Dark Secrets (12 page)

              I couldn’t understand what was happening but Damien seemed extremely fearful. I look around and notice that Derek and Lachlan are here as well… trying to fight their way in. I feel unbothered by any of this, disconnected from this world. But, something is missing. There is a small, nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach; so small I almost missed it. The human side of me was screaming that something was wrong… Not with what was going on inside me but with the picture I was looking at. The other part… the part that was surely taking over hadn’t a care in the world about what could be happening on the other side of our shield. She simply wanted out.

              I look around once again trying to decipher what is missing, what isn’t sitting well with me… and then it hits me!

              “Where’s my son?” I scream. The illusion of a peaceful world quickly shattered. Kai was nowhere to be seen. The men are stunned. They continue to stand and stare at me. They seem… statuesque.

I shake them roughly, trying to wake them from their stupor; my shield encompassing their bodies as well. The blue energy is growing completely out of my control. I give up on the men. With little to no reaction, what’s the point in trying? I wonder for half a second if it is my energy that has frozen them to the ground.

I close my eyes once again and search my mind for Kai’s energy; sure that if he were still in the area I would sense his presence.

I faintly hear his voice underneath the trumpeters roaring through my brain; a slight whisper of my name. An undercurrent of emotion is being released through the blue energy, not mine but Kai’s.

This fire-like energy is somehow connecting my body and soul to the very earth beneath my feet. I feel every living creature passing through my mind; see every mountain, stream, valley, and ocean; feel every breeze, sunset, rainfall, and storm; hear every thought, song, whisper, and scream.

              Kai’s energy is the strongest felt through my body… His energy and another’s… my father’s. I don’t recall my father through memory but somehow I recognize his vibration. His light is much like mine, except sickly. I can feel his pain. I now understand that this blue fire running through my veins is in fact the extra supernatural strand that is in my father’s DNA… I have to know where this magic originates…

              Kai is deep in the woods, being carried off by something with wings… a dragon! I sense a fiery red dragon. He’s trotting through the woods searching for a good place to break through the trees. I push my way into his thoughts to try to get a clearer idea of where he may be and how far and long it would take me to reach them.

              I found the center of his thoughts and locked on. Flashes of Kai’s face ran across my vision. I dug deeper and was surprised by what I found… Lachlan’s face as well as Alfonzo’s was the most predominant factors running through this beast’s head. Discontent and loyalty were the emotions following the memories.

              I would have pondered more on this peculiarity but I suddenly got a clear vision of where they were; trees were opening up to a field, beyond that was a cliff that dropped off about fifteen feet, and about fifteen yards away stood the Elven Kingdom. But, they weren’t heading in that direction. The dragon planned on turning right and flying off into the sunset; a smaller kingdom in mind and a clinical lab as the goal. I couldn’t let my child be tested on.

              I opened my eyes and took off running, speeding through the forest as fast as humanly possible. I knew I wouldn’t make it in time without help. My inner being, my higher self, my hidden soul… whatever you want to call it, suddenly took over once again. I was no longer Ember Smith. I was someone else, someone spectacular! I felt great strength radiate through me, past life memories flow through me, and a life I can’t quite grasp flash before my eyes… a life not of this earth.

              Abruptly I was standing before a giant red dragon, about twenty feet tall and ten feet wide with a wingspan of thirty feet or more, just as it was about to enter the field. I had forgotten I knew how to teleport to where I needed to be in a matter of seconds. What would have taken fifteen minutes or better on foot suddenly took less than a second.

              Kai was strapped down on the beast’s back. The dragon was staring me down with its beady, but large, black eyes; a low guttural growl rising from his throat. “Who are you to stand in my way?” He roared at me.

              I glare up at him, “Who are
you
to steal my child?!” I scream back. Shock crosses his features.

              “What do you mean
your
child?” He growled, confused but not backing down.

              “I
mean
that boy you have strapped to your back is my four year old son, Kai. I
mean
if you don’t release him immediately I will have to take drastic measures. I
mean
if I have to kick your burly ass I will. One way or another I am taking my son home with me. One way or another he is coming down from there and one way or another I am going to kill your master for ever thinking he would get away with stealing
my
son for some whack-a-doodle tests! GET IT?” I screech. Blue flames are billowing out from my body, smacking the grass and flowers around me… setting everything on fire. The dragon takes a step back; defense, and strangely compassion, is predominant in his eyes.

              “I meant no offense, miss. I swear. I am simply under orders. I was told this was my master’s son who had been kidnapped. I know nothing of any tests. From your powers I can clearly see you must be the Elf King’s daughter. Only he can radiate such ferocity in such an indescribable way.” He explained as he bowed his head before me. “My name is Archer, madam. I am at your service.”

              I look him up and down and think about what he said carefully before speaking once more. Obviously he was lying about the labs. I only knew of them from his memories. Or, did I? I scrunch up my eyes as I ponder this. “How can you be at my service when your master ordered you to bring him my son?”

              “I serve those who are more powerful than most. If I find someone who is stronger than my current master then I switch alliances.” He quirked his eyebrow, “Survival of the fittest, you see. I would rather be on the winning team… I left your father’s side after he became sick.”

              “Put my son down. Now!”

              “Of course, master.” He replied, curtly as he lowered Kai to the ground and released him from his chains. Kai ran to me, jumping in my arms. His arms quickly wound around my neck, securing himself to me. The dragon bowed once more, “Simply call my name if ever you need” He said as he flew off. Fury filled my body.

              Derek, Lachlan, and Damien ran through the woods toward me; reaching the edge of the forest in time to see Archer fly off. My blue fire dissipated, the sword unexpectedly reappearing on my forearm… I don’t even remember where I put it earlier.

              “What the hell happened?” Derek asked, astonished.

              “Long story… tell you later.” I reply tiredly. I feel as if I may pass out…

“Life is just a memory soon to be forgotten

Love is just a reason for falling

Friends and Family are the reason for staying

God is the reason for praying

Everything is in its own field of imagination

I think we’ve lost the reason for creation”

Eighth Chapter: Land of the Elves

The soil was thin and rocky. Gray boulders sprang up from the earth between the trees behind us. Derek, Damien and I were sitting around a campfire. Kai was on my lap while Lachlan stood at the edge of the cliff, scrutinizing the expansive elven lands, while I explained what had happened in full detail.

“So, you’re telling me the sword in your arm came out when you started glowing
blue
?” Derek asked me incredulously. “That’s insane.”

Kai nodded in agreement, still shaking from the incident. I hugged him tighter to me.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s insane. We need to focus on getting to the castle before anything else happens. Kai can’t take anymore!
I
can’t take anymore. I don’t know who I am. Or rather, what I am. But, it doesn’t matter right now. What matters is making sure my son gets there safely. I can’t have him being carried away again. I’d die before I saw that happen.”

Kai whimpered some more as he buried his face in my chest. “I’m sorry, baby.” I told him as I brushed his hair from his face and kissed the top of his head.

Lachlan turned around to stare at me as I was speaking and was now walking toward me. He picked up Kai and I almost refused. But, before I could he spoke, “Let’s go. We’ll travel at night and make it to Simile by morning and be safe inside the kingdom walls.”

“What’s Simile?” I asked curiously.

“Come. I’ll show you.” Lachlan said as he walked back to the cliff edge. I got up and followed, brushing my pants off as I went. “There’s Simile.”

I stepped slowly toward the edge to get a better view of where he pointed. Tiny lights filled the distance; buried so deep in the valley below I almost didn’t see them. “How are we going to get down there?” I whispered.

“There’s a side path a little ways to the right. It would be faster to go down the cliff itself but with it being dark and having a four year old traveling with us… it’s not the best idea.” Damien answered as he grabbed my hand. “Come on, I’ll lead the way.”

“But… Kai?” I ask, startled. After what we just went through I didn’t want Kai to be out of my sight.

“Don’t worry. Lachlan will carry him. They won’t be but a few steps behind us.” Damien said as he pulled on me again. This time I followed.

Derek stood in the distance. I peeked at him once to find him glaring down at our hands. I quickly snatched mine away from Damien, resulting in Damien being hurt by my sudden withdrawal. I couldn’t handle any more drama though. I can’t focus on whether or not I am hurting people. Yet, I stole my hand away because my immediate thought was that I may hurt Derek. Why does it matter to me that Derek doesn’t get hurt? Why don’t I care whether or not Damien does?

I shake my head in wonder as I continue walking. I don’t know how I am feeling or what this means. It doesn’t matter though. Right now I have more important issues to deal with…

We reached the town around noon the next day. It took a little longer than expected; Kai kept wanting to rest… even though he was constantly being held by one of us. I honestly think it was because he knew we were tired. I love that boy.

Before us stood a giant gate, intricately laid with diamonds, rubies, and pearls; a giant garnet was set in the middle. I gazed upon it for quite some time, taking in all the detail of the wrought iron gate that seemed the height of ten men. On each side of the gate stood walls that reached for as far as the eye can see. I can’t help but wonder what they are trying to keep out… or in.

“Well, how do we open it?” I turned to Derek.

He peered down at me, sadness seeping through every inch of his body. I knew it wasn’t due to my question but because of our fight. He looked so pitiful I almost hugged him. But, I wouldn’t allow myself that luxury. No matter how much I want to be in his arms I am still really ticked off about how all this went down. I honestly don’t know how to trust him. Until I can figure that out I can’t allow myself to forgive him. Not yet. I know I have trust issues that I need to work on. I also realize that the way I feel right now has nothing to do with Derek at all, but my past.

“You have to do it.” He answered simply.

“What does that mean?” I asked, looking from him, to Derek, to Lachlan and Kai, and back again.

“Your blood opens the doors.” Lachlan answered me. “You have to prick your palm and lay it upon the colossal garnet stone on the gate.”

“Only royal blood has the ability to open and close the doors.” Damien added, smiling at me.

I scratch my head. Okay, I thought to myself. It’s just a prick. I can do this. I reach into Lachlan’s back pocket and pulled out the knife that he always keeps there. He winked at me as I did. I ignored the gesture. My hands began to shake as I pressed the knife against my palm and I slice my hand open, a bit too much. Grief, I hate blood. I should have let one of the guys do this for me. They all just stood there, staring at me incredulously. I shake it off and lay my hand upon the stone.

A strong vibration sends the earth beneath us quaking and the gate doors fly open so fast I almost didn’t catch it. It was there and then suddenly all I could see before me were cottage houses lining a brick street and people gawking at our sudden appearance.

“It’s the princess!” I heard some lady shriek. “It’s the princess! She’s back!”

We were quickly encompassed by several hundred people oohing and awing at us; pulling our clothes, speaking in a language I didn’t quite understand, crying in our faces, and hugging on us. Kai was beginning to get agitated; reaching for me while Lachlan held him back. I suddenly felt the urge to grab him up and run inside the town. So, I did. Before Lachlan even realized what I was doing I had snatched Kai from his arms and was fifty feet inside the gates, away from all the people.

My sudden outburst had silenced everyone. They were all staring at me; some looked offended, others confused.

“Hello.” I croaked out. I was so nervous. I quickly cleared my throat and tried again. “Hello. My name is Ember, as many of you know. This is my son, Kai.” I paused a moment to let that sink in considering no one knew I had a son. Shock flowed throughout the crowd. “He’s a bit shy. Not to mention, scared due to what we have went through recently. I would appreciate it if you could tone down the enthusiasm so as not to scare him any more than he already is.” I made sure to look everyone in front of me directly in the eyes.

A man stepped forward from the crowd. He had long, gray locks down to the middle of his back. He was a tad scrawny and looked to be about seventy-five to eighty years old. “Forgive us for our rude behavior, your majesty.” He bowed before me once. “We didn’t realize you would be here so soon nor did we realize you had wed and had a baby.” He smiled politely. People started shaking their heads and murmuring their confusion to the new information.

“I am not wed.” I responded quietly. Once again, the crowd was silenced into shock.

“I see.” The old man replied. “I suppose growing up with the humans you wouldn’t have known any better.” He smirked at me. “My name is Albion. I am one of the elders here and will gladly lead you through the town if need be.”

“Thank you.” I replied, not bothering to explain how my pregnancy came to be. “But, I think these fine men I have with me will do just fine.” I said as I raised my hand towards the guys who were just now emerging. They came to stand by me.

“Yes, thank you. But, I believe we can handle it from here.” Damien stated, rather rudely. I elbowed him in the ribs, which hurt me more than him. He simply winked at me. Derek was watching us once again, a glare in his eyes.

Lachlan led me and Kai away as Derek and Damien spoke to the people we were gradually leaving behind. “We have to get you and Kai some disguises to wear while we are in the town limits.”

“Why?” I question, disturbed.

“Some people in the kingdom don’t wish for your return.” Lachlan replied easily, as if it didn’t matter to him in the least. “For now we’ll stop at the nearby inn so we can all get some rest. One of us will go clothes shopping for you and Kai tomorrow. But, you have to stay hidden until then. Got it?” He looked at me, eyebrows raised. I simply nodded my head in acknowledgement.

I woke up to find Damien staring deep into my eyes. Startled, I rolled off the bed and fell to the floor, bringing the bedside lamp down with me. A low chuckle escaped his throat.

“Didn’t mean to frighten you, malady.” He coughed out.

“What the hell, man? Why were you so close to me?” I question as I take a look around. The room is empty all except for Damien and I. “Where is everybody? Where’s Kai?” I jump up.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.” He said as he held up his hands. “Derek is downstairs in the dining hall with Kai. They’re bringing food up here for us.”

“And Lachlan?”

“Out to get you a new look, I suppose. He left before anyone else.” Damien explained as he looked me up and down, wanting in his eyes. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this side of him… I closed my eyes for half a second and took a breath. When I opened them again he was in front of me, face inches from mine and staring at my mouth. I back up slowly, him mimicking every step, and run into the wall.

“What are you doing?” I gulp.

“I wanted to try that kiss again… just to test something.” He smirked.

“Umm… I don’t really think that’s a good idea.” I whisper as I place my hands on his chest to push him aside, trying to edge my way around.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked while grabbing hold of my upper arms standing me up harshly and pressing me back against the wall.

“Damien… Seriously! You can’t kiss me again!” I exclaim loudly.

“Kiss you again?” A voice bellowed from across the room. Damien and I turned our heads at the same moment to see who it was. Derek stood in the doorway carrying trays of food, Kai strapped to his back. He was shaking with fury. “
When
did he kiss you, exactly?” He rumbled.

“A couple days ago... What’s it to you?” Damien inquired, threateningly.

Derek slowly put the trays down on the table beside the door way. This was the first time I
really
saw the room. It was an off-white color with rustic looking, mismatched furniture in odd places and a fire place off to the side. Derek placed Kai on a chair by the table and slowly crept around the iron bed to stand in front of us. I still hadn’t said anything and I didn’t plan to.

“What’s it to me??? She’s my fiancée, dammit! That’s what it is to me!” He bellowed out.

Damien simply smirked at him, “Looks to me like she doesn’t want much to do with you. I see no reason why I can’t move in for the kill.”

Poor choice of words, I thought. Derek was getting angrier by the second. Next thing I know, Derek grabs Damien by the hair and proceeds to drag him out into the hall. Damien is shaking with laughter… I find this quite disturbing.

“Kai… stay in here honey. Eat some food. The adults are going to have a talk in the hall for a moment. Okay?” I say as I kiss him atop his head and run after the guys, locking the door behind me.

The guys are about ten feet down in front of someone else’s door, duking it out. I want to jump in but can’t. They’re moving so fast there’s no room for me to intervene. I can’t believe they immediately started fighting over this… Men and their testosterone amaze me.

“STOP!” I scream at the top of my lungs. The mass of body becomes even more blurry, as if somehow they were moving faster. “Dammit!” I huff. I grab hold of the closest thing to me, which just happens to be an end table in the middle of the floor. I don’t have time to wonder why it was there in the first place… I launch it at the bulbous mass. The fighting ends abruptly and Derek is lying flat on the ground, groaning and holding his head.

“This ends now!” I say, sternly. “I am not interested in Damien so lose the jealousy act Derek! We have more important things to attend to.” I glare at the both of them. Damien looks crushed. He picks himself up and quietly walks outside.

Derek sits up and stares at me for a moment before speaking. “If you’re not interested in him why did you kiss him?” He glared. “And the jealousy isn’t an act.”

“Oh please!” I sneer. “For one, I didn’t kiss him. He kissed me. Okay? And two, there’s no way it isn’t an act.
If
you are really feeling jealous it’s not because of
me
per se but because you think of me as something you own. I am
not
your possession, Derek. I will do whatever the hell I want.” I scorn.

Baffled bewilderment crosses his features, “I am jealous because I am in love with you! You know that. Or, at least you should…” He pauses a moment to let that sink in. “I know I don’t own you, Ember. I would never think that way. I just can’t stand the thought of you being with anybody else. I can’t stand the thought of losing you…” He whispered, tears brimming in his eyes.

I couldn’t respond. What do you say to that? How do you tell someone you love, that loves you, that you can’t be with them? And I do love him. I would never tell him that… I can’t ever tell him that. Even if I forgave him for all that has went down, which I am sure I will, I would never be brave enough to say those three little words and give myself over to him. Not without definitive proof that he is my one and only. This is why I am still single. I have spent my entire life looking for a sign that has never appeared before me... that probably never will.

“I’m sorry.” I murmur gently. I back up and run back to the room, fumbling to get the lock open and escape Derek’s torturous stare. I throw the door open and slam it behind me, sinking to the floor.

Kai rushes over and climbs into my lap, firmly planting both hands on my face. “Mommy, what’s wrong?” He asks, worry in his eyes. I just shake my head. I don’t know what to do or say anymore to make this all better.

Kai wraps his arms around my neck and brushes my hair as I always do him when he’s upset. How awful is this? For the first time in my son’s short life he has to comfort
me
. What an awful mother I am turning out to be… I can’t even keep my son out of all this drama that has become my life. How am I supposed to protect him from what will inevitably come next? My ruin; emotional, physical, and spiritual ruin is inescapable at this point.