The Alpha's Prisoner

Second Test

Tyson

The silence in the car was deafening. Tyson hadn’t been able to explain to Sarah’s family the reasons as to why they had been taken away, only that Sarah was in danger and they might be too. They had become quite awkward in the presence of the prince. Even Mathew's attempts at conversation couldn’t seem to get anything going. He had soon given up and now sat very rigid as the car made its way back to the witch’s cottage.

At least in the comfort of the castle, Sarah’s mother can get the medical attention she needed. No human invention can cure her ailment. Tyson hoped that if he apologised to Matilda, she could perform some of her magic. Tyson wanted something nice for his mate to return to, he still felt guilty after everything that had happened before at the castle, everything he had put his mate through. It was one of the worst things having to see your mate with another. It must have been tormenting being in the dark yet feeling so much.

The car finally pulled up to the small cottage and Tyson started to exit.

“No, it’s okay, I’ll go check on him”

Mathew hurriedly opened the door and stepped out. Pacing quickly towards the cottage, he turned back towards Tyson in the car and gave a quick smirk. Tyson pursed his lips as he closed the door, now alone in the awkwardly quiet car. What nine-year-old is this quiet? Tyson turned to face his mate’s family. Her mother, Sandy, and her sister Emily. That was all the information Mathew had managed to get from them the entire trip.

“I am sorry I can’t offer much explanation as to where Sarah is, we are doing everything in our power to find her and bring her back safely”

Tyson had said the exact same thing back at their home, but he was lost for conversation and was grasping at anything. Sandy gave him a quick polite smile and nod in response.

“So, what do you usually do for fun Emily?”

Please let this be over, please. How long does it take for Mathew to grab his father?

“Not much your majesty”

Tyson smiled at the shy girl before turning around once more in his seat. 

He understood why they were so timid around royalty. Unfortunately, it was an enforced tradition before his father had taken the throne. His grandfather had been very ruthless and was sure to have all human subjects promptly put in their place. The traditions sadly seemed to stick around during his father’s reign too, perhaps it might even last onto Tyson’s reign after that.

The cottage door finally opened, and Tyson breathed a deep sigh of relief. Mathew and King Jeremy left the cottage, Matilda in tow. A loud gasp came from the back seat and Tyson cursed himself as he realised.

“Sorry I forgot to mention my Father would be joining us”

He twisted around in the chair to see shocked wide-eyed stares as the King made his way towards the car. Matilda split off from the group and headed towards her car parked in the small port next to the cottage.

King Jeremy entered the back seat and sat next to Sandy. He gave them a polite nod which was promptly returned with very formal acknowledgments from the two guests. It brought back memories of him and Sarah in the garden, her cute teasing of his royal status. He wanted more than anything to have another day like that.

“Matilda will be joining us at the castle. She is very skilled in teleportation and has gained many acute senses of tracking due to the precise nature of her speciality. We have to narrow down a list of places that we can find Sarah so it will be easier for her to sense through that area.”

Tyson felt his excitement begin to grow at his father’s news. It was a great plan. The specialty of teleportation is very rare but also very dangerous. If a witch teleports into an area that is already occupied, they become fused to whatever is inhabiting that space. It is a very painful and gruesome death. Therefore, with the gift of teleportation is also sensory teleportation. A witch can obtain a sense for any obstacles in the path of her teleportation to avoid a collision. If they use Matilda’s sensory teleportation, then they would be able to find where they are keeping Sarah. They just needed to narrow down the search.

“They don’t know, do they.”

Tyson turned around to see what his father was talking about. Sandy and Emily both had gaping expressions. Tyson swore at himself as he realised the mistake.

“I hadn’t explained it yet, no”

They had just been openly talking about magic with the humans right there. This was only going to make the awkwardness worse. They didn’t have time to go through that all now, these breakthroughs take time and require a lot of patience. Sarah was the main priority now. He felt sorry for them, but their questions just had to wait.

“We need to focus on getting Sarah back. I know you two must have a lot of questions, but they will all be answered in time”

“Of course, thank you, your majesty”

This was the first time Sarah’s mother had said anything other than her polite acknowledgments the entire car trip.

Soon they were pulling in through the large white gates and into the castle courtyard. Mathew offered to take Sandy and Emily to their rooms after seeing how antsy Tyson had become at his father’s news. As soon as the doors were flung open Tyson headed towards the war room. There must be files somewhere on the government facilities. Relief surged through him as he began to work. After being stumped for so long they were getting somewhere fast. Now his father was on board and he was bringing his mate home he felt unstoppable.

Sarah

The wind howled around me. I had been taken from my cell and dragged up the stone steps. They had gone on for what seemed like forever until I had finally reached the top. I still don’t understand what had happened during the first test, but I was miraculously healed. I knew it was bad though. I had no idea how many tests there where, but I knew I did not want to pass them. Whatever happened, I had to fail.

We were surrounded by nothing on the top of a high tower. The wind roared hard and threatened to pull me over the edge. It seemed a strange place for a test, but nothing about the first test was ordinary either.

Senator Fayron shuffled behind me and towards the end of the tower, where a thick chain laid over the edge. I followed him over and peered down. The chain was insanely long. Stretching far down the side of the tower and resting on the ground at the bottom. Fayron gave a small tug and the chain began whipping up towards us. I ducked as the metal end flicked where my head had just been.

“You’ll need this on for your next test”

Fayron gestured for me to get up before kneeling in front of me and fastening it to my leg. I didn’t understand how it was necessary, it wasn’t like I was going anywhere. The only way out was off the edge, and that didn’t have a pretty ending. 

I needed to focus. Whatever he threw at me I can’t react.

Fayron got up quickly and in doing so bumped me towards the edge. I stumbled, almost tumbling over the side.

“Hey! Watch out!”

I stared over agitated at Fayron. Before I could react, he shoved me hard. I felt as I began to topple, my knees folding over the small barrier as I fell, helpless over the edge. My hands grabbed out at nothing and emptiness spread all around me. Only the wind pushed at my back, but it too was empty. I wished I could grab it, hold it in my hands to prevent my death. All these mind games and imprisonment just so he could kill me now? It made no sense.

I was over the edge. 

I tumbled around helplessly as the ground rushed to meet me. I couldn’t scream, I couldn’t breathe. The wind was too fast against my face as it slowly choked me during my decent. This was it; I was done. Tears rolled down my cheeks as the end stretched closer and closer. The wind around me whipped so hard, it almost felt solid. I grabbed helplessly with my arms, again and again. My back began to sting as impact came closer and closer. This was going to be it. I closed my eyes before it happened.

The pain went through me and stopped in my back. This must be it, death. I couldn’t feel anything around me, not even the concrete that had broken my bones. There was no pain now, just emptiness. I was afraid to open my eyes, to see what greeted me on the other side. Perhaps I would get to see my father again. I’d like that.

I slowly opened my eyes; I could see the concrete below me. This must be what it is like to be a ghost, floating free.

Something flashed in the corner of my eye.

Large white wings beat beside me, I couldn’t see who they belonged to, but then I felt it. Deep in my back contorting my muscles. They were attached to me. They began to ache at the effort of their continued beat. My senses came back after the shock had now left me. The chain was still tied to my ankle, I was still breathing. I wasn’t dead.

I began to propel myself upwards, climbing high into the air. 

This was it, freedom. I need to work on the chain, and then I can disappear. I didn’t understand where the wings came from, but I wasn’t going to complain. I began working on the chain as I continued upward. It was a simple lock. I was glad I was still in my regular clothes as I had a few lock picks made from wire sewn into the sleeve.

I looked up, Fayron had caught on. With a flick of his wrist, the chain came crashing back towards him with me still attached. I fought hard against it, but my new wings were no match compared to the strength of the chain. I was sent hard into the top of the tower. As I landed, I felt as my wings began to retract back inside me. Bones shifted to accommodate for them. I felt drained as I lay there, but I was quickly shoved to my feet.

“Well, that was fascinating. Congratulations on passing the second test”

“How many more are there of these stupid tests”

I scowled towards Fayron from where the guard now held me. I couldn’t stand, I felt too weak.

“Just the one. I’ll see you tomorrow”

Fayron turned and hurried down the stairs. The guard followed, dragging me beside him. This would be it then. The next test would be my last chance, I had to fail. I don’t know what they thought I was, but it must be bad to be one. Whatever they have in store for me must be horrible if them almost killing me during the tests isn’t the worst of it. For now, I just need sleep. I’ll need rest to face whatever Fayron is to throw at me tomorrow.