They all shook their heads.
“You said you trust me!” he retorted.
“You,” Skuntz agreed. “Not the human. He could betray you or us as soon as the chance is given to him. There’s also more than Thobias to think of. We could be putting them all in danger.”
“Please, please,” Emry started. “I only want to see my son. I—”
“Emry will not betray us,” Serwa said. “He doesn’t believe in the human’s war.”
Klara cleared her throat. “Serwa, with all due respect, how can you be so sure?”
Sarah was thinking the same thing.
“I may have been locked away but I didn’t lose my hearing,” the witch replied. Looking at the human, her face softened. She gave him a small smile. “I heard you when you prayed to Thobias, Emry. When you told him how you were happy they had assigned you to guard me, so you wouldn’t become a monster like the others forced to join them.”
Her lips trembled but she caught her breath and steadied.
“And I heard you as you wished you could free me because my imprisonment was cruelty. I have to say, the humans were smart posting a single guard. Of course, it would draw less attention, but I’m thankful they hadn’t turned you completely, Emry.”
The clay cup crashed to the floor as Emry fell forward, wrapping his arms around his middle. He rocked and sobbed, the tears streaming down his cheeks in thick drops. The fire cast shadow over his face while adding an extra shine to his blonde hair.
He shook his head; his shoulder shivered.
“I’m so sorry,” he wailed. “I’m so sorry. They wanted me to kill them. I swear I didn’t. I just hurt them some, so they’d think they were dead. They were so scared and I, I…”
His words were lost to his sobs.
Jacob placed an arm around him. Serwa moved to his other side and did the same.
“Do not worry, Emry.” She laid her cheek against his head. “We will make them pay.”
Chapter 24
(Ellen and Emma, Day Five)
Ellen lay perfectly still. She and her sister would not move until the moment was exactly right. Patience was key in several aspects of life, especially when planning to murder a deranged royal.
They had hidden in the woods surrounding the human kingdom until nightfall. Once it was dark enough, they had walked the wood’s edge, sunk to the ground, and started crawling across the land.
The first rules of a succesful assasinaton were to neither be seen nor heard unless absolutely necessary. If one is seen, then one is dead or, worst, the mission a failure. If one is heard, then one must kill before their presence is revealed.
Their brother would be proud they still remembered the lessons.
Swords of various shapes and sizes were strapped across their bodies in positions of easy access. They had memorized the style of sword and its location on their bodies. Buying too much weaponry in any human village would arouse suspicion, so they had simply stolen them. Though illegal and morally wrong, Ellen and Emma had decided the theft was for a greater good and so it was justified. The scales were balanced.
Their cloaks were covered in long strips of pulled grass. They had tested the disguise before entering human land to ensure the possibility of detection was minimum. If they lay still enough, under the shade they blended seamlessly into the ground. Under the cover of night the human guards would never be able to see their slow procession.
And now, the back wall was only a few feet away. They would not fail Serwa.
Emma crawled forward slowly and deliberately. Though they had hidden their presence, she could feel her sister beside her. Even as children, no matter how well they hid, the two could always sense each other. But no one else could ever find them which made hide-and-seek infuriating for the other children.
Emma’s face was placed against the earth while she gazed up and under the corner of her disguise. Their visibility was limited but Emma could see the guards.
The human forces must have been strained because there were very few guards on watch. Considering what Sarah had told them about Nettle and Gan’s war tactics, it was likely the humans were stretched thin.
Ellen released a slither of energy, calling her sister’s attention. Emma responded in agreement.
The guards were for show more than anything else. Defeated armies resulted to such tactics when outnumbered by the enemy meaning the humans were desparate. This was good news Ellen and Emma would deliver to Serwa.
She would be pleased and, in turn, they would be pleased, as well.
There were guards on each wall. A set of five would take their station, then peer out into the night for five minutes.
Ellen had counted.
Afterwards, the next set of five would move over and the rotation would continue.
The rotations, along with the crisp air, kept the guards alert.
Ellen and Emma were certain it wouldn’t be enough.
They reached the wall. Both took a breath; the guards turned to the side and began their march. Ellen and Emma got to their feet and pressed themselves against the wall.
Five minutes.
Both women reached into their bottom side pocket on the right. From there, they removed a vial, and began pouring the mixture inside it on their palms and feet. The combination of dead toad skin, honey, and magic would last them the entire night plus another week in case the kill took longer than planned.
They doubted that would be the case. Killing was easy, especially under the right cirucmstances and if rules were followed. Many aspects of life were easy actually if procedures and guidelines were used appropiately.
Ellen and Emma first pressed their palms to the wall. Ensuring the mixture secured them, they lifted themselves from the ground before placing their bare feet against the wall, as well. Neither could hear the other’s breath.
The guards continued their routine. Stare, turn, march, and rotate. Everything was a precise routine. Serwa may have even been impressed by them though their routine was going to be what led to their queen’s end.
When Ellen and Emma had nearly reached the top, they moved over to the corner. Each corner rose higher than the rest of the wall, leading into alcoves which the guards passed under.
A breeze came but they had tucked their cloaks under their clothing. Nothing would go fluttering in the wind.
They began climbing the alcove gradually and would pause each time the guards moved.
Ellen could feel Emma becoming restless. She sent her soothing vibrations. Her sister’s magic calmed and finally they made it over the alcove to the other side of the wall.
Only a small number of humans actually lived within the castle walls. The rest stayed in the towns and villages in the surrounding area as was custom for their kind. Humans strongly believed in class hierarchy.
At least that was what Emma had read in her mother’s books.
Torches flicked along the inner wall of the castle. There was less shadow, so they had to find the perfect spot.
Ellen and Emma turned horizontally, then crawled along the wall until they found a piece of shade to step into. A set of barrels provided the perfect foundation for them to land on.
They kept their palms planted against the wall until their feet could touch the ground. Behind the barrels, they leaned on one another, taking in careful breaths. There was still much to do. They had to keep their energy flowing easily.
Ellen and Emma poured a small amount of water on their hands and feet. They sent a quick heat through the extremities to burn the potion off. They couldn’t risk getting stuck anywhere with what they were about to do.
Another rule of assasination was to never be cornered, especially by the target. Hiding or lying were to be used if an assassin was cornered but, of course, a skilled assassin was never cornered. Murdering a target earlier than planned and unnecessary killing was a last resort.
The two witches peered around the courtyard. In its center was a house that connected with patios on
the left and right side of the yard. It towered slightly over the rest of the castle with large windows at its top and three doors at its base. Each window was illuminated.
We should go there.
A gust of wind blew through the yard. Ellen added her own magic to its force. The courtyard fell into darkness.
“Call a man from inside!” one guard shouted. “The wind’s blown everything out. Hurry up!”
Emma followed behind Ellen, mimicking her movements. They nulled their presences, moving around the men through the darkness. It was almost like a dance, an activity Emma enjoyed doing but Ellen did not.
While the men scrambled and stumbled in the night, the twins stepped around them, spinning on their heels and tilting away from even the slightest contact. They had to listen and feel, then step around the directions of the noises and sensations.
Slow footsteps echoed in the distance and they knew their time was running short. But because failure was not an option, neither was being captured. The sisters moved faster.
Ellen and Emma were nearly to the house. There wouldn’t be enough time to scale the wall and climb into the window.
“Here, take a torch and find the lanterns. Let’s hurry before Queen Leonna notices,” ordered a guard.
The yard began filling with light.
Ellen laid her palms flat on the door, reaching out for someone on the other side.
She didn’t sense anyone. Unless a member of the humans was particularly skilled at hiding their presence, the sisters had found their opportuity.
Their small space of shadow was retreating.
The burning lanterns were gradually overtaking the shadows, and the guards were making their way toward the center house.
There was a probability the door would groan. Ellen opened it slightly to decrease the likelihood. Her sister crouched and squeezed her way through, Ellen following close behind. Together they pulled the door shut. The wooden slab closing against its frame with a low thud which was better than a creak.
Breathe.
The twins turned to one another, leaning on either side of the door’s alcove. They both stared at each other while taking in silent breaths. Breaths that did not match the rapid rise and fall of their chests or their drumming heartbeats.
Rest when necessary. Never panic.
They nodded.
They had never failed before. They refused to start now.
A few more inhales.
Emma raised three fingers, dropping each one steadily. When her hand was only a fist, they stepped away from the door and made their way up the stairs. Silently but quickly they treaded the spiral staircase, unsure of when it would end.
But their goal was at the top. That they knew.
A door flung open and Ellen was knock into the opposing wall. Two guards stepped out, laughing until their sights found the twins. Their cheer disappeared. Instead, the men slanted brows and grated teeth, signs they were angry.
Ellen was in their direct path. Their eyes were trained on her and their hands flexed at their sides. Emma easily predicted the sequence of events which followed. She glanced at her sister.
The men grabbed their swords.
Emma remained at the door’s edge. She didn’t hesitate. Before the men could draw their weapons, she pushed them forward and slammed the door shut. Witnesses were not desired for what was about to transpire. Then, the sisters would have to kill them, too.
The less bloody an assasination, the better for cleanup and suspicion.
Ellen had sidestepped the fumbling guards. Standing two steps above, she waited for them to move. As expected one turned to her, and the other faced her sister. It was a logical response in the situation. Two enemies and two allies. However, Emma and Ellen had no plans of killing the men.
They were going to make them kill each other. Much simpler that way.
In sync, the men moved. They slashed their swords up and outward. The twins stepped back, forward, and then reached up, taking a hold of each man’s wrists. They bent their wrists back, loosening their grips and maneuvering the swords, so both guards pointed at one another.
The realization Ellen and Emma weren’t attacking always stalled their enemies. And in their moments of hesitation, the twins found an opportunity.
Ellen tightened her hold on the guard’s arm and moved it upward, slashing his ally’s face.
Emma made sure to cover his mouth as he screamed. Before he finished, she shoved his sword into his friend’s stomach, just under the armor. Together they created a few more slashes and stabs, until blood pooled around the men’s feet.
They placed their bodies outside the door, then reached into their satchels and poured ale down each man’s throat. They left the bottle turned over on the stairs and continued on their way.
At the top the sisters slowed their steps. The stairs had turned into a hallway decorated with the human symbol: two hands cupping a burning flame.
No guards but Charles…and Alexander.
A jolt of energy ran through them. They sensed his presence; they could feel its rage and weakness.
Ellen and Emma removed their knives.
They followed the trail of Alexander’s energy until they came to another door. It wasn’t hunky and weathered like the others. Instead, it was painted a sky blue with foreign symbols decorating its rim.
Emma moved first, sidling through the small opening, knowing her sister was behind her.
The throne room was polished bright colors and shiny materials. Then, there were the two chained figures on either side of the throne. Both Alexander and Charles hissed at the twins. Their eyes were that scarlet shade and the veins in their muscles pushed against their slender frames. The two were not in fighting shape.
Ellen and Emma blinked at them.
“Don’t waste your energy,” Emma said.
“Yes, all your blood is already on the floor,” Ellen added.
Both Alexander and Charles retracted their fangs. As the red faded, they leaned as close as their chains would allow. They rubbed their eyes a few times. Something changed in their stare.
“They remember us now.”
Ellen and Emma spun on their heels, turning their backs to them. They examined the room again, noting the large banners on each wall. Perfect for hiding.
“Do you two hear us?” Charles whispered. “Listen, both of you.”
Charles hasn’t changed.
“Ellen. Emma.”
They moved so they were fully facing Alexander. He narrowed his eyes at them.
“You’re here to rescue us, I know that much,” he said. “But where is Serwa? And where are my children?”
“Both are safe,” they replied. “Serwa instructed us to come here.”
“And where is she?” Charles asked.
Ellen looked at him. “Taking back our home. It’s been overrun with humans.”
The young man flinched. His head became slack as he took in a hard breath. Shaking himself, he rose to his feet only to fall a moment later.
Emma approached him and placed both hands on his shoulders. With limited pressure, she forced him from his knees to the floor.
“Listen to us, Charles,” Ellen said. “As Serwa would say, there is no need for pride among family.”
He huffed but nodded.
“What is your plan?” Alexander asked.
“No time to explain it all. We simply need to isolate the queen. Does she spend much time here?”
Charles scoffed. “We’re here, so she’s here as well. She’s been trying to get us to feed from her. We haven’t, of course.”
Ellen and Emma shook their heads. “It is wise that you didn’t,” they said in unison.
“Her blood is certainly spoiled,” Ellen added.
“And bad blood ruins a vamipre’s tummy.” Emma waved her finger at them.
The men gave her a blank stare. She shrugged. “Perhaps I did not say it with the right tone. It work for Serwa when Kwe becomes ravenous.”
&nb
sp; Her sister patted her shoulder. “I thought it was well executed, sister. There, there.”
Alexander groaned. “Alright, listen. We’re not sure what she’s planning. She—”
“No time.”
The twins darted behind the closest tapestries. Jumping up, they dug their short swords into the stone, urging it to give way. One more leap and they balanced on their sets of blade. Then, they waited.
Soon the room filled with humans. Strong odors came along with them that were potent and unnatural.
Ellen urged herself to breathe. She knew from her reading the scent was caused by what humans called perfume. But the mixture was different than the oil and flowers witches sometimes used.
Witch’s scents were airy and fleeting. The humans’ was clingy and thick.
Stale even.
Ellen pressed against the cold stone. She would remain calm and deal with the head pain later. The mission came first.
The queen took her seat.
Queen Leonna was a tall woman. She had straight, tawny hair that flowed past her waist. Her face was round and delicate, two light blue eyes gazing upon her subjects. She was much younger than either Emma or Ellen had expected. No more than twenty-two based on her features, size, and lack of wrinkles.
Yes, twenty-two was a safe guess.
A deep purple cloak hung over her shoulders but under it was a shimmering dress. The jewels glistened more than diamonds, though they weren’t shaped like any gem the twins had ever seen. And they reflected the light so well…completely translucent.
The queen did not bother a glance at either vampire. She moved beside her throne. As the room filled, she positioned herself on the steps leading to the enormous chair. A smile stretched across her face and she held her head high.
“Bring him in,” she called in a lithe tone.
Doors on the opposite side of the room opened. Two guards entered carrying chains. Behind them, they dragged a scrawny man wearing torn clothing. What he had on appeared to have once been a night gown, though it had changed to better resemble an old sack.
He didn’t resist as they dragged him along the smooth stone.
When the guards were a few feet from the queen, they dropped the chains and stepped to the side. She approached the prisoner.
The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return Page 23
