Chapter 20 — Emmy

It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is gathered in the main living room. Dad, Calder, Jason, and Kenzie have joined us along with Vivian, Darren, Ivy and Stella. It’s my first Christmas with my real family and my soulmate.

I’m not normally a big Christmas person, but this year was different. I was with all the people I care about. I still wish my mom was here and I know my other family members feel the same way. It feels like something is missing and that is not a feel any of us want on Christmas.

Christmas Eve is bigger in my family than Christmas day. We open our gifts on Christmas Eve. We have a huge celebration with tons of food, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. We are all in Christmas PJ’s that Vivian got everyone. I am glad I’m in something comfortable because I wasn’t in the mood to dress up. I always had to dress up when I lived with the Chase family, and I hated it.

I look down at my white and blue snowflake fleece PJ pants. I have them paired with a light blue t-shirt. All the girls have the same snowflake pants while the guys have red pants with reindeer on them. I think it’s cute for us to be in matching PJ’s. It feels like a real family tradition.

I look out the big, long windows that go from the floor to the ceiling. There are three of them. I watch the snow falling gracefully on to the ground. The snow is perfect for Christmas. I’m not a huge snow person, I prefer the warmer weather, but snow is always good on Christmas. It’s the only time I want it to actually snow.

We exchange gifts, which is fun. It’s fun to see everyone open their gifts and the reaction they have to what they get. The adults sit on the couch while us kids sit on the floor with our gifts in front of us. We each take turns opening one gift and repeat the process till everyone has opened their gifts.

Carter has gotten me a flat silver heart with the word forever on the front of it and on the back, it has our names. It’s really pretty. I got Carter a new black and gray riding jacket for the winter so he can take his bike out without freezing his ass off. Dad and Calder got me a pretty black and purple scarf with matching gloves and a hat which I need. It is soft because it's cashmere and I loved it.

Calder loves his iPod and was glad I put music on it for him. Bex loves the book I got him, and Avery loves her makeup. Carter gets new drumsticks and guitar strings from Ryan. I got candles and a new book to read from Alice.

Speaking of Alice, I still haven’t talked to her about what I saw a few weeks ago. I have noticed Alice has been sneaking off a lot lately. I don’t know what she is up to or why her and Ivy don’t want the rest of us to know. Maybe they think some of us will have a problem because Ivy is one of our trainers. I have to talk to her about it, but right now is not the time.

After all the gifts were opened, we go back to eating and watching Christmas movies. Calder is into watching movies. Calder is older than me, but in some ways he seems younger. I guess because he was a prisoner for most of his life, he didn’t get to experience normal things. I feel bad for him, but he doesn’t seem to let it get to him. He is happy to be free and to explore the world. I know our dad has been showing him everything he has missed.

Calder doesn't like to be looked at as a victim even though he was one, but I get it. I didn’t like when people looked at me as the sad girl who lost her mom at a young age. I didn’t want to be seen for what happened to me. I wanted to be seen for who I was, and I think that’s exactly how Calder feels.

It’s nice being surrounded by friends and family. This is the first Christmas that I’m enjoying myself since my mom was taken by the Enchantress. It’s also nice to have a few days off from training and to just enjoy ourselves. The team and I have been working tirelessly training and going on missions. We could use the break. Even Daren, Ivy, and Stella look like they could use a break and that's saying something because Darren is a damn drill sergeant. I think it’s also nice for dad and Calder to get a break from all their research that I’m sure they are drowning in.

Dad, Calder, Jason, and Kenzie are staying till New Year’s day at the manor. I am glad to get a week with dad and the chance to get to know Calder more. It’s still weird to say I have an older brother, but I’m getting used to it.

I sit on the big sectional couch munching on popcorn and chocolate in between Carter and Calder. Carter has his arm around my shoulder. Dad is sitting next to the fireplace talking with Jason and Kenzie. Vivian is off making Christmas themed drinks for everyone to try. Vivian is a tad obsessed with Pinterest at the moment. She has been baking and cooking all kinds of things lately. I think part of it is that she is happy to have her family around her. It’s been a while since she has been surrounded by family.

At some point I notice Alice and Ivy slip away. I don’t say anything, but I know Carter noticed it as well. I don’t know what is going on with them. I’ll talk to Alice after Christmas. Right now, I am enjoying my friends and family.

At that moment we are watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is one of my favorite movies. Calder likes it too. Calder’s dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail like our dads. I can see more of dad in Calder than I do in me. If Calder had the dark dirty blonde hair like dad, he could be his twin just like I am my mom's twin.

It’s well past midnight when some of us start to retire to bed. I am stuffed from all the food I ate, and I drank a good amount of wine. I love how the magic world didn’t have a drinking age. They left it up to the parents to decide when they thought their child was responsible enough to drink. I curl up with Luna in my bed. I gave Luna a whole stocking filled with toys and treats. At the moment she is obsessed with this stuffed reindeer I got her.

Christmas day consisted of more food, naps, more wine, and fancy mixed drinks made by Vivian, watching movies, and playing board games. It’s a lot of fun, and it is the break we all need. We all had been stressed out about the Enchantress and what she is up to that we hardly get time to do the things that make us happy. It’s also providing a lot of bonding time for my family and friends.

Carter taught Calder how to play drums and the guitar. Calder is a natural. At one point Carter, Ryan, Bex, and Calder jam out. I join them to do the vocals. Apparently, everyone is surprised I can sing, except my dad who says I get that talent from mom. I think everyone was shocked because I don't normally tell people I can sing. Right now, we were just doing cover songs and Christmas songs. At one point Brie played the Piano and Alice did some screaming vocals. It’s exciting and we were enjoying ourselves.

The next week passes in a blur of training and spending time with dad and Calder. Calder is the coolest big brother. Calder is relaxed and he and I enjoy busting on each other. We spend time with our dad taking walks in the freezing cold, but then we warm up by the fire with spiked hot chocolate.

It snowed a lot recently, so the team, Calder, and I have a huge snowball fight which is so much fun. Somehow Darren and my dad turn it into a training session. Go figure. It is still fun though. Calder is pretty good with his magic. Hell, I think he has better control than I do over his dark magic, but then I remember Calder has had a lot longer to master his magic because his magic awoke when he was twelve.

It’s News Year Eve and once again it’s a small party with tons of food and drinks. I have to say the holidays are growing on me. We are all dressed casually. Vivian, Stella, and Kenzie have a game of scrabble going on in one corner of the room. Bex, Ryan, Alice and Carter are playing a team video game on one of the gaming systems. Calder, Brie, Avery, Ivy, and I have a game of Uno going. Jason, Darren, and dad sit by the fire talking about hunting, and drinking whiskey on the rocks.

At midnight we have fireworks and cheer to the new year with champagne. I spend some time with Calder and dad since they are leaving tomorrow morning. Kenzie and Jason are spending time with Brie and Bex since they have to leave tomorrow as well. The manor is going to seem empty with them gone, but our little break has to end sometime. The magic and human worlds won’t save themselves.

I don’t know what time it is when I finally crash on the couch next to Calder and our dad. I am tired and I don’t feel like making it up to my room. Everyone else went to bed ages ago. Except sleep doesn't last long. Nope, not all because in my dream Calder, our dad, and I are in the Death Forest. I am in the same black dress I was in before. Dad and Calder are dressed in all black, but their shirts are a bit puffy, sort of like pirate shirts.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” I say as I throw my hands in the air in utter frustration.

If I never came back to the Death Forest, it would have still been too soon. Judging by their faces, dad and Calder are not happy about our current situation either.

“Well, I take it the Enchantress wants us for something.” My dad states in his matter-of-fact voice.

“You think, what gave it away?” I reply sarcastically. My dad gives me the look that says I better lose the attitude.

“Damn, I never wanted to be back here,” Calder states. I can tell he is on the defense.

“Whatever the reason we are here I doubt it’s good.”

Once again why do the men in my family feel the need to state the obvious. I kept my mouth shut. Now is not the time for me to be a smart ass.

“What should we do?” I ask hoping they have an idea because I have none.

“Stay together. We should be able to wake up soon. Hopefully we can wake up before we run into the Enchantress.” Dad replies looking around as if something or someone is going to attack us.

“Yeah, about that. See the red band on our wrists?” Calder asks as my dad, and I look down at our wrists. There is a red glowing band on both our wrists. Well, that's new and I doubt it’s a good thing. We look at Calder and he looks worried. Oh, this definitely isn’t good.

“We are trapped here. The Enchantress has cast the sleeping death curse on us.”

I watch my dad’s eyes go wide in horror. I’ve heard about that curse before because Avery was cursed with it, but I don’t know much about it. Judging by the reactions of Calder and our dad and what I do know about the curse we are in deep shit.

“We are trapped here till the bands come off.” Calder explains to us.

“How the hell do we get them off?” I ask, frustrated.

“It’s up to the Enchantress and whatever challenge she comes up with. We have to complete whatever she decides the challenge is, only then can we wake up.” Calder looks worried. As if right on cue the Enchantress greets us.

“Oh look, a family reunion,” She sneers. “Travis my son, so good to see you again. Calder welcome home and Emmy have you changed your mind to join me?”

“Go to hell,” I scream.

The Enchantress laughs at me. “Oh, my darling I’m already there. Now, if you want your bands off, you have to win my game. You three have angered me. Calder you escaped. I’m hurt. I thought we had a good thing going.”

“I don’t think keeping me prisoner and torturing me is considered a good thing,” Calder spits out.

He is fired up and I can tell he is itching for a little revenge, and he isn’t the only one. Dad looks like a bull ready to charge and I want to punch the Enchantress in the face. The three of us are ready for a fight.

“To each his own then. Travis and Emmy, you two are more powerful than I gave you credit for. I tried to undo your spell on Victoria Chase, but I couldn’t. I’ve been waiting for all three of you to be in the same place so I could bring you here. If you want to wake up and not be trapped here forever you have to try and separate me from Gemma.”

“You’ll die if we do that.” I state. “Seems like a real easy way to give up if you ask me.”

“Oh, I won’t die. I have another body I can take over. I always have a backup plan, but here’s the thing: can you separate me from your beloved Gemma without killing her? I’m willing to wager none of you have the guts to kill her just so you can kill me, but I’m giving you a chance to get her back. Since you don’t want to kill her, you won’t kill me, that’s my safety net. You have forty-eight hours to get her back if you can’t, you fail the challenge and you are stuck here forever. Good luck. You know where to find me.” The Enchantress disappears.

“Please tell me you guys came up with something in your research?” I ask.

This was so not good. Not good at all.

“We have some theories, but we don’t know if they will work.” Dad informs me. “Let’s find some place to talk and figure this out.”

“I know a spot we can go to.” Calder replies.

Calder starts to walk towards his right. Calder must know this place like the back of his hand. I swallow hard and follow Calder. This isn’t good. I feel like I am going to be sick, which seems to be my reaction every time I am in the Dark Forest. Dad is next to me, and he takes my hand. I hope we can survive this because if we don’t, we are stuck here and I hate to think what the Enchantress has in mind for us. I try to give dad a half smile, but I fail at it. The three of us knew we are in some serious deep shit right now. I wanted to cry and barf simultaneously. I take a deep breath. I am strong, I can do this, we can do this. At least I hope we can.