Jessandra propped her fists on her hips, her foot still covering the creature. “Death is a much higher payment than you should give that rotten redcap. I told you to stay at the shop.”
My head tilted back as I looked up at her. The intricate bun atop her head fooled the eye and made her appear taller than she already was. Was she wearing her hair like that earlier? I gulped down the knot in my throat and choked on it. A coughing fit took over me, tears filling my eyes and blurring my surroundings.
“By Roth’s hairy balls,” Jessandra muttered.
She gripped my shoulders and spun me around. I tripped on the cobblestones as she shoved me forward, bumping into who knew what or who. My knees struck the uneven stones when she kicked my legs out from under me and submerged my head in water. A flashback of bathtime sent me into a panic. I resisted, pushing against the concrete wall beneath me, but her hand at the back of my head held me under as I thrashed about.
Jessandra’s muffled voice was loud and clear. “Swallow.”
I panicked more. Trapped beneath the water, I was certain if I swallowed, I’d drown.
“Swallow or die,” her voice came again. “Your choice.”
Trying hard to overcome the fear and discomfort, I did as I was told. Immediately, my head was pulled out of the water, and I sprawled onto my back. Water shot up from my mouth like a geyser. The burning in my chest intensified as it traveled up my throat. It felt like something was inside me. I clawed at my skin to keep the prickly barbs from scratching my esophagus. It scurried faster, spurred on by the water I violently heaved up. I pushed onto my hands and knees, the force of every heave arching my back. A hand struck between my shoulder blades, dislodging the obstruction. I buckled under the force and spat it onto the ground. A spiky ball the color of the blue pixie lay in front of me.
I swayed on all fours, trying to take a breath that wouldn’t reach my lungs. My vision faded, and I began to lose consciousness. I was going to die here in front of these little monsters, and not one would save me because of their distorted moral code. And now the wishing stone was gone, so I couldn’t add another tally to the already long list of favors I owed the asshole who forced me here.
Jessandra’s face appeared in front of mine. “Where is your necklace?”
A croak was all I could offer her.
“Where!”
I collapsed on my side and pointed a finger in the direction the thief ran off in.
“I will find it.” Jessandra’s spine stiffened as she searched the crowd, and mumbled, “Roth strike me dead when he sees me.”
She ran off after the redcap leaving me soaked at the foot of the fountain. The prickly blue ball I vomited lay within view, taunting me as I struggled to breathe. It was useless. I had a brief moment to accept my fate. As my eyes drifted closed, a shadow began swirling wildly in the air.
He was too late.
