Spellbound

Here is another chapter. It's a short one but it's fitting. I hope that you all enjoy. I'll try to have another chapter posted by next Wednesday. The characters don't belong to me. They belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea is mine.

She sat on the porch in a rocking chair; a thick, chenille blanket wrapped around her as she sipped on a steaming hot cup of cocoa with extra, extra marshmallows. She smiled as she looked out at the snowy ground. The thoughts of never returning home filled her mind. She could see herself living out in the wilderness. She could see herself being happy here. She sipped and nodded as she basked in the glory of her surroundings. She couldn't have asked for a better morning. The birds were singing and the sun was shining down on her. She loves the sun. Until she'd come to Alaska, she never realized how much she missed having the sun shining down on her. She never realized how much she misses the beauty of the outdoors.

She never expected that Alaska would be so beautiful. She didn't mind the cold just so long as the sun was shining. She and her mother were staying in a cabin out in the wilderness. She'd never seen anything like it. She'd never been to a wildlife sanctuary before in her life. To be honest, she never expected to ever see one much less stay close dead smack in the middle of one. It's the most beautiful place she'd ever been to in her young life. It was also freezing cold. She didn't expect to have to buy as many new clothes but she didn't mind it one bit. What what woman doesn't love to go shopping for new clothes and it won't cost them a dime? The male security guard, Drayton, the hottest security guard she's ever seen, took her and her mom shopping and it was on his dime.

She didn't want appear to be greedy so she only got the necessities; a few sweaters, a pair of boots, some long johns, and a heavy coat. He'd tried to get her to get more but she declined. She didn't mind recycling outfits. She didn't believe in getting anymore than she felt she needed. He seemed to have liked that because he watched her the entire time. He watched her as she looked at the price tags and winced at some of the prices. He could only imagine what she would've done if she'd discovered the cost of their vacation. Anyway, he was supposed to let Arayleaha go with the girl and her mom while they were out and about but he decided to tag along and again. He enjoyed her company and she didn't mind being with him one bit. She enjoyed the company; especially with them staying out in the woods.

They were staying at a place called the Kenai Fjords. They were staying in the most beautiful log cabin; a huge log cabin. There were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living room was filled with couches and a stone fireplace. In front of it was a bear skinned rug. Oh and the kitchen, the kitchen was as big as the one at home; maybe even bigger. Everything that they'd need was there. She and her mom would want or need for nothing. The princess had thought of absolutely everything. She'd sent them to the perfect place; peace and quiet. Their first day there was magical.

The area was absolutely wonderful. The waters are crystal green and there are tidewater and Piedmont glaciers in every direction. She and her mother had taken pictures of so much marine life. There were otters, sea lions, and harbor seals. They'd been sprayed by whales; orca and humpback. She'd even seen an animal that she'd never seen before. It was something called a puffin and it was absolutely adorable. She was very excited when she'd seen a little gray and white bird called a kittiwake. Her eyes were filled with wonder and surprise. She was in awe of the beauty that enveloped her. She never wanted to leave. She was having the time of her life.

She wished that her father could've come with them but she understood that she and her mother had to leave the area as soon as possible. They hadn't told her dad the real reason for the unexpected vacation but the thought that his two favorite girls were trying to get back to where they used to be, was music to his ears.

She agreed. She and her mother are closer than they've ever been in their lives. And they needed this time together. If not for the princess, they wouldn't be where they are today. She'd still fear her parents … or maybe not.

According to the princess, her parents would be dead and she would belong to Bill Compton. She would be in the same predicament as Amelia or worse. She would be in the same predicament as the other girls. She'd hoped that they would be okay but when Amelia told her that she was the only one left, she knew instantly of their fate. They were no longer going to have fun together. No more shopping trips or girls' night out on the town. Those days are over. They were gone.

"Maggie."

She stopped rocking in her chair and sat tall in her seat. She looked around her to see who'd called her name.

"Maggie."

She placed her cup of cocoa on the table that was next to her seat as she stood up. She pulled the blanket tighter around her as she slowly walked to the edge of the porch. "Drayton?" she called.

No one answered.

"Arayleaha?" she called.

Again, no one answered.

"Maggie."

Then she knew. The voice was weak but she knew.

"Amelia?"

Fear filled her completely. Her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest. Maggie went into the cabin and ran to her bedroom. She slammed the door behind her before she jumped onto her bed. She lay back on the pillow and closed her eyes and relaxed. That was the best and easiest way for her and Amelia to communicate. "Amelia," she said.

Amelia didn't answer her.

Maggie nestled deeper into the bed and cleared her mind of everything. She slowed down her breathing and she imagined the days of being in the courtyard with Amelia and her now dead friends. She imagined the many times they laughed with one another. She imagined the cram sessions and the frat parties that they'd gone to and stayed at into the wee hours of the morning. The smiling faces of her friends and the soothing sounds of their laughter relaxed her. She tried once again.

"Amelia," she called out in her mind. "Please answer me."

Still, she heard nothing.

"Please," she begged. She squeezed her eyes closed tighter and her hands were now in fists. She was determined that she was going to hear from Amelia. She hadn't heard from her in weeks. Maybe now, she could get an idea of where she is and she can save her.

"Amelia," she said again. "I'm here."

That's when the images flashed in her mind.

"Oh, God," she said as she opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

She was not sitting on the front porch of a log cabin. She was not sipping on a steaming cup of hot cocoa with extra, extra marshmallows. She was in a box … though she wasn't quite sure. She hadn't been sure of much of anything in quite awhile. She felt that she was in a box. It was a pretty big box and it moved. She was laying on her back. The box was lined with rough fabric. It was scratching the backs of her arms and the backs of her legs when the box would suddenly swerve. She'd opened her eyes but nothing was there. They'd taped her in the box. She didn't want to have to lay on her back. She didn't want to have to look at the blackness that surrounded her. She was tired of the darkness. She couldn't do anything to stop it. It was too late. She knew what was happening.

She was dying.

She tried rolling onto her side but it was too painful. She was too weak. Bill hadn't been to see her in awhile and she hadn't eaten anything. She'd been hungry and thirsty but she didn't complain. She was just glad that he was no longer forcing himself on her. She didn't mind being hungry. She didn't mind it at all. If truth be known, she was tired of suffering. She didn't even care if she ever made it back home. She just wanted the pain to stop. She didn't want to die but she'd accepted her fate.

She closed her eyes and tears fell from the corners of them as she thought of her dad. She missed him so much. She hated that she'd put him through so much worry. She felt guilty about the fact that she didn't listen to him when he told her to leave the vampire alone. She wished that she had. He'd never steered her wrong. He'd never cause her any harm. He was always looking out for what was best for her and she'd let him down.

"This is my punishment," she said barely above a whisper.

She was suddenly surrounded by voices; men's voices. They were talking about André. He was the leader. As far as she knew, the plan was all his. They no longer needed her. They had all that they needed. They had to get rid of her because Bill's maker was going to cause problems for André. Bill had met the true death and he'd obviously told his maker that if anything happened to him, she'd know what to do. Obviously, she'd done it.

"Bill's dead," Amelia said as she closed her eyes and settled into the rough carpeting of the box. Even though she was weak, she had just enough energy to muster up a smile.

"And I'm dying," she whispered as the smile faded from her face.

She didn't mind it. As a matter of fact, she welcomed it. She was finally going to be able to see her mom again. That was the best part about her dying. She has never met her mom. They've never spoken to each other. They've never known each other. She'd never gotten to tell her mom any of her secrets. Her mom wasn't there to help her get ready for her first date or her senior prom but it was okay now. She's finally going to meet her.

Amelia began to look around her when the box stopped and her body skidded across the bottom of the box. She knew what was about to happen. They were going to kill her. She was the last bit of evidence and they needed to get rid of the evidence. She closed her eyes and smiled. She could see Maggie sitting on a porch and she was smiling.

Tears began to fall from the corners of her eyes again. Her friend was safe. Her only friend was alive and safe. "I love you, Maggie."

Her eyes remained closed as she thought of Mags. Maggie always had a smile on her face. She was always willing to do what she could for others. Sweet Maggie. She was going to miss her the most.

"Maggie."

That's when she saw Maggie stand up from her seat. "Amelia?"

She perked up a little. Maggie heard her. A bit of hope hit Amelia's heart. Maybe she doesn't have to die. If Maggie can still hear her, maybe she has chance. Maybe she can get her some help. Amelia's already weak heart began pounding in her chest. She was going to try and reach Maggie once more but before she could, the top of the box was opened.

The vampire lifted her in his arms and looked down at her. She recognized him. He was the vampire that didn't force himself on her. He never did. He never bit her and he used to sneak food to her. He treated her nicely. Even now, he looked sad. She gave him a pitiable smile.

"Does she have any bite marks?" the other vampire said when he appeared behind them.

The nice vampire shook his head no. He didn't want to kill the girl. They only had to let her go. She wasn't going to say anything. He could tell that she wouldn't say anything. When he'd sneak food in to her, she'd beg him to let her go. She'd tell him that she'd never say a word to anyone but he couldn't let her go. He couldn't risk his life or hers. He'd hoped that after they'd gotten what they needed from her that they'd let her go but he was wrong.

The nice vampire held her tightly to his chest. He couldn't do it. He didn't want to do it. And she felt it. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

"What the fuck are you waiting on?" the nasty vampire asked. "Let's get rid of her and get out of here."

"Okay," the nice vampire said. He'd said okay but he didn't move. He remained rooted to the ground. Standing in front of the now closed trunk.

"Give her to me," the nasty vampire said as he took Amelia from the nice vampire's arms.

Amelia stared into his eyes. She remembered him. He didn't mind forcing himself on her and taking her blood whenever he felt like it. She hated him. He stared at Amelia for a moment and then threw her over his shoulder and walked to wherever he was going.

Something then flashed in Amelia's mind. With her eyes barely opened, she began taking in her surroundings. She looked at the signs. She looked for anything that could maybe help her if she could reach Maggie. She even looked at the car that she'd assumed was a box. It was blue and it had a dent on the passenger side door. It was a Lexus and it has four doors. She even got the last four numbers of the license plate. If she could get this information to Maggie, she wanted to live. She didn't want to die. She wanted to go home to her daddy and sleep in her bed. She wanted to get up the next day and eat scrambled eggs and macaroni and cheese. She wanted to take a long, hot bath. She wanted to go home. As her wants played through her mind, the nasty vampire stopped walking.

Without pause, he stopped and laid Amelia down on the ground. She looked up at him as he looked down at her and smiled.

"It was good while it lasted," he said before shoving her down the hill with his booted foot.

Amelia's body hit every rock, bush, and tree that it encountered. When she finally stopped rolling, she didn't move. She couldn't move. She was in even more pain than she was before she was kicked down the hill. She could hear the trunk as it slammed closed and she heard them as they drove away.

"Amelia?" Maggie called out.

She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I saw it," Maggie said. "I'm going to get you help, okay? Don't die on me. Do you hear me?" Maggie asked. "Don't you die on me."

Amelia nodded as she cried. The tears felt hot as they rolled out of her eyes. She looked up at the moon and cried. She never thought that she'd see it again. She wasn't going to die. She was going to finally go home.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Maggie opened her eyes and jumped up from her bed. She flung her door open and ran out of her room.

Before she could run down the hall, she ran face first into Drayton's chest. He gripped her by her shoulders and held her at arm's length and looked into her eyes. Not only could he see her fear but he could smell it. "What has happened?" he asked.

Maggie looked up at him; her eyes wide with fear and relief. Before she knew it, she began telling Drayton everything. "The vampire had her. They took the other girls too."

Drayton frowned at the girl. He took her by her hand and pulled her down the hall and led her to the living room. Once they were seated on the couch, he began to question her. "What do you mean 'the vampire' took her? What vampire had her?"

"Bill," Maggie said. "Bill took her. He took all of them. He was always sniffing us and asking us if we were related. He said that we smelled alike. He said that the scent of our blood was amazing."

Drayton's eyes clouded over. "Did he ever bite you?"

Maggie shook her head no. "I never let him. He wanted to but I wouldn't let him."

"Good," he whispered. "Now, who is 'her', Maggie? I need to know who you're speaking of."

"Amelia," she whispered. "She's almost dead. She won't last much longer if we don't go for her. We have to find her and get her home. She needs help. She showed me a street sign …"

"Showed you?" Drayton asked. "What do you mean she showed you?"

"In my head," Maggie said as she pointed to her head. "The street sign read Kent 54 miles and Newberry 44 miles. She's in Louisiana and she's been pushed over the edge of a hill. We need to get to her." She then jumped up from the couch and ran for the door.

Drayton didn't follow her. He could tell that the girl didn't realize what she'd told him. She's not human. She's has the traits of the royal family. If she can see images, she is part fae. That in turn means that the missing girl, Amelia, is part fae. His mind then went to the other girls. They had to have been part fae as well. Vampires were killing his kinsmen. Female fae; part human or not, they were fae women. Fae women produce fae children; hybrids or not.

Maggie turned around to see him sitting on the couch. "What are you doing? We have to go and find Amelia. Why are you just sitting there? Are you going to let her die?" she yelled. "She's my friend! We need to find her."

Drayton pulled out his cell phone. "I have to make a call."

Maggie realized what he was doing. He was calling in reinforcements. She began nodding her head. "That's a good idea," she said. "We need as much as we can get. We don't know what we'll be running into if we go in alone." She continued to nod her head as she said, "Good idea."

Drayton looked at her and smiled. He liked the way she looked at things. She'd been through so much but she has let nothing break her. She's beautiful and adventurous. She's smart and it's obvious that she's brave. She was going to be an excellent mate for him. He could see them doing great things together but first he had to handle his business.

The phone rang once.

"How may I direct your call?" the lady answered.

"I need to speak with Fintan," he said

Maggie was smiling. They were going to save Amelia and everything was going to be okay again.