Sarah's mouth dropped. No, this couldn't be, this wasn't, wasn't right. "Right now I've had enough! I'm sending you to boarding school!" Her gray eyes took a new size as the final key words were spoken.
She felt something shatter inside of her when a possessive arm circled around her waist from behind. Trembling she closed her eyes, wishing desperately that this was all a nightmare and that she would wake up in her bed.
Too bad she knew it wasn't going to happen. Grasping every ounce of acting skills she owned and bracing herself to look at him she opened her eyes. The first thing she noted was how tired he looked, of course that said nothing for the glint in his eyes. The one that she had seen the moment she failed at escaping the Labyrinth. One that told her that he saw her as his absolute possession. A shiver ran through her, no power over her? Maybe when this fiasco began.
"Well this was certainly unexpected." The vibration of his chest against her back made her want nothing more than to sink into the earth. "But not unwelcome." She tried to shrug out of his grip but he merely gave her a light squeeze against him as an order to stop. Knowing the battle lost she obeyed, she had waited for her chance before. She would do so again if need be.
She was trembling, he could feel it as her back shook against his chest. Her step-mother had wished her away, he knew that. But he could think of no reason why. He knew Sarah hadn't meant the words, not truly. The she-devil before them had meant it with all her black heart. She was looking pleased instead of scandalized.
"Will you be running the Labyrinth, I assume Sarah told you of her adventure." He looked down to the young woman his arm was wrapped around and ran his free hand through her hair.
"Of course not. I want her out, gone. Look at her she is just like her mother. How else could she attract so much attention?" He wasn't sure what she meant but Sarah spoke next.
"How dare you accuse me…Karen I hope you rot in hell." Sarah's tone was darker than she had ever used on him. She tried once more to get out of his grip but this time he was sure it was to attack and not just getting away from him.
But that would never happen; she had been wished to him. Not his kingdom, not his title, and thankfully not his Goblins. Him. No matter what happened in the future she belong to him, every breath of her. For eternity. The thought was a heady one, but not one strong enough to let his grip on her lessen. "Time to go darling." She stiffened and instantly looked to him, forgetting her anger.
"Can I at least say goodbye to Toby?" Her voice was so small and her eyes so pleading he didn't think he could refuse her had he wanted to. Forcing his limbs to unwrap from her he watched her pick up the screaming toddler. Almost immediately the child calmed and she was holding him tight to her.
"Get away from him." The woman ruined the tender moment with her harpy voice. Jareth turned a glare on the woman but she was only intent on hurting Sarah. "I've already let you taint him this far. He's my son Sarah. Mine."
"Then take care of him some time, he knows me better than either of you." Sarah obviously wasn't going to take another insult from the woman. But she could do nothing more than throw words in retort. He on the other hand could do more. But first to distract his mortal. Waving his hand a wooden chest appeared between Sarah and himself. By the time she noticed it he had it vanish, waiting for her in her room.
"Sarah, you may pack as much as will fit in that chest. It is waiting in your room. I'll come to gather you shortly." As he spoke he glared at the woman, he had see people leave their children to him without traveling the Labyrinth. Many gave up on sight of his realm. This woman simply wanted Sarah gone, not only that but miserable as well.
Sarah nodded, still pale and set the child down. He was sure her time of meek obedience would leave. Shock was the only reason she was listening; he was not fool enough to think her bent to his will. She had shown too much spirit for it to diminish so quickly. Once the young woman was gone he turned to the hag.
"I once thought Sarah capable of being cruel." His tone was conversational, Toby was crawling around and Jareth leaned over to hold the child. "But I now believe she developed the trait out of necessity, not spite. You hate her." It was a fact, not a question; he regarded the woman for a reaction.
"She's a brat and thinks only of herself. We don't ask much of her-."
"Of course not, only all her nights, and to have her give up the activities she treasures."
"She'll ruin my son, he'll turn out like her if I don't make sure she leaves." The punishment in mind crystallized at her cruel words.
"Then I shall help you. Young Toby is too young to properly recall his sister when he gets older." Karen's face took on the expression of spiteful glee. She knew this; too bad he was gong to change it. Forming a crystal he held it before Toby. His mother's eyes went from vindictive glee to caution. Not even worry for her child.
"What are you-?"
"He shall remember Sarah. He will remember this night, and anything you say or do will not halt this." Ten chubby little fingers reached for the magic sphere, only for it to burst upon touching it. The boy giggled as the magic took affect. It would not harm him. Only allow him to remember the sister that cared for him so. He would remember the Labyrinth, he would recall who cared for him. And know why his sister was gone. He would not know only her good times with him. Her wishing him away would be known as well. A price for all, the good and the bad. As he set the child down he noted the red stain on his shirt.
No, not a stain.
Blood.
Reining his magic in he appeared at the doorway of Sarah's room. The trunk was open, folded clothes had been placed in it along with other things he did not recognize. The edge of a sketchpad informed him of bringing her hobbies with her as well. But there was no Sarah.
A grunt from the window and he saw the hand by the frame. Anger rising he stormed to the edge and grabbed her wrist. Pulling up he met her startled gaze.
Forgetting the blood he pulled her into the room and then let her pull away. "I give you time to pack and you try to escape." He hissed, advancing on her as she backed away.
"I wasn't-."
"Silence." Startled she obeyed him, she hit her desk and he was soon pulling her back to him. Within the next blink they were gone.
Oooooh boy. What do you people think?? Told ya I'd get her in the Underground. And in that matter he's not the bad guy. Aren't I good?
Well tell me what you think…what you think will happen if you want. Those are always fun to read, I'll even announce some of them.
Here is the question. What was Sarah doing? There are enough hints to tell you it WASN'T one thing. The rest my readers is guess work.
~BUM~