Forbidden Magic

Chapter 4

Prudence’s breath caught in her throat, as fear seemed to force it shut. She was rooted to her spot at the table and was unable to move.

“Now!” Owen whispered urgently as he turned to look at her, his facial expression urging her to move.

“Come on sweetie,” Minnie quickly moved around the table and ushered her daughter toward the back door. Prudence moved almost numbly in front of her mother.

She could make out the guards moving towards the front of the house through the window, as her father stepped out onto the front porch. Minnie held the back door slightly ajar. Prudence slipped out, gently stepping completely off the top of the stairs to the grass below, and pressed herself flat against the back of the house.

Her heart was racing and she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes scanned the backyard trying to find the best place to conceal herself.

“Good day Mr. Wheeler,” she heard a stranger’s voice, one of the guards, call to her father.

“Good day,” Owen replied.

Prudence took a deep breath, but once again could not convince her feet to move.

“We have reason to believe that you are harboring a magic user,” the guard declared, his voice holding all the authority bestowed upon a Commander of the guard.

“Pardon?”

“A witness came forth with concern. Saying that they saw a young woman using magic here.”

Prudence’s mind quickly jumped to the image of Lyle and his angered face from yesterday.

“There is no one here that matches that description,” Owen replied.

“We would like to see all who dwell in this residence.”

“Of course,” Owen paused and Prudence could hear the porch creak as her father moved across it. Then she heard multiple groans of the wooden structure and she assumed that her mother, father, and brother were now standing on the porch.

“This is my wife, Minnie, and our son, Peter,” Owen announced. There was an odd silence, and Prudence held her breath.

“That is all?” the Commander questioned. She could tell from the tone of his voice that he did not believe Owen. There was no answer from her father, though she could assume that he nodded his head.

“Search the house and the surrounding area,” The Commander spoke again. She could hear men dismounting as their chainmail armor jingled with the movement.

Prudence promptly stowed herself underneath the back steps, making sure to tuck any parts of her skirt beneath herself to keep it from being visible. Her heart raced as she curled into herself and placed a hand over her mouth in an attempt to keep her breathing quiet. This was a tactic she had learned while playing hide-and-seek with Peter. She hoped it might do just as much good against the Lord’s guards.

As the guards wandered through the house, multiple hard boots could be heard thudding against the wooden floorboards. Prudence held her breath as she heard the back door open, and slunk as close to the house as she could. Her heart hammered in her ears as the soldier’s boots became visible as he walked down the stairs.

She was so focused on the ones that were inside the house, that she did not know others had been walking around the dwelling. A scream escaped her as a hand grabbed her by the ankle and dragged her from her hiding spot. She clawed at the ground to escape, but the strong hand multiplied into two, their vise-like grip held her still.

“Let go of me.” she cried and wriggled the best she could, thrashing her legs about.

Another set of hands grabbed her by the wrists, twisting her arms behind her as she was yanked to her feet. The muscles in her arms burned from the odd angle they were being held, but she refused to go quietly as her brain was in full flight or fight. Willing to fight her way out, just to be able to fly away from the situation. She was steered around the house.

“Look what we found hiding under the stairs.” The man who held her spoke. By his tone, she could tell he was sneering at her attempt to go unnoticed.

Prudence paused in her struggle and glanced up at her family on the porch. Peter’s face was white as he was tucked protectively under his mother’s arm. Minnie looked as if she was about to cry, and Owen was turning red with fury.

“I thought you said no one else lived in the house.” The Commander stared triumphantly at her father.

“Momma, Papa!” Prudence called desperately to them.

“If she is a magic wielder, she is now the property of Lord Dumont.” The Commander sat unwaveringly upon his mount.

“No!” Minnie cried out.

“Silence!” the Commander returned sharply as Prudence was moved closer to him.

“I won’t allow you to take my daughter!” her father declared loudly.

“You will. Or you will face the Lord’s punishment.” the Commander’s expression turned stern.

Owen saw red then, he could not let them take Prudence away. He charged towards Prudence and the guard holding her. Prudence watched in wide eyes horror as another soldier stepped in front of her charging father and struck him hard. The thud of metal against skin echoed in her ears, and her vision went black before Owen hit the ground.

In a swift movement, the guard holding her as well as those close to her was shoved away by an invisible force. The sudden movement caused the horses to startle and dance away. Their eyes ringed with white and wide with fear.

Prudence glared up at the soldier who had struck her father. But it was not the usual green-eyed stare the girl presented. Her eyes glowed white, and her face was drawn tight, showing the anger and hatred that flared to life inside her. She raised a hand towards him, positioning her fingers as if holding a cup. The soldier started to gasp as he was lifted from the ground, clawing at his neck as if being strangled. Her sights were then set on the commander. Other guards started to move hesitantly around her, but she did not seem to notice.

“Leave this family alone, and I will go with you without incident,” Prudence spoke, but the voice did not seem like her own. It was still feminine but deep and demanding. Like it processed more wisdom than the teenage girl before them. The leader motioned with his hand for the unit to hold their position.

“And what if I refuse?” the Commander questioned still seeming to be unfazed.

“Then I will kill you all without a second thought.” One side of Prudence's lips twitched up in a malicious smirk as if daring the man to do so.

The soldier being held in the air still gasped for air. She had not completely closed his airway, just enough to let them know she was serious. Peter stared at the struggling man in terror. Minnie’s eyes were fixed on Owen’s form as he lay face down in the grass. Then she turned her gaze to her daughter, or at least, who had once been their daughter.

“Prue,” her mother’s voice was small but still caught Prudence’s attention.