Entanglements (38 page)

“When we reach the portal,” Gethin replied.

“Well, let’s go,” Billy said.

“What about my message?” I asked.

“Over here.” Gethin led me to a horse water trough.

“That trough?”

“Of course. Look into it.” Gethin walked away and left me with the trough.

I gazed down into the water and saw nothing. It occurred to me that you could lead a Kizzy to water but could you make her...

“Miss Taylor,” a voice spoke out of the horse trough. I saw the image of Sergeant Amy appear in the water.

“Where is General Thatcher?” I asked. “I wanted to speak to her.”

“Well,” Amy huffed. “You might understand that I’m not particularly in favor of that.”

“So she doesn’t know about you selling us to Prince Leopold.”

“What do you want?” Amy demanded.

“To give the Resistance some intel.” I glanced over my shoulder. Gethin was still with Rom and the others around Juliette’s cart. “We—”

“My, my. What have we here?” The prince’s voice boomed from the entrance to the mews.

Sneaking out of the stall I inched toward Rom.

Prince Leopold strolled towards us. “It looks suspiciously like my previously loyal subject, Gethin, is committing treason.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“I hope I’m wrong,” the prince said.

Just behind him, the majordomo hovered, writing furious notes as if keeping track of everything. More threatening were the dozen or so armed ghoul guards at the prince’s back.

“No treason, Highness.” Gethin scurried to his sovereign. “I caught your guests attempting to tamper with the suspension chamber.”

“Do not dare lie to me,” the prince roared and then fell silent for a few seconds as he visibly calmed himself. “Deception will result in your immediate execution,” he continued in a more subdued tone. “Even with an immortal such as you, there are ways of extinguishing a life force.”

The wizard began to visibly tremble.

“Admit your crime, Gethin, and you may still save yourself.”

The wizard seemed to consider this but still did not speak.

“Gethin.” The prince crossed to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you not my friend as well as my subject?” The prince asked gently. “You know how I count upon your services. Merely admit what you have done and all will be well.”

“I admit I was tempted, your Highness.” The wizard’s head fell and when he spoke it was a mere whisper. “The glorious opportunities in the new world were too much for me.” Gethin glared back at me. “She tempted me with her promises and allurements.”

Me allurementing someone? Didn’t sound at all like me.

“Good.” Prince Leopold slapped the wizard on the shoulder. “I am pleased.” The prince turned to his guard. “Take him.”

“Highness,” Gethin screamed as two of the ghouls seized him. “You said—”

“Oh, I promised all would be well and it will be,” the prince replied. “You will not be executed. Have no fear of that. My continued need of your services is too great at this time.”

The prince snapped his fingers and pointed to the middle of the aisle. Two of the ghouls pulled the struggling Gethin to the spot and laid him out.

“Besides,” the prince said. “I have a more appropriate punishment in mind.”

Four more ghouls stepped forward and roped Gethin’s arms and legs to each of four bottom stall rails so that he was splayed out as he fought against the bindings.

Prince Leopold held out a hand and the ghoul I recognized as Stephan handed him a sword.

Sidling closer to Rom, I put my hand into his. After I squeezed he squeezed back. Hiding my face in Rom shoulder blocked out the scene before me.

“Kizzy Taylor,” the prince bellowed. “I order you to watch what you have caused.”

Not wanting to be next on the literal chopping block, I turned my head and opened my eyes.

Prince Leopold raised the sword and slowly approached Gethin. The eyes of the ghoul soldiers gleamed with excitement as they looked on. Eugene continued to scribble at his notepad.

“Please, my prince,” Gethin screamed. “Forgive me.”

“I will,” the prince said, continuing towards him. “You will have my complete forgiveness after this.”

When the prince reached Gethin, he swung the sword upward. He struck down with force on the left leg severing it in one chop. The blade rose again and then fell in an arc. The swinging motion repeated and then repeated again as Prince Leopold hacked mercilessly at the wizard’s right leg until it finally came off.

Gethin’s wails pierced the air.

After tossing down the sword, the prince snapped his fingers and two ghouls stepped forward. At the inclination of the prince’s head they each untied and then picked up a leg. The legs continued to kick and move as if still attached to a living being. No blood or other substance came from the severed limbs or from Gethin. Indeed, a layer of skin had already formed over the stumps.

Two more ghoul soldiers untied the wizard, lifted him, and held him suspended by his arms between them. Gethin’s cries waned to snivels and hiccups.

“Do not worry my friend.” The prince slapped Gethin on the shoulder. “We will place your legs in a safe place. You will be able to earn their re-attachment with loyal service.”

“Thank you, Highness,” the wizard said, bowing his head.

If Prince Leopold treated his friends like this, what would happen to us?

At that moment the whole mews seemed to rock. Gradually, I realized the movement wasn't an earthquake. Instead, Juliette’s cube in the stall beside us shook, clattering against the wood of the cart. Its vibrations reverberated throughout the building at an accelerating rate.

Rom grabbed me and threw me to the ground, shielding my body with his, just as the cube exploded. The substance that had enveloped Juliette shattered and shards flew in every direction, sending a cold blast of air with the pieces.

Glancing around Rom’s arm, I couldn't see Juliette. What had happened to her in the explosion? In horror I wondered whether the shards covering Rom and me included little Juliette bits as well?

Rom slowly stood, shaking off the pieces covering him. He offered me his hand. Taking it, I rose on shaking legs and saw the prince and his guard also rising from the ground.

“Juliette,” Billy screamed and ran for the stall.

Relief almost brought me to my knees as I saw Juliette lying on the cart. At least she had not been blown apart.

When Billy reached the cart he hopped up and crawled to her side. He stroked her hair gently for a moment.

“Juliette?” he said tentatively.

After what seemed an eternity, she moved and sat up. Billy threw his arms around her and began to rain kisses on her face.

“Billy,” she breathed in a weak voice.

“Well,” said the prince. “It seems you have yet again failed me, Gethin.”

“Forgive me, Highness,” the wizard wailed. “The pain of my injuries made sustaining the spell impossible.”

“So you are saying this is my fault?” Prince Leopold bellowed. He gave a disgusted wave. “Take him away. Out of my sight.”

As the ghouls carried Gethin out, the prince turned to us. “So what am I to do with all of you?” Prince Leopold strolled to Rom and tapped him. “Perhaps I should do you a favor and take off this infected arm.”

“No,” I shouted pushing forward. “If you want to go through the portal, don’t hurt anyone else.”

* * * * *

“I know you’re furious with me, your Highness.” I closed the door of the library behind me, leaving Rom and the others in the hall. The prince marched to the fireplace.

“You incited my wizard to a treasonous act,” he drawled stalking to the fireplace. He paced before finally turning from the fire towards me. “I should kill you for what you’ve done, but it would be a waste of healthy food stock.”

Trying to ignore the spike of fear that penetrated my heart, I squared my shoulders.

“Why are you angry?” I asked in what I hoped was a calm voice. “You wouldn't respect me as a chess player if I didn’t try to take the queen when given the chance.”

At this, Prince Leopold's frown cleared and despite his efforts he smiled.

“Kizzy, you do disarm me.” He threw his head back and gave a loud hearty laugh. “You are absolutely right. You had to try to take Miss Juliette.” He swept over to the chessboard and sat down in front of it. “But now, since I took your bishop, personified in poor Gethin, what move will you make?”

“I’ll let you drink my blood.” I met his eyes with perfect frankness. “That’s my move.”

The prince licked his lips and almost immediately his hand came up to hide the gesture as if he were ashamed of his involuntary response to my words.

“Intriguing my dear,” he said. “Do go on.”

“If it's my blood that opens the portal as you say then, with my blood inside you, you'll be a key also.”

The prince’s eyes narrowed and he leaped from the chair. He paced about the room for a few moments before speaking. “Why would you do this?” He asked finally.

“In exchange for your agreement that you'll let us all go back to our world...and a few other minor terms.”

“Why do you think I would allow that even if I made such an agreement?”

“Because I believe His Royal Highness, the Prince Leopold, is a monarch with integrity. I'll trust your word,” I replied.

My words seemed to affect him profoundly. He liked my trust more than he wanted me to know.

“But why would I need to make such an agreement?” the prince asked. “Perhaps I should take your blood by force.”

“You could, but remember the prophecy? 'A key that is stolen shall never open the lock.' If you steal my blood, it won’t open the portal.”

There was a knock on the door, followed by Eugene’s entry.

“What is it?” The prince demanded.

“Miss Taylor’s friend, Mr. Calixo, is creating a disturbance.”

“Why do you bother me with this?”

“He wishes to come in here.” Eugene cast a meekly downturned gaze at his notebook.

“All right. Send him in.”

Now it was my turn to scowl. Rom wouldn’t be happy with my proposal.

Before the prince’s words had stopped reverberating, Rom barged through the half-opened door and came to my side.

“What do you do?” he asked me.

“Kizzy has made me a most intriguing offer,” the prince answered for me. “She suggests donating her own blood to me.”

“I understand not.” Rom's gaze darted from me to Prince Leopold. Gradually realization dawned. “You will allow him to bite you?”

“Ummm.”

“Ummm means yes?” Rom asked.

“Yes,” said the prince with a sly smile.