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Chapter Ten
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Lizzie arrived home from school, her mom waited alone for her at the kitchen table while her dad was still at work. Surprised to see her mother again before even two weeks gone Lizzie tried to act casual and happy to see her; not that she wasn't happy to see her mom she just preferred not to be reminded of her other life while her new life proceeded so well. Her father was far less over protective and granted her more freedom then ever her mother and she hoped to continue without her mother's knowledge. She told him about her new friend Ann but hadn't quite worked up to sharing about Greg or Getty just yet.
"Mom...Hey...what're you doing here?" She asked dropping her backpack on the couch before approaching Sarah. Her mom wore normal Aboveground jeans and a t-shirt; Lizzie hadn't seen her wear normal clothes in years, not unless they were visiting family Above and usually going out in public. That only made Lizzie's anxiety spike, her mom must really want to keep the situation relaxed. Sarah pushed her chair from the table and met her daughter halfway immediately pulled her into a tight hug, Lizzie complied, even returned it. "Can't I visit my daughter because I miss her?"
"Sure, mom, but somehow I don't think this is just a social call." Sarah cringed, Lizzie knew her too well and Sarah felt as if she were swimming upstream keeping up with her daughter's growing maturity.
"You're too smart for me, Lizzie. Well, I did miss you but I do have something important to explain to you which just got explained to me." And Sarah went on to detail everything Jareth had told her regarding Fae Heart Songs and their inherent personal danger if not bestowed wisely. Lizzie listened intently as they gradually moved to the couch to discuss the concept more comfortably.
"So, I have a Heart Song now, too?" Lizzie said thoughtfully, the idea intriguing her.
"That's what Jareth says but he also says you probably won't sense it for many years, until you're near 100...assuming you return to the Underground." Sarah hastily added trying to avoid sounding either presumptuous or desperate. Lizzie gave her mother a sharp look but refrained from commenting.
"So I probably won't even have to worry about this Song, even if I do return, for decades. Why tell me now?"
Sarah sighed and grasped one of Lizzie's hands inside both of hers, "You're my daughter and I love you; I want to make sure you have every bit of information to use in your favor, just in case." Lizzie's expression mitigated its harshness and she even smiled.
"Yeah, okay, mom. Thanks." And she squeezed one of her mother's hands and swore she could see her mom's eyes mist up a bit. Geez, this was getting emotional and Lizzie wasn't ready to face too much of her mother yet. "So, Dad'll be home soon..." Which Sarah took as Lizzie's not so subtle cue that her time was up; Sarah's heart skipped a beat as a pang struck her, perhaps her daughter didn't want her around anymore. She buried the thought and chose to be brave instead. Small, supportive steps, she couldn't force Lizzie to be someone she wanted her to be, she could only love her and help her make mature choices whenever she could and right now she needed her distance and if Sarah could give her that...well...she'd darn well try.
"While, Hon, I've got to get going. I've got to head to Camlann for research." They stood and shared an awkward hug. "Take care of yourself and remember to be cautious about your Song, it's real and it's important."
"Thanks, Mom, I will." And then her mother vanished and the apartment was quiet and lonely and Lizzie suddenly felt very bad about how callously she'd treated her mother. Frowning, she slumped on the couch and reminisced about the Underground, her parents, and her friends, especially Alia whom she realized she missed and unexpectedly her life seemed very complicated.
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Lizzie met Ann at the mall Saturday afternoon; her father dropped her off making her promise to call him in three hours to be picked back up. As soon as Ann saw her friend she squealed and wouldn't stop talking about her surprise. No matter how much Lizzie begged Ann refused to tell her anything except to follow her to the food court. As they arrived at the edges of the large chamber packed full of fiberglass tables and sardine like people, Ann waved frantically in the direction of the nearest corner and Lizzie saw a dark blond head emerge from the crowd and walk towards them. OhmyGod...it was Getty! How'd he know they were going to be here?
"Ann, did you tell him we were going to be at the mall?" She said but sounded rather excited rather than upset.
Ann smirked and her eyes appeared devious, "I may have dropped him a hint or two." Lizzie mock punched her friend's shoulder, "You are so going to get me into big trouble!"
"You're not mad are you? A look of fear crossed Ann's eyes until Lizzie smiled and shook her head in the negative.
"I'm not mad; shh...he's almost here." The girls faced forward and grinned as Getty drew closer.
"Ladies, how are you this afternoon?" He inquired politely and dipped his head and the girls answered 'fine' in unison and Ann added a soft giggle. "Have either of you eaten? Would you like a snack?" He offered and both nodded that 'yes they would love a snack' so Getty escorted them to the pretzel booth and purchased them each a one and they shared a soda. They commenced to stroll heedlessly through the mall, Getty between the two girls but having eyes only for Lizzie.
"Hey, guys, fancy seeing you here." Greg's voice pulled Lizzie from Getty's attention with a shocked gasp and all three friends froze with Greg staring at them, Ann spoke first after sharing a look with Greg.
"Greg, hi, we were just hanging out. You're welcome to join us, right Lizzie?" Ann gave her friend a pointed glare.
"Sure, of course, Greg have you met Getty?" When both boys indicated they didn't know each other Lizzie introduced them, the eyed one another warily for a minute than Greg mocked Getty's name which he shrugged off but Lizzie saw how his jaw tightened.
"Greg, that's not nice, it's not his fault."
"Lizzie, please don't." Getty insisted.
Greg blinked a few times then offered a hand, "Sorry, man, habit I guess. Not harm, right?"
"Sure, it's cool." Getty took the offered hand and shook it and glanced at Lizzie than Ann and saw the girls were taking it alright. "We can all be friends. Look, Greg, you're welcome to join us."
"Great, love to." And Greg fell into step on the other side of Lizzie bringing a scowl to Getty's face. He then turned his head giving Ann a glare but she just shrugged as if to say 'you're on your own' and continued munching her pretzel as she enjoyed the show. Ann watched the three interact and knew things were working perfectly; it was only a matter of time until things rapidly moved forward. As long as the young Fae's Heart Song responded things would be so delightfully entertaining very soon, however if not there was her backup plan. Fiana always planned for eventualities.
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The Camlann library impressed Sarah with its level of organization and cleanliness; unfortunately its vastness exceeded that of the Goblin Kingdom's library and once she arrived immediately regretted allowing Jareth to escape the duty of searching for the spells. She envied whatever action he likely experienced dealing with the search Aboveground; he'd left to speak with the detective for an update on his progress and likely visited Sal, too. She'd hear the details later, which would probably be far more interesting than her paper trail hunt.
At least the library clerk was helpful and once she explained her needs he was able to narrow her search by a smaller section of shelves. She still had to dig through each book individually but there weren't as many books as she'd initially feared. Magic even assisted somewhat in this library as she could use a search spell on each book for what she wanted as the clerk was able to give her a specific name to use in the spell, joy of joys! And that was how she found the book...the book with the missing pages.
Her triumph short circuited by crushing defeat, she rushed the defaced book to the same clerk showing her the missing five vellum pages; the clerk nearly apoplectic at the damage. Thinking she reached a dead end Sarah sagged at the clerk's desk, until the clerk...in her own anger...produced a list of the sorcerers who were involved in the creation of the original spells, a list which normally was kept private for the Council's eyes only. The clerk knew that something nefarious plotted as no one with honest intentions would ever consider stealing or destruction of any spell, let alone great spells such as The Labyrinth and she chose to reveal the private list to the rightful Goblin Queen so that she may use it as she saw fit. Sarah thanked her profusely and copied the names with a recording crystal before returning back to the castle.
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Three hours passed and Lizzie still had yet to call her father. Her hand fingered her cell phone in her pocket but she resisted using it because she was having so much fun in the company of her new friends. Greg and Getty kept space between themselves but neither strayed far from Lizzie while Ann lingered at the edges. Part of Lizzie wondered at Ann's easy acceptance of both boys chasing her and neither showing her friend any attention but Ann never appeared bothered by it. She kept thinking this was strange then telling herself not to worry about Ann, after all she didn't exactly have tons of experience living Aboveground as a teen, and maybe this was normal.
Then Ann suggested they all go to a movie and Lizzie started to protest until Greg and Getty insisted and each grabbed one of her hands dragging her towards the theater. She was already overdue and a movie would put her time way passed dark but...maybe it wouldn't be that big of a deal...she could just turn her phone off and pretend she lost track of time...right? Her dad probably didn't even realize what time it was yet. Unbeknownst to Lizzie, her father already checked his phone relentlessly, becoming more troubled with every passing minute.
"Sure, a movie sounds great," Lizzie said and a warm, fuzzy feeling started in her belly when Getty beamed at her, the feeling intensified when Greg laced his fingers in hers pulling her close to his side. Getty scowled.
A half hour into the movie and Greg's hand was still laced with hers. It kept giving her tiny electric shocks every time he moved his fingers or rubbed her skin and those feelings ran up her arm and settled in her chest and stomach making it hard to concentrate on the movie. Getty sat on her other side with Ann on his far side munching popcorn and ignoring the three of them. Ann suggested that they sit in the very back row—it was the best she claimed although she didn't explain why—and Lizzie didn't protest when the boys enthusiastically agreed with Ann. Lizzie still didn't know Alia followed her but in the dark theater the pixie had a difficult time seeing what happened to the Princess but she sat as closely as possible and listened.
So distracted by Greg's hand and the sensations it generated Lizzie almost jumped out of her seat when she felt something warm and wet tickle her ear. She turned, facing Getty and he grinned in the dim lighting at her. "It's okay." He whispered, reaching his hand out to turn her head forward and the wet feeling started again. It took Lizzie a minute to understand that it was his tongue running around the shell of her ear and once she did she nearly fainted at the feelings it started within her, which intensified when his tongued shifted to her neck. She heard herself moan a little and felt Greg's hand shift as he realized what was going on next to him. Apparently not to be outdone by his competition, Lizzie felt her hand being raised upwards and her fingers were inside Greg's mouth as he slowly sucked each and every one. Her underwear got really wet and it became difficult to think clearly.
She wanted to call for Ann's help to comprehend what was happening but her vocal cords couldn't seem to make normal sounds. Popcorn crunching...Lizzie could hear Ann still eating popcorn; couldn't she see what was happening? Getty's lips were on her neck and moving lower, Greg's mouth slid up her arm towards her chest, a hand guided her face and she stared at Getty then he was kissing her, deeply. His tongue invaded her mouth and part of her was stunned at the weird feeling but the rest of her rejoiced at the sense of flying produced by his kiss.
Greg's mouth gravitated from her arm to her shoulder and eventually her breast where he nibbled her through her t-shirt and his one hand massaged her thigh then slid between her thighs until he rubbed firmly at the apex of her legs. Lizzie would've yelped from shock and pleasure if her mouth hadn't been captured by Getty's. Then one of Getty's hands joined Greg's only it worked under her t-shirt and bra until it touch her bare breast, tweaking her hardened peak until Lizzie gasped into his mouth. Any rational thought of hers left, smothered by a heavy fog as she forgot where they were, forgot all but the physical sensations the boys were manifesting within her; she'd read about such things but to finally experience them...ohGodsBelow...no wonder her mother and Jareth always wanted alone time.
Getty shifted his weight and pulled the armrest up from between them so he could wrap closely to Lizzie and Greg left his seat entirely to kneel on the floor between Lizzie's legs. Lizzie moaned again and tried to gather her ragged, fragmented thoughts. Getty wouldn't stop kissing her and it felt so good she didn't want him to stop as his hand massaged her breasts, pushing her shirt up while Greg pull her legs forward until she slumped in the movie chair. Finally, Getty removed his mouth from hers and Lizzie gasped out, "Wait...Wait..." She mumbled trying to remember something her mother told her and she tried to push her shirt down only to have Getty pull it back up.
"It's okay, Lizzie, I love you." He whispered to her as he helped Greg pull her now unfastened jeans and underwear down, her bottom hanging just over the edge of the seat. Greg made quick work of Lizzie's shoes and pants until her legs and lower torso were bare. The sharp chill widened Lizzie's eyes and she protested, her legs pulling away and up to her torso. Greg gently pulled her legs back down and opened them as he leaned towards her face, glancing at Getty.
"That's right, Lizzie, we both love you." He stated and Lizzie stared at Greg, a shocked look on her face.
"You do? But...I barely know you, either of you." She said sounding young and innocent.
Getty kissed her again, "Sometimes you just know." He assured her and added more kisses and resumed fondling her breasts; Lizzie closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the seat giving herself over to the wonderful feelings Getty and Greg gave her. She felt Greg's hands move closer to her womanhood until suddenly his hands disappeared only to be replaced by Getty's. She raised her head and looked around but didn't see Greg, she looked questioningly at Getty.
"He said he had to use the restroom." He said before kissing her again and she immediately forgot about Greg, not noticing his unconscious body crumpled several chairs away where Ann stashed him, his purpose to encourage the inexperienced Lizzie served. Getty's fingers caressed between her legs where she'd become so wet and she felt him touch a sensitive point that she'd never knew existed. His entire clothed body leaned over her as he alternated between kissing her mouth and suckling her breasts, meanwhile his fingers worked at that amazing sensitive spot then one of his fingers pushed inside of her and...Oh...it was so tight...almost painful...but it felt so good, too! He worked it in and out, in and out as he continued to rub that delicate place and Lizzie feel something building inside of her.
A wave of intense pleasure doubled and doubled again, she gripped the cloth of the movie seats, her fingernails raking the coarse fabric as the strange and wonderful pleasure kept intensifying and Lizzie suddenly wanted to sing. Irrationally, she knew without a doubt that she had to Sing! She knew not where the Song originated or why she needed to Sing she only knew it was right to do so. The pleasure crested, her body convulsed and she felt herself spasm around Getty's finger. Lizzie opened her mouth ready to release her Song to the world...Oh the feeling needed to be shared it was so marvelous! But just as she took a deep breath to start her Song she suddenly forgot the words...what were they...how did it start...it was so obvious seconds ago...
Lizzie opened her eyes to see Getty and Ann staring at her with fierce looks of disappointment and anger; neither touching her. Gone was Getty's loving eyes and Ann's friendliness; Lizzie comprehended she was very naked and in very big trouble. "Uh...hey...guys...what's wrong?"
"It didn't work." Getty said to Ann as if Lizzie didn't exist, his eyes were cold causing Lizzie to feel strangely abandoned and she quickly sat up gathering her clothes and dressed.
"Obviously...You are sure you accomplished everything properly." Ann said sardonically and Getty dropped his head in shame for a moment.
"Milady, I leave the decision to you." Getty left Lizzie's side as Ann approached the scrambling, dressing Lizzie with a stoic expression.
"Well, well, well, little Princess, it looks as though you've inadvertently foiled my plans."
"W—what are you talking about...Ann? How do you know...?"
"I know a great many things about you but apparently my gamble with your age has cost me. You're too young to know your Heart Song yet, but it was so close. You could feel it pulling at you, couldn't you?" Ann asked smugly at Lizzie's fearful visage. "Yes, I heard the strain but we were just a tad early for you." Ann stepped closer to Lizzie who shrunk away from the girl she once thought her friend.
"Stay away from me!" Lizzie ran through the movie aisle but tripped over the unconscious Greg a few seats down causing her to sprawl on top of him. "Oh Gods! What did you do to Greg?"
"Just a sleeping spell...he won't remember a thing." Ann twisted her wrist and flung a crystal, striking Lizzie and freezing her as if in amber. "This handy little spell is temporary, Princess, can't have you running away." Unable to move or speak, Lizzie let her eyes communicate for her and the obvious fear. "You're probably wondering many things right now; first of all who we are." Ann morphed to her normal Fae form and saw Lizzie's recognition. "You may remember me as Awen but my real name is Fiana. It's a pleasure to meet you in truth at last, Princess. Getty, my loyal man, is known as Gethin." She waved her hand towards the boy who morphed into a Fae man and Lizzie's eyes grew more anguished at the knowledge of what she'd just allowed him to do to her.
"Yes, he played his part very well, didn't he? I almost believed him myself." Fiana stood and gestured to Gethin to lift the Princess which he did effortlessly. "Oh, and by the by, I also placed an invisibility and silence spell over us once certain...activities began in this theater...so no one even remembers that we were here. Isn't that convenient?" Fiana asked Lizzie and patted her cheek. "Since my original plan failed I'm going to take you with me, Princess. I'm sure I can think of something useful to do with you."
Fiana snapped her fingers and all three vanished from the movie theater instantaneously, the unconscious Greg the only trace of their presence. Fortunately for Lizzie, none of them knew Alia witnessed everything that occurred and as soon as they disappeared she teleported back to the castle to inform the King and Queen; her wings buzzing with extreme fear for her friend.
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Approximately the same time Lizzie was supposed to call her father, Detective Scarvy began another night of personal database research; his partner already gone for the day. So far he'd amassed a large amount of data showing several cases in the greater New York State area and the Eastern seaboard states that showed potential; his next step consisted of cross referencing those cases with all the names of the known Wishers given to him by Jareth so far and the remaining list he had yet to obtain at their next meeting. They hoped to track down any possible clue they may have missed by combing through every previous Wisher. Jareth knew it would be likely be pointless to read each of their memories but was willing to try regardless as they back tracked Scarvy's data.
An hour later, Scarvy's stomach reminded him he'd skipped lunch and was well on his way to skipping dinner if he didn't remedy the situation. Deciding he'd better go out and grab a bite before he cocooned into his desk, Scarvy waved to the front clerk as he left the station house. He thought about just getting something at the diner at the corner but the thought of eating there for the millionth time turned his stomach; so he chose to walk to his car and drive to a great burger place a couple miles away but well worth the trip, after all one has to have good brain food to work efficiently. He pulled up to the drive-thru, placed his order, and pulled up to the window. While Scarvy waited for the employee to bring his order a remarkable call dropped over the radio catching his attention.
Wasting no time, he typed in the required data to pull up the call information on his computer mounted in his car and chills ran down his neck. Literally, just a few blocks away a 911 call just came in from a residence...an active hostage situation involving a parent and his young child and two intruders...the older child apparently able to remain unnoticed and reach a phone to call 911 and was still on the line with the emergency operators...this could be it, his chance to catch these bastards.
Not bothering to inform the fast food employee of his intentions, Scarvy rapidly pulled out from the drive-thru lane, switching on his dashboard emergency light, and calling in to dispatch that he was responding to the hostage call. While en route he also used his cell phone to call Sal quickly telling him about the call and its address. Since Sal was on duty he told Scarvy he was en route to meet him there. Sal snapped his phone off and pocketed it in his suit jacket while focusing on his speedy emergency driving. Usually he wasn't one to abuse the emergency driving laws, unlike some officers but tonight, this time, Scarvy pushed every limit knowingly risking life and limb to reach the address in time.
And as usual with any emergency situation, his senses sharpened and details crisped as adrenaline dumped in his system. He felt his thought processes and reflexes speed up making it seem like the world and everyone else around him slowed to a crawl. His vision paradoxically tunneled allowing extreme focus on objects before him and broadened so his peripheral sight improved creating the perfect system for eye-hand coordination as he wove his way through early evening traffic without killing himself or anyone else. This portion of the job always exhilarated him...not the danger per say but the short term heighten awareness and super human abilities gifted to him by the adrenalin; the side effects and real dangers being the crash later and, as a rookie, learning how to deal with the rush without losing all rational thought or just plain vomiting your lunch.
Scarvy shut off the siren two blocks away and screeched to a halt in front of the house next to the correct address as quietly as possible. No other official vehicles were present. He was alone. According to the radio traffic the closest units still several minutes away. Entering a location with probable violent offenders present without backup and especially alone wasn't his normal procedure, but then...this wasn't exactly normal. Scarvy sat in his car considering his options for ten seconds; this call could
possibly involve normal criminals and waiting for backup would be a wise and preferable decision. He possessed no real evidence to contradict that...except his intuition...son-of-a-bitch. He'd been a cop too long not to trust his intuition. Even Jareth noticed that. Jareth.
Scarvy remembered the crystal Jareth gave him—he'd stashed it in his car days ago to make sure it was always with him. He opened his center console and dug for a second to retrieve the communication crystal, hoping against hope that he wouldn't need the thing, and exchanged it for his phone. He'd wasted enough time dilly-dallying, time to get down to business. He opened his car door, stepped out, and carefully shut it behind him not wanted to make any noise or leave the inside light to give away his presence. The residence was situated in a rather older, richer part of the City, almost outside the City, allowing for an actual postage stamp front yard which Scarvy crept slightly over in the late dusk.
Drawing his weapon with his right hand, a Glock .45, he thumbed the safety off, his eyes maintained on the front of the house; the first round already in the chamber as he was a boy scout at heart—always prepared. His turned his portable radio off, unexpected radio noises not good for stealth. The front porch light was off and the house appeared dark from his angle but as he drew closer to the porch a faint glow of a light inside the house caught his eye though the front window.
He squatted even lower until he nearly crawled, walked up the stairs, and flattened his back against the front door, quietly, weapon held upright near his chest. His breathing slow and even as his mind raced through probabilities. Scarvy scooted until he could peek at the edge of the large window and what he could see congealed his blood. Two large, shadowy figures—likely men—appeared to be violently threatening a child. The boy child held by his hair, his legs kicking frantically midair and unable to scream as his mouth was covered by the assailant's hand. Unable to see the parent, Scarvy was able to see the back of the second assailant just a few feet from the large window. A replay of the crystal recording occurring live and his intervention might be the difference.
Taking a deep breath to prepare, Scarvy spun and launched himself through the large picture window aiming for the second assailant's so obviously convenient back while covering his face with his arms and tucking his head. Scarvy hit the man's back, and he could tell it was a man as soon as he connected, with maximum energy and force adding a few strikes with the butt of his weapon's grip on the way down, fairly certain that at least one landed on the man's skull at the sound of a rewarding crunch and deep yelp of pain.
Scarvy scuffled with the man, both rolling on the floor and Scarvy faintly heard what must've been the father yelling for his son once the father was set free due to Scarvy's intercession. More sounds of struggling from the opposite side of the room drifted to Scarvy as he dealt with the man who was surprisingly strong; he nearly had the man in a choke hold being unable to use his weapon easily in such close quarters but Scarvy could feel the man on the floor beneath him slowly working his way loose and he still had the other to worry about. He looked over his shoulder to see said man stalking him from across the room, the child released and huddling with his father.
"Get out of here!" Scarvy yelled at the father and son never taking his eyes off the approaching man, the rather bulky, tall, approaching man whose face was hidden by black mask like the first man Scarvy currently restrained. Wisely, the father and son listened to Scarvy and ran from the living room to the back of the home, presumably where the second child hid. Weapon aimed center mass, Scarvy risked waiting until the civilians cleared the room then fired two rounds point blank into the chest of the oncoming man, who flung backwards from the impact in a crumpled heap.
As Scarvy brought his weapon around to the skull of the man in his arm lock, the man unexpectedly flipped, throwing the detective off and Scarvy cracked his head on the edge of a table. Scarvy didn't lose consciousness but his vision grayed and a wave of pain and nausea swept over him but being a professional his grip stayed firm on his weapon which he brought to bear on the man who flipped him. However, before Scarvy fired the masked man raised his hand and a blue sphere sprung forth striking Scarvy in his chest and knocking him backwards, blue fire sizzling at his clothes and skin, forcing him to drop his weapon and claw at his chest and abdomen pain.
"Ahhh!" Scarvy cried out, flailing on the floor his enemies forgotten as his rational mind flooded with pain. The man who threw the sphere stood, rubbed his neck and head in discomfort then leaned over Scarvy to admire his work.
"An officer of the law...how inconvenient," The man watched Scarvy writhe. "Don't worry officer the pain you're feeling, while excruciating, won't last long. Death will release you soon enough." Scarvy heard the man laugh at his sick joke then Scarvy turned his head, observing the man walk to the shot man and shake him until he sat up then stood as if he were uninjured. Somewhere in Scarvy's mind, where a part could still think, he wondered how that was possible unless the man wore a bulletproof vest or wasn't human.
"Time to go...this opportunity is gone but there'll be others." The man stated and both vanished before Scarvy's eyes...he realized then...both weren't human and whatever he'd been struck with was rapidly killing him. He'd figured that out even before the piece of shit taunted him with the knowledge. The blue fire burned hotter and longer than any normal fire, first his clothes then his skin and then the tissue beneath his skin melting away. He felt the communication crystal from Jareth roll from his dissolved pocket and bang onto the floor. He tried reaching for it...if he could call him maybe he could help...his finger brushed the surface, God the pain made it so difficult to move!
Gritting his teeth he reached again, stretching, brushing the surface and the crystal rolled farther away. He relaxed his arm on the floor, a soft sob escaping, if he hung on until help arrived or if he could get the father's attention maybe he could...he could...Scarvy's vision fuzzed at the edges and he felt unconsciousness overtake him.
