AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"No, pretty pet. I've found you."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
THE GREAT BIRDS CAW. THERE IS A HUGE FLAPPING of wings as they leave their perches. As they fly down, they change shape, becoming men, until they are the Poppy Warriors, surrounding us, cutting off all escape.
Seeing my shocked expression, Azreal explains."Yes, it was the Order that cursed us so for our games. It's been so very long since we've had such beauties to play with. So long since we've been able to visit your lovely world and bring back pets." He entwines my hair around his fingers like laces. His breath is hot in my ear as he leans in close. "Such a very, very long time."
My throat's dry as kindling, and my legs tremble.
"I don't think this will do you any good now," he says, dropping the lifeless amulet in my hand. "Now, who shall we play with first?" Azreal stops in front of Ann. "Who would miss you, pet? Would anyone sighedy-sigh over one more lost maiden? Perhaps if she were the fairest of them all. But this is no fairy tale. And you are not fair. Not fair at all."
Ann is so terror-stricken she's nearly in a trance.
"It would be a blessing if we took you, hmmm? No more burning inside while the others have all they could ever want and more. No need to cut into your own flesh. No more keeping your mouth closed tight around the scream that explodes inside while they mock you."
Ann nods in agreement. Azreal leans in to her."Yes, we can end it for you."
"Stop it!" Felicity spits out.
Azreal moves to her, caresses her neck. "Such spirit, pet. How long would you last? If I broke and bled you? A week? Two?" He breaks into a slow grin. "Or . . . would you skitter away inside somewhere, as you did every time he touched you?"
Felicity's shame shows as a single tear coursing down her cheek. How does he know this about her?
"You be quiet," she whispers, her voice betraying her anguish. "All those nights in your room. Nowhere to go. No one to trust. No one to hear you. Not such spirit, then, pet."
"Stop," Felicity whispers.
He licks her cheek. "You took it. And deep down, you told yourself,'This is my fault. I made this happen. . . . ""
Felicity is so afraid. I can feel it in her. We all can. What was it he said? We smell your fear. It lets us in. Is there something about our fear that gives power to their magic?
"Fee, don't listen to him!" I shout.
"Do you know something, pet? I think you rather enjoyed it. 'Tis better than being ignored altogether, isn't it? That's what you truly fear, hmmm? That you are so very unlovable after all?"
Felicity's sobbing, unable to answer.
"You don't want to live with this anymore, do you, poppet? The shame. The heartbreak. The stain on your soul. Why don't you take this blade and do yourself in?"
Felicity reaches out and takes the dagger he offers.
"No!" I shout, but I'm restrained by one of the Warriors.
He coos to her sweetly as a mother with a babe. "That's it. Just end it. All that pain. Gone forever."
"Don't let them in," I say to Felicity."They're using your fear against you. You must be strong. Be strong!" Strong. Strength. I'm reminded of something Nell said. "Felicity, Nell said the Poppy Warriors would steal our strength. Fee, you are our strength! We need
you!"
I'm face to face with Azreal and his dead, kohled eyes. "What about your fear, poppet? Where should we begin? You can't even help your own father."
"I'm not listening to you," I say. I try to concentrate, abandon my fear. But it is so very hard. Azreal continues."All that power, yet you cannot do the one thing that matters."
A moment ago, the amulet began to glow, to show me the way out. I clutch it in my hand, secretly angling it toward the last two tunnels. Which is the one?
A hard slap stings my cheek."Are you listening, poppet?"
Keep concentrating, Gemma. Do I imagine it, or does the amulet glow? It does! It is faint but real. The tunnel directly behind Azreal is the one. I've found the way.
