Chapter 32 Family divided
“He lies beyond!” Gretel scurried up and down, and down and up again.
“Patience, sister you always expect things to come easily. Of course she would have other barriers for us. This explains why we weren’t able to find him sooner; we were naturally repelled by the plant.”
In the number of a field before them was wolfsbane. They had followed the whole circle of it and could not find entry. The old lady had done her gardening well. It had been disappointing to discover since the mirage had faded well enough for them to see the lake. At least that fire had taken some of her power to overcome. If they were lucky she would sit back and try to gather her strength and so far she did not know that Hansel was here.
“Well that settles it you will have to bring your girl here to pick them.” Gretel whined briefly lying on her belly. She was exhausted after so many ups and downs.
“Are you kidding she will be under heavier guard than ever.” Hansel growled. “Even if her magical skin has grown resistant to this poison weed, Rose would not be able to pick nearly enough by the time they arrived to collect her.”
“We can set them on fire as we did the witch.” Gretel suggested.
“Do not bother, I have already tried. The both of you must leave here.” From the canopy on the other side their brother dropped down. He talked to them mentally as he stalked up and down just as Gretel had paced before.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“Are you alright? Has she hurt you?” Gretel stood immediately whining even more.
“Of course I am not alright! What keeps you out keeps me in and it would not matter if you managed it this far anyway!”
“What do you mean?” Hansel growled.
“Have you forgotten? I am hers to control. If I could get to the both of you at this moment I would slaughter because of her commands. I have already killed so many of us against my will. On this night she has not come to free me so until she recovers you are safe. Get out of these woods before…”
“How does she free you?” Gretel entreated.
The big man wolf gritted his teeth and snarled as he gripped at his heart. “I cannot tell you!”
“Well it is obvious she has not taken hold of your soul. We must find her other means of controlling you.” Hansel barked.
“If you go to her hata you might…” He cut off and howled suddenly as the moon ascended, “I was wrong, she does not have to be present. She begins to release me! Run!” Wolfsbane began to pull rapidly into the ground. Their brother began to snap and snarl thirsting for their blood.
“That is dwarves work!” Gretel pawed at the ground.
“Come on! We must flee!” Hansel vehemently nipped at his sister. Gretel turned and began to run away with her brother; her thoughts of despair were worsened by the cries of their oncoming rival.
“It does not matter. She is working in league with fair folk, dwarves! Night after night we shall be forced to fight him. Just as from the first time we entered into her wood. We shall be forced to kill each other.” Her fangs ground together.
Before the last flowers were buried a dove shot down like a white arrow attacking the eyes of its mate’s murderer. It pecked and clawed and flew away barely escaping the reach that had crushed her other half. This gave them enough time to escape. They managed to reach the village ahead of him.