Chapter 61

Elika smiled at her friend, Sarah going on and on about the upcoming fall dance, apparently everyone in their class would go, and most would take a date. Her friend was excited, she couldn’t wait to pick out what she would wear. But the princess had no interest in dating, dancing, or anything that made males and females close enough to kiss.

Something like that would only cause trouble for her. Especially if she got close to someone she knew she could never have a future with.

It was an unnecessary risk, one she didn’t think she was likely to take part in.

The dance would be nice, but Elika would much rather spend the night with her friend than some random guy.

A random human guy that she would have to ditch at the first sign of Jake returning. Her brother wouldn’t like it, none of her family would. It was against the rules the try date a mortal, and she wasn’t about to break her fathers law.

Darkous already did that, and he paid the ultimate price for his mistake, and so did every immortal who was caught up in the war.

“What do you think?” Sarah asks, bouncing in the tips of her toes.

Elika frowns, releasing she missed what he friend had said, but also not wanting to be rude.

“I…”

“You didn’t hear me did you.” Laughs Sarah, “You always drift off into your own mind where I can’t reach you.”

“I just have a lot of my mind.” Says the princess, her eyes on the masses of people that squeeze past where they are stood.

She almost thought she saw Michael a few seconds ago, but she sees him everywhere, including in her nightmares.

But that is where he belongs, in dreams where he can’t ever hurt her again.

“Well, I said how about we go dress shopping later?” Sarah shakes her head, “if I can capture your attention long enough to help me decide on the best one.”

It was Elika’s turn to laugh, though it was forced as her eyes searched the crowd. “You know I will help where I can, but my taste isn’t exactly the best.”

Was that Darren near the book store? She couldn’t be sure, it was like all her inner demons were coming out of her mind and manifesting in the street.

“Shouldn’t we get to school?” She grabs her friends hand and begins pulling her towards the direction of the school, her frantic movements catching the eye of several people who pass by.

“Ellie, you are acting really weird.” Sarah says, pulling her hand back, “is there something your not telling me?”

Elika immediately tensed, her eyes widening at the corners. “I can’t say here, but I need you to trust me.”

Her eyes skim over her friends worried expression, she would have to figure out how to tell her a half lie, whilst also being as honest as she can. But Elika wasn’t hallucinating, and as she saw the familiar mechanical white eyes just across the road, her entire body began to tremble and shiver.

He hadn’t spotted her yet, but he would if they didn’t move quickly, and if he saw her it was game over. She would have to go back with him and face a fate worse than death.

Sarah nods, taking her friend by the arm and pulling her towards the nearest taxi, it would be quicker to get to school that way, and she was certain that Elika was about to freak out in the middle of the street. She didn’t know what was bothering her, but she knew that she wanted to help however she can.

Sarah talks to the driver as Elika slumps back in the seat, her eyes on the four figures stood outside of her favourite book store. Did they know she goes there or was it a coincidence?

What were they doing in this realm? Jake assured the princess that they would be too busy to come here, that Darkous would never find her.

Yet there he was, smiling at something Michael was saying, and looking almost human. Almost.

But she knew better, she knew that he was a monster in disguise. A monster who would drag her right back down to hell if he ever found her.

Maybe if she left the city he would never know she was here, or if she tried to contact her brother to get his advise.

She threw her head into her hands, trying desperately to catch her breath and calm her racing heart, but nothing worked. It was like the past was trapping her once more.

The last time he found her was on her sixteenth birthday, and now, on the day she turns seventeen he is in the same city, no doubt looking for her.

What will he do once he does find her? What will she be forced to endure at his hands?

She couldn’t breath, the world was closing in around her, the light she fought so hard to find was slipping away, just out of reach.

“Ellie snap out of it!” Sarah cries, shaking her shoulders as the taxi speeds into traffic. “What’s wrong?”

“I-I can’t…” The princess sobs, tears sliding down her cheeks.

How could she be so stupid? She should have never have ran away to begin with, now when he finds her it’ll be much worse than before. He will never let her out of that goddamn cage again.

“Tell me what’s wrong, what has you so scared?” Sarah asks, pulling her friend into her arms as she sobs, not sure what to do to bring comfort to her mind.

Elika looks back at the bookstore, but the demons have gone, no one stands there anymore, and there no trace that anyone did. Was her mind playing tricks on her?

No. She definitely saw them, she would recognise them anywhere, even without all the blood and armour. It was definitely Darkous. It was definitely Michael and the others.

They had come to earth in search of her and she had nearly walked straight into their grasp.

It was too close.

They were too close.

“Ellie please tell me what is wrong.” Sarah says, gently pulling her towards her.

“They’ve found me.” Elika gasps between sharp breaths.

“Who?” Sarah frowns, looking around the street as the taxi takes them towards the school.

“My family.”