Taken

Chapter 31

There she is. My sister.

            She's against the far wall, her back pressed into a glowing, golden crystal that pulses with energy. Her head hangs forward with dirty brown strands of hair sticking to her cheeks. Even from this distance I can tell that she's weak and failing quickly.

            But all along the walls are Sepi. They crowd in front of Nina and guard every other entrance. And in the middle of them all are seven figures in blood red cloaks with the hoods drawn.

            The Veti.

            "Leo and Vul, you are wanted for treason for harboring a human in our great land," the one in the middle says. "Stand down."

            Vul steps forward. "You want us to stand down when we're already wanted for treason and will be sent to the Nether anyway?" he shakes his head. "Honestly, we have nothing to lose."

            "Then you will die beside her." The Veti turns to the others.

            "Ray should be here soon with the others," Leo says softly and I give him a small nod. "When they get here you need to run to your sister. You are the only one who can save her."

            The Veti turn to the scattered Sepi and give a nod. Protect the Bratus!"

            And then all hell breaks loose.

            The Sepi morph into their animal forms as Leo and Vul leap forward. I slip off of Leo's back and duck behind a spindling tree root that acts like a column. I watch as my friends fend off all sorts of animals; it seems like none of them have noticed my escape.

            With them distracted I slip behind the next column and then the next, praying that Ray will hurry up and help my friends.

            I'm almost there when I hear Vul let out a howl in pain.

            No.

            I peek around the corner to find him on his side, blood seeping from his fur and his brother trying desperately to defend him.

            Then hundreds of pixies burst into the cavern and charge the Sepi, blinding them.

            With a grin I stand and sprint to the jewel, toward my sister.

            "Ari," she rasps when I get to her side. "What are you doing here?"

            "I'm taking you home," I say as I reach for her thin and frail wrist and try to free her from the crystal but it's no use, it's like she became a part of it. "How do I get you out?"

            "You can't." Her voice cracks as a tear slides down her cheek. "I'm trapped."

            "Well you won't be for long, I promise," I say as I grasp her shoulders and close my eyes.

            Please, I think as I call on the light. Free her.

            My hands begin to glow and heat up, the white contrasting the gold as it helps me peel her away from the crystal. She falls into me, so light and frail as I kneel down and lean her against the wall.

            "I'm going to get you out of here," I say as the light in the gem fades. "We're gonna go home."

            "No!" One of the Veti shrieks.

            I whip around in time to find two Sepi hauling me to my feet.

            "No!" I shriek as they drag me away from my sister. "Let me go! No, Nina!"

            One other picks her up and carries her away as her eyes flutter closed. My breaths start coming out short and ragged as I struggle against my captors.

            I have to get to her. I have to.

            He attaches her back to the crystal even though her body clearly can't take any more.

            "Stop it! You're killing her. Let. Me.Go!"

            All of a sudden I'm blinded by a bright light. It only lasts a moment, for when I open my eyes I am still on my feet and breathing heavily. Only this time the Sepi are on the ground, clutching their heads or unconscious. When I look at the Veti, they are staring back at me with wide eyes.

            "My apologies, your highness. I did not realize that—"

            "Silence!" I shout, only it isn't me who speaks, but Beata.

            The Veti who spoke whimpers and bows, the others following suit. I stand tall, and for a moment, I feel power coming off of me in waves. When I glance down I find myself glowing with a whitish-hew. I wait for her to continue but she doesn't so I take over.

            "Release the girl," I command, my eyes narrowed at the Veti. Out of the corner of my eye I see Leo helping Vul to his feet, both in their original form.

            "But—"

            "I said release her."

            The Veti nod and then hurry to my sister to gently detach her from the crystal.

            "Forgive me," one of them says. "But without the girl, we have no way of keeping the Bratus alive and protected."

            I feel Beata take over again.

            "Because of you, Mortem's ways have sunk into the minds of my people. You picked the wrong hospes and let the dark lord roam through both worlds. You have no right to continue hurting that poor girl."

            Child, she says in my head. There comes a price for your sister's life. Can you pay it?

            I take a look at Nina, my older sister. She's unconscious and so fragile.

            Anything, I reply. I just want her safe.

            And I can guarantee that if you take her place.

            I glance at Nina, and then Leo and Vul. I can save them. I will save them. Besides, they've done so much for me, it's time to give back.

            I'll do it.

            You are a true soul, she says. That's why I chose you. Now I must leave to fulfill my promise so you may fulfill mine.

            Okay.

            And then she's gone along with the whitish glow about me. I blink and look at the Veti.

            "I will take my sister's place on that . . . thing," I say, my words still feeling powerful in the goddess's absence.

            "Ari, you can't!" Leo shouts but I just shake my head at him and turn back to the Veti.

            "I am ready to fulfill what I was chosen for."

            And with those last words, I step up to the crystal.