The Protector

Chapter 53

"Twenty-two miles. Eighteen miles before we are off coven land." Jane said, "You have to get help. Our nearest allies are in New Mexico."

"Is there anyone left?" Jordan asked.

"Lady Cloud. She is the only connection I still feel," Jane said sadly. "Which is why I plan to rescue her now."

"We'll help you."

"WHAT?!" Jordan growled, "There's no way-"

"We have to." Tracy said again, "If we wait then she'll be dead before we can come back with a rescue party."

"It's too dangerous. We don't even know where they're holding her."

"She was being taken to the holding cages at the top of the mountain."

"That was a death trap getting up," Tracy said remembering the tiny rickety car suspended by cables.

"There is a hidden staircase that very few know about." Jane said, "The biggest problem is not even getting in or out. It's opening the cages. The cages are magical and the locks can only be opened by the specific key it was designed for."

"Damn it so we need to find the keys." Tracy said frustrated by the information.

"Not necessarily," Jane said thoughtfully, "We could ask the witch that built them."

"Lucy?"

"Yes."

"I thought only Lady Anna knew where Lucy was." Tracy wondered.

"She is but the cages can be moved easily with a pair of special gloves, hidden in a safe at the top of the mountain."

"Well that's convenient," Jordan said.

"Yeah the author was getting kinda lazy at this point and was trying to avoid running into a bunch of unnecessary complications." Jane said, "Such as having to hunt down Prince Grim or break into the coven house full of zombified dead creatures to look for it and in the process almost get caught... of course. AND let's not forget the whole cliche splitting up and looking when it's obviously going to be in the study. Then the prince just has to come in and catch them while saying, 'Well, well, well...' like he's trying out for a Jack and Jill nursery play. She's NOT doing that. So magical gloves, take em or leave em."

"Oh okay. Well let's go then."

---------------

After an hour long debate, Tracy was able to convince Jordan to go to the town and find another car taking the book with him for safe keeping.

"Wait ...what about these Reaper things?" Jordan asked.

"They don't do well in light." Tracy said. "Sun's out so you'll be fine. Don't lose that journal!"

They decided it was best to bring the sword for defense in case they need to kill off the guards once they reach the top.

"When you said staircase, I was thinking of actually stairs not holes to scale a mountain." Tracy said carefully placing her foot in the shallow ledge cut into the rock, "We need both hands to climb this. How are we going to be able to carry an entire cage with a person inside of it?"

"There's rope at the top. We can rappel down." Jane said pausing to adjust the leather sheath on her back, "If you can hold onto the sword for me, I can take the cage."

"I can." Tracy brows scrunched, "I know you wanted to honor Lady Cloud's request to keep the sword safe however I'm going to have to fight off the guards in order for you to unlock the safe and set up the rope to rappel down. I'm the one who's going to need the sword."

"The sword can severely drain your energy. I've built up a tolerance to it. Lady Anna entrusted its care to me in case anything happened to her. It took me almost four years to hold it long enough to polish without falling into a deep sleep. Everyday, Lady Anna and I are exposed to its power to build tolerance." Jane explained.

"Oh. So wait. I could have fallen asleep while fighting?"

"If you were an average supernatural without magical properties then yes. But as the Protector, you have raw unused magic that counters the effects of the sword. You are one of the few that can wield it. Fortunately you possess the knowledge of how to fight with a sword."

"All that practice with Gideon and Carla paid off."

"Carla? Who is she?"

"My best friend... damn it! I forgot to call her. Ooo she's going to be pissed."

"Well if she's truly your best friend, I'm sure she'll understand. Hopefully before she murders you." Jane said.

"You say that so seriously and smooth that I have no idea if you're being sarcastic."

"Tell me about her." Jane said.

Tracy described meeting Carla and the struggles they went through together.

"I understand the bond." Jane said, "you're Spirit Sisters. A difficult connection to form but once made it's for life. Lady Anna is my Spirit Sister like yourself our joining was one of pain but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her."

A distant rumble of thunder caught their attention.

"Great now it's going to rain." Tracy complained.

"Worse. Clouds will start to form and block the sun. We have to be off coven land before then. The Reapers do not function well in sunlight, if we get clouds..."

"Point taken. Let's go."

They climbed faster, finally reaching the top. The place looked deserted.

Rushing forward, Jane knelt on the icy ground, "Sister," she whispered tears filled her eyes.

Tracy took the sword and stood watch while Jane opened to safe and set the ropes. Lady Anna was badly beaten and unconscious. They had dumped some sort of green paste on her that must be slowly her healing. Her breathing was shallow but the important thing, she was still alive. All the other cages were empty. Puddles of blood lay pooled in snow, while frozen bits of flesh and bone from the other prisoners littered the area in a gruesome display.

Quickly and quietly, they hurried their descent as the clouds crept closer. Tracy prayed that Jordan would be able to meet them in time. Laboriously, they finally reached the bottom. The sun was suddenly darkened by the overhead clouds casting their shadows upon the earth. Moments later a loud roar of alarm sounded from the mountain top.

Looking back they saw a Reaper standing at the top glaring at them before screeching at its discovery of their escape.

"RUN!" Jane screamed in terror as hundreds of creatures began to race down the side of the mountain.

Using her Were strength and sprite speed, Tracy picked up Jane who still held the cage and ran to the meeting point. A large dark blue dual cab F-250 was turning around in the middle of the road. Jordan sat in the driver's seat. His eyes widened as he saw the approaching horde. Immediately throwing the stick into gear he took off as Tracy pitched Jane and the cage in the back before getting in herself. A Reaper jumped onto the truck bed, its claws swiping out before Tracy kicked it off. Two more came but were reduced to ash as Tracy whipped out the Ebony Sword. On and on, she fought as the horde pushed forward trying to overwhelm her. A sudden scream drew Tracy's attention. A Reaper had sliced Jane's stomach open.

Pain filled every pore, at that moment she whispered, "Save yourself and my sister." Her eyes widened with horror as she screamed, "BEHIND YOU!"

Tracy quickly swung the sword around slicing through two Reapers. Another sprang towards her but Jane jumped on it's back pushing it away from Tracy. The creatures grabbed Jane and swept her over the side. They stopped chasing the truck as the whole group congregated to rip the unfortunate vampire to shreds.

Tracy screamed in rage and anguish. Tears filled her eyes as the battered vehicle rounded the bend bringing them outside of coven land and away from the grisly scene.