Night School (18 page)

28

“
M
agnus! Francis!” I cry happily. “Thank God you’re here. You have to help Jareth!” I point to my boyfriend’s cell. He’s writhing in pain now, almost convulsing, with white foam sputtering from his mouth. He doesn’t look good and I pray they’re not too late.

Francis hands off the angry dwarf to one of the other vampires, then hurries to Jareth’s cell. He grips the iron bars in both hands and effortlessly pulls them apart, allowing an opening for Magnus to get through. The coven leader dons thick, black gloves, preparing to remove the silver chains from my boyfriend’s body.

I plop down on the lumpy cot, relieved beyond belief. “Thank goodness,” I say. “My cry for help actually came in handy for once.”

“Actually,” Francis says, looking over at me apologetically, “we have a GPS tracker on Jareth. As co-master of the Blood Coven, we need to keep track of him.”

Oh. Well, whatever. Maybe in another life I’ll get the kung fu grip.

“Once the sun went down, the place really cleared out,” Francis continues, tossing one of the chains to the side of the cell. “We were able to jump the turnstiles and follow your trail pretty easily, though we had to take it slow, so as to not draw attention to our presence.”

I watch as Magnus slices his wrist with a knife and drips blood into Jareth’s open mouth. “Is he going to be okay?” I ask anxiously.

Magnus thankfully nods. “My blood will purify his poisoned blood.”

Mom stares at Magnus, then at me. “You and Sunny are
both
dating vampires?” she cries. “How did I not know this? I must be the worst mom ever.”

“How long have we been here?” I ask Francis, ignoring my mother. “What time is it now?”

Francis glances at his watch. “I fixed it to fairy time,” he informs me. “It’s about eleven-thirty, give or take.”

I swallow hard.

“We have to hurry,” I tell them. “Sunny’s getting married at midnight.”

Magnus looks over at me, horror clear on his face. “Are you serious?” he asks.

“Fairy,” I remind him, “can’t lie.”

He rises from the floor, wrapping a swath of cloth around his still-bleeding wrist. “We can’t let that happen!” he cries. “We have to find her.” He paces the jail cell floor as Francis goes and rips open my cell. “Where would they hold a wedding in this godforsaken place?”

“In the castle,” my dad interjects. Mom kicks him and he turns to her. “What?” he asks.

“Bob, they’re vampires, remember?” she hisses.

“Honey, these vampires can help us,” Dad chides. “Just because they’re different than us ...”

Magnus approaches my parents’ cell, bowing low to my mom. “Mrs. McDonald,” he says. “I love your daughter. More than anything in this world. I made a promise to keep her safe, no matter what. And I intend to keep that promise.”

Mom still doesn’t look too happy, but at last she reluctantly nods her head. My dad pulls her into a comforting embrace. “Don’t worry,” I can hear him whisper. “We’ll get her. I promise.” It’s then I realize that I need to cut Mom some slack. Like the rest of us, she’s just scared and worried about Sunny.

I step gingerly through the now-open jail cell bars, careful not to touch them. Magnus cocks his head in question.

“The bars are made of iron,” I inform him. “Iron’s poison to fairies. Like silver is to vampires.” I show him my still slightly burned fingertips.

His face lights up. “That’s perfect!” he cries. Then he turns to the other vampires, who are still guarding Grumpy. “See if the dwarf has any tools in his office,” he commands. “Some kind of saw or something. We’ll turn these iron bars into weapons.” He grins widely. “The fairies won’t know what hit them!”

The other vampires hasten to obey orders. Dad turns to Mom, helping her step out of the cell. “See?” he says. “Isn’t it good to have them on our side?”

I rush over to Mom and give her a huge hug. The kind I couldn’t give her behind bars. “Don’t worry, Mom,” I murmur as I take in her soft body and warm scent. “Sunny’s going to be okay.”

She kisses me on the head. “I know, dear,” she says. “Now go ahead and check on your boyfriend.”

I flash her a thankful grin, then sprint to Jareth’s side. The vampires have moved him to the cot and he’s lying there weakly, his face still really white. “How are you feeling, baby?” I ask.

“Like I’ve been run over by a truck,” he mutters.

“He’ll heal,” Magnus says, looking over. “But it may take a while. I’m going to have Tanner take him out of here and back to Donegal.”

“I want to help you rescue Sunny,” Jareth protests weakly.

“You won’t be any help in your condition,” Magnus says. “I’m sorry.”

“We got it, baby,” I murmur, holding him close and kissing him about a hundred times in a row. “You just concentrate on getting well.”

About ten minutes later, we’re ready to go. Francis and his friends have cut three long lengths of iron and sharpened them into metal spears. If only I was able to wield one. “Okay, let’s do this,” Magnus says, taking weapon in hand. “Tanner, you take Rayne’s parents and Jareth back to Donegal. We’ll meet you there when we’re done. Francis, Stilton, and Rayne, let’s head out.”

“Wait a second!” Mom interrupts. “We’re not going anywhere with them.”

Magnus turns to look at her in question. “What?” he asks.

Dad steps up to face him, his expression fierce. “That’s my daughter they’ve got up there. And we’re not leaving fairyland without her.”

Magnus frowns and a silence comes over the jail. For a moment, I think he’s going to refuse them—force them to head back with Tanner and Jareth anyway.

“Please,” Mom begs. “After all, you’re not the only one who pledged to keep Sunny safe.”

Magnus turns to her, his expression softening. He thankfully nods his head. “Very well,” he says. “Lead the way, fairies. Let’s go rescue your daughter.”

29

M
om, having grown up in fairyland, knows all the shortcuts. And all the ways to avoid the guards, too, for that matter. She says she and my dad used to sneak down in these tunnels late at night when they were lovesick teens, forbidden to see one another. They’d wander, hand in hand, through the darkness, talking about everything and anything and making big plans for their futures.

“Your father would take me to some very-out-of-the-way spot, deep within the labyrinth, and surprise me with lighted candles and nectar picnics,” Mom remembers dreamily. “He was so romantic back then.”

I steal a glance at Dad, who’s looking at Mom with fondness in his eyes. It seems their time together in jail has rekindled their friendship. I love that. Almost as much as I love knowing Dad didn’t abandon us like we always thought he did. And now if only we can get my sister back—we can actually have a chance at living happily ever after.

“So what’s the deal with the Light Court of fairyland looking exactly like Disney World?” I ask curiously as we head down a long corridor.

Mom glances at Dad. “I was wondering when you’d ask that,” she says. “Do you remember the story of Peter Pan, when Tinkerbell is going to drink poison because not enough humans believe fairies exist?”

“Yeah ...” I remember our Mom reading us the story when we were little. We had to clap our hands to prove we believed in fairies to save Tink’s life. Of course, now that I know what a bitch she is, I totally regret doing it.

“Well, twenty years ago, fairyland was literally dying just like that—people on Earth stopped believing in us and we started fading away. We were in danger of losing our entire kingdom. So Tatiana, your grandmother, had to figure out what people
did
still believe in. And that turned out to be the Disney happily ever after. It’s practically guaranteed ...” She smiles. “So she did a major remodel of the fairyland Light Court and it’s looked like this ever since.”

“Wow,” I reply, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s quite ... quite a story.”

“And you might have noticed, the new fairyland’s not just for fairies either,” Mom continues. “Your grandmother wanted it to be a safe haven—a refuge—for all fairy-tale creatures from all over the world.” She smiles. “It’s really amazing if you think about it. A kingdom for endangered creatures that most people believe are imaginary. Pretty crazy, huh?”

Crazy doesn’t even begin to explain it. But if we survive all of this, I’m so going to hit Space Mountain before we leave. Think they have Fast Passes here?

“And what about the Dark Court? Do they look like Disney, too?”

Mom shakes her head. “More like Universal Studios.”

We stop short at an intersection and Mom looks from left to right. Then she turns back to us. “We’re almost there,” she announces. “The castle entrance is just through this—”

“Not so fast!” commands a familiar-sounding voice. We whirl around and my eyes widen as they fall on none other than our old friend Apple Crisp. Evidently he survived my staking him back at Dad’s condo. I don’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. Behind him stand about twenty fairy warriors, armed with flaming swords and looking pretty darn bloodthirsty to boot. So perhaps “disappointed” is the way to go here.

“You’re under arrest,” Apple Butter informs us, unnecessarily. “For trespassing on fairyland grounds.” He shoots a glare in my parents’ direction, shaking his head. “Bringing vampires into fairyland. You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”

But Mom doesn’t look too ashamed as she steps forward, her eyes flashing fire. “It’s you who should be ashamed of yourself, Apple Blossom,” she says in a scolding voice. The kind she usually saves to use on me. “Abducting an innocent girl, turning her into a fairy against her will. Leaving us to rot in jail without a fair trial. In my day, soldiers of the Light Court followed proper protocol. They were the good guys. Now, it seems, you’re no better than the Dark Court’s agents themselves.”

Apple Blossom looks a little taken aback, but recovers quickly. “In your day,” he sneers. “Please. You left fairyland and by doing so, you relinquished your right to make these kinds of judgments. We had no choice but to recruit your daughter into service. She’s one of only two royal fairies left, thanks to you abandoning your duty. If anyone’s to blame for Sunshine’s current predicament, it would be you.”

Mom’s face falls, guilt assaulting her hard and fast. She takes a shaky step backward and I have to grab her arm to keep her upright. “Don’t listen to him, Mom,” I say. “He’s just trying to bait you.”

“But he’s right,” she whispers hoarsely. “This is my fault. All of it.”

I can’t bear to see her so upset. Turning back to Apple Pancakes, I open my mouth to tell him off. But it seems my dad is already one step ahead of me.

“How dare you upset Princess Violet like that?” he snarls at the fairy. “What, are you still jealous because she chose me over you? It’s not like you ever loved her. You just wanted the power that came with the Light Court throne.”

Apple Blossom’s face twists and turns purple with rage. At first I think he’s going to deny it all, but instead he simply raises his sword. “And now I will have it,” he says. “Once your pathetic little girl marries my son.” He glances at his watch. “Which will be any minute now. Then I will, in all but name, become the ruler of fairyland.”

My mom stiffens and lets out a small cry. I squeeze her arm as comfortingly as I can. We have to get away from these guys. We’re running out of time. But can we fight them all?

My dad turns to the vampires behind us. “What are you waiting for?” he asks. “Get ’em, boys!”

The vampires need no further invitation. Raising their iron weapons, they charge forward and the fight ensues. Vampires versus fairies. Fairies versus fairies. And one vampire-vampire slayer- fairy cheerleader joining in to boot.

After ducking his sword and then head-butting one fairy, I manage to trip another, then dive onto a third and wrestle him to the ground, knocking his sword from his hand. Beside me, Magnus, Francis, and Stilton attack with iron weapons, bashing heads and bruising ribs. The iron bars were a brilliant idea. They burn on contact and the fairies are instantly sickened, weakening their attack and forcing them to drop their swords, which immediately extinguish when they leave their hands. Most of them can only take one touch of iron before falling uselessly to the ground. I grab a sword from one of the fallen and drive it through the stomach of one still standing. Yank the sword free, then repeat. Killing fairies is pretty gross and bloody, but what can you do?

I’m feeling pretty good about our chances until suddenly I’m grabbed from behind and yanked into the air, my surprise causing my sword to fall from my hands. The ceiling’s higher here than in other parts of the tunnels and I’m at least twenty feet up before I can really process what’s going on. Twisting my head, I realize it’s none other than Apple Crumble himself who’s abducted me. And the look on his face tells me he’s still not over that whole me staking him thing.

“I bet you’re sorry now that you didn’t kill me when you had the chance,” he sneers, flying me face-first into a nearby wall. My head slams into the concrete and I see stars. “I can tell you now,” he adds, backing up for another round, “I will not make that same mistake.”

SLAM! Again into the wall, this time splitting my lip and bursting my nose. Blood fills my mouth as I kick my feet uselessly, struggling to free myself from his hold. Without traction from the ground, it’s pretty much an impossible task. But I do eventually manage to get one arm free and I use it to elbow him in the stomach, hard.

The fairy bellows and loosens his grip for a split second, causing me to fall from his arms, careening to the ground. I realize dimly that this might not have been my smartest move. I’m falling hard, fast, and the floor is looking closer and closer. ...

“Rayne!” My mom’s call breaks through my panic. “FLY!”

Oh yeah. Duh. A very good reason to have those ugly wings of mine. I squeeze my eyes shut and manage some kind of flapping, seconds before I crash down onto the hard stone floor.

“Oh my God! I’m flying!” I cry. “I’m actually flying!”

My flight is short lived, however, as Apple Cinnamon dives at me, slamming me into the stone wall again, this time back first. My fragile wing bones shatter on impact and I cry out in pain. He grabs me by the neck and I can’t catch my breath. I try to kick at him, but can’t make contact. The lack of oxygen, accompanied by the searing pain in my wings, is starting to make everything black and fuzzy.

“And now, slayer,” he spits out, “let’s see how
you
like to be staked.” He reaches into my pocket with his free hand and pulls out my stake, raising it up to my heart. He pulls his hand back and I realize dimly this could very well be the end.

“I’m sorry, Sunny,” I murmur weakly. “I tried ...”

Suddenly, Apple Fritter’s eyes widen in shock, his mouth dropping open. A moment later, he releases my neck and the two of us fall to the ground. He’s heavier and hits first, cracking his skull against the stone. But I’m right behind him, and my broken wings won’t save me now. Dive-bombing head first into the—

—arms of Francis and his kung fu grip. He looks down at me and grins.

“Thanks!” I cry, relieved, as he sets me gently on the ground. Everything hurts, but I’m still alive. “I really thought I was done for there.”

“Thank your father,” Magnus says, walking over to me. The fight is over. The fairies either are dead or have run away. “He grabbed the iron bar from me and harpooned it right into that fairy’s back.”

Awesome. I turn to my dad, my eyes shining with gratitude. “Thanks, Dad!” I say. “You got there right on time.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve been keeping you waiting far too long,” he says with a small smile. Then he lets out a cry of pain and collapses onto the ground. Horrified, I rush to his side.

“Dad? What’s wrong?”

It’s then that I notice his right hand is bright blue, with blue streaks racing up his arm.

“What’s wrong with him?” I cry.

Mom joins me at his side, tears streaming down her cheeks. She turns to me. “Iron poisoning,” she pronounces. “From taking that iron bar and using it against Apple Blossom. He’s always been especially allergic to the metal—even for a fairy.”

I watch in horror as my dad starts convulsing. His face goes white and he’s soon foaming at the mouth. What should I do? Stop him from biting his tongue? Give him CPR?

“Dad!” I sob. This can’t be happening. “Dad, please! Stay with us!” I can’t lose him now. Not after hating him for all the wrong reasons for so many years. We’re supposed to have a happily ever after. Like the Disney movies! “Someone do something!” I cry to the vampires, not ready to give up. “We’ve got to help him somehow!”

His eyes focus on me. “Rayne, my darling,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry for not being there for you. I’ve been a lousy dad. But I love you and your sister so much. I always have. You’ve got to believe me. I only tried to do what I thought was best.” He reaches up and brushes a lock of hair from my eyes. “Don’t let this all be in vain,” he whispers, then closes his eyes. I watch in horror as his body convulses one final time, then goes still.

“No!” I moan. “Dad! You can’t die!” Bloody tears rain from my eyes, splashing onto my dad’s body. But it doesn’t matter. He’s gone. This time for good.

I can feel Francis coming up behind me and gently but firmly pulling me away. I try to fight him, but, of course, he’s got that kung fu grip. A moment later, Mom pulls me into a big bear hug, crushing me against her. “Raynie,” she murmurs. “I’m so sorry.”

I squirm out of her embrace, sadness mixed with anger swirling inside of me. “We have to bring him back,” I say. “Magnus, can’t you turn him into a vampire or something? Like Jareth did to Corbin?”

“No,” he says softly. “Not with the poison in his bloodstream. It’s too late. I’m sorry.”

The final ounce of strength ebbs away and I collapse to the ground, feeling like I’m going to die myself from the magnitude of pain. My father. The one I hated for so long. The one who always let me down. And now, he sacrificed his very life to save me. And I never got the chance to say I’m sorry. I whisper the words now, just in case somehow he can hear me beyond the grave.

“I’m so sorry, Dad. I love you.”

“Come on,” Magnus commands. “Don’t fall apart on me, Rayne,” he says. “We still have to save your sister.”

I can feel Mom come up behind me, placing a hand on my back. “Rayne, sweetie,” she pleads. “Your father would want us to go on. To finish our mission. You know he would.”

I nod slowly, my dad’s final words echoing in my brain, giving me the strength to rise to my feet.

Don’t let this all be in vain.

“I won’t, Dad,” I whisper, as I turn to the remaining group. “I promise I won’t.” My legs still feel wobbly, but at least my wings seem to be healing. “What are we waiting for?” I ask. “Let’s go get Sunny.”