The Heart of Faerie
Prologue
Jaxxon Steel and Toby Williams, Untouched and Alive
"Jaxxon Steel, get back here! It won't do you any good to run off! Get back here, you little bitch!"
Preston Meyers roared like a beast as his step daughter fired off a small stone from her sling shot, hitting him right in the face.
Jaxxon turned and ran down the hall, followed by Star Black and White Moon, her two puppies. The snowy white and jet black pups loped after her, panting. Jaxxon's heart slammed painfully in her chest and her lungs ached from screaming. Preston stormed behind her, and the seven-year-old girl ran faster.
Rounding a corner, she skidded to a halt. Stairs, stairs, two flights of stairs, one down, one up, and polished wood banisters, perfect!
She lifted herself up on the rail and pushed, and she slid down, the wolves running down the stairs with her. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood when she fell off the banister and landed on the floor in a heap, dazed and breathless, whimpering.
Get up, Jaxx, get up, upupupupup! Come on! Please, get up, boss!
Snowfang, another puppy, nudged her with his nose, whining and tugging at her sleeve. She pushed herself to her feet and Copper, her favorite Labrador, pressed himself against her in reassurance, murmuring, It's okay, boss, we'll help you get out of here. Let's go.
"No. no. I have to find Mommy. Help me find Mommy."
Copper shook his head at the idea, remembering the scent of blood and the acrid stench of violence and fear. Jaxxon stumbled in a vague direction, mumbling, "Gotta find Mommy…."
Very well, wild child. She's this way. Copper said, and Jaxxon, followed by seven canines of various sorts, walked with him, calling softly for her mommy.
oo8oo8oo8oo
"Sarah! Sarah! Mommy's hurt, Sarah! Wake up!" Toby shook his sister, trying wake her. Down the hall, two men laughed quietly as a woman whimpered for mercy. Toby shook harder. "Sarah! Sarah?"
She didn't stir.
In his mind, Toby screamed as loud as he dared, SARAH!
The girl almost fell out of bed.
"Sarah, there are men in the house! They hurt Mommy and Dad!" Pushing back tumbling locks of annoying dark hair, she took her little brother by the shoulders.
"Toby, stop. Strangers? They hurt Mom and Dad? Toby, look at me. Are Mom and Dad alive? Toby?" The little boy shook his head, blond curls bouncing gently.
"No." Sarah stood up and clenched her fists hard. "Sarah?"
"We have got to get out of here."
oo8oo8oo8oo
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Majesty! An urgent summons from Lady Sylver!"
Didymus, a small, chivalrous dog-knight, ran to the foot of the short stair leading to the throne.
"The message is of utmost importance! She needs your help!"
That got the man's attention. Straightening in his chair, his eyes blazed with something odd, a strange fervor.
"Indeed? At her estate?" The dog nodded. "What's wrong?"
Jareth!
Sylver? My daughter.she is in danger, and I cannot help her. Please…. The voice of the Faye Lady was frighteningly weak and soft and faded.
I'm coming. No compromise, no faltering, no flinching. The Faye lord swept from the room. oo8oo8oo8oo First chapter! What do you think? In the words of JunoMagic: Please feel free to leave a comment! Anything at all: If you noticed a typo, if you don't like a characterization or description, if you thought a line especially funny or poignant or interesting, if there was anything you particularly enjoyed … I am really interested in what my readers think about my writing. You can leave a public comment (signed or anonymous), though if you want me to respond to it, signed is best, OR send me a private message, though I do prefer comments and reviews. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Disclaimer/Author's Note: don't own anything you recognize.
