Another Lost Soul

Chapter 10

"How's your leg?" Was the first thing Alenor asked when I stood up from the couch. I flinched, not expecting him to be awake. He stood in the kitchen as usual though, hair pulled up into a bun with his glasses set on the counter.

"It's fine. Why are you up so early?"

"We've got company arriving soon, so I figured I should cook something for them."

"What company?"

"Jailaiah and his boss, as well as a few guards I'm sure."

"What for?"

"They want to make me an offer in person. I agreed to see them."

"After what those people did to you?!" I glared at him. "You want to hear what they've got to say? Are you joking?"

"Jalaiah will be with us. Everything's fine."

I sighed. "When will they be here?"

He glanced at the door, his shoulders tightening. "Now." He quickly walked to the door and opened it before anyone could knock. Four men stood behind it, all with a serious expression. Jalaiah being in the mix of people eased my mind due to him being a familiar face. "Come in."

"I see you've found your apprentice." The tallest man with a long beard shot me with his eyes, annoyed by my presence.

"I take it we don't get along?" I asked him as he stepped inside, followed by Jalaiah and two armed guards. The guards stood against the door as it shut, Jalaiah and his boss sitting on the couch beside me. Alenor plopped down in his favorite chair and grabbed my wrist, pulling me beside him.

"I apologize." He frowned. "He's got a mouth."

"Muzzle it." The bearded man crossed his arms. "And tell him sit down."

My gaze fell into a deep glare. "Tell me yourself."

Alenor grabbed my hips and forced me to sit in his lap, leaning to my ear and lowering his voice. "Sit and keep your mouth shut, Kid."

"As I mentioned, I've come to make you an offer."

"Which is?"

"You released my beast." He smiled eerily. "I'll admit I'm impressed that you managed to do so but I'm sure you're aware of the consequences."

"Yes."

"I'd like you to retrieve him."

"He could be anywhere. Do you have any idea what it's like in there? Why the hell would I bring him back?" I can feel his breath on my neck but the fear and hatred in his voice is heavy enough to crush my entire body. "I doubt you'll offer me anything in return. Hell, I bet you'll tell me that if I don't get him back, you'll shove me in the arena!"

"Close but not quite. You're very perceptive, Alenor."

"Then what?"

"If you retrieve my beast, I'll allow you to see your sister."

His breath stopped. "What?"

"And if you don't, I'll toss that apprentice off yours in my arena."

"What the hell?!" He sat me on the arm of the chat, standing up and stomping over to the man. He grabbed him by the collar and slammed his forehead against the man's skull. "What kind of sick ass choice is that?!"

The guards moved to attack him, but the tall man held up his hand. They leaned back against the wall. "Maybe I should throw your sister in as well, hm?"

An overwhelming sense of dread drenched my body as Purple smoke began to rise from the floor and circle Alenor's legs like vines. His voice fell to a low growl that made the hair on my arms rise. "I will obliterate you, right here."

"Ahem." He gently pushed Alenor back and stood up, adjusting his tie. "You've got three days."

"This forest is huge and you expect me to just-"

"I know how powerful you are. You will find him."

Jalaiah sat there with his face painted white. He stared wide eyed at the floor, fingers twitching. "Sir, I'd like to stay behind. Is it alright if I head back to the city in an hour?"

"That's fine."

The other three men left without another word, leaving Alenor and Jalaiah dead silent. "I-" I started to talk but Jalaiah quickly blurred out the words he'd been holding back.

"I didn't know what the offer was. All I knew was that it involved the-"

"That bastard." The violet smoke shot up toward Alenor, disappearing in his chest. "I can't make that animal go back."

"You have a sister?" I asked.

He faced me. "Yeah. She's just...she's not here."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"You should be worried about yourself." Jalaiah stared at me with concern deep in his lemon eyes. "I-...I don't think he was bluffing."

"I can handle myself."

"No you-" he stopped and sighed. "You can't run from him- You can't hide. No matter what you do, he'll find you and there's nothing you can do about it."

"He's right." Alenor slumped down to the couch. "Your safety comes first."

"You can't seriously be thinking about forcing that thing to go back!" I scoffed. "Are you mental?"

"Are you?" Jalaiah jumped up as soon as I did, jabbing his finger in my chest. "Do you want to die?! You wouldn't last a day!"

"Alenor can teach me how to-"

"You know damn well that he won't teach you magic again just so you can use it to hurt people."

"Again? I know how to...with the cool spells and stuff?"

"You're my apprentice. Of course you do." Alenor mumbled, crossing his ankles and cocking his head. "Now will you two just settle down, I've gotta think."