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Standing in front of us, he pauses, looking off past the densely packed trees. Almost like he couldn’t decide on his next move. Giving us the metaphorical cold shoulder.
“You know what I think?”
Shrugging, Dad doesn’t answer.
“No? Not even a guess?” Nothing. “Fine. I believe that your wife or daughter who gave you that flower, is here with us in the woods.”
My heart fell, and I could see from the way Dad’s hands twitched he was suddenly more nervous too. The stranger knew. Could he see me?
Launching his hand out, the god grips Dad’s throat while Dad tries desperately to peel the foreign fingers from his neck. The world spins around me like a gyroscope. Sounds appear distant, like they’re miles away.
My bloody hands dig into the tree bark behind me. Without it, I think I would have fainted.
“Please,” Dad begs. His voice sounds weak and raspy.
“Do not move,” Ari whispers into my mind. “Not a word. Your Dad can defend himself. But if the god finds you, it will only force your dad to divide his attention and we both know who he’d protect.”
Me.
Dad would protect me.
Please, Gaia. Anyone, help Dad.
Don’t say a word. Do not move. No matter what they do to me. Though, I don’t want to listen to him.
Did he know what was going to happen? Was he the reason why we couldn’t venture into the Veil?
This is all my fault.
Hurling Dad down to the ground, I flinch. A yelp almost escapes my lips, only shuttered by my hand smacking my mouth closed.
The cracking of branches under Dad’s prone form ripples through the clearing.
The hooded god watches the tree, stepping closely, he analyzes my location. I’m nose to nose with pure evil. With someone who was capable of death. I hold my breath. Scared that my breath on his skin would give me away.
Turning away, he once again focuses on Dad. I sink down onto my bum. My eyes can hardly leave my dad’s limp form.
Tears rolled down my face.
Smothering my tears before they dropped, I don’t risk letting the god hear them crash against the ground.
Snagging the narcissus on Dad’s cloak, the god pins it to his own. “Thank you for your gift. I would say thank you to your daughter, but I feel like I'll be the next one of us to see her.”
He can't see me. The god is bluffing.
My thoughts are cut short by Dad’s yelps. Over and over, the mysterious male kicks him. Hitting his guts, ribs, head, everywhere. Dad let out a grunt after each harsh blow.
Over and over and over.
My fingers itch to cover my eyes but I can’t move them. Like if I leave his form, it will be the last time I see him. Like I'll be missing our last chance at safety.
Watching the hooded male attack Dad felt surreal. Like what I was seeing couldn’t possibly be what’s happening.
It can’t be.
Please.
“How about a bargain now,” he questions Dad. His voice sounded lethal, like a sickly-sweet venom. “A deal between us noblemen. Men of our word.” Toeing Dad’s bruised chest softly, Dad recoils at the touch. “Give me your daughter. Let her take your place. In exchange for her, I'll grant your release. You’ll continue to be able the rest of your family.”
