Heritage (34 page)

“It’s not his fault Leo, he was just a messenger. What I don’t understand is why are they hunting you down now?” I asked.

“They wanted me to help them find the crystals. They knew that someone at the government knew where they were hidden.  I told them it was secret, and I didn’t know anything about it. They threatened to kill me unless...”

“Unless what?” I asked.

“Unless I gave them the names of other government officials.”

“You got them killed!” Josh shouted. Holding out my other arm I stopped Josh from attacking Cedric. This elf wasn’t having a very good day and making friends was not his strong point.

“They were your colleagues, and you fed them to the wolves! How could you do that? Do you have no morals?” I asked. His face screwed up as he came out from his safety corner. He looked as if he was about to cry as he began to stare at his small feet.

“I had no choice. It was my life on the line,” He sniffed.

“You make me sick,” Spat Josh as he walked back over to the table that Alex was perched upon. She had been quiet through this whole event, and her eyes were fixed upon me. I’m guessing she wants to ask me a few questions about my power surge earlier.

“You can go now Cedric. Unless there is anything else you need to tell us.,

“No,  your highness well maybe. From what I have heard he has a plan to force you into opening the gate on New Year’s eve. Just before the clock chimes twelve.”

“Thank you Cedric.”

Nodding his head, he slowly crawled off the arm chair and slid past Leo heading towards the door. He stood at the half opened door and turned towards me.

“I wish you luck your highness, and I am truly sorry for my actions,” He sighed and left closing the door behind him.

“I hate that Elf!” Josh growled throwing his fists towards the closed door. I know that Cedric has done a horrid thing and sent his friends and colleagues to their deaths, but I truly felt that he was sorry.  I was in no way going to hold his mistakes against him. I can’t be a hypocrite now can I. I make plenty of mistakes of my own.

“I think we need to inform your father Elle. This is a serious matter, and you are in very real danger,” Leo Explained. I knew he was right, but I didn’t want to go and worry him over something that was out of his control.

Sitting in my father’s room, the seriousness of the next month was starting to hit home. The others were making plans on how to protect me and keep me away from any opportunities for Lorias to kidnap me. Personally I didn’t think keeping me on house arrest was going to work. Lorias’s men had came into the castle and taken Cedric easily enough. If we hadn’t of been in the right place at the right time, it would have been easy for them. I wasn’t going to be a prisoner in my own home. Besides I had to attend college up in till the Christmas holidays in two weeks. Then there was Beth’s annual Christmas party. I couldn't attend that. I promised her I would go and even though she isn’t my real mother, I didn’t want to let her down.

“I refuse to stay here until this blows over,” I ranted.

“You have no say in the matter Adabelle. This is out of your hands now,” My father replied sitting behind his desk in his black leather chair, thinking he controlled me.

“No,  actually this is out of your hands. I’m the one he wants…”

“We can have two guards protecting her all hours of the day Sir. We can have an alarm system that alerts the other soldiers,” Leo interrupted. It was like I didn’t have a say in my own life.

“I just said I didn’t want to have guards protecting me every day all day,” I exclaimed rising from the seat in front of the desk.

“That sounds like a good plan of action Leo. Can you draw me up a solider schedule and have it on my desk by noon.”

“Yes your highness of course,” Leo replied with a bow.

“Am I invisible or something? Listen to me!” I yelled slamming my fist down on the table. Why was no one taking in to account what I wanted. It was my head on the chopping block, not theirs. Surely I should be involved in any plans that were going on that involved my own wellbeing.

“Adabelle sit down we are trying to plan your safety,” My father commanded rising from his chair and giving me a stern look.

“Yes My safety! I don’t want to be protected like a little child. I can handle myself. I’ve been doing it on my own for the past eight years. What do you think I do when you send me hunting all types of creatures. Sit around in a plastic bubble. No! I fight, and I take care of myself, this is no different to that. So for the love of all that is Holy sit down and listen to what I have to say. Otherwise I am out of here, and you can worry about my protection then,” I ranted. They all stopped talking and gawk at me. Alex stood by the fireplace with a proud smirk on her face that made me feel a little better about my outburst.

“I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the situation Adabelle.” Taking his seat again he poured himself a glass of water.

“I don’t think you know how much you under estimate me father. I know what I’m doing, and I know I’m at risk. I also know that if this goes wrong. If Lorias manages to bring back Demetri then I am going to die. I’m not stupid.” I sighed.

“This protection is needed Adabelle, and I don’t care how much you wish to have your freedom. You will be guarded. You can attend your human college like normal, but there will be guards protecting you at a safe distance.”

“Well I’m glad you can take my feelings in consideration father.” If he thought for one minute that I was living on house arrest unable to go anywhere, but college and home, He was naïve. I’m not the type of girl that can be caged in.

“Don’t make this hard Adabelle. You may go to college and the Bales house and the castle. Other than them places you are banned. Understand?” He asked glaring at me to answer. I understand perfectly. I understand that I now had to orb in and out of places more frequently so that you didn’t know I’d been out. I understand that going to the party on Friday and Josh’s basket ball game is going to be like the great escape. In my eyes that made them a hell of a lot more exciting.

“I understand that you’re not listening to me,” I smiled a fake smile and sat back down in my seat forcefully.

“Well at least you understand something,” He smiled back before turning to Leo.

“I want Rory and Gary to be first on watch tonight…”

“TONIGHT!” I exclaimed.“You are starting tonight. Oh come one New Year’s Eve is ages away. Why do you have to start tonight!”

“Yes Sir,” Leo bowed disappearing. The office door opened and closed it seemed by itself as he left.

“Fuck this!” I yelled walking toward the door.

“Where are you going young lady?” He called loudly from behind me.

“Out of here! This meeting is pointless. You won’t listen to me, so why should I stay here and listen to you! Don’t worry I won’t go out of the zones that you have marked out for me. Bloody prisoner.” I mumbled walking out the door slamming it closed behind me.

“URGH!” I screamed stomping down the corridor towards the open window that stood at the end. Climbing onto the window, I perched on the wooden ledge. Looking out I could see the kingdom spread out beneath my dangling feet. How could I be cooped up in here
?
When they are worlds out there that needed to be saved. I couldn’t just sit around waiting to see if I could be protected, when the time came for me to be used against my will. I had to be out there finding ways to stop Lorias, instead of finding ways to kill time.

“So what’s the plan of action. Jump out of the window in a bid to escape?” Alex asked scaring me. My hand clutched the window frame as the fright made me stumble half out of the window.

“Right like that would happen with pinkie and perky over there watching my every move,” I sighed pointing at the two soldiers that were already in my father’s words protecting me.

“Yeah that sucks,” She whispered.

“Want to go to a party Friday night?” I asked trying not to catch the attention of my new security guys.

“Sure but only if you ditch the men in black to come to Josh’s basket ball game Friday afternoon. They need a mascot, and I hear you are a very good one,” She laughed helping me down from the ledge and back onto the stone floor. That matched the stone and brick walls that were going to keeping me in for the next four weeks. Bring on the New Year that’s all I can say.

“I’m sure I can do that,” I giggled.  Glancing at the smartly dressed muscular guys who were leaning against the stone walls, I let out a sigh of defeat. These guys were going to be hard to shake off, but if anyone could do it I could. I’ve been lying to people most of my life. So lying to these men about where I was going or what I was doing would be easy. Well I hope so, anyway I’m not missing out on a party at Blake Robinson’s house because of something that was going to happen in a month’s time. I’m a teenager, and I need a social life without any complications or demonic plans of destruction.

Chapter nineteen

Escaping a room that was on lock down with two heavily muscular guys guarding the only entrance, was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Having the room being turned into a non orbing zone was my father’s idea of keeping me prisoner. I’m betting that was Katelyn’s idea, the crystals that now surrounded my room were of her making. No one else would have the idea to create crystals that could stop someone from orbing in and out of a room. However, living in a mortal word with humans did have its advantages at teaching me how teenagers with no powers escape their rooms, when they are grounded.  I would of never of thought of climbing out of a three story window and climbing down a drain pipe. Who knew that it would be that easy but on the other hand, having my powers did help me to. I would have never been able to jump my window to the drain pipe, two meters across from my bedroom without having a little help from my extra abilities.

Having sneaked out to Josh’s basketball game, it made the event a lot more thrilling. It’s funny how being told you weren’t allowed to do something, made it more exciting.  Sitting in the stalls of the gym in Josh and Alex’s magic college, my heart was racing.

“Chill, no one will know you’re here,” Alex reassured me whilst waving a small blue and white banner with the college’s name on. Winderal College of Magic, the place where I had asked my dad on numerous occasions over the last eight years if I could attend. The answer was always the same learn from human’s speech. Well that’s bit you in the arse there father. If I didn’t learn from humans, then I wouldn’t be here disrespecting your orders now would I.

“Sure they don’t, with the heavy duty protection that is going on around me. I wouldn’t be surprised if they planted a tracking device on me,” I moaned searching the filled up stands to see if I recognised any solider of my fathers. It was clear for now, but I give it another half hour before someone comes in my room to check on me and finds that I’m not there.

“It’s starting,” Standing up, Alex cheered as Josh’s basket ball team entered the court. Cheering with her I stood up and clapped my hands along with everyone else.

I loved magical basket ball games. The only two rules where no materialising the ball in your hands and no attacking, which meant for a very hands on game. The players were able to do anything from shape shifting to turning invisible to win a basket. Not knowing a thing about basket ball, besides knowing that the ball in the net is a good thing. Was not going to help me keep my mind focused on the game.

“There he is,” Alex exclaimed. Excitedly jumping up and down.

“I see that Alex,” I giggled as Josh made his way to the centre of the court. His team were assembled around him. Their white and blue uniform made them look very professional. The whistle blew as Josh took the ball from his opponent and headed towards their scoring basket. He was half way towards scoring, when the ball jumped from his hands and floated as if by its self to the other side of the court. Turning back to visible, a tall African boy wearing the opposite teams red and gold colours, threw the ball at an awaiting pale faced Cyclops. He stared in shock as the ball hurtled towards him. Missing his chance to catch it, the ball was taken by another member of Josh’s team.

It’s a wonder why Cyclops are allowed to play basket ball, with their one eye they are not very good at seeing things heading their way. Their vision was seriously appalling compared to two eyed people. Not to discriminate or anything.

“I have fifty pounds on this game. So your brother best be a sure thing,” Leo whispered as he sat next to Alex.

Before we had a chance to answer, Josh scored a basket in the form of an eagle. We stood and cheered with the rest of the crowd.

“Ok well, I’m feeling a little better now,” Leo chuckled whistling with his fingers. Laughing at him I continued to cheer as Josh’s team took the ball again. They scored another basket less than a minute after the first.

“You aren’t here to keep a check on me are you?” I asked leaning forward to look at Leo.  I’m good at telling when someone is lying to me, especially when I can see their facial expressions.

“No, I am off duty, but Rory and Gary are looking for you.”

“Awesome. So you going to tell on me then?” I asked leaning back into the blue plastic seat. If he had sent the word out, the men in black wouldn’t be too far away.

“No,  actually. Personally I think your father is being a little too strict,” He whispered. Maybe he feared he would be heard and fired or worse.

“Wasn’t it your idea?” Alex asked not taking her eyes from the game, jumping slightly when Josh had the ball.

“Yes...”

“Cheers for that Leo,” I groaned interrupting him.

“Listen I was just doing my job and now I’m off duty. So I don’t have to answer to anyone and besides, if anything happens to you. I’m here to protect you,” He continued to whispered. Even if, he thought, he was brave enough to be a rebel, his voice wasn’t showing it.

“Rebel without a cause this one,” Alex mumbled.

“Even so Leo. You are the reason I am an escaped prisoner. So it’s only fair that you share your winnings with me,” I chuckled.  Alex made me jump as she leaped up cheering for Josh’s team, as the scored yet again. Either Josh’s was really good, or the other team were playing with their eyes shut.

“I don’t think so Elle. I’m a twenty two year old man who lives on a basic budget. It’s all mine,” He chuckled, rubbing his hands together pretending to be a greedy man.

“Well being a sidekick to the marvellous Princess doesn’t exactly pay much either,” Alex moaned. Taking her eyes off the game for a second she stuck her tongue out at me.

“You are not a sidekick...”

“You’re demoting me?” She mocked, pretending to look shocked.

“No,  I’m promoting you. You can have my job seeing as I won’t be needing it soon,” I mocked back.  Turning her head from the game, she gave me a disapproving look then wrapped her arms around me. Pulling me in she laid her head on my shoulder.

“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that Elle. Even if no one else believes you can take care of yourself. I know you can, and I know you will pull through this,” She paused lifting her head from my shoulder.

“Besides if anything happened to you. I have no idea what I’d do,” she smiled a weak smile at me.

“Don’t be stupid Al. You would be fine without me,” I smiled back at her and placed my head on hers.

“Anyway I’m not going anywhere. I’m a lot tougher than a seventeen year old demon, who is throwing a teenage tantrum because he is bored,” I muttered.

“You two are so depressing,” Leo mumbled. We both looked at him. He shuffled in his seat awkwardly. Chuckling I looked at the scores of the game. I hadn’t been paying attention to. I wasn’t a very good mascot now why didn’t that feel like a shame. Forty to forty three, they were winning by three points with four minutes on the clock.  Come on Josh’s team, give me something
good
to cheer about.

“Come on Winderal!” I cheered jumping out of my seat. “Winderal. Winderal,” I chanted. The other fans in the stands around us began to chant with me. Jake Monroe sped towards the basket as the last few seconds disappeared on the timer. The court fell silent as he threw the ball into the direction of the net.  Time seemed slow as it circle the rim of the net.

“YAY!!” We all cried as the buzzer went off, and the ball fell through the basket and bounced on the shiny floor. High fiving Leo and Alex, we all rushed down to the court to celebrate with Josh and his team.

“Well done Josh,” I cried ruffling his sweaty blonde hair.

“You three staying for drinks with the team?” He asked drying himself with a white towel.

“I actually have a previous engagement Josh...”

“Yeah and she kind of invited me to,” Alex interrupted.

“Well I’m defiantly up for a drink or two,” Leo interjected.

“Awesome. Ok we will see you guys later,” Josh and Leo waved good bye as they followed the team into the changing room.

Alex stared vacantly after them for a couple of seconds before turning towards me.

“Sorry what did you say,” She asked.

“Nothing,” I replied. Well someone’s head is in the clouds that’s for sure.

“Speak,” I commanded as we made our way out of the court with the mass of the crowd. Searching around I was still conscious of the fact, that I had two burly men searching for me.

“I have nothing to say,” she replied pushing through the crowd, out into the cool open night air. Alex fiddled with her hair as we crossed the open college grounds, towards the metal gate that led out of college.

“Oh I see how it is. I have to talk about my messed up romantic life but you. You get to keep yours bottled up,” I mocked holding the gate open for her.

“Thanks and fine, as long as you promise not to judge,” she sighed as I followed her out of the gate and into the field that surrounded it. Following the path that was busy with other people making their way down back to the castle. We diverted down a smaller path before we saw the castle gates.

“We are not going anywhere until you spill the beans.” Standing in front of her so she couldn’t go any further, I pouted at her.

“You are so annoying sometimes Elle. Fine I think I may have a small tiny weenie crush on Leo,” She whispered showing me how small with her finger and thumb. I really have been wrapped in my own problems recently. Usually I could tell when Alex was crushing on someone, but this one was not in my mind. I had an incline before, but I had put it back to my mind. I was having too many of my own problems with Logan.

“I knew it! When you were flirting with him the other day, and you have been spending a lot of time with him recently. Hmm I can see why, he is a bit of a stud muffin,” I babbled.

“I know right... Shit!” She cried pulling me into a bush. I fell back and scrapped my arm on a branch, on the bush I fell into.  Blood seeped through the teal fabric of the cardigan I was wearing.

“What was that about?” I whispered holding my arm.

“Pinkie and perky,” She whispered.  Crawling out of the bush, I made my way to where she was standing. Surely enough Rory and Gary were scanning the perimeter of the castle gardens. Looking for me with distressed expressions on their faces. I feel bad for them, they are going to be in trouble with my father when they tell him that they let me escape.

“Maybe I should just stay at home. I don’t want them to lose their jobs,” I sighed.

“Adabelle Gabriel live a little!” Alex moaned.

“Alexandra Edelweiss. You are a bad influence on me,” I smiled. Inspecting the wound on my arm, the blood had stopped but had soaked my cardigan sleeve. Taking off the garment I screwed it into a ball and made it disappear into thin air. Couldn’t have a piece of clothing with blood on lying around, people could come up with the wrong conclusion, and I really don’t want that.

“I do try,” She chuckled, wiping away the blood on my arm with a tissue.

“So my double life friend. Do you need to brief me on anything going on in the world of mortals,” She asked with a bemused grin on her face. I’m glad she found my normal life funny because I didn’t and I was the one who had to live it. It felt like I hadn’t seen my mortal friends in ages, but it had only been a day. Poppy would certainly want to know where I had been today. Seeing as I had to skip college to attend Josh’s basket ball game.

“I love the fact that you have to be briefed, in order to attend a party with my friends,” I laughed quietly so that we weren’t found by my father’s soldiers

“It’s either that or I put my foot in it, and you know how I hate to do that,” She replied sarcastically. She loved causing awkward situations. If she wasn’t involved, she says it was thrilling watching people squirm. It was fun when it wasn’t you she was doing it to.

“Sure you do,” I mocked. “

But there isn’t anything to brief you on. They are just your run of the mill mortals with normal problems,” I smiled placing my hand her shoulder.

“I’m excited. It’s nice to see the people we protect. It's kind of like going to a zoo though.  Seeing how people live without having any powers,” She smiled.

“The zoo? Wow ok,” I replied, puzzled to why a trip to the mortal realm is being associated with a trip to seeing caged animals. With one quick blink of an eye, we had orbed onto Blake Robinsons street, opposite his house.

“Whoa,” Alex gasped staring at the small two story house with awe.

“It’s tiny,” She whispered.

“Not really. Come on the party is round the back.”

Taking her by the arm, I pulled her in the direction of Blake’s back gate, which led us into the already booming party. Glancing around the garden, I spotted the familiar ginger hair of Carries and marched my way through the drunken teenage crowd, to where my friends were sitting.

“Hey guys. You remember Alex,” I greeted.

“Elle hey! Yeah we do, hey Alex,” Poppy exclaimed giving us both an awkward hug. I don’t understand why people insist on hugging others when they meet. It’s always one of those where do I put my arms hug.