Rosa and the Graven Kings - A Spiritual Warfare Novella

Chapter 10

Up and down her body went. Was she bouncing? But it also felt like she was sitting down.

Rosa felt her head hanging, dangling left and right as she bounced. Her world was still black, but she could hear horses trotting and snorting. Rosa blinked and finally opened her eyes. "MOMMY! MOMMY!" escaped her lips. Her jaw fell. She was in the saddle of a black horse, trotting through the sand to the unknown. Someone's hands were around her ribs, holding the reins and controlling the animal. On her sides were more black horses with hooded ghosts staring at her as they drove at the same pace. It didn't take long for her to figure out she was trapped. Going somewhere . . . probably jail. Demon jail.

Her just due.

Rosa looked down and noticed her wrists were wrapped in those same metal cuffs Graven had used earlier. It was clear she wasn't getting out of this without a nasty fight. A breath of agony poured from her mouth. This whole trip turned out worse than she thought. The pillow whacks of her friends were better than this. All I want right now is to see Rahu Bridge again or my small bathroom and hanging gutters. Even my parents would do. My brothers. Courage and Georgie. This has been the worst trip of my . . . Rosa jolted forward when the horse came to a halt. She looked around at the other demons. Everyone had stopped. For what?

One demon raised his hand high in the air. "Graven Kings, attention! Your royal prince has arrived. Give him your honor."

All the demons dismounted, dropped to one knee, and bowed their heads. Rosa frowned with confusion . . . until her eyes met Graven's. She didn't see where he came from, but he walked into the circle of horses and stopped beside her. A spear was in his right hand. This was the first time she noticed how tall he actually was. She was sitting high off the ground, and Graven could easily stare into her eyes.

Maybe Rosa could tell him to leave in the name of Jesus: But . . .

"Faithless chick," Graven said, seemingly knowing her doubts. "Why don't you just let loose? Surrender? Die?" Then he rested the spear tip on her neck. Rosa tilted her head away but could still feel the sharp point. Graven chuckled. "We haven't had a chance to meet. I am the high prince of the Graven Kings. We are the mighty warriors of sixty-four acres. My master, Satan, has granted this land to me to control. At my will." He smirked and nodded with pride. "It's been that way for centuries." Then he frowned at Rosa. "CENTURIES!"

The pack of demons laughed.

Rosa twitched with fright, every muscle in her body shivering, her back still hurting from that stab.

Graven put a dead flower between his lips, and it dangled like a wet noodle. "Actually, we've known you for a long time. And since you're going to die out here, I guess I can catch you up to speed." He sucked the flower in his mouth and chewed. "Remember that man with the beard who blamed you for every stinker you did wrong? You're looking at him."

Rosa gasped.

But Graven went on. "Me and the boys love a wasteland. We like the taste of plump plants."

"Until we fix 'em up!" a scratchy voice shouted. Everyone laughed.

Then Graven looked deep into Rosa's eyes. "I gave you a good scare, would you admit?" Then he pulled something from behind himself and scattered it on the floor with one hand. "Your chips." The other demons laughed. Then Graven tossed a water bottle in the air. "Your bottle."

Rosa frowned and whispered, "Stop picking on me!"

Graven nodded. "We won't, Fish-Bait." The demons laughed. Then Graven yelled, "I was the one who yelled at you on the trail. I ate your pears and stole your chips because I have the right to. I flipped your bike off the ramp. I can turn myself into a tumbleweed. Ha-ha. And now I dare you to look over your shoulder."