We carried on with our sage duties for a few day’s time, but Marco still didn’t free Caleb and Lilith. We were on our best behavior, yet he didn’t deliver.
On the fourth day, Morgyn and I met for lunch, when we normally ate at different times.
He flipped on his device and stepped closer to me.
“So, I’m going to casually try to explain to the other spellcasters what is going on with Marco,” he said quietly, his voice a near whisper. “Once we get enough spellcasters on our side and ready to fight, we can proceed.”
I nodded. “That could take awhile.”
“It will take awhile,” Morgyn also nodded. “But it’s the best we can do. Like I said, we need to play his game.” He sighed. “And I’m sure you feel the same as I when I say I’ll do anything to make sure Caleb and Lilith are alright.”
I hung my head. “Of course.”
He smiled and took my hands under the table. “Jade,” he tugged slightly to get me to look up. As I did, he gazed into my eyes and continued. “Everything will work out.”
“What if they’re dead?” I asked. It was a question that had been weighing heavily on my mind all day, and I hadn’t wanted to ask it, but here we were….
Morgyn sighed. “Let’s keep the faith that they’re very much alive and well.”
I nodded slowly. There wasn’t any other option right now, was there?
He switched off his device as we ate, but he continued to hold my hand, reassuring me that I wasn’t alone. As we finished eating, we got back to work.
Simeon approached me. “Jade,” he said, gesturing outside.
I nodded and followed him.
“I’m so sorry I’ve been distant from you,” he said. “I wanted to keep my distance so the leaders didn’t suspect anything. But I see you believe now.”
I nodded. “Yes. So does Morgyn,” I sighed. “And Caleb knew from the beginning. Now he and Lilith have been captured, and we don’t know where they are.”
Simeon glanced up toward the throne room. “Duel?” He asked, gesturing toward the portal to the dueling grounds.
I nodded again. I knew he didn’t actually want to duel, but he wanted to talk without the chance of Marco or Jay hearing. We went up to the dueling grounds and sat on a bench.
“Caleb and Lilith were taken to the unknown cells,” he said. “Unknown, because we don’t know where they are located. I’ve tried to search for them.”
“It’s best if we don’t try it,” I warned. “They could kill Caleb and Lilith, and kill anyone who finds these cells.”
“They could die of thirst,” Simeon explained.
I shook my head. “They have plasma packs.”
“Marco and Jay threw them out,” Simeon looked down.
“They what?” I shouted.
Simeon looked at me again, shocked to see such an angry expression, I guess? I didn’t really know what his expression was for. I didn’t care either. I stood up and paced. “Then scratch everything I just said.” I glared at him. “I’m going to find these cells.”
Simeon sighed. “Jade, no, you could die trying.”
“It’s better than letting them die,” I argued back. “I’m going to start looking,” I continued, “right. Now.”
Simeon shook his head. “I guess I will cover for you then. Where are you looking?”
“Everywhere,” I said, storming off. I teleported away, back to HQ. I had to think like Marco. Where would he put them? Somewhere where he knew, but no one else would think to look. Somewhere close, though, so Marco could be close to them to be aware of their suffering, but again, not allowing anyone to find them.
I headed for the stairs leading into the basement. Morgyn noticed me heading down quickly and followed. There had to be something here that we were missing.
“What are you doing?” Morgyn asked.
“You shouldn’t have followed me,” I responded coldly. “They might think something is going on.”
Morgyn stepped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “Jade, you need to stop this.”
“Stop what, Morgyn?” I glared at him. “I was willing to leave it alone and see them in our own time or whatever the hell Marco wanted. But I’ve heard now that they are being held without plasma packs.” I paused, still glaring at him as his face shifted to worry. “That could kill them! Do you want me to stop now?”
Simeon stepped between us. “I’m not sure how yelling at Morgyn will help fix this situation,” he said.
I sighed and looked down. “I’m sorry, Morgyn. I’m scared.”
“I know,” he nodded. “I get it.” He walked away without another word.
I sighed again and started looking around the walls for any trick doors or weird secret bookcase doorways. I found nothing, coming up empty with each attempt.
“God dammit!” I shouted, falling to the floor and slamming my hand down. “It has to be here somewhere!”
Morgyn sighed and walked over to me. “Let’s take a break.”
“I can’t,” I said quietly, being mindful to not take my aggression out on him again. “And I’m sorry for my anger.”
He smiled sadly and tilted my head up to his. “It’s alright. I understand.” His face turned serious. “But I am worried about you. I think you need a break. You’re driving yourself to the brink of insanity.”
“Marco is driving me to the brink of insanity,” I corrected him. “He’s going to kill them. I need to find them before that happens.”
“Breathe,” he said, holding me close. “I’ll keep looking as well. Just calm yourself.”
I nodded, staying quiet. “I’ll go outside.”
“I’ll meet you out there in a few moments,” he agreed.
I shook my head. “Please keep looking. You have a clearer head.” I stood up.
Morgyn nodded. “I will.”
I walked up the stairs and back outside. I sat down on the bench, switching off my device. I could be heard now, so I didn’t need it. I laid on my back on the cold stone, staring up at the vortex, watching it as it changed colors, like a kaleidoscope of never ending beauty. I sighed, but my heart was still beating so fast. I was scared, angry and confused. Why Caleb and Lilith? Marco was clearly angry with me. So why not just imprison me?
This is my imprisonment, I thought. Marco was doing this on purpose. He wanted to see me suffer. I clenched my fist, feeling a surge of untamed power in my body, rushing through my veins like the blood that carried it. I sat up again. I knew I was about to do something incredibly reckless.
But I didn’t care.
I took a deep breath and marched up the stairs to Marco. I stood before him without a word.
He smiled at me. “Jade! What can I do for you?”
The power within me was screaming at me to take him out right now, but no, I couldn’t do that. I calmed it. “I need to speak with you regarding Caleb and Lilith.”
“Oh?” Marco asked. “What about them?”
“It has come to my attention that they were imprisoned without the very thing that keeps them alive.” I looked directly into Marco’s face as I ended my sentence. “I can’t help but think that wasn’t an accident.”
He stood up and walked up to me. I held my head high, allowing that power in me to take over my growing anxiety. “Well,” he said, getting close to my face. “That was a real fancy way of saying, ‘you’re a dick for killing my boyfriend’.” He stepped back and grinned, waiting for my reply.
“You killed him?” I asked. My voice was softer, shaky. But I pushed back the fear and the tears that tried to fill my eyes.
“No, no,” he assured me. “Not yet.”
“Why, though?” I looked at him. “I’m the one you’re angry with.”
“Yes,” he hissed. “But I trusted Caleb to not say anything. I knew the brainwashing didn’t affect him. He swore to keep quiet. But he failed. Now, I told him if he didn’t, I would kill you. But, you made me angry as well, and for that, I should kill him, right? But killing both of you is counter productive.” He stood close to me, his lips inches from my ear. “So I separated you.” He stood back and smiled.
I looked at the ground. “What can I do to save him?”
“Oh, I’m glad you asked,” he smiled. But he didn’t explain what I could do. I waited for his reply for a moment, then furrowed my brow.
“Well?” I asked, frustration growing in my voice.
He laughed. “You are the biggest threat to me.”
“And?” I asked.
“I wanted you to be queen, but I suppose we had…” he paused. “Irreconcilable differences. So I have a new request.”
I stared at him. “What is it?”
He darted in front of me again and got in my face. “Your power.”
My eyes widened. “My wh- how would you even take it?”
“I have ways,” he smiled. “If you agree.”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Oh?” He grinned. “So you value your power over Caleb’s life?”
My eyes darted around as I grew more nervous. I couldn’t give up my power or we would never be freed. But I couldn’t abandon Caleb and Lilith.
I sighed. “Take me to them.”
“Is that a no? You’ll give me what I want?” Marco grinned again.
“If you take me to them,” I snarled.
“Temper, temper, Jade,” he reminded me. “You’ve been on your best behavior thus far. Don’t change that at my expense.”
I sighed. “Marco, please. It’s been a few days. They can’t survive that long without feeding.” My eyes filled with tears despite me trying to hold them back. “Take me to them!”
Marco grabbed my arms forcefully. “You had better give me what I want if I take you to those bloodsuckers!”
I nodded, scared. “I w-will.”
“Fine then.” He let go of me and started walking. “Come.”
I followed silently.
As we walked, I saw Simeon and Morgyn outside, looking for me. I felt stupid. I should have waited for them. But Marco led me to the very place we had been looking. I felt a sense of dread. We were here, making noise. Caleb and Lilith never gave any indication that they were nearby.
They’re already gone.
I pushed that thought aside. Marco wasn’t careless. He was methodical. He wouldn’t go through this effort if they were actually dead, would he?
He pushed a throw rug aside with his boot and revealed a trap door. Of course. How cliche. I crossed my arms in front of me as he opened the door. He claimed down a ladder, and I followed close behind, watching as he walked down a dimly lit passageway underground. We came to a door, latched several times with different types of locks. Yet, still no sound. A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it. Not now. I was so close.
Marco unlocked each lock, painfully slowly. As he opened the door, we were both knocked down as Lilith, in her dark form lunged at Marco and attacked him, biting him to drink deeply.
I smiled happily and stood up. Good. Maybe she’d kill him. I rushed into the room and saw Caleb. I darted over to him, happily, wrapping my arms around him. But he didn’t return the gesture. He was slumped over. Motionless.
I sat back, staring at him. “Caleb,” I said softly. I wasn’t calling to wake him up, nor was I speaking to him. I didn’t really know what I was doing. The realization hit me. He was dead.
“No, no,” I shook my head, scrambling back over to him. “Nonononono! Caleb, hey. You need to wake up. Here, look,” I pushed myself closer to him. “You can drink from me, just this once. Come on. I know you’re in there.” I stared at him with a desperate expression. “Caleb, Caleb. Hey.”
Lilith came back in, wiping her mouth. She saw me struggling to help Caleb.
“He passed out an hour ago,” she said. “I don’t know—” She trailed off. “He might already be-“
“No!” I screamed. “No he’s not!” I glared angrily at him. “I saved Morgyn, and I can save you!”
“Jade,” Lilith smiled slightly. “Give me your arm.”
“What?” I asked.
She held her hand out. “Let me bite you, and we will feed him.” She looked at me, concerned. “But beware that if he wakes up, he will be incredibly thirsty, and I’m not sure he will be able to hold back.”
I held my arm out. “That’s fine,” I nodded.
Lilith bit me, and I hissed in pain. She stood alongside Caleb and gestured for me to stand on the other side of him. I did, and she held his head up and I placed my bleeding wound into his mouth.
“And now,” she said quietly. “We wait.”
I nodded and took Caleb’s hand with my other hand. “Caleb, please let this work. Vampires are resilient, right?”
There was nothing for a long time, and we had lost hope. I got down in front of him, slamming my fist into the cold stone floor. I felt a sudden rush of pain, but the sudden rush of adrenaline that came with it drowned it out. I held my hand in my other one.
Caleb’s eyes snapped open, glowing red. I didn’t have a chance to be happy or excited because he grabbed me and bit my neck, drinking from me. The pain was unbearable, and I felt like I was going to pass out, but I held him close. I was happy.
He finally let me go, and the room was spinning. I wrapped my arms around him, falling into him, and everything faded to black.
When I awoke, I was in my bed at the apartment. I opened my eyes and saw Caleb beside me. I smiled and hugged him, snuggling close. I immediately regretted it, wincing as my hand started to throb.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Don’t move too much. You’re still really weak.”
“And you broke your hand,” Lilith said. I glanced over at her.
She smiled, sitting in a chair beside the bed. “Now you can say you’ve saved two lives.”
Tears filled my eyes again. This time, I didn’t stop them. I buried my face in Caleb’s jacket, gripping it tightly despite the throbbing pain.
Morgyn came in. “Is she alright?”
Lilith smiled. “Yes. She’s alright. She’s in pain and emotional, but she will be alright as long as she rests for the next couple days.” She cleared her throat. “She, uh, obviously lost a lot of blood.”
Caleb closed his eyes and looked away. “I’m really sorry.”
“I wanted you to do that, Caleb,” I said finally. “I’m glad you did.”
Morgyn sat on the bed next to Caleb. I lifted my head to look at him. He smiled and stroked my hair.
“You’re brave,” he said. “But crazy, girl.”
I laughed softly. “When Simeon told me they didn’t have plasma packs, I saw nothing but the need to find them and save them.”
Caleb kissed the top of my head. “You came at just the right time.”
I smiled up at him and pulled myself up to kiss him. “I’m glad.” I winced again as I shifted my weight to my broken hand. I laid back down.
“How did you do that?” Morgyn asked.
“I punched the stone floor,” I shook my head. “Out of hurt and anger.”
Morgyn smiled and took my hand, closing his eyes. His hands glowed red around mine and I felt a warm sensation. I closed my eyes as well, relaxing.
Morgyn opened his eyes again and let my hand go. I opened it and shut it again with no pain. I smiled at him. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “Of course. But, sadly, I can’t do that to replenish your blood. So, you should stay in bed for a few days. Or at least here and away from Marco.”
I sat up. “Marco.”
“I killed him,” Lilith said.
“No,” Caleb shook his head. “I saw him yesterday. He’s being tended to by Jay.”
My stomach knotted up. “He plans to take my power,” I said.
“What?” Morgyn asked angrily. “Why?”
“I bribed him,” I admitted. “I knew Caleb and Lilith wouldn’t survive much longer. I needed to find a way to get to them.”
“Why would you do that?” Morgyn demanded.
“What choice did I have?” I retorted. “Would you rather we have my power or Caleb and Lilith?”
Morgyn looked away. “God dammit.”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t have a choice!” I shrugged. “And I would do it again, with or without anyone’s approval.”
Caleb wrapped his arms around me. “Jade, calm down.” He sighed as Morgyn walked out of the room. “He’s just stressed.”
“I’ve done nothing but cause him pain since we got back here,” I said quietly. “I fought with him, snapped at him, went behind his back and made a deal with Marco.” I sighed.
Caleb also sighed. “I’ll go talk to him.” He got up and walked out after Morgyn.
I laid back down and rolled over, toward the wall so no one could see my face. I buried my face in the pillow and cried. Marco was breaking us. Sure, we might eventually make it out of here, but at what cost? If we all went our separate ways and never spoke again?
“Jade,” Lilith said.
“No,” I responded.
She touched my shoulder. “I wanted to tell you that what you did was great. And I wanted to thank you for saving my brother.”
I nodded slowly. “I’d do it again. I love him.”
“Morgyn understands, I’m sure,” she reassured me.
I closed my eyes. I really hoped that was true.
I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up, it was dark. I couldn’t see anything, but felt someone getting into bed. I figured it was Morgyn.
I propped myself up on my elbow to look at him. “Hey,” I said quietly.
He gazed up at me. The lights from Caster’s Alley revealed his bright green eyes to me. Yeah, it was Morgyn. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been….” I paused and sighed. “A crappy girlfriend.”
He laughed softly and kissed me. “You’re not. We are all stressed. I get it. And really, I hold nothing against you for making that deal with Marco.” He propped himself up to face me as well. “I would never make you choose your power over someone else’s life.”
Tears filled my eyes. “This is Marco’s plan,” I said. “He’s trying to break us.”
Morgyn slipped his hand behind my neck, kissing me slowly. “We won’t let that happen.”
“We already are,” I sighed.
“Shh,” Morgyn smiled. “We will not let that happen.”
I nodded.
He laid on his back, pulling me toward him. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. I fell asleep again.
The next few days were an absolute nightmare. Everyone wanted me to stay in bed and rest up, replenish my blood. The problem was, I was feeling stronger and ready to move around. They wouldn’t let me.
“Guys, I’m fine, really,” I sighed. Morgyn sat on the side of the bed beside me, while Caleb laid on the other side of the bed, sitting up against the headboard. Lilith was in the living room, watching and listening in case Marco or his crew came looking for us.
Morgyn looked at Caleb. “In your experience, how long does recovery take from a drink like that?”
Caleb shook his head. “It’s been too long since I have bitten people like that. I wouldn’t be able to tell you.” He cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable. “And, uh, it’s not like I made friends with my victims, nor did I bite my existing friends.”
“Oh,” Morgyn said quietly. I watched him as he gazed at Caleb nervously, as if he was scared he had hurt him.
I spoke up to break the uncomfortable silence. “Regardless, I’m alright. This is nothing I can’t handle!” I lifted my arm and flexed it, prompting laughter from both Caleb and Morgyn.
“Just one more day?” Caleb asked, a look of desperation on his face.
I sighed, but smiled. “Yeah, sure, one more day,” I agreed. “Just know that I hate this.” I glared between them.
Morgyn patted my head. “I know, but we are just looking out for you.”
I nodded. “I know. Thank you.”
“Why don’t you get some rest?” Caleb suggested.
I shook my head. “No.”
Morgyn stood up, switching on his device briefly. “I’m going to HQ. I need to check to see Marco’s condition to see what our next moves should be.”
Caleb and I nodded.
“Be careful,” I said.
He came toward me, bending down to kiss my forehead. “Of course. We just need to find a way to avoid him taking your power.”
I looked away. “I made a deal, and I’ll hold up my end of it if it keeps us safe.”
Morgyn waved his hand. “Not if I can help it.” He flashed me a smile and walked out.
I sighed, resting my head on Caleb. “He’s making deals with the devil by trying to find a way out of this.”
“I think he knows how to work the system without getting hurt,” Caleb reassured me.
I shrugged. “I sure hope so, or we will have bigger problems than what we have right now.”
Caleb nodded in agreement. “Yeah, but I think we will be alright.” He kissed the top of my head. “As long as we all work together.”
I closed my eyes, leaning into him. Evening was approaching. I was excited for the day to be over. The next day, I would be able to move around again. These two would finally let me. I hated being stationary and having people wait on me. It was bothersome.
We were quiet for a long time, just enjoying each other’s company as the light in the room dimmed further. Eventually, I fell asleep in his arms.
I awoke again in the middle of the night. I rolled over to cuddle with Morgyn, only to realize that it was Caleb beside me.
“You were here this whole time?” I asked.
“No,” he shook his head. “I left when you fell asleep, but I just came back in.”
I glanced around. “Where’s Morgyn?”
Caleb laughed quietly. “He fell asleep on the couch. We were watching a movie.”
I giggled a little. “So you kicked him out of the bed.”
“Nah,” he waved his hand and grinned. “It’s first come, first serve.”
I giggled again and pulled myself closer to him. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him slowly. He wrapped his arms around me as well and gently laid me down on the bed again. He gazed into my eyes and I gave him a smile in return.
**********************************
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.