“No,” I reply instantly. “He’s my brother.”
“I’m sorry.” The man starts to examine the cage. “Can you tell me what happened to you and your brother? I’m afraid I don’t speak deer,” he asks with a laugh, and Connor stomps his hoof in annoyance on the wooden floor. “My apologies. I was trying to lighten the mood. This house freaks me the fuck out. It’s filled with a sorrow far greater than the sadness emanating from both you and your sister.”
I’ve learned a lot about magic over the last year. If the stranger can sense feelings, then he’s probably not completely human. Malachi got his powers by selling his soul to the devil. I can’t help wondering how the man in front of me got his.
“Do you have magical powers?” I question.
“I’m half witch from my mother’s side of the family. We’re descended from the first druids on earth—they were magical protectors sent by God. Their powers have been passed down through the generations ever since.”
“So you’re a good witch.”
“Yes. I’m Griffon by the way.”
“Nyah.”
“Hi, Nyah.” He pauses and smacks his lips together in thought before saying,“Am I right in guessing you don’t want to be in this cage, and your brother wasn’t originally a stag?”
He taps at the glass.
“I was trapped in here by Malachi. He’s an evil, old witch.”
“Was that the decrepit guy I saw leaving earlier?”
I nod.
“Malachi’s ancient. He was hung as a witch in the past, and he sold his soul to the devil to save himself. In a few hours, he’ll take me as his wife, and when he…” I can’t finish my explanation. It’s too horrible to admit.
“…rapes you.” Griffon’s hands clench tight, his lips purse together, and I can tell he’s angry.
“Yes,” I reply weakly. “When he does, he’ll take my life force, and he’ll keep doing it until eventually he kills me.”
Griffon goes quiet. I can tell he’s tempering down his fury. His hands are shaking.
“We need to get you out of here.”
Connor kicks his hoof hard against the cage, but nothing happens.
“We’ve tried to smash it. Nothing works—it‘s unbreakable.”
I place my hand flat against the glass. Griffon loosens his fist and presses his own large hand against the impenetrable barrier, so it’s covering mine.
“That’s because the glass is magical.”
He takes his hand back and pulls his mobile out.
“Fuck! No service. Shit! Come on, brain, remember.” He bashes the side of his head, and Connor looks at him like he’s crazy.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Trying to remember how to access my powers. I haven’t practiced much magic for a while.” He’s clearly frustrated, and my heart deflates. “Dominic,” he speaks into the air. “Dominic,” he repeats, this time more forcefully.
“What?” A booming voice echoes around the room as another man appears.
This one’s dressed in a black dress shirt and dress pants with shiny black shoes. He’s massive and as frightening as the devil, and he makes my blood curdle. He’s even more scary looking than Malachi.
“I got a bit sidetracked, boss,” Griffon addresses the newcomer.
The other man, who must be Dominic, looks around the room.
“Why is she in a glass cage, and what’s with the reindeer? Did you take a wrong turn and end up at the North Pole?”
“No, I went for a piss and ended up being approached by a human who’s been turned into a stag. He then led me to his sister who’s being held in this cage by a guy who wants to rape her and feed off her innocence.”
“Why do you always have to complicate a job? Isn’t killing a fucker good enough for you?” Dominic scowls at Griffon.
“I like complicated—what can I say?” Griffon shrugs his shoulders.
“Where’s the guy responsible for all of this?” Dominic asks and presses his hand against the glass.
“Out but due back soon.”
“Ok, I’m guessing we need to get her out of this contraption .” Dominic hits the side of my prison harder, and the cage rattles around me. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt it move.
“Any suggestions?” Griffon asks.
“One. Can you remember the spell I taught you for smashing a solid when it can’t be broken by normal means?” Dominic questions.
“What shooting a bullet at it?” Griffon nods his head toward a gun tucked in the waistband of Dominic’s pants.
“I swear sometimes I employ idiots. Do you really think shooting a bullet into a magical glass cage is a good idea?”
“It’s probably not the best suggestion I’ve ever made.”
“We need to disintegrate it. Woman…” Dominic addresses me.
“Nyah,” I inform him.
“Ok, Nyah. Stand in the middle of the cage and cover your head with your hands.”
My brother starts to pace the room. He keeps looking at the clock. Time is running out, and Malachi will be home soon to claim me. Quickly getting in position, I wrap my arms over my head.
“I’m ready,” I confirm and wait.
I’ve been in this cage for something like thirty-one million, five hundred thirty-six thousand and three hundred seconds now…and counting. I just want to get out of here and preferably not so I can end up being forced to marry Malachi.
“Griffon,” Dominic calls the other man over while placing both his hands on the cage.
Griffon does the same on the opposite side. He’s standing in front of me, and I look up at him quickly.
He winks at me and mouths, “It’ll be ok.”
I don’t know why, but I trust him.
His eyes roll back in his head, and the next thing I know, the cage turns into the finest crystals of sand that flutter to the ground. I make sure my arms stay over my head, so I don’t get any of grit in my eyes. When everything settles, I look up again.
“I’m free.”
Connor, still in his stag form, walks over to me, and I stroke along his side.
“Can you turn Connor back to a human as well?” I ask.
Both men shake their heads.
“It’s a curse and can only be undone by the witch who placed it on him. Either by the witch’s death or his recantation of the spell. It’s the only way.”
Connor nuzzles his nose against my cheek.
“We’ll find a way, Connor. If he doesn’t have me, death will come to him soon,” I reassure my brother.
Dominic steps over the sand on the floor.
“I need to get back to the office. I’ll let you finish up here, Griffon, and then get back to the job I’m actually paying you for.”
Griffon nods at him, and Dominic disappears in a puff of smoke.
“Is he always so grumpy?” I ask.
“Pretty much.” Griffon takes my hand. I’m a little unsteady on my feet as I step over the sand. It feels strange after a year in a cage to finally be free. “We should get out of here before the old man comes back.”
Connor stamps his hooves and jumps to block the doorway.