Forgotten Magic

Chapter 40

Suddenly, I'm yanked away from my thoughts and my hands touch something cold and smooth. The rocks. Not again...

But nothing happens. Rapunzel tries again. Nope.

"Get them outta here. But bring me the girl."

And that's when I realize my cloak had fallen around my shoulders. I was caught alright. Not only by the Baron. But at sword point.

I have the urge to become Samantha and slip out of there, leaving everyone to deal with the mess. But instead, I'm being backed into a corner by two goons.

And there's Weasel, double wielding with two swords. And headed straight for Rapunzel. I snatch a sword from the ground and start dueling with Anthony the Weasel, despite what Nickolas Chance might have to say about it.

"Long time no see, Samantha," he greets me.

"Yeah," I answer. "Can't say it's a pleasure though."

"I'm afraid we're going to have to cut this reunion short," he fires back. "I would finish you myself but the Baron wants to-"

"Still bending to the Baron's will, eh? I thought you'd be much better on your own!"

Suddenly, a blur of white, gray, and red cuts between us, sending Anthony's sword flying away.

I almost laugh in relief because there is Adira, leaning against a pillar and eating a slice of cake.

"I thought these rocks would react like they did back in Corona!" Rapunzel yells.

"They're not reacting because they found the Sundrop," the white-hired lady explains. "That would be you."

And back to fighting. As she passes me, she asks "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I grin. "Perfect." And then I catch sight of the Baron, distracted with Eugene. Even better. I grip the hilt of my sword and-

He blocks it. "Samantha Keyes." Realization spreads across his face. "No! No!" He pulls back his collar to reveal green fast spreading from a bite. "The anti-venom. Where is the anti-venom?"

Of course, Pascal's already poured the whole thing into Lance's mouth.

"If I'm going down," the Baron announces. "Then I'm taking you two with me."

There's not much to say about what happened next. He got a frying pan to the face and that was the end of it.

. . .

"So, Samantha Keyes, huh?" Cass asks, approaching me.

"Yeah." I set down my journal and smile. "It's a long story."

"Hey Savannah."

I turn around to see Nickolas gesturing for me to come over. "Oh great...well, see you later."

As soon as I reach him, the guard says "We have to have a talk about you and weapons."

"You said you don't want me dead," I argue. "But how can I not be when-"

"How about this? Don't go seeking revenge on crime bosses next time."

"Fine..."

"Ann!" Rapunzel runs up to me, something held in her hand.

I take hold of it. "It's..another piece of the scroll." She hands me the first and I put them together to the best of my ability. "Who gave this to you?"