JOURNEY INTO THE REALM: The Spell Master (Journey into the Realm Series) (16 page)

***

So that’s how I found myself dressed in black on All Hallow’s Eve – because it was as close to evil as I was willing to be – and carrying a long white candle. Zora was playing “Mom” to Brielle and me, getting our hair done and making sure we looked presentable. Brielle wasn’t dressing up as an Element fairy either, because royals weren’t supposed to participate in anything that could be viewed as mocking the war, but she still wanted to celebrate, so she wore an outfit similar to mine.

I had on a long-sleeved black cotton dress that reached my knees, perfect for the cool October weather. Brielle’s was the same, only her sleeves went to her elbows instead of her wrists. I told her she would get cold, and she told me I was a weakling for being so afraid of a little chill. I guess it was agree to disagree.

The sun was setting slowly as I watched from my window, and the colorful fall leaves rustled in the slight breeze. I sighed, hoping tonight would go well, and that I would be able to handle all of the costumes, but I wasn’t so sure. What if I started acting paranoid, thinking every elf was really an Element fairy despite the holiday? I finally tucked away my worries and put on my happy face. If I wasn’t optimistic, the evening wouldn’t be any fun at all.

As dusk set in, I slipped on my sandals and met Brielle and Zora in the kitchen, where they were sipping tea by the fire.

“Ready?” I asked.

Brielle nodded and stood, taking her cup to the counter and setting it down. “You bet I am.”

I smiled and walked over to give Zora a hug goodbye. When we parted, I asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

Zora, who was dressed in plain clothes, shook her head. “Being around real Element fairies has been quite enough of an experience for me. I’m not interested in being haunted anymore.”

I smiled sympathetically and gave her another hug. “I know Aaliyah’s in the parade, but remember that the dragons are here if you need company.”

Zora laughed. “Thanks for the reminder. I’ll probably be feeding them all night.”

“Ramsey, come on!” Brielle urged from the doorway.

I looked from Brielle to Zora and sighed.

“Go ahead,” Zora said, “and have fun.”

“Okay, see you later,” I said, turning away and meeting Brielle at the door.

With one last look at my fragile sister standing by the fire, I walked outside to where Nathan was waiting at Aaliyah’s. The place was deserted because she had already joined the festivities. Nathan didn’t meet us at my house because that would have upset Zora. We were doing all we could to skirt around her rules and suspicions.

I was surprised to see Nathan dressed in black like I was, in a black shirt and pants. He looked good in black,
really
good. I tried focusing on things other than his appearance, but my eyes continually drifted. I had never seen him like this before – different, but in a good way, a deliciously gorgeous way.

You’re doing it again
, I reminded myself,
stepping past boundaries you’re supposed to be keeping in place.

“Well, aren’t you elfens looking lovely tonight,” he commented, smiling as we walked up to him.

“Oh, Nathan, stop, you’re making me blush,” Brielle kidded, putting a hand on his shoulder. Then her face fell. “Ugh, I forgot to tell Zora that Danica will be stopping by later. I’ll be right back.”

“We’ll wait here for you,” I called, as she hurried back to the house.

Nathan sat down on Aaliyah’s stoop, and I joined him. Straightening out my dress, I asked him, “Why aren’t you dressed up?”

He shrugged, looking down at his feet. “I thought about it, but then….”

“What?” I asked, my curiosity level rising.

“I knew you weren’t into the whole Element fairy thing, so I decided just carrying a candle with you was enough.”

His words held such sweetness, such generosity and care. It took me a few moments to find enough of my voice to reply.

“Nathan that’s so – I can’t –” I paused, collecting myself. “Thank you.”

He smiled, and finally met my gaze. In the darkness of the evening, his emerald eyes shone, the silver slashes sparkling like the brightest stars. My breath caught in my throat.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, watching me with a gaze that was both comforting and uncomfortable.

“Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind?” I asked, not wanting to ruin his night because of me.

“No way,” he said, so sincerely that it nearly brought tears – of what, I didn’t know – to my eyes. “I’m sticking to this.”

I realized I was glad that he was, and that realization unnerved me. The more Nathan impressed me, the less careful I was with how close I allowed myself to get to him.

I looked away – reminding myself that my heart was with Stellan – when I heard Brielle’s approaching footsteps.

“All right, I’m ready,” she said. “Let’s go meet the others.”

I nodded and stood up, Nathan following suit. “Tavis said they would meet us by the fountain in the middle of town.”

I stopped myself from mentioning the last time I attended a party at the fountain: the homecoming party for Zora and me.

It was also the place where Nathan and I had shared our first dance.

Instead of saying anything, I followed like a dazed sheep, memories of that enchanting night flickering every time I blinked my eyes.

***

The center of town was bustling with elves…in Element fairy costumes. Taken by surprise at how elaborately the elves of Birchwood had dressed, I shuddered, about to turn back and forget the whole night.

Then Nathan’s hand found mine, and I regained my center. I sighed deeply and met his gaze, smiling gratefully. His grip on my hand tightened.

“Come on,” Brielle urged, “we have to hurry before the parade starts. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves at the end of the line.”

We followed the insistent Princess to an area amidst the elves that was barely large enough for the three of us. Brielle started waving almost instantly, and for a moment I didn’t understand what she was up to. Then, seconds later, our other friends joined us in the tiny clearing. Tavis, dressed as an earth fairy, greeted us first, flanked by Aimee, a water fairy. Reid and Janie, who I noticed were holding hands, joined the group next, both dressed as air fairies. Last of all came Daran, cramming into the circle and making a comment about how beautiful I looked tonight. I saw Nathan tense, and suddenly I had this overwhelming urge to tell him not to worry, that I was
his,
not Daran’s. I took a sharp breath and realized the mistake I had been about to make. Instead of blurting my out-of-control emotions, I chose to switch to my sarcastic mode.

“And you look so
pretty
, Daran,” I said, smiling slyly.

“Are you ever going to admit your true feelings for me?” he returned, winking.

“Daran, honey, the day I go out with you is the day you actually turn into an Element fairy,” I joked.

He laughed, and I was immersed in a huge bear hug. Pulling myself free, I stole a quick glance at Nathan. I imagined he would look confident and smug, like a guy would after a girl put another in his place. Instead, he smiled, just enough for me to notice. All I could see in his eyes, besides beauty, was relief and understanding.

“Enough joking around,” Aimee cut in, her festive blue hair coming between Nathan and me. “The parade will leave without us if we don’t hurry.”

All of us nodding, we joined the surrounding mass of elves and began walking slowly through the streets of Birchwood. The huddle was grand and confusing. This time I didn’t have Nathan’s hand to reassure me because I was walking at the front of our group with Brielle. Nathan was laughing and making jokes with Tavis and Daran, while Aimee was playing referee and making sure the boys didn’t cause any trouble. Janie and Reid lingered behind, their hands still clasped. I wondered when they had begun courting each other and made a mental note to ask someone later when I could actually hear myself speak.

“Hey, where’s Ellie?” Brielle asked.

“What?” I replied, not able to hear her well over the singing, laughing, and roaring of the elves.

“Where’s Ellie?” she repeated.

I shrugged. I hadn’t seen her all night. I wondered if she was even coming.

We walked a complete circuit around the city, returning once more to the fountain where the parade would end. Finally, Ellie caught up with us, looking flustered and out of breath.

“You cannot believe how hard it was to catch up to you guys. I got here late and was stuck at the end of the line until I reached the fountain again,” she explained. She was dressed as an earth fairy, which struck me as bizarre because her ability was fire. Maybe she wanted to distance herself from fire fairies, which was understandable.

“I told you,” Brielle said matter-of-factly. “That’s what happens when you don’t hurry.”

Ellie threw her a glare, but you could tell by her smile that she wasn’t upset. She muttered something about Brielle being too controlling, causing Brielle to retort with a sarcastic remark. Grinning at their playful taunts, I eased myself past my friends until I was able to reach Nathan again, realizing with a pang how much I disliked being away from him, especially at a time like this, with so many Element fairy costumes crowding me.

“Hey,” I greeted.

“I thought I wouldn’t see you again,” he replied.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I told him.

His lips broke into a smile. “Good.”

Suddenly, a cheer rose from the crowd, pulling me away from Nathan’s smile.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“It’s almost time to blow out the candles and take off the costumes,” he explained.

I looked down at my white candle, still burning brightly.

“I’m afraid,” I admitted, feeling my heart beginning to pound with a mixture of unease and anticipation. I felt childish, but my anxiety was incredibly high. I had a horrible feeling that even Nathan’s humor couldn’t chase away.

“I’m here,” was all he said, taking my hand again. If his humor wouldn’t work, his sincerity definitely would. “It’ll be dark for a few moments, but the lanterns will be lit soon after, and then the party will begin.”

“And then no more Element fairies?” I questioned.

He nodded. “Nope, just boring old elves.”

“I like boring,” I decided.

Another cheer erupted from the crowd.

“Here we go!” Tavis cried in excitement.

“Get ready,” Aimee said.

“I’m so nervous!” Janie exclaimed.

“Don’t worry,” Reid said gently, “It’ll be over before you know it.”

Then, as if we were all in tune with one another, a part of the same wavelength, we blew out the candles. Darkness enveloped the crowd, startling me. My grip on Nathan’s hand tightened, but I felt safe in his presence.

We held our breath as the darkness remained, waiting for the moment when the light would return.

Someone grasped my forearm, and for a moment I thought it was Janie, still scared even after Reid’s reassurances. Then the mystery elf was pulling at me harshly, his grip on my arm rough and painful. I screamed, but the crowd was too loud to hear my cries. My gasps were nothing but silent air to them.

I was wrenched from Nathan’s grasp, causing panic to flare inside my chest. I reached out for him, frantically waving my hand to grab hold of him again, but my attacker was too swift for me. He hauled me past my circle of friends and through the crowd, leaving me unable to alert anyone of what was happening in the dark.

We broke through the mass of elves, but my attacker didn’t stop there. He dragged me forcefully past the houses of Birchwood, his painful grip on my arm intensifying with every step he took.

When we reached the field outside the border of the city, the lanterns were finally lit…

…but I had already returned to the darkness.

I fought my attacker, kicking and screaming and pounding on his chest with my free hand. His hand left my arm and I thought he was giving up, but then his fist connected with my face. I fell backward from the force, scraping my palms against the sharp field grass. I pressed my fingertips against my tender cheek, already wet with blood. The wound stung fiercely – it felt like fire – but I stood up to face my attacker again.

He was ready for my retaliation. As I moved to kick him again, he grabbed my leg and pulled me closer, his hands moving to grasp my hair. A harsh tug caused me to cry out in pain and fall against him like a helpless doll. I placed my hands on his chest and shoved, but instead of sending him to the ground, I fell backward because he was too strong for me and I lost my balance. My head hit the grassy floor with a thud, and I struggled to keep my eyes open. Through the darkness, I watched my attacker walk toward me. Just as he was about to reach down and grab me, I kicked him again, this time succeeding in my attack. He tripped over my foot and fell sideways, giving me an opportunity to escape.

With a grunt, I picked myself up off the floor and turned to run. It took me a few seconds to figure out which way led back to Birchwood. I broke into a clumsy sprint as my eyes found the light.

My attacker suddenly landed just ahead of me, and I could finally see his face in the shadowy light. He looked very familiar, and for a moment I mistook him for Finn. His striking red wings glistened in the moonlight, eerie and menacingly beautiful. However, his nose was slightly smaller than Finn’s and his eyes were a darker crimson. Getting over my initial shock of realizing he was a fire fairy, I sidestepped, trying to move around him. He was much quicker, blocking my way immediately. Frustration searing through me, I tried again, and this time I succeeded in passing him.

He was on me again after only a few steps, his hands finding and grasping my neck. I coughed as his thumbs tightened on my throat. My vision grew hazy. I struggled to keep breathing. Noticing how I was still holding on, the fire fairy began shaking me back and forth, his grip unyielding. I wanted to kick, punch, pound, but I couldn’t find the strength. I was immobilized as he slowly strangled me.

My eyes finally closed, and I was unable to fight any longer. I felt as though I was being buried alive, the suffocation like a heavy weight on my chest. My knees gave way and I slumped to the ground. I lay there waiting in agony for him to finish his work.

“Ramsey!”

In a daze, I didn’t recognize the voice. But I held on to the slightest hope that someone had come to my aid. I vaguely noticed the hold on my neck loosening before I slipped into unconsciousness.