Chapter 10 #3
His snicker comes from our right and we both turn quickly.
All I see is blackness through the trees.
He's staying just far enough away that I can't sense his dark aura leaking from him.
“He's eager to join the chase himself. He's waited so long for you Gwen.
It's taken a lot of persuasion on my part to keep him from joining in.
I've quite enjoyed this little game. I'll be sad to see it come to an end.” His voice is playful but there’s something else in his tone. Regret?
“This is not a game, you sick bastard.” Mum shoots a branch like a darting snake into the trees.
His laugh comes from behind us. I spin and flick razor sharp leaves down from the trees like ninja stars towards the noise. They hit nothing.
“Krista, your reflexes still aren't quick enough.” He's behind us again but his voice comes from higher up.
Like he's in a tree. I extend my senses and find the tree he's perching in.
I force one of the big branches to wrap around his wrist. He yanks his arm and the branch snaps.
He jumps from the tree and lands on top of our car.
“You really think wood can restrain me?” He laughs as he crouches like a panther. “I wonder if this fight will end the same way our last one did?” His smile is devastating, but I'm reminded of the awful things he's done and I boil over with hatred.
“You wish, arsehole!” I bend down and envision my hands digging into the ground then I pull my arms up fast taking the earth with it and it rushes like a tidal wave over Alistair.
Him and the car are buried under a ton of mud and rock.
I see the mound start to stir and so I press the earth down on him harder.
Mum joins in and I feel her power join with my own as we fight to hold him down.
The movement stops and we look at each other breathing deeply from the exertion.
Suddenly like a volcano the mound explodes and we are both thrown backwards landing hard on the ground.
Alistair's cry of determination rents through the air.
As I jump back to my feet I see him striding towards us.
His eyes are black and filled with smoke and his dark aura pulses through the dust filled air like a bellowing fume.
I look frantically to my mum but she's laying on the ground unmoving. There’s some blood on a rock near her head and I run to her.
“Mum!” She doesn't stir. I turn furiously back to Alistair. “Stay away!” I scream and a huge gust of wind rushes forth blowing him backwards several meters. He remains on his feet digging his heals into the ground against the barrage of gale force winds.
I press my fingertips softly to mums’ neck and feel her steady pulse. I release a breath as I turn her head slightly to get a good look at where the blood is coming from. So much blood. My eyes widen in shock and I don’t know what to do.
“You can heal her.” His strained voice is right behind me.
I jump up and spin around. “Get away from us!” I shove him but he doesn’t move. “GET AWAY!” I shove him again with all of my strength. The wind gusts once again but this time stronger and continuous. He slams against a tree and winces.
I remain standing next to my mums’ unconscious form and the tree that Alistair is pressed up against is a few meters away. I’m standing up right with my hands out stretched in front of me. One hand controlling the wind the other connected to the energy of the tree at his back.
Alistair’s face hardens as he tries to battle against the force I’m throwing at him.
He manages one struggled step, then another.
He’s eyes lock with mine with cocky determination which only makes me more furious.
I feel the wave of anger rise in me and I let it flow into the wind in a sudden powerful gust. He slams back against the tree with enough force to break through it but luckily the strength I’ve given the tree means it stands tall. But only just.
I keep the force of wind going but the tree he’s pinned against starts to lean backwards.
Along with the other trees next to it. I refocus the wind so it’s only on Alistair and then strengthen the tree at his back even more.
I pull it upright and then encourage the branches to grow and extend down to him.
They circle around his elbows and wrists then bend his arms backwards around the trunk.
He shouts as he pulls against the bonds and they start to break. They need to be stronger!
I flood the tree with power. They need to be strong enough to hold him.
Stronger than steel. Stronger than diamond!
I feel the fibres of wood fuse together.
He struggles more against the branches but as more branches wrap around his ankles, waist and neck he realises his attempts of escape are futile.
He looks at me in wonder and awe and maybe fear?
Satisfied the tree is strong enough I stop the wind and absolute silence settles around us.
“How?” His voice is a shocked whisper. “I’ve never known a nymph so powerful.”
“I’m not powerful. I’m fucking angry! How dare you!
After everything you’ve done you had the audacity to even talk to me!
Let alone take me on a date and kiss me!
You’re sick, twisted and a murderer! My dad is your prisoner!
You slaughtered his pack and countless others!
You and your evil wanker of a father!” Tears of anger flood down my cheeks as I look him in the eyes.
I tighten the branch around his neck and his eyes widen in fear.
“St-stop.” His voice comes out in desperate gasps. “You- d-don’t u-und-estand-”
“I understand perfectly. This is a game for you. You get off on other people’s misery!” I pull the branches holding his arms tighter. His teeth clench in agony. “I won’t let you hurt anyone else!”
“Sweetheart stop.” My mums weak voice snaps my attention. She’s propped herself up slightly but looks quite impressed. “You didn’t need me to protect you after all.”
I don’t dare move from where I am lest I lose focus allowing Alistair to break free. “Mum are you OK?”
“Other than a splitting headache I’ll be fine.” She slowly gets to her feet and rests her hand on my shoulder. “You can’t kill him. Gaia won’t let you.” She sounds pretty miffed.
“Then what do we do?” My voice is strained as once again Alistair struggles and the power flowing through me and into the tree is almost too much to contain. Sweat beads on my forehead and I clench my teeth. “I can’t let him go. We’ll be back to square one.”
“If you kill him we’ll have the wrath of Hades to deal with. We don’t want that either.” She watches him for a moment then sighs. “Release his neck. He has some grovelling to do.”
I do as she says and after one last squeeze I remove the branch from around his neck. He coughs and stretches his head from side to side.
“You are one hell of a women.” He says admiringly. I pull his arms tighter. “Ow! OK sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t gonna cut it.” I hiss.
“Well considering by some miracle you’ve managed to constrain me it would appear that I’m at your mercy.
” He winks at me as he tries to get himself more comfortable.
His bonds are unyielding and he gives up the fight and leans his head back.
“So, what are you going to do with me?” He’s still so arrogant even when he’s lost, but I see a hint of unease in his pale grey eyes as they settle on my mum.
She walks slowly over to him and says something in a hushed whisper.
His eyes widen in shock as they flicker to me then back at my mum in disbelief.
Whatever she’s telling him has made him more terrified than ever.
He shakes his head and I see him mouth the word ‘no’.
To which my mum grips him around the jaw forcing him to look at her.
My mums pissed and I strain to hear what they’re saying.
I take a couple of steps closer but halt in my tracks as mum punches him first in the gut then his jaw.
He doesn’t seem fazed by it as mum strides back to me.
He stares at the floor deep in thought, his brow furrowed.
“What did you say to him? He looks petrified.” I half laugh.
“He has every reason to be scared.” She shoots him a gaze filled with loathing.
“Why?” I try not to sound irritated, but I’m sick of being left out the loop and not knowing what’s going on.
“I was clearing something up. I know this is hard just trust me sweetheart.” She strokes my hair then looks forlornly at our car which is half buried beneath mud and rubble.
I trust my mum but that doesn’t make this any less annoying.
It has shut Alistair up at least though.
Now to think about what we’re going to do next.
We can’t stay out here all night. Mum’s head needs looking at and cleaning but we can’t leave Alistair here.
I’ve got the hang of letting the magic flow through me like a never ending river.
I’m certain I can hold him for as long as I need to.
I don’t even need to concentrate on it quite as much as before.
I can feel the strength of the tree is stable as I gradually let myself relax.
I go over to mum as she’s levitating everything off the car.
Then she uses the roots buried in the ground to push it out of the ditch and back onto the road.
She stumbles backwards holding her head and I catch her.
“Woah mum take it easy. Let me see your head.” I open the car door and help her sit on the drivers’ seat.
I turn on the interior light and she inclines her head so I can get a better look.
I gently lift her hair out the way and see a deep 2-inch long gash that’s clotted and starting to go purple around the wound.
There’s dirt and dust mixed in with the blood and her complexion is really pale.
Just looking at it makes my head go fuzzy with nausea.
“That bad?” I see my mum watching me as I examine her.
“No, it’s fine umm...” I swallow. Alistair’s words from moments ago echo in my head. “You can heal her.” I wonder if I could stretch my powers that far? I can’t leave my mum like this, but I don’t want to risk letting Alistair go.
I open my circuit board of power to envelope my mum as well.
I feel it waver and instantly bolster the tree holding Alistair.
I try again and it’s like stretching an elastic band.
With effort, it accommodates the extra demand I’m forcing on it.
First, I focus on cleaning the cut and getting all the dirt separated from her blood.
It’s amazing to think I can do this without even touching it.
I ask nature what I want to happen and it responds.
The particles of dirt and debris come away and the dried blood is refreshed and liquefies then is absorbed back into the veins.
The bruising diminishes and the skin begins to knit together.
Finally, the redness fades and so does the scar.
As I do this I see mums’ complexion brighten and the flush returns to her cheeks.
Once I’m done I see her staring at me in wonder.
I automatically check on Alistair and the trees strength is holding.
He’s also watching with shock on his face.
“How do you feel now?” I ask as I tidy her hair.
“I’m great. Just amazed at your power. A new nymph should not be able to heal a wound like that so easily let alone do it whilst restraining a god!
It’s astonishing! You are so special.” She smiles at me then looks sombre.
“Gaia must have an important plan for you. So much will rest on your shoulders.” She looks sad but proud at the same time.
I don’t know what to say so I just hug her. “I’m just glad you’re OK now.”
Through the peace and quiet, a phone rings and it’s coming from Alistair’s direction. We go over to him and his arrogant, relaxed expression is back in place.
“Your gonna wanna let me answer that. Chances are it’s my father and if it goes to voicemail he’ll know something is up.” He leans his head back against the tree looking down his nose at us with a smirk. “It’s in my back pocket if you’ll be so kind Psychi Mou.”
“I’m not your Psychic Mo! Whatever the fuck that means!” With a flick of my wrist I have a needle-sharp branch pointing at his chest. It’s diamond hard point presses against his shirt. He tenses. “You say one thing I don’t like and this with go through your heart.”
“You won’t kill me but I love your spirit.” He winks “Now tick-tock, it won’t ring forever.”
Gods he’s infuriating! I reach my hand around him and slide it down between him and the tree. I try to ignore the hard muscles under my palm and the delectable way he smells. Like cold musk with a hint of incense and deeper, alluring tones of honeyed bourbon. Sensual and utterly addictive.
Nope, not going there! I hold my breath and force away the temptation.
My fingertips find the opening of his pocket.
Eventually I’m able to get a grip on the phone and wiggle my hand back out.
The display says the number is unknown but I answer it anyway and put it on speaker then hold it up between the three of us. Alistair speaks first.
“Father.” His tone is blunt and unemotional.
The voice that comes through is not what I expected.
It’s a man's voice but it’s not as deep as I thought it would be.
It’s cold, empty and taut. It turns my insides to ice.
“I indulged your waiting game when you realised my nymph was with child Alistair. It has been long enough. End this hunt now or I will collect them myself. I want you back here with them by midnight tomorrow.” The phone cuts off and my mum and I look up at Alistair.
Mum’s voice is incredulous. “I never lost you after Yellowstone did I? You knew I was pregnant so you let me raise her like a pig for slaughter!”
“Would you have rather raised her as my fathers’ prisoner?” Alistair replies sarcastically.
“That doesn’t change what you’ve done.” She spits as she turns away.
“And what is that exactly?” Alistair calls after her. “You know I could have captured you both the instant she was bestowed her powers.”
“So, why didn’t you?!” I shout. “Why aren’t we locked up and waiting to be served as the main course?”
Mum glares at Alistair as if warning him to choose his next words carefully. He turns to me and his eyes darken. A wicked smile spreads across his lips. “I was enjoying myself. The chase is half the fun Psychi Mou.”
“Stop calling me that! The chase is over. You lost.” I pocket his phone and walk away.
Letting the branch pointing at his chest move away back into the tree canopy but not before giving him a slight hard poke.
I hear him hiss through his teeth and I grin.
Mum follows behind me and I slow my pace to walk with her.
“So how are we going to stop Hades from coming to find us?” I ask.
“I don’t know yet. We have until tomorrow night to come up with something.”
She sits down in the passenger seat of our car and reclines it as far as it will go. She looks exhausted still. She barely got chance to catch up on sleep at the B&B before we had to go again. “I’ll think of something.” She sighs.
I get comfy across the back seat trying to think of a solution to all of this. I check my watch. It’s 3am but I dare not risk sleep in case I lose control of the branches restraining Alistair. It’s going to be a long night…