CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR-A MILLION PIECES

Imara stood beside the big picture window nervously playing with her necklace as lightning flashed in the background. “Just relax. It’s just a storm. You’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing.” Summertime in West Virginia brought lots of storms, but this night felt different. Goosebumps rose on her arms and neck as her veins coursed with energy.

She picked Eliza up from the play pen then put a blanket over her as Ben came from the bathroom. Something inside her told her to hold on tight. Imara’s heart was already racing as her fear of lightning began to overwhelm her and she found it hard to breath. “We better get moving before it really starts pouring. It’s dreadfully ugly out there.”

Ben kissed Imara’s forehead. He always thought it was amusing that a white lighter was afraid of something like that, she should be able to tame the lightning like Zeus himself if the stories were right, but he knew the fear was very real for her. “Yeah, I’m ready. Don’t be scared, baby. It will all be over soon.”

As Imara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, Daniel’s voice rang through her ears. It will all be over soon. Don’t be afraid. You’re coming home and I’ll be waiting for you. Imara gasped as you opened her eyes. “Yes, I know it will. I’m ready to go.”

Ben held the door while Imara walked quickly outside then he followed her through the yard to the main house where Thorin was waiting by the door. “That fella on the television set said that a terrible storm’s heading this way any minute now.”

As he shut the door behind them, Ben shook the rain from his hair. “Yeah, I can feel it coming. My wolf’s all worked up right now, he’s pacing like a son of a bitch wanting to get out.”

Haldir squinted his eyes as a suspicion grew inside him. He slid his hand down to his hip and fingered the handle of his elven blade. “Everyone’s at the ready? Yes?”

Ben looked to Haldir as Imara laid Eliza back down in the playpen in Thorin’s living room. Suddenly his mind filled with all of Haldir’s thoughts and Ben’s mouth dried as the adrenaline started to surge through his veins. “Yeah, I got it. I’m ready.”

While Ben and Haldir kept watch at the windows, Imara set the table as Thorin went through containers of food. Thorin sensed Imara’s fear from the way she chewed nervously on her lip.

The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid if Haldir was correct about his feeling. If they were going to face Selvin, he wanted her to be clear headed. He came to her side and put his arm around her.

“So, what do you have planned for sweet pea’s birthday next week. I thought we could take her to that petting zoo we went to a few months ago. Then maybe we could go to that place where they have all the games and that singing mouse that I saw on the television. Can’t you just see Uncle Haldir in one of those pointy hats?”

Imara chuckled out as she looked over the table then nodded. “That sounds fun. She surely enjoyed the little piggies when we were there, didn’t she?”

As the lightening flashed outside, the lights above them flickered. Imara took a deep breath as her anxiety started to grow. Thorin tugged her closer. “Just a storm, darlin’. They don’t get them bad here like we did down South thanks to these big ole mountains. It’ll blow over soon.”

As the whoosh of air met Ben’s ears, a growl of warning rose from his chest. When the next flash came outside the window, the lights suddenly went dark. While her heartbeat pounded in her ears, Imara lifted her shaking hand and snapped her fingers as a red ball of light rose from her palm. The front door opened and Selvin ran through the doorway with Eliza sleeping in his arms.

Imara gasped in horror as Ben and Haldir ran after Selvin. Thorin yelled at Imara but she was frozen in shock. He turned her to face him and shook her until her eyes finally snapped up to his. “Imara! Get your knife!”

As Imara slowly nodded, she crouched down to grab the blade from her ankle then her eyes caught Eliza stirring in the playpen. She sucked in a breath as she shook Thorin’s leg. “Thorin!” she whisper yelled. “Thorin!”

Imara stood slowly as her eyes darted around the room. She pulled Thorin close to her. “Thorin, look at the playpen. It was a glamour Thorin. He’s still here.”

Thorin looked at the play pen and saw Eliza sit up and look around and he gasped. “Imara,” he whispered. “We’re going to creep over there, and you snatch her up. Quietly! You reach out to Ben in your mind.”

As the two of them shivered and panted in unison, they slowly approached the play pen. Eliza put her arms in the air and said, “Momma.” As she spoke with Ben in her mind, Imara reached into the playpen and took Eliza in her arms quickly as Thorin held his blade ready in his hand.

As the sudden shockwave hit them, the three were thrown across the room. Imara held tight to Eliza as she was thrown into the wall.

With Imara knocked unconscious, the dim red light went out. Thorin pushed himself up from the floor and searched for Selvin as his eyes struggled to adjust to the dark. Sensing movement in the corner, Thorin knelt down and searched the floor around him for his blade until the burning pain of it tore through his back and into his lung.

Selvin knelt down beside him as he struggled for air and said, “You aren’t much of a witch either, are you? I was expecting more from a Parker. Excuse me now, I have a little score to settle with Imara. I’ll get right back to you in a moment.”

Selvin stepped over Thorin and made his way to Imara and Eliza who were motionless on the floor.

As Thorin reached behind him and pulled the blade from his back, the dripping blood slowly receded back into its wound as it began to heal itself. Thorin raised his hand and pointed the blade at Selvin. “Ceanglaím tú leis an áit seo! Ceanglaím tú leis an áit seo! Ceanglaím tú leis an áit seo!”

Selvin spoke the death curse over Imara and Eliza and cackled an evil laugh as he turned to Thorin then clicked his tongue. “You can bind me to this place only as long as you live and that won’t be for long.” As he walked slowly back to him, Selvin crossed his arms and gave a quizzical look. “Why aren’t you trying to throw the curse at me. I already took care of your little bitch of a sister. You could end this whole thing right now just by speaking the words. What exactly are you waiting for? I simply must know.”

Thorin blew out hard through his mouth as he pushed himself to stand. “It’s not my place. Unfortunately, someone else called dibs on killing you.”

Ben stood in the doorway and glanced to Imara lying on the floor. As he closed his eyes he whispered. “For you, baby.” Ben raised his hands and called out in the voice of the ancients, “Ceangailim ort gan aon dochar a dhéanamh!”

Selvin fell to his knees as Ben’s spell ripped his powers from him. As they lingered in the air, Ben turned to Imara and scooped the two of them up in his arms. He rocked them gently and took one last sniff of Imara. “I’ll be there soon, baby. It’s all over. Just wait for me at the docks, you hear me? Baby, I’m coming.” Ben sniffed back his tears then nodded to Haldir. “Tie him up!”

As Thorin and Haldir picked up the whimpering shell of a once powerful witch, Thorin said, “Oh, I’ve been waiting a very, very long time to see you face to face. I’m going to enjoy every second of this very much.”

Ben held tight to Imara and Eliza then grunted as he lifted them while he stood up. He carried them to the spare room where Imara gave birth then laid her gently on the bed. As he covered them in the blanket, he leaned over and kissed Imara’s cold lips. “I love you, baby. I got to go finish this now.” Then he pushed Eliza’s hair off her cheek and kissed her. As he pressed his face against hers, he said, “Next time, sweet pea, it’s forever. I’ll see you soon. Daddy loves you.”

As Ben closed the door behind him, Haldir began to laugh his raspy, hearty laugh of amusement. “Oh Selvin. I guess you could say that this curse is finally broken. Just like your fucking skull is about to be.” Haldir knocked his knuckles against the top of Selvin’s head. “ Broken into a million fucking pieces.”