Goldie and Red

Chapter 11 - The Knife Thrower ~ Part 2

I stood still, trying not to become too disorientated.

The pain from my arm was intense now and Jack had just flipped me over making me dizzy for a moment. I leaned on his back steading myself, before turning back towards the Fire Breather. I noticed Rowan had disappeared but I didn't care. 

I'd heard enough from the hall and couldn't stand still any longer.

These were the people who killed my parents. 

I glanced down at the man on the floor and then to the woman. I wanted to speak but a man lingering behind her caught my attention. I stared at him, captivated. I didn't know why but I couldn't look away. He eyed me up and down which sent a shiver down my spine. His mouth curled into an impressed smile as I forced myself to look away.

"We don't take prisoners little one. You must be mistaken." The woman, Gretel, I'd heard Jack call her, sat down on the couch.

"I told you, she's unwell." Jack interjected. "Touch her and there'll be consequences Gretel." He scowled.

"I'm not going to lay a finger on her Jack." She looked to him plainly. "But she's not your sister is she?" 

"No I'm not." I lifted the sword and darted towards her, stopping  the blade at her face. "You killed my parents. Your men tore my home to pieces!" I tried to fight back tears, but a couple escaped my eyes. The woman simply looked down to the sword in my grip.

"That is a formidable weapon. Did you steal it from somewhere in the Forest?" She completely ignored me which set my anger off to a new level. 

"Where's my mother! The bear, what did you do with her!" I screamed. 

"Amber don't." Jack tried to pull me away but I held strong in my position.

"Answer me!" I demanded.

Gretel looked off to the side, and with a flash of satisfaction, she calmly answered.

"Oh the bear. Yes I remember her. Well we wanted a nice souvenir for the King whilst he awaits our return with the real prize. I was thinking a rug of some sort would be nice." 

The room fell silent. Her words filled every pore of my body as my blood boiled with rage. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I screeched and swung my blade around. Gretel dodged out the way as the other Guard dived at me. Our blades clashed before I felt a kick in my side sending me flying across the room.

Jack took over as Gretel marched over to me, her eyes were blazing like fire and I tried to pick myself up, but my arm was weak and the agony from the wounds had spread across my body.

"Angus!" I heard Jack shout and just before Gretel reached me, the demon flew straight through the large window at the back of the room, glass shattering everywhere. More Guards flooded into the room and began trying to take the bird down, but it was useless, Angus proceeded to rip them to pieces.

Gretel ran over to help her men as I stumbled to my feet. Alec and Rowan charged through the back door with their weapons. Alec ran straight to Gretel, his axe batting off her knives as Rowan helped me up.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"My arm, the pain.... it's bad, I don't know if I can fight." I reluctantly stammered. I wanted to avenge my parents. I wanted to kill the Guards and their leader. But I was in no fit state. I felt my legs weaken under Rowan's grip and I fell into her.

"Woah ok, I'm going to get you out of here don't worry." We ducked under Angus' wing as he swept up half the furniture and began to run towards the door. I had to stop and catch my breath, dropping the sword to the floor. 

"Rowan, just go help. I need a minute."

"We don't have a minute-" She was cut off as a knife flew past us. Rowan shot a glare over to the source and lifted her bow. She fired and the arrow landed right in the middle of Gretel's palm. She screamed in pain as Rowan ran over, dodging Angus' wing once again.

I turned away and shuffled into the corner of the room, clutching the sword to my chest. I saw the exit into the hall and used the sword to prop me up onto my feet. 

I looked around, trying to decide whether to run or hide. I could hear Angus' shrieks and the clashing of metal but I felt so hopeless. I started to sob and dropped to the floor again. I didn't understand what was going on, but I had just made it worse. My friends might die because I couldn't keep my head. Now I knew why Jack had locked me in my room.

I felt a presence in front of me and slowly lifted my head. 

The man dressed in all black stood over me. I caught his eyes, and again, I couldn't break away.

He leaned down slowly and reached his hand out towards my face. I noticed the nuanced artwork covering his skin, it was beautiful. His black hair hovered over me like a dark cloud and my breath hitched as he gently wiped away my tears. He looked down to the sword, eyes widening, before looking back to me. His hand cupped my cheek as I could do nothing but stare. 

"Put your sword away." He calmly instructed. I found myself kneeling up and placing it into my scabbard. I don't know why I did it, I couldn't help it. He made me.

He smiled slightly. Now that we were at eye level with each other, he placed his other hand on my face and drew it closer to his.

I couldn't find any words as I fell deeper into his gaze. His eyes studied every inch of me as they began to glow a soft green. He licked his lips as his grip on my face tightened.  

His eyes met mine again, the green glimmer pulling me in as he whispered softly, "Sleep." 

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