Page 13 of Outcast Fae
We hurried closer to the edge, watching the water churn like a boiling pot, waiting for Wally to resurface. A few seconds passed with no sign of him.
“Is he dead?” Daniella’s voice broke with emotion.
Next to her, Elon shrugged. “One less mouth to feed. More king crab for me.”
Vaughn stood at the edge, staring intently into the pool but doing nothing.
I clenched my fists and took a step away from the water’s edge.
He’snotyour responsibility, Tally. Let his ilk save him. If the humans don’t even care, you shouldn’t either.
Wally's head burst through the surface. He gave a guttural scream, hands pressed against the tentacle that circled his neck. His entire shape vibrated with his Quake skill as he fought to break free. But it was useless, and it only seemed to enrage the beast.
The tentacle shot upward, lifting Wally's entire body out of the water. His legs kicked in the air as he continued to vibrate. Another purple tendril lashed out of the water and grabbed his legs as if intent on tearing him apart.
“Do something. Somebody do something!” Daniella urged. Her eyes darted to me.
Earlier, she’d said she hated him, but apparently not enough to watch him be split in two. Lifting her eyes from the water, she screamed at the trees, at our cruel captors.
“You have to stop this. That thing is going to kill him!”
In response, Meadow Song's voice echoed from above. “We are not allowed to intervene. It is up to you to save him.”
“What?!” Daniella demanded. “Are you crazy?” She whirled again and faced me. “They’re crazy,” she said as if I hadn't yet realized this whole situation was out of control. “He’s going to die.”
Suspended in midair, Wally screamed again, his vibrating skills useless against the creature.
“Help!” he cried out, his voice sounding weaker and more strangled by the second. The tentacle around his neck tightened like a noose, making his eyes bulge.
“You!” Daniella pointed at Vaughn. “Don't just stand there. You’re a warlock, aren't you? Use your magic. Stop that thing.”
A muscle jumped in Vaughn's jaw as he stared up at Wally’s shape as if considering his worth. Apparently, just being the two strong males in the camp wasn’t enough to make Vaughn save Wally. Maybe he wanted the alpha position all for himself. It wouldn’t surprise me.
I shook my head incredulously, anger building in my chest. This was one of the many things wrong with humans. They had no loyalty, no honor. Just moments ago, Vaughn had seemed friendly with Wally, two peas in the same pod. But now, it was clear they’d just been two bullies, joined by their common meanness. If that was one of my fae comrades up there, I’d have been jumping in the second I spotted the beast. Were all humans this heartless or just these few?
“C’mon, please save him,” Daniella urged, while Vaughn did nothing but clench his fists.
With a splash, the tentacles pulled back into the water, disappearing and taking Wally under once more.
“He’s done for,” Elon said, matter-of-factly. Casually, he walked away and sat on a log as if to watch the spectacle in comfort.
“I would do something, but I don't have my earrings,” Daniella said, hiccupping in desperation. “God, you guys… This is… You are so coldhearted.” She pulled at her hair, crying quietly.
Wally’s form was completely hidden under the water. I didn’t want to help him, but doing nothing felt dishonorable to all life. He was a cruel human who’d likely enjoy watching me drown, but that didn’t make it okay for me to stand by and watch. I took a step toward the shoreline.
Before I could get there, Vaughn stepped in first, looking as if he was finally ready to help. His body trembled with tension, and his features grew sharper. The muscles in his arms and chest tightened visibly, seeming to grow and shift under his skin.
I stared in puzzlement. What kind of spell was he preparing? I’d seen witches and warlocks do amazing, unpredictable things, but whatever spell he was working on was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed.
His eyes flashed an intense green. I waited as the water churned, tentacles rolling… Wally rolling.
Vaughn closed his eyes. I held my breath, waiting for his magic to manifest. His eyes reopened, then he took a step back, fists clenched at his sides. His face and muscles went back to normal as he shook his head and turned his back on Wally.
What? Had he released the spell? Did it fail? Was he that bad of a warlock? Maybe they had taken his item, too, and his magic was useless without a conduit. Maybe he’d changed his mind and decided that letting Wally die meant more king crab for himself.
Daniella pressed a hand to her mouth and sobbed, finally resigned to Elon and Vaughn’s inability or willingness to help our campmate.
It seemed it was down to thefae bitch. Grand!
