Twenty-Four
Kallie
I just killed someone.
The thought slips in and out like a whisper, and I watch the vines uncoil themselves and slip back into wherever they came from. I’ll never get used to that. I don’t even know how I did that. Callum never said anything about other abilities I might have. But I felt powerful. Like all my demons were my own personal well of power, and there wasn’t anything anyone could have done to stop me.
I loved it. Relished in it. Now, if I could whip something up to fix my broken body, that would be fantastic.
Smoke materializes a few feet to my right, and my first thought is it’s the person coming to take me away. Immediately, I summon fire to my palms and send it into the pit of the unknown, but as soon as it touches the darkness, it disintegrates.
“Gotta try better than that, Princess,” Callum says, his form more present as the shadows recede.
“Oh, why am I not surprised? You’re the one coming for the extraction?” I accuse, how else would he know where I was?
“What are you talking about? What extraction?”
“Don’t play dumb. There was someone coming to extract yours truly”—my hands trail in front of me—“and there, apparently, isn’t a known way in or out. So, by process of elimination, you are my executioner, which is hilarious considering all the opportunities you’ve had.”
Callum’s eyes roam over my body, ping-ponging from one injury to the next.
“Who did this to you?”
“So you are going to play dumb. How original. Either tell me how to get out of here, or I will wreck your shit,” I quip.
Callum stalks toward me, his eyes still moving around my body. He grips my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look up at him.
“Kallie. Who did this to you?” he asks again.
“He’s not a problem anymore. It doesn’t matter.”
“Like hell it doesn’t matter. What the hell happened?”
“Callum, I’m fine—”
“Fine?” he bellows, interrupting my sentence. “You are not fine . You look like you were beaten to within an inch of your life!” Oh, he’s mad-mad.
“You should see the other guy.”
“I’m not going to ask again.”
“Callum, I told you I’m fine. Everything is okay. I got the bastard, and this is nothing a hot shower and vodka can’t fix. I’ll live. Now can you grab that bastard?” I grumble while hiking my left thumb over my shoulder.
“Grab who?”
“Ryan. The dude I murdered.”
“The guy you what?” he questions. “Who was he? What did he tell you?”
“I’ll tell you all that once I get a shower. Now chop-chop.”
“There isn’t anyone else here.”
“He’s lying just over the—” The last of my words gets lodged in my throat as the area that just held Ryan’s body is bare.
“I don’t understand. He was right there,” I assure him.
“We have to go. He most likely had a protection enchantment on himself. Did he say anything to you? How did you get here?”
Eyeing him warily, I’m still not totally convinced he wasn’t in on this whole thing. But he did seem genuinely concerned, but if that was all a trick, I can’t be for sure. Going against my better judgment, I decide to let it go. For now. Hell, he might be my only way out of here.
“The last thing I remember is you left, and I called my dad. Everything after that is a blur until I woke up here. He, uh…said the king wants me…and that he was willing to do anything to get me back.” I think he can tell I’m holding back, but no matter how much I want to, I can’t trust him—or anyone, for that matter. Everything I’ve ever known was a lie—my name, my life, my parents, every little thing.
My whole world got flipped on an axis just hours ago. Was it hours ago? How long have I been here?
Not the biggest concern right now, I remind myself. Now, this one person, who has presumably been nothing but honest with me, is suffering because of the fate the ones before him drew.
“I’m taking you somewhere safe.”
“I never said goodbye to Kate,” I mumbled.
“It’s too late. I have to get you back.”
“Where exactly are we going?”
“Nefarium.” Ne—what?
“And how are we getting there?”
“I’ll lead the way.” His hands form a massive ball of shadows within them. Slowly, he eases them away from each other, projecting it away from his body, and it begins to form. The shape is subtle, something you would miss if you weren’t looking for it. The door is hidden, ready to disappear at anytime, and the molding around the frame is the coolest I’ve seen, becoming even more present as he pours magic into it.
“Do you trust me?”
“Not in the slightest,” I answer honestly.
“Good. The easiest way for us to go through is for me to hold you, since you’ve never done this before,” Callum explains.
“Don’t you just walk through?”
“In not so many words, yes.”
“Then let’s go. I have one and a half working legs.”
“Can you just do as you’re told, for once? I’m trying to make this as easy as possible.”
“Well, don’t. I can take care of myself.” As soon as I say it, he hauls me over his shoulder like a fucking ape and walks us toward the portal.
“Put me down, you psycho! I just said I can walk!” But once we step through, I immediately feel sick. Swirling around, my brain is not able to focus on which way is up or down, and it doesn’t help that I’m already upside down. Bile rises to my throat, and I have half a mind to puke all over his back.
Then, before I know it, he’s setting me down on my feet, catching me as I sway back and forth. The smell of something sweet invades my senses, almost easing the sick feeling.
“If you need to barf, there’s a trash can over there.” He points behind me with a face that says I told you so , but I ignore it, not wanting to admit he might’ve been right.
After what I hope is the worst of it passes, I take the opportunity to look around. We’re standing in an industrial kitchen. Stovetops and ovens line the back wall. Pots and pans hang from the ceiling over the biggest island countertop I have ever seen. There’s a mixer the size of me opposite of us, and the number of fridges casted throughout the place is ridiculous.
Bringing my gaze back to him, I screech, “Holy shit!” His face changed. All his features are sharpened to a point, his complexion is completely smooth, not a wrinkle or line in place. The tips of his ears come together to a point, instead of the usual round tops.
Questions like, why do you look like that? What happened? pop into my head, but they never get released. Instead, all I can do is stare. My eyes bounce back and forth between the differences, thinking they’ll go back to normal if I look hard enough.
In the midst of the shock, I can’t help but think how otherworldly he looks. Different, yes, but so incomprehensibly breathtaking.
“You got a little something right there, Princess.” His finger brushes the corner of his mouth.
“Fuck you.”
“Is that an offer?” Smug bastard.
“Where are we?” Subject change. Nice, Kallie.
“At my father’s bakery. He’s over at my mom’s flower shop, but I figured it would be best if we didn’t just pop in there and have you bombarded with questions,” he concludes, making his way through the doorway and into what looks like the main lobby area.
“This place is actually really cute.”
“Tell my father that, and you will have your own treat named after you.”
I take in the place, the mismatched table sets and the glass cabinet that holds all the baked goods. The entire wall is lined with different coffee mugs. “This looks like a bakery you would find back home.”
“What were you expecting? Rats and bugs in jars, brewed together to make a dish?”
“Truthfully? Yes,” I giggle as I respond because he was spot on. He eyes me with caution. “What?” I probe.
“You like it?”
“Well, yes, what’s not to like?” He ignores my question and instead leads me to the front door.
When the door opens, the wind gusts inside, causing the cups on the wall to rattle and me to jump. “It’s okay. They do that,” Callum reassures me.
The light breeze hits me, and I’m stunned when the sun is nowhere to be seen, blanketed behind the sky full of stormy clouds. The shops lining the roads are in different shades of black, white, and gray. The only pops of color are from the array of flowers that line the sidewalks and inhabit the planters hanging on the overhangs. The shops are bustling with people coming and going, their chitter-chatter ringing through my ears as they walk past. Some heads turn our way, others steal glances behind them, looking at us. Who can blame them? I probably look like a victim from a slasher movie right now.
Unease settles in the pit of my stomach as I anxiously wait for Callum to lock up. “They’re not staring at you,” is all he says, and I’m too tired to ask how he knows that’s what I was thinking. His father’s storefront isn’t any different from the neighboring shops. It’s painted black with streaks of gray, flowers overflowing from the hangers, and there’s a sign at the top that reads Benny’s Bakery. I wasn’t lying when I said it was cute. It is. The gloomy vibe this town has is right up my alley.
“How long was I held for?” I ask.
“No idea. Few hours maybe.” There’s so much tension being held in his back, like he’s holding the weight of the world on his shoulders. Without thinking, I reach my hand out to offer him some comfort, but before I make contact, he turns around, and my hand falls to my side.
“My mother’s shop is just ahead,” he says, pointing down the sidewalk.
“Shouldn’t I change before I meet them?” I don’t normally care about my appearance, but I’m bloody and disgusting. Thankfully, my leg seems to be healed since we went through the portal. Funny that it can magically heal me, but making me look presentable was too much to ask for.
“Why would you need to change?” His question confuses me. Why would I want to meet anyone looking like this?
“Um, maybe because I look like a murderous psycho?” My tone is questioning because, hello, look at me.
“Oh, does the princess need to freshen up?” I don’t appreciate his condescending attitude.
“Sorry to inconvenience you with my personal hygiene. From the looks of you, you don’t seem to be concerned about that, but where I’m from, it’s frowned upon to show up to meet someone new covered in blood.”
“This is where you’re from. Come on.” And with that, he heads down the sidewalk.
Asshole.
My only options are to follow him or stand here, because I don’t know anyone, I don’t know where else to go, and he locked the bakery. The stubborn part of me wants to stay, stand my ground, and tell him he can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. But as the stares begin to linger and the wind picks up, I decide my only choice is to follow Mr. Know It All.
However, when I swing my gaze in his direction, he’s gone. A small surge of panic sets in, and I frantically look for where he could’ve gone. He wouldn’t just leave me out here. Right?
“Miss? Are you alright?” a soft voice asks beside me, gently brushing the back of her hand over my arm. I jerk in response, lashing my hand out to grab her wrist. Instantly, a zap jolts through me, making me jump back in surprise.
“Sorry, dear, you startled me,” she says, letting out a breath.
“I startled you ? You’re the one going around touching people.”
“Yes, well, you look like you could use some help.”
“I don’t,” I snap then rush down the way Callum said his mom’s shop was.
He never told me the name, but I’m sure I can figure it out. I look into each window, thinking I’ll see Callum’s snub face with that stupid grin he always has plastered to it. That stupid handsome face, I might add. But I don’t care about his stupid handsome face or the fact that he got me out of there. Actually, for all intents and purposes, he kidnapped me.
I walk up and down this street what feels like a hundred times and still no sign of him. Maybe I should have taken that lady up on her offer. She seemed nice, but she scared the fuck out of me and had the audacity to electrocute me. Just when I’m about to give up, that annoying sultry voice rings through my ears.
“Lost, Princess?”
“Not at all,” I quip, exhaustion eminent in my tone.
“Well, I watched you walk past a few times, so it would seem that you are.”
“I can’t be lost if I never knew where I was going.”
“What was that with you and Rose down there?” Rose? She should change her name to Zapolina.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where are we supposed to be?”
“Admitting you’re lost?”
“If I admit I’m lost, will you show me to a shower after we’re done?” His eyes shine with a sparkle—just a blip, but it was there. He fights a smile and wins. “You know what I mean.”
“Possibly.” Well, that’s better than nothing.
“Fine. I’m lost. I’m a damsel in distress and have been awaiting your help to save me from the peril I have found myself in. Please be my knight in shining armor and show me the way.” I bat my eyelashes for a more dramatic effect.
“Last I checked, you didn’t need saving.”
He’s right. I don’t need saving. Not now. But I did.
“Let’s just go.” I’m so tired, and the only thing I want to do is take a scalding-hot shower, get into some jammies, and drift off into a blissful sleep.
He nods and walks past me. Just two doors down, he holds the door wide open for me. Above the door reads Belladonna’s Bouquets. My feet carry me to him, and they cross the threshold into the flower shop. The smell takes over. A mixture of lavender, rose, and fresh potting soil. Hints of musk and eucalyptus blend together, creating an aroma of pure harmony. A familiar scent I can’t quite put my finger on.
The colors are breathtaking. Every species of plant I could imagine and ones even my mind couldn’t conjure up. It’s like being transported into a different world. Well, another different world.
“It’s gorgeous. This is your mom’s store?”
“Yes, she has a natural gift.”
My eyes wander around the shop, taking in everything as Callum leads me to the back. Finally, I look ahead, and in front of me is a gorgeous woman. Stunning, dark-purple hair flows down her back, and her skin is a glowy brown with freckles scattered over her nose and cheeks. Sitting next to her is this short, round, bald man. He reminds me of the Pillsbury Doughboy. At the comparison, Callum looks at me inquisitively, but I don’t pay him any mind.
“Callum, what did you do to the poor girl?” the stunning woman asks, her hand on her hip, eyebrows raised in question.
“I didn’t do anything, Mother.” That’s his mom?
“Yeah, I’ll believe that when scurriers fly,” she huffs.
What the fuck is a scurrier?
“He’s actually right. He didn’t do this to me, but I took care of the bastard who did.”
“She did. I didn’t even save her.”
“I didn’t need to be saved.”
His mom’s face morphs into something like admiration, and one side of her mouth twitches into a half smile.
“Kallie, this is my mother, Belladonna. Donni for short.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“And this is my pops, Benny.” Benny wears a wide-faced grin, causing his cheeks to protrude off his face as he stands and walks up to me.
“Kallie! I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!” he says with excitement and seals it with a hug. I am not a hugger, but something about it brings me comfort. I return his embrace as Belladonna interjects.
“Oh, Benny, let the girl breathe.”
“Did my son give you a forest bun before you came over? Callum, please tell me you gave her a forest bun.” What in the world is a forest bun?
“I didn’t have a chance, Pops. Next time.”
“I can just run over there really quic—”
“We have much to discuss,” Donni interrupts.
“Alright, alright. But promise me, you’ll make it back over.”
“Promise.” It’s not a promise I plan on breaking. Something about him reminds me of my dad. Tears threaten to fall, but I pull them back and give him a reassuring nod.
Callum stares at me as his dad walks away, his expression unreadable. He clears his throat and gestures to one of the empty chairs at the table. We both sit, and I wait.
“Kalliope, what has my son told you?” Donni asks.
“Kallie,” I correct her. “He’s told me what I assume is everything.” I reiterate everything I can remember to the table. The story still sounds insane, even after all that’s already happened.
“So, you know where you are and why you’re here?” Her question comes out cautious, like she’s testing the waters, hoping not to rock the boat and send me overboard.
“I’m here so I don’t die. Apparently, that’s a goal for a lot of people. Callum mentioned something about training?”
“That pretty much sums it up,” she reassures. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t you both head to the house and get cleaned up. I’ll start you on your training bright and early,” Belladonna offers, but my eyebrows pinch together.
“I’m sorry, I thought Callum was going to train me.”
“We both are. Is that a problem?”
“Not at all, but you’re a florist.” I don’t want to offend her, but I don’t know what she’s really going to bring to the table.
“I am…and so much more.”