Next Move

Next Move
The room around me grew quiet as my words sank in. We were in for quite a fight with the fake Vladimier. I knew from experience how nasty and terrifying he could be when he wanted something. What the hell was he even planning?

"Tell me how the original curse was cast." Elias spoke, causing shock to roll through my body. "That way, we know what we are up against."

"A life." I whispered, shivering. "In order to cast the curse, a life must be sacrificed."

"A life?" He hissed, seeming unable to quite believe what he had just heard. "If that's the case, then who..."

The rest of his question never managed to escape, as realization began to show in his eyes, followed by a horror that left me feeling happy and sad at the same time.

"You're saying..." He managed as his face paled. "That bastard."

I could feel Elias' aura beginning to seep off of him as his anger at Vladimier's method of cursing his land sank in.

"You need to calm down." I murmured, reaching out a hand and touching his arm. "We're in hiding, remember?"

If Elias continued to let his emotions get the better of him, then there was a chance that we would be found out. Anyone walking past this hut would easily be able to feel his aura and realize that we were here.

"How are you so calm?" He demanded, meeting my gaze. "He used you to curse everyone."

Honestly, that was a good question. How was I so calm, given everything that had happened in the past? I guess it was because I knew there was nothing I could do to change it.

"Getting mad won't make a difference." I pointed out, deciding that was the easiest way to explain it. "Not to mention, I need to save my energy for what lies ahead."

Currently, the only thing that truly mattered was lifting the curse and getting rid of Vladimier. Anything past that could wait or disappear entirely until the time to worry about it came.

"I will avenge you." Elias murmured, placing a hand on my cheek. "I will rip that bastard apart piece by piece and then feed him to the fucking pixies that torment his gardens."

I felt myself flushing instantly at the intimate act. Usually I wouldn't mind, but given the fact that we weren't alone, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. However, hearing his anger over what was done to me left me feeling warm inside.

Opening my mouth, I prepared to remind Elias that Tristan was still in the room with us just as a cough sounded. Looking over, I found the man in question looking very uncomfortable. Turning bright red, I moved my head away so that Elias' hand was no longer touching me.

"Sorry." I managed, trying to get my wits about me. "We need to focus here."

As the words left my lips, I heard a growl sound beside me, taking me by surprise. Moving my gaze towards where the sound came from, I found Elias glaring at Tristan, clearly irritated about the disruption.

"Should I leave?" Tristan muttered. "I can give you two some privacy."

"That isn't necessary." I said quickly, as Elias seemed to genuinely consider his offer. "It really isn't." I added for effect. "We need to figure out what our next move is."

"You're right." Tristan agreed.

However, Elias remained quiet as his narrowed gaze continued to watch Tristan.

"Will you get it together?" I growled, glaring at him. "It isn't the time for this."

Though I appreciated the fact that he cared that much, now truly wasn't the time for his jealousy to be flaring. When we escaped from here and got back to the kingdom of Allsbrook, he could throw all the fits he wanted to.

"Fine." Elias hissed, though he didn't seem happy about conceding. "What do you suggest we do?" He continued, turning his gentle gaze toward me. "Do you have an idea of how to defeat Vladimier?"

"No." I admitted frowning. "Tristan, what about you?"

At my words, Tristan stiffened. Clearly, he didn't know what was being discussed before he made his appearance.

"I know that it will be hard for you to help us." I continued earnestly. "But we can't let that fake continue to walk around."

Now that I was sure that man wasn't Vladimier, we needed to take him out and then figure out where the real Vladimier was. I wasn't sure what would happen after the real one was found in regards to our relationship, but I knew that my heart belonged to Elias now, and no one could change that.

"That's a suicide mission." Tristan pointed out, causing my heart to clench. "There are so many that are tricked by his act. They wouldn't let us easily take him out."

He had a point there, and it wasn't something that I even considered. I just assumed that, like us, the others realized that he wasn't the real deal, but I should have considered the alternative.

"Before we do anything, shouldn't we consider how to remove the curse that he laid on the land? Something that doesn't involve someone dying." Elias asked, once again bringing up the one thing that I truly didn't even want to think about.

Unbidden, a flash of myself gasping for air as blood poured from my neck flashed before my eyes, making me sick. Doubling over, I tried to not hurl all over the ground as Elias rushed forward, wrapping his arms around me.

"Are you absolutely sure you're alright?" He demanded as I gasped for air. "Tristan, can you get a trusted healer here?"

"I'm not sure." Tristan admitted turning pale. "Since Valerie's escape, security has been greatly tightened around the palace."

Honestly, what else did we expect? There was no way that Vladimier would take an escape lightly. I was even surprised that we were able to come here without being seen.

"This area is protected by magic." Elias explained, reading my thoughts. "Only Tristan and I were able to find it."

Eyes growing wide, I looked from Elias to Tristan as what I was just told sank in. Did this mean that Elias never left that night and was instead biding his time here?

As the thought hit me, I looked at Elias, who was looking slightly embarrassed. From his reaction, I knew the answer to my question.

"How long?" I asked slowly, trying to control my anger. "How long have you been away from Allsbrook?"

"Since the day Tristan found you in the woods after the wendigo attack." Elias admitted sheepishly.

"Great." I sighed, running a hand across my face. "There is going to be such a mess when we finally return."

"It will be fine." He assured me, lifting a hand and touching my cheek. "As long as you're beside me, I can handle anything. Now, let's focus on the issue at hand."