Chapter 2
Layla
By the time we made our way out onto the street, Dominic and Tempest were still having fits of laughter about the look on Wendy’s face and praising Alex for sticking it to her good.
“Thank you, Alex, that was very nice of you. Defending me as you did but honestly, I don’t care what insults Wendy troughs at me she is just born mean I think and she was left that way.”
“You should not let her treat you like that Layla.”
“Yeah maybe, but Granny always says be kind no matter what. One day it will be worth it.”
The weather was really bad, the storm was everywhere and as I stepped out onto the street my hand in Alex’s I felt, the anger in the storm, the need to tear everything apart. Using my gift, I tried to explain to Tempie and Dominic what the storm felt like. (My gift is to talk to people kind of my voice just pops up in their head. I can only do it to people that are emotionally close to me or are connected by blood and I choose not to do it often because I feel it is kind of intrusive)
“Dominic, Tempie this is no normal storm there is darkness in this storm this is a Dark Elf’s work we need to get home all of us right now.”
“Wow, this storm is bad we should skip the coffee and go straight home.”
“Yeah, I think you are right Dominic as much as I would like to spend more time with Layla and you guys this is not the weather for it, kind of feels eerie and angry?”
That made me, Tempest, and Dominic look up the fact that Alex felt something in the storm was different maybe he was a very in-tuned human.
We hurried as fast as we could back home all of us went to my house as that was the first stop. And knowing my friends they would make sure I was home safe always but the fact that I told them a Dark Elf was behind the storm, made their protective instincts even more powerful they knew I could take care of myself but they and Granny were my family and we look out for each other always and Alex was proving to be just as protective have reached my house they all said good night to me and Granny Alex, of course, gave me a good night kiss just a small one on the top of my head which is good because if he kissed me on my lips that would have been bad, very bad. And with that, my friends and kind of boyfriend left.
“Did you have fun sweetheart,”
“Yes, Granny I did have a lot of fun it was nice. I felt like a normal teenager”
“I do like that young man very much. There is more to him than meets the eye.”
“You should get ready for bed dear I make us some hot chocolate.”
“Thanks, Granny… Granny this storm is…”
“I know dear but don’t worry all will be fine…”
I went upstairs to take my bath I was just about to start running the hot water when I heard a crash of broken glass.
Without thinking I ran down the stairs to the kitchen but I never got that far as my feet hit the floor at the bottom of the stairs a purple haze surrounded me I saw people but I could do nothing my powers were kind of frozen or blocked I saw Granny lying on the ground surrounded by what looks like purple smoke and hands started dragging me.
I did not care what was happening to me but I could not leave Granny like that I used every bit of willpower and strength I have to send a message to my friends
“Tempest! Dominic! Granny needs you, help her they came.”
As out of it as I was, I knew who was taking me Dark Elf’s why I just don’t know.
“Dominic did you hear Layla I did I am on my way mom and dad are going with me we are just around the corner.”
“Please be careful I am almost there my mom and dad are coming as well.”
Dominic says over the phone before he hangs up.
Tempest
“Mom, Dad look at the door it looks blown off its hinges. O no, Granny!”
I was worried sick and scared I knew my best friend was in trouble and needed me. The fact that she used her special gift and practically yelled in my head told me the situation was bad very bad but to see granny just lying on the floor like that and she is really powerful made my blood run cold.
“Granny?”
Sitting on my knees next to Granny I shook her lightly.
“Granny please wake up?”
“Mrs. Summers can you hear me.”
My mom's special gift is healing she also became a Doctor for humans she lays her hand lightly on Grannies head.
My Dad who was walking through the house came into the kitchen.
“Looks like you were right honey, they took Layla. How I don’t know between her power and her Gran Mother’s it should have been impossible.”
A sob escapes my lips at the news even though I knew the moment Layla called to me. My Dad hugs me and looks over at my mother with worry in his eyes.
“Amber honey, will Mrs. Summers be ok.”
“Yes, we are lucky they didn’t mean to kill her but whatever they did sort of knocked her out she should be coming out of it soon but I don’t know how she will take the news that they took Layla.”
“Luke what will they do to her, hasn’t she and her grandmother suffered enough.”
A sound outside told me Dominic and his parents arrived. I look up from staring transfixed at granny to see Dominic rushing through the door. Not caring that my parents or his were coming in behind him he walks over and pulls me into his arms and hugs me as if he wants to fuse us.
“Your highnesses”
I and my parents say together bowing as we do which is hard when you are being held tightly.
“No need for that right now. How is Mrs. Summers, Amber?”
The King and Queen ask at the same time
Being addressed by the King and Queen directly and more by name made my mom hesitate just a bit.
“She should be waking up soon.”
“They took Layla didn’t they, I knew they must have.”
“Yes, Dominic they took her.”
The King and Queen looked at each other worried. Though it is common knowledge that the King did not like Layla. The fact that it seemed she and Granny were rendered defenseless. Was troublesome to the King.
But all other questions were forgotten as Granny stirred.
“Layla?”
“Easy Mrs. Summers you took a nasty fall.”
“Amber dear, I know you mean well but as my Layla is not standing here, she must have been taken know how long have I been unconscious.”
“Granny it's 11:00 pm”
“And Layla came home at 10:00 pm so they are long gone.”
“Mrs. Summers what happened if you can remember.”
“I do apologize your highnesses and you Amber and Luke for not first greeting you properly.”
“Not at all Mrs. Summers under the circumstance’s formality can wait. But what happened you are powerful so in Layla how did they manage to take her.”
“Well I was making hot chocolate Layla went upstairs to take a bath the door crashed in and the kitchen was filled with purple smoke. I could not do anything my powers froze and then everything went black. I think the Dark ones have Dark Druids helping them.”
“That is not good.”
“No Luke that is not good at all. We have to get home and start setting up defenses Luke will you come with us to the palace please you as well Amber. Dominic you and Tempest are still young and I would have rather you not be dragged into a war but if they have dark druids helping them you have to see if you can find a way to find Layla. You and Tempest are strong enough for that I know most of us have never treated her with kindness I see now we were wrong and I am sorry about that but we will not leave her in the hands of the Dark ones. I know you; she is like your sister a sister to both of you, you will not sit ideally by and do nothing so I rather know you are doing something than have you do it behind my back. Whatever we need to do to find her or whatever you need to do to find her we will do it we will not leave her to their mercy.”
The look Dominic gave his Dad said it all. We all know the King was trying to show he was nice and a good king by saying all of this but like all of us Dominic saw right through it. The king cared only about himself.
“Thanks, Dad, and since you are so understanding I want you to know Tempest and I are dating and that is not going to change.”
“Well we are not surprised honey though we would have picked differently… but that is not our choice it is destinies and she fits well with you. And you know best what is good for you.”
Dominic’s mother says quickly before the King could say anything though he gave Dominic a look so cold that ice cubes would have felt ashamed.
“Thanks, mom.”
“We must go now, stay with Mrs. Summers as long as you can please. Mrs. Summers don’t worry we will find her.”
“Thank you, your highnesses.”
“I will come and look in again in the Moring take it easy please granny.”
“Thank you, Amber and I will. Be safe all of you that purple smoke is strong and I do not think they will just leave us alone now that they have my Layla.”
The king and queen and my parents left. No sooner were they out when granny went to the kitchen table and sat down looking directly at me and Dominic.
“Do either of you have Alex’s phone number?”
“I do granny but why?”
“Call him please and tell him to come here quickly.”