Anastasia (The Bolton Series Book 1) Read online

  “What do you want with me?” I whispered stepping father away from it.

  “Gladius Ustrina,” it smiled.

  My heart stopped at those two words. Why did it think I had the Sword of Ustrina?

  “Annie,” Simon’s voice woke me with a start bringing me out of my dark dream.

  “Simon!” I gasped jumping up from the couch to hug my brother. He was okay and not dying somewhere.

  “Umm Annie I can’t breathe,” he gasped tapping my back for me to release him.

  “Oh sorry,” I let go of him and sat back down on the couch. I looked around the tiny living room and into the kitchen. The afternoon light brightly lit the room, helping me to forget my horrible dream. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Just under an hour, I woke you when you started mumbling about Cabalus.”

  “Oh,” I took the glass of water off the coffee table. It was in the same spot it was in my dream. I tried to ignore that as I gulped it down.

  “Are you going to explain or do I need to pry it off you?” He sat down next to my feet and waited for me to explain.

  I quickly told him everything about my dream. When I was finished, he let me know that he just let Mary out to graze and that she was fine. I still wanted to check on her. We went outside and saw her poking through the tall grass.

  “You said it looked like me before it revealed its true self?” Simon asked on our way back to the cabin.

  “Yes. I never knew goblins could do that.” We had not had many lessons on goblins. Their species often kept to themselves and lived miles away from any other creature so Simon never saw a reason to elaborate on them.

  “Only one kind could do that, a rare and evil kind.” Simon said in his lesson voice. “They can take the form of anyone they have drunk blood from. They can look like them and speak in their voice but they can’t take their memories.” That’s why it did not recognize me at first.

  “How could I have known that? I mean I have to have heard it before to have dreamt about it right?”

  “Maybe you heard mom and dad talking about it,” Simon whispered. He opened the front door for me. “You should eat something. I’m going to take a shower.”

  He did not wait for a reply before he went to his room. Maybe my dream spooked him also.

  I went into the kitchen and made a strawberry jelly sandwich. As I ate, my mind kept drifting back to the dream. The goblin’s face appeared every time I closed my eyes, his cat like eyes piercing me. Then they morphed with the woman from the rivers eyes.

  Good luck sleeping tonight Annie. I thought. There was no way that was going to happen. I finished washing my plate and made my way to my room. I grabbed my spell book off the bookshelf. I turned to the binding spell and focused on memorizing it.

  A pede constringo vos malum.

  Attingens a manu teneo ut noceret mihi.

  Uoces ore processit alligo ad malum.

  Quin animus viresque constringo malum.

  Si usque ad id, negative industria omnia mitti ad te proxime!

  (I bind your feet from bringing you to harm me.

  I bind your hands from reaching out to harm me.

  I bind your mouth from spreading tales to harm me.

  I bind your mind from sending energy to harm me.

  If you continue to do so, let all negative energy be cast directly back at you!)

  I repeated the phrase in my mind and a few times aloud. A few hours later, I was confident I would remember it and closed the book. After tidying up my room, I took a shower.

  The clock read nine o’clock when I got out. I quickly braided my hair and went out to the living room. Simon was reading a book on the loveseat. His eyes focused on every word written on it.

  “Did you bring in Mary yet?” I asked him when I saw the sun setting outside. The dark red light illuminated the trees causing them to look as if they would burst into flames at any moment. It was oddly soothing.

  “No. I forgot about the time. Can you do it?” His eyes were still reading the words on the pages of his book.

  I sighed and put on my coat since it got freezing cold once the sun went down. I called for Mary. When she did not come running to me as she always did with Simon, I panicked. I called for her again and saw her come out of the forest on the far end of the lot. What was she doing there?

  “Why were you in the woods Mary?” I asked her as if she would reply. I put her in her stall and she instantly walked over to the spot the blood had been in my dreams. I made sure there was grain and water for her before closing her stall door. Hope had her head poking out of her stall when I walked by so I made sure she had food and water as well before walking out the barn. I put the lock on the door, checking to make sure it was locked before going back to the cabin.

  “Was she in the forest again?” Simon said when I took off my coat. His face was still in the book in his hands.

  “Yea. How did you know?”

  “I heard you calling out for her. She likes it for some reason.” He shrugged his shoulders. “The only horse I’ve ever met who went in there voluntarily.”

  I thought about that for a second. Maybe it was just the tree’s that intrigued her; after all, they are purple. She is used to seeing brown one’s back on earth. Can horses even see color?

  “Go to sleep, Annie. Nothing is going to happen.”

  “You say that now,” I grumbled as I played with the hem of my shirt. He finally looked away from his book. His eyes locked with mine. I instantly felt safe as if a warm protective blanket had been draped over my low shoulders.

  “Go to sleep,” He repeated. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

  I did as he told and had no dreams that night.

  ~*~

  The next three days flew by. Simon tried to keep me as occupied as possible. He even had me help him cut fire wood. He taught me how to brush Mary, something I had never done before, and clean her stall, something he always did for me. We also had many lessons about languages and goblins.

  Like witches, there were many different kinds of goblins. The one I had dreamt about was a Trow. They can take the form of anything that had blood running throughout their bodies by drinking their blood. They prefer to be in the form of other beings because they cannot stand the sight of themselves. These creatures though are rare as there is only a handful alive. They hate staying in one place for too long so no one knows for sure how many still live. Oh did I mention they love to kill.

  I was surprised at how easily Simon was able to keep my mind busy from wondering. Before I knew it the four days were up. My parents were supposed to be here any hour and I could not be happier to see them. I have never gone that long without them and I hated it. I miss hearing my dad’s gruff voice telling Simon to do chores he does not like to and my mom’s warm eyes comforting us.

  “When are they going to be here?” I asked Simon for the tenth time that night.

  “Are we inpatient today? They will be here when they get here Annie.”

  My hands started to tap my thighs impatiently so I occupied them by braiding and unbraiding my hair. Simon brought me one of his books. I mumbled my thanks and started to read. I finished it within three hours.

  “Imma be outside,” I walked out to where Mary was grazing. I had really gotten to like her these past couple of days. She trotted over to me and bumped her head against my side. I brought out a sugar cube from my bag and she happily took it from my hands.

  “Good girl.” I scratched behind her ear she seemed to like that. “I hope they get here soon.”

  Chapter Three

  “Dad.” His strong arms wrapped around me and held me tight to him. His warmth instantly made me feel safe. All thoughts from the past couple of days left my mind. Nothing bad would ever happen to us, as long as my family was here.

  “Well hello to you Anastasia.” My mom murmured behind him. I let him go and gave my mom a hug. She barely reached my chin. It was then that I noticed the man waiting by
the horses. His tall frame easily towered over my father’s six feet. He wore a simple gray t-shirt and blue jeans and had a hand woven bracelet on his right arm.

  “Oh,” My father said when he saw me looking at the stranger. “This is Kenelm Rosewell. He will be staying with us for the night.”

  The man looked back from his horse at his name. He had a handsome face with thin lips that spread into a wide smile when he saw me. A sense of comfort fell over me at the sight of his eyes. They were the same blue as mine.

  “Anastasia.” He slightly bowed his head at me. I looked to my father not sure what to do. Did I bow back? Curtsy? He just nodded in the direction of Kenelm.

  “It’s nice to meet you Kenelm.” I simply replied.

  “Simon, can you show Kenelm to his room?” My brother picked up Kenelm’s bag and ushered him inside. I followed them with my eyes until they disappeared behind the door.

  “Who is he? Why is he here?” I turned to my parents before they took their horses in.

  “He is an important man and he is here because he asked to stay the night.” Mom took her stuff off the small wagon their horses had towed. She walked her horse to the barn. Her carry on was bigger than her. She was dragging it behind her small frame. My dad was about to help her when I asked him the same question again.

  “He is an old friend. It is only for the night, Annie. He will be gone before lunch tomorrow.” Dad started to tow his horse after mom.

  “Why?” I asked him as I grabbed Kenelm’s horse to follow us to the barn. “We haven’t interacted with anybody here before let alone let anyone stay the night, even back on Earth.”

  “Anastasia, leave it be.” The sternness in his voice startled me. He never talked to me like that.

  I stomped back into the cabin after I put the horse into the extra stall. No one was in the living area so I made my way to my room nearly screaming when I opened my door. Kenelm was sitting at my desk. His strong hands held the picture of me and my brother when we first visited the Grand Canyon when I was eight. He did not seem to notice I had entered the room.

  “What are you doing?” I asked him crossing my arms in the doorway.

  His head moved slightly at the sound of my voice but still did not look at me. “I was curious.”

  “Yeah well you’re sorta invading my space.” The venom in my voice even shocked me. It did not seem to faze Kenelm as he just smiled.

  “I’m sorry your majesty.” Your Majesty? He placed the photo back down but did not make a move to leave the chair. His eyes roamed the room before landing on me. The smile that tugged on his face should have bothered me but it did not. I found myself smiling in response.

  “Why are you here?” I asked. If my parents were not going to tell me I had to go to the source.

  “A visit. You’re parents are great friends of mine it’s been too long since I’ve seen them last.” His face lit up at the memories that went through his mind.

  “How long ago was that?”

  “You were just born. Not even a week old when you all moved to earth.” That was nineteen years ago. They must have been real good friends in order for my parents to agree to let him stay.

  “How do you know my parents?” So far, he was the only person in this house who answered all the questions I asked him. Maybe I could get him to answer some more.

  “Celesta was my wife’s closest friend and I worked with Alder since we were young.”

  “Where is your wife now?” I leaned up against the doorframe and looked intently at the man in front of me. He casted his eyes down for a quick moment before lifting them back to me. A look of sadness had moved into his smiling eyes.

  “She died,” he whispered softly.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said straitening myself up. I felt like kicking myself for asking such a question.

  “Don’t be. She gave me a beautiful daughter with whom I love so much.” His blue eyes sparkled at me and his grin grew wide.

  “I would love to meet her,” I said.

  He just smiled at me in response.

  “Annie, can you help me with dinner please?” Mom yelled from the end of the hallway.

  “I’ll be right there mom,” I yelled to the living room. Kenelm stood up from my desk chair.

  “It was nice to get a chance to chat with you, your majesty.” His voice seem to spread around my body, making me feel safe the way my dad’s would. “I should find your father.”

  He walked out of my room being extra careful not to bump into me on the way out since I had not moved from the doorway. I followed suit to help mom with dinner.

  My thoughts kept drifting to Kenelm’s wife. I wondered how she had died. How long they were married. How, exactly, did she know my mom. My heart ached just thinking of what he had been through. Never getting the chance to see the person you love ever again. I do not think I would have the strength to go through that. If I lost my parents or Simon, I do not know what I would do.

  However, Kenelm had his daughter. She was there for him when his wife passed away. Helping to bring him comfort in those dark days where I am sure the only thing he wanted to do was die himself.

  After dinner, Simon and I tended to the horses in the barn.

  “Who is this Kenelm guy?” I asked as I brought his horse out of the stall. He was a very stunning horse, reminding me much of Kenelm himself. I was not sure what kind of horse he was. His mane was perfectly white with one black spot on his left shoulder blade. His brown eyes looked at us with such happiness.

  “He’s an old friend. We used to live next door to each other.” Simon continued to brush Hope and never once looked up at me.

  “What’s he like?” I asked as I began to brush Kenelm’s horse.

  “Why do you want to know?” Simon finally lifted his face to look me in the eyes. He was searching for something in them.

  “He is spending the night in our home. I think I deserve to know who is sleeping in the room across from me.”

  “Okay, fair enough. Well, he’s a nice guy, usually pretty quiet. He’s a Bandraoi.” I stopped my hands from brushing the horse. I had never met anyone from another coven before. The Bandraoi had the power of all the covens. They are the masters at controlling the elements. Most often they could get spells to work without any ingredients or words said. From what Simon taught me they were highly thought of by, not only the covens, but all species.

  “Whoa,” I whispered. “Simon, do you think he knows anything about the sword of Ustrina?”

  “Yes,” he laughed. “Of course he does but I don’t think he knows where it is. I told you, that sword is long gone.”

  He was probably right. It most likely did not even exist. Like most people said, it is just a tale. But I wanted it to be real. I wasn’t sure why but I felt like it was somewhere on this planet just waiting to be found once again.

  We spent the rest of the night cleaning the stalls.

  *~*

  Kenelm left early in the morning just as dad said he would. I have to admit that I was sad when I saw him leave on his horse. I wanted him to stay a little longer. I wanted to talk to him and get some more answers. Who knows when he would be back, if ever. My parents were not exactly social people.

  I spent the whole day with Mary, cleaning her stall, brushing her, taking her out for rides. I knew Simon would tell our parents what had happened while they were gone. I was not quite ready to discuss it with them.

  Simon joined me on my last ride of the day with his horse, Hope. We both decided to go the opposite way of the red river. My heart raced and my breath quickened at just the thought of it.

  “What do you think of Kenelm,” he asked me once we were under the protection of the trees.

  “He seemed okay, although, I found him snooping through my room last night before dinner.”

  “He was just curious,” Simon chuckled moving a branch away before it hit him.

  “Funny, he said the same thing.”

  Simon ducked underneath another
outreached branch before he shrugged his shoulders. Something was up. I could feel it.

  “What’s going on Simon?” Even though he was in front of me and could not see my expression, I still narrowed my eyes at him.

  “What do you mean?” He looked forward, not meeting the eyes he felt piercing into his back.

  “Mom and dad never invite anyone over to our house. You don’t think last night was a little weird, even if he was an old friend.”

  “No,” he shrugged. “You were too young to remember him but our families were close.”

  “Oh, yeah? Then why have you guys never talked about them?” Simon remained quite. I could tell the wheels were turning in his head to come up with an excuse. Why could no one just answer me straight forward? “Forget I said anything. I’m going back home.”

  I got Mary to turn around and gallop the way back. We had not gone far so it was a quick ride. After I got her unsaddled, I walked to my room. Simon was just coming out of the woods.

  “We never talked about them because we were trying to protect you Annie,” he called after me.

  I looked over to my brother still on his horse. His eyes were pleading me to believe him and not to ask anymore questions. But I couldn’t help myself.

  “Protect me from what, Simon?”

  “Yourself,” He whispered so low I almost missed it.

  “What?” He could not be serious. “Why would I need protection from myself?”

  “There are things you don’t know about yourself, things that could hurt you, hurt others,” he said quickly.

  “How could I possibly hurt anyone? You’re not making any sense Simon.” He got off Hope and walked toward me. He stopped a foot away from my body. I could see how tensed he was. It felt like he was scared to tell me the truth.

  “It’s getting late, let’s talk about this tomorrow. I promise I will answer all your questions.” I had not even noticed that the sun had begun to set. I sighed and nodded to him before I walked to my room. I hoped he did not change his mind come tomorrow morning.

  ~*~

  “Annie, wake up!” Someone violently grabbed my arm and tried to shake me awake. “Annie!”