The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling

by A. D. Duling

  “Amazing…”Anna responded.

  Hayden walked over and started climbing, “We better hurry up, before they grow tired of us!” He yelled back.

  The girls quickly climbed up behind him and they made their way along. Amazingly they were able to walk along with ease! The trees had considerately manipulated their smaller branches to make guard rails for them. They traveled along for another mile and came to the end with the last tree doing just as the first with its branch.

  When they climbed down, they were relieved to find the ground sturdy! As soon as Anna stepped off; instantaneously the trees returned to their former positions, the thundering noise echoed throughout the forest.

  Hayden walked over to the last tree and spoke a word of thanks to it before they moved on. Now that they were deeper and now lower into the forest, they realized its name was literal. The light barely reached past the cluttered branches and they could barely see a few feet in front of them.

  “It would be wise to travel without our lights; having no clue on how much further the Chancellor’s castle might be.” Val suggested.

  “But we can barely see…” Anna pointed out.

  “She’s right Anna, we are just going to have to walk carefully and feel our way through.” Hayden interjected.

  They traveled through in silence and very cautiously. One or the other would stumble on something along the way, but not long after, a very large structure soon loomed out ahead of them.

  When they were close enough, Val led them over to a nearby log and they crouched down behind it.

  “We need stay low and find a way to slip inside unseen.” She whispered to them.

  “I could ask my book.” Anna whispered back.

  “Good idea.”

  She pulled her book out and asked it.

  On the west side of the castle, a few yards away from the wall there is a drain leading out from underneath the ground; it will lead you up inside.

  They read over her shoulder.

  “Ok then, let’s go.” He said.

  They stayed low and trying to make as minimal of noise as they could. Just as the book had said; they found the drainage pipe peeking out from the hill side right where it said it would be. There was a gate on its end and it was locked. Val picked up a rock and hit the lock; breaking it. She then opened the gate and climbed in. She looked back them, “I’ll go ahead and check it out, I’ll knock if it’s clear.” She told them.

  They nodded and watched her head down the pipe. After a few minutes there came a knock. Hayden went to climb inside, but Anna grabbed his arm.

  “Hayden wait, something isn’t right.”

  He stopped and looked back at her. “What are you thinking, Anna?” he whispered.

  “This just seems too easy. Why would a Chancellor allow such a flimsy lock to be the only security between him and any intruders?” she explained.

  “But your book directed us here, wouldn’t it have known?” he asked and stepped out.

  She nodded. “Good point, but we also didn’t ask it that.” She pointed out.

  “Your right; Maybe I should get Val back here.” He told her and went to climb back in, but she grabbed his arm again.

  “No, wait!” She whispered.

  He stopped, “What now?”

  “I think Val may have something to do with this. I think she’s leading us into a trap.”

  “Val is my friend, Anna. I trust her.” He whispered.

  “I know! I believe she is doing this against her will.” She explained.

  “How do you know this?” he asked.

  “The book had told me earlier about a “she” betraying me. I think its Val.” She explained more.

  “How do you know for sure?”

  “I don’t, but I can ask the book.” She suggested. He nodded.

  She pulled the book out and asked it. With night nearing there and even less light, the words were even harder to read, but she managed.

  Yes, it is Valencia. It answered her.

  She read it to Hayden. He sighed.

  “She can read minds Anna, she will know as soon as we get near her.”

  “What can we do to prevent her from reading our minds?” she asked the book.

  The Chancellor has stricken her with an illness, she is slowly dying. She is incapable of reading minds anymore.

  They somberly looked at each other; another knock came down the pipe.

  “We have to save her, Anna.” He told her.

  She nodded, “We will.”

  He nodded and climbed inside. She followed.

  “What took you guys so long?” Val asked when they finally reached her; it was pitch black inside the pipe.

  “We thought someone was coming and had to hide.” Hayden quickly lied.

  She stood silent a moment before responding, “There’s a light up ahead, it could be the way up.” She whispered to him.

  They slowly crept up to the spot; above them was a metal grate. Through the bars they could see it was a room. They waited in silence for a few moments, listening. Having heard nothing, they went ahead and pushed up the grate; gently and as quietly as they could. Hayden climbed up first then reached down and helped them up.

  They returned the grate to its place, to prevent from being discovered. Hayden then pressed his ear to the door leading out of the room and listened.

  Having heard nothing again, he slowly turned the knob and opened it just a crack. He peeked through and then slipped his head out to better look around. He pulled it back and shut the door. He turned to them, “It’s clear, but there’s a turn, no way to know what’s around it.”

  “Yes there is!” Anna said and pulled the pendant out from under her shirt. She rubbed the stone and said the words: “Conceal me.” and disappeared.

  “Good job Anna!” He whispered. “Go and check ahead, then come back and tap on the door if it’s clear.” He spoke to the air. “Ok.” He heard and the door quietly opened and shut again. A few minutes later there was a light tap on the door and they left the room.

  “It leads into a room that is empty with two adjacent corridors.” She whispered to them.

  They nodded.

  “Reveal me.” she spoke and then appeared.

  “Welcome back.” Hayden told her.

  She smiled and they cautiously headed down the small corridor. The room was still empty and they walked inside.

  “Which way do you think we should go?” she asked them both.

  “Should we split up?” Val suggested.

  “No we should stay together.” Hayden stressed.

  “No, we should split up!” She whispered. “Hayden you go left and Anna and I will take the right.” Val instructed.

  Hayden and Anna exchanged looks.

  “I don’t feel right about that. I think we should stay together.” He argued.

  “Fine, but I think we should go this way first!” she whispered back.

  He stared at his friend for a moment, she looked tired and frail. He was very disappointed in himself for not noticing before. He looked over to Anna, she nodded.

  “Ok Val, if you think so.” He agreed.

  She stared back at him, her eyes looked like dark pools reflecting the shadow of the person she once was. She finally nodded and led the way. They followed her along down the corridor that led into another room. A statue sat in the middle and a pair of doors sat adjacent to each other behind it. One of the doors opened and in stormed guards with swords already drawn. Hayden quickly drew his sword; Anna had already done the same.

  Val turned to them. “I’m sorry, I had no choice!” She apologized.

  “We know Val.” Hayden consoled her.

  She looked over at him; tears welded in her eyes and stepped back in defeat.

  Behind the guards, in walked the General, “Hello again, Anna.” He addressed her.

  “Hello, General.” She snidely spoke back.

  “General? You mean Chancellor.” He corrected her. He looked over to Val,
“You did well my girl and are free to go.”

  “Why do I not feel any better?” She cried. “You said if I brought her to you, you would remove the curse!” she pleaded.

  He laughed. “Yes you are right, I did! But I think I’ve had a change of heart.” He menacingly told her.

  “But I will die!” she cried out.

  “Well, you have a big problem on your hands now, don’t you?” he heartlessly snapped back.

  She turned to them, “I deserve this for betraying you both, please forgive me.” She cried.

  Anna remembered the beads and sheathed her sword. She walked over to her friend and hugged her. “Eat one; I think it will help you.” She whispered into her ear. She then discreetly pulled the satchel out and stuffed it into the front of her friend’s jacket.

  “How touching!” The Chancellor responded to their display and sarcastically clapped his hands. Anna sneered at him.

  “Escort this young lady off of our premises and take the young man to his awaiting quarters.” He ordered the nearest guards.

  One grabbed Val roughly by the arm and led her out of the room. The other walked over to Hayden.

  “It would be wise to lower your sword.” The guard recommended. Hayden sheathed it and allowed the guard to shackle his hands. He then roughly pushed him out of the room.

  The Chancellor walked over and stood in front of Anna. “The rest of you leave the room, I want to talk to Ms. Kippling alone.” He ordered.

  The guards respectful bowed and left the room.

  “What did you give to your little friend?” He asked her.

  “I gave her a gift of hope.” She answered him.

  “And what could you possibly give her that could help her present situation.”

  She didn’t answer him.

  “It’s been foreseen that you are the chosen one.” He eyed her up and down. “I don’t see anything so special about you.” He snarled.

  “You came here to rescue the Empress, not working out exactly how you planned now is it?” he belittled her.

  She remained silent.

  “Answer me!” he yelled and slapped her.

  The slap surprised her and she stumbled back. Her cheek burned, but she didn’t rub it; not giving him the satisfaction.

  “You’re here to defeat me. So tell me, how do you plan on doing that Anna Kippling? ”He asked her.

  She didn’t answer.

  He slapped her again; even harder. The blow sent her tumbling to the floor this time. She reached up and touched her nose, it was bleeding. She wiped it on her sleeve and stood up.

  “Don’t you dare challenge me girl!” he screamed and slapped her again; sending her right back down, she cried out this time. He knelt down and grabbed her by the hair; tilting her head up, “I’m going to kill you Anna Kippling and I’m going to do it very slowly!” He hissed at her.

  Tears fell down her face. He let go of her and stood up.

  “A child, you’re just a little child!” He spat down at her.

  She looked up at him. “You’re right I am just a child; but this child has a knife!” She screamed and plunged the dagger she had snuck out into the top of his thigh!

  He screamed and reeled back. She quickly jumped up and headed in the direction the guard had taken Hayden.

  “Guards!” he screamed out and pulled the dagger out of it.

  She ran quickly over to the door Hayden was taken through and opened it. On the other side was another long corridor and she ran quickly down it and ducked behind a large statue sitting in a nook.

  She pulled her book out. “Tell me how to get to Hayden?” she asked it.

  Go to the last door on the left and take the stairs down.You will enter another corridor. At the end of that one; you will follow the stairs down, at the bottom is the door leading to the dungeon.

  She quickly put away her book and grabbed the pendant. “Conceal me!” She said and rubbed the stone. She instantly disappeared and followed the books directions. When she reached the door to the dungeon she stopped. She hesitated, not sure what to do next. If she opened the door, she risked getting discovered if someone was on the other side.

  She didn’t have to ponder long, when suddenly the door knob started to twist and she hurried up a couple steps and pressed herself tightly against the wall. The door opened and sure enough a guard walked through. Before he closed the door she was able to catch a peek inside and saw only one other sitting at a table. She could also see Hayden sitting in a cell.

  When the guard was far away enough, she walked back up to the door and knocked on it. A second later, the other guard opened it and she quickly slipped inside. He shook his head and shut the door. He looked over to Hayden’s cell and sneered at him. Hayden eyed him back. The guard then laughed and sat back down at the table. Anna could see the cell keys hanging from a hook just above the table; she sighed.

  Now she had to figure out how to get the keys!

  The door burst open and a guard yelled. “The girl has escaped!” The guard jumped up and ran out of the room with him, leaving the door open.

  “What about the prisoner?” she could hear him ask as they ran up.

  “Never mind him! He wants the girl!” the other answered.

  Anna grinned to herself and ran over and grabbed the keys. Hayden saw them lift midair and jumped up, “Anna!”

  “Reveal me!” she said and appeared in front of his cell door. He rushed over to it as she unlocked it.

  “Do you know where Val is?” she asked him.

  Then as if in answer; Val ran into the room, her sword drawn!

  Realizing there was no threat; she grinned and ran over to them.

  “There she is.” Hayden answered. Anna rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm when he stepped out.

  Anna smiled at the girl, “How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “Never better…”Her friend answered.

  Chapter 16

  Val handed her the bag of beads. “I thank you for these; you saved my life!”

  “I’m glad they worked.” Anna smiled at her and took them.

  “I only had to take one and instantly felt better!” she exclaimed. “Where did you get them from Anna?” she asked.

  “You’ll have to tell us about those later Anna; right now we need to get the Empress and get out of here!” Hayden cut in.

  She nodded and pulled out her book, “How do we get to the Empress?” she asked it.

  In the Chancellor’s office, go back where you came and go through the other door, it’s up the stairs.

  “Where is the Chancellor?” she asked next.

  He is in his office, waiting for you.

  “Are we heading into a trap?”

  Yes.

  “Is there no avoiding it?”

  No, to save the Empress this must play out…

  “How many are waiting for us in the room?” she asked it.

  There are five.

  “Can we take them?”

  You must let them capture you.

  “What will happen to us, if we don’t?” she asked, but Hayden reached over and shut the book. She looked up at him. “Why did you do that?”

  “Sometimes knowing too much can hurt you more than it can help.” He reasoned.

  “So we just walk into a possible death trap?” she argued.

  He nodded, “It’s one of those risks you have to take.”

  “Maybe you can; but I can’t!” and she opened the book back up. He gently put his hands on hers and guided the book shut again. “You can question this so many times and in so many ways Anna, but there is no changing it. Like the book says; you have to let it play out.”

  She put it away. “Fine; let’s go then!”

  She turned and ran up the stairs, drawing her sword as she went.

  Hayden looked over to Val, “I love it when she’s angry!” he teased.

  She just laughed and they followed after her.

  They cautiously made their way back, when th
ey reached the room where she had just been in with the Chancellor; Hayden noticed the blood.

  “What did you do to him?” he asked her.

  She grinned, “I stabbed him in the thigh.”

  He grinned back, “Good girl!”

  Val walked ahead and peeked around the corner, two guards stood, guarding the door that led up to the Chancellor’s office.

  She looked back at them. “There are two.” She whispered.

  They nodded.

  “When I say go, we go!” Hayden whispered.

  The girls nodded and they all got ready.

  “Go!” he said and they ran out and attacked the unsuspecting guards.

  Hayden took on the one on the right and ran his sword through his chest. Anna reached the other before Val and swung her sword at him, striking him in the neck. He reached up and grabbed his neck and fell to the ground. She then raised her sword and stabbed him in the chest. His eyes grew wide and then relaxed, staring lifelessly up at her.

  She froze in place and stared down at the dead man. Hayden walked up behind her.

  “You have to remind yourself that if you had not killed him first, he would have killed you.” He reminded her.

  She nodded. He bent down and closed the dead man’s eyes. Val grabbed the arm of the other guard and slid him out of the way of the door. Hayden pressed his ear against the door and listened. Hearing nothing, he grabbed the knob and quietly turned it. Val and Anna stood ready as he opened the door; thankfully only stairs awaited them on the other side. Hayden led the way and they quietly climbed the stairs.

  He stopped at the door and pressed his ear against it and listened. He then lifted his head and looked back at them. “It’s quite in there. Get ready… I have an idea!” He whispered. He then reached up and knocked on the door. It remained quiet, so he knocked again. Finally there came the movement he was waiting for. The doorknob slowly began to turn, but Hayden didn’t wait any longer and charged the door knocking the figure down on the other side. Val and Anna ran in after into a dark room.

  Then suddenly there was light and she was blinded. She could hear Hayden wrestling with someone just off from her. She blinked and looked around the room; just then a figure ran up to her with an object raised above his head. She raised her sword to defend herself and then suddenly something hard hit her on the head and everything went to black.