THE DEAL
Ophelia sat in astonishment, unable to move. Her parents had told her countless times how they had loved her and only cared about her safety. Should she believe this total stranger? Could Everit really be trusted? He had almost killed, she noted.
She moved uncomfortably, awkwardly trying to get to her feet. Everit did the same and turned to look at her, his dark blue eyes piercing her, trying to force her to look him in the eyes. She kept her head low, a panel of dark hair half obscuring her face.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” he said. “But it makes the most sense. I’m not saying I’m completely positive, but I know pretty accurately how these creatures work. Think of how rich they would be if they gave you up to the Watchers?”
Ophelia could feel the threat of hot tears boiling up in her blue eyes. I will not cry, she told herself. Do not show weakness in front of this man! She met his eyes, finally. “So? What do we do about it?” she asked him.
He gave her an incredulous look. “We?”
“What?” asked Ophelia. “You expect me to pour out all my background story, and you do the same, and then just part ways? Say a simple good-bye and then never cross each other’s paths again? Not even care whether either of us obtain our goal or go out with a bang trying?”
Everit’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not the best traveling companion. Besides, we’re going in separate directions,” he said simply.
“So, you’re really going to leave me for the dead?”
He gave an exasperated sigh. “You’re being over dramatic. You’ve made it this far, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I managed to almost get myself killed and then fall in hole. Oh, and don’t forget the part where if you had been anybody else I would have actually gotten myself killed,” she scoffed.
Everit seemed to consider this for a moment. “I have a mission to get done here.” Indecision crossed his face. He couldn’t just leave her here, he thought to himself.
Ophelia stood up straighter. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll help you.”
He laughed out loud. “You really think a girl who almost got completely consumed by a Pixie trap is going to be able to help me take down merciless killers?”
At the glare she shot him he shut up. “You can teach me,” she argued. “For one thing, you could tell me what the hell a Pixie trap even is.”
“A Pixie trap is pretty self explanatory. It’s a trap set by Pixies.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “Yes, but what do they do? What is a Pixie even?”
“A Pixie is a winged little bitch,” he said bluntly. “They can changed how big they are, going from the size of a fly to being a normal person. They can even make themselves bigger than people. They’re mutts. How the legend goes, they’re the offspring between the Forsaken, Good Souls and Warlocks.”
“How do they have three different parents?”
“It’s said the most powerful Warlock in the universe fell in love with one of the Good Souls. They barred a child together, which was just the offspring of them. In total the couple had seven children. A Forsaken captured all seven of the children and transfused his blood into them. They then had the magical ability of the Warlock, the beauty of the Good Soul, and cruelness of the Forsaken. “
“Are there only seven of them in existence, then?” Ophelia wondered aloud.
Everit shook his head. “Since they are such an obscure breed, inbreeding does not mutate the children. There are many of them all over the world.”
Ophelia assessed this for a moment. “So what do their traps do?”
He cringed at the thought of the Pixies traps. “It completely depends on the Pixie. This very Pixie set up a glow aside from all the darkness in the cave, and irresistible light that you could simply not refuse. It drew you in and once you touched the light… well, I’m not sure what would happen. I’ve never tested it, and don’t plan on it. I’ve heard that it’s very painful and anyone who has ever been captured by one have not lived to tell what they do,” he explained grimly.
“What do they do once they catch someone?”
He’d hoped she wouldn’t ask that. Though he really didn’t care much for this girl, he wouldn’t wish to tell anybody of the horrible things Pixies do to their prisoners if he didn’t have to. But she had asked, and he wasn’t about to deny her knowledge, especially if it could save her life someday. “That also depends on the Pixie. Either way, it’s sadistic and involves an awful lot of pain. Typically peeling away the skin until all that’s left is muscle, sometimes burning off fingers and toes one by one.”
Ophelia shrunk in on herself, looking like she might vomit. “You wanted to know,” Everit reminded her.
She let out a small breath. “Yeah, I guess I did.” Her mind wondered in a different direction, trying to get the image of burning flesh out of her mind. “So, what happened to the people who made this new race?”
Everit shrugged. “They say they were all murdered. Though, I don’t see how that helps matters. The damage was already done. But I’ve heard rumors that the Warlock is still alive. He was—is—the most powerful Warlock in the world.”
Ophelia just nodded, so he added, “And I plan on finding him.”
She looked up at him, shocked. “What?” she asked, disbelieving.
“That’s what I’m doing here. If anyone can help me, it’s this Warlock. He can help me track down the beasts that took my family from me.”
“Then I guess we’re off to find the magical Warlock of Hysteria.”
Now it was his turn to be shocked. “You want to come with me to find this guy who may or may not still be alive?”
She nodded. “I will help you get your revenge on one condition.”
He let out a low chuckle. “I don’t need your help. I wouldn’t be making conditions if I were you.” He really didn’t want her to go though. He had been so long with out another person to talk to, it would be nice to have her along for the journey. And he had to admit, her sarcasm was funny and her lack of knowledge was entertaining.
She shrugged. “Except it or not, but I have a condition. If you don’t want to except it, then I’ll be on my way.” She pursed her lips and stared him down.
He glared at her. “Fine. What’s your condition?” he growled under his breath.
“If I help you, you have to help me. Once you’re done with your little hunt, you have to help me get to the Outside.” The look on her face was all business.
“Alright, Miss Ophelia. We have a deal.” He held out his hand, and hesitantly she grasped it with her small pale fingers. They sealed the deal with their handshake.
