Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 23 (Juliana)

I groan, and the two whispering voices pause. I open my eyes, looking over to my right, I realize I'm staring out the window. I shift to look at the door. One of the witches, Ingrid if I remember correctly, has Beorn in her grip.

"Lady Juliana, want to help?" The witch asks.

"What's the matter?" I mumble, rolling off of the window seat. I had been sitting on it and then had fallen asleep.

"Every time we try to drop him on the floor he tries to get out," Anya says, looking at Beorn. I look at her arm and it's bleeding.

"Beorn, come here," I say walking over. I hold my hands out for him. Ingrid gives me a calculated look. She drops him in my arms. I grab his neck and then wrap a hand around his muzzle. Anya slams the door. I quickly drop Beorn. He runs to the door, yapping and howling. I look at Anya, "Let's see if we can lock him in the bathroom." Anya nods her head. I look at the dishes from dinner. I walk over and grab a few pieces of whatever meat it was that we had eaten. Whistling, I show Beorn the pieces of meat. He runs towards me, I throw the meat into the bathroom. Anya shuts the door.

Anya looks at me and chuckles. "Well, that was something."

I nod in agreement and walk back towards the window, the sun starts to peak over the mountains. It is actually breathtaking. One of the most beautiful things I have seen. I couldn't believe that something so evil had such beauty.

I hear Anya sigh. "It's beautiful."

"It sure is."

"I wonder what the boys are doing?"

I look over at her. "Why do you always want to know?"

Anya's face went beet red. "I don't know."

"I think it's because of my brother," I say matter-of-factly.

"Why would you ever think that?" She is blushing hard

"Anya," I say, giving her a look. "Do you think I'm blind? Don't think I don't see the way you two look at each other or the way he gives you special attention." I put my hand on her shoulder forcing her to look at me. "Tell him, and if he breaks your heart I will break his and more."

"Well said." We both whip around. Sienna stands at the entrance. I followed her pointed finger with my eyes. Two trays holding food that smelled delicious. The maids enter and head towards the bathroom.

"Wait! Don't open that door!" All four of the witches look at me with confusion. "Beorn's in there. If you let him out, he will run."

Sienna raises her eyebrows and stalks to the door. Before I can get to her she rips the door open. Beorn goes to race past her. And then faster than I can blink, Beorn is in the air held by nothing. I feel my mouth open in shock. I almost fall on my butt, and I hear Anya fall against the window.

"How did you do that?" I ask, barely finding my voice.

Sienna laughs. "Magic."

I step towards the dog who is frantically pawing the air. He sees me and whines.

"I'll take him to your brother."

"Thank you."

She walks to the door with Beorn a few inches behind her. I look towards her hands but they aren't even moving. Beorn is being held by command. So Sienna wasn't just Caldina's commander with good fighting skills, but she is also a really powerful witch. Interesting. I look over at Anya who looks like she will pass out any moment.

"You take a bath first, Anya. I'll eat."

She goes to stand up but almost falls over. One of the maids catches her.

"I think a nice warm bath will help." The maid says moving her hands to Anya's arms to steady her.

Anya wrenches her arm out of the maid's hands. "Do not touch me! Are all of you like this, this, powerful?"

The main maid steps forward. "We are not witches, girl. We are Doryukans." She turns to look at me. "And we are here to kill any of Evana's children."

My mouth falls open. "How do you know my mother?"

The main maid walks to me. "Why do you think Caldina and you look alike?" I step back from her looking towards the entrance wishing for Sienna or anybody. "We vowed that Caldina will pay for the same loss that we got. The loss of a loved one." I watch her pull a knife from her belt. I want to throw up. Anya releases a terrified scream. This is it. Anya was right! We are going to die in a witch's castle.