Orenda (5 page)

The car pulled to an abrupt halt. The seatbelt restrained Lil from going through the windshield. Rawlie saw a dark figure two feet from the vehicle. He turned the key, but the car didn’t start. “She's not real,” he said. “Everyone out. Help me put the roof up, now!” He jumped out of the convertible and Jamie followed suit. Lil climbed out, fascinated by the figure within arm's reach. Black smoke billowed up and around the dark-haired woman. She appeared almost translucent. Her hair was short and black, framed around her sharp jaw. A terrifying smile shaped her blood-red lips.

Rawlie and Jamie struggled to secure the roof to the car. Lil didn't budge from outside the vehicle; she stared at the strange demon in front of the car. Lil's body refused to move and the smoke rippled closer to her, winding around her petite frame. She opened her lips, tried to speak out a single word of 'help,' but the sound never escaped. Her eyes widened, and the smoke formed a view of a scene she couldn't fathom—Bray lying on a cobblestone floor, his body inches from her own.

“Rawlie!” Jamie screamed. The smoke surrounded Lil.

The roof was secure and tight in place. “Get her in the car!” Rawlie edged around the back of the vehicle, farther from Eilith, one hand keeping the smoke from finding its way to the three of them. Jamie and Rawlie pushed Lil into the car. Jamie climbed in and slammed the door.

Rawlie moved around the front of the vehicle just past Eilith. “You won't touch me.” He passed alongside of her. It wasn't a question. Eilith didn't respond as the smoke dissipated along with her appearance. He climbed into the driver's seat and glanced at Lil. Slowly, she came to, a dazed look on her face.

She tried to remember what she'd seen. Rawlie tried the key and this time the car started without hesitation. He took off, leaving dust in the rearview mirror.

“Bray.” Her voice caught in her throat, and her fingers trembled. Lil reached out, painfully gripping Rawlie's arm. “Bray's here. You have to take me back to him.” Desperation dripped from her voice. Her heart ached at the thought of anything happening to her best friend.

“Bray?” Rawlie repeated, glancing at Lil, confused.

Covered in a sheen of sweat, she said, “My best friend. He's here with Willow. I saw him.” Her grip on Rawlie's arm lightened before finding its way back into her lap.

“Are you sure?”

“Whoever, whatever that woman is, she has Bray.” Lil glanced out the window. “Bray needs my help, and I won't leave him.” Lil didn't quite understand how Bray had managed to find his way into this world or what Eilith would want from him.

Jamie leaned forward, coming to rest a hand on Lil's shoulder. “Are we going to the sanctuary?” he asked.

“Of course we are,” Rawlie said. “We're halfway there already.”

“What?” Lil shifted in her seat, glaring at him as he ignored her and focused on the road. He looked on high alert. Not a surprise after what had already transpired.

Rawlie laughed. “I knew you'd agree.”

“I didn’t agree to go to the sanctuary. I agreed to help find Bray and
your
Willow.” Lil rolled her eyes, annoyed. Her allegiance was to her best friend, not some stranger.

Jamie coughed, cutting the tension in the front seat. “I don't care why you're staying. I'm just glad you are.” He wanted his sister back.

Lil glanced at Rawlie. “What exactly is the sanctuary?”

“We need to get you and Jamie prepared for when we storm Eilith’s castle. Trust me, we'll all end up dead if you’re not able to wield a sword.” Rawlie continued driving, turning off the main path onto a stone road. “We need the eternal suit. Without it, we have no chance of you surviving Eilith.”

In the distance, just along the horizon, there was a three-story mansion nestled safely inside an iron gate. Rawlie slowed the car as they approached the entrance. He rolled down his window and held up his palm. Lil watched with curiosity as a series of jigsaw locks slid in and out of place before the final safety mechanism moved from its fortified position. The gates parted in the center, and Rawlie closed the window and put the car back into drive.

“How'd you do that?” Lil asked. The lawn was well manicured, and from the distance she could see a mansion. A hint of forest peeked out behind the building. Lil glanced behind her as they continued the drive along the path. The gates closed and locked them inside the lot.

“They should be expecting us.” Rawlie pulled the car to the front and shut it off. He clapped his hands together and turned around to glance at Jamie and Lil simultaneously. “Everyone out.”

The heavy wooden door swung open to the mansion, and Lil let out an anxious breath. She unlocked the car door and stepped outside onto the gravel. Her eyes surveyed the cream-yellow building. It looked exquisite. “What is an eternal suit? How is it going to help us find Bray?”

“And Willow,” Jamie said, not wanting anyone to forget his sister. He climbed out of the car and grabbed his bag, shutting it behind him.

Rawlie walked toward the open door. “Do you trust me?”

She ignored his question. Lil didn't entirely trust him, but she knew Bray was in danger, and Rawlie and her were both invested in finding their friends. Lil glanced around, wondering who had opened the door, or if it had opened itself upon Rawlie's presence. “How did we get in this place?” Lil asked, glancing at Rawlie's hand with a sudden curiosity.

“Magical blood,” Jamie said from behind Lil, as they followed Rawlie up the front porch steps.

“He's kidding, sort of.” Rawlie smiled. “Family blood is the only way inside the mansion. My aunt built the sanctuary.” He showed Lil his hand. The slightest scar marked his left hand. “There's a tiny glass disc inside. If you mix it with my blood, it allows access to the building and the grounds.”

“And if someone removes your hand or the disc?” Lil asked with curious eyes.

“Once it's exposed to air, it's no longer of use, and without my will or consent it won't work. Come along.” He led Lil and Jamie farther into the house. The door swung shut behind them and the lights flickered on in the hall. “Home, sweet home.”

“This is where you're from?” Lil doubted that was the case, considering the accent.

“Hardly. I came to visit my aunt when I was ten. I suppose this is a second home, since mine down under is gone.” Rawlie snapped his fingers, and a corridor to the left lit up.

“How did he do that?” Lil asked, watching as modern torches with electricity lit the pathway.

Jamie laughed. “I bet it's with that disc in his palm.”

Rawlie glanced back at Lil and Jamie. “It's an intricate piece of technology fused with my blood, so I have control of the sanctuary when the others aren't home. It also provides complete protection. Only those who are honorable have access to certain parts of the building. It also keeps intruders out.”

Lil grinned, trying to make sense of what he was telling her. “You have a remote control in your hand.”

Rawlie grumbled beneath his breath and gestured for them to follow him. “This way, come on.”

Lil trailed behind Rawlie as they passed down a corridor. The brick walls had been painted with giant symbols she didn't recognize, let alone comprehend. “What are those?”

“Safeguards in place. Nothing you should worry about, considering . . . ” He didn't finish his words as they reached the end of the hallway and approached a set of heavy double doors. With a groan, Rawlie pushed the doors aside. “Hurry.” He closed the doors behind them.

“Where are you taking us?” Jamie asked. “And what do you mean safeguards? Is it protection from Eilith?”

Lil was surprised Jamie had been kept in the dark. At least she wasn't the only one confused. Lil continued to follow behind Rawlie as he led them to a back staircase and escorted them up to the third floor to two spare bedrooms. “Hold tight and don't go anywhere. I need a few minutes, and then we'll get started.” With that, he shut them in their rooms and disappeared down the hall.

Walking farther into the bedroom, Lil glanced at the furniture and at the bed. She had no intention of staying here. She had come to find her best friend and to figure out what was going on. This was a waste of time. On the dresser sat a globe. She spun the sphere and slowed it, staring at the land masses. The world looked identical to hers, at least geographically. However, there was no Missouri or even a United States. All of North and South America was labeled Orenda. Lil used her index finger, gently turning the globe in a circle, examining what would be Europe in
her
world. Her eyes narrowed reading the inscription ‘Unseelie Court’ for much of the large mass of land. Studying the globe was making her homesick.

Lil walked to the window, risking a glimpse out the pane. She doubted she could withstand a third flight without collecting an injury. The view was extraordinary. From inside, she could see the resplendent backyard of the mansion. There was a beautiful garden down below with pink magnolias in bloom. A sad smile perched at the corners of her lips. It was enough to help her relax, though she could never forget why she was here.

Eilith’s Castle

Chapter 3

Bray's eyes fluttered open and slowly focused as he struggled to sit. He had a massive headache and an even worse stomachache. Cobblestones covered the walls and floor. A faint stream of light jutted in through the small barred window covered in cobwebs. Bray stood, and the world swayed around him. He bent over, preparing to vomit before his stomach settled. Feeling a little steadier, Bray approached the door. He wasn't sure what he was expecting to find. Whoever had captured them had sealed the door tight, allowing no one access except those with a key.

“Just great!” He pushed at the door, ignoring the fact there was no way out.

“You're going to tire yourself out,” said a disgusted voice from the corner of the chamber. Braylon was certain he recognized the voice. He stepped closer, stumbling over human bones. His eyes dilated and his heart rate soared.

“We have to get out of here,” Bray gasped and tried to calm himself. He saw her eyes shining in the darkness, enough to both quell his fears and confuse him. Lil looked different. She always had faint blue eyes, but now they were a beautiful sea blue. Why had they changed? Maybe it was the odd pink light cast in through the tiny window. Although, Lil’s hair was different too. The color was the same, but the part was on the opposite side of her head. “Where are we?” He was grateful no one had chained them to the manacles attached to the wall.

Lil stood and stretched. “Eilith's castle. She's kidnapped us both. Though I don't know who you are or what she'd want with you,” she said, glancing over at Bray. “How is it you know my name? Although I prefer to be called Willow.”

What had they done to his best friend? Lil hadn’t been gone that long to be brainwashed already, right? “You're joking.” He stared at her, seeing the quizzical look on her face. “How do I
not
know you? We went to school together, grew up across the street from one another. We've known each other since we were three.” He laughed. “Come on, I spent the night at your house this past weekend.” Bray approached Willow and reached a hand out to see if there were any scars or marks that might explain the confusion. “Don't tell me you forgot me. Did you hit your head?” It was the only explanation that would make sense.

Willow scoffed at the idea, grabbed his arm, and pushed him down onto his knees, her hand tight behind his back. “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. Don’t touch me, creep.”

“Got it.” Bray winced, relieved when she let go of him. He rubbed his sore arm where she'd death-gripped him. “Who's Eilith?”

She stepped toward the stone door and bent down to examine the keyhole. “Of course, it's made of dead pixies!”

Bray watched, but refused to approach her after what she'd done to him. “Dead pixies? As in fairies?” he asked, walking to the side window. He glanced outside to see the pink sun gradually setting.

“When silver touches pixies, they die. Their remains, in the form of dust, become a weapon that shields us from using our power. To answer your question earlier, no, pixies are not the same as fairies. It would do you well to learn that, should you ever come across one.”

“This isn’t funny, Lil.”

“I don't joke, and it’s
Willow
,” she said, correcting him. There was no hint of humor in her voice. “Pixies and fairies do not get along. Come over here,” she commanded him.

“No way.” Bray hesitated. “I'm not falling for that again.”

“Just do it.” Her voice held an urgency to it. “I saw you earlier at the door.” She gestured toward the lock. “You were able to touch it. You're not from here, which perhaps means your blood is immune to dead pixies.”

“The name's Bray, by the way,” he said as he hesitated before he approached the door. “What do you want me to do?”

“Bray.” She paused, giving him a putrid look. “Put your palm to the keyhole and I can handle the rest,” Willow said.

Bray did as instructed and pressed his palm to the lock. He masked his fear behind his eyes.

“Good, you're immune. Now, let's try this.” She moved to rest her hand on his.

“Is it working?”

Heavy footsteps erupted from just outside the chamber.

“Quick!” Willow pulled Bray away from the door. “Get back.” The door swung open and Bray stumbled backwards.

Bray glanced from Willow to the strange dark-haired woman looming over them in a black lace dress. Her fingernails were dark as night with a strange translucent appearance. Her lips were a deep fiery red, and her eyes held no hint of color or light. Her skin was incredibly pale. Had she ever been outside?

“What's going on?” Bray asked once he’d steadied his heartbeat.

“Silence!” the woman said. She held up her hand, making it impossible for Braylon to speak again. He struggled to breathe. She not only sucked out his voice, but also the air from his lungs. After a moment, she lowered her hand and Bray fell to the stone floor, gasping. He didn't bother to get up again. “Come now. If you wish to live, you'll do as I tell you. Understand?” his tormentor said.