Chapter 10

Masen

The night grew darker around us as we left the city lights behind. Sounds of animals rustling in the bushes accompanied the soulful call of the night birds. We were travelling much faster than I thought we would and I wondered how until I realised that Fadden must be playing with time.

“Is it wise to be messing with time right now, Fadden?” I questioned. “ Won’t The Darkness be able to sense what we are doing?” This was a big fear, we needed surprise on our side to be able to pull of our attack.

“I’ve been breaking it up so it’s harder to sense where we are. I’m pretty sure there’s only two beings who could successfully find us right now.” Fadden stopped talking and tilted his head to the side. His eyes darkened and his features somehow got even more otherworldly. He nodded once and then seemed to shake off whatever just happened. “We need to get off this path. Apparently there is a trap up ahead and we’re heading straight for it.”

Allie and I stepped into the forest on the side of the path and started pushing our way through. I reached out and grabbed Allies hand as we came to a fallen tree, even though I expected her push me away. This protective instinct was hard to get used to for both of us.

“Fadden, how long are you with us for? You and Chris and Jimmy?” Allie asked.

“Only until we meet Amell and the unicorns, which is right about now!” Fadden stopped and I realised he’d done his time trick again.

Amell stepped out of the trees with a beautiful silver unicorn by her side. She nodded a hello to Fadden and smiled at me but she looked distracted which was strange because she is usually the most focussed person I know. To be honest I wasn’t sure what Amell  was exactly. She seemed human but had characteristics of fairies and sprites. I noticed as she came to a dead stop and stared at something just past me. I turned but there was only Jimmy there. Wait. I turned back around to see the same distracted look on his face that Amell was still wearing. Well, well, well. This could be very interesting.

“Why is she staring at Jimmy like that?” Allies voice was hushed as she watched the two stare at each other.

“I think young Jimmy has met his match.” I answered her. Meanwhile the silver unicorn had walked over to Allie and was gently pushing against her. Allie laughed and petted the big animal and talked softly in its ear. I watched as the unicorn closed its eyes and leaned even harder against her. Allies eyes closed as well and she was suddenly still as a statue and yet there was a live energy between her and the animal. That was when it dawned on me that they were communicating with each other. Allie gasped and her eyes flew open.

“We need to leave now, Masen. Shilah just told me that when The Darkness swept through Manny was screaming. She’s in pain. Please, can we go?” The anguish in her voice was nearly unbearable to hear.

“What else did Shilah say? Are there any more traps? What about which way should we go?” I looked in to the big blue eyes of Shilah the Unicorn and wished I could talk to him as well.

Suddenly there was a voice in my head, talking to me. “ Human, because of your connection with Allie you are able to communicate with animals that will allow you too. Remember that. As you travel, strengthen your bond with each other because, in the end, it is what will save you all. Stay off the paths as you travel. Keep to the shadows and listen with all of your body. Protect Allie with your life. Without her, we lose all hope of survival. You are our lifeline and our guard in these troubled times. Three hours ahead of you are the grass dwellers. They have more news and information for you but you need to keep them on task. Allie makes them go a bit silly. They love her and will probably be hostile toward you. Try not to cry when they pick on you.” Shilah huffed out the unicorn equivalent of a laugh. His eyes were such a deep indigo blue and were hard to look away from.

Amell suddenly stepped into my line of vision with a scowl on her face. “Who is this person leaning on one of my unicorns?” She was glaring at Allie as she spoke. “ She needs to back away from Shilah right now!”

I looked at Allie to see how she was taking this but she was still somehow communing with Shilah. “ Allie!” I called sharply. “You need to meet Amell. Quickly before she gets really angry.”

A growl came from behind me and I spun around to see what was there. But it was only Jimmy. He stepped into my space and said in a deep voice “ You need to watch how you speak to Amell. I won’t allow you to disrespect her.”

“Excuse me!” Amell pushed her way in between us and poked Jimmy in the chest with her finger. “ I don’t know who you think you are but you can’t speak about me like that.”

As Jimmy just looked down at her in confusion, I stepped around the warring couple and grabbed Allie by the hand.

“It’s time for us to leave our merry band of misfits.” I told her. “ Let’s go while they’re distracted. Shilah has given me some info and I’m sure you got some as well. I think if we push ourselves we can get to the border lands and the grass dwellers in two hours. We need their help to get across the river. I know we’ve been awake for what feels like forever but do you think we can run?” I knew by saying this, Allie would either view it as an insult or a challenge. I also knew it would fire her up and give the boost she needed to get moving.

“ Bring it, Braveboy.” With a smirk and a push against my shoulder, Allie cast a look around then pointed to the left. A tilt of her head as she sent me a simple message through our mind meld. “ Let’s run.”

We quickly disappeared from sight and ran as fast as we could. This night wouldn’t last forever even though it was beginning to feel like it and we still had so far to go and so much to do.