Dark's Descent (17 page)

Love Is Weakness

      Soon, everyone in both realms heard of the portal and went to see. This resulted in moving the royal castle in Everlanon because of all of the random Earth citizens entering the portal. They had ended up with tourists from all over flashing bright lights at the guards and knights.

      While the commotion was happening, Evangeline searched through every spell book she owned, every potion she made, and everything else she owned for a love spell. More precisely, she was searching for a kiss spell. She had never understood anything having to do with love because love is weakness! Eva knew that if she didn't find one soon enough, the portal would close, and all of her work would've been for nothing!

      Six months had passed since the opening of the portal, and Cassie's hair was almost completely blonde again, thanks to her good behavior. Her and Charlie hadn't moved forward with their relationship because Cassie was scared of getting hurt again. Last time, she almost went bad, and Cassie didn't want that. They only had to wait it out another six months, and the portal would snap shut, and Cassie would be home free! No more bad influence for her!

      Will sat on his King-sized bed wishing he hadn't screwed up. He wished he could change what he did, but he knew it wasn't possible.

      Stella was Cassie's new best friend, other than Charlie of course. Ever since the visit, they had been more open and accepting of each other, which quickly led to a beautiful friendship. They had planned a movie night to celebrate the re-blonde-ing of Cassie's hair.

      Eventually, it was time for Evangeline to check the chest. The chest was a plain chest that Eva never opened before, so she had no idea what it contained. Eva stepped to the chest and undid the latches. She opened up the box, and there it was, a small envelope with a heart on it. Inside was a very old kiss spell.

      It was so simple!

      Cassie had gotten up to make popcorn, leaving Charlie and Stella alone. Evangeline saw this with her cloud and knew it was the perfect time to crush her daughter's heart!

      Evangeline did the kiss spell.

With this spell, I dare not miss,

I now command that Charlie and Stella kiss!

      Without any warning, Charlie and Stella performed a long smooch, just as Cassie walked in the room. They heard a clang, and when the spell broke, the only thing left was some dispersing mist and the popcorn, spilled all over.

      Cassie appeared at Dock 6. How could they do that to her! How could she have been so foolish! Her mother was right! Charlie was just like Will! Cassie couldn't take it any longer, and she roasted a nearby seagull. Cassie screeched, “Mother! You were right!” Cassie's head tingled as her blonde hair morphed into black hair, not as nearly as soft her old hair was.

      A blackbird landed beside the girl and let out a squawk. The bird flapped its wings and transformed into Evangeline. “Darling! What has happened?” she teased, “Did that boy do what I thought he would? He probably won't accept that you have a, shady, heritage.”

      Cassie looked at the woman before her. The woman who didn't let anything get in her way. Cassie felt like paying Charlie a visit. She wanted to walk up to him, look him straight in the eye, and strangle him! Cassie smiled, “Mother, how do I be like you?”

      Evangeline couldn't help but grin at what she'd done. She took a pathetic Earth dweller, and turned her into a rotten disgrace who was begging for lessons! Her daughter wanted to be like her! She looked at her new student and whispered, “If you want me to teach you, then we are going back to Everlanon, where I'll show you our plans. Does that fit your needs, Cassie?”

      Cassie looked down at her clothes. She was wearing jeans and a shirt with a smiley face on it. Earlier this seemed like a good idea, but now, she wanted to barf on it. “Hang on,” she answered, surrounding herself in smoke, “That's better!” Cassie looked down at herself. She was wearing a black leather jacket over top of a blood red shirt. Her jeans were ripped off at the upper thigh and wore them over a pair of black skull leggings. To top it off, literally, was a red fedora with a black leather band around it for decoration. “I'm ready to go!” the girl announced, “You were right. The Cassie everyone knew is in the past, say hello to the new and improved Cassandra! And Cassandra has learned one thing from you already.” Cassandra adjusted her hat for dramatic effect. “Love,” she began, “love really is weakness.”

      Eva looked on her daughter with pride and said, “Let's blow this popsicle stand!” Cassandra and Evangeline dissolved briefly, before morphing into a storm cloud and rolling through the city to the portal.

Cassandra and Evangeline

      Stella slapped Charlie across the face, leaving a red handprint behind. “What was that for!” Charlie yelled through the pain. “You just put your cheating lips on mine, and Cassie saw it!” Stella accused. “I'd never hurt Cassie!” Charlie fought back, “It was you!” Stella thought for a second on how Cassie went bad the first time. “A broken heart!” Stella announced, “It doesn't matter who did it, what matters is we get Cassie and tell her what happened!” Charlie stood up, and added, “Because her last break up almost made her evil!” Stella nodded her head. “And since you’re her true love, Cassie could be full blown bad girl as we speak!” she explained, “Is it bad that I kind of want to see that?”

      Will was walking to the portal room when he heard screaming. Originally going to visit Mrs. Spencer, he also wanted to see his old friends. He had been informed of Cassie's goings-on and knew that she was good. Just then, Will had to jump out of the way as a cloud, big enough for two, winded through the corridors. “Cassie?” Will whispered. He needed an explanation, and the only way he was going to get one without being killed was Charlie.

      Susan came out of her bedroom to check on the kids, and found the mess. On the couch was a note that read, “Had to go make sure Cassie doesn't turn bad due to misunderstanding. P.S. If we don't return, it means we are probably dead.'

      “Where'd Cassie go?” Vander asked. The twins were now four years old, and very curious and talkative. “I don't know,” Susan confessed, “but I am going to find out.” She picked up the phone and called around until she had a babysitter. Susan had to figure out what happened.

      Sky sat in her detention center in California. She had heard the news about the portal, and Cassie's involvement, as well as the romance between her and Charlie. She was allowed to have her cellphone, but all of her contacts were erased, so she didn't know who was informing her. She had been receiving anonymous texts since she was first incarcerated. They only fueled her hatred.

      Cassandra and her mother arrived at the lair. Looking around, she couldn't believe that this was going to be her home. “This place is gross!” Cassandra said, “I hope this isn't the permanent arrangement.”

      Eva looked around. She liked it, dark and ominous, but then she realized youngsters these days, who liked a little light every now and again, may not. “Only if we fail.” Evangeline informed.

      Cassandra looked around. “Whatever it is,” Cassandra announced, “we won't fail.” Evangeline smiled, “We both want the same thing, right? Happiness, together! The only way to get that is if we can permanently connect the two realms with the portal, and from there, rip control of both realms from the hands of the disposed!”

      Cassandra couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mom was so cool! “One question,” she added, “I know love is weakness, but would I be able to have friends and date?”

      Eva looked at her daughter. “Whatever makes you happy,” she answered, “and you're going to need an heir for the empire sooner or later!” Cassandra smirked. She would have anyone she wanted! She could get rid of anyone she wanted too! Cassandra threw a fireball on the ground and hooted, “Where do we start!”

      Charlie and Stella had gone to the portal. “You think she might have gone there?” Stella questioned. Charlie merely shrugged. A figure flew through the portal and landed on Stella. “Ouch!” she yelped, shoving the person off. “Stella! Charlie!” Will called. Charlie punched him in the nose and yelled, “Jerk alert!”

      Will covered his face. Now he would need that nose job after all! “I was on my way to apologize for what I did!” he stammered, “It was evil to judge Cassie by her mother!”

      Charlie was angry. When this was over, there was no way that Will was going to slide back into Cassie's life. She was taken! “Well now she might be evil!” Stella piped, “Something forced me and Charlie to kiss, just like magic! Cassie saw, and now we don't know where she went!”

      “Evangeline!” Will accused, “Who else with magic would want to hurt Cassie? She knew it would flip her view!” Charlie knew Will was right. Stella knew Will was right. “Hey!” someone screamed.

      It was Cassie's mom. Not Eva, but Susan. She was riding her electric scooter. “Charlie! What happened, and where's Cassie?” Susan demanded to know. Charlie told her the story, and who was behind it.

      “I guess we're going through the portal to the other place!” Susan declared, hopping on the scooter.

      Vander and Vanessa were playing in their room. “What did ya find out, Van?” Vanessa asked. Vander kicked over his toy truck, and yelled, “Nothin'! She just had to find Cassie!” Vanessa stood up and walked over to Vander. “You're a dis-grace!” she yelled, pushing him down. Vander started crying and Betty ran in. “What's wrong?” she asked in her baby voice.

      Evangeline started with Cassandra's first lesson. “Revenge.” she began, “Kill those who wronged you, make them pay! That is why we are going to slaughter the royal family. They took you from me, and then broke your heart!” Cassandra nodded and agreed, “Makes sense, maybe I should get some hands-on experience.”

      Evangeline was intrigued. “Who?” she asked. “An old friend who wasted three days of my life.” Cassie smiled, “Do you have a phone I can borrow?”

      The phone rang. It was a text from an unknown number. Sky read aloud, “Skyler, I'm coming for you, you had called me a monster, are you ready to see what I am capable of? Your old friend, Cassandra” Sky tossed the phone on the ground. “Cassie's up!” she yelled, picking up the pieces of the phone.

      “Hello, Sky.” Cassandra whispered, “Have you enjoyed your stay? Because it's about to end!” Smoke filled the room, and the only sound that was heard was Sky coughing and gagging as Cassandra chuckled.

Changes

      Will had ordered a carriage to take them to the far end of Everlanon, where Evangeline lived. “It should be an easy journey,” Will told the group, “as long as the Living Screams aren't awake.” No one wanted to know.

      Charlie was determined to find Cassie. He loved her, and he didn't know what he'd do without her. She was his one and only, there was no one else.

      Evangeline couldn't believe her eyes! “I thought you were going to kill her!” she screamed, “Why did you bring her here?” Sky laid on the floor by Cassandra. “I wasn't going to let her off that easily.” Cassandra explained, “I figured we could get some use out of her, by making her our monster slave, allowing her to keep her consciousness, is that possible?”

      Eva was stunned that her daughter could think of something so evil! To make the girl work for them as a wretched beast, allowing her to remember every second of it! Despicable!

      Cassandra thought for a moment before reciting a rhyme.

For trying your hardest to do me harm,

Scales I put on your arm.

For being a girl who's mentally insane,

I turn you into a Hu-Po-Dane.

And for the simple fact that I don't like you,

You shall know what you are, and regret every second of what's due!

      Cassandra watched as Sky morphed into a hideous creature. Her pupils elongated, her arms grew scales, and her legs were replaced with a squid's tentacles. She grew a snout and horns, and her skin turned green. Sky was gone, and was replaced with a Hu-Po-Dane.

      Evangeline was alive with excitement! Her daughter just turned a girl into the beast she had once been called!

      Sky woke up and was terrified! She knew Cassie was evil! If she had been successful with the kill, she would still be human! That monster! Sky let out a deep breath, and flames flew from her mouth. She breathed fire!

      Will looked out the carriage window. In about an hour, they would be passing his new castle. At this rate, they would get to Evangeline's tower in a month, and would probably be too late. They had to find a way there quicker, especially since by the time they got to her, it would only take a wave of her hand and Cassie would be back in the Realm of the Foretold! They were setting themselves up for failure! Will told them the dilemma.

      “A month!” Susan exclaimed, “We don't have time for that!” She had to get her daughter back, and she had to get her fast! Susan had no patience when it came to her baby.

      Charlie thought about a possible solution. He remembered that the first time he came, he had left the limousine by the woods! That would definitely get them to Cassie in under a week! “The woods!” Charlie yelled, how fast can we get to the woods that I left the limo at?”

      “What woods?” Will interrogated, “Where?” Charlie showed them the direction he had followed Cassie. “The Good Woods!” Will shouted excitedly, “Driver, go there, full speed!”

      The driver whipped the horses, and off they ran, to the Good Woods, to get the limo, to chase down Cassie.

      The twins were still fighting when Betty's stories came on. She had given up, and hoped they could settle it on their own.

      “Poophead!” Vander shot back, “Vanessa is a poophead!” Vanessa started to cry and pushed Vander down again. “We are not going to find out more if we keep fighting!” she cried, “Can you reach the phone?”

      Vander jumped up to the table and got the phone. “Who are we calling?” he asked. Vanessa gave him Cassie's number and he pressed the green button and waited for someone to answer.

      Cassandra was enjoying herself when her new phone rang. She must still have the same number. Cassandra took it out and said “Hello?”. It was Vanessa. “Sissy?” she asked. Cassandra heard Vander in the background, “Did she answer? Where is she?”

      “Hi Vanessa! Hi Vander! Is everything alright?” Cassandra asked. “Mommy went looking for you, and we're worried. Are you okay?” Vander inquired, taking the phone from his sister.

      Evangeline watched the look on her daughter's face. It changed from happiness to concern. No, she wasn't going to lose her that easily!

      Eva zapped the phone out of her hand. “When we are in control, you can talk to your fake mother's twins.” she reminded.

      Cassandra was sad. She loved those two. Then her evil instinct kicked in. They weren't even her family! Love is weakness. Love will make you weak. You can't love those who might bring you down from your glory! Those twins were barking up the wrong tree!

      “I'm back.” Cassandra reassured her mother, picking up the device, “Love is weakness, so I have to cut myself loose of that burden.” Cassandra squeezed her hand, crushing the device. “My mommy's coming to get me!” she mocked, making Eva cackle.

      Vander and Vanessa were shocked when the line went dead. Did Cassie hang up on them? Mommy should know. So that's what they did. They called their Mommy.

      Susan answered immediately. “Hi Mommy!” Vanessa greeted. Vander took the phone and informed, “We called Cassie and she hung up!” Vander was the tattle-tail of the two. “What?” Susan questioned, “Cassie hung up on you? And you can work the phone?” Vander confirmed what they said, “It went BEEEEEEEP!”

      The Good Woods came into view and the twins hung up. Susan knew something was wrong because Cassie would never hang up on the twins!

      Charlie hid his face in his hands when he heard the news. What has happened? His Cassie is evil! And it's his fault! Would they find her before she couldn't turn back?

      “Faster!” the prince commanded, “I see the limousine!” The carriage went as fast as the horses could run, until a wheel broke off. The carriage tipped over and the horses broke free. They were only a hundred feet from the long car anyway.

      Everyone ran to the limo and Susan got in the driver's seat. “It'll work; my electric limos have a lifetime guarantee!” Stella boasted as the engine started. Will pointed to the direction they needed to go in and off she went.