The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 29: Heroic Rescue

Carolina

I've been awake for a few hours now. My head no longer aches from when Cohen slammed it against the wall. I still feel a sharp pain in my chest every once in a while. I don't know what time it is but I can only assume it's night because the temperature has only continued to drop. It's freezing. I can still feel Elijah's anger and worry. He must be frantic.

I run every scenario over in my head. These chains are too thick for me to slip out of. And there's nothing around me that I could use to pick the lock or use as lubricant to slip my hands free. They haven't brought me anything to eat or drink so I'm starving. And even if I could get out of these chains, there's no way I can open this storage unit from the inside. I'd still be stuck here.

I rub my hands together vigorously in attempt to warm them up. Now would be a good time to find out if I have some magical ability apart from just healing. But there's nothing around for me to even try to use magic on.

My mind flashes back to the dream I kept having. So many signs from that dream ended up happening in real life: the crows, the chilly weather, the storage container, Cohen. I had dreamt about being held by the Hudson River. I wonder if that much is true, too. There's no better time than right now to find out.

I take deep breaths and concentrating on steadying my heart beat. That stupid grimoire said this is the best way for "beginners" to get familiar with feeling for heka and getting it to flow through their body. I think—or rather hope—it's working because I feel a strange sensation throughout my body. I feel a force enter my body. The closest thing I can compare the feeling to is that of a flame igniting on a gas stove.

Without thinking, I feel my hands move on their own. I slowly lift my hands up but it feels like there's resistance—I've got something. I try to lift whatever I've grabbed a hold of upward. The resistance to my control is strong but I still haven't given up yet. I keep going until my head starts to ache and my arms start to feel sore. My body is now covered in a thin layer of sweat. I finally let go of my control. I find myself panting, trying to catch my breath.

I yank at the chains in frustration. I'm still stuck! I think I used magic but for what?! It did nothing. If I was controlling water, it didn't even make it to where I am right now. Or maybe I'm just kidding myself; I barely know how to heal anyone. Why would I have any other magical power?

The sweat that has formed on my forehead and back are now cooling down. Great, now I'm going to be even more cold than I was before. What Cohen said in my dream and in real life must be true: I'm never getting out of here...Elijah won't find me. But if he doesn't, then what will happen to him? He has to find me, right? But if he does, why didn't I dream about it?

I sit in my prison for what feels like hours with nothing to do. I try to relax enough to maybe nap but I'm too cold and uncomfortable to fall asleep. There goes hoping I'd dream of my escape or rescue.

After what seems like forever, I hear something slam against the outside of the storage container causing it to shift. I fall over as I feel the full force of the blow. What was that? Are they moving me? Are they moving the container? I hear men yelling and more loud bangs and crashes.

"Hello? Anyone there? I'm here!" I yell at the top of my lungs as I try to stand. The commotion outside doesn't die down. In fact it sounds like it's getting louder, closer.

The metal door suddenly screeches open. Very little natural light pours in, indicating it's nighttime already. I notice a silhouette of a built man in the doorway but I can't tell who it is. "Who's there?" I call out.

The man steps back from the door a bit and turns towards where the chaos seems to be ensuing. "Your highness, she's here!" A familiar voice exclaims.

"Charles?" I call out, tears starting to form in my eyes.