Page 38 of The Healing Dragon
Jesse looks at his shoulder, where now only a pink fading mark remains. “Looks like not even the King can take away a gift.”
I once read that gifts are not like regular magic because they weren't given to us by the Fates. The gifts given by angels only last a lifetime. Gifts like mine are passed down from generation to generation.
The sound of footsteps above snaps our attention away from our musing.
“They will soon come to check what is taking them so long to apprehend us.”
“Them?” Matias asks. “Is there more?”
“Many,” Jesse says, getting up. “But we will not be here to greet them.”
We exit out of the back door. With no time for second-guessing, I lead Matias across the backyard and we hastily enter the forest. I think of my mother and Oliver, the only two individuals inside those walls that I care about. I send a little prayer to the Fates. May they keep them safe and burn the rest of the house down.
The first fifteen minutes of walking into the forest are easy as the path is mostly tame, but as we get deeper inside, the flooring becomes a lot harder to cross. I’m lending Matias my shoulder as a crutch while he tries to walk on his own. That is when I sense we are not alone. The creatures in the forest are damned to be curious about us going so deep inside, but this specific energy is darker than anything I’ve encountered. Before I can warn Jesse, who is walking in front of us, he stops and signals for me to freeze and be silent.
The wind picks up beside us and from the high vegetation around us, it’s not natural wind that rustles our clothes. From the darkness in the trees, a figure takes form. A long, tall figure is draped in a cloth that flies around its form. The Calaca steps in our path. A menacing scowl on its face quickly turns into a scary grin.
I have never seen one in person before. They are creatures created from darkness. Servants of death, yet not connected to the underworld or the demons that rule its premises.
The Calaca steps closer to Jesse and tints its head lower to see him. I have only ever seen a few who have towered over Jesse, but never with this magnitude. I move before Matias, but I don’t let go of him as I shield him with my body.
“I saw you amongst the men and knew you were unseen by the rest,” Calaca tells Jesse. “I knew you were going to take the book back to your brother.”
Its cloth moves effortlessly with the wind, showing glimpses of the bony structure underneath.
“As you are aware, we do not have the book,” Jesse says.
“Yes, I see you have failed.” Calaca looks between Jesse and me, then looks past me. Its eyes land on Matias for a second before it gasps and steps back. “You.” Calaca points at Matias like it has seen a ghost.
“Me?” Matias asks with furrowed brows.
Calaca doesn’t answer him. Instead, it inclines its head and bows low. “Sire.”
“Me?” Matia looks between Jesse and me before looking down at its hands. “Did I make you?”
“Your magic created me a long time ago.” Calaca moves closer to Matias with its head down.
“Back off,” I say, moving between them.
“I would never harm my sire.” The creature actually looks appalled at the idea.
I’ve no idea what the Red Book did to Matias, but it cannot be a good thing. Whatever can create a creature like Calaca isn’t good or pure. The darkness that creates a server of death is dangerous.
“Calaca, can you explain yourself?” Jesse says.
Calaca halts and raises their eyes to the sky. After a bit, it turns back to us. “You are being hunted. You must go.” It turns to Jesse with conviction. “Will your King keep my sire safe?”
“Yes.” Jesse nods.
No hesitation that the Black Castle will welcome Matias with open arms.
“Then my loyalty lies with your successful journey,” It says.
“My name is Matias, by the way. Sire makes me uncomfortable.” He looks between Calaca and Jesse.
“Matias,” Calaca says as it bows low. “I will do everythingin my power to protect you, sire. You all go on. I will distract the hunters from your trail.”
I look at Jesse and our eyes meet. The concerned edge in his eyes is mirrored in mine. We don't have to say a word to communicate how bad this is. Matias is no longer the same boy who crossed my path in the forest months ago. He isn't the boy whose soul was stolen by a cursed book. Whatever the Red Book did to him changed him forever. The darkness that answers to him is unnatural and dangerous.
