Control (Book Seven) (Fated Saga Fantasy Series) (15 page)

“He’s not leaving,” she told herself. “He needs your help.”

She darted down a pathway hoping Ivan would be waiting for her. She neared Arnon and Kanda’s home and saw him sitting just outside. He came out to meet her and didn’t interrupt as she explained what was happening.

“I think we should take Jae with us,” she said. “I’d hate for him to wake up and think we ditched him.”

“I’d rather keep him close by, too,” agreed Ivan.

“Sebastien, too,” she added. “We might need his help,” she argued, seeing a disgruntled look on his face.

“Fine. I’ll go get Jae. You can go get your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.
I did kiss him once,” she said, wandering off topic. “Well, it was hardly a real kiss... you know, that’s kind of pathetic when you think about it. I’m sixteen!”

Ivan
stared, in uncomfortable vexation. “Please tell me this isn’t one of those things we
have
to share with each other. I don’t want to know who you’ve kissed! Who you plan on kissing. And I certainly will not be sharing... never mind...”

“Suit yourself.
Don’t tell Arnon and Kanda what’s up,” she added. “I don’t want them to worry. And I don’t know if Colin wants them to know he’s here.”

“Lips sealed,” he said.

She waved and took off to grab Sebastien.

She knocked on his parent
s’ door only after seeing a light on and hearing voices inside. She greeted his parents at the same time motioning that she needed to see him outside.

He obliged without question.

“How’s Ivan?” he asked, feigning concern.

“Oh.
He’ll figure things out, or maybe explode, either one or the other,” she replied. “But that’s not why I needed to talk to you.”

“
Wait! Before you say anything else,” Sebastien stopped her. “I didn’t get a chance earlier, in all the chaos of the day, Billie and the ship and everything...” He took a hesitant breath. “I just wanted to wish you happy birthday.”

“Oh, thanks. I was just thinking about that oddly enough.” She hoped it was dark enough that he could not see her cheeks reddening.

“I know it’s been a wacky few days, I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t forgotten. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to get a gift.”

“
Oh, what, less than twenty-four hours notice and mega-crisis’ happening left and right didn’t leave you enough time?” she joked.

“The Meghan I knew a few years back would never have accepted any excuses.”

“I guess with sudden aging comes wisdom,” she replied sarcastically. “Anyway, don’t worry about it. Much bigger problems on the horizon.”

“What’s up?” he asked.

She saw Ivan and Jae approaching, and waited so she could explain just once. Nona headed in their direction, too, listening to Meghan’s thoughts.

Meghan explained Colin’s predicament.
Though shocked, they were eager to help. They left together, heading towards the back entrance where they would meet up with Colin.

When Colin saw them coming, he extended his cloak to cover them.

The first greeting was awkward; it had been a long time since they had all been together, and much had changed. However, after greetings and a little small talk, Ivan noticed things turning awkward and suggested they get a move on, rather than let them slip in uncomfortable silence.

Colin agreed heartily. He was ready to go.
He didn’t want to leave Catrina alone any longer than he had to. It had already been half a day.

“I wish we knew why
Freyne wanted this woman freed,” said Ivan.

“Would knowing help?” asked Jae
.

“Suppose not.
So where to?” Ivan asked instead.

No one answered. This wasn’t starting out well.

“Maybe,” started Meghan, stopping, shaking her head.

“Maybe
what?” prodded Ivan.

“I was just thinking maybe I
could reach out to Colby, but...”

“B
ad idea,” agreed Ivan. “He is too volatile right now. Plus, he might tell your father what we’re up to, and I think we should keep this between us. The fewer people that know, the better.”

“So w
e need an idea that works,” said Sebastien. He threw his hands out in front of him, as if this action would somehow force an idea to come to mind. He grimaced, saying, “Sorry, I got nothing.”

The
stared each other down.

Not one good idea in the bunch.

How would they free someone imprisoned such a long time ago, that even Jurekai Fazendiin could not free?

A pit was expanding inside Colin’s gut.

What if they couldn’t do it? What if they could not find a way to free this woman?

It was the middle of the night and the temperatures in the northern
Maine woods were dropping to well below freezing.

“We need a place to think,” said Sebastien, with a shiver. “I hate to sneak away again. My parents and your uncle,” he aimed at Meghan, “were not too keen when we did that the last time. But I don’t think it’s avoidable.”

“You’re right,” she exhaled. “They’ll try to stop us, ask a bunch of questions. We need to find a place to figure all this out, unless you think there’s anyone here that could help?” 

“I don’t think there can be,” said Ivan. “If someone did know something, Fazendiin would have forced it out of them by now.”

“Agreed,” said Meghan, frowning.

“It’s too bad we couldn’t just go back in time,” mumbled Jae.

“Back in time?” questioned Colin.

“Yeah, see how the Svoda got her into the glass to begin with. If we could see how, we could maybe figure out how to get her out.”

“That’s a brilliant idea, Jae,” said Meghan. “Unfortunately impossible, but a great idea none the less.”

“Damn!” spat Colin.

“What?” asked Meghan.

“If Jasper were still here... I think he was alive when it happened. I could have just asked him. Although if Jasper were still alive, I probably wouldn’t have even gotten myself into this situation!” he added in a berating tone.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said Meghan. “We’ll figure it out. We will. Sebastien and Ivan are right though. No one here can help so we should leave. The longer we stay the more possibilities there are for you to get caught, Colin.”

“So where do we go?” asked Nona. She wound her way around Meghan’s legs, purring out her question.

Blank stares were the reply.

“This is so pathetic,” let out Meghan. “We don’t even know where
to go!”

“Kanda’s house, at the campground,” said Colin.

Sebastien’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. It’s empty right now. It’s perfect.”

“Well, at least we decided something,” Meghan mumbled.

The decision made, Nona used her Catawitch ability and a minute later, they were walking up the driveway to Kanda’s house in the Cobbcott Campground.

“I never thought I’d be back here again,” said Meghan.

“Not quite the same as summer visits,” said Sebastien.

“At least it
’s a house, with four walls and heat,” said Jae, a shiver in his voice.

“I’m going to check around,” said Nona, “just in case.”

“Oh, let me guess, you smell a late night snack nearby?” retorted Meghan.

Nona licked her lips and darted off.

Ivan used magic to unlock the door and held it open as they each stepped inside. He was glad of the quiet. Glad he had a quest to focus on.

They got in and each took seats in Kanda’s cozy living r
oom. Colin used magic to get the fireplace roaring minutes later.

It was very late now. Well after
midnight.

Between the heat, the late hour and the way too comfy furniture, Meghan found her eyes drooping in no time. She tried to fight it. They were here to help Colin.

She turned to ask Ivan a question and smirked.

Ivan was sound asleep.

Sebastien whispered, “You should just join him, Meghan. You haven’t slept in a couple days either. We’re not going to get much done tonight.”

She didn’t want to give in. Colin was relying on her.

“He’s right,” Colin said, accepting the fact.

Meghan’s
eyes closed almost instantly.

Colin stepped outside and called for Nona.

“Yes,” she replied, leaping out of a nearby bush.

“Nona, I was hoping to as
k a favor.”

“Go ahead.
”

“It’s a lot to a
sk, it means leaving Meghan, but just for a little while.”

Nona nodded.

“The truth is, I’m sort of freaking out. Trying not to show it, but Catrina has been alone almost all day and night now and...”

“Yo
u would like me to keep her company,” finished Nona.

“Would you?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all. I’ll stay with her until morning, then return to check on progress.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Nona. The thought of her all alone just
kills me.”

“I can be there in a few seconds. Although, I do need a fire to travel to.
Is there one where she is located?”

“I can take care of that,
” said Colin. “I’d like to see her myself, but I’m afraid it will be even harder to leave her.”

“Just give me a fire and I’m there
,” Nona purred.

Colin
cast a fire for her; she jumped in and vanished.

He pictured another fire bursting to life insi
de the barn, just outside of Catrina’s prison, surprised that even with the distance between them he had no difficulty making it happen. Catrina would not be alone tonight. He grasped onto that thought and let it bring him a small sliver of peace.

##

Catrina Flummer sat leaning against a wall, locked inside the stall in the barn. She turned with a start when a ball of fire appeared about ten feet in front of her prison, just hovering in the air.

A cat-like shape jumped out of the
fireball, landing just in front of her prison.

“H-hello,” Catrina
called out.

The shadow moved closer.

“Nona? Is that you?”

“Hello,” the Catawitch replied.

“What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you.”

“Colin sent me.”

“Colin! Is he okay?”

“Yes. So far. He and Meghan are working to free you.”

“Colin’s with his sister again then?” she asked, thrilled at this news.

“Yes,
and no. A lot to catch you up on.”

Catrina sighed. “I think we have time.”

“Yes. I am to stay with you until morning and then report back. If things are not finished by tomorrow night, I shall return again. Colin sends his love,” she added.

“He asked you to come, didn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s very worried about you being alone here.”

“Well, I like to put up a brave front, but I was start
ing to go a little crazy. Old barns are not only very dark at night, but rather creepy too. And not knowing what’s going on out there... all I can say is thank you, Nona.”

“It’s my pleasure. Get comfortable. I’ll fill you in on all you have missed.”

Four more days.

This was all the time they had until the public de
-magicking of the Svoda prisoners. And that’s if the prisoners were lucky and Juliska allowed them to live.

Most were betting she would not.

Daveena Troast worked in the kitchen baking her special bread loaves. Today’s batch was extra special. They had been informed to double today’s order as it would be the prisoner’s last delivery of food.

No one would be permitted
near the prisoners in the remaining days leading up to the de-magicking.

Until that morning, the youngsters had assumed they would have at least one more delivery. As early morning turned to mid morning, and quickly nearing afternoon, th
ey found themselves in a panic to finish baking the bread on time.

Mireya worked
close by, blocking any other youngsters from getting too close to Daveena. Joseph tried to keep the others preoccupied in other parts of the kitchen, or out front, readying the sacks for delivery.

Today’s order needed to be perfect.

There could be no mistakes.

All the prisoner’s loaves were important today, but one in particular was vital
. Without this item, their attempt to escape would be followed soon after with being caught!

Just
after noon, the food cart and its driver arrived, ready for the youngsters to load up the burlap sacks. As he sometimes did, the cart driver stepped inside.