Untamed Dreams- The Twin Stars Volume III

Untamed Dreams The Twin Stars

By Christy Frazier

Published by Christy Frazier at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Christy Frazier

Cover Photo and Design Copyright 2012 Christy Frazier

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This book is dedicated to everyone who dares to dream.

Chapter 1

Kayli, Kayli, wake up.

Kayli could hear her name being called, while someone was gently shaking her shoulder. She rolled over in her bed and pulled the pillow over her head. Go away, I’m sleeping, she grumbled.

Oh no you don’t, I need you to wake up. I have to talk to you and now. Colton whipped the bed covers off of her.

The cold night air replaced the warmth of the blankets; instinctively she curled up into a little ball and tried to get warm. Hey what are you doing?

She removed the pillow off of her head, her hair all in disarray. She looked up at Colton and yanked the blankets out of his hand. Pulling the covers over her head, she snuggled back underneath them. It took less than a minute for her to realize what was going on. Her eyes shot open and she tried to focus on Colton.

What are you doing in my room! She looked over at her clock. It’s two o’clock in the morning, she hissed.

Colton stood over her smiling. Are you always this hard to wake up?

At two in the morning I am, she said defensively rubbing her tired eyes.

He sat down on the bed. I found her.

Who did you find? Physically she was awake, but her mind was still groggy and trying to catch up. Feeling self conscience she started finger combing her hair and straightening it.

Enid, the witch, Jacob located her two days ago.

She was no longer irritated with him for waking her. Quickly she sat up and leaned over to turn her nightstand light on, causing her eyes to slam shut due to its bright glow of light. Tell me what? she asked. Are you finally free? Has the curse been broken?

He put his finger to her lips. If you will give me a chance, I’ll explain.

Kayli had many questions to ask but refrained herself, giving Colton a chance to tell her what he had learned.

As I said, Jacob found her, he began.

Jacob? she questioned her eyebrows drawn together as she tried to remember who he was. Didn’t he help us on Antelope Island? He was the large man with the dreadlocks all over his head and tattoo marks on his dark skin around his eyes and down his nose, right?

Yes. Colton couldn’t help but grin at her description of Jacob. Jacob was very large and an islander. It was his culture’s tradition to put tattoos around their eyes and on the sides of their faces. He was in a tavern a few days ago when he overheard another sailor talking about a witch he had met. At first he thought the man was drunk and telling tales, but he kept listening anyway. The sailor told how he tried to follow her, because he wanted her to tell him his fortune. He followed her all the way to her home and up to her door when she turned around. She coaxed him to get closer, then spat out a curse, and blew black dust into his eyes that burned and blinded him for days. He said that since that moment his luck had turned bad.

She blew dust into his eyes like she did to you. Kayli interjected.

Yes.

What happened then? What did Jacob do?

Since the man was down on his luck, he was able to bribe the sailor with ten gold pieces to show him where the witch lived.

Kayli reached for her pillow and set it on her lap and leaned her elbows on it. Is ten gold pieces a lot of money?

Equivalent to $100.00’s here.

Oh wow, that’s a lot for a bribe.

He smiled at her reaction. Jacob came and got me immediately. He, Conrad and I went to her home and paid her a visit.

Her heart was pounding with anticipation. Please tell me she was there, I don’t want to hear that you ran into another dead end. The last few months Colton had found many leads, but all of them lead to dead ends.

Colton reached around her and pulled her onto his lap. Laughing he said, Let me finish and I will tell you. She was there which is the good news, but–

"Oh please, don’t tell me there’s a but involved. That is never a good sign." She already felt that there were too many unanswered questions in this quest and one more was very discouraging.

Sorry but unfortunately there is, he stated. That’s why I’m here at two o’clock in the morning. She won’t talk to me unless you are there too.

What! How can she want me there too, when she doesn’t even know who I am? She rolled out of his lap and stood up. Hands on her hips she looked at him. This is really unbelievable.

Colton was just as shocked when Enid told him what she wanted.

***

I don’t know who you are talking about, Colton stated coldly.

Don’t play coy with me, Enid warned, her pale eyes bore into his. You come to me wanting my help and now you play games. She moved slowly past him, her pure white hair was pulled tightly into a bun behind her neck. I know all about the girl, the strange world where she lives, what she is, and… who her grandmother is.

Colton stared hard at the old woman. I won’t involve her. This is between us, not her, he spat at her.

Then we are done, Enid hissed. Either you bring her here, just the two of you, by sundown tonight, or we are done. Be warned, if you don’t, you will spend the rest of your life as you have for the last twenty years, she looked at Jacob and Conrad. You and your crew. Time is growing short and there will be no way out. Now leave! she demanded.

She pointed her old deformed finger towards the door where it quickly swung open, and slammed hard against the wall behind it. Colton, Conrad and Jacob quickly left the small cottage.

What do you think she means by, time is growing short? asked Conrad.

I want to know the same thing, stated Jacob.

Colton was gritting his teeth and threw his hands up. How do I know! he shouted at them. Do I have to know everything? He began to stomp away but Conrad reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder.

Release me, Colton demanded as he shrugged off the unwanted grasp.

No I won’t, you need to think clearly right now. You are being irrational.

Colton turned around and roughly grabbed him by his collar. You don’t get it do you? I’m tired of this game, I’m tired of the responsibility I have over all of you. Most of all, I’m tired of feeling guilty over something I had no control over. Now she wants me to bring Kayli here to talk to her. I can’t think of a more careless act than that.

Conrad knew of Colton’s frustration with the quest and the guilt he felt, but he and most of the crew didn’t blame him for what happened. If you think hitting me is going to make you feel better then do it, but I won’t strike back.

Jacob looked back and forth at the two men. He too didn’t blame Colton, but he also didn’t want to have to break up a fight. Captain, maybe there is a way to protect Miss Kayli while you two talk to the witch. Conrad and I can go with you and be ready to protect her.

Colton released Conrad and looked at Jacob. She said we had to come alone, no one else. He let out a long controlled breath. I will think of something. I don’t have any other choice.

***

So, if I don’t meet with her by sunset today, the curse will never be broken, is that what you are saying? Kayli asked perplexed.

Yes.

Then we had better get going. She rushed over to her closet and pulled out a pair of jeans, a shirt and her tennis shoes.

What are you doing?

I’m getting dressed, so we can go and meet with Enid, she said looking at him, her eyebrows drawn together.

Colton was immediately by her side and took the clothes away from her. "We are not meeting with her, it is too dangerous. I don’t know if I could let you go and put yourself in danger like that. I have no idea what we would be up against, especially when we would be at her mercy."

Frustrated, Kayli put her hands on her hips. Then what is the alternative, you live the rest of your life as an eighteen year old? The words were out before she thought about what she was saying. She quickly put her hand to her mouth wishing she could take the words back.

Ouch, that really stung. He looked like he had been wounded. It was obvious that what she had said had hurt.

Regretting her outburst she quickly put her arms around him. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.

No, maybe not, but you’re right, he said quietly.

Reaching up, she gently put her hands on his face. Look at me; I’m already deeply involved in this. My safety has been compromised many times, but it hasn’t stopped me from continuing in helping you with this quest.

I don’t know, there has to be another way…

There isn’t, stated Tilly frowning. She was standing in the doorway, her arms folded in front of her.

Both Kayli and Colton turned and looked at her. How long had she been there listening, Kayli wondered.

Long enough to know what is going on, Tilly answered Kayli’s thought.

Kayli dropped her hands and faced her aunt. She was getting used to Tilly reading her mind. Then what do you think we should do?

Tilly stood quietly for a moment as she looked at the two. She didn’t trust Enid, but understood that this could be Colton’s last chance to end the curse and move on with his life. I think you should go and meet with her.

What! Colton said in surprise. You can’t be serious, that’s just ludicrous.

I’m very serious.

He began to speak but she put her hand up to stop him. Let me finish. She walked into the room, and sat down on the bed. Kayli won’t go unprotected. Enid may be powerful but so am I. I can put a protective charm on Kayli.

Colton raked his fingers through his hair. I don’t know, what if the charm doesn’t work? Enid’s magic is dark.

Kayli intervened, "But what if it does work? We need to take the chance; it’s your only hope, our only hope."

Think about it Colton, you still have a card to play to ensure Kayli’s safety.

He looked at her, both eyebrows drawn together.

You have the one thing that Enid wants, the sword. You keep it hidden and then go find out what she wants. Until Kayli is returned home safely, the sword stays with you. She looked over to Kayli. I need the ring Jenny gave you. I will give it back to you in the morning.

Kayli pulled the ring off of her finger and handed it to Tilly. Tilly stood up and walked over to the door. I would suggest you two try and get some sleep, you have a long day ahead of you.

Ugh, if you say so, Kayli mumbled. She knew that sleep was the last thing she was going to get tonight, knowing what was ahead of her.

Chapter 2

Yawning deeply, Kayli stood in the kitchen with Colton and Tilly. Tilly fixed her a scrambled egg and some toast and encouraged her to eat, but she was too nervous. I just can’t eat Aunt Tilly, my stomach is rumbling and I’m afraid I might not be able to keep the food down.

I understand. Maybe when you get back you’ll feel more like eating.

Maybe I will, Kayli said with a weak smile.

Here, take this. Tilly handed her Jenny’s ring. No matter what happens, do not remove the ring.

Kayli slipped her grandmother’s ring back onto her finger. I promise I won’t. She looked at it and moved her fingers back and forth. It doesn’t feel any different.

It won’t, charms aren’t meant to be noticed. You do need to be careful though, the ring will protect you from her magic, but it will only last for a few hours. The quicker the two of you can be, the better.

Thanks Aunt Tilly, we will. Kayli leaned over and hugged her. We’ll do our best to be back before the charm wears off. She tried hard to put up a brave front but was getting more and more nervous by the minute. Inside, her stomach was churning as if twenty bats were flying around recklessly.

You ready? asked Colton.

No, but let’s go and get this over with.

He put his arms around her waist, pulled up on the sapphire on his ring, turned it, and they disappeared. Everything turned black then gradually a small cottage began to appear. The small white structure had brown shingles with two large shutters on both sides of a single window. They walked up to the plain wooden door and Colton knocked on it with his knuckles. They could hear movement inside, and then the door opened slowly, its hinges squeaking as it did.

A small thin figure of a woman appeared in the opening. Enid’s pure white hair was tightly pulled back behind her head in a bun, which exposed the many deep wrinkles on her thin face. Her pale blue eyes stared hard at Kayli as she looked her up and down.

Kayli’s face reddened at the intrusive appraisal the old woman was giving her. Colton stepped in between them.

She does look like Jenny, said Enid as she stepped aside. Please do come in.

Kayli hesitantly followed Colton into the cottage. She felt like a fly caught in a spider’s web and was waiting for the spider to reach out and inject her with its venom.

Enid looked around behind them. You come alone?

"Yes, that’s what you wanted, was it not?’ stated Colton. He held Kayli’s hand tightly as he looked cautiously around the small room for anything that might be amiss.

Enid cackled as she walked past them, her dark blue skirt dragging on the floor behind her. You are learning boy. Tell me now, you say you found all of the stones and returned them to the hilt of the sword?

Yes, but I think you already know that.

Where is it then, did you bring it? She tried to look behind him when she didn’t see it attached to his waist.

Does it look like I did? Colton wasn’t in the mood to play her games. He wanted to get down to business and leave.

Don’t be insolent with me boy, you are not in the position to be, she warned, her tone cool.

Kayli watched as Enid moved around her. She didn’t