Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Dara
I take in another deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my body. My eyes close on their own and for a moment, I relax, taking in the blissful feeling that spreads across my body. This is exactly what I need. I don't for one-second regret my decision to leave and come here. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and do what’s best for yourself.
For the past hour or so I’ve been walking, taking in the terrain, and working out the best place to catch a few hours of sleep. I am so exhausted after having practically no sleep all night, I don't think I can continue for much longer. My calves are aching. I divert from my current path and head down a little slope that leads to level ground. Looking around the dense forest, there’s a huge gumtree and I drop my bag next to it. After rolling my shoulders back and forth, I pull out my sleeping bag to lay it against the tree. Falling down on it, I let out a huge sigh and shut my eyes, instantly falling asleep.
I wake startled. Where the hell am I? Trees and shrubs surround me in every direction. Finally, everything from the night before comes rushing back. My birthday, the pain, the guys, then the tattoo. Oh, yes, I am in the Dandenong Ranges, sporting a weird-as-fuck tattoo on my back.
Using the ground for support, I stand and stretch out my legs and arms, feeling a lot better after a few hours of sleep. Just what I needed. It’s given me an energy burst that will help with today’s hiking. The sun is high now, shining through the trees. It really is beautiful here. Australian native trees surround me at every turn. Birds are out singing, enjoying the sunshine. I even spot a kangaroo jumping through the forest ahead. I’d better steer clear of him—not wanting to get beat up by a kangaroo. Although they do tend to keep to themselves.
Zipping up my sleeping bag takes some time, but I finally manage to attach it to my pack. After stretching out my body, I head off along the trail, taking in the atmosphere.
A branch snaps to my right and all of the hairs on my body rise. There’s usually no one this far in on the trail. It’s probably just an animal passing through. I try to reassure myself, but something feels off. Spinning around movement catches my eye, out to the right again in between some trees. At first, from this distance, it just looks like a flock of birds. On closer inspection, I notice a group of people heading straight for me. I can’t make out what they look like, being so far away, and I don’t plan on sticking around to find out who it is. I’ve heard stories about bad things happening to people walking alone in the forest.
I whirl around and start walking down the track at a fast pace to get away from whoever they are. I’m trying to watch where I’m going as well as looking behind me to see where they are. Their footsteps get closer and closer. Twigs snap and rustle as the group approaches me fast. What the fuck? What do all of those people in thrillers do when the attackers start approaching them at full speed? Yeah, run the fuck away, scream, and then in most cases fall and get attacked. Yep, that’s not happening.
I start picking up my pace and before I know it, I’m running at full speed down the hill, all while trying to keep my balance. There are so many obstacles on my path, but at this pace it’s impossible to miss them all. My foot connects with a huge stump in the ground and the next thing I’m rolling down the hill, gaining momentum. Pain rips through my body as sticks graze me and after rolling for a good few minutes, I smash into another stump that abruptly stops my fall. My body hits the forest floor with a loud thump, birds scream overhead, and I just lie there in a heap, trying to catch my breath. Ouch. I attempt to sit up, but I can’t move.
A shadow appears over me, blocking out the sun. I cover my eyes ready for the attack that’s about to come. Several seconds or minutes go by, but nothing happens. Are they sharpening their weapons? Should I get up and run? My body squeaks in protest, there goes that option. I’m fucked.
“Well, well, well, and what do we have here?” the voice says, finally breaking the silence.
Wait a minute, I know that voice. My eyes snap open to find one of the twins leaning over me. I smile, thankful it’s him and not some murder squad. Although, how well do I really know these guys? It could all be leading up to this moment where they kill me. I try to sit up again, but pain radiates through my limbs. He steps forward before pulling me into his arms and lifting me up to a standing position. My body practically melts into his hard chest, and I curse my hormones. Call it instincts or something but this right here isn’t a gesture that a serial killer would make—surely not—and they are never this good-looking. I glance into his bright blue eyes, licking my lips.
He curses under his breath. “Stop looking at me like that, Princess, or I’ll be pulling you behind one of these trees and having my way with you. Even if your body is in pain.”
My cheeks flame with heat and I look away, catching the other twin leaning against a tree shaking his head.
“Leave her alone, Oliver. This isn’t the right time or place for you to get your dick wet,” Blair says, rolling his eyes.
Now that I look closely at the twins, the one I’m leaning against, Oliver, has his hair styled slightly differently from Blair’s. His is shaved at the sides, which you don’t notice unless his hair is pushed back like it is now. Oliver also has a scar that runs behind his ear. From studying them, they are literally the only differences. But once they talk, you can tell who is who. Where Blair is sweet, Oliver is cheeky.
Lifting myself off Oliver, I sway a little bit and he goes to pull me back, but I put up my hand. “Okay, someone better explain to me what the fuck is going on. How the hell did you find me in the middle of nowhere? Are you physic or something? Start talking and don't leave out anything!” I say, raising my voice while throwing my hands around in frustration.
The guys look at each other as if they are having a silent conversation in their heads. Which is really unlikely, but it seriously looks like that is what they’re doing. Which pisses me off. Just use your voice so the rest of the group can understand.
Harlan steps forward and begins, “I am really sorry for the way everything has played out, Dara. It was not meant to go like this, but there is no easy way to say it. So please, keep your mind open and listen to the full story before you run away."
I swallow past the lump in my throat and nod for him to continue. This is exactly what I’ve been wanting—answers.
He looks at all the guys and they nod in approval. Harlan continues, “Okay. So my brothers and I are not from this world. We come from another place called Silvia. I believe you have been dreaming about Silvia for some time now. You lived there and were born there too. Of course, you don’t remember as your memories were taken from you. When you were ten, you got sent to Earth. Your father made the decision to remove your memories and let you live a better life until you were ready to come back. He did this to keep you safe. He put a spell on you so that once you turned twenty-five it would activate. The tattoo on your back is very real. It is part of the spell. You see, you’re special, Dara. In Silvia, you are a royal princess. Your mother and father were king and queen.”
I put my hand up, stopping him from continuing. My head is spinning a million miles an hour, trying to process all of this. I practically fall on the tree trunk and try to catch my breath. “My parents are the king and queen?” I ask, leaving my mouth hanging open.
Everyone seems to stay quiet, and Harlan clears his throat and says, “They were. I am sorry, Dara. Your parents are both dead. They were killed by your crazy uncle.”
I gasp and stare blankly out into the trees. I find out who my parents are, finally, after wondering all my life, only to be hit with the news that they are dead. Just my luck—my hopes of meeting them are dashed.
“Tell me what happened,” I say, trying to stay strong in front of the guys. I can’t lose it, not yet anyway.
Harlan continues, “So, your father sent you away after the tragic death of your mother, Queen Marissa. He was so worried about your safety that he decided to send you to Earth to live a safe, normal life until it was your time to come back to us.” He gestures to the guys.
I tuck a strand of my hair out of my face and ask, “And how do you guys fall into this story? Why are you here trying to rescue me?”
Oliver lets out a little chuckle and says, “Princess, we have all known you since you were a little baby. Our families were close friends. We were brought up to be your protectors, your warriors. We were selected after competing in the games. We helped keep you safe when you were younger. Once you were placed on Earth, we still kept a close eye on you. We needed to make sure your uncle didn’t find out where you had gone and follow you here.”
“So, let’s just say that I do believe you for a second—how do you explain the tattoo? Why did it appear; what does it do?” I ask, gesturing to the big tattoo in question on my back.
Declan speaks up, surprising me, as he’s barely said a word in the time that I’ve known him. “Can you show us your back? Just so we can confirm our suspicions? We don’t know exactly what it looks like, but we have an idea.”
I lower my eyes to the ground and tug up my T-shirt, facing the opposite way. They gasp and start talking in hushed tones. I quickly lower my top back down and turn to face them. “So, what is the verdict?” Placing my hand on my hip, I wait.
Harlan scratches the back of his neck. “Okay, so first, it is beautiful. The three vine circles are very special, and they are there for a reason?—”
I throw up my hand. “What on earth would they be there for …. Please explain?” I ask, giving them a confused look.
Oliver bursts out laughing, covering his mouth. “Oh, Dara, you are in for it now. No one ever interrupts Harlan,” he says while clapping Harlan on the back.
I roll my eyes at Oliver’s outburst and motion for Harlan to continue.
“As I was saying before you interrupted me, the three circles that go down your spine are empty for a reason. The only way we can defeat your Uncle James is to find the missing stones. By the looks, they will fit in those three circles on your back. To our knowledge, you are the only one who can find the stones and retrieve them. It is said that each stone will give you a power that will help with bringing Silva back to its former glory. Only you can beat him, Dara. Only you can find the stones. Of course, you will have our help. Just before your father died, he came to us and told us that you will need our help upon your twenty-fifth birthday. He mentioned that he’d scattered the three stones throughout Silvia, so that your Uncle James couldn't find them. If they get into the wrong hands, it could be the end of our world as we know it. Your mission is to retrieve the three stones and defeat James once and for all. Then you can take your place as the rightful Queen of Silvia.”
I stand there with my mouth hanging open, frozen in a state of shock, and then to my own surprise, I let out a huge burst of laughter. “You’re joking, right? This is all just a dream, and I will wake up and everything will be back to normal. I am a nobody, a normal girl with a normal job. You are all insane, and I will not fall for your cruel jokes. Me, a princess? Destined to become a queen? After finding these mystical stones you speak of? Yeah right. Thanks for the story, guys, but I am out of here.” I turn around and start sprinting down the trail.
Trying to watch my feet to make sure I don’t trip on any stumps, one of the guys curses, and then the pounding of their feet follows me. Shit! Come on, Dara, fasten the pace. Let’s lose these weirdos. I take a sharp right, then left, and continue down the hill. I am so focused on the ground that I run straight into something extremely hard and bounce off it and onto my arse.
“What in the fuck?” I question and look up to find Declan standing there.
He reaches for my hand and pulls me up to stand.
“How the hell did you manage to get in front of me like that?” I question, in a state of shock.
He smirks and says, “Never you mind about that, Princess. I’m not giving away my secrets just yet.”
The smarty pants, but it sure is nice to see him smiling.
“Okay, just give me some space. I need to process all of this shit you just threw on me.” I stomp my foot like a drama queen.
If I am supposed to be a princess, I sure as hell better start acting like one.