on. I gasped as his legs swung back and forth until he pulled himself up.
In front of me, Beatrice sighed. “Guess it’s my turn.”
“You’ll be fine. Look where you’re aiming and don’t look down.” As I said it, I’m the one who looked down. A giant bubble in the mud popped as if to taunt me and the smell it left behind reeked of decay and sulfur.
Beatrice leapt to the other side and then Sebastian. With them safe, it was my turn to go. I almost missed, but Sebastian and Robbie both grabbed my hands before I slipped and pulled myself up.
Turning around, I cupped my mouth and shouted to Ella. “Come on.”
She shrugged and finally jumped down, skipping across the rocks and leaping up to where we stood waiting. Her eyes squeezed tight, she peeked a little bit. “You mean I’m not dead? I’m not dead!” Ella jumped up with happiness and Sebastian pulled her further onto the shipping cart.
“Come on, Ana!” I shouted.
She placed her bow and arrow onto her back. Taking a deep breath, she skipped across the rocks and jumped onto the metal beast to meet us. She wasn’t going to make it and my eyes widened in horror as I slid over to the side just as her fingers hooked the edge. Ana grunted. “Help!”
I grabbed one wrist and Ella grabbed the other. We pulled her up and Ana crawled over the top quickly. “Thank you, ladies. Thank you.” Ana hugged Ella and Ella’s body went rigid with a look of shock on her face. She softened and hugged Ana back with a smile. When our eyes locked, Ella didn’t make a face or make a sarcastic comment. She just looked happy.
Robbie motioned for us all to follow him. In single file, we walked down the back of the metal shipping crate and saw solid land on the other side. It looked like desert with a few pockets of overgrown grass between clusters of rocks and in the distance were mountains surrounding the red tower.
“We’re so close now,” Ella shivered as she stepped up beside me. “We’re heading toward the end.”
“We’ll get to solid land,” Sebastian said, “and then we’ll go over our plan. I am assuming you have one, of course.” He smirked at me.
I nodded. I did, but not everyone was going to like it.
****
The group settled on the ground, and I paced as I thought. Rubbing my hands together, I looked at each of their faces. Every one of them was here for me and what happened next would be on me—good or bad. Meanwhile, I knew one of them wasn’t what they seemed. It kept me on guard, waiting for the next shoe to drop.
I didn’t want to distrust them. I needed to rely on them.
With a sigh, I gazed into Ella’s fearful face and then Sebastian, at each of them. “Some of you won’t like what I have to say, but it needs to be heard.”
Ella stiffened, fearing I was talking about her, no doubt. She was right.
“I made a deal with the Temptress to get the children and Geo—a friend out of the tower. She wants the remnant, but I can’t let that happen. We need to find a way to get the children out. Ella knows the layout of the tower and she knows where the children will be kept.” I glanced at her and gave a nod.
Ella drew a version of the tower in the sand with a stick she had found. Through the tower, was a twisted staircase. Ella drew a line two thirds of the way to the top. “Prison ward is here. It’s well protected and guarded. If we have to get in there, we might as well give up now and just slit our wrists.”
I resisted an eye roll and a great sigh. She wasn’t the best at rallying the troops, was she?
“Then we get her to show us the kids before we hand anything over. Get her to bring them to us,” Sebastian said.
I nodded.
“You think she won’t see through that?” Ella snorted. “She’s going to kill us.”
“Ella, please. I know you’re scared, but let’s try to be positive.”
Ella crossed her arms but didn’t say anything else.
“We all know this is dangerous,” Robbie said calmly. “But we can’t leave those children in her hands and with her ravengers. It’s a death sentence.”
Beatrice nodded. “We go in for the children. Just tell us what we need to do.”
“I’m going to need Ella with me when I face the Temptress, just as I needed her when I faced Nemesis and the Narrator.”
“You think Temptress is one of these ancient spirits from the book realm?” Ana asked.
“Not entirely. I know who she is. She’s the first curator who tried to stop the Dark Lord Creighton. In her final battle, he removed her memory of self and all the good deeds she had done. I hope with Ella and the power of the remnant, we can undo what he’s done. At least in part.”
“That would make her over five hundred years old,” Robbie exclaimed with wide eyes.
“She’s tied to him, I think. I don’t know for sure how it works, but I know what I’ve been shown in the remnant. I have her knowledge and now it’s time I gave it back. With Ella’s help, it just might be possible.”
“I can’t do what you think I can. I’m not some sort of power that can be used like a tooth brush. I have nothing.” Ella raced up to her feet and ran away toward the tower. Sebastian moved to follow her, but I held up my hand. It needed to be me, not Sebastian.
I raced to be by her side. “Ella, let’s talk,” I said quietly as I came up behind her. “As friends.”
“We aren’t friends. I’m here as your prisoner.”
“Maybe at first, but no more ropes bind you. You could sneak off whenever you want, but you don’t. You stay. I think you want to rescue these children and you want to stop the Temptress just as much as I do.”
“Hmmpf,” Ella wrapped her robe tight around herself.
“Temptress is scared of you,” I whispered. “She knows you wield something. I know you think it’s just light, I know you’re scared of what’s been happening, but I need you with me. I can’t do this alone.”
“Take Sebastian then.”
“He’s a great warrior and historian, but he can’t do what you can. I’ll tell you a secret, and it’s one you won’t like.”
“Oh great,” Ella muttered.
“The Temptress told me you’re no longer welcome in her tower. I was supposed to kill you or ditch you, but I won’t do either because you’re powerful. She knows it
and I know it. I need you to know it now, too.”
Her eyes widened and she flicked her braids back. “And this is the information that’s supposed to make me feel better? If she doesn’t want me in the tower, how am I supposed to get in? She’ll sense me, she probably already does.”
“I’ll go in alone and I’ll have the others bring you in while I keep Temptress engaged. We can do this together, I know we can. I need you to be brave, I need you to try.”
Ella turned away with tears shining brightly in her eyes. “I’m so scared. I don’t want to be here and I don’t want to face her. You can’t make me.”
“No, I can’t. You’re right about that, but if you could choose to help, won’t you? I won’t let her hurt you. Our friends will see to that.”
“No one will protect me. You all hate me.”
“That’s not true.” Ana said from behind us. We turned to face her. “We don’t hate you, Ella. We all see how frightened you are. You push people away, you complain, but we don’t hate you. I think you’re really pretty and I love your braids.”
It was true, I did hear her say that on more than one occasion.
Ella’s chin fell to her chest. “Well you shouldn’t like me. I’m a horrible person. The things I’ve done, the things I did when I had a choice. I always do the wrong thing.”
“So, do the right thing now. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Ana smiled. “Promise. I want you to show me some day how to braid my hair like you do.”
“Well, it ain’t hard. It’s just a lot of twisting back and forth.” Ella rolled her eyes but she did it with a smile. She really couldn’t help herself.
I smiled. “Do we have a deal?”
Ella glanced between us and bit her lip. “If Ana sticks by my side, I guess we do have a deal. But a promise from you?”
“Whatever it is I can do.”
“If we can’t save Temptress, we kill her before she feeds on our friends and turns them into ravengers.”
I didn’t want to kill Temptress, but I would if necessary. I nodded and extended my pinky finger. “Deal.”
Ella scowled at my finger. “What’s wrong with your finger?”
“You… are supposed to wrap your finger around it. For a pinky promise.”
Ella gasped. “Why would my finger promise anything? It’s just a finger.”
I laughed and threw my arm around Ella’s shoulders. “Oh, Ella.”
She gazed up at me with an innocent face. “Thanks for not killing or ditching me like Temptress wanted. I know I don’t make it an easy decision to let me stick around, but I think I want to. I think… I think I want to be something other than a scoundrel.”
“You’re so much more than one,” I whispered.
And a moment later, the stillness of the air was disrupted with the roar of dirt bikes.
Chapter: Tarnish Rose
The dirt bikes tightened around us as we prepared to fight. Sebastian flung his arrows, the others readied our swords, but the numbers around us tightened. They drove us all closer together and the sound of their bikes whistled loudly, drowning out all other sounds. I swung my staff, driving a scavenger back. It drove Ella and I closer together and she put her hand on my shoulder.
“We’ll get out of here. We just have to stick together,” I said, whipping my head around to keep my eye on their leader.
Ella looked at me with a sad smile and tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said as she slipped the messenger back over my arm. “But you’re not the only one who made a deal with Temptress.”
What? She was lying. She had to be. We were friends. I knew I hadn’t imagined it. Ella opened my bag and took out the remnant, rolling it in her hands, but it didn’t glow or activate for her.
“Why isn’t it glowing for me?” Ella scowled with confusion.
I didn’t answer her, but I reached for the bag. I was hit from behind with my own staff and I gave a groan. “Give it back.”
“Leave her alone,” Sebastian screamed and lunged for us.
Ella smirked and gave a laugh. “Come on then. On your feet. We have to go see my mistress and deliver to her what she wants.”
One of her larger men hoisted me up onto my feet. He slipped a rope around my waist and yanked me forward. I grunted and looked back at my captured crew. Some leader I was. Some quest.
I thought I had been buying us more time, but instead we were doing nothing but prolonging the inevitable. The poor children that I failed. I’d grieve for them, I’d grieve for us all. Temptress was going to win, which meant the Dark Lord Creighton would, as well.
“We’ll see how you like being my prisoner this time.” Ella yanked me toward her and kicked me in the back. I nearly fell down, but kept my eye on the messenger bag. The inner flap had fallen open and the book had begun to glow a beautiful golden hue.
If I could only get my hands on that book.
Chapter: Evelyn Richardson
“No, that’s all wrong.” Evelyn peered over the secretary’s shoulder as she went about organizing the information in the Minister of City Affairs’ weekly meeting chart. “How can he be in two places at once? Effletown and Everstop aren’t even neighboring cities. Really, Cecil.”
“Sorry, ma’am. I’ll get it right.” Cecil sighed and held herself rigid. Evelyn liked what she saw. The woman seemed to fear her, which was the right move. Evelyn was mistress now of the Minister’s office and she wouldn’t let a single person step out of line—not on her watch.
Empowered, Evelyn thought she was born for this job. Finally, something she could really sink her teeth into. Now she had the lifestyle she knew she was born for. If only Timothy was here to see it.
Evelyn left Cecil to her work and headed down the hall, a delicate teacup in her hand. Dressed in a long flowing dress made from the same material the minister’s wore, Evelyn’s dress had puffy sleeves and a cameo pin straight against her neck. She wore a wide brim hat with sweeping gray and white lace.
Elegant and graceful, everything she had always been, even when weaving those cursed baskets. She had Mitchell to thank for all this and she hadn’t thought she’d feel gratitude toward him ever again.
She went into the Minister of City Affairs office like she owned it and straightened up. She didn’t allow a cushion, a lint, even a stray fleck of dust to be out of place. She stoked the fire, sending it roaring high again, and warmed herself beside it. Evelyn rubbed her hands and watched the flames dance.
Dinner, she should check on dinner arrangements, yes.
When she turned, she saw the Dark Lord Creighton enter through the window. He came and went as he pleased and his presence scared her, but Evelyn couldn’t let on. She held herself strong and gave him a quick nod. “My Lord, it’s a pleasure.”
He turned to her, his black hood studying her form while Creighton didn’t move a muscle. Evelyn held her head high and would’ve met his gaze if she knew exactly where it was. Finally, he moved toward her and touched the cameo she wore around her neck.
“Most tremble when I’m around. You… your heart is different than most. Callous and hard. You never do anything if it doesn’t suit you.”
Evelyn thought maybe it should be an insult, but she didn’t think Creighton meant it that way. Was she ruthless, calculating? Well, she needed to be to survive, didn’t she? “Thank you, my lord. I appreciate the compliment.”
Creighton laughed and it was deep and maddening. It curdled Evelyn’s blood, but she endured it. “I think I have uses for you other than managing this office. Tonight when your husband sleeps, come to my quarters. I have a proposition for you, my child.” His skeletal hand stroked her cheek and it was only then, Evelyn trembled.
****
The more time they spent in the minister’s house, the more relaxed Mitchell and Evelyn became with each other. So relaxed, the idea of sleeping with Mitchell was no longer grotesque to her, and Evelyn gave in to his urges nightly. Why not? Soon, they’d have another child to raise and that whore Dan
i would finally learn her place.
Still, love wasn’t in the cards for Evelyn. While Mitchell slept, she quietly pulled on her satin, gray robe and went out to find Creighton’s quarters. She never even realized he had one, but Evelyn walked through the halls, following the sound of his voice.
This way. Come to me, Evelyn.
Before long, she climbed a set of old stone stairs up into the tower. At the very top, was an old wooden door. As she went to grab the brass door knocker, the door opened with an eerie squeak.
Evelyn entered, swallowing hard. One hand kept her robe closed, while her other hand tightened into a fist by her side. “My Lord?” She whispered and got her first look around the room.
There was an elegant four post bed that hadn’t been slept in and the wall was decorated with swords and weapons. Over by the window, Creighton stood facing her, his arms folded together as his dark hood studied her.
“I’m here as requested,” Evelyn said strongly, loud. “What is it I can do for you, Lord Creighton?”
“You’re stronger than the husband you serve. I’m going to need you to do something for me.” Creighton floated over to her.
Evelyn served no one. It took all her willpower not to lash out at him. Instead, she swallowed it down and the anger burned her, threatening to come back up. “Whatever you ask for, it shall be done.”
He slipped a silver chain around her neck. From it, hung a simple red pendant, and deep inside, a black mist wafted back and forth. Creighton touched the ruby with a bony finger and Evelyn sucked in her breath. Her eyes closed, images flashed through her mind she had never seen before.
A grand temple rising out of a great body of water, shimmering and blue.
Evelyn traveling on horse back. Her lips chapped, her throat was parched, and her hood drawn nearly over her eyes, but Evelyn could make out something in the desert. Where was she headed? Why was she so alone?
Two small children, a boy and a girl, dressed in fancy robes stood on either side of her, each taking her hand as they walked up toward a golden pyramid. Evelyn’s boots appeared to be made of gold and she filled with pride.
