Taylor scowled and said, “I would have raised you to be a powerful superhuman. I would have taught you to fight. Between your superhuman powers and your great-grandmother’s fairy magic I didn’t even know you had...you could have been special...powerful!”
Taylor shook his head, “Once again, your pathetic father had to come take you away. Him and his stupid friends were able to take you from me. But I took him! I kept him to punish him, just as he had punished me!”
I stood in awe by Taylor’s hateful words, but I listened patiently to keep him calm.
“As I tormented your father, punishing him for the things he did to me. Your mother—the woman I had once loved, and her friends returned and killed me. I was brutally murdered by your mother!”
I wanted to cry out and tell him that he was in the wrong as well. He captured my mother against her will. He had tricked my mother into loving him. He tricked my mother, and she had become pregnant, and Taylor and his friends killed my mother’s friends. My parents and the others in Pine Lake were only protecting their own. But as the horrible thoughts raced through my mind, I did not say a word; I only patiently listened, trying to keep Taylor from growing more upset.
“When you brought me back from the dead along with your mother, I thought I finally had a chance to know you—to have the daughter I had been chasing after before I was killed. You locked me in the dungeon for eight years, and I put up with it, because I thought it was the only way to be a part of your life. You may have fixed it nice for me...but it was still a prison and you treated me like a prisoner.”
Taylor grimaced, and his eyes caught fire as he said, “I would have been a prisoner for my entire life, just to see you, but it’s too late for the two of us. I am not your father and I will never again call you my daughter. That man...that man you call your father...he ruined you. You’re just like him...a self-righteous little bitch! You took away the thing that made me, me—my superhuman powers!”
I trembled at his words as a shiver ran down my spine. Despite all the horrible things I had heard about him, I choose to believe he could be different. I chose to believe he could be redeemed. I believed if I took away his superhuman powers, his vile would disappear with it, but the only thing I had done, is make him hate me. He hated me so much, he refused to call me his daughter.
Taylor stood quietly with the knife pushed against my son’s throat. Benny was terrified, but he was showing bravery as he stood quietly and still, allowing Taylor to continue on.
“I thought I was going to be stuck in that cell forever—lifeless, miserable, dead inside. I wanted to kill myself. I wanted to die. But one day, I heard chaos throughout the dungeon and realized something was going on. I heard everyone in the dungeon being killed.” Taylor paused, “I had only seen Desmorelda once before—the day I was brought back to life.”
Suddenly Taylor smiled, “When she entered my cell, she was about to kill me. I didn’t beg for mercy...I waited for her to rip my life away as it had been done so many times before. But she recognized my weakness; she knew something was off about me, so she stopped. Her dark eyes stared deep into mine as if she could read me like a book.” Taylor’s smile grew wider as he said, “Her hands were covered in blood, but she tore of my clothes and ripped off her own. We made love as I slammed her into the wall.”
I cringed as he admitted he had made love with my despicable great-grandmother. I didn’t want my son to hear the words Taylor was saying, but I had no choice, as the sharp blade was held tight against his throat.
Taylor continued on with his story as I quietly began to power up my magic. I only had two options—walk out of here without my son or use my magic to kill Taylor. As I had risked Ben’s life to kill Desmorelda, I would have to do the same with my son. It wasn’t a risk I wanted to take, but I knew if I used every ounce of focus and concentration, I could use my magic to keep my son safe and kill the man who was truly my father.
Taylor’s story had twisted me up inside, as I was beginning to believe Taylor was the victim. I started to believe what Pine Lake did to him wasn’t right, and I began to pity him. I wanted to save Taylor—save his soul and redeem him, but when I looked at the fear in my son’s eyes and the dried blood against his neck, I knew that Taylor couldn’t be saved. Taylor had to die.
As I continued to secretly power up my magic, Taylor continued on, “After I made love to Desmorelda, she asked me to help her steal your son and go with her to her hideaway—this cabin. My emotions sparked when Desmorelda wanted to steal your son! She wanted to kill him and plan a rebellion to take back her throne...but I had a better idea.” Taylor smiled and said, “I wanted to punish you and your family for what you did to me. I knew that you were useless as my child, but not your son; he’s still young. Desmorelda and I decided to take him and make him our own. We would raise him as our son and mold him into the person I wanted you to be. Just like your father did with you!”
Taylor began to howl in laughter as my son shook in fear. My power was overwhelming me from inside, and I knew if I didn’t release it soon, it could be too much for the baby inside of me. I didn’t want to kill my biological father, but I had no other option. Taylor wasn’t redeemable, and he never would be. My children were all that mattered anymore, and I had to kill my own flesh and blood to keep them safe.
I felt a tear fall from my eye as I quickly wiped it away. I looked into my son’s terrified blue eyes and I gave him a look of hope. My magic could kill my son and my unborn child, but it was the only way. I had to take the risk; I had to trust that I was powerful enough to kill Taylor and save my son.
I took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry Father,” I said softly as I threw my hand forward pushing full protection around my son.
Taylor looked confused as the protection wall suddenly pushed him away from my son. Taylor reached out to stab my son, but the wall blocked his way and he growled in anger. Taylor gazed at me as his eyes caught fire, and he charged towards me with his knife in the air, ready to kill me.
“Benny get down!” I screamed as I held one hand towards him to protect him. “Ben get down!” I screamed as I threw my other hand towards Taylor, who was just about to stab me with the knife.
I kept my protection magic locked on Benny, as I used every ounce of focus I could manage to send fire to the tips of my fingers. Just as Taylor was about to stab me with his knife, I threw a giant fireball from my hands and slammed it into Taylor’s face. As soon as the fire was released from my fingertips, I threw my hand against my stomach and used every last ounce of energy I had to protect my unborn child, as I slammed into the ground, and fire exploded all around me.
Taylor screamed as the fireball slammed into him, and body parts flew through the air. I held my protection magic over my children as long as I could manage, until I lost consciousness and all went dark.
Chapter 17
“Momma!” I heard a small voice cry, as I felt a hand shake me. “Momma! Please wake up,” the voice cried again. It was Benny.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Benny’s sweet blue eyes staring back at me. Besides the marks on his neck, Benny was completely untouched. When he saw I was awake, he wrapped his little arms around as if he would never let go.
I was overwhelmed with happiness, but I suddenly began to panic and quickly stood up. Did Ben survive? I felt severe pain with my action, and realized I had been badly burned and I was covered in Taylor’s blood and gore. As I crawled to my hands and knees, I saw Ben’s unconscious body from across the room.
“Ben!” I screamed, “Ben! Please wake up!”
Benny looked confused as to who this other man was, but I looked at Benny and said, “Help Momma!”
Benny walked towards Ben and began to shake him as I used all my strength to follow behind. As Benny continued to shake Ben, I reached their side and Ben miraculously opened his eyes.
As soon as Ben opened his eyes, he was staring straight into our son’s eyes, “Benny!” Ben whispered as he re
ached out and stroked his face, but Benny looked confused by Ben’s actions. “Miranda,” Ben cried as he saw me sitting by our son’s side. “Is the baby okay? Are you okay?” he whispered.
Benny looked lost by our conversation, but I looked at Ben and said, “I think so. I used protection magic. I’m just a little burnt,” I played down my condition as I was in horrible pain, and I was very worried about the baby. Then I looked at Benny and said, “Oh baby, I’m so sorry this happened to you, but I have some things I need to talk to you about.”
“Momma you don’t look well,” Benny cried as he hugged me in his arms. I looked at Ben and saw that he was horribly injured as well, so I would have to have a conversation with Benny later.
“I looked at Benny and said, “Honey, I need you to get your grandparents. They are upstairs. We need help.”
Benny nodded his head, and headed out of the room. I crawled down on the ground with Ben and lay in his arms as we waited for help to arrive.
“He’s beautiful,” Ben said, “I can’t believe he’s...mine.”
I smiled and said, “He’s wonderful Ben...just wonderful…” I suddenly felt horribly sick, and the room began to spin around. I grew quiet as I felt as if I would pass out.
Suddenly I heard Ben calling out to me, “Miranda? Miranda? Are you okay?” but I felt so weak and sick, I couldn’t respond as the room continued to spin.
“The baby…” was the last thing I whispered before I went unconscious again.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the bedroom with the secret passageway. The bed was large and comfortable, and I was buried underneath a pile of plush sheets. I began to gaze around and saw that Ben was resting on the other side of the bed. He looked to be in bad shape. When I turned to the other side, I saw Damon sitting by the bed, with Benny asleep in his arms.
When Damon saw my gaze, he placed his pointer finger over his mouth and whispered, “shhhh.”
I nodded my head as I shut my eyes and fell back asleep. When I opened my eyes again, Damon and Ben were both by my side, but Benny was gone. Ben was still asleep, but Damon was watching me carefully as if something horrible was about to happen.
“Miranda,” he whispered, when he saw I was awake.
“Damon, what happened?”
“We had just finished sending Desmorelda to hell when Benny found us. Our fathers were still looking for Benny and hadn’t realized you and Ben had disappeared. Benny took us down to the hidden basement where both you and Ben were unconscious.” Damon looked upset as he said, “Your father and Nathen carried Ben, and I carried you to this bed. The both of you were horribly burned and covered in wounds. Your pulse was so weak Miranda. I was so scared.”
He paused before he continued, “We spent an hour healing you, while Emerlee and Delia tried to help Ben. Benny was terrified, but he wouldn’t leave our side. We did everything we could for you both...we just had to wait for you to wake up.” Damon paused again; then he said, “Emerlee and my mother are sending Taylor to hell right now. We can’t risk him coming back…ever again.”
I nodded my head in agreement, as he had proven his true nature by threatening to kill my son, but my true concern was Ben, as he was still lying unconscious. “Ben?” I asked.
“He’s still asleep, but his pulse is stronger... he’s badly wounded. Since he’s human, only time will tell.”
I put my head down, as I was extremely concerned. I quickly felt my stomach and I looked at Damon and said, “Do you think our baby is okay?”
Damon looked down and shook his head, “I don’t know Miranda. You were injured bad, barely alive. I don’t know if the baby could survive that.”
His words caused so much pain, I began to instantly cry and tremble in fear that my tiny baby was dead inside of me.
Damon felt horrible about his choice of words, so he said, “I can get my mother. She isn’t a healing fairy, but I think she knows some magic...maybe she can help.”
I nodded my head, but I was terrified our baby had died. I rubbed my stomach gently, but I didn’t feel any unusual pain. I had used every ounce of energy to protect my baby and Benny, but I was worried it wasn’t enough.
“As soon as Emerlee and my mother send Taylor to hell,” Damon began, “I will bring my mother here. Our father’s are keeping Benny entertained right now.”
I nodded my head and I reached my hand towards Damon. A million emotions were running through my mind, and I needed him so bad. He looked hesitant, but he softy took my hand into his. With Damon’s hand in mine, I looked over to Ben, hoping he would wake up; I couldn’t lose him again.
I drifted in and out of sleep as I was still healing and exhausted from everything that had happened. After a few hours, I awoke to Delia standing above me.
“Oh honey,” she said softly as she kissed my forehead. “Damon said you’re worried about the baby.”
I nodded my head and felt tears fall from my eyes. “Is there anything you can do?” I asked. “Anyway to see if the baby is still...alive.”
Delia nodded her head and gave me a hopeful smile, “I can try.”
Delia pulled the blankets down and placed her hands across my stomach. She shut her eyes and began to focus. It only took a few minutes before a small smile crept across her face and she opened her eyes.
“What?” I asked softly.
“I don’t really know anything...but I felt something...a life force. I think it was the baby. When we return to the mountain town, the healing fairy will need to look you over to be sure...but I think the baby is still alive.”
I smiled and felt instant relief. Damon put his arm around his mother’s shoulder and said, “Thank you Mom.”
Delia nodded her head and said, “I’m going to see Benny. Would you like me to bring him in?”
“Spend some time with him, and bring him in shortly,” I said. “I have some things I need to tell him...and I would like Ben to at least...be awake.”
Delia nodded her head and left the room. Damon and I rested quietly for quite some time, before I suddenly felt Ben begin to move. I jumped up and crawled to his side, to see if he was okay.
When I reached him, he opened his eyes and said, “Miranda, is everyone okay?”
I smiled and nodded my head, “Benny is fine. Desmorelda and Taylor have been sent to hell, and our baby...Delia says she thinks it’s still alive.”
Ben smiled and reached out to caress my face; then he said softly, “Can I see our son.”
I nodded my head and said, “I think the three of this should do this together.”
Damon nodded his head and went off to get Benny. As soon as Damon was gone, I wrapped my arms around Ben and kissed him hard on the lips. Ben smiled at me so hard it reached my soul.
Soon Damon entered the doorway hand-in-hand with little Benny. Ben quickly sat up, and Damon lifted Benny onto the bed. Benny snuggled me for a few moments. While I had missed Benny’s snuggles, I saw Ben looked anxious to formally meet his son.
I looked at Benny and said, “Honey, your daddy and I need to talk to you about something very important. I know you have been through a lot...and I don’t want to put anything more on you...but honey, this is important.”
Benny looked at me intensely as he waited for me to continue on. I looked at Ben; then I looked at Damon. They both nodded at me, and I knew I was the one who had to tell my son who Ben was.
I looked deep into little Benny’s eyes and I said, “Remember how I told you that Daddy is really your step-dad? You understand what that means right?
“Yes Momma,” he said and proudly recited what I had told him his whole life, “A step-daddy isn’t a daddy who comes from flesh and blood. He’s your daddy because he loves you.”
“Do you understand what that means?” I asked him.
Benny looked very confused and shrugged.
Benny was much too young to understand sex and how babies were made, so it was difficult for him to understand the situation. I took a deep breath in and said, “Hon
ey remember how I told you your real daddy died when you were only a baby.”
Benny nodded his head. “Yes Momma,” he said.
“Remember how I told you that your real daddy was in another place looking out for you and keeping you safe?”
Benny smiled and said, “Uh-huh.”
“When you were taken Benny...your real daddy was so scared, that he came back from the dead, just to find you!”
Benny’s eyes grew huge and he gasped. “So my real daddy is alive!”
I lifted Benny up and set him between Ben and I, and I pointed to Ben and said, “Honey, this man who helped save your life...this is your real daddy.”
Benny opened his mouth and his eyes grew even wider. He looked and me and didn’t know what to say. He smiled and asked excitedly, “I have two daddies now?”
I smiled and nodded as I felt a warm tear roll down my cheek, “Yes sweetheart.” I looked between Damon and Ben and said, “These are both your daddies.”
Benny didn’t know what to say so I said, “Would you like to give your daddy a hug?”
Benny didn’t know what to say so he just gazed at me. Then he looked at Damon for approval. Damon nodded his head with a smile upon his face, but I could see the sadness through his smile. As soon as Benny turned towards Ben, Ben opened up his arms and Benny shyly crawled into them. As tears burst from Ben’s eyes, he wrapped his arms tight around our little boy. As I watched Ben hold our little boy after eight long years, the rain clouds opened wide as I began to sob in joy. I wrapped my arms around them both, and for what seemed like an eternity, the three of us held one another in each other’s arms. When I finally pulled away, I realized Damon was gone.
Our group remained at Desmorelda’s cabin for two weeks as we recovered and gathered strength for the two-day hike to the village. Ben was in horrible shape after I killed Taylor, but after two weeks, he was ready to go. We needed to return to the village, as the cabin was much too secluded and we needed a healing fairy through the remainder of my pregnancy.
The Portal to Sidhe: Book 2 Page 20
