- To everyone who reviewed thank you so much, you're a godsend. I know the horse is so dead, that its glue, but the disclaimer is in chapter 1 if you're looking for it.
Chapter 7
"Marguerite?" she awoke to a throbbing head and concerned looks of her family.
"My head".
"Mum?" Will asked.
"Where is she?" the pain, rushing to her brain, forced her to lie down.
"Skathina's gone," Ned explained.
"Kate?" Marguerite asked.
"We're here, Mum" she closed her eyes, relishing the feeling of holding her children. They were no longer children, but young adults.
"Glad to have you back, child, we missed you" they filed out, one by one, giving her welcome back hugs.
"Marguerite, Roxton, I'm sorry, I tried to protect Kate..." Finn started to apologize.
"You did a noble thing, Finn, thank you".
Marguerite awoke the next morning, as her seven-year absence had been a dream. Challenger's breakfast dishes sat in the sink, forgotten as usual, as he tinkered in his lab. Finn, always the early riser had disappeared on another plant finding expedition for George, promising to be back before lunch.
"Coffee?" John offered as his guns lay nearby, begging to be polished and cleaned after their long journey.
"Thank you".
"Mum, Dad, can I see Davidos today? Please" Kate begged. Davidos, Kate's best friend and Jarl and Assai's oldest son, had been friends since they were babies.
"You're not walking in the jungle alone, young lady".
"I'll go with her" Will was eager to show off his newly acquired shooting skills.
"Neither are you, young man".
"John, why don't I go? You obviously have work to do and I need to get out, I feel like a caged bird" since her return, she had never been far from his line of sight.
"Marguerite" he growled.
"I am fine; I know the way to the Zanga village. Besides, something good might come out of taking the walk..." she promised.
"Fine, just be back before sundown".
Marguerite, how nice to see you, we've missed you" they were warmly greeted by Assai.
"Kate, Will" Davidos ran for the Roxton children.
"Mum, may we?" Will turned to his mother.
"Don't go beyond the fence" the children were already out of earshot.
Marguerite spent the day trading and talking with the Zanga, almost forgetting that she had slept for seven years.
"Will, Kate, time to go" looking at the sun, she knew that John was probably watching the horizon for them.
"Do you want an escort?" Jarl offered.
"No thank you, Jarl, we'll be fine".
"I can protect them" Will's chest puffed out; proud of his new hunting skills and the small rifle his father had given him.
"I'm sure you can" the adults shared a smile; the young man's bravado reminded them of somebody else they knew.
"Bye, Davidos" waving goodbye to their hosts, they headed home.
"You had fun?" Marguerite asked.
"Yes, thank you Mum" the trip home was pleasant, until a raptor appeared.
"Get down, now" Ordering her children behind her, she fired two bullets into the beast's body.
"Mum?" Kate asked.
"Are you two ok?".
"Were fine, Mum".
"We have to hurry; the blood will attract every predator in the area".
The raptor disappeared, leaving the demon child behind.
The demon child followed them down the trail.
"Hello, Marguerite" the demon child purred.
"What do you want?' she demanded.
"My daddy" the demon child morphed into John Jr.
'I'll kill you" Will blazed.
"Will, Kate stay back" she ordered
"Ask me what my name is".
"John Roxton Jr." the demon child eagerly informed her.
"Ask me who my mother is?" the child continued to gloat.
An image of Sabrina appeared. Marguerite felt her blood boil.
"Stay away from my family".
"I want what is rightfully mine, give up your power, and your daughter, Chosen One and you shall live" in a second he grew from small child to a grown man.
"I told you stay, away from my family," she threatened as the demon was knocked to his feet by a bolt of lightening.
"Very pretty trick, Chosen One. I will make my offer one last time. Give me your daughter and you and your son are free to go".
"Mum" Marguerite tried to hold onto Kate as long as she could.
"No" Will made a grab for his sister, but the demon's hold was too strong.
"Come, sister, you and I shall rule the Plateau together" a portal appeared.
"Hey John" jumping down from the tree, Finn gave him a square right hook, knocking him unconscious.
"Mum" Kate ran into her mother's arms.
"Thank you, Finn"
"No problem, I was in the area".
The demon started to awaken as the portal again began to pull them in.
"Close it Marguerite, now!".
Finn pulled Will away from the portal as mother and daughter, in one voice "Send the demon back, close this door forever". The winds swirled around them and the world grew dark.
"Is everyone alright, Marguerite?" Finn noticed the look on the older woman's face.
"We are going home now. Lord Roxton has some explaining to do".
Taking each child by the hand, Finn followed Marguerite, knowing that when they got home, Mt. Marguerite was going to blow and she didn't want to be anywhere near the explosion.