They had taken her, erased her and I knew in my heart that I would not rest until every person associated with Human slavery had paid for it.
Looking around I saw that there were other Humans here, all as young and filthy as my sister. It was sick, this dungeon where they stored lifeless children. I thought I might vomit. Maria and Robert knelt beside the other Humans, looking into their eyes for some indication of a soul.
When Jack’s hand came down on my shoulder, I jumped violently. I turned to look at him and saw the pity in his face. R?ven stood next to him, tears in her eyes that threatened to spill over at any second. Hawthorne nudged my cheek with his nose, but I shrugged him off. It was all too much for me. I had to get out.
‘Avalon,’ Jack said softly. He tried to wrap his arms around me, but I pushed him aside. I turned around, ready to run through the door, but stopped abruptly when I saw that the way out was blocked.
It was Martinez.
He stood silhouetted in the doorframe, with five of his guards behind him. I gasped audibly, catching the attention of everyone in the room.
R?ven stepped forwards immediately, ready to sing at the top of her lungs. Instinctively, I stuffed my fingers into my ears, the others following suit.
However, one of Martinez’s gang stepped forwards and clapped his hands. A shockwave spread through the room, knocking everyone to the ground. R?ven, who got the full force of it, made a strange gargling noise and collapsed to the floor.
‘No!’ I cried, rushing to her side. R?ven gasped for air. ‘What did you do?’ I shot at the guard.
Martinez held up a hand. ‘She’s fine. She has been winded. I don’t think I can afford to take another nap, just yet.’
I helped R?ven to her feet. She coughed and spluttered, trying to suck in air.
‘I take it this is the infamous H.E.L.E.N.A I have heard so much about?’
My father got up and stepped forwards, shielding R?ven and I behind his back.
‘You know, I’ve been wondering when I would encounter this little group. I take it you are here to free my slaves?’ said Martinez.
‘These people are our family members,’ Tom Truscott said from the corner of the dungeon, his face contorted with rage. ‘They were taken from us.’
‘They’re Humans,’ said Martinez. ‘It is not possible for a Human to be related to a Mage.’
‘You are too narrow-minded to understand,’ I burst, pointing a finger angrily at him.
Martinez locked his eyes onto mine and I felt my legs turn to lead.
‘Give us the Humans and no one gets hurt,’ my father threatened, a fireball growing in his palm.
‘Oh, please. Your Power is useless against me. I will just absorb the energy. But there is no need for a fight, is there?’
‘There will be,’ Robert Scotland growled. ‘If you get in our way-’
‘I won’t get in your way.’ Martinez smiled slowly. ‘You can have the Humans.’ He waved a hand as though the matter was of no importance. ‘Take them.’
Penny and Tom glanced at each other warily, unconvinced. I looked to Helena, who was being cradled in my mother’s arms. Tears dripped silently down the tip of my mother’s nose, whilst Helena stared blankly at her master, Martinez.
‘I don’t buy it. What are you playing at?’ asked Robert Scotland, standing next to my father.
‘I’m willing to forgive the fact that you have broken into my home. You see, I am a very generous man-’
‘Enough,’ my father spat. ‘Tell us the catch.’
‘Fire-Mages, always so short-tempered,’ Martinez commented. ‘You can have these slaves, old man, but I require something in return.’
‘What is it?’ said my father. ‘We don’t have any money, or jewels-’
‘No,’ Martinez scoffed. ‘I do not require payment of that kind. I require something much more valuable.’
Martinez turned to me, a broad grin plastered on his face. I could see every one of his pearly teeth, glinting in the firelight.
Martinez slowly raised a hand and pointed one finger at me.
‘Avalon?’ My father burst. ‘You want my other daughter? You sick bastard.’
Martinez rolled his eyes and dropped his hand, ‘No. Not your daughter. As pretty as she is, she is not my type. I do prefer blondes, if you must know-’
I felt my cheeks growing hot with anger. ‘Get to the point,’ I demanded.
‘You must be a Fire-Mage too,’ Martinez smirked. ‘I should have known, Avalon, is it?’
‘Tell us what you want.’ I found myself shouting. ‘We’ll give you anything.’
Martinez grinned. ‘The Vulmessian,’ he said. ‘Give me the Vulmessian and you can have your Humans.’
I started forwards, ready to attack Martinez before I even realised what I was doing. Jack grabbed my wrist so I could not take another step towards Martinez.
Maria looked between Martinez and I. ‘Zee fox? Well ‘ee is there! Take ‘im!’
‘What are we waiting for?’ said Elise excitedly.
I shot Maria and Elise a glare each, ‘No!’
Penny gave a small whimper and clutched her son.
‘But we can take zee ‘umans in exchange for your pet-’