I had to get this chapter out before certain people decided to murder me. Hehe. Enjoy.
Chapter 12
Galian put himself in front of his tree girl as the owner of the voice appeared.
It was the peddler.
Annalaya gripped his arm in fright.
"Right where I wanted you." The woman gave a cackle.
"What do you mean?" Annalaya asked, her words faltered.
"All I needed was to get the two of you alone." The woman stepped closer.
"Get away from us," Galian growled, stretching his arms out like a bird spreading his wingspan. It was a protective stance.
The peddler smirked, "Not a chance."
Annalaya glared at the infernal woman. Would she stop at nothing to finally rid the world of the daughter of the supposed witches?
Yes… she would—and now she had seen Galian she would want him too. There was no doubt. Annalaya had a feeling she wanted him as a pet. The way the woman had thrown the sparrow in the cage and locked it.
Galian stood up with a grimace and pulled Annalaya to her feet. "Run," he whispered.
She gripped his arm. "I won't leave without you."
The woman laughed, "You wouldn't get far." She made a small hand gesture.
Annalaya felt sick. Men—villagers surrounded the area; ready to catch or kill at the woman's signal.
It was over. There was no way out.
Annalaya looked up at Galian, meeting his eyes. He was heartrending and defeated.
His wound had reopened and blood was seeping through the bandages. He had over done himself.
If they ran now they would only die faster. Giving up and letting themselves be taken gave them a small chance of escaping before they were locked away or killed. It was worth the chance. What other chances did they have?
Annalaya stepped away from Galian who looked like he wanted to protest. "Do what you will with me if it's the fate of my parents." She held her hands out.
"No!" Galian tried to pull Annalaya back, but a few of the villagers near them grabbed his arms to keep him back.
"Let me go! I must be with her!"
The woman laughed, "I'm afraid you're mine now little birdie."
Annalaya sucked in a breath as the man who tightened her binds and yanked them taunt. Her wrists would be raw by the time they got back to the village. She dared not complain.
They were dragged across the expanse of the woods and then dragged right through the court square of the village for all to see.
Everyone would know they caught the tree girl.
When they reached the peddler's home, all but two villagers went on their way. One held onto Galian while the other had Annalaya.
They were tossed into the cottage without care and both of them hit the ground with a thud.
Galian's face was white in his agony. Annalaya wanted to reach out to him but she was afraid of the consequences.
The peddler had a horrible smile upon her face. "Shackle them together onto the post."
The two men were quick to do her bidding. Annalaya was yanked cruelly from the floor. She felt as if her arm was being pulled out of its socket.
Galian barely made a noise as the man dragged him like he was a sack of grain.
The two men slammed metal cuffs to Annalaya's right and Galian's left arm. They were tight. She watched as the chain was locked around the post.
"That will be all boys." The woman waved the villagers away.
They grunted and left the house.
Annalaya scooted as close as she was allowed by the chains to Galian. He sat beside her, staring at the peddler. His body was worn but his eyes were full of fire.
The peddler smirked and walked around them until she had to turn back because of the tiny space of the room where the post was located.
"What a pair the two of you make; a witch and a shape-shifter. Whatever am I to do?" She paused and gave Annalaya a nasty grin. "I suppose, I will have to kill you both."
"Don't you dare!" Galian snarled, pulling against the chains.
"Be still, my pet," The woman soothed.
Galian glared at the nickname. "I am no one's pet."
"Oh aren't you?" she gave a laugh. "Are you not the witch's pet?"
"He does not belong to me or to anyone," Annalaya said loudly.
"The sparrow may not but the human that is the sparrow belongs to you." The woman's eyes glinted in glee.
"Wh-whatever do you mean?" Annalaya stammered. She wasn't sure that she fully understood this.
"The human part of this sparrow is in love with you. I can see it. That is to my greatest advantage."
No! No! No!
This woman wanted to use Galian against her.
"Tomorrow you will take me to the wishing stream. If you do as you are told, no harm will come to the sparrow. If you do something I don't like I will make sure this bird-man has a painful death."
Galian hand found hers and squeezed it.
Annalaya stared up at the old peddler woman.
"If you do exactly what I wish I may even spare you." The woman walked away.
"I rather die than be your prisoner," Annalaya spat.
"Annalaya, don't," Galian warned.
The woman turned around, "I forgot to tell you the best part. In three days time, Galian will turn back into a sparrow. If he's not in his true form on the third day he will die." She was gone.