AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rough estimate? About five years.”
Well, that’s not as bad as twenty, but it’s not great either. Zaylee’s missed an entire phase of growing up. A crucial one, when she should’ve been skipping about her home without a care in the world, figuring out which clothes she likes best, and daydreaming about love interests. Reading, drawing, dancing, gazing at the sky. Teenage stuff.
“What kind of repercussions would this dormancy have on the physical and mental development of a child?” I ask.
“I admit that I wasn’t sure how it would affect her in the beginning, but from what I’ve observed, I can state with certainty that Zaylee’s growth has not been hindered in any way, and that includes her wisdom.”
“So you experimented on her? That’s fucked up.”
Unaffected by my ire, Madden defends his actions. “You don’t understand what it’s like out there in The Unknown. Some of the men in my tribe have no morals at all, and Zaylee could’ve been violated or traded, regardless of her age. I’ve shielded her from unthinkable unpleasantness.”
He’s right. I hate to admit it, but if it weren’t for Madden, the past several years of Zaylee’s life could’ve been a lot worse than spending most of it sleeping.
“Well, how do you get this thing open?” I wave my hand at the case, hoping Madden will show us with a demonstration that will free Zaylee.
“As you’ve witnessed, I have a rare form of telekinesis,” he touts with conceit. “Some call me a Sculptor. I can mold materials. I can destroy them, or I can turn them into something else entirely. Watch and see.”
Instead of making an example of the casket, he gazes at the floor and homes in on the melted mallet. When I look down at it, the wood and metal start to move in reverse.
Disturbed by the sight, Kai steps back, dragging me with him as strange sounds come from the materials. There’s some wet slurping and snapping while they fuse together and reshape into what they once were.
Within seconds, the tool has been restored. It’s in one piece as if it were never dismantled to begin with.
“Go ahead,” Madden says to Kai. “Pick it up. It’s not perfect. There are flaws when I don’t have enough time to fix things, but it should be functional.”
Kai’s suspicious glare pings from Madden to the mallet, and he quickly bends to retrieve his weapon.
Reluctantly impressed, he turns it in his hand. “It’s like healing, but for objects.”
Tipping his head toward the glass case, Madden explains, “This vessel was a collection of glass—vases, mirrors, windows—but I’ve changed the molecular structure of it so much that it only responds to me. It’s indestructible.”
That explains why Kai couldn’t break it.
“Well, Madden.” Kai squares his shoulders with an assertive air. “Your obligation to the princess has come to an end. We’re here, and we can take her off your hands.”
Raising my chin like the queen I am, I diplomatically intone, “Yes, Princess Zaylee will be leaving with us today. We’re indebted to you for the care you’ve provided for her, and I’ll do my best to find a way to compensate you for the favor once we’ve returned to Valora. I hereby officially release you from your duty. Thank you.”
“No.” Madden’s swift refusal douses my excitement.
“No?” I parrot incredulously.
“No, you cannot take her,” he clarifies.
“Why not?”
“I’m not letting Zaylee go with someone who’s owned by Armand.” He flicks a finger at the necklace Kai’s wearing. “That collar tells me everything I need to know. Whatever quest you’re on, it’s not a safe one. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to Zaylee because I was no longer watching her.”
Flustered, I sputter. “That’s not your burden to bear.”
“She’s not a burden to me.” Madden gazes into the casket with a look I know too well.
It’s the same way Kai looks at me.
Shit. Fuck. Damn.
We’re not competing with admiration or respect. This isn’t a case of someone developing a friendship over time.
We’re looking at the worst-case scenario.
