One Insatiable(66)

He scoops up the red coat Hayden discarded and hands it to me, graciously averting his eyes from my body. I take it and quickly push my arms in the sleeves, tying the belt and moving behind my strange defender.

Hayden’s eyes flash with the fury I saw earlier. He wads the papers in his fist and throws them across the room at the same time his other hand sweeps up from his side as if throwing a ball underhanded at us.

Just as fast, Slayde whips out what looks like a silver badge. It’s in the palm of his hand, and as the purple pulse of energy nearly hits us, it explodes in a circular rainbow of light above our heads. I shriek at the same time Slayde lets out a low grunt. I’m behind him, holding his waist, and I feel the flex in all his muscles as he pushes back against Hayden’s power.

We’re walking backwards. Slayde is pushing me with every step toward the door. Hayden is furious as he reaches over his shoulder in a motion like he’s pulling a bow from a sheath. It’s another pulse of energy, this time red, and he slams it toward us with all the strength of a fast pitch.

Both of Slayde’s hands go up in front of us, and I see the light reflect off two small shields he’s holding. I duck my head behind his back as his entire body goes rigid. The noise is like a bomb drop, and I feel the heat of the conflicting energy burning in the air around us. It’s the first time I’ve felt heat since I’ve entered this castle.

At last we’re at the door. Slayde pushes me through it and grabs the handle, slamming it behind us before breaking into a run. My hand is firm in his grip, and he’s headed for the stairs.

“Where are we going?” I gasp, as we round the corner and head down the enormous staircase.

“STOP!” Hayden orders from his room.

Slayde pushes me against the bannister so hard it bangs my shoulder. I cry out in pain, just as the wood above our heads explodes with the force of Hayden’s blast.

We’re up again, and he’s dragging me through the downstairs room, past the chairs to a long narrow hallway leading to the exit. My shoulder is throbbing, but I’m running so fast, I don’t even care.

“This way!” We’re out of the castle, running through the gloom. Our footfalls are a shushing sound through the little white flowers, and Slayde leads me straight into the forest.

“Where are we going?” I manage through panting breaths. I’m barefoot wearing only Hayden’s coat, doing my best to keep it closed around me.

“The rift between the worlds is at the end of this forest.” Slayde stops and lets me catch my breath. He slips the two shields back in his pockets.

“What are those things?”

“Negative energy repellants.” He wipes his hand across his forehead as his breath returns to normal. “They emit a small wave of magnetic energy, but when Hayden’s negative pulse hits them, they consume and deflect it in an arc.”

I don’t understand a word of what he just said, but I nod anyway.

“You ready to run? We’ve got to get out of here now.”

I’m just about to say yes when I hear a sound I know too well. The terrifying howl of a dog, followed by the snarling and snapping of teeth.

“Cerberus!” I scream. “RUN!”

The words are just out of my mouth when Slayde’s ice blue eyes widen. I don’t have to look behind me to know what’s coming. I’m ahead of him, running before he has the chance to grab my hand. Soon, we’re side-by-side, ducking under limbs and leaping over fallen logs. He jerks my hand, and we veer to the left. I see a stream of water up ahead, but the monstrous dog is getting closer.

His roars and terrifying barks are just at our heels. I push my thighs until they burn with pain, but I don’t see anywhere for us to go. I don’t see a cave or a hill or a door. Nothing is ahead of us, and my heart almost gives out.

One of Cerberus’s horrible heads snaps at my elbow, and I scream in pain. He bit me, and the wound burns like fire. He’s too close, and I brace for him to take off my arm when the world around us flips.

We hit the ground with such force, the breath is knocked from my lungs. I’m gasping and holding my chest, rolling onto my side as blood pours from my bleeding elbow. Still, through all the pain, I look up and see the sun is shining. Grey has been replaced with golden light.

We’re lying in a forest of brilliant reds, yellows and greens. The horrible dog is gone, and Slayde is beside me on the ground panting heavily.

“We made it!” My throat tightens and I start to cry. “Oh my god, we’re out! We made it out!”

Sobs rip through my chest, and I’m barely able to breathe. Still I can weep for joy and relief. I’m back in my world.





Judgment





Koa


When I wake, I’m startled to find the small room where they left me is smashed. The furniture is overturned, and the fabric is ripped from the bed.

Thinking back, I remember hearing her voice. She was crying and screaming. She was shouting my name and screaming she loved me. I fought my way to try and find her. At first it was like I was in the forest again, but the branches turned into arms, holding me back. It was the guards. Their arms were like tree limbs because they were skeletal. Nothing is alive in this place besides Mercy, Hayden, and me.

Looking around, I think hard. Mercy, I’m here! I’m in the castle! You have to find me. Mercy! Our bond is still intact, and I’m sure at this close range, she has to be able to hear me. Still I get nothing. Silence is all that meets my ears.