“Move and you all die.” His voice was deep and wicked.
The ground quaked as Slag, a black Dragon, landed behind them. A tall man, dressed in black, slid off his back.
“What are you waiting for?” He motioned to the guards. “Take them.”
“Don’t touch her!” Henry yelled, standing in front of Anna.
As Malzador’s eyes caught Anna’s, he held up his hand, making the approaching Goblin’s pause.
A wicked grin grew on his lips as he made his way toward her. “You’re Talia’s daughter.” It was more of a statement than a question. “This is too perfect.”
“And you must be the man who murdered my father,” she snapped. She wanted to call her power and throw it at his smug face, but she knew it wouldn’t end well. Not with Henry and Zohar’s lives on the line. She held her power inside, boiling in her gut. Held it tight, hoping it wouldn’t explode inside of her.
Malzador snarled, his dark eyes glaring at her. “You know nothing about me.”
“I know enough.”
Henry shot a glance at her, pleading with silent words for her to stop.
But Anna wasn’t afraid of Malzador. In her mind, with all the stories she’d heard, she pictured this monstrous, god-like man. But now, as he stood in front of her, he appeared as nothing more than an average man. The most frightening thing about him was how wickedly dark his eyes were. That, and with a wave of his hand, she could likely drop dead.
“Isn’t there another brat like you running around Misteria?” he asked, waving his hand in the air. He stepped closer, right in front of Henry, his eyes narrowing on him. “I know for a fact, this boy is not him.” He looked at Henry with disgust.
Henry was about to say something, but Anna squeezed his arm.
The guards looked confused, glancing back and forth at each other.
“She has a twin brother, you imbeciles. Find him!” Malzador roared. “In the meantime, take these two to the dungeon with the others. And move the Unicorn to the ceremonial grounds and tie him up. Make sure he doesn’t get away.”
The Goblin guards bowed. “Yes, master.”
Malzador made his way to the dark warrior and whispered in his ear. The dark warrior tipped his head, then strode over and grabbed Anna, tossing her over his shoulder.
“Let me go!” she screamed, kicking and pounding his back. But he didn’t budge. He was taking her to the dungeon. The only plus was she might see her mother.
A Goblin bent and took hold of Henry’s legs, tugging them out from under him. Henry fell back and hit his head on the stone ground before the Goblin dragged him toward the dungeons.
A dozen Goblins surrounded and threw ropes around Zohar. As strong as the Unicorn was, there were too many of them.
“I’m sorry, Anna,” Zohar apologized.
“It’s not your fault.” Tears ran down Anna’s face as the dark warrior carried her further away. “Will, where are you? Can you hear me?” she desperately pleaded. But he didn’t answer.
She’d failed. She was captured, now being taken down to the dungeon. There was no way she could help save Misteria.
“Put me down,” she demanded, pounding her fists on the dark warrior’s back. He was strong and built like a rock, and kept moving, not saying a word.
The castle held a different stench Anna couldn’t explain. It was cold and dark, and the walls were webbed and veined with a black, moldy substance. It looked sickly, similar to what Will’s leg had looked like after the Hellhound bite.
The floors were covered with dirt and grime, and as much as Anna tried to imagine what it looked like in all its glory, it was hard to visualize under the veil of evil.
Anna wanted to set her power free. She could feel it roiling inside, flickering deep in her belly. But they were severely outnumbered and outmatched. She had to be smart and careful. And she needed Will’s help.
Henry tried to keep his head from bouncing on the floor, his eyes on Anna, making sure she was okay.
When they finally reached the end of the corridor, the Goblin yanked Henry to his feet. Then, the dark warrior and a few Goblins lit torches before they descended a steep, stone stairwell which led deep into the dungeon. The air was thick and musty, almost suffocating, and barred cells filled the walls on either side of them. Anna gasped as the torches illuminated the insides of the cells, revealing skeletons of prior prisoners left to die and rot.
At the end of the hallway, four Goblins were posted in front of four different cells. The dark warrior stopped as he reached the first Goblin. The creature slid a key into one of the cell doors, then swung it open and stepped aside, letting the dark warrior in.
To Anna’s surprise, the dark warrior set her down gently instead of dropping or throwing her. They stood silently, face to face, the dark warrior’s obsidian eyes glaring at her through his menacing mask. “Don’t do anything stupid, or you’ll be left here to rot,” he growled. Then with a quick movement, he pivoted and walked out. “Throw the boy in with her,” he ordered. “He’s no threat.”
The Goblins shoved Henry inside the cell, then slammed and locked the door.
Henry slid across the floor on his hands and knees, and when Anna rushed over to help him, he quickly stood and dusted himself off.
“I’ve got it. I'm all right,” he exhaled.
“I was just trying to help.”
“I know you were.” He kicked a small stone against the wall. “I’m sorry. I’ve just had a rough day. We’re in a cell and . . . and I’ve got Troll snot all over me.”
“Yeah. Well, you aren’t the only one.” Anna rubbed her hands against her bare, sticky arms for warmth. The air in the cell was cold and damp and reeked of death and waste. Anna sighed, sliding her back down the cold stone wall as the dark warrior and his Goblins left. There was one torch outside the cell, which barely offered any light.
Anna looked across to the other cells, separated by bars, but the darkness concealed anything inside.
“Do you think our parents are here?” Henry murmured.
Anna shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Shuffling noises and clanking of chains came from the cage next to them. Someone was there. Anna’s stomach twisted, wondering if it could be her mother, so she stood to her feet and stepped closer.
“Hello?” she whispered, her heart beating a million miles per minute.
A hand shot from between the bars, making her scream. Henry was suddenly at her side, pulling her away.
“Help,” a hoarse, voice moaned. “Water. I need water.”
“Sorry,” Henry replied. “We don’t have any water. We’re prisoners like you.”
“Quiet!” The Goblin outside their cell barked. “If I hear another word, both of you will get the whip.” He held up a long leather strap near the torch, so they could see the ends covered in sharp objects. He laughed and snapped the whip against the cell bars. It sounded painful.
The other Goblins cheered and cackled.
Henry gently tugged Anna away from the bars and led her to the back wall, where they both sat side by side. Although she’d never say it, Anna was glad for the bit of warmth his body offered.
Now in the quiet cell, the events of the past few days had caught up with her. She stifled a sob and hid the tears that trickled down her cheek. Hearing the old man beg for water had pushed her over the limit.
How long was he in the cell? When was the last time he’d been given water?
Anna was powerless to help him and it made her heart ache. She felt helpless and desperate. She needed to hear Will’s voice, to make sure he was safe and alive. She called out to him, over and over, praying her words would carry beyond the dungeon and reach him. But he never responded.
“There is dark magic around this castle,” a deep and unfamiliar male voice answered. “Voices cannot carry outside these warded walls.”
Anna looked around, but Henry didn’t move. He didn’t hear the voice. It had to have been inside her head.
&
nbsp; “Who are you?” Anna questioned. “Where are you?”
“I’m the prisoner in the cell next to you.”
Anna glanced back to the bars and scooted closer to Henry.
“Are you okay?” Henry asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, I thought I heard something.”
“I hope there are no rats down here. God, I hate rats,” he moaned, scanning the cell.
“Who are you?” the voice asked. “Why would they put you in such a horrid place as this?”
“We came here to look for my mother but were captured. I need to find her. They said she was brought here.”
“I’ve not seen nor heard any women in these cells.”
The man moved, his chains clanked loudly against the bars making Anna jump.
“Who were you trying to contact earlier?”
“My brother.” Anna’s thoughts immediately went to Will, wondering how, and where he was. “He’s somewhere in the forest outside the castle. We lost him.”
“Come closer child. I’d like to look upon your face.”
Anna slowly rose to her feet and walked to the bars next to her.
“Hey. What are you doing?” Henry whispered.
Anna lifted a finger to her lips. “It’s okay.”
As she neared the adjoining cell, the face of an old, emaciated man pressed against the bars. He was obviously starving, his mouth dry and cracked, and his eyes were sunken in. He had long white hair, a white beard, and appeared to be in his late eighties. His skin was wrinkly and weathered, and his wrists and ankles cuffed with wide shackles and heavy chains.
A glint of firelight sparkled in the old man’s eyes. Anna gasped and stepped back. His eyes. Those familiar eyes, were the same color as her mother’s . . . and hers.
“Do you know my mother?” Anna asked, her body trembling.
The old man gripped the bars so tight his knuckles turned white. His lips whispered one word. “Talia.”
Anna nodded, and the air in the room suddenly felt as if had been siphoned. She took a single step closer, taking in his entire face. “Are you Eason?”
The man’s face beamed as she spoke his name, tears welled in those deep emerald eyes. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day, dear granddaughter. You are just as beautiful as your mother.”
His hand reached through the bars for her face, but she was too far away, so Anna stepped closer and grasped his hand. A sudden jolt of electricity surged through her body, making her pull back and fall on her rear.
“Are you okay?” Henry came to her side, glaring at the old man.
She looked at him and nodded. “I'm fine.”
One of the Goblins growled in frustration. “When’s our shift up? I’m starving.” He picked up a plate and threw it against the floor, shattering it.
“Yeah, where’s our relief? They should’ve been here hours ago,” another grumbled.
“There probably won’t be any. They’ve gone to battle,” another replied.
“Battle? Who cares about the stupid battle? I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I say we get some food. These prisoners aren’t going anywhere,” another suggested.
“What about the master?”
“He’s occupied with war. He doesn’t care about us.”
“I say we get some food and come back. No one will even know.”
They all seemed to finally agree and as they began to leave, the guard outside Anna and Henry’s cell pressed his long pointed nose through the bars. “If any of you try to escape, I don’t care what the master says, I’ll kill you myself. And I’ll make it extra painful.”
The others heckled in agreement as they left the corridor. After a few moments, they were gone and the dungeon fell silent.
“Anna,” Eason spoke, and her eyes found his.
“How does he know your name?” Henry asked.
“Henry,” she said, “I’d like you to meet my grandfather. Eason.”
Henry’s face paled as he looked upon the face of the old man. “Oh my God. Are you kidding me? This is the magical baby who rode on Pegasus and led an army to save all magical beings before creating Misteria?” He gasped, sucking in air.
Anna nodded.
“Sir,” Henry said bowing. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Eason said with a smile.
“Don’t mind him. He’s a bit awestruck and a huge fanboy.” She patted Henry on the back.
Henry blushed then exhaled. “Is there any way for us to get out of here? You have magic, right?”
Eason shook his head. “I’m much too weak to break free. The chains and manacles are spelled.”
Anna knelt in front of him and stared into his emerald green eyes. “How can we help?”
“I felt your power when we touched. It’s strong.” A look of pride glimmered in his eyes. “If you are willing, you can transfer some of that power to me so I can set us free.”
“Wait,” Henry said, stepping in between them. “Will this transferring of power hurt her?”
“No, it won’t. I would never do anything that would hurt her,” Eason answered. He then looked back at Anna. “But it will temporarily make you weak.”
Anna stepped forward. “I’ll do it. I can handle being weak. I just want to get out of here.”
Henry grabbed her hand. “Wait. Are you sure about this?”
Anna smiled, knowing he was trying to protect her. “I’ve never been surer.”
“All right.” Satisfied with her answer, he released her hand.
“Henry, will you do something for me?” Eason asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“I need you to make sure that Anna and I have contact no longer than twenty seconds.”
“Twenty seconds. Got it,” he replied, stepping closer to Anna’s side.
A smile rose on Eason’s thin, cracked lips as he looked at his granddaughter. “Are you ready?”
When Anna nodded, Eason reached his hand through the bars. She sucked in a breath and grasped his ice cold hands. Power surged between them. Anna felt lightheaded and tingly as her power drained from her. She closed her eyes, allowing the transference to do its work, hoping it would be enough for her grandfather to set them free.
“It’s been twenty seconds!” Henry shouted.
His voice was muffled, and when Anna tried to open her eyes, they were too heavy. Their hands were still connected, the power still draining, leaving her numb and weak. So very, very weak. She felt as light as a feather, floating off into the endless sky.
“Stop!”
Anna’s arm was yanked back, freeing her hand from Eason’s grasp. Her weakened legs gave way, but Henry was there, and caught her, laying her down gently.
“You could have killed her,” Henry snapped.
“She was in no danger,” Eason answered, opening and closing his hand. His voice was much younger and sturdier. “Thank you, Henry.”
Henry dropped to her side and held her hand. “I—I can’t let her get hurt.”
“I know. I see you care a lot for her.”
“She and Will are my best friends, and I promised him I’d keep her safe.”
Eason smiled at him. “You’ve kept your promise.”
Anna’s eyes finally flitted open and when she looked at her grandfather, confusion riddled her face. His entire appearance had changed right before her eyes. His white beard and hair turned to an auburn brown, and his withered face and limbs almost instantly filled out. He no longer looked eighty . . . he looked young. Maybe in his forties.
Smiling, Eason spoke a single word and the chains from around his wrists and ankles fell away, clanking on the stone floor. He stood to his feet and stretched his limbs. “Gods, this feels amazing.” He was over six-foot tall and very handsome, exactly as Anna had pictured. “Thank you, Anna,” he said with a wide smile.
Anna sat up, a little dizzy and very weak. “You’re welcome.”
Henry stood in front of the bars, facing Eason. “So, can
you get us out of here?”
Eason grinned, and with a flick of his hand, the door to his cell flew right off the hinges and crashed into the cell on the opposite wall.
“Whoa,” Henry exhaled loudly. The Sorcerer—a founding father of Misteria—walked out of his cell and touched Anna and Henry’s, and it clicked right open.
Henry lifted Anna to her feet and assisted her out. They watched Eason open three other cell doors and release the chains from the prisoners inside. As they dragged their old, withered bodies into the hallway, Eason took them by the hand, sharing a bit of his power. Right before Anna and Henry’s eyes, each of the old men became younger.
“What about Anna?” Henry asked. “How long is she going to be weak?”
Eason came back to Henry and Anna, with three men standing behind him. “Not for long,” he said, touching Anna’s hand.
Anna felt a surge of electricity buzz through her, instantly taking away her dizziness.
Eason stepped to the side and addressed the men behind him. “Gentlemen, this is a special day. I’d like you to meet my granddaughter, Anna.”
They all smiled widely and bowed their heads. Anna couldn’t begin to describe the emotions running through her. She knew then, that these men were Sorcerers—the fathers and creators of Misteria. And they all appeared just as regal as she imagined.
“It’s an honor to meet all of you,” she said, bowing her head. Henry followed suit.
One of the men stepped forward. He was as tall as her grandfather but had blond hair and violet eyes.
“My name is Weston,” he said, bowing his head. He then waved a hand to the other two on either side of him. “These two are Kingsley and Belnus.”
Kingsley was the tallest. His skin was dark brown, his hair and eyes were the color of Raven’s wings. Belnus, on the other hand, was the shortest and appeared to be the oldest. His hair and beard were still white, and his eyes were a light blue.
“My, my. You are the spitting image of your mother,” Belnus said, offering his hand. As Anna touched him, warmth filled her body and she felt a little stronger.
Then, Kingsley stepped forward and offered his hand. The same sensation coursed through her. Next was Weston, and after she’d touched his hand, she felt even stronger than when she first came in.