Beyond The Veil

Chapter 20

The celebration took place on an eerie mountain, and the peak pierces through clouds above.

"I think I miss the Oasis already, " the hairs on the back of my neck stand up; this place gave me the creeps.

"It used to bother me, but I got used to it," Micha says, then stops his horse at the entrance of the cave. I could hear loud laughter from hearty men echoing off the walls.

"Stay beside me, and if anyone asks you anything, just tell them you are with me," he says; I nod and follow him inside.

The cave smelled like wet stone, and a draft of wind carried a rancid smell with it.

"Ugh!" I cover my nose, "What is that?"

Micha comes to a halt, and I run into his back, "Ouch!"

"Sh!" Micha harshly whispers. I freeze, then I hear a deep, rumbling voice, "Let's give out new guest a little welcome, shall we?"

Wolf whistling and hollering can be heard down the tunnel, "What's going on?" I ask

Micha sighs, "They brought back a trophy..." he says.

"Trophy? Wait, like, a prisoner from battle?"

"Yes-Emery, I think you should stay here. This can get very bad," Micha turns around, "They are never nice to female prisoners." Micha starts to push me away from the tunnel.

"That's awful. Can we help the girl?" I ask; I didn't like the thought of these men doing anything harmful to her.

"She isn't Fae, and even if we did, she would most likely turn on us. I'm sorry."

I couldn't just sit by and hear her cries; it was tearing me apart, "I can handle it," I decided and slipped under Micha's arm," Let's go." Before Micha could protest, I walked inside and what awaited me was a horrible scene.

My body wouldn't move; it was like I had sunk into the ground.

Colleen stood on top of a wooden table. Her clothing was torn to shreds, and the men still pawing at her feet. "Get away from me, you heathens!" She screams.

She manages to land a few good kicks, but one man grabs her foot and pulls her to the ground. The rest follow, making a pile on the floor.

My blood begins to boil, and my feet are no longer stuck, "Hey!" I shouted, "Get the Hell off of her!" I ran into the pile of savage men, this was probably a dumb idea, but this was shameful! I needed to stop it; even if it was Colleen, she didn't deserve this.

I dug my hand into the pile and felt her hand, I yanked her, but one of the men also grabbed my arm.

"Here to join the party, love?" He says with a grizzly smile, "Well, come on in!" He yanks me, and I slap him across the face.

"Why, you mangy b***h!" He growls, then tries to strike me. I place my hand over his mouth and let the water hidden in my skirt flow into his mouth.

He starts to choke and gag, then I let go, "Wh-What the-" he coughs, then points at me, "This b***h has powers!" he shouts, and I could feel eyes on me.

Crap.

I suddenly felt hands on my shoulders; I flinched but caught a glimpse of Micha out of the corner of my eye and calmed down, "There you are, my little Vixen," Micha says in a mischievous tone that makes my cheeks flush.

I lightly swallow, not moving. 

"Is this your little plaything?" The gruff man that I choked with water asks.

Micha chuckles, "Why yes, is there a problem?"

"Yeah! Your b***h tried to drown me!"

I could feel Micha's hands clench on my shoulders, "Oh, I think she was just all riled up," Micha tilts my chin up to face him, "It's that right?"

I smile, picking up on his cue; I start to fan myself and smile playfully. "Hm, I guess so; it's hot in here, isn't it?"

The Gruff-looking man crosses his arms, "How do I know this is your plaything? She went after me; that makes her mine. Besides, I have a little punishment planned for the water she made me choke on."

"Stop! Stop it!" Colleen cries out; the men let her up but hold her arms behind her back.

"How about a trade, young prince? This blonde for your wild Burnette."

"I don't think so-" Micha starts to say, but he's cut off by the man again," Oh, what's wrong? Afraid of competition."

Micha gives a cocky chuckle, "You damn well know I'm not," He takes my hand, "Come, let's go somewhere less obnoxious," he turns on his heels, leading me out.

"Hey, you brat! You can't talk to me like that!" The man unsheathes his sword, "Fight me, or are you embarrassed I'll beat your ass in front of your woman?"

I suddenly could feel a shift in Micha's demeanor. First, he glances over his shoulder, "Now why would you go and say something stupid like that?" Then, he turns around and faces the man. Finally, Micha pulls out his sword with a steady hand.

I swallowed hard; Micha hated killing. Was this a bluff? What if he actually had to kill this guy? As I looked around the room, I could see everyone circling around us. 

ME and my big mouth. I slapped myself internally; now Micha was put in a bad situation, but even worse, Colleen was watching as well, and her face was pale as her eyes met mine. 

What in the world was she doing here? And how did she get in here?

~CLANK~

The crisp clash of metal grabs my attention; Micha and the man that challenged him to go head to head, and as they fight, I notice Micha's graceful movements, like the sword was a part of his body. 

I had never seen anyone move like that, "Whoa..." I said under my breath; finally, Micha got the better of him and kicked out his feet. The man lands on the ground with a hard thud; Micha stomps on his hand and kicks the sword away.

He then aims the point of his blade at his neck, "See what happens when you get cocky?"

A slow clap comes from the back, then a man appears from the shadows. His muscles bulged, and his eyes held a cold heart.

"Very amusing my son," A deep rumbling voice echoes off the walls, "Now who wants to see my son kill this weak challenger!?" 

The hall roars with applause, but Micha's face pales; he faces his father, he slightly bows, "Yes, father."

Oh no...