Chapter Eleven

I sat straight up in bed, dripping with sweat and panicking. Tears were streaming down my face.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Caleb held me. “What’s going on?”

“Let go,” I said quietly.

“Why, what’s-“

I threw the blankets off of me. “Let go!” I jumped out of his arms and ran straight to the bathroom to vomit.

I gazed at my blotchy, tear soaked face. “She’s alive,” I whispered.

“Who is?” Caleb asked from the doorway.

I brushed past him, but took his hand, leading him back into the room. I got back under the covers, but sat up. Caleb sat beside me. As he wrapped his arms around me, I broke down.

“The forest,” I choked out.

I felt his body tense. “What?”

“Vampire hunters. The forest.” I wiped my eyes and cleared my throat. “I saw Ruby’s death.” I looked up at him. “And the birth of your daughter.”

Caleb shook his head. “That’s impossible,” he disagreed. “Ruby was killed before she had the baby.”

“Ambrosia,” I corrected him.

“What?” He looked at me, eyes wide.

“Ambrosia,” I repeated. “Your daughter. She’s alive. Ruby had just given birth to her when she was killed.”

“When I found her, there were no signs that she had the ba- Ambrosia.” Caleb disagreed.

I grabbed his face. “Listen to me,” I demanded. “Ruby shows me these dreams for a reason. I wouldn’t just imagine giving birth to a random kid with so much clarity I could feel her pain when I’m not even a mother! Ambrosia is alive out there, somewhere, and she doesn’t know who you or Ruby are. She doesn’t know where she came from. She is a vampire. Probably shunned from the other kids. And she deserves answers!”

He didn’t say a word, just gazed into my eyes as tears filled his own. “The world is a large place,” he said quietly, hiding his pain. He looked away.

“I won’t give up,” I said.

He grabbed me in a hug and cried into my shoulder. I knew right then that he wouldn’t give up either.

I wanted to ask him why the hunter said he had been killed, but I decided now wasn’t the time. I just held him close, gazing out the window and wondering how we would find her, if we even could. Caleb was right. The world is a big place. And more so now, being trapped in the realm. What were the chances we would ever find her?

“All of this time,” he whispered. “And I had no idea.”

I tightened my grip on him. “How would you have known though? You said yourself you didn’t know Ruby had given birth.” I gazed at him as he lifted his head. His eyes were glassy and bloodshot from crying. “Caleb,” I continued, “you absolutely cannot blame yourself for this.”

He rolled his eyes. “Well, it’s not like I can help that right now, huh?”

I was stunned. It was the first time Caleb had used that type of tone with me. He wasn’t just sad. He was angry.

I sighed and looked away. “You have to try.” I would be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated. I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know what to say. Sure, this was sad for me, but it was absolutely devastating to Caleb. How could I even try to help him through this?

He sat back against the headboard, gazing at the floor, tears still streaming from his eyes. Yet, he held an angry expression.

“Would it have been better if I hadn’t told you?” I asked. I realized after I said it that it was really insensitive. ‘You idiot, like he really needed that?’

“It would have been better if it was me who had been killed!” He glared at me.

I put my hands up. “Caleb, you can’t-“

“I left her!” He roared, but instantly calmed himself. “I left her there to die.”

“You didn’t know-“

“Yes I did,” he said, his voice trembling. “I knew. We were running from them. But I left!”

Lilith came in. “What’s going on?”

I sighed. I got up and walked past her. “I’ll let him explain.”

I knew I shouldn’t have walked out, but I was scared. The only other time I had seen Caleb that angry was with Marco. I was realizing he had just as much rage for himself as he did for Marco. That saddened me. When it came to Ruby, he loathed himself.

If anyone can calm him down, it’s Lilith.

I got in the shower and brushed my teeth. It was still the middle of the night, but I felt gross after my vomiting episode. I also just needed to try to shake this off. We had a larger task; getting the hell out of here. Finding Ambrosia would be the next task. We needed to be able to get out of here to look first.

I got out and wrapped my towel around me. I headed back into the bedroom for clothes. Stepping in, I saw that Lilith had calmed Caleb down. He looked up at me with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Lilith smiled and left the room to give us privacy.

I was apprehensive. I sifted through my dresser and nodded. “I understand. It’s fine.”

In a flash, he was behind me. I whirled around quickly to face him.

“You’ve never been great at lying,” he grinned. He caressed my cheek. “I really am sorry. You did nothing wrong.”

I nodded. “You just…scared me.”

He looked away. “I’m so sorry.”

I smiled at him, tilting his head back toward mine. “I forgive you. And I’m sorry for just walking out like that. I figured if anyone could calm you down, it was your sister.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

To my surprise, he kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, comforting him. This was what he needed. He didn’t need any reminders of the past. He didn’t need that hatred he felt. He just needed love.

We sat down on the bed, and I rested my head on him. He laid down so I could rest my head on his chest.

“I’m glad I met you,” he said.

I smiled. “I’m glad I met you too.”

“Do you even remember our meeting right now?” He laughed a little. “I mean, given…this?” He raised his hand, creating a circle in the air with his finger, referring to Marco’s takeover of the magic realm.

“No,” I admitted.

He stroked my hair. “I like to stroll through the city,” he explained. “I like meeting new people and interacting with them. I saw there was a party at Honey Pop, so I decided to go in and see what it was all about. You were singing when I came in.”

“Oh God,” I interjected. “And you still wanted to talk to me? I thought first impressions last a lifetime!”

He paused, confused. “They…they do.”

I looked at him. He gazed at me, perplexed.

“You were singing beautifully, and everything about you captivated me.” He smiled a little. “You don’t remember that you can sing?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Try it,” he smiled. “Sing to me.”

I blushed. “Hell no!” I laughed.

He laughed with me. “Oh, come on!”

I glared at him. “Up until two seconds ago, I thought I sounded like a donkey on cocaine when I sang. Now you want me to serenade you?”

“Oooh, I do like a good serenade,” he grinned.

“Nope! Stop! Stop right there!” I sat up. “I’m not singing, and that’s final!” I acted like I was angry, but he knew it was a facade. “I don’t even know any songs I could sing!”

That was a lie. As we were talking, a melody started playing in my mind. I didn’t know what it was or where I knew it from, and I pushed it aside. I was not singing to him.

He sat up as well, slipping his arm around my waist. “I’m sure you do.”

“Caleb, I can’t,” I shook my head, blushing badly now. “I’m most definitely not confident with whatever voice I have, I don’t know any songs, I think you’re lying to me anyway, and I just-“

He cut me off with a kiss. I giggled softly and slipped my hand behind his neck.

“You really like interrupting me with your tongue, don’t you?” I glared at him playfully.

He laughed. “I mean, if it stops you from second guessing, right?”

I smiled. “What happened next?”

“You came over to talk to me when you were done,” he said. “We hit it off quickly, talking about anything and everything, our conversation unending until it was closing time. Even then, you invited me to your apartment, and we talked even more.”

I smiled, listening to him recall it so fondly.

“I remember going home that night and stopping in the woods between Glimmerbrook and Forgotten Hollow to look at the stars; something I hadn’t done in a long time.” He stopped. “I remember thinking about Ruby for the first time in a long time, and smiling. I had pushed her memory aside because I always felt pain when I thought about her, but that night, I remembered her and us, and I didn’t feel pain.”

I was shocked. “I…I did that?”

He nodded. “You did that.” He smiled warmly at me. “And now we know why. You didn’t just remind me of her, you are her, and she was telling me something that night.”

I rested my hand on his cheek. “That she was still alive,” I blurted out. My eyes widened. “I mean, hypothetically.”

He laughed. “Yes. She’s still alive. You are the proof.” He leaned in and kissed me slowly….

The day at HQ was busy. I made it my mission to tell everyone quietly about Marco and his plans. Caleb, Morgyn and Simeon helped. Together, we started hatching a plan.

L was the last to be told. She didn’t take well to the news, angrily demanding that we stop telling the other spellcasters.

“Everything he does, he does for the Greater Good!” She exclaimed.

As I started to explain, Simeon put his hand on my shoulder.

“You aren’t going to win them all,” he said.

I nodded, gave L a warm smile and left.

“Jade!” Morgyn exclaimed. “There you are. I told Marco we had created a new event. Dueling Day. He’s all for it!” He grinned.

“Excellent,” I smiled. “Then all we need to do is set this event in motion.”

Caleb looked unsure. “If he dies, are we sure his power will be lifted?”

Morgyn nodded. “Yes.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’ll make sure of it.”

As the day turned into another night in our prison, I stepped outside of our building, setting off a light flare with my wand to signal the other spellcasters to come out. This was our meeting. All who agreed came out to listen.

Morgyn joined me, placing his hand on my shoulder. I smiled and leaned into him briefly. As the last of the spellcasters came out, I stood straight again.

“Morgyn proposed an idea to Marco,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear me. “Dueling Day. Of course, Marco fell for it. So that’s where we all come in.” I looked at Morgyn.

“We need to duel each other tomorrow. A lot. But please keep a watchful eye on your charge. We can’t risk losing any of you in this. Our goal is to duel Marco until he becomes overcharged.” Morgyn spoke loudly and clearly, spelling out his plan for all of us. The spellcasters nodded in agreement.

I also nodded. “The ultimate goal is to get him to surrender once he’s weakened,” I explained. “However, there’s a very real possibility that won’t happen. He may die from our duels.”

A few spellcasters gasped.

“But, that will release us and return our memories,” Morgyn said. “It’s not the way I had hoped this would go, but if it’s what needs to be done, then we will do it.”

“I’ll be the first to challenge him,” I said. “During that time, some of you could duel with each other. Practice, get ready. It won’t take long to get him charged. To my knowledge, he doesn’t have any protections against that.”

“But we do,” Morgyn added. “If you need to take a break, leave the dueling to Jade and I.”

I smiled, folding my hands in front of me. “Are there any questions?”

There was silence.

“Good,” I smiled. “Then let’s do this. Get some rest tonight. We will all need it.”

We all went back into our houses. I sat down on the couch and put my head in my hands. Throughout the day, I had seen Caleb’s previously positive attitude change again. Despite our conversation, he was still very upset by the dream. But why wouldn’t he be? I sighed.

Morgyn sat beside me. “Are you alright?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah.” I was fighting back tears.

He rubbed my back. “Another dream?”

I nodded again. “Yes. It’s been bothering me all day.” I lifted my head to look at him. “I’ll have a new plan when we are out of here.”

He gazed at me, waiting for me to continue.

I sighed. “I’m going to find my daughter.”

His eyes widened. “W-what?”

I explained the dream to him, and I saw his expression shift from shock to sadness.

“I understand,” he said simply.

Caleb came into the room. “I’m going to help.”

I smiled. “Of course.” I stood up and pulled him into a hug.

Morgyn chimed in. “I will too.”

I smiled wider as tears filled my eyes. I realized that Caleb was crying too. I couldn’t even imagine how he felt. I may have been Ruby’s second life, but Ambrosia was part of Caleb’s current life. Up until today, he had no idea she even existed. He mourned the loss of Ruby and his unborn child, only to realize 100 years later that his child hadn’t died.

I had a lot of questions though. Why did the hunter say that Caleb died? And why did they spare Ambrosia knowing that she was a vampire? What happened to Ruby after she died?

“Caleb,” I whispered. “I want to ask you a few things about that night that I didn’t ask earlier.”

He nodded, pulling away from me. He wiped some tears away from his face. I smiled at him and placed my hand on his cheek, using my thumb to brush the other tears away.

“It can wait,” I said softly.

“No,” he shook his head. “I want you to have any answers you need.”

Morgyn hugged us both quickly. “I’m going to go to bed.”

I nodded. “Alright. I’ll explain everything later.”

He smiled. “Of course. Good night.”

As he walked away, Caleb and I laid on the couch. He leaned against the arm of the couch, stretching his left leg out and resting his right leg off the couch, his foot on the floor. I laid on him, resting my head on his chest. He stroked my hair.

“What do you want to know?” He asked.

“Everything,” I sighed. “But I have a few questions in particular. Why did the hunter tell Ruby you had died?”

“He thought I did,” Caleb replied. “He weakened me with garlic and stabbed me with a wooden stake, but he missed my heart.” He sighed. “I played dead until he walked away. I was still weak and couldn’t move for awhile from the garlic. When I could, I immediately went searching for Ruby.” He choked when saying her name. “I didn’t mean to leave her. I wanted to lure the hunters away from her. I thought she would be able to run once she had the b- Ambrosia. I didn’t know how any of that worked.” He clenched his fist. “God, I was so stupid!”

“Shhh,” I pushed myself up and stroked his hair. “Caleb. Don’t blame yourself. Ruby doesn’t blame you.”

His hand rushed up to his face, shielding his eyes from me as he broke down. I sighed, feeling my own tears. I wrapped my arm around him and buried my face in his neck. I felt him wrap his other arm around me as well, pulling me closer to him. He needed to hear that Ruby didn’t blame him. He needed to hear it from Ruby herself.

We stayed silent for awhile as I consoled him. I felt horrible that he had to relive it, but at the same time, I really did feel like this is what he needed. We both needed Ruby now more than ever. She was the key to finding Ambrosia. There was nothing stronger than her motherly instinct.

“W-what else did you want to know?” He asked finally, his breaths cutting into his words as he calmed himself down.

“It can wait, love,” I said.

“No.” He was decisive.

I sighed. “I don’t want you to be in pain.”

He let out a small chuckle through his tears. “This is oddly therapeutic.”

“What happened to Ruby?” I asked hesitantly.

“She was cremated,” Caleb replied. “I have her urn at my house.”

I nodded. “Why would the hunters spare Ambrosia?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m wondering that as well.” He rolled his bloodshot eyes. “Maybe they had some standards.”

“I doubt it.” I looked away. “They had to have something to gain.”

For a moment, Caleb’s eyes flashed red. “Like what?”

I placed my hand on his cheek. “Not what you’re thinking. I’m thinking leverage, power.”

“Oh,” he looked down.

I giggled. “Protective of her and you’ve never met.”

“Well of course,” he nodded.

I kissed him softly. “Good.”

“You should sleep,” he whispered, gazing into my eyes.

I nodded. “I will, but I want to be with you for now.” I rested my head back on his chest. “I think of all the times you would need me, or Ruby, it would be now.”

He smiled and stroked my hair. “You’re right. And thank you.”

I closed my eyes and tightened my arms around him. “Of course, my love.”

I ended up falling asleep with him. He did too, boosting his vampire energy.

I didn’t have a normal dream that night. Instead, I found myself surrounded in darkness. I was holding something in my hand, but I didn’t know what it was. It was metal. Touching it with my hand, I felt wax. It was a candle.

I raised my other hand and whispered, “inferniate,” lighting the candle with my magic. As I looked up, I was face to face with….me? Only in Victorian era clothing.

I jumped back. “Jesus Christ!”

The woman smiled. “Hello, Jade.”

I gazed at her. “Who are you?”

“I’m Ruby, silly girl! You don’t recognize me from our memories?” She stepped toward me.

I shook my head. “Well, no. I had never seen what you looked like. I always saw your memories from your point of view.”

Darling,” she smiled warmly. “They are our memories.”

I laughed nervously. “Ahaha, right. Sorry.”

Ruby stepped closer still. “I chose you, Jade, because I knew you were destined for greatness. You make Caleb feel the way he did with me, and I’m so thankful. I do have to say, you wasted enough time actually sealing the deal with him, eh?” She smirked playfully.

I was flattered. “I didn’t want to waste what we had if it didn’t work out.”

Ruby nodded. “I’m thankful you didn’t let your fear get in the way of your heart.” Her face turned serious. “But now, we have bigger ambitions to tackle.”

I also nodded. “Ambrosia.”

Ruby agreed. “Yes, but also this battle you choose to have with Marco.”

“You know about that?” I asked.

She nodded again. “Yes, of course, dear. We are connected.”

“Right,” I looked down.

“Keep your focus on fighting him and restoring your old life and memories,” she warned. “Forget about Ambrosia for now. Defeating Marco will take everything you have, and you mustn’t be distracted.”

I nodded, taking in everything she was saying to me.

She continued, “You know he is far stronger than you, and he will pull any stunts he can to defeat all of you.”

“It’s in his blood,” we said together.

Ruby smiled. “Yes. But you know as well as I do that he will stop at nothing until he has all of the power. You must all work together to save yourselves and the realm. This includes Caleb and Lilith. Their strength could aid you in your fight.”

“But how?” I asked.

“You’ll know,” she smiled. “I must go. I don’t have enough supernatural energy to keep this conversation going. But work together. Protect each other.”

She stepped closer to me and hugged me tight. “I’m so glad to have finally met you.”

“I’m glad we met too,” I smiled.

“You’ll do great, this I know.” Ruby stepped back and faded into the darkness, leaving me alone.

I sat down and thought for a moment. I didn’t really know what she meant, but I knew she was encouraging me to not get angry if Caleb and Morgyn tried to protect me. I furrowed my brow. Protecting me was how Morgyn was killed. I couldn’t let that happen again.

But for Ruby, I’ll try.

Chapter Twelve (click here)