Force of Nature

by Shawna Logue

  “What’s the other reason?” He looked at me confused, so I added, “You said that was the first reason?”

  “Oh.” He looked down, tracing a small circle with one foot. “Well, we were worried about you.”

  “We?” I said, my tone raking with deep set emotion. I hadn’t meant to ask the question; I knew full well who he meant.

  He ignored me though, and instead looked up, wide eyes boring into the sky. He started to speak, but stopped, cocking his head to one side. After another moment, he gasped. “Feckin’ ‘ell, that’s comin’ in fast.”

  I heard the sound too late. The gust of wind blew through the gazebo as the loud, beating wings raced past. I heard Justin yell, “Get down!” and Maria yelp as she hit the ground.

  Instinctively, and in hindsight, rather foolishly, I ran past Dermot to the clearing, pulling hard on several of the ley lines as I went, ignoring the dry, dirty taste. I caught sight of the fearsome gargoyle as he climbed higher to make another pass.

  “We have to get her out of here!” Justin screeched.

  “The castle?” Jack called back. Both were shouting despite being next to each other.

  “No, it might not be safe!” Justin was frantic.

  Dermot was on my heels, aware of the danger, but unsure of what was happening.

  “I can make it back to the castle to warn Dad and Lahela,” Jack yelled frantically, as I heard a high pitched keen in the distance. He exchanged a glance with the confused leprechaun. “Can you take her?” he shouted.

  I didn’t have time to hear Dermot’s answer as I felt him clasp both hands on my shoulders before my vision was dotted with hundreds of sparkling lights. A moment later, my feet touched back to the ground.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “No, no, no,” I protested as my eyes focused on the unfamiliar house in front of me. It was modern, and boxy, with lots of windows, and the rising moon glinted gently off a solar panel on the roof. The dark brown siding trimmed with hunter green accents made the new age house blend in with its dense wooded surrounding. Despite having never seen this house before, I knew exactly where we were. The rustic setting, the sound of the waves lapping the beach in the distance, and the splintered remains of an old growth cedar gave it away.

  “Take me out of here, Dermot,” I growled. It wasn’t a question.

  He looked at me, at first perplexed before he composed himself, planting his feet. “Look, Alex. I don’t know what ‘appened back there, but you were in danger, and this be the safest place fer you right now.”

  “What happened back there had nothing to do with me,” I said, forcing each word through gritted teeth. “What happened was that someone is trying to kill my best friend.” I paused, letting that sink in with him before adding, “We have to go back, Dermot. I have to help her.” I had meant my words to sound forceful, but they came out more like a weak plea.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know where they went to. One of them phased her out of there just as I took you. I don’t know ‘ow I would find 'im. I wouldn’t know what to look fer.”

  “No! We have to help them!” I shrieked, unwilling to accept his explanation. My hands were beating against his chest, but they seemed to be doing little.

  He waited until my little tantrum was finished before clasping both hands on my shoulders, looking down at me with calm intensity. “We cannot find them, Alex. I’m sure they be safe.” He turned me back to the house and took two steps forward.

  I planted my feet. “If you can’t take me to them, take me home, please.” I was shocked at the low ferocity colouring my voice.

  He turned, eyes flashing in the dying light of the sun. “He’s not ‘ere,” he said calmly.

  I relaxed slightly. “Where is he?” I asked, immediately regretting it. What did I even care? He was probably with his wife. My stomach churned at this thought.

  Dermot did not answer, and I wondered if it was because he knew I didn’t want to hear the answer. He turned back around, leaving me in the driveway. For a brief instant I thought about running, but I knew that we were too secluded from civilization that I wouldn’t get far before he caught up. Not only that, it was cold here, and I had no jacket. I reluctantly followed, stomping my feet unnecessarily as I went.

  “Can I make you some tea?” he asked, heading through an arch to the kitchen. I could see the gleaming white appliances behind him, blending with warm, pale, honey coloured cabinets. The floor was a matching pale tone, bamboo perhaps? I shut my eyes, squeezing them hard as I tried not to focus on my surroundings.

  I thought about his question, weighing two thoughts in my mind. I did want tea, mostly to wash out the dirt taste still lingering in my mouth, but I also wasn’t planning on staying. Unfortunately, I hadn’t crafted an escape yet. I nodded, feeling the defeat in my mind.

  When I reopened my eyes, I couldn’t help but look around. I didn’t want to, but at the same time, I couldn’t stop myself. I felt sick. The initial entryway was a soft grey slate meeting with one low stair that led into a grand living room. The walls were a modern mosaic of wood, in every colour from pale blonde to rich mahogany. On one wall was an enormous hearth constructed of thin, flat slabs of rock stacked unevenly. A large, curved sofa faced the fireplace. It was white, and I felt a sinister urge to pour red wine on it as I stared at the manifestation of my dream house. Forcing myself to ignore the stupidly perfect room, I walked slowly to the kitchen, aware of the dirt my shoes tracked across the floor.

  Dermot was leaning casually against the gleaming white countertop, staring at the kettle intensely.

  “A watched pot,” I muttered as I perched on a leather barstool next to the counter.

  He waved me off with a casual hand, and I noticed that the kettle was not plugged in. Two seconds later, it was boiling rapidly. I rolled my eyes, having momentarily forgotten about the supernatural company I kept.

  “Peppermint?” he asked. I nodded. There was an uncomfortable silence as he set about making the tea.

  “So,” he said, handing me a steaming mug.

  I inhaled deeply, letting the cooling mint saturate my lungs. “So,” I responded, taking a sip. It burned my tongue, but I forced myself not to show it, staring intently at the amber liquid until I could compose my face.

  When I looked up from my cup, Dermot was staring at me intently, analyzing every move.

  “Are you gonna tell me what ‘appened in the forest back there?”

  “I told you already. Gargoyle. Assassin. Best friend in danger. Remember?”

  “No, before. I would ‘ave never found you so easily if it ‘adn’t been fer that magical outburst you ‘ad. It was unlike anythin’ I ‘ave ever seen, even from Connor.”

  “No.”

  “Sorry?”

  “No, I’m not going to tell you what happened.” It hurt me to say this to him. I really liked Dermot, but I knew I could never be friends with him anymore. He was linked to Connor by an unbreakable bond, so it was inevitable that the two would never be far from each other, or from magic.

  Echoing my thoughts, I heard the low rumble of an engine, and a steady crunching noise as tires drove up the frozen dirt driveway. I barely had time to make it to the sink as I gagged. Luckily, there was nothing there to heave. My stomach toppled as I heard the front door click open. “Get me out of here, NOW!” I snarled at Dermot.

  “No,” he said, his tone exactly mimicking mine from moments ago. His slight grin infuriated me. He had known Connor was coming back, and was planning on us running into each other.

  I stared at him in shock. “Dermot, don’t make me do this,” I whispered, my body weakening as I caught sight of Connor in the archway.

  I wanted to look away, but our eyes met, and I was locked, my mind diving into the blue pools. I forced every bit of emotion into my gaze, boring into him with as much strength as I could muster. His eyes gazed back, weary and lost.

  “Alex,” he whispered, raising his hands defensively.

  “Don’t,�
� I spat. He was blocking the doorway. My mind tried to calculate how much strength it would take to get by him.

  “Please,” he began, his voice cracking with an unfamiliar sadness.

  That was enough, I thought, as I rushed past him forcefully. He reached for my hand as I pushed by him for the door, recoiling as the Elven magic saturating my body jumped from my fingers into his. I felt a wicked smile creep on my face as I threw open the front door.

  I only had a moment to think. I had no way out of here. I glanced at the shiny Audi SUV now parked in the driveway. I had no idea how to hotwire a car, let alone drive.

  Instinctively, something pulsed inside me. I felt the Elven energy racing in my system. Remembering what Dermot had said about signatures, I formed a plan in my head. On a whim, and fully expecting Connor to pull me back inside any moment, I raised one hand in the air.

  I let every fear I had felt that day fill my mind. Falling from the force of my spell in the meadow, the return of the gargoyle, Maria’s frantic face, and finally, and though I hated thinking of it, dealing with Connor. I channelled everything into one large thought, and the released.

  The responding flash, though not as bright as it had been in the meadow, was enough to push me flat to the ground. I gasped as the wind was knocked out of me with more force than I had expected.

  “What the hell?” I heard Connor’s bewildered voice from the doorway.

  I got to my knees but refused to face him, feeling slightly foolish at my experiment. I forced my face to remain composed and stoic.

  It was only a matter of seconds before I heard a faint popping noise behind me. Two cool hands reached under me, lifting me to my feet and turning me around. I briefly saw Connor’s dazed face before focusing on Jack.

  “Alex,” he said frantically, as he shook me slightly. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  I managed a very weak smile and slight nod. “Maria?”

  “She’s fine. Actually, she’s at your house.”

  I felt my face lift slightly. “Please get me out of here,” I squeaked, my eyes darting involuntarily to the statuesque figure in the doorway.

  He followed my glance, and caught sight of Connor, who quickly composed himself at the sight of the elf. He became defensive, crossing the yard quickly, and placing himself on the other side of me. I felt weak, both from the magical drain, and Connor’s close proximity. I tried to step back, but stumbled, and fell hard into Jack’s frame. He supported me effortlessly.

  “Who are you?” Connor growled.

  I turned my head and glared at him. “None of your business,” I snapped.

  “Jack,” he said, ignoring me completely, extending one slender hand. I turned my glare to him, and he winked.

  Connor tentatively shook his hand, wincing as I noticed the face he made when their hands touched.

  “Something I learned from you,” Jack whispered quiet enough that only I could hear. I guess he must have transferred some of his Elven energy to Connor.

  “You are?” Jack continued, the familiar amused tone in his voice.

  “Connor,” Connor said, composing himself again.

  Jack glanced at me, and I knew he could sense the apprehension I felt. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Connor,” Jack said, his voice perfectly formal. “We’ll be leaving now.”

  “Excuse me?” Connor said, his hand clasping around Jack’s arm. I saw him wince as he touched the elf’s bare skin. “You are not taking her anywhere.”

  “I’m not being taken anywhere, Connor,” I barked, “I’m leaving.”

  He released his grip on Jack and turned me to face him. I noticed he was careful to touch only my shoulders, where he would risk contact with my skin.

  “Alexis,” he pleaded quietly. “Don’t leave. Please.”

  “Let go of me,” I growled, shaking my shoulders. His hands dropped immediately.

  “I need you,” he whispered, quieter than before.

  “Well, you can’t have everything,” I snarled, more fiercely now. “Besides, this is not about you! I’m not going to sit here like a prisoner while my best friend is in trouble.” I turned back to Jack, feeling hot, salty tears pour down my cheeks, betraying my anger. I hoped Connor hadn’t seen me cry. Blurry eyed, I met Jack’s gaze, and just to be certain, I held one hand up.

  He shook me off. “I’ve got enough,” he whispered, pulling me into a strong embrace before we phased out of existence.

  Chapter Fourteen

  If Jack hadn’t been holding on to me, I would have collapsed when we rematerialized in the park. This was no longer a magical weakness, instead it had been completely taken over by emotional weakness. Neither of us spoke as he easily supported my weight while I waited for the silent tears to stop. His arms were tight around me, and I felt safe, momentarily forgetting why we were here. We were unmoving, two lone statues in the empty open space.

  After a few minutes, I composed my emotions, and he held me out before him. His face didn’t have the amused look it usually held when he watched me. Instead, it was contemplative. He leaned forward slightly, before looking down and taking my hand in his.

  We walked slowly across the park and to my house. The streets were empty, and there was an eerie silence as we walked. My footsteps echoed unusually loud as we walked. Jack’s feet barely brushed the ground as he glided effortlessly beside me.

  I thought about the two of us as we walked. If someone saw us now, hand in hand, what would they think? We probably looked like a couple, not that I cared at this point. Jack and I didn’t have that kind of relationship. This was comfortable, just two friends walking casually.

  Or was it? What were we? I wanted to believe that Jack and I were friends, but was that it we were? Or had I missed the fact that the lines were blurring every minute we spent together?

  Jack’s hand retreated from mine and he stopped. Had he heard my thoughts?

  “What were you thinking about right now?” he asked, turning me to face him.

  I blushed, not wanting to answer. “I don’t know,” I lied. “Why?”

  He cocked his head, and I knew he could see I was hiding something. “You didn’t notice?” he asked. “Up until a moment ago, you were controlling your power. You didn’t give me any of it.”

  “Really?” I thought about that. I hadn’t noticed.

  “Yes. Then, a minute ago, it started to flow out, trickling at first, then increasing. You really didn’t notice?”

  I shook my head, bewildered.

  “Fascinating,” he said to himself. There was that amused tone again. We were at my building now, and he didn’t push the subject any further.

  “Crap,” I muttered as I patted my pockets. I knew exactly where my keys were: in my jacket back in the Elven woods.

  Jack laughed quietly at my distress, waving his hand casually at the door. I heard a faint click just as he reached to pull the door open. I ignored implication of how easy lock picking was for him and made my way up to my apartment. He waved his hand again to unlock my door.

  Justin was waiting for us, leaning on the counter as he traced his hand slowly along the rim of a glass. His face was clearly stressed, showing unnatural creases that I was sure the elves were incapable of.

  My eyes darted around the room, searching.

  “She’s asleep,” Justin said calmly, still tracing the glass. I heard the faint singing as he completed each slow circle.

  I walked quietly to my room, where the door was slightly ajar, and peeked in. Maria’s face was smooth, and I could tell she was in a deep sleep. How she could sleep at a time like this was beyond me. The moment I saw her, all my weariness was forgotten. Instead, I felt keyed up. I wanted to do something, anything. I was anxious. I wanted to be proactive.

  When I walked back into the kitchen, the two brothers were whispering.

  “I couldn’t find her anywhere. Dad’s okay. He’s going to the council personally to talk about the situation,” Jack said calmly.

  Justin’s whispe
rs were less controlled. “You couldn’t find her? Does she even know what is going on?”

  “Lahela can take care of herself,” Jack noted, adding, “She’s got more power than you and me combined. If only she had been with us in the clearing. Zarek would have been reduced to gravel.”

  “Still, I don’t like not knowing where she is.”

  The two brothers kept whispering, either not noticing I was there, or ignoring my presence. I felt uncomfortable listening in on them, so I went and sat on the couch, flipping the TV on quietly. There wasn’t anything on. The DVD player was still loaded with The Princess Bride from last week. Considering I had missed most of it, I restarted it from the beginning.

  It was 15 minutes before the conversation in kitchen died down. Justin crossed in front of my view, looking at me earnestly before speaking.

  “Alex, if you want to get some sleep, we’ll stay up. You don’t have to worry.”

  “I’m not tired,” I said, and it was true. I was still itching with anxiety.

  “Oh.” He seemed surprised by response, and then I understood.

  “Justin, please get some sleep. I’ll be fine. There’s lots of room for you on the bed.” His face washed with relief. “No funny business,” I added.

  He laughed, his face loosening ever so slightly at my humour. “Don’t worry,” he said, but his voice still cracked with stress.

  I refocused on the movie, silently quoting every line to keep my mind busy.

  “You know, I really don’t understand what she sees in him,” Jack said as the Man in Black duelled with Inigo Montoya.

  I jumped. He moved so quietly. How long had he been sitting here beside me? “Why?” I asked, immediately judging him for criticizing my favourite movie.

  “Well, he admits he has been marauding as the Dread Pirate Roberts for the past five years.”

  “So?”

  “Everyone knows The Dread Pirate Roberts never kept captives alive,” he said, quoting the movie. “She doesn’t seem to mind that he has killed people.”

  I scowled. “I don’t think that’s the point.”