A small thimble of his energy was still there. He reached out and asked for help.
He was a witch.
They looked around the room, careful not to move too far from behind the tapestries.
Can’t save him.
Queen Leonna towered over him, her purple cloak pooling around her. He looked up.
“Tell me how you escaped,” she stated.
He said nothing.
“Tell me how you escaped,” she repeated.
The witch tried to sit up but his effort had little affect. He became slanted on the ground, his head resting against his angled shoulder.
“I did not escape, my queen.”
“Liar,” she spat. “Your entire party was found murdered. Did you kill them?”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t know what happened. There…was an attack.”
“By who? Describe them to me.”
“I didn’t…I never saw them. The guards asked me to hide until they needed me,” he replied.
“And?”
“When I finally came out, everyone was dead. There had been screaming and—”
“Stand up,” she ordered, clasping both her hands in front of her. A stress had pulled her shoulders up. She straightened it away.
The sisters briefly turned to one another.
Royals were very good at remaining poised.
The witch sighed. Groaning, he gradually got to his feet until he stood in front of her. His knees shook and he leaned in every direction.
“Why did you come back?”
He hesitated. “To serve you, my queen.”
“Tell me the truth.”
The witch paused, then took in a long breath. “My brother. I wanted to see my younger brother.”
“And what is his name?” Queen Leonna asked.
He shook his head.
“What is his name?”
He cast his eyes to the floor.
“Answer me, now.”
“No!”
Dribbles of blood ran down the witch’s body. He tilted his head up, staring at the red tip of her sword. His breathing became shaky while he gazed upon the weapon. He didn’t have long though. With haste, she brought the blade down and slashed it across his throat. Splatters coated her dress.
The crowd grasped and shrunk toward the walls. Emma and Ellen slanted their heads. The queen’s movements had been slow and she had missed his throat the first time. She was certaily not trained in combat.
Queen Leonna held the sword out toward all of them. She was grinning.
The scrawny witch crumpled to the floor. She stepped over his body and turned to her people.
“Let it be known this is what happens to traitors, witch or not.” She drew the blade flat to her chest. “You are dismissed. Enjoy your dinner without me.”
The crowd raced from the throne room. Emma and Ellen could see the humans pushing each other forward.
As the room emptied, a young girl approached the queen. They spoke in whispered tones, then the girl disappeared. Leonna took her seat on the throne.
A few moments later, the girl arrived again with a bowl of water and a cloth in hand.
“Take the sword and leave me,” Leonna ordered.
The girl bowed and left the room. She shook the entire way. Finally, Leonna was alone.
The Queen moved her fingers along the arm of her chair and took in a deep breath. She looked at Charles, then Alexander.
“Did you enjoy the show?” she asked.
He smiled. “Not very entertaining. I’ve seen worse.”
A smirk pulled at her lips. She rose from her chair and marched to stand in front of him.
“Do you want the witch’s blood?”
“Hm. Well, he does smell better than you.”
The slap echoed throughout the room. Alexander’s chest rose rapidly. He silently met her eyes.
“Say that to me again.”
Another slap.
We’re going to kill her.
Ellen dropped from where she rested on her blades, grasping onto them a moment before she fell. She and Emma landed on the floor without a sound. The queen’s hand swung back-and-forth across Alexander’s face.
Charles glanced between the queen and the twins.
Emma had stepped to the side, removing the items they needed, while Ellen approached head on. Just as Leonna raised her hand for another swing, Ellen grabbed her arm. She spun the royal around to face her, clamping a hand over her mouth before she could scream.
Soon the queen was on the floor. She struggled beneath Ellen’s weight, her voice muffled by the witch’s hand. Alexander and Charles grabbed her limbs.
While they held Leonna down, Emma lifted a vial to her nose. The queen’s eyes fluttered and her fight dulled.
Ellen removed her hand.
Emma poured a pile of soil in the queen’s mouth first, before removing the cap of another container. The worm squirmed to the container’s rim, the left head wiggling its way out first, followed closely by the right.
Ellen took the vial from her sister and held it over Leonna’s mouth. It snuggled into the moist soil, the heads releasing shallow screeches as their tail joined with the earth. Emma sliced her hands, giving the creature a few drops of her blood.
It quieted, sinking deeper into the queen until it could no longer be heard or seen.
An assassin.
The twins stared at one another. They smiled.
“Well done.”
Chapter 25
Clotted gurgling rose from the man’s throat while the sun shone down on the remnants of his comrades. He was blinking rapidly, and Sarah wasn’t certain if the shocking pain or the sun was causing it.
Serwa forced her hand deeper into his chest, curving her elbow. The gurgling came to a halt as the man’s eyes grew large. His gaze darted all around him.
There was a quick snap, a bloody cough, and he stilled.
Sarah wiped her sword along her pants before placing it in its sheath. “I’ll start the clean up,” she said.
Nodding, Serwa freed her arm and stood.
“Make sure to leave the grass this time, Sarah,” the witch stated. “We don’t want the humans picking up our tracks.”
While Sarah went to work manipulating the earth into six graves, Skuntz and the others checked their enemies. Despite the humans having caused so much destruction, their soldiers didn’t have anything of much value on them. A few didn't have swords, only daggers, and their armor looked old. Much different than the group they had encountered before meeting Ree. But these soldiers didn’t wear the cupped flames on their armor.
Sarah would be glad when she never had to think about that symbol again.
“Let me help you.” Serwa kneeled opposite Sarah, a single grave separating them. “You need to concentrate your magic in one place. Then, stretch it out to alter multiple areas at once. Try it.”
Sarah did as she was told. She closed her eyes only to reopen them to the sound of crumbling earth. Three more graves had appeared alongside the first one.
Turning to Serwa, she grinned. The witch smirked and placed her hand down. One after another, eight graves appeared, all the same shape and size.
She looked at Sarah and lifted her eyebrows.
“Well, you’re just showing off now,” Sarah huffed.
“Or perhaps you aren’t showing off enough,” the witch said with a chuckle. “Your magic has grown with you but you’re out of practice.”
Sarah groaned. “I do practice at home.”
“How often?”
“Almost every morning, well, if I can sneak out without my mama finding out.”
Serwa stared at her though she seemed to be looking slightly above her head. “While you were gone, Sarah, I did some research on your legend. The Chosen One. I found a few things I would like to discuss with you.”
A shiver ran over Sarah’s spine. There was something about Serwa’s tone. It reminded Sarah of Ms. Carr when she had the unfortunate
duty of informing the class Thomas was sick.
Thomas.
He had barely crossed her mind since she left Earth. She was certain he had kept his word and brought Ms. Carr to her house the next day. Except she wasn’t there. She was gone. Again. What tales would her neighbors spin now?
“Sarah.”
She shook herself. “Sorry. Yes. I want to know what you learned.”
Jacob and Emry held out their palms, revealing a few coins.
“We didn’t find much,” Jacob said.
“These soldiers aren’t well cared for,” Emry added. “I thought there would be more of a fight the closer we came to the vampire kingdom.”
“I thought the same.” Klara dropped a tiny coin pouch on the ground. “This is odd. Could Nettle’s forces be doing that well?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her.” Serwa smiled. “Fairies have their ways. We need to keep moving though. We’re only a short distance from Carrington now. Let’s get these bodies under the ground.”
Klara, Jacob, and Skuntz dropped the bodies into their individual graves. Sarah and Serwa filled them up, ensuring the very top was a layer of grass.
They stood back and looked over their work. Someone would have to examine the ground with a magnifying glass to notice anything.
Serwa dusted off her hands, spun on her heels, and continued onward. The others followed behind her with Klara and Skuntz bringing up the rear. Sarah walked ahead some so she was standing beside the witch.
“What were you saying before? About the research you had done.”
Serwa pulled at her clothes. She had taken them from the first enemy she had slain but they were a size too large.
“Yes,” she replied, rolling up her sleeves. “Alexander and I built an extensive library in our home. He had developed a particular interest in messing in old ruins, forgotten cabins, the like. That’s where I found the books which referenced you. Indirectly, at least.”
“What do you mean?” Sarah asked.
“I mean they didn’t use your name. The texts barely mentioned The Chosen One. But, there were several mentions of the girl child made from Lyrica. What would happen if you returned.”
The young woman slanted her brows. Serwa stared at her pointedly but Sarah shook her head.
How could she return somewhere she had never been?
“Some old journals Alexander found were very informative. A few of the passages were missing, though.” Serwa sighed, stretching her arms up. “All of this is to say, you will have to make a choice, Sarah. Lyrica or Earth. If what I read is any inclination, the longer you remain separate from Lyrica, the more your powers will dwindle.”
“No.” Sarah stumbled forward as the word left her mouth in haste. Serwa caught her by the elbow and straightened her up.
“No,” Sarah repeated. “I…it’s not like last time. My powers are…”
Her hands were quivering and her mouth had suddenly gone dry.
“Part of who you are,” Serwa finished.
She looked at the witch, then bobbed her head.
Serwa rested a hand on her shoulder. “I would feel the same if I were you. Our magic is an extension of who we are.”
“The books must be wrong,” Sarah said. “Gan told me I would always be a part of Lyrica. I can even feel my power growing. I’m much stronger than I was last time.”
“Well, you’re no longer a child but a young woman, Sarah. Of course, your magic would become stronger. Your have so much potential but you aren’t like other Lyricans, Sarah.” Serwa sighed. “Have you ever fully used all of your magic? Just to see all you can do?”
She shook her head.
“Good. It’s for your own safety. I can’t be certain. I only have the bits of journals I found.”
A dread settled in Sarah’s stomach. Her walk had slowed into a stroll and her eyes were locked on Serwa.
The witch continued, “Everything is energy. If you were to ever fully use all your power, you’d risk returning to Lyrica as just that. Pure energy, in a constant flow. Yet, if you return to Earth, you may lose your power forever.”
Sarah stopped. She positioned herself to fully face the witch, her breathing shaky and her face a pale scarlet.
“This isn’t true.” She shouted the words out with some bite.
“I can only tell you what I’ve found,” Serwa replied. “Calm your hackles, child.”
The others had stopped several feet away from them.
“What’s wrong?” Jacob asked.
Sarah was quiet.
Without glancing at him, Serwa said, “Nothing. Sarah is a little upset.”
Something’s coming.
Sarah looked behind her, peering into the shadows between the trees. She moved to tell Serwa what she sensed. The witch was two steps ahead.
She glided by Sarah, patting her head. “Good girl, Sarah. I’ve got this one.”
The trees swayed around them. A large wolf emerged from the darkness. His ears were pulled back and he showed his teeth with a growl. The strands of brown fur stood on edge.
Serwa didn’t hesitate. In a few movements, she was crouched in front of the beast, looking fixedly into his brown eyes.
She smiled. The air around them cooled and the beast’s eyes widened.
“Serwa?”
The witch did not respond.
Sarah stepped to the side, watching as her friend confronted the creature. Her eyes had turned a midnight black.
“Now,” she hissed. “Before you approach a traveling party, hoping to scare them with a few grunts and growls, you should have some bite. Especially if I am part of that party.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Do you understand?”
The beast lay on all fours. His ears turned upward, and he bowed his head.
Serwa stood, placing a hand on her hip. “Change back so you may speak with me properly.”
Bones grinded against bone. Fur retracted; skin stretched and formed. And a man rose from all fours to stand on two feet.
Sarah shut her eyes, turning so her back faced the naked man. The heat flared over her entire face and her heart was ready to leap from her chest.
No warning! Not one.
“Queen Serwa,” said an unfamiliar voice. “Please, forgive me. I couldn’t believe it was you. You’re…alive. We’ve been fighting but we weren’t sure—”
A heavy sob. He cleared his throat.
“None of that matters now. Captain Nettle will be overjoyed to see you and your comrades.”
A zap, a bit of lightning as Sarah imagined it, ran through her. They had found Nettle!
Sarah wanted to look back but kept her eyes shut. The naked man was still there.
She could hear the smile in Serwa’s voice.
“I’ll be glad to see her, too,” the witch replied. “I’m sure we’ll all be glad now that this war is about to be won.”
“As the gods live and breathe, Serwa!” Nettle jumped from her table and zoomed around the witch, leaving spirals of golden dust in her wake. She finally landed on the witch’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Then, her eyes found Sarah and she gawked.
“Yes, seeing her surprised me, as well,” said Serwa.
The fairy put both her hands on her hips and gave the girl a once-over.
Sarah grinned. “It’s nice to see you, too, Nettle.”
“You’ve grown,” she chimed, then looked down at herself. “I haven’t. Please, everyone come take a seat. Loren, please bring our guests some food and water.”
The werewolf who escorted them bowed before stepping out of the tent. Despite Nettle likely being the smallest one fighting, it seemed she had the most authority, as well as the largest tent.
Klara sunk into a pile of cushions. She rested her axe across her lap and stretched all four and a half feet of herself out. Skuntz stood to the side of Nettle’s desk, while Sarah and Serwa took the two seats in front of it.
Jacob and Emry still waited by the do
or.
Nettle raised a brow. “What are you two waiting for? If we wanted the human dead, we would have killed him as soon as he entered our camp.”
They gulped, then found two spots separate from the others.
“Now, we have much catching up to do, don’t we?” The fairy giggled. “You’ll be glad to know, Serwa, you came at the best moment.”
“And why is that?” the witch asked. “Does something need killing?”
She and Nettle tossed their heads back and cackled. Sarah tried to join in but the effort felt halfhearted. Apparently, cackling was not a skill she had mastered.
Skuntz found her eyes. He shook his head, a small grin playing on is lips.
Sarah rolled her eyes in response, ignoring her pounding heart and the tilt of her lips. She’d learn to cackle one day, and then she’d show him.
Aside from Serwa, they all sat quietly, watching as the two friends caught up. Skuntz or Klara would sometimes interject to add more detail or to clarify a statement.
Nettle listened to their tale with unabashed amusement.
Though fairies didn’t age the way humans did, Sarah thought she could see the years on her friend’s face. Nettle’s hair hung down in a long braid. It was still the same lovely black shade, though its ends seemed weathered. Her eyes were still a shining blue yet a small scar decorated her right one. Even as she smiled and nodded, her actions seemed jolted.
She was tired of war.
Nettle looked over everyone in the room.
“What a tale,” she finally said. “All leading you here at the perfect time.”
“What do we need to do?” Skuntz asked.
“I believe we may be able to take the kingdom back. We have the numbers, the skill, and the strategy. There’s only one challenge,” Nettle stated. “The humans were quite clever, using the children as leverage.”
Skuntz’s nostrils flared and the muscles in his arms flexed. “What do you mean?”
“She’s talking about Leonna’s Tomb.”
Everyone turned their attention to Emry. He paled.
“You’re not very good at whispering.” Klara snorted. “My granda probably heard that from his grave.”
“What’s Leonna’s Tomb?” Sarah pivoted in her chair, so she faced him. “The human queen hasn’t died, has she?”
The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return Page 24
