Chapter 32: The Confrontation

When Adina landed, however, it was on her feet. The room she was in was a throne-like area, with two doors leading off at each side. In the middle of it sat Gurnemanz, eyeing her every move. Adina stood in front of him.

"Adina, dear, how are you?" Gurnemanz leaned forward. "Awfully glad you had a better landing than you thought you would, I assume."

"Cut the pleasantries, Gurnemanz," Adina snapped coldly. "Where's my mother?"

"She's safe here. For the time being," he replied, fairly beaming. "Whether she remains so depends on you." Gurnemanz stood, and began pacing. He stopped directly in front of her. "Do you realize what a troublesome nuisance you are?" he snapped. "I had it all planned out so well when you were young- you'd learn enough magic, then when I killed your precious professor, I was going to bring you here, finish teaching you, and take over the Faerie Realm with you as a puppet ruler. However, you cast that spell, which took me weeks to recover from. By that time, you were already in the labyrinth, and had become friends with my son."

"There's one problem with your plan," Adina interrupted. "Didn't you think my parents would've noticed my absence?"

"Oh yes," Gurnemanz shot back. "But they wouldn't have cared. They didn't- don't- love you. No one loves you, or cares about you."

"Wrong," Adina sneered. "Your son does."

"Really? Do you think if it came to this, that he would choose you over me, his father? I don't." He resumed his pacing. "Anyhow, it was too late to kidnap you, so the only other option was you out of the way somehow. You, and-"

"Father," a look of horror spread across Adina's face. "You killed him!"

"Yes, well, he had to go," Gurnemanz sounded slightly apologetic. "Besides being in the way, he had wronged me years ago, by being engaged to the only woman I really wanted. Your mother."

Oh gods, Adina felt sick.

"As for you, had those fools managed to capture you, trial and the penalty would've kept you out. Since you escaped, one option is left: death." An eerie smile came over Gurnemanz. "Now two things will be accomplished: my revenge over Sylvan completed, and I shall take the Faerie throne."

He's mad, completely, Adina told herself. Just keep him talking, until something can be done. "Wait," she said. "Answer these questions: how long do you think it will take for Jareth to figure everything out?"

Gurnemanz just laughed. "Even if he had proof, he'd never put me for judgment before the Grand Council. I'm his father, remember?"

Drat! He's right. Jareth's such a loyalist. "Okay, you don't think the Advisors will really accept you as king? Since you're not even a Faerie?"

"Oh Adina, how little you know," Gurnemanz smirked. "Didn't they ever teach you that there are two main kinds of Faery? One is the Seelie, which your mother and father are. The other is the Unseelie- Jareth and myself."

"No," Adina whispered. It was all clear to her now. "I know something- you hate us Seelie, would kill us if possible!"

"Correct. Jareth being my son, I hoped he would realize that, and do his duty as an Unseelie. But then he had to fall in love with you. Curse him!" Gurnemanz shook his head. "Enough talk! Prepare to die, little Fae!" He raised up his hands.

Just then, a low moan was heard from one of the adjoining rooms.

Mother! Adina waved her hands, and Gurnemanz slammed against the wall. Wasting no time, she flung open the door, and ran inside.

"Father," Jareth entered, and saw Gurnemanz slowly sitting up. "What happened? Where's Adina?"

"Forget her!" Gurnemanz snapped. "Help me! She's gone mad! I told her I had found her mother wandering in the fields, brought her here to care for her, and the little brat doesn't even say thank you, just throws me!"

Something's wrong. Adina doesn't like him, but she won't hurt anyone unless provoked. Jareth's mind was in a whirl. Who to believe, him or her?

Author's Note: Well, I am back from a nice visit to my aunt's. Quite fun- antiquing and all! Anyhow, too bad Jareth couldn't have arrived sooner! That would've been helpful for Adina! Please review!