Who Is My Husband
Scene 28

Lance looked over at Reggie and Grum who stood there frowning at Kailee. She was just standing there staring off in the distance. She had asked to be left alone. But Lance knew that she did not really want that. He sighed loudly and then decided that was enough. He strode up to her and placed his hand around her. He spun her into his chest and held her tight against him.

“Lean on me. Lean on us. Whatever it is, let us share it with you, please. Don’t shut us out. You are our family Kailee. We worry about you and care about you. We can’t ever leave you alone so please don’t ask us to.” Lance said in his gentle baritone voice. He could feel her body slowly relax in his arms and he quietly sighed. She was bottling everything up because that is what she was used to. She didn’t need to do that anymore.

Kailee welcomed the warmth of his arms. Even though his clothes were still damp he was warm. She leaned herself into him and allowed her tears to trickle down her cheeks. He held her gently and rubbed her back.

“How about we go back home so you can change into something dry? Then maybe we can have some tea and talk about everything?” Lance’s voice was in a low soothing tone. He felt her nod her head into his chest as she let out a small hiccup. He looked up to Reggie and Grum who nodded their head. There was already and understanding to fetch the carriage.

On the ride home she remained quiet and deep in thought. She wondered if she could reach out to Leeta or to Alistair on behalf of Sparks. Or would they say that whatever he was doing was something he had to do? He was determined to do something but from the way he talked he sounded like he expected to fail. Even knowing that he may not make it he was still willing to risk it. It must be something important.

Her mind drifted to what type of danger it could be. What was something that could cause Sparks not to revive. She was under the impression that if Sparks died he would always revive from his ashes. Whatever he was facing must have the ability to stop that. She leaned into Lance as she watched the trees move as the carriage rolled along. The different color of greens meshed together as the wind intertwined them along with the carriage slow quiet roll. The gentle sound of hooves clopping was the only sound that was being heard. Everyone inside the carriage hadn’t spoken and all eyes were watching Kailee.

“What could cause a phoenix not to revive?” She asked quietly.

“There are a couple things. Destroying the ashes would cause a phoenix not to revive. Certain magic spells could cause the same thing. I also believe being killed with ice or water magic can do the same. Though I am not sure if it can cause them to not rebirth or just slow it down. I think there is always a chance to revive a phoenix if the ashes are kept safe.” Reggie said as he stared back at Kailee.

Her brows furrowed and she looked at her fingers. Was Sparks afraid his ashes would be destroyed? She raised her eyes up to the set of green eyes in front of her. Their eyes were laced with concern. She could feel Lance’s arm around her softly rubbing her arm. She could see how much they cared about her. It was still strange when she thought about how close they had all become so fast. But it wasn’t just on their end it was with her as well. And then with Trey it was becoming an overwhelming attachment. Trey was like an extension from her body at times. And she knew now just how deeply she really felt for him. She loved him. Whether she be damned or not, she had given her heart to him.

She gave the men a soft smile and straightened herself up. “Sorry. I don’t mean to worry you. I’ve had a lot of information hit me today.” She took in a breath of air and filled her lungs. She was calming herself a bit before she continued. “Sparks is about to do something dangerous. I don’t know what it is. But I think he was telling me goodbye. There is a good chance he might not make it back from whatever it is he is doing…” She then turned her head to look at Lance. “If my mother was strong then I should be strong too, right? There must be something… I cannot lose him. He has always been with me. I depend on him.”

“I wish that little fire starter would have said something. Maybe we could have helped. We have been looking for someone to help us communicate with Sparks. But we haven’t been able to replace anyone. It seems like that is something else more rare. There are a couple creatures who can, but they do not converse with us. Instead, they have moved deep within the forest realm. We also checked with the packs of werewolves that we know of for information. This werewolf that is reaching out to you doesn’t belong to their packs. So, we don’t know much about him either.” Reggie said as he rubbed his chin deep in thought. “I wonder what it is he is trying to do.”

“He would not tell me anything.” Kailee sighed sadly.

“It must be really important whatever it is Kailee. I wish we knew something so we could help.” Lance said quietly.

“He said he needed to go alone so that he could try to go undetected. That was all I really got from him.” Kailee looked out the window as they approached Clover estate.

“Hmmm… undetected. Sounds like he is infiltrating a demon or witch area.” Grum said, causing Kailee to look up to him. “If it is something he is knowingly risking his life for then it must be really important. I’m sure he wouldn’t risk leaving you if it wasn’t.” Grum said quietly.

Kailee offered him a small smile and nodded. She honestly didn’t care how important it was. Sparks was important to her, and she needed him in her life. The carriage stopped and the men stepped out. Lance turned and helped Kailee out. They walked on the graveled path up towards the doors. When they walked inside Kailee saw Trey was waiting for them. He was standing a few feet away with his full-face golden mask on.

She felt relieved to see him and that he was okay. And she selfishly wanted to seek his comfort. She stepped away from Lance and walked into his outstretched arms. But something was wrong. She felt his arms wrap around her. She listened to his voice which sounded like Treys. But this man did not smell like Trey. She jolted backwards from the man and stared at him. When he took a small step towards her she stepped back until she was resting at Reggie’s side.

“Kailee?” Reggie asked quietly. She looked up at him and then to Lance and Grum. They were looking at her curiously. She lifted her gaze to the man in the mask. He had his head tilted and his arm outstretched.

“What is wrong?” She heard the man in the mask say. It sounded like Trey. But her body was screaming at her that this was not him. He took another step towards her.

“DON’T!” Kailee said sternly as she pressed backwards. She wedged herself behind Reggie and Lance. She did not know this man. She always wondered if she would be able to recognize Trey. Maybe she couldn’t without the mask. But she knew what the man in the mask felt like. She knew what he smelled like. And this man was not the same.

She watched as the man lowered his hands to his side. He looked up at the other three men. “What happened to her? Is she alright?”

“She’s had an interesting day. She is a bit overwhelmed.” Lance said, looking at Kailee curiously.

She glanced up at Grum whose eyes were studying the man he thought was Trey. Could they tell? Panic set in her heart. If this man wasn’t Trey, then where was he and who in the hell is this guy?

“Maybe you should go and rest? Let’s go back to our room.” The man in the mask extended his hand and reached towards her.

Kailee glared as his hand came closer. “Don’t touch me!” She shouted. It was as if it was in slow motion. His hand slowly moved for her, and she narrowed her eyes on him. An energy pulsated from her body, slamming the masked man backwards and into the wall. His body slunk down against the cold stone. Lance started to move towards him, but Kailee grabbed onto him. Reggie and Grum looked at Kailee with interest as they quietly observed the situation.

“Kailee what in the world?” Lance asked, looking down at her.

She shook her head. “That isn’t Trey.”

Reggie frowned and looked back to the man who was struggling to his feet.

Grum let out a low growl as he stared at the man. “She is right.”

The moment Grum acknowledged it Reggie’s eyes turned stormy. His eyes began to change from green to a darker color. Lance held Kailee protectively behind him while Grum and Reggie grabbed a hold of the man.

The man scoffed. “What the hell are you?” He lifted his head, looking at Kailee.

“No, the question is who are you?” Grum growled and slammed the man against the wall. He reached and flipped the mask off of the man.

Reggie’s eyes widened. It wasn’t a man at all. It’s eyes were the same as Trey’s but he didn’t have a nose at all. His body was slowly changing. His cheeks were a dark green and gradually the rest of his body continued morphing as well. His form soon changed into a goblin.

“s**t. What they hell do you think you are doing?” Reggie growled out slamming his fist next to the goblins head.

“Buying time of course.” The goblin sneered and then looked at Kailee. “You never would have known if it wasn’t for her.” His eyes glinted as he stared at her. “How could you see through it… it’s impossible. You would have to be even stronger than her… that’s not possible.”

“Even stronger than who?” Grum asked in a low deadly tone.

The goblin sneered at the man and cackled lowly. His laughs became gurgled as Reggie squeezed his throat cutting off the circulation. His eyes squinted at Reggie and with a cruel hiss he said, “Cresha.”

Reggie’s eyes widened. “What the hell is that witch doing getting involved now?” He then sighed angrily. “Bane…”

The goblin sniggered. “He will rise again. This is his time and there is none alive who can stop him this time.”

Lance who had been standing there quietly stepped away from Kailee. His eyes were like daggers as he approached the goblin. “Where is he?”

“She has him.” The goblin gasped out with a cruel smile.

“When? How? Why?” Reggie squeezed around the goblins throat tightly.

“Did you not think it was easy to destroy that warlock earlier? His death was part of the b***d sacrifice needed to trap your precious-” The gurgling sounds from the goblin increased as Reggie restricted his air supply. “What does she want with him?”

“We want your kind out of the way. And she is holding him to make sure that is exactly what happens. If you go after him, she will kill him. If you want to see him back alive then stay out of everything.”

Lance set his jaw as he looked at the goblin. “This won’t be ignored. She is declaring war.”

“But what can you do?” The goblin grinned evilly. The white in his eyes widened as a strong pain began to burn inside of him. He turned his head to look at Kailee. Her gaze was set upon him as her fingers trembled. He felt his insides slowly being scorched as he studied the girl. What was she? A creature like himself did not know fear. Yet, staring into her eyes he could feel his chest closing in. As if the weight of the world was casting judgement on him right now. Fear suddenly overtook him, and his body shook.