“Hello, Johnny! My name is Cecily. I’m going to help your mom to be a human again, and as soon as she wakes up, we’ll explain what happened. That sound like a good plan to you?” I kneel down so he doesn’t feel like I’m towering over him.
Johnny nods his head again and reaches for my hand. As soon as I’m holding it, he hides behind my leg, grasping it like his life depends on not letting go. I glance up at the guys, confused as to what to do with the little guy clinging to me.“You made a connection with him, Precious. What did you expect to happen?”Derrick says in my mind, so the boy doesn’t overhear.
I’m so not used to interacting with others, but this is a sweetness I could get used to. Now it’s time to help momma bear.
Chapter 23
Marcellus
One Hundred and Fifty Years Ago
My soul is following Cecily’s again as I sleep. We’ve had so many adventures, the most recent of which has involved a horse. Most of the time when she isn’t floating with a breeze, she’s attached to a human. There are rare occasions though, where she becomes attached to an animal.
The owners call the mare Sugar most of the time, unless she’s running free in the field, then they call her Sugar Attack. We’ve watched her spend countless hours in the field enjoying life, munching on sweet grass and chasing friends.
Today isn’t one of those days. Today is special, because Sugar is about to give birth to her first foal. Cecily and I wait with anticipation to find out if Sugar’s baby is a girl or boy. Just a few moments left to wait as she pushes.
Wait! Nooo... I wanted to see Sugar greet her baby into the world. We’re whisked away from the scene, although this time feels different from every other time we’ve traveled in this form. This time, we’re instantly in a new place.
Once disorientation passes, I recognize where I am. This is the room I built for Cecily to remain safe. It’s been almost impossible for me to visit her lately, due to miners trying to find gold, but I never imagined they would stumble across her haven. Oh, this isn’t good. What am I going to do? How could I mess up so badlytwicewhen it comes to her?
This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to wake up on my own while in this strange in-between place. Why would I? When I’m here, I get to be with my love, even if she has no idea I’m here with her. At least I know she’s okay and safe, still alive even.
I don’t know if it’s possible, but I will my soul to return to my body in hopes I wake up. It doesn’t work. I’m stuck here watching a miner with his hand on her arm.Get your hand off my woman!Cecily doesn’t like the strange man touching her either, and suddenly a zap stings his hand and a yelp sounds out.Good job, Darling! You set him right! Keep everyone away from you until I can get to you.
The man who dared to lay his hand on my woman says, “I think we struck gold gentlemen, just not the type we were searching for.” How dare he talk about her like she’s some form of currency! Cecily seems too distracted by her body to pay proper attention to the conversation going on around her.
Another one of the miners asks, “How much do you think we can get for her? There’s no entrance and yet she’s in some sort of stasis. I bet there’s some scientist who would love to study her. And those types can afford a high price.”
A third man voices his thoughts next, “I got a cousin back in New York who works in medicine. I can send word and ask if he knows of anyone who would be interested.”
They all gather around her, and try to pick her up to take her body out, but she zaps each of them again when they touch her. Finally, they quickly lay her out on a sheet to carry her body out of the tunnel they dug into the cavern. What are they going to do with my girl? I need to get there as soon as I can.Wake up, wake up, wake up!
We float after her body as they travel to a nearby tent and lay her out on a bedroll.I’m so sorry I’m not here to protect you... Yet again. You deserve a better mate than I’ve turned out to be.How I wish she could hear the words I say to her in this form.
I snap into my body as a hand shakes my shoulder. “Shift change. You’re up, man. Silas is waiting for you as well.” My soldier walks out of my chambers, his mumbling still reaching my ears. “How is it possible for him to sleep so soundly he needs someone to wake him up every time?” If he only knew...
Jumping from the bed, I frantically reach for my pants and jump into them, before pulling on a shirt and slamming my feet into my boots. I make it to my door, ready to flee the castle before the soldier even makes it to the staircase. He jumps out of my way as I run for the exit. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I get to the miner’s camp, but it’s vital I get Cecily away from whoever found her.
Before I can make it out of the closest exit, Silas appears in my path. “There you are, Marcellus. I need you performing round-the-clock coverage in the dungeon for the next two weeks. We’re having unexpected guests and it’s vital the prisoners aren’t discovered.” Is he for real right now? I don’t have time for this.
“I’ll get down there as soon as I finish a quick errand, Uncle. Won’t take me long.”Please be reasonable today.
I head for the door again, but his harsh grip wraps around my arm. “I gave you an order, boy,” he seethes.
“I understand, Uncle, but this is an urgent matter that needs to be seen to immediately.” Wincing, I hope he doesn’t hear the desperation in my voice.
“Is that so? And what is this urgent matter you haven’t notified me of?” Manic fire flashes in his eyes. What can I possibly tell him? He doesn’t accept I could have any personal matters, my life belongs to him and him alone. This is an unwinnable situation. I need to come up with another plan.
“Forgive me, Uncle, it’s nothing. I’ll get down to the dungeon with post haste.” His hold on my arm tightens for a moment before releasing.
His voice is a low hiss when he replies, “Make sure you do. And Marcellus, your lapse in judgement will have consequences.”
There’s a solid knot of dread in my throat, not for me, but for Cecily. The heated gaze of Silas’ eyes follows me as my feet carry my unwilling body to the dungeon entrance. How am I going to get help for my girl? It’ll take too long for one of our escaped members to arrive, and there’s no way to know how long the miners will keep her close by. Her trail could be dissipating as I waste time trying to come up with a plan.
Out of habit, I end up outside of Thea’s cell. Checking the hallway, I quickly enter the small room after seeing no one about. “What’s wrong?” her soft voice inquires the moment she lays eyes on me.
“Some miners found Cecily’s body where I had it hidden. I tried to leave and get to her, but Silas stopped me before I could get out, and commanded me to stay down here for two weeks because of some unexpected guest. Thea, I don’t know what to do!” It’s hard to pace in such a small area, but I do my best as I practically pull my hair out by the roots.
