Untitled- Chapter 1

Chapter 11

Gadriel shivered in the dark, not daring to even look over the ledge into the mass of scales below. She sat against the muddy wall in euphoria. How long had she been in here? A day? A week? An hour? She was hungry and dehydrated. It was hot despite the moisture that surrounded her.2

A sound from up above made her jump, making her leave her state of invisibility. She looked up and could see a thin beam of light. Suddenly, a loud hiss and the sound of rustling scales from below made her jump back against the wall. Up above, she could see a tiny silhouette of someone looking down at her. A rope hit the ground at her feet. She grabbed the rope and began to climb as fast as her exhausted, fragile body would go. She glanced down into the depths of the pit. Bright, ravenous eyes watched her. The creature emitted a low hiss. Gadriel began to climb even faster; she could feel the snake creeping up on her. She reached the top just in time. She made it through the door just as the snake reached the top. She left it open, just long enough to see one huge, glistening red eye.3

The bright sun stung her eyes, everything seemed discolored. The vivid surroundings made her eyes water. She sighed in relief, but knew that would not be her last encounter with Fate. Gadriel had been so caught up in her thoughts she didn’t notice the man standing behind her. It startled her when she felt his hand grasp her arm firmly. She gasped as his callused hand covered her mouth. But she knew better than to struggle, it was a fight she had fought before, one she’d lost. Reluctantly, she walked with him on a path that she had traversed too many times.4

“At a girl,” The dusky voice said. “I guess you’ve learned your lesson and we won’t have to fight no more.”5

The voice came from a very tall muscular man with black hair and violent purple eyes. A person could tell from looking at him that he had a quick temper and he got things exactly how he wanted them, when he wanted them. This man was Kindel, her foster father. It was a voice she would never grow to love only a voice she learned to hate more everyday.6

They walked in silence, but she wasn’t walking in reverie, she was walking half in rebellion and half in fear. She could hear his words still resounding in her head from the last time, could still see what he had done. “I’ll kill you if you ever try that again, do not doubt me youngin’.” Shivers ran through her at the thought of his hands creeping around her neck and she cringed at the memory of his dry lips pressed against her ear.7

But she already had everything planned out. Gadriel would get her freedom, and she would get it tonight. Nobody would expect it. But nobody would miss her either. They probably wouldn’t even search and that made the freedom seem that much sweeter.8

Gadriel abandoned those thoughts as she stepped into the sunlight, finally leaving the shadows of the forest. Faireze sparkled and glittered in the sunlight, a thousand iridescent colors reflecting into her eyes. She stopped and gazed around, the place she had once loved and been happy to live in was now her prison and she hated it. The beauty, the glamour, it held no affection in her heart. Her purpose was to get as far way from this place as she could.9

Her foster father pushed her forward signaling that she needed to keep moving. She walked down the curving trail into the village. They wound their way through the houses until they came to a stop in front of a tree with blue glittering lights in its boughs. The windows were all dark except the ones on the floor level. Gadriel placed her hand on the doorknob. She stopped, closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. When she reopened her eyes she had gained a bit more self composure and a lot more confidence. She twisted the knob and pushed the door open.10

The comfortable place she was supposed to call home engulfed her. The door shut loudly behind her as Kindel came in behind her. She couldn’t see anybody, but she knew that her foster mother was there somewhere. A clatter from the kitchen confirmed Gadriel’s guess. 11

Meridian was a very short and plump woman with light auburn hair and brilliant green eyes. She looked young and innocent but had the temper of a starving werewolf. Although her foster mother was a fairy just as Gadriel was, her foster mother was afraid of heights. Therefore, she spent most of her time on the two bottom floors. Gadriel was on the top floor, the sixth floor, the highest room in the tree. Heights did not frighten her. As long as she was up there she didn’t have to worry about her foster mother, and because of Meridian’s fear she rarely ever saw her foster father up there either.12

“Go help your mother get dinner ready while I go get a shower,” he stepped around her and went up the stairs.13

“Meridian is not my mother and she never will be,” Gadriel growled as he got to the top of the stairs.14

He stopped and looked down at her. “I advise you to watch yourself, youngin’',” he said with only a hint of anger rising in his voice and went on without another word.15

Gadriel walked to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. Her foster mother was by the stove stirring one of her many stews in a pot. This one smelled like berry. She had to give it to Meridian, she was one excellent cook.16

Gadriel spoke up, “Do you need any help?”17

Startled by the unexpected voice, Meridian jumped, splashing a hot purple liquid onto the floor. Anger rushed into her voice. “First, you can clean up this damn mess while I set the table, then you can get me and Kindel out drinks,” she spat.18

She was playing right into Gadriel’s hands and she didn’t even have a clue. Her foster parents wouldn’t even have the slightest notion of what was about to happen. Meridian thought she was giving Gadriel a hard time, but was only giving her pleasure.19

“Meridian, is dinner done yet?’ Kindel shouted from what sounded like the dining room.20

“Hurry up child, get moving,” Meridian shrieked as she carried a stack of plates toward the dining room, “and bring the stew with you!”21

Gadriel rolled her eyes and grabbed the blue cloth off the edge of the sink and quickly wiped up the purple mess. She grabbed the pot and carried it out to the table. The dining room had been changed since she had last been in it. The dark crimson walls were now an emerald green. Where there use to be a solid wall was a tall window draped in shimmering silver. The once hardwood floor was now carpeted in a thick black. Only once familiar thing in the room remained. Her parents table was still there. An intricately carved oak table with matching chairs, and stained so dark a brown it almost looked black, still stood in the center of the room. Gadriel gently set the pot on the table and quickly retreated back to the kitchen before a word could be said.22

She retrieved the frazzle berry juice out of the fridge and three glasses out of the cabinet. She filled two glasses to the brims and the other only half way. Gadriel glanced toward the doorway through which she could hear her foster parents preparing their own plates. Quickly she placed her hands over the two full glasses and muttered, “Sleep.” She removed her hands. The drinks looked untouched, but only she knew that they were now a critical weapon in her plan. They would have time to finish their dinner and get upstairs, but as soon as they closed their eyes it would be many hours before they woke again. Careful not to spill the drinks, Gadriel carried them to Kindel and Meridian.23

“Took you long enough, look me and your father are almost done with our dinner! Now give me my glass child,” Meridian complained. She went on muttering, “Seventeen years old, acts like she’s two, the incompetent brat.”24

Usually Gadriel would have said something in return but she thought better of it. This might be her last opportunity to get away for good. Both of her foster parents drained their glasses before Gadriel even had a chance to sit down. The corners of the mouth twitched as she fought to suppress a smile. They ate in silence; the only sound heard was the sound of clanging dishes.25

Meridian and Kindel finished their stew and both threw her a “You know what to do,” kind of glance and left the room. Gadriel let the smile that had been boiling to express itself slide across her face. A million racing thoughts of happiness were running through her head. She glanced down at her bowl then stood and quickly gathered all the soiled dished from the table. Every ounce of her self composure was struggling against the happiness and glee pulling at her. She sat the dishes on the tiled counter and went back to get the pot. When she returned to the kitchen Kindel was standing there looking at her.26

“What are you so happy about,” he spat, wiping the smile right off her face.27

Gadriel hadn’t even heard him heard him come down the stairs, and she had no idea how he’d got into the kitchen without her knowing. “I… I… I was just thinking… g… good memories, you know,” she stuttered as she slowly walked passed him to set the pot beside the other dishes. A chill of terror was now smothering her happiness. There was something about the fire in his dark eyes that she didn’t like.28

He took a step towards her, “Any about me.”29

“P…p… possibly,” she replied with wide eyes glued to his face in the dim light that made him look almost demonic. She winced as he extended his hand and ran a rough finger down the side of her pallid face.30

Kindel cupped her face with both hands, “You’re gonna do as I say, ain’t you.”31

His words were like blades of ice going down Gadriel’s back. She watched the black flames dance in his eyes, knowing exactly what he wanted and knowing what he would do to get it. A shiver ran through her entire body. “B…but what about Meridian?” she asked quietly.32

He rolled his eyes and pushed her slowly until her back pressed against the counter. “She’s out like a friggin’ rock. She’s worthless to me; all she does is cook and clean. Anybody can do that…” his voice trailed off.33

“And what do you want me to do,” Gadriel tried to hide the panic that seeped into her voice. She closed her eyes.34

Kindel pressed his body against hers, and whispered harshly into her ear, “Do I really need to say?”35

Her eyes flashed open in terror. He was to close; she couldn’t do this, not again. A plan developed quickly in her mind. He was still leaning towards her ear, waiting for her to whisper something back. She bit his neck softly and ran a fingernail slowly across the top of his pants line. A soft moan escaped his lips. “Not here,” she whispered hoping her voice would hold, “the spare room on the fourth floor.”36

He looked down at her, the black flame erupted wildly in his eyes, he had no control, and a soft smile crawled across his lips. He tipped her chin up and before she had time to pull away his mouth was on hers. She didn’t fight the kiss in fear of what he might do.37

Slowly, Gadriel pulled away and forced a smile, “Go lie down and close your eyes, no peeking. I need to change; I’ve got a surprise for you.”38

Kindel swaggered out of the room slowly, a smile of contentment on his lips. Gadriel took a deep breathe and smiled. Her foster parents were so gullible.39

She waved her hand over the dirty dishes and said, “Clean.” The dishes shined as she put them in the cupboard. She looked down at her tattered, soiled clothing and made the decision to shower instead of using her magic to clean up. Anything to prolong Kendal’s wait.40

She walked down the hall and up the stairs until she reached her chambers on the sixth floor. Gadriel pushed the door open and walked into the one place she felt safe. The dim room was her escape. Candles flickered into life as she moved about the room. Black draping shears hung from the ceiling. Burgundy walls surrounded her. The room had a serene, romantic feel to it.41

Gadriel quickly went into the bathroom. Black and silver tile furnished to floor and walls. A chrome tub immense enough for ten plus her sat in the corner. She adjusted the temperature of the water flow through ornate faucets and flipped the switch up for the shower head. She stripped her clothes off and stepped into the spray of water. A hot mist rose around her shielding her from any prying eyes. The water scalded her body for a second but she quickly got use to it. Relief flowed through her veins and finally she began to relax. Her smile crept back across her face, she knew she had won. That she would walk away from her misery before dawn. Gadriel washed her body and hair slowly and thoroughly. The sweet scent of honey danced in the air.42

She stepped out of the water, her smooth skin glistening with droplets of water. Quickly, she wrapped one of the dark ebony towels around her. Then twisted around and turned the water off. The switch dropped at the sudden stop of water pressure. Gadriel walked back into her room and came to a stop in front of a tall elegant wardrobe. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirrors that were set into the doors.43

Through the mist she watched a drop of water slide down her neck and chest only to hit the warm material of the towel. A curl fell lose onto her face, she quickly brushed it away. Gadriel opened the heavy doors slowly. The shelves were lined with clothing and the open area on the bottom held different shoes and boots. She looked through the many shelves and finally picked the clothing she wanted. It was difficult, she had no idea what was to lie on the path in front of her. She dressed quickly and dropped her towel in a basket on the other side of the room. The mist slowly cleared from the room, the smell of honey still drifting in the air.44

Gadriel stepped in front of the mirrors. She wore a deep red corset like shirt with sleeves that belled out. Her pants were black leather that fit like a second skin. A smile was on her face, her eyes glinting in the candle light. She grabbed a pair of black boots out of the bottom of the wardrobe, and stepped into them. They were knee high. The laces dragged the floor as she walked over to sit on her bed. Gadriel ran the laces around her legs and tied them.45

She took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. When she opened them, something glowing caught her eye. She walked over to the table by her closed window, a puzzled look across her face. As she neared it, she remembered, she had completely forgotten. Gadriel picked up the jar and peered inside of it. The silvery blue butterfly fluttered, its wings twitching at the movement.46

“I’m sorry; I forgot all about you while I was gone, I bet you were all sorts of lonely.” The butterfly took flight, Gadriel smiled. “You don’t deserve this and I can’t take you with me.” She walked over to the window and opened it. Then she carefully opened the jar and reached in, the butterfly slowly crawled up on her hand. “I’m gonna miss you, my friend,” Gadriel said as she stuck her hand out the window. The butterfly took its freedom and fluttered around in the boughs of the tree for a few seconds, then slowly started towards the ground.47

Gadriel watched the glowing creature for a few minutes, and then turned away from her daydreaming and back to reality. She quickly grabbed a bag and threw a few little things into it. The room she had spent so much time in for the past years now seemed so dark and empty. Everything she had been so close to, her only comforts, were about to be left behind. A tear slid silently down her cheek. From beside her bed she grabbed two small knives and slid them easily into her boots. She grabbed a belt hanging on the wall and strapped it around her waist. The handle of her dagger clanged as she slid it from its sheath. Her reflection stared at her from the blade of pure silver; a blue glow came from the sapphire that lay in the hilt. Gadriel quickly sheathed it and walked to the doorway. She took one last look at the room, “I guess this is goodbye,” she whispered.48

Quickly, she closed the door and descended the stairs to the fourth floor. Kindel had left the door cracked, a soft glow came from inside. Gadriel slowly pushed the door open and peered inside. The light came from a single candle floating above the bed, leaving the room cast in shadow. She could see Kindel lying in the bed, his bare chest reflecting the candle light, the sheets outlining his muscled body perfectly. He whispered something softly, but remained still and asleep. Gadriel smiled, her job here was done, and she no longer had any reason to remain here.49

Freedom. The word repeated itself in her mind. Freedom. The thought left her light headed and weak. Happiness and joy soared through her veins, rampaging her mind. She turned and walked down the stairs and opened the front door. Night’s serenity was fading with the new dawn’s light. Her butterfly friend landed on a blade of grass beside her. Gadriel grinned and knew today was just the beginning of a long, long adventure.50