Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws (33 page)

She arched an eyebrow. “Watch your place, Alexander. I’m not your property.”

Ruben let out a throaty chuckle and began shaking his head back and forth. “Trouble in paradise. How quickly history repeats itself.”

Wisteria gave him a funny look. “What are you talking about?”

The veins in Alexander’s neck turned to ropes as blood rushed to his face. “Enough! Your grievance is with me, not her!”

Uncertainty settled into Wisteria’s eyes as she looked back and forth between the two men. She turned to Alexander. “What is going on?”

“I’ll explain everything in the car,” Alexander said, trying to pull her away.

“I don’t think so,” Ruben countered. “No one’s leaving here until I say so.”

This rubbed Wisteria the wrong way. She went stiff and then arched her back, giving Ruben a cutting look. “I don’t know who you think you are, but Alexander and I are leaving!”

Ruben chuckled and then his eyes grew hard. He looked at Alexander. “The three of us are going to your office … Now! There’s something that you’re both going to want to see.”

Wisteria planted her heels in the floor. “No! We’re not going with you, and if you don’t turn away this instant and leave us alone, we’ll call the police and …”

Ruben’s laughter cut her off short. “Still as saucy as ever, I see. Perhaps thou art not so different in this world after all, Lady Wisteria.”

A stupefied look came into Wisteria’s eyes, and she clutched Alexander’s arm. “This is crazy!”

Alexander leaned in a mere inch from Ruben’s face. “Leave, now!”

“I think not, brother!” He glared at them. “If you want your sons to live to see tomorrow, you’ll come with me!”

Wisteria went weak at the knees, and Alexander caught her. A look of anguish twisted over her face. “What?”

Ruben’s voice became neutral … polite as he looked around at the people around them. “Principal Kingsley, I would be honored to see your office.” He spread his hand. “After you.”

W
hen they stepped
into Alexanders office and closed the door, Wisteria bit into Ruben. “If you so much as touch a hair on Rush’s head, I’ll claw your eyes out!”

“Sit down!” Ruben roared.

Wisteria put her hands on her hips. “Make me!”

Ruben moved to strike her, but Alexander caught his hand before it made contact with her face. “Sit down, Wisteria,” Alexander ordered.

Shock registered over her features, turning her lips into a thin, hard line. “What hold does this man have over you, Alexander?”

“Sit down … please,” Alexander repeated, more gently this time.

Numbly, she sat down.

Ruben motioned to the chair beside Wisteria. “Now you.”

Hesitantly, Alexander took a seat beside Wisteria and clasped her clammy hand in his.

Ruben leaned back against the desk, eying them both. His expression was thoughtful. “I have waited a long time for this moment, brother.”

“Brother?” Wisteria made a face. “What is he talking about? And where are our sons?”

“All in good time, Mi’ Lady. All in good time.”

Then the pieces started coming together for Wisteria. She shot Alexander an exasperated look. “Is he also under the illusion that he’s from Aandover Peaks?”

Howling laughter erupted from Ruben. He laughed until he doubled over. Finally, he straightened up and rubbed his hands together. “She doesn’t remember a thing. How delicious.” He reached in his pocket and retrieved a round stone and held it in his palm. He began rubbing circles over the stone as he spoke. “I’ve considered all of the ways that this could go down. At first, I thought about taking you to The Chocolate Fountain, so that you would witness the demise of your children firsthand.”

Wisteria gasped and looked as though she might pass out. She moved to speak, but Alexander motioned for her to remain quiet.

Ruben continued. “And then I considered Skype or FaceTime.” He let out a half-laugh. “Imagine what we could have done if we had access to such technology in our world!” He scrunched his nose. “But that’s a bit too modern for my taste.” An evil light stole into his eyes. “But then, I decided to do something that all of us can appreciate. A tribute to our world. Compliments of Griselda.”

He muttered unintelligible words … words that sounded like gibberish to Wisteria, and then the stone began to rise.

Wisteria took in a hard breath. She was squeezing Alexander’s hand for all it was worth. “This is crazy!” she kept repeating over and over. “Crazy!”

The stone began to expand like a balloon, growing larger and translucent. And then, before their very eyes, a room appeared. A young girl came into focus. Her face was red and blotchy from crying, and there was an angry red welt over her cheek. She was tied to a chair, and a gag was stuffed into her mouth. There was a large guy standing beside her.

“I recognize her,” Wisteria said. “That’s Elle Worthington.”

Ruben smiled. “Yes, but I like to call her Cinderella.”

Alexander nearly came out of his seat. “Huntsden! You brought Huntsden here!”

“Who is Huntsden?” Wisteria asked.

“His son!” Alexander looked confused. “You brought us in here to watch Huntsden kill Cinderella? Why?”

“Oh brother, thou art daft. Let’s take a closer look.”

E
dward was
the first to arrive. He walked into The Chocolate Fountain and found his way into the kitchen. He took one look at Elle, tied to the chair, and dashed to her side. She tried to motion with her eyes, but it was too late, for Huntsden came up behind him and hit him in the head with the butt of the pistol. Edward went down, but came up fighting. He froze when he saw the pistol. Huntsden motioned at a nearby chair. “Sit down!”

“What’s this all about?” Edward demanded. “Huntsden, what are you doing?” Then they heard the chime signaling that the front door was opening.

Huntsden pointed the gun at Elle. “One word, and she dies.”

Edward nodded.

R
ush stepped
inside the front door. “Elle! Where are you? Elle! You wanted me to meet you here, and I came!” He rubbed a hand through his hair, a scowl on his face.

He went to the kitchen and stopped short when he saw Elle and Edward. Huntsden pointed the gun at his chest. Rush held up his hands. “Easy!” He looked at Elle. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, but fresh tears ran from her eyes.

A furious expression twisted over his face. “I’ll kill you for this! What do you want?”

Huntsden laughed. “What I’ve always wanted. The kingdom, of course.”

A furrow appeared between Rush’s brows. “What?” He looked at Edward. “What is he talking about?”

Edward spread his hands. “I haven’t the slightest. I got a text from Elle, telling me to come here so that we could patch things up. When I got here … I found him, and then he pounded me.” He gingerly rubbed his head.

Rush looked at Huntsden. “You sent the text.”

A cynical smile lit his face. “You really did make it so easy. The two of you in the hallway, fighting over the girl.” He made a clucking sound. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Enough talk! It’s time to get down to business.” He pointed the gun at Rush. “You know, I really hate you!” he sneered. “I’ve hated you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. I should’ve run you down when I had the chance.”

Rush’s jaw clenched. “You ran me off the road!”

“Yeah, amongst other things.”

“The marijuana in my bag?” Rush clenched his fists.

Huntsden nodded. “Yep. No one can accuse you of being a dummy.”

Rush pushed up his sleeves. “Put down that gun, and we’ll settle this like men.”

“Always touting honor.” He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think so. Here’s how this is going to go down.” In two swift strides, he went to Elle and grabbed a fistful of hair. Terror filled her eyes as he pointed the gun at her temple.

“Let her go!” Rush yelled, rage contorting his face. “I’ll tear you apart!”

“Huntsden, whatever this is about, we can work it out,” Edward said, keeping his voice even. “Tell us your demands, and we’ll do everything we can to meet them.”

Huntsden started laughing. “Always the rational one.” He gave Edward an appraising look. “You know, cousin, I like you. It’s too bad it has to end like this.” His voice hardened. “Too bad your dad stole the kingdom from mine.”

Rush made a face. “What are you talking about, man? You know, there are doctors that you can see.”

“Shut up!” Huntsden yelled. “Shut up!” He looked at Edward. “There’s a butcher knife on the counter.”

“Okay,” Edward said cautiously. “And …”

“Take the knife and kill him … or she dies.”

Edward’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“You’ve got about thirty seconds to make a decision.” He cocked the pistol and aimed it at Elle’s head. “Thirty … twenty-nine … twenty-eight … twenty-seven …”

Edward’s lower lip began to tremble. “I can’t kill him,” he said looking wild-eyed at Rush.

Huntsden kept counting.

“I won’t do it!” Edward cried, drowning out the counting. “Kill me instead!”

Huntsden shook his head. “Sorry, doesn’t work that way.”

Edward looked at Elle. “I can’t kill another person.” His voice broke. “I won’t!”

“Do it, man!” Rush yelled when the count got down to ten. Rush grabbed the knife and held it out to Edward. “Do it or she dies!”

Edward shrank back. Tears formed in his eyes. “No!”

“Three … two … one …”

“No!” Rush dived for Huntsden, knocking his arm up in the air. A shot was fired into the ceiling. They struggled but then Huntsden regained control and shoved Rush to the floor. He held the gun to his head.

“Fine! If Edward won’t kill you, then you kill him!”

Rush got to his feet. “You’re crazy, man.”

“Do it!” he yelled. He pointed the gun at Elle. “Do it now!”

Time seemed to slow as Rush looked at Elle. He grabbed the knife and thrust it at Edward’s gut. The knife plunged, but it wouldn’t go into his stomach. His stomach seemed to move back with the force of the blow, and there was the same barrier that had been between them earlier. Rush’s eyes went wide, and he dropped the knife. He looked at Edward. “What is happening?”

Edward looked down at his stomach. He seemed shocked that it was untouched. Then he looked at Rush. “I don’t know.”

“Just as I suspected,” Huntsden said. He turned to Elle. “Unfortunately, I don’t think a barrier will protect you.”

“
S
top this madness
!” Alexander demanded. He could only imagine what Wisteria must be thinking. She’d about lost it when she thought that Rush was going to be killed.

Ruben shook his head. “Only you can stop it, brother.” His voice became musing. “As you can see, Rush was unable to hurt Edward.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now why is that?”

“Because he’s the Crown Prince,” Alexander spat. “Merek must’ve put a protective spell over him.”

Ruben brought a finger to his chin. “It’s a pity that Edward wasn’t man enough to go after Rush. If he had done so, he wouldn’t have been able to hurt him either.” Ruben’s eyes cut into Alexander’s. “Want to guess why?”

Alexander shook his head. “Enough of your games! Name your price!”

“Must I spell it out for you?” He looked at Wisteria. “Why would Edward not be able to hurt Rush?”

It was then that Alexander looked at Wisteria. There was a new fire burning in her eyes, and it was directed at him. He reached for her hand, but she jerked it away. He might’ve been a snake that was trying to strike her. A part of Alexander died in that moment as it all came crashing down. “You remember,” he said flatly.

She nodded.

“Tell him why Edward could not hurt Rush!” Ruben demanded.

“Why?” The word came out strangled as Alexander clutched the arms of his chair.

“Because he’s your son!”

Alexander’s eyes bulged, and he made a choking sound that was drowned out by Ruben’s laughing.

Wisteria stood and glared at Ruben. “How dare you threaten my son?” She raised her hands and flung them at him, but nothing happened.

“Sorry, your magic doesn’t work here.”

Alexander caught hold of her arm. “Rush is my son?”

She gave him a withering look. “Yes, and you would’ve realized that yourself if you had an ounce of sense. Can’t you see that he’s just like you?”

Alexander jumped to his feet. There was a crazed look in his eyes. “You lied to me! You married another and then made me think it was his child!”

She got up in his face. “And you left me! You went off to war and abandoned me!”

“I was doing my duty as king! I told you I was coming back!”

“You had my husband killed!”

He rocked back.

“Both of you, sit down!” Ruben ordered. “This is my show!”

A deep weariness settled over Alexander. “What do you want?”

He held up his phone. “It’s simple, if Huntsden doesn’t hear from me before midnight, then he will kill your sons … and the girl. That barrier that protects the candidates of the throne doesn’t yet apply to him, but if you make him a candidate for the throne, giving him what is rightfully his, then he will be powerless to hurt them.”

“And the girl.”

He waved a hand. “Very well, make him a candidate, and she’ll live as well.”

Something snapped inside of Alexander, and he lunged at Ruben, sending them both sprawling backwards over the desk where they began trading blows.

“Enough!” Wisteria yelled. “Enough!” She pointed at the clock on the wall. “Alexander, we only have five minutes! Give him what he wants.”

He backed away from Ruben, breathing hard.

“Alexander! Do it!” Their eyes met. “Do it! You owe me that much.”

The fight went out of him instantly. “I’ll do it.”

Ruben clasped his hands together. “Splendid! I knew you’d see it my way.”

“Call off your son,” Wisteria demanded.

“Not so fast. I need assurance.”

“I give you my word,” Alexander muttered through clenched teeth.

Ruben smirked. “Forgive me, brother, but your word isn’t worth all that much these days.”

“Name your price.”

“I want it written in The Grimm Laws.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed.

“Do it!” Wisteria yelled. She was on the verge of becoming hysterical. “We only have two minutes!”

Alexander’s mouth twisted. “Fine!” He looked around and then up at the ceiling. “Merek! Are you getting this? We need your help …”

T
he parking lot
was empty by the time Rae and Jack got the instruments loaded into Rae’s mother’s van.

“Sure was nice for Rush and Elle to help,” Jack said dryly.

Rae made a face. “Tell me about it. I don’t know what’s with the two of them lately, but they’re really starting to get on my nerves.”

“Amen to that.”

“Let’s go, I’m starving.” Rae slung her purse over her shoulder. She brightened. “Well, there is one good thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Elle’s doing much better on the guitar. She killed it tonight, didn’t she?”

Jack scratched his head. “Well, I wouldn’t say she
killed it
, but she did all right.” He started searching though his pockets. “Have you seen my phone?”

“No. When did you have it last?”

“I don’t know!” He swore under his breath. “Well, this is just great!”

“Maybe you left it in the gym.”

“Yeah, maybe, let’s go back and look.”

After fifteen minutes of searching and coming up empty handed, Jack thought of something. “I remember looking at it to check the time, just before we left The Chocolate Fountain to come here.”

Rae put a hand on her hip. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure, it’s got to be there.”

Rae let out a long sigh. “Can’t it wait? I’m starving!”

He rolled his eyes. “No, it can’t wait! If it were your phone, you’d be high-tailing it back there on the double.”

“Fine!” Rae pouted. “Let’s go.”