Deadlands (The Healer Series, #2) (19 page)

“
BIND THEM!” The King’s voice shouted in the distance and Willow felt hands grab her again and pull her out of Declan’s embrace. She quickly looked up in his face and sighed in relief. Declan was back to normal. The change was fast, but Declan harnessed the power of the Destroyer surprising quickly. Perhaps he was learning to control his new powers. Willow felt like she was able to heal quicker as well, but maybe it was just because they were together again and the connection was stronger.  

The V
ampire guards that took Declan tied his arms behind his back and forced him backwards to stand between two pillars, while the Vampires that grabbed her turned her around to face the throne. The face of the blue demon was something indescribable. He stood bulky and massive in front of his chair of fire. His twisted horns seemed to grow bigger as he huffed and his eyes stared hatred into her soul. The demon took one step, then another down the dais.

“
You calm him?” he sneered. “You settle the Destroyer?” He took another step down the stairs to tower in front of her. The Vampires beside her tried to be courageous, but they still recoiled before the mighty King’s presence. Not meaning to think out loud, he said, “This…this was foretold long ago. There was something about the Healer’s power…if I could only remember that damn prophesy!”

With the Deadland King so close, Willow was in direct line with the golden key around his neck. This was her chance. If she didn’t take it now, there might not be another
opportunity for it! Willow charged her magic quickly and zapped the Vampires beside her. They jumped back in alarm and released her arms. Willow whipped out her hand and grabbed the key, yanking it from the demon’s neck. The thin golden chain snapped off easily and she had it! She took off running, but the Vampires caught her before she could get five steps in, dashing all hope of escape.

The Deadland King laughed loudly. “You think you can take the key from me, Little Witch
?” his voice darkened when the Vampires forced her to face him again. The King snatched the key out of her hands. “Not even when the Deadlands freeze over will you EVER GET THIS KEY FROM ME!” He screamed at her making her jump in fear. The room darkened instantly and the creatures flitted everywhere, scared and intimidated by the King’s evil power pulsating across the room.

Gasps and exclamations of shock filled the room when a
familiar voice rang out in the hall as clear as day. “Not even for a bargain? What is your price, oh great Deadland King?” 

Suddenly,
the crumbling world incasing Willow came screeching to a halt as Carmela, Seeker of the future, stepped out to face the Deadland King.

“OUT! EVERYONE OUT!” The Deadland King shouted ferociously, his voice ringing loudly across the Great Hall. Minions scattered as if the fire from his throne was at their backs. The guards holding Willow and Declan looked around in fear, not knowing what to do. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” The King addressed them. “Tie them up to the pole and leave!”

Willow
’s feet left the ground as the Vampires sped her backwards to the pole in the middle of the room. Declan was hustled there as well and the Vampires made quick work tying them up and then they fled the room. Willow’s body was side by side to Declan’s, and he immediately took her hand.

“I’m sorry Declan,” Willow cried beside him.
She couldn’t stop the tears from falling even if she tried, not after seeing him whipped so brutally. The graphic image of Declan’s back being ripped to shreds kept replaying in her mind and it broke her. Her chest heaved with sobs. Her heart felt like it could burst any second. “I’m so sorry you had to endure that. I’m so sorry for everything. I’m just--”

“Baby,
stop,” Declan said quietly beside her, and she looked up to him. His face was blurry because she was crying so hard, but he looked at her as if she were the most beautiful thing on the planet. “Please stop crying baby. I never want to see you cry, especially for me. None of this is your fault, okay? I love you. I would die for you. You know that, right?”

“
Yes,” she croaked and squeezed his hand for extra comfort, “But I don’t want to see you hurt. Ever. Not if I can help it. It’s just that I never thought any of this would happen.”

“None of us did, baby,” he responded. “We’ll get through this, just like we did in the Everwild. Together. We—” he stopped
speaking when he looked forward. “What the hell?”

Willow turned her head to see that the Deadland King was shifting forms again. Declan’s eyes popped open i
n shock when the beautiful ice Witch Selene emerged from the skin of the demon.

“It’s Selene, Dec
. She’s a form changer, oh…and Hekate’s older sister.” Willow hissed quickly beside him, gaining her composure. Even though she could cry for hours about what just happened to Declan, she had to pull it together. Her interest spiked as she saw Carmela standing there watching her shift as well. Why did she show up here?

“Dammi
t,” he cursed watching Selene. Selene’s sole focus was upon Carmela. Thankfully, the Seeker’s presence deterred Selene from playing her evil games with Declan and Willow for the time being. Her expression was one of curiosity, shock, and arrogance as she assessed Carmela.

Selene stepped bac
k. “Hello, Seeker,” she bowed mockingly. A slow, disturbing smile crept up her face.

“Selene,” Carmela crossed her arms. “I would say it’s a pleasure to see you but…it really isn’t.”

“You were always the sarcastic one, Mel, be serious,” Selene taunted her in an almost familiar way.

“Oh, that wasn’t sarcasm,” Carmela flipped her white hair behind her shoulders, “couldn’t you tell?”

“I must’ve been down here for too long to notice…”

“Long enough for
the heat to fry your brain, I’d say.”

Selene cackled darkly and Willow’s mind spun with questions.
They knew each other? They knew each other! Dread was starting to crawl up Willow’s spine. She didn’t like the playful banter between the two standing before her. Not one bit. How did Carmela know Selene?

Selene walked back up to her throne to sit
. Her blue hair blew back in the wind the flames created making her look like a mix between a fire and ice queen. But she was nothing but dark inside. Her bright blue eyes flared in delight as she took her staff and watched Carmela smugly.

“
So what brings you here?” Selene asked turning somber, “It’s like you just appeared out of nowhere. I don’t remember placing a portal in my kingdom,” she leaned over and stared at Carmela intently. “How d
id
you get here, Mel?”

“I have my ways,” Carmela waved her off
facetiously. She was neither intimidated nor impressed with Selene’s power. Carmela stuck her hand in her pocket fiddling with the emerald Willow knew was safely in her possession. What was their connection to each other? Willow couldn’t figure it out. “Shall we get to business or not, Selene? I have a feeling you would seek me out eventually, but here I am, offering myself to you. I’m sure you were not expecting me here. But like I said…I have a price.”

“PRICE!” Selene wailed. “
You always have a damn price! Whatever plan you’re weaving through that head of yours won’t work this time, Mel. You’ve got everybody wrapped around your little finger, always one step ahead. You know I need you. Without you, our plan will not come to fruition. Now, tell me, what is it that you desire? What do I have that you would willingly turn yourself into me like this?”

“The Healer and her company
go free…and you will give them the key,” Carmela said simply.

Selene shot
to her feet. “YOU DARE? You dare ask for that!!” The fire of Selene’s throne erupted in a loud whoosh in her anger.

“Either let my will be done, or I walk
right now, Selene. You and Hekate have been searching for me for decades and yet I conceal myself from you whenever you get near as my power aides me. I can hide so well that you could be staring at me right in the face and not know it’s me.”

“Do
not remind me of your powers, Sister!” Selene snapped and Willow’s mouth dropped open. SISTER!!!! “But why! Why would you want me to release them and give them the key that could be the end of us? We need the souls in that box if I’m not mistaken. Besides, Hekate wants the Healers power! And that Warlock she so loves is a Destroyer! Imagine, Carmela, imagine what we could accomplish together!”

“And we will,” Carmela said
plainly. “You have trusted my judgment this far. I have studied the prophesy thoroughly. I’m the only one who can see into the future. Why do you doubt me?”

“
Why have you been hiding from us, little sister? Why are you just now coming to me?” Selene shot questions right back at Carmela. She sneered as if looking at a hairy, slithery bug.

“I have been hiding to bid the time. You know we were waiting for the Healer’s power to arise. And finally the time has come.” Carmela said excitedly. “Now please, grant me my request and I’ll go with you willingly.”

“And if I don’t?” Selene asked contemplating. She rubbed her chin in thought.

“Then I will leave and make sure you never find me. Go ahead and cover the land in death and despair.
Let loose your army and see what happens. You will not dominate all races who rise up against you and Hekate. You will be defeated and you know it. You
need
me, Selene, do you not?”

“
Touché Little Sister,” Selene leaned back. “But what of their powers?” She looked at Willow and Declan. “What of the prophesy? I forget most of it. It has been so long ago since it was written in the stars. Is this part of it, Mel?” 

“I will not say in front of them,” Carmela looked back at Willow and Declan.

Betrayal was written across Willow’s face. How could she do this? Carmela visited her cell just hours ago to speak with her, help her, and give her advice! She was playing Willow all along? Nothing made sense! It was too much to take in. She was so hurt. Unable to contain her anger, Willow yelled across the room. “TRAITOR! I thought you were on our side! I thought you were helping us!”

“You must understand, dear Willow Rose,” Carmela said, almost sadly
as she looked at her. “This is beyond you. I cannot interfere with what was already written.”

“And why would you?” Selene interrupted, sizing up Carmela. She came down the stairs to her throne swinging the necklace to the key around her hands, still watching her sister with caution. “
Why are you trying to save them? What have you to gain by helping them? Nothing! You have everything to gain with us. We will be unstoppable together! We will rule!”

“Indeed,” Carmela nodded.

“Now…I have made my decision.” Willow held her breath as Selene looked between Carmela to the magic casters. The silence was so loud it filled the room with tension and hostility. Only the crackle of the flames could be heard. Willow and Declan were tense as the minutes ticked by. Carmela was posing casually, only waiting for what she knew her sister would say. Selene rested her gaze on Carmela, and they had a silent stare down. She didn’t know what Selene saw in Carmela’s eyes, but she smiled languidly.

“I
will release them.”

“And the rest
of their company…” Carmela prompted.

Selene narrowed her
eyes and huffed. “I was not finished, Mel!
And
,” she accentuated, “the rest of her company from the Deadlands. However, I cannot guarantee their safety on the outside of these castle walls. They will have to find their own way back. But since I am such a sympathetic ruler, I can stall my army for a few minutes to give them a head start.”

“And the key?” Carmela pressed looking quickly down at the golden key swinging tauntingly in Selene’s hand.

“And I give them the key,” Selene said and threw it at Carmela. She snatched it and smiled strangely. Selene turned a hateful stare to Willow and Declan. “Even with the key, there is no way in hell they’ll get the chance to unlock Pandora’s Box. Hekate will make sure of that.”

While Selene was talking, Carmela was walking towards them. Her brown eyes were fixed on Willow,
as if she was trying to silently relay a message to her. She finally stood in front of them, her beauty was evident. Carmela’s white hair was stunning against her smooth complexion and made her big brown, all-knowing eyes stand out. She was slightly taller than Willow, perhaps 5’7”.

“
You’re a Witch, Seeker,” Willow spat in her face. “And I mean that literally
and
figuratively,” she emphasized.

Carmela smirked. “And the sarcasm remains.” Carmela lowered her voice and her eyes softened some.
Out of the pocket of her cloak she produced a small dagger and with one swipe, cut the binds tying Willow and Declan together. “Here’s the key,” she insisted and put it around Willow’s neck. She turned to Declan. “Remember what I have spoken to you, please. You must
remember.
”

He nodded once and Willow turned her eyes upon him, angrily. “What is she talking about,
Dec
?” she asked rudely.

“
Tell you later,” he said and grabbed her hand.

“HAYGRIFF!” A deep voice roared loudly. The Deadland King was back. The tall goblin scurried in seconds later bowing repeatedly.

“Your Highness?” he croaked.

“
Bring the She Elf and the Werewolf to me,” he commanded and slumped in his chair. Haygriff scurried out of the hall as fast as his webbed feet could carry him. Carmela left Willow and Declan and walked near the throne smiling.

“Why is it you like to boss everyone around?”

The Deadland King smiled lazily. “Because I can! Now stand beside me!” He demanded. Carmela walked up the stairs saying, “You may have your kingdom here, Selene, but I will never bow down to you.” The King laughed deeply at her jab. Carmela stopped at the top step. She turned around and folded her hands in front of her. It was a strange sight, seeing the massive blue demon with his large branching horns sitting on his throne and Carmela, the Witch Seeker with stark white hair, long black cloak and large brown eyes standing beside him.

The d
oors that led to the cells opened with a loud bang and Chase and Elirana were ushered into the hall by four large trolls. The trolls carried giant clubs and grunted with every step they took as if walking was a great burden to them. Willow was so happy to see her friends. Upon quick observation, they both looked alright; no physical wounds were in sight. Elirana seemed extremely tired, but Chase held his head high and strutted into the room like he owned the place. His arrogance was astounding, sometimes. It was an act, a show he put on so that he didn’t look weak, as the Werewolf race had always been looked down upon as inferior since they shared human blood. But they were far from it.

Both their eyes widened as they took in their surroundings. They saw the throne of flames and the Deadland King and Carmela waiting upon them.
They stayed silent, however. Elirana looked to Willow and saw that she was unharmed. Her head nodded slightly in greeting. Willow had come to respect the Elf, and even call her a friend. She wondered what sort of treatment they received while wasting away in the cells of the black castle. Honestly, she didn’t know if it had been days or hours that they had been in the castle. There was no way to tell.

“A trade has been granted,” the Deadland King informed them.
Everyone in the room turned their attention on him. “In exchange for Carmela’s service to me, you are free to leave my castle and the Deadlands indefinitely and never return! You must find your own way back! I will not command my forces to hold back if they want you, however, I will allow you a head start. You’re on your own. Now be gone before I change my mind! Guards! Escort them to the portcullis!”