I froze.
I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t form the words I wanted to say. I wanted to cry, but no tears fell from my eyes. I just stared into Damon’s seemingly pathetic eyes as I tried to gather my boggling thoughts.
After what seemed like hours of staring at him, I spat, “How could you!”
Damon grimaced and looked ashamed, but he quickly gathered his confidence and said, “Miranda, how is this any different than the things you did!”
“What did I do!” I yelled.
“You slept with Ben the first night we brought him back—before we even agreed to anything, and then you got pregnant!”
“It’s not the same!” I hissed.
“Not the same!” he cried. “Please Miranda...tell me how!”
“I had a child with Ben before you and I even slept together. You came into this knowing about Ben...knowing about our child together. You agreed to everything.”
“I never agreed to Alice!” he shouted.
“Don’t tell me you don’t love her!”
“You know I do, but—”
Before Damon could finish, we heard a clattering noise coming from below. Damon and I quickly looked at one another before we heard a blood-curdling scream, followed by yelling and chaos below.
Neither of us said a word as we stood up and ran quickly down the stairs, fearing what we would find below. As soon as we entered the living room, nothing prepared me for what I saw just before my eyes.
Chapter 4
I stood still with my mouth agape as I quickly scanned the room. Baby Isabella was lying on the ground screamin, as her tiny hands trembled by her face, and her entire body shook. Alice was sitting on the floor sobbing, as he sweet pale face was as red as a tomato, and her hands flailed in front of her face. I looked to the corner of the room and saw Ben dragging Luke by the arm as he hit and beat at his stepfather. I was terrified by the look on Ben’s face, as I had never seen the side of my husband he was showing now as he dragged Luke across the room. Luke had red marks down his arm, where I assumed Ben had handled him ruthlessly.
I continued to look around—trying to understand what had happened, not knowing where to even step in. That’s when I saw Gabby lying on the floor screaming in agony, as she lay in a pool of blood. My eldest son Benny was crouched by her side trying to calm her down.
“No! No! No!” Screamed Damon as he ran to Gabby’s side.
I threw my hand across my face and looked around once more, feeling as if I was going to lose my mind. I quickly ran to Isabella, and wrapped her in my arms as I whispered, “Shhhh...shhhh...shhh,” and tried to settle her down. Then I ran to Ben, and pulled my son away from his mad embrace. “Why are you beating my child!” I screamed.
“I...I...he...he,” Ben stuttered seemingly in complete shock.
“What’s going on!” I screamed.
“Luke...he..he…” Ben tried to speak, but I could see he was trembling, and Alice was screaming so loudly in the background, my mind could hardly focus.
“Benny, calm Alice down!” I yelled to my adult son as I quickly returned my gaze to Ben and said, “Let’s go to the kitchen.”
With Isabella in my arms, I reached for Luke’s hand as he flashed a satisfied smile Ben’s way. I was surprised to see a look of fear across my husband’s face as he quickly turned his head away from my son. Ben followed close behind us as we headed to the kitchen. Once we reached the kitchen, Ben nervously poured himself a glass of water as his hands shook, and the he splashed cool water across his hot red face.
“Sit down!” I ordered Luke.
He looked angry, but he did as I asked. As Luke took a seat, I tried kissing and bouncing Isabella in my arms to settle her down. She was still crying and screaming as if something horrific had just happened. Ben took a seat as far away from Luke as possible, as he sipped his water, seemingly terrified of my son.
When Isabella finally began quieting down, I looked at Ben and said, “What happened?”
Ben reluctantly looked at Luke and said, “When you and Damon went upstairs, we were all just waiting for your return, when suddenly Luke somehow threw magic at Gabby. She grabbed her stomach, fell to the ground and began to bleed everywhere. Benny went to help her, and I quickly stood up and grabbed Luke, but he tried to fight me away. I panicked Miranda. He just wanted to fight me,” Ben said sounding horrified.
“Oh God.” I said softly. “Oh God.”
I quickly stood up and went to our nearest communication device and called for both Sydney, our nanny, and Vic to come to our house as soon as possible. Seconds after calling for help, two healing fairies burst in the house and ran into the living to help Gabby.
As soon as Sydney arrived, I asked her to take Isabella to her rooms until I was able to figure out what was going on.
“What’s going on?” Vic demanded as he heard the fear in my tone.
“Vic, would you mind sitting with Luke for a little bit?”
Vic looked confused by my request, but he agreed. I was scared to leave Vic with his nanny, as I wasn’t sure what my son was capable of anymore.
“Ben, please come upstairs,” I said as the two of us headed to our room. As soon as we took a seat and I shut the door, I said, “Ben, she was pregnant.”
“No,” Ben whispered with a haunted look across his face.
“Luke couldn’t have known,” I said as I felt a tear fall from my eye.
Ben shook his head, “He couldn’t have. She wasn’t showing—I didn’t have any idea.”
“How did he even do magic,” I wondered out loud, “He’s still so young.”
Ben shrugged, still looking horrified, “I don’t know. I don’t now…it happened so fast.”
“I don’t know what to do Ben. He wanted to hurt Gabby; he probably killed that baby.”
“He didn’t know though,” he said as his eyes wandered around the room nervously. “He’s a young boy, and didn’t know what he was capable of.”
“Yes, you’re right,” I said, feeling hopeful. Then I said, “What happened between the two of you. Why was he trying to fight you?”
“Miranda, when it happened, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do, so I grabbed him and tried to pull him away.” Ben sighed, “He started screaming at me and hitting and kicking me. I tried to stay calm. I didn’t want to hit him, but he wouldn’t stop. He just went wild after using his magic on Gabby.”
Suddenly Benny came in our room. He had some of Gabby’s blood on his shirt, and he looked bewildered.
“Mom, Luke is going to have to go to the dungeon until we figure things out.” Benny shook his head. “Gabby lost her baby and she’s not doing well...physically or mentally. What Damon did wasn’t right...but what Luke did was bad...really bad Mom.”
Finally the tears I had been holding back sprung from my eyes. Ben wrapped his arms around me and held me tight, as my loving son rubbed my shoulder.
“Mom, please understand. He could hurt someone else. He could hurt you. Until we understand what he did, he needs to be put away. He can’t use magic there, it’s the only place safe. I’m only doing my duty as king.”
I nodded my head because I knew he was right.
“Honey, it’s not bad down there anymore. You made it nice. We’ll give him Taylor’s old cell and make him comfortable.” Ben said as he kissed my head, trying to comfort me.
Benny nodded his head to agree, but the tears kept falling from my eyes. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t believe what my sweet little boy had done.
“Clean up your tears, Mom,” Benny said, “I’ll have Vic escort you down with him, and I’ll go too.”
“I’ll come along with you,” Ben said, “We can stay in the cell next to him so he isn’t alone.” Ben looked at his son, “Where is his father...his real father?”
Benny shook his head and said, “He’s with Gabby.”
Ben grunted and shook his head, but he didn’t say another word.
I quickly wiped my te
ars away, and the three of us headed to the kitchen to fetch my son.
As soon as we entered the kitchen, Luke gave the three of us a hateful glare.
“Honey,” I said, “We need you to come with us.”
“Where, Momma?” Luke asked innocently as he quickly changed his glare from hateful to confused.
“Just come with us,” I said trying not to show emotion or cry.
Luke listened to me better than anyone else, and he nodded his head.
“Can I see Alice before I go?” he asked.
“No sweetie. We won’t be long gone,” I said.
He nodded his head and stood up.
“Would you mind coming with us? I asked Vic softly.
He nodded his head, still in confusion.
“Momma, why does Vic have to come.”
“I just want him to sweetie,” I said calmly.
The five of us began to quickly head towards the tunnel leading to the castle. When we stepped into the portal and I pressed the button that would take us deep into the dungeon, Luke gave me a scowl. My son wasn’t stupid. He knew he did something wrong, and now we were heading to the dungeon. Maybe it was Vic’s presence, or he just blindly trusted me, but Luke didn’t say a word the entire ride down to the dungeon below.
When we reached the bottom of the castle and the doors opened to the portal ahead, I reached out and took Luke’s hand and gave him a loving smile. He smiled back but looked incredibly confused.
“Mom, why are we in the dungeon?”
I didn’t know what to say; I didn’t know how to tell him, so like a fool, I pretended like I didn’t hear his question, and I quickly began chatting with Vic.
“How’s the army coming along?” I asked.
“It’s going pretty good. Over two-hundred and fifty warriors,” he said. “Vampires, superhumans, even fairies and humans. When will you be joining our training?”
“As soon as things settle down with Benny taking the throne.” I gave Vic a false smile as we headed down the dirty stairwell and towards the dungeon cells. Although we had fixed up the dungeon and removed most of the moisture causing the musty odor, it was not a very pleasant place to be. After using ample amounts of rat poison, mice and other critters no longer loomed in every dark corner. Despite our efforts to keep the dungeon clean, an occasional spider web formed in a forgotten corner as crawling creatures climbed down the walls, always giving me the spooks.
Finally we reached the end of the hall where Taylor’s old cell remained. Everyone stood outside the cell as I continued forward with Luke, as he held tight to my hand. As soon as the two of us were inside the cell, I nodded at Benny who locked the cell behind us.
Luke gave me a look of terror, and I quickly wrapped my arms around him and said, “Honey, you’re going to stay here for a little while, but papa and I will be right next door, and if we have to leave, Benny or your father will stay with you. Right Benny?”
“Of course,” Benny replied as he nodded his head to encourage his little brother.
“Is this because I used my magic, Momma?” Luke asked in a frightened voice.
I looked at Vic, who still seemed confused, and I said, “I think we’ll be okay.”
Then I looked at Ben and Benny and gestured them to come in.
Benny unlocked the door and the two of them entered the cell. Luke and I took a seat on the small twin size bed as Ben sat on Luke’s other side. Benny took a seat at the small desk, and everyone looked at me.
I sighed as I took a deep breath. Then I looked at Luke and said, “Luke, was that the first time you used magic?”
Luke looked at me as his blue eyes grew huge and he said innocently, “Yes, Momma.”
“How did you know what to do?”
“I don’t know? I just got so mad Momma. I hate that lady, and I hate Daddy!”
I signed and said, “Luke, hate is a very powerful thing, especially towards a family member.”
“I don’t care!” he yelled. “I don’t care!” he cried again as he threw his fists in the air.
“Calm down son,” Ben said softly.
“You aren’t my father!” Luke screamed as he kicked Ben in the leg hatefully.
Ben tried to remain calm as I took hold of Luke’s arm and said, “Luke you do not treat him like that! He is your father, and he loves you. You don’t treat him like that!”
Luke grunted and folded his arms against his chest.
“Maybe I should go.” Ben said.
I shook my head, as I needed him by my side. I looked at my son and said, “Why did you want to hurt that lady?”
“Cause Daddy left me to be with her!”
“You know that isn’t true sweetie,” I said, but deep down, I knew it was. “Daddy had to go to Earth to help Grandma and Grandpa, and he was lonely since I stayed here with Papa. He met a nice lady so he wouldn’t be alone.”
“That isn’t true! I know that isn’t true. He left to be with her.” Luke cried.
Luke was incredibly smart—by far the smartest of all my children, and he was indeed right, but I couldn’t tell him the truth, not after what happened.
“Why don’t you get some rest buddy,” Benny said as he brushed his fingers through his little brother’s hair.
“I’m not tired!” Luke hissed as he scrunched his face in disgust.
“Well how about you watch some television. Turn on one of your shows,” Benny said as he quickly grabbed the television remote to turn on the T.V.”
Luke stood up and yanked the remote from his hands and screamed, “Get out! Leave me alone.”
Benny looked at me, and I sighed. I looked at Luke and said, “We’re going to go for a little bit. We’ll be right next-door. Will you be okay?” I brushed my fingers through his golden blond hair.
Luke nodded his head, and even gave me a faint smile. It seemed as if I was the only one he would respond to.
Ben and his son moved a second bed in the cell next to Luke’s so that Ben and I could stay near our little boy as long as needed. I sent Benny to fetch Luke his favorite quilt and some video games, and I asked him to send Damon our way if he spotted him.
“I can’t find Damon anywhere,” Benny said when he returned a little while later.
“He wasn’t in the infirmary with Gabby?” I asked.
“No, I looked everywhere. He must have returned to Pine Lake.”
I nodded and asked, “How are the girls?”
“Isabella and Alice are with Grandpa Roger,” Benny said, “Samantha and I can watch them tomorrow for awhile.”
“Actually,” I said, “would you want to stay with Luke tomorrow? I think I’m going to go to Earth to find Damon,” I said. I looked at Ben, “Will you go with me?”
“Of course,” my husband replied.
“I’ll stay with my brother,” Benny said as he took a seat. “Do you think we should inform the council on this?” My son asked as he still looked to me for advice.
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Luke did something very...very bad, and I know most will have sympathy because he’s a child and he has royal blood, but some may consider this...murder,” I quickly wiped a tear from my eye and said, “even if he didn’t know she was pregnant.”
“You’re right, Mom, and I want to do everything to protect my brother, but I’m still king and something has to be done.”
“I know Benny...I know.”
Ben and I spent the evening visiting with our son in his cell. We tried to make it comfortable by filling it with stuffed animals, games and even the puppy quilt he loved. We watched a few of our favorite animated movies, and then played a few board games as we enjoyed his favorite food—pizza. Finally he began to rub his eyes. I realized it was late in the evening, so Ben and I kissed him goodnight and tucked him in. Despite all that had happened during the day, Luke seemed to calm down and enjoy his evening with Ben and I.
Early the next morning, after Benny and Samantha arrived to stay with the children, Ben and I quickly said
goodbye to everyone, before we headed to the glowing portal to Earth. We quickly climbed through, and as always, a crushing pain was felt throughout my body, but it didn’t last long. Ben and I emerged from the portal, and quickly headed up the stairs towards the main suite where Damon was now residing.
We stood outside the solid wood door to his bedroom, where I knocked hastily, as I called out Damon’s name. When he didn’t come to the door after several minutes, I quickly turned the knob and thrust open the door. As I looked around the grand sitting room, Damon was nowhere to be seen, but the mess he left behind shocked me. Junk food wrappers were laying around on furniture, and a noticeably empty bottle of vodka sat on his coffee table.
I gasped by the sight and looked at Ben in horror. Neither of us spoke as we went to Damon’s bedroom door and tried knocking on it. When no one answered, we entered his bedroom and quickly looked around. His bedroom was as just as much in disarray as the sitting room, but there were clothes thrown all over the place including lacy bras and sexy lingerie. I felt embarrassed when I saw an empty bottle of lubricant on the ground, and I immediately wanted to leave.
I looked at Ben and said, “What is going on with him?”
Ben shook his head, as he was just as confused as I was. The two of us continued searching his room, but evidence of sex and heavy drinking were all that were found. We headed down the stairs to the public quarters of the mansion and quickly spotted my mom walking down the hall.
“Miranda!” she cried as she held open her arms. “What are you doing here?” she said as she gave me a warm embrace.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve been to Earth and wanted to see everyone,” I lied, as I didn’t want her to know the truth. If my mom found out what was really going on, my dad soon would, and I was terrified the news of what happened would give him another heart attack.
“Well I’m glad to see you. I know your father misses you.” She quickly changed her expression, “Have you seen Damon? He went to Sidhe yesterday, but he was supposed to be back this morning. I don’t mind helping him with things, but if I’m away too long, you know how your dad gets, and if he comes looking for me, he’ll want to help.”
The Portal to Sidhe: Book 3 Page 4
