Forbidden Choices by Jen Weddle
Chapter 21
A tap at my window sends shivers down my spine. I see large white flapping wings and I immediately jump up and open it and peek my head outside.
“Lucin?” I ask into the cool night breeze. “What are you doing here?”
He transforms into the male human form in a cloud of white vapor, wearing the same dapper white top hat and suit with a golden bowtie. This time he has a purple handkerchief hanging from his vest pocket.
I hear a grunt from beneath my balcony and I raise my eyebrow enquiringly.
“Are you alone?”
“No.” He replies. I can only see the shimmering moonlight behind him. A giant hand reaches up and grasps the balcony.
“Thanks for the help, pal.” Riley sighs, heaving his body up over the railing.
“Anytime, Master.” Lucin answers bowing.
“You’re a very annoying bird.” Riley replies.
Riley has changed into different clothes—he’s not just wearing the red polka-dot boxers. He’s wearing a dark red coat that goes down to his knees and a gray T-shirt with black pants. He’s also wearing a shadowy cloak made out of a shiny, shimmery material. I unlock the French doors and invite them inside.
“Why are you two here?” I demand. Riley puts his finger to my lips and leans into my ear, as he whispers I can feel goose bumps racing down my arm.
“Don’t think about anything. You’re in danger.” He whispers. “Remember to keep your mind void and empty of all thoughts.”
He grabs my hand and the three of us crawl down from my balcony at a steady pace, when we reach the bottom my Grandmother waits for us near the gate.
“Grandmother, what are you doing here?” I ask. She thrusts my backpack at me.
“We were afraid you wouldn’t listen to Riley so I came out just in case. I will follow you two out of town and keep an Energy field around us, but once we reach the end of the border I’m afraid you’ll be on your own.” She whispers.
Riley takes my hand. I want to ask them a million questions, but I know that something must be terribly wrong. I can feel myself relaxing as Grandmother grabs onto my shoulder helping me onto my horse. She whispers something into my ear, something I can’t understand. She smiles back at me as she grabs the reigns and the horse bolts forward.
Riley and Lucin sit on their own horses looking apprehensively at one another. They continue to gallop forward with somber expressions plastered on their faces.
“You’ll have to jump on Riley’s horse once we reach the end of town. I must come back here.” My Grandmother murmurs.
I can see her breath in the chilly morning as she speaks. I shiver and we continue to our destination. The ride through the forest is eerily quiet, dark and scary—the silence that follows us is as unnerving as the howls and shrieks of the night creatures in the forest. We stop at a large wooden fence and Grandmother kisses my forehead.
“Good luck, my brave child.”
I grab my Grandmother’s hand gently. I try to give her a pleading look.
“Please, don’t go.” I whisper shakily. “I can’t do this alone.”
Her eyes gleam in the moonlight and a tender tear cascades down her face. She jumps back on her horse and I try not to sob. She’s leaving… again—I’m alone.
“You’re not alone, dear. Riley and Lucin will take good care of you. Just stay safe.” She smiles again, the horse whinnies in anticipation and then she’s off into the night.
Riley heaves me up onto his horse and I wrap my arms around him.
“Are you cold?” He asks.
“Only a little, I didn’t have much time to prepare.” I mechanically respond.
He removes the dark shimmering cloak with the shiny golden button from his back and ties the two strings around my neck. The inside is made of a black, silky fur and I soon feel content again. I wrap my arms around Riley’s waist and squeeze tightly. The large arms of my cloak dangle awkwardly past my hands, but it’s keeping me warm. The soft, subtle pattern of Riley’s breathing as his chest rises and falls starts to lull me to sleep. I fight to stay awake. My body is exhausted. I lay my head on his shoulder and fall asleep before I have the chance to ask any more questions.
.