Spirits

Chapter 27

I stopped talking as I saw Isabella's face slowly clouding, the hope in her eyes dimming until they were cold and distant.

"You've met more than Jax. I thought perhaps you were using him to help you."

"Don't be silly, Jax came with me to ask you for help." I took her hands in my own, pulling her close. "We need your help. Our family is a part of a secret society that hunts Spirits. We live in hiding. With you, we could defend ourselves."

Isabella slid her hands through mine, pulling them to her chest. "You know?" She laughed, but it was dark and bitter. "Of course you know. I should have expected that they would have found the connection and used it. Maurea, Spirits cannot be trusted. You've heard the stories salaried bring the port, monsters that drag entail ships into death, killing men and women with no mercy. If we don't stop them, no one will."

"How can you say that? Yes, there are some Spirits that attack humans, but what makes them different from humans killing each other. Not only that, we control ourselves. There is a whole society of us, working together. They," I bit my lip, taking a few deep breaths, "we are good people who just want a chance to live peacefully. If you only met them, you would understand."

"Please," I moved forward and Isabella froze, mouth slightly open, "give us a chance. Give me a chance to show you."

I reached out a hand, willing her to take it and accept the truth. To accept me and Jax and the world I was growing to love.

Her brown eyes studied me, taking in my taller figure, dirty appearance. I might not look the same, but nothing had changed. I was more powerful, stronger and was no longer running. Deep down I was still the little sister who had clung to Isabella on sark nights when branches brushed against my window, the sister who made flower crowns as we pretended to be grown ups with fancy hats. Isabella would see it, I had no doubt. Nothing could stop her from protecting her sister, that I was confident of.

Isabella slowly peeled her hand from her chest, arm shaking as she stared at my outstretched limb. I could see her loosening, the tension marrying her form flipping away. I could feel the surge of pride, but my head snapped up before she would take my hand.

A tree branch had snapped just outside the clearing. It was different that's the usual sounds of the forest, humans. Jax would not make that mistake.

"What's wrong?" Isabella questioned as I took her hand, pulling her close.

"I don't know. Stay here and don't move. I'm sure it is nothing but a squirrel or large bird." I knew I was lying and so did Isabella, but the lie was comforting a white lie in the face of danger.

The forest went dead silent, as we held our breath. Out of the darkness, movement suddenly broke the tension. The tree branches were thrown away as Jax pounded into the clearing. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open, yelling.

"Run!" He waved his arm at us, his tone commanding, but I could hear the fear. "They're coming!"

I grabbed Isabella's hand and started running for the woods. She stumbled along after me. Jax had stopped yelling and he soon caught up to us.

"Are you coming with us or are you staying?"

"I will," she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear her. "Run and don't look back. If you can escape without me, do it. You're the one they want, Maurea."

The men appeared at that moment, three men sporting a rifle and sword, the mental gleaming in the moonlight.

"Get the girls," the deep voice of my father ordered. "Take the boy alive if you can, but do not harm the women."