Chasing Aurora
Chapter 21

I jumped up off the bed, “Pack up. We need to go now.”

“Shouldn’t you rest? You were literally in a coma for two days.”

“I feel better than ever. Can you text the aunts and tell them to hurry up? We don’t have any time to lose.”

Robby pulled out his phone while I packed up the hotel room. Soon the aunts were bursting through the door. They all froze in the doorway with wide eyes. “We don’t have time for this. I’ll explain in the van. Grab your things, I know where Aurora is.” They nodded and were quick to grab their things. We were out of the hotel in five minutes and I was hopping in the driver’s seat of the van.

“You sure you’re good to drive?” Robby asked as he climbed in the passenger seat.

“I’m sure.” As soon as the doors were shut I was out on the road. It was like a road map had been uploaded into my mind. I knew every turn I needed to make and exactly how I was going to get to where I needed to go. I had no idea how to articulate this map to other people though which had my passengers questioning me.

“So where exactly are we going?” Flora asked.

“I both don’t know and do know. Just trust me on this. It is like the connection that Aurora and I had is much stronger now. We even talked after I woke up.”

“When did you talk to her?” Robby asked.

“While we were sitting on the bed. No time passed in the real world so you wouldn’t have noticed. Now can you guys stop interrogating me so I can focus? I don’t want to get lost.” That shut them up. The car ride was tense for the two hours I drove. My connection got stronger the closer we got. The details of my mental map were getting bolder until I could see every detail of the manor. A plan formed in my mind by the time I pulled into a quiet side street and killed the engine.

“Are we here?” Flora asked.

“They’re right over that hill,” I said pointing right in front of us. Between the trees and the large hill, we were completely hidden from the manor hiding on the other side. I reached behind me, grabbing the sword belt and sword.

“Wait, shouldn’t we come up with a plan? We need a plan of attack.” Robby said grabbing the shield from me.

“You are staying in the car.” I said taking the shield back, “We’re right behind the back of the house. There is a small hole in the wall that her guards aren’t watching. That’s where I am going in. Merriweather, you are at the front gate. When I have Fauna give you the signal, you are going to cause a diversion. Blow shit up, knock over some trees, it doesn’t matter, just be big. When the guards go to the front, Flora is going to erect some barriers. It needs to be impossible for them to double back. That is when I go after Maleficent.”

“I’m coming.” Robby started getting out of the car, but I reached out to stop him.

“Robby, if you come I’m going to be watching out for you instead of watching out for myself. These people have guns and I have no way to guarantee your safety. I need you to stay here because if something happens to you I’ll never forgive myself.” I looked deep into his eyes, making sure he understood. He was the closest thing I had to a brother and I was not going to let Maleficent use him against me. She already had Aurora as a hostage. I can’t let Robby become one too.

He deflated slightly and shut the door. “Give me the keys. I’ll be ready if we have to make a quick getaway.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you on the other side.” I handed him the keys and jumped out of the car. I fastened my sword to my side as Merriweather shrunk down to head to the front gate. I fixed the shield to my left arm and looked back at Robby for a moment. We shared a tight smile and nod before I started up the hill.

Flora and Fauna were sitting on my shoulders, feather-light, as I stuck to the shadows. Twilight had begun to fall but I could still see as if it was daylight. More than that. As I came to the top of the hill, I could see the auras of everyone in the manor. The guards were mostly on the second floor, their aura’s weak and tinged with black. I could see the dark cloud that was Maleficent choking the air on the deck on the right side of the manor. Then there was my girl. Even if I had never seen it before, I knew that glow of warmth could only be hers. It was tied to me with a silver string that attached to my heart. I smiled as I saw it.

I shook off the moment and turned to the fae to adjust the plan, “Flora. You’re going to go in from the left side of the house. Fauna, when the chaos starts, I want you to destroy the stairs going up to the second floor. It should keep everyone away from Aurora, but I still want you to go to her room to make sure that she is safe. She’s on the third floor by the left corner.” I pointed exactly where I wanted them to go. We weren’t going to mess it up this time.

“How are you going to get up there?” Flora asked.

“I’ve got a plan.” Neither of them argued. I went to the small gap in the wall, easily squeezing through. I sent them on their way while I crept in the shadows up to the house. Keeping low, I made my way to the right side of the house. I stood in the darkness, waiting for the signal, sword drawn and ready. I had Maleficent in my sight. She was dressed in all black, all of it skin-tight. She almost looked normal, just reading a book. If it wasn’t for the black cloud around her, I might have thought it was someone else.

Sure enough, a rumble was heard before a loud bang. I heard shouts from inside before I heard the explosion. Maleficent shot to her feet, her gold eyes catching the light. She started to make her way inside, but I wasn’t going to let her get that far. I jumped over the railing, charging at her. I swung, ready to strike the blow that would end her when suddenly I was flying backwards. My body knew what to do though, flipping through the air landing on my feet.

Maleficent cackled as she looked me over. “So, the Guardian thinks she can fight me? Me? I have been killing Guardians since before your Great Granddaddy was in diapers. You’re just a child. You don’t stand a chance.”

“That’s your opinion.” I shrugged, “It’s wrong, but you’re entitled to it. Well, at least until I kill you.” She looked at me in surprise. I could tell she wasn’t expecting my answer. I took advantage of her surprise and swung at her. She moved quick, but so did I. My sword caught her in the arm, slicing and drawing blood.

She let out a blood-curdling howl of anger, “You bitch! You cut me!”

“I’m going to do worse than that.” I charged at her, I brought the sword down in an arch, ready to drive it home when it was met with another. Maleficent pushed me away with a sword black as night. She was pissed. She began trying to go on the offensive, but her technique was sloppy. It was easy to block her blows and I got close to landing a few myself. In the game of swords, I was winning. I pushed her back with enough force that she stumbled back. I was able to catch a sloppy blow and send her sword flying. I didn’t let up, landing a blow to her shoulder.

“Fuck!” She flicked her fingers towards me, trying to send me flying, but this time she only pushed me a few steps back. “Fine! You win with the sword. But you don’t stand a chance against my magic!” She stood up straight, her hands glowing a vibrant green. The wind picked up around us as the glowing green took over her entire body. I lifted my arm to shield my eyes from the light as it reached blinding intensity.

I heard the sound of the boards above me breaking. I immediately dived off the deck right as it completely collapsed. I landed on the grass, rolling to my feet as I looked over the rubble. For a second I thought that Maleficent had offed herself when I realized what was now standing in her place. A fucking black dragon that was at least fifty feet tall. Clouded in the same black aura that surrounded Maleficent at all times.

That was when it hit me that Maleficent had transformed into a giant dragon.

I had not prepared for this.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”