Balance of the World
Chapter 6-Kidnapped

Chapter 6: Kidnapped

Faolanstayed in the darkness of the forest near the shore of the Shae Sea. The moonlight glistened off the surface ofthe still water as he drew closer toward the beach. A song came to his ears, wordless andhypnotic, making him smile. He sat inthe sand, leaned back against a huge rock sticking out of the sand, his spearat his side.

“Nightcomes upon Kalina and General Faolan comes to the sea to gaze at themoonlight,” a female voice sang from the water.

Faolanchuckled as he watched a figure crawl up the beach and toward him. Its long, black hair glistened in themoonlight and he couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of its solid hazel eyes. It crawled forward from the water, its scalyskin sparkled in the soft light as it drew closer. Faolan didn’t move as it came directly towardhim, its tail flapping on the sand and it pinned him against the rock. It lifted its head and stared at Faolan.

“Galina,”he grinned. “Been waiting long?”

“Foryou, I would wait for all eternity,” Galina grinned, showing her sharpteeth. “What news from our Mistress?”

“Youwon’t believe this,” Faolan smirked. “The Enuria is here.”

“Incredible,”Galina breathed with wide eyes. “Whatdoes she want us to do about it?”

“Shegave no orders,” Faolan explained. “ButI would assume she wants the Savior dead. Why else would she tell us about her?”

“Who,exactly, would I be looking for if I were to take care of her?” Galinawondered, leaning against him and running a hand along his chin.

“Ahuman girl with red hair and ice blue eyes,” Faolan replied. “She’s traveling with General EliasBlackwood. He’s her Protector.”

“ThatHalf Breed General is her protector?!” she breathed.

“Jealous,are we, my pet?” Faolan smirked.

“Ofcourse not,” she retorted, leaning closer to his face. “Youhave always had my heart.”

“Iknow,” he murmured. “You have always hadmine.”

Hecaptured her lips, his eyes shut and she wrapped his arms around his neck andhe rolled her onto her back, still kissing her, passionately. He pulled away slowly and howled into sky,making Galina laugh as he smiled down at her.

“Howdo you know what the Enuria looks like, my dear Hound?” Galina whispered,stroking Faolan’s cheek with her long, slender fingers.

“Isaw her in the woods,” he explained through kisses to her neck. “She was with the Masked General, ofcourse. She’s learned to use magicalready.”

“Whatis her name?” she asked, pulling him closer.

“ZoeyWalsh.”

Morning...

“Zoey!”Felix shouted in irritation. “That is not what I wanted you to do!”

Hemarched toward her as she sat on all fours on the ground. The group was outside in the woods, Elias,Chanel and Quinto watching as Felix coached Zoey on her new power. Before Felix could get too close to her,Elias knelt next to Zoey and helped her up as she breathed heavily.

“Areyou alright, Zoey,” Elias whispered.

“I’mfine,” she lied in a pant. “I think Ishouldn’t have done that.”

“Nowyou know what happens when you use a spell like that!” Felix snapped. “You weaken yourself! I told you, you weren’t ready for adeconstruction spell, and you do it anyway! I wanted a simple levitation spell!”

“ButI’ve done that!” Zoey shot back.

“You’vemade yourself fly, you have not made anything fly yet,” Felixcorrected. “You are not powerful enoughfor certain spells.”

“Brother,”Chanel called, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Perhaps you should let Quinto teach hernow?”

Felixsighed in irritation, throwing his hands up and snapping, “Fine. Maybe someone who hasn’t listened to meeither will be able to get through to her!”

Hestormed off in a huff and Chanel shook her head at him as he headed back intothe house.

“Don’tmind him,” Chanel told Zoey. “He getsangry when things don’t go his way. I’mjust so upset that you have to leave!”

“Soam I,” Zoey smiled.

“I’llgo saddle Phantom,” Elias whispered into her ear and made sure she could standwell on her own before he walked away. Zoey shivered and watched his walk away.

“Youcertainly like him, don’t you?”Chanel smirked, standing next to her.

Zoeyturned to Chanel with a blush staining her cheeks and she choked, “What?”

“It’sa bit obvious,” Quinto chimed in, coming up next to Chanel and wrapping an armaround her waist, making her jump with a start. “Your eyes light up when he’s around and you blush even when he’smentioned.”

“Theway Chanel is with you?” Zoeysmirked.

Theyboth looked to the red head with wide eyes before Chanel cast her eyes downwith a deep blush and Quinto looked to the girl at his side. He took her chin in his thumb and indexfinger to gently tug her gaze up to his.

“Ithought you felt something,” he murmured. “But I wasn’t sure.”

“Fromthe moment I saw you,” she breathed.

Withoutanother word, he planted his lips to hers as she wrapped her arms around him ashis arms wrapped around her as well. Zoey couldn’t help but smile, but the moment didn’t last. Quinto was suddenly yanked from Chanel’s armswhen he was tackled to the ground at Zoey’s feet. Felix straddled Quinto and punched him squarein the jaw then continued punching him in the stomach as he tried to fightback.

“Stayaway from my sister!” Felix shouted between punches.

“Whatthe blazes—?”

Zoeyjumped and looked to her left to see Elias holding onto Phantom’s reins andfrowning down at the fighting wizards.

“Whathave I missed?” he wondered.

“You’llreplace out soon,” Zoey assured him.

“Caith!”Quinto shouted and Felix went flying off of him to allow the wizard general toscramble to his feet when Felix hit the ground a yard away from him. Felix got to his feet and both prepared formore but the girls stepped between them just as Felix was about to chargeQuinto.

“Thatis enough!” Zoey shouted as she faced Quinto, Chanel facing her brother.

“Felix,”she snapped. “Leave Quinto alone!”

“He’llonly use you for his own sick purposes, Chanel!” Felix shot back. “He’s nothing but a sweet talker! You mean nothing to him!”

“That’snot true!” Quinto growled as Chanel shook her head, desperately.

“Shutit a second, Quinto,” Zoey advised, stopping him from marching closer to Felix.

“Where’shis proof?!” Quinto snapped. “I’ve nevereven had a relationship with any female! How would he know?!”

“Youflirt too much with any female,Quinto!” Felix shot out.

“Ido not!”

“Stopit!” Zoey shouted.

“Ilove him!” Chanel finally shouted above them.

Silencefollowed as the four stared at her in shock, but she only glared at herbrother.

“Ilove him, Felix,” she breathed again.

“No,”Felix breathed, shaking his head. “You’re too young. You couldn’t possibly know what love is.”

“Wakeup, Felix,” she urged, desperately. “I’mnot a child anymore. I’ve grown up.”

“Youthink I don’t know that?!” he snapped. “It kills me every day to see you a day older because I know you’regoing to leave me! You’re my babysister! You’re all I have now, and Iwon’t let you leave me!”

Chanelsighed in exasperation and marched closer to him to lift a hand and smack theback of his head, making him wince and stare at her with wide eyes.

“Youthink, after everything that’s happened, that I’m going to leave you alone?”she retorted. “I’m not going anywherefor now, big brother.”

Shewrapped her arms around his neck to hug him close, causing Felix to hug herclose in return.

“Nowwhat?” Quinto whispered to Zoey.

“Gosaddle your horse,” she advised with a shrug but Quinto nodded and headedtoward his horse, past Elias who sighed and tapped an impatient foot on theground as Zoey headed toward him as well.

“Zoeyand Elias are leaving, brother,” Chanel whispered.

Henodded as they pulled away from each other and headed toward the two.

“I’msorry you had to see that,” Felix muttered.

“I’mnot,” Chanel smirked, making him give her a glare before she strode off to replaceQuinto.

“I’llwait for you at the road,” Elias murmured to Zoey, knowing she would be sayingher good byes.

Zoeynodded and Elias shook Felix’s hand before pulling Phantom in the direction ofthe road, which was several yards away.

“Chanelis…all I have,” Felix told Zoey.

“Iheard,” Zoey nodded. “You don’t have toexplain. I’m sure you love her very muchand you don’t want her to get hurt.”

“Ifeel I owe you an explanation about what she was referring to,” he replied. “You see, after Eona was taken away, she’sthe only person I have now.”

“Eona?”Zoey echoed with a frown.

“Eliasdoesn’t know…” Felix explained. “Eonaand I…were lovers.”

“Zoey!”

Shespun around to see Elias heading toward her.

“Quintois waiting with the horses,” he explained then looked down at her in wonder atthe look on her face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,”she lied, shaking her shock away and turning back to Felix to shake hishand. “Thank you for everything, Felix.”

“I’llsee you again, I’m sure,” he smiled and nodded before they walked away.

Oncethey reached the rode, Quinto mounted his horse as Elias mounted his and Chanelhugged Zoey good bye, fiercely before Elias pulled her up and behind him. He gave a swallow when she wrapped her armsaround him, but neither of them said nothing as they started down the road.

Zoey’smind was spinning. She couldn’t believeFelix and Eona were lovers and couldn’t help but wonder at his wording whenthey spoke of her. They said she hadbeen ‘taken away’ and spoke of ‘bringing her back.’ Where had she been taken? She knew Jellinahad taken her from the discussion she’d heard the night before, but how could she bring her back? She had to stop thinking about it, or sheknew it would drive her crazy the whole day.

That Night...

“Elias!” Eona shouted in thedarkness. “Help me!”

She was being dragged away from him byJellina who was laughing evilly.

“Eona! I’m coming!” Elias shouted, running toward her.

“Elias!” Zoey cried from behind him andhe whirled around to see her being carried off by Rada. “Elias! Please!”

“Elias!” Eona called again. “Save me!”

Both of them were reaching for him, buthe couldn’t save them both, as much as he desperately wanted to.

“Elias!” Zoey sobbed. “Please! Help me!”

“Zoey!” he called, heading toward her,but stopped and looked back. “No, Eona!”

The girls screamed his name and hecouldn’t take it any longer. He claspedhis hands over his ears, his fingers digging into his skull.

“Stop it! I can’t choose! I love you both! Be quiet!”

Elias’seyes shot open as he gave a gasp that woke him up. He was lying on his back, drenched in a coldsweat with Zoey lying next to him, her head leaning against his chest. He, Zoey and Quinto had stopped for the nighton their way to Quinto’s camp, and Elias had decided to stay as close aspossible to Zoey to keep her safe.

Thatdream again. He had been having thatdream for the past two nights. Eona andZoey would be dragged off by his enemies so that he was left to choose whichone to save. He would choose neitherbecause choosing one over the other was too difficult. He loved them both.

Hesighed and rubbed his eyes in frustration and exhaustion. It was still night and Zoey was thankfullyasleep, hopefully having better dreams than he was. She snuggled closer to him and he saw hersmile, slightly in her sleep, making him smile in return. He closed his eyes again, trying to sleep andpraying he wouldn’t have any more nightmares.

“Elias,”Zoey whispered in her sleep, making him smile again. He’d found out some time ago that she wouldoften talk in her sleep. She snuggledcloser still and Elias found himself pulling her closer to him. “Elias…I love you.”

Elias’seyes shot open and instantly tensed…waking Zoey. His gaze was shot to her when she stirred andgroaned then looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

“Elias?”she frowned in wonder. “Are youalright?”

“O-Ofcourse, Angel,” he lied. “Why would youthink otherwise?”

“You’reawfully tense,” she noticed. “And you’relying to me again.”

Erikswallowed but said nothing. He knew shewould see through him. “You’ve been lying to me since we were atFelix’s place, haven’t you?”

Eriklooked away from her, ashamed that he’d been caught but muttered, “Yes.”

“Why?”she wondered, making him sigh and look at her again.

“Thequestions you want me to answer about my past and the reason for this mask Iwear, are not something you need to worry about right now,” he explained. “You must practice embracing your power to saveKalina, then perhaps, the other things will be revealed to you.”

“That’sjust your fancy way of saying you don’t want to talk about it,” she replied,irritably.

“Becauseyou need to focus on your fight with Jellina,” he insisted.

“No,”she snapped. “It’s because you’re afraidI’ll push you away.”

Eliasshot a wide-eyed look of surprise at her as she stared back at him, angrily.

“Zoey,please,” he murmured, covering up his shock. “Leave it alone.”

Zoeycouldn’t help the tears that began falling down her cheeks, making Elias’sheart clench in guilt, but when he moved to embrace her again, she pushed awayfrom him and scrambled to her feet, fleeing the tent they were sleepingin. Elias called for her to stop andfollowed her, but she ran into the thicket of trees behind them.

What are you doing, you idiot?! she thought to herself. Youhave no clue where you’re going! You’llnever replace your way back!

Hermind was screaming at her to stop, but her legs wouldn’t have it. She ran for what seemed like an eternitybefore tripping on something and falling flat on her face and sobbed into theground. She heard a twig snap to herright and became silent, lying very still. She couldn’t make out anythingin this darkness, even with a full moon shining down and slightly illuminatingthe forest. She screamed when she waspulled up roughly by her arms, struggling to be free. The thing lifted her into the air, its clawsalmost pierced her skin.

“Putme down!” she screamed, still struggling. The thing pulled her to its chest and wrapped its arms fully around her.

“So,we meet again, my pretty,” the thing growled in a deep voice, making herstruggle even more.

“Idon’t know what you are, but put me down!”she growled, kicking something that felt like its stomach. She didn’t care how big this thing was, shewould fight for her life.

“Don’tyou recognize me, deary?” it growled again then let out a loud howl, nearlydeafening Zoey. “Maybe if I had Keijiwith me you would recognize me, eh?”

Zoeyfroze and looked up at the thing with wide eyes and even in the moonlight shecould see his amber, almost red eyes.

“Faolan…Aberdene,”she breathed in realization and he howled again.

Witheach scream and howl, Elias quickened his pace, his sword drawn and Quintofollowing him. He quickly led them towhere he was sure Zoey had been, but there was nothing. Some leaves and twigs had been mashed down,along with some grass, but now they were gone, and they had took Zoey withthem.

“Elias,”Quinto called, drawing the General’s attention to a tree Quinto was pointingto. There was a dagger stuck in the barkwith a piece of parchment attached. Elias yanked it off and examined it.

If you wish to see your beloved Savioragain, come to Castle Agaru Gurtha and give yourself up. No tricks, and come alone, or she dies.

“Whokidnapped her couldn’t have written this in a few seconds,” Quintotheorized. “This was planned. Who do you think left it?”

“Judgingby the howls, I’d say Aberdene,” Elias replied, dropping the note to the groundand started searching the forest for clues. “But I doubt he was the onewho planned this.”

“Jellina?”Quinto guessed, watching him.

“No,”Elias objected. “He wants to meet atCastle Agaru Gurtha. Uaine, the Carad Witch,lives there. She had to have planned this.”

“Whatwill you do?”

“I’llgo get her.”

“Andafter that?”

“Wego to Edan. My men are there, and no oneshould know we’re going there. You cancome with us.”

“Elias,how are you going to get her out of there? How do you know they haven’t killed her yet?”

“Theywon’t kill her until I’m there to seeit. It would be humiliating to see theone I was meant to protect murdered in front of me. That’s what they want.”

Eliassheathed his sword, and felt his fists clench.

“Butthey won’t get what they want.”

Sunrise...

“Areyou completely daft?!” Uaine shoutedat Faolan, who was now in his human looking form. “Why didn’t you just kill her?!”

“Itwill be done, believe me,” Faolan assured her. “I thought we could kill to birds with one stone. I wrote a note after you left me the messagefrom Jellina. In case I failedyesterday, I told Blackwood to meet here and give himself up. When he arrives, we kill her and him.”

Agrin spread across Uaine’s red lips and she nodded, “An excellent plan, GeneralAberdene.”

“Mylady!” Rada called, entering the red throne room as he rubbed his hand. “The nuisancehas been put in a cell.”

“What’swrong with your hand?” Faolan frowned in wonder at him and Rada looked up athim.

“Shebit me!” he snapped in disbelief.

“Sheis a feisty one, isn’t she?” Uaine scoffed, stepping closer to Rada and saying,“Perhaps I should pay her a visit myself?” She rested her arms on Rada’s shoulders and he studied her face as sheasked, “Is she the one that hit youback in the tunnels?” Rada nodded andswallowed nervously at the beautiful Carad Witch being so close to him. “You will have your revenge soon enough.”

“AndBlackwood?” Faolan wondered, causing Uaine to look at the werewolf general inquestion. “Who will take care of him?”

“Letme kill him, my lady,” Rada growledand she looked to him with a raised eyebrow of intrigue then smirked, slidingher hands to his chest.

“Youtruly hate him, don’t you?” she murmured.

“Passionately,”Rada growled.

Shelooked his face over before pushing away and striding toward Faolan. She stood in front of him, but faced Rada.

“WhenBlackwood arrives, Faolan will bring Zoey to this room, and you, Rada my sweet, will take care ofhim. Iwill rid us of the Enuria and Kalina will be Jellina’s and mine.”

Shelaughed evilly as the male generals smirked in triumph at each other. The plan was perfect.

Meanwhile...

Zoeysighed as she sat chained to the wall of her cell in the dungeon. It was red. Everything in this place was red. The chairs, the floors, the ceiling, the walls, even the bars to thecell and the chains were red. It wasbeginning to irritate her. She liked the color, but too much of it was makingher eyes bleed.

“Doththine eyes deceive me?”

Zoeyjumped and looked through the bars to see a woman in red, but didn’t respond.

“TheEnuria chained to a wall in theCastle Agaru Gurtha?” she continued, shaking her head shamefully. “You won’t be able to ‘save’ Kalina this way.”

Zoeyhad had enough and stood up slowly, glaring at her and demanded, “Who are you?”

“Oh,how rude of me!” the female laughed in false embarrassment and approached thebars to grip one of them lightly, her staff in her other hand. “I am Uaine, the Carad Witch.”

Zoeysuddenly felt sick, but managed not to show it. She couldn’t believe she was being held hostage by a witch.

“I’mguessing you aren’t the one I have tofight?” Zoey asked, trying to will her stomach to settle from turning.

“Oh,no,” Uaine smiled, sadistically. “That’smy sister, Jellina.”

She’s lying, Zoey thought to herself, sensing itimmediately. Why would she lie about having a sister?

“AndI suppose it was Jellina who planned my kidnapping?” Zoey shot back.

“Actually,that was entirely General Faolan’s idea,” Uaine smirked.

“Whynot just kill me and get it over with?” Zoey couldn’t help but wonder but kepther enraged tone.

“Inquisitive,aren’t we?” Uaine replied, raising an eyebrow at her. “You,my dear, are simply bait for now. Buthave no fear. You time will come.”

Withthat, Uaine gave an evil chuckle before bursting into laughter and turning tohead out of the dungeon and Zoey allowed her shaking legs to collapse beneathher. She didn’t cry. She refused to cry. She had to think of a way to get out of thisplace. She guessed Elias would come forher, but she had to try to meet himhalfway. She suddenly couldn’t fight theoverwhelming urge to sing, even if it was a sad song. The melody floated through the hallowed cellsand halls of the dungeon, reaching unexpected ears.

GeneralFaolan stood around a corner, watching her and listening. This girl’s voice was more beautiful than anymermaid or siren song he’d heard. It wasenchanting, soothing and he couldn’t help but think that she could give hisGalina a run for her money.

Uaine,too, was listening. She’d made herselfinvisible and watched Faolan’s reaction to Zoey’s voice carefully. He was more entranced with her than she’d ever seen him with anyone. It was as she had feared. Zoey’svoice had more power than Zoey would probably ever realize and she knew nowthat this girl was going to be a challenging opponent for herself and Jellina.

Zoey’ssad song came to an end as she leaned her head back on the wall. Nothing. She still couldn’t think of anythingto get herself out of here.

Slow,steady clapping made her jump and stare wide eyes in the direction of the soundoutside her cell. Faolan came out of hishiding place and smirked at her as he clapped.

“Bravo,Enuria,” he murmured through the bars. “Well done. Really. You have a very pretty voice. Too bad Iwill have been the last to hear it, eh?”

Helaughed and walked off and Zoey felt her stomach turn again. She hadto get out. She couldn’t wait for Elias.