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Annabell
Hidden Cabin, Das Unbekannte
Something was still wrong; it hadn’t all been Parker’s injury that I sensed. It was something more, something important I couldn’t place just yet, but it had to be the reason my plans kept going off-track. Once I figured out what it was, I hoped it would be something I could control, but often in the forest, that was a longshot. I couldn’t shake the gnawing in my brain, the one that said once I discovered the problem, it might be more than I could handle. Had I been wrong all along? Was Cole truthful when he said there was more to the story, or was he trying to get into my head enough to derail my plan entirely?
I tried to silence the questions. There were more pressing matters to attend, ones that involved figuring out where the stones were before Cole got his hands on them. If he did, I would never get them back in my possession again. Even if I couldn’t use them for my original plan, I still couldn’t risk Cole retrieving them and using them for some other dastardly plan.
When I was out of sight, I focused on contacting Stella again. The poor girl would be sick of me before everything was over, but she was the only one I knew would do what needed to be done no matter what.
Stella, are you there? I waited, hoping she was still willing to hear me and that it wouldn’t cause her additional pain.
I do. This isn’t permanent, is it? She replied with her usual sarcasm, but there was no time for that.
No, but I need you to do something. The stones are not with the Seven members Cole has already brought. Are they safe? Can you find them?
A moment passed before she replied, but the news was grim. They’re gone, Annabell. We’ve already checked all over the kingdoms, and they're gone. Are you sure they don’t have them?
I groaned—always two steps back at every turn. No, they don’t. I need Snow. Please have her prepare and meet me at the border of Das Unbekannte. She’s our guide, and I need her as soon as possible.
Another moment of silence passed before Stella replied, her thoughts tinged with frustration and anger. I don’t trust her. Everyone here is avoiding her, and with good reason.
I had a feeling everyone would turn on Snow when they heard the news of their possible demise. It was the reason I had never told anyone to begin with—that, and I wouldn’t let it happen, so there was no reason for them to be concerned. Then trust me. Please send Snow. And whatever you do, keep everyone else away from this final fight. I don’t want anyone caught in the crosshairs when I confront Cole.
Stella’s irritation was palpable even from so far away. Fine. I’ll do it now.
The connection ended, this time in Stella’s time. She was getting more control over her magic, even if she didn’t realize she was.
From where I stood outside, I heard the others talking amongst themselves but nothing discernable. I decided it was probably best to let them have some time to work through their emotions and everything I had thrown at them and took a short walk around the grounds.
Just behind the barn was a frozen pond, so I sat on the shore and studied the crystalline patterns that dotted the top. It was beautiful but also marred by the desolate feeling of my former kingdom. Everything was dismal and gray, old, tired, and dead except for the few things brightened by my magic when I passed. I sighed and whispered, “Oh, Cole. How did we get here?”
I looked over my shoulder, expecting to find an array of lilies that bloomed even during winter, but instead, I found—
“No!” I shot to my feet as dread settled in every cell of my body. “This is not right.”
The lilies were dead, dripping with thick, black ooze that trailed along behind me. I spun in place, observing the area where I stood. The darkness spilled onto the pond, covering its surface until it was nothing more than a pit of tarlike evil large enough to swallow a house. Panic rose in my chest until I had to bite down a scream.
“No... no... This is all wrong.”
“Annabell,” Cole’s deep voice echoed through the forest though he was near enough that I felt the chill of his tone.
“No! You said you wouldn’t see me again until—”
“I had no plan to,” he said, breaking through the trees. “But you called me here. When you call, I come, remember?”
“I never called you,” I said, grasping my cloak in tight fists.
“You did. I cannot be held responsible for your memory loss, Ellie. I tried to warn you that you were missing pieces, but you wouldn’t listen.” He stood beside me now, his hand outstretched. Black hair and dark eyes, a sweetness he reserved only for me... Oh, how I wanted him to be good if only so I could live the rest of my life knowing I had done something right, that my life had been good for something.
“You’re lying. I know I didn’t call for you. What are you doing to me?” I asked even as I felt the darkness tickling my feet as it swirled, waiting for the opportunity to strike.
“I am trying to help you without ruining you. Ellie, please believe me,” Cole said, his voice wavering. He took my hand, careful not to spark a transfer. “I am what I am for a reason, and that reason has always been to serve you. We are linked in so many ways, Ellie, and when you call for me, I hear. I always hear when your heart screams my name. Please let me do what I must so that I can ensure you—”
“Stop! I will not let you kill the people I love!” I jerked my hand free and ran, leaving a path of destructive darkness in my wake. Once the stars came, once everything was aligned, I would suck the darkness right out of him and destroy it once and for all—even if it killed me.
“Elfriede! Wait!”
I heard Cole’s calls behind me, but he didn’t bother to chase me. He could catch me, but he chose to stay behind. For that, I was grateful, but it didn’t make sense. I continued to run until I reached the border where I would wait for Snow. Once she arrived, she would help me. Snow would clear my confusion and set me on the right path again. She had to. It was the prophecy, and prophecy never lied.
I stopped in my tracks, just shy of the border. Reality dawned on me as bright as the rising sun. Prophecy never lied... but people did.