Love Laced

Making my way through the trees, I decided to hover over the roots and dirt. Not only did I not want to ruin my boots, but the forest was a lot thicker than I was used to and I didn’t want to trip. The last thing I needed was to get stuck somewhere. There wasn’t anyone out here, so who the hell would be there to help me out if it happened.

“You’re a time traveler, dumbass…” I muttered to myself. I pushed through some shrubbery, cursing the heavens as my hair got tangled in the branches.

“I swear to god, I’m gonna burn this place to the ground…” I spat as I basically tore through it. Looking behind me, I scowled darkly as a couple red strands of hair could be seen tangled in the leaves. I hated all of this traveling. The lack of somewhere normal to walk was starting to wear on me.

Persephone is definitely trying to lead me astray. I thought to myself as I exited the thickness of the forest. I sighed as I ran right into the base of the mountain.

“So my options are trudge through the thick forest or climb up the steep ass mountain…fucking great…” I sighed to myself, crossing my arms. My head still hurt from the forest basically stripping me for some samples, so I decided I would trek up the mountain.

The mountain was a lot steeper than I had originally anticipated. I was only halfway up and my muscles ached, every fiber of my being telling me to let go. But I couldn’t. My hovering was a useful ability, but it wouldn’t work this far above ground. I could levitate, but it’s not like I could fly. No, I would leave that talent to reptile boy. If I let go, I would surely hit the ground, and I couldn’t go back and change it if my arms were broken...or if I was dead. I wasn’t confident my magic would even work with me being this tired. I sighed and tried to pull myself up somewhere I could rest. If my body got a minute, I would be able to regain some strength, maybe turn back the clock and rethink this stupid trek up the mountain.

I tried to pull myself up, but to no avail. I bit my lip, pissed off that I had put myself in this situation. If I didn’t figure out something soon, I would fall. I shifted my feet, moving my right leg from the short protruding rock it had been resting on, trying to turn my body around. Maybe a tree would be close by and I could jump into it. I slowly turned my body to the right, but my weak muscles couldn’t hold my body weight. My left knee buckled and my arms slipped as I dropped from my spot on the mountain, falling with a scream. I closed my eyes, anticipating the impact with the ground but after a few seconds, I realized I was no longer falling. I hesitantly opened my eyes only to find out I was hovering. It seemed the air itself had wrapped around me and I was floating just above the treetops. I blinked a few times and looked up. I noticed him immediately. White hair, about as white as the clouds that hung over us, his eyes a dark purple. “A mage…what the hell is a mage doing this far out?”

“A big fish I have caught in my net! Witch fish bewitched!” I raised my eyebrow, completely lost.

“Am I supposed to know what that means? Or does your babbling mean nothing?” I asked, confusion not being one of my favorite feelings. I was also a little caught off guard. “I know I don’t exactly hide it, but how does this guy know I’m a witch?”

“Minty scent. Come I have others!” I blinked. How could he have possibly…?

“Did you just answer a question I asked in my head?” I inquired. If I was in the presence of a mind reader, this could get interesting. “Also...minty scent? That literally makes no sense. You’re not even close enough to smell me.” I crossed my arms. Yes, I must have appeared ungrateful to this mage who just saved my life, but things seemed off and not in the good way.

“Hm...same race, different horse. You must be tired. I have a bed set out for you. Time races before you are reunited. For now, rest.” As the words were leaving his lips, I had been plucked out of midair and he was now tugging me by my wrist. I would have fought if not for how tired my body still was. I wasn’t strong enough to fight off a racoon, let alone a powerful mage. I let out sigh.

“By the sounds of it, you were expecting me?” I asked him, unable to hide my annoyance at the whole situation. I had to keep myself from tripping over stones on the way to wherever we were going.

“I was expecting someone. Didn’t have a clue who.” Again, that made no sense, but I was beyond trying to process anything. That was until we came up to a meadow. It was beautiful, but for me it felt a little out of place. The meadow was lush and seemed to go on for miles, which had to be impossible considering we were on the top of a mountain. The mage tugged me passed the meadow onto a dirt trail. I was certain I was going to trip over every little step, but this mage managed to keep me on my feet somehow as we walked to a hole in mountain top. ‘Hazel, that doesn’t spell anything good…’

“Alright, whoever you are. I think I’m just gonna go…” I told him, trying to pry my wrist from his grip. I was tired, but I still had some form of self preservation. A mysterious mage pulling me down into some dark hole? It sounded like the beginning of a horror movie.

“James, the winds of change have blown good fortune our way for we meet this not so stranger this day. This lovely young woman is a guest of mine, would you kindly bring her something to dine? And don! Treat her kindly. She is of me.” I blinked a little bit as someone stepped out from the cave opening. James turned out to be a young boy, obviously a mage and no older than ten. His sandy blonde hair stopped just before his purple eyes. A mage? What is another mage doing here? What the hell is going on? I asked myself.

“Right away Master Alan.” James turned his attention to me and offered me a kind smile. I finally managed to break the grip on my wrist and was now rubbing the spot gently with my fingers. I looked from the kid to the other mage to find he was gone. Vanished into thin air as if the child would be enough to make me go inside. He was replaced by an elf with light blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.

“You have got to be kidding me…” I mumbled to myself.

“Don’t mind him. He means well, he’s just a little crazy.” the elf commented.

“You don’t say.” I scoffed. “And who are you supposed to be anyway? Where the hell am I?” I asked.

“I’m Harvey, this is James and the mage from before is Alan. He’s the creator of our hideaway.” he answered me. I sighed in frustration, about to snap.

“That’s it! I am tired, hungry, my muscles are sore, I’m lost, and now I have one hell of a headache-”

“We can help you with all of that. Master Alan has gotten a room ready for you, our new arrival. There is food waiting for you inside too.” Harvey interrupted me.

“And I’m just supposed to believe that you people just show up out of the blue to offer me food and shelter because what...you’re kind? Things that sound too good to be true always are.” I snapped, crossing my arms. I slid a hand through my hair, which was starting to feel like the inside of an Easter basket and shook my head. “I’m not an idiot. Would rather go hungry tonight then get butchered tomorrow.”

I turned on my heel and started stalking away from the cave entrance.

“Wait!” Harvey called after me, but I ignored him. None of what had just happened made any sense and I wasn’t about to be led away. I had someone to find and I was sick of wasting time being mentally punched by mages I didn’t know. Nobody just steps off a mountain and offers the perfect hospitality. Things like that just don’t happen.

As I walked, I reached for my bag, pulling it in front of me and peering inside. I shuffled through the seemingly useless things. Sage, crystals, herbs I’d found in the forest, plus some normal everyday things like my hairbrush and green nail polish. I was hoping I would find something to snack on, but I had finished what I had been taken from the last hotel a few hours before. I sighed lightly, gasping when I ran into something soft face first. I looked from my bag and blinked but immediately went on the offensive. The mage from before. Alan was it? How did he get all the way out here without me hearing him?

I raised my leg in an attempt to kick him but he easily grabbed my ankle and pulled, picking me off the ground and hanging me upside down. I sent a kick to the back of his head with my free foot, to which he dropped me. I got to my feet and started running as fast as I could. I sent my right hand to my side abruptly and snapped my fingers, trying to stop time but I was completely drained. My powers wouldn’t be working with me. I groaned in pain as I slammed into an invisible wall, bashing my nose into it with a crunch. The wall seemed to wrap around me and lift me off the ground and no matter how hard I fought against it, it wouldn’t budge. A cocoon made of air, inescapable in its grip. The cloak I was wearing wrapped around me, creating some kind of witch burrito.

“No!” I shouted as the mage began his walk back to the cave entrance, taking me helplessly along with him. I struggled and screamed as we drew nearer to it. James and Harvey waited in front of it, but they were quickly ushered to go inside before us, to which they immediately complied.

Oh god...I’m gonna die. This mage is taking me to be slaughtered. Maybe Persephone hired him. The thought that my former guardian could be the reason I was about to be killed made my blood boil. I wished I could bash her face in with something sharp and heavy. As he passed the threshold of the cave, I peered up at the sky, convinced it would be the last time I would see it.

He walked down stone steps into the interior of the cave, the light changing from natural light to fire light. Torches lined the walls, shining a dim light over everything in front of us. The hallways seemed carved out, the hallways breaking off into separate paths. Once we cleared the dim hallways, he stepped down another flight of stone steps, revealing a beautiful waterfall, roaring as the water slid down the wall and slammed into the pond below it. ….what? The waterfall lay in the middle of a city, or a least a mini one. Room after room set up as though they were normal buildings, the paths carved into a substitute for sidewalk, I could hear faint voices, the sounds of people living. I could also hear running water in the distance and wouldn’t have been surprised if it was a giant body of water.

“What is this place?” I found myself asking. Alan turned his amethyst gaze to me and laughed.

“A home! Such as they are…” Whatever that meant. He continued walking until he came to a series of doors. It looked like the level of an apartment building, rows of doors that probably gave way to functioning homes. He stopped abruptly at one and turned the knob, walking in. It was dim, but it was spacious. There was a stone couch, a kitchen like area, and a room off the side where I was sure a bed would be waiting.

“All yours! Don’t be too loud now. You’re neighbors have kids!” Alan said as he let me go, my feet making contact with the cool stone.

“Wha- My neighbors?” I tried, looking around. Upon further inspection, there were actually cushions on the couch, the kitchen had a sink and there was small appliances everywhere.

“Enjoy your stay, Hazel.” I heard the door close behind me and I bit my lip. I didn’t bother to wonder how the mage knew my name. He probably knew a lot more than that too. I stood in one place for awhile, not wanting to get familiar with my surroundings. I was still on edge and I tried to remind myself that I had just been kidnapped for all intents and purposes. Eventually though, my legs for reprieve so I took a seat on the couch, which was actually quite comfortable with the cushions on it. I nibbled the inside of my lip, assessing my situation.

“Keep it together Hazel. You’ll figure a way out of this.” I nodded. If I could just stop his time, I could escape him. But I need food, water, sleep. As if on cue, a soft knock on the door caused me to jump. I walked over to it cautiously, trying to keep my hands from shaking. “Who is it?” I asked.

“It’s Harvey. I was asked to bring you something to eat.” he answered. I debated just ignoring him and heading back to the couch, but my stomach howled at the sound of the word food. If Harvey had some, I needed it. I could use it to get out of there. I gripped the doorknob and turned it slowly, pulling it open just enough so I could peek out. Harvey smiled immediately upon seeing me and held up the tray in his hands. “In the mood for fish? The salmon is fresh.” he assured. I didn’t want him coming in, so I simply reached out for the tray, which he let me wrap my fingers around and pull inside my room, closing the door and locking it without a word. I walked back to the couch and set the tray next to me, inspecting it. It didn’t seem particularly harmful and I didn’t smell anything particularly dangerous. It all smelled delicious, in fact. The salmon smelled fishy, but it was clean and it hinted of a lemony garlic flavor. It was served with some mashed potatoes, carrots, and a bottle of water. My stomach screamed at me to just swallow my pride so I could start swallowing some food. I huffed and after a serious mental deliberation, I picked up the fork provided and took a hesitant bite of the salmon.

It was good, as I figured it would be and the second I took one bite, I needed to have another. I delved into my dinner like a savage, eating it faster than I had eaten anything in a long time. Before long, I had made quick work of the salmon and moved on to the potatoes before finishing with the carrots. The water was a nice finish, settling everything in my stomach before I threw it all up. I sat back against the stone of the couch and let out a heavy sigh. My body was definitely thanking me for the addition of some substance, but now that I wasn't thinking about eating, I needed to be thinking of a way out.

There was always the chance I could sneak out, but if Alan could hear my thoughts, I wasn't going to get far. Plus, I was sure I was under some kind of surveillance. I make a move they don't like, they probably put me under heavier lock down. Then there was always the option of just waiting till my powers would work and stopping time momentarily, but I didn't know how long that would take or if it would even work against a mage like Alan. I hadn't come into contact with many other magic users, but he was something else. His presence just oozed power and it wasn't something I was confident in taking on. So what else was there? Maybe if I waited and figured out why I had been taken there, I could figure a way to escape. Maybe getting in contact with someone on the outside?

Gabe! If I can get a hold of reptile-boy, he might be able to help me!

I scrambled from the couch and reached for my bag, pulling out the journal I used to scribble down letters to my friend Gabriel. I hadn't seen him in years, but I still managed to keep in touch with him. We often sent letters back and forth and with any luck, he would be expecting one from me any day. I didn't know what he could do, but I assumed that maybe his being immune to magic would help. I slid my green cloak off and draped it over the back of the couch. My pen hit the page and I wrote as legibly as I could.

"Gabe/Reptile-Boy

You tell anyone about this letter and I'll deny it.

I need your help. I've been taken and am being held hostage by rouge mages. I don't know what they want but it can't be anything good. The place seems to be a man-made city structure built into a mountain, and I've never seen anything like it. I unfortunately don't know where it is or where I am, and I'm sorry that I don't have much to go on.

The mage who took me calls himself Alan. He's quite powerful and I don't think I can escape this place on my own. Send help as fast as you can.

Hazel Lovelace."

I rolled the letter up as fast as I could and taped the ends of it. I pulled out the herbs and crystals from my bag, shuffling through the ones I could use to cast a spell. I couldn't get to the surface to send the letter, but with the right ingredients, I could get the letter to mail itself.

Taking the salt shaker, I poured a small circle in front of me on the floor, setting one of my quartz crystals in the middle along with a candle I found resting in the living room. I set the letter on top of the crystal and let out a deep breath, sitting cross-legged in front of my now activated circle. I grabbed a small pouch of small, pick, potent flower called Leaf's Bramble.

"Ancestors, hear me. Guardians and Witches alike, hear my call.

I ask one task, one task alone, a simple made request.

Take my message, deliver it now to the dragon who bears the royal crest."

I took a small branch of Leaf's Bramble and held it over the candle, allowing it to set fire to the dried petals.

"Witches of old, witches of new. This is all I ask from you. With this deed please be discreet and keep this message from being seen.

I char this herb with simple flame and send this letter to the name: Gabriel Whitebridge."

As soon as I finished saying his name, the piece of journal paper lifted up slowly, the air around it rippling gently. It raised high toward the ceiling at a moderate pace and I was starting to get uneasy at the lack of urgency it seemed to have. Maybe I cast the spell wrong? I thought as I got to my feet. As if sensing my frustration, the letter took off like a bat out of hell, crunching into the door. I rolled my eyes and walked over to it, turning the knob and allowing the letter to escape. I smiled and watched the letter take off like a plane. I prayed that no one would notice it as it dashed for the surface. The only thing I could do at that point was wait.

I closed the door, locking it, and immediately began cleaning up. If anyone walked in, they didn't need to know I had help on the way. After clearing the area of any evidence, I decided I might take a look around. I didn't know how long I would be stuck there and it couldn't hurt. The living space was straight forward and so was the kitchen-like area. Had a sink and everything. I walked back into what turned out to be the bedroom. The bed was made of stone but the mattress on top of it looked comfortable. I wondered for a minute if resting my eyes would be a good idea. I shook my head, face-palming. I couldn't be thinking about sleep. The last room in the small place was an unfinished bathroom.

I took that moment to freshen up a bit. It wasn't enough, not like a full shower, but it was nice to wash off some of the sweat and grime from my climb up the mountain. My fire red locks brushed against my hips as I took the pony tail out, letting my hands comb through it before taking a hair brush to it I wished I could wash my hair but it was nice to have it down and to get a brush through it.

I rested again on the couch waiting for something, anything to happen and it just...didn't. I wondered if this was just Persephone having me held till she could get far enough away to stop leaving a trail that could be followed. I hoped that wasn't the case. Tracking her proved to be a difficult enough task, but I didn't know I would do if I lost track of her. I laid my head down on one of the cushions, letting out a deep breath. I did what I could to keep my eyes open, but the events of the day had me mentally and physically exhausted.

What would mages want with a witch? What could they possibly gain by keeping me here? Questions plagued my mind for a few hours, keeping myself awake with sheer determination alone. I did succumb to my exhaustion however and I fell asleep, wrapped up in my cloak. hoping that Gabriel would come through soon.

.......................................................................................................

I woke up the next morning to a soft knock on the door. I blinked a few times, looking around the room before I sat up, wincing at the soreness in my back cause from the awkward angle. I slid a hand through my messy hair and looked toward the door when there was another knock. How long had I been asleep? There wasn't a concept of time as I couldn't see any sunlight, so my best educated guess was all I had. After a third knock on the door, I got to my feet, letting my wobbly legs take me over to it.

"Hazel, are you awake? Alan would like to see you for breakfast if you're interested." Harvey's voice made it's way to me through the door. I frowned, not really open to having any kind of discussion with the man.

"You can tell Alan that he can-" I stopped myself mid-sentence. What was I doing? I still didn't know what they wanted from me and I still wasn't any closer to getting out of there. I sighed lightly, nibbling my lip before turning the knob and inching the door open. Harvey stood there with James "That he can expect me for breakfast." I answered, looking at the ten year old. He was wearing a purple shirt with slits on either side, tied around him with a yellow sash. Harvey was dressed a bit differently, grey pants, a button down shirt with a brown vest. I hoped that not everyone wore something like that. Then I hoped that I wouldn't be forced to wear something like that.

"That's great to hear! Master Alan will be please. Follow me." Harvey instructed and I reached for my cloak, sliding it on before following him out of the room.

Walking through the interior of the cave was just as daunting the second time. The ceilings were towering above us hundreds of feet, you could hear the waterfall located in the center, and this time, there were people bustling. All were wearing the same purple shirts, but the sashes were different colors. Some were yellow like James', some were blue, some were red, and the rest were green. I didn't understand it at all. Was it just a preference? Or was there a meaning to it all. As bustling as the place was, it was still pretty quiet. It didn't look like too many people were living in the cave, which I couldn't blame them. That's when I noticed it. Everyone had one thing in common.

Purple eyes. Everyone around me was a mage. What...what are they all doing here?

"What is this place?" I asked Harvey who looked over at me.

"This is a home for mages. Alan created this place for mages who were on the run from Sanctuaries or were being hunted by hunters. Some of them are just rogue but all of them needed somewhere safe they could live." he answered. I looked around, watching carefully. There were children running around, the adults were drinking coffee, laying out laundry, everything seemed so...normal. How is something like this even possible? How do you get people here? How do you convince them to stay?

"What are the sashes for?" I asked.

"They signify what element a particular mage is gifted with. Yellow for air, blue for water, red for fire, and green for earth." I looked to James and nodded. He was an air mage then.

"And Alan? What about him?" Harvey smiled.

"I believe he's been gifted with air." he answered. We walked up to a door and James' knocked softly. It opened immediately and we were both greeted the sight of a messy haired Alan.

"Hazel! You dared to leave the comfort of your room." he smiled. I rolled my eyes.

"I wouldn't call it comfortable and it's not mine." I snapped, crossing my arms. "Are you gonna invite me in or what?"

"What are you, a vampire? Simply use your feet Hazel." he chuckled as he stepped aside. I debated turning on my heel and walking back to the room I stayed in, but I needed to know why I was there. And I needed to know if my powers would work against him. So I took a deep breath and stepped inside. Upon inspection, his room looked about the same as mine, albeit a little bit more lived in. There was a stone couch with a stone coffee table that had confections all over the top. Typical breakfast foods covered every inch. He gestured me to walk over and take a seat, and I obeyed without a word, keeping my eyes on the food and not on him.

"You no doubt have questions." he started and I scoffed.

"That's understatement!" I spat, turning to face him. "You kidnapped me. You're damn right I've got some questions." He grabbed a plate and started stacking food on top of it as if I hadn't said anything. I practically screamed. I got to my feet and knocked the plate out of his hand. "What do you want with me? Why the hell am I here?" I asked him angrily, my voice cold. He met my gaze calmly crossing his legs.

"I don't want anything from you. And why are you here? You have ample opportunity to leave. Just stop time and go." he said, making my heart stop. He knows my powers. He knows my name, my magic, he probably knows about the letter form yesterday.

"And how do I know for sure that would work?"

"Why don't you try and find out? I'm not stopping you." He challenged. I raised an eyebrow and flicked my right arm out, snapping my fingers. I felt my magic surge through my arm and in an instant, Alan froze. The room around me stood completely still. Even the flames on the candles were immobile. My powers work! I smiled, grabbing a couple pieces of food for the road before turning on my heel. I ran back down to the room I was in and grabbed my things as quickly as I could, stuffing the food in my bag.

I ran up the flights of stairs to the surface only to be blinded by sunlight. I blinked a few times, hoping the stinging in my eyes would subside.

"At this rate, you'll never find her." I told myself stumbling from the opening.

"You're looking for someone?" I screamed at the sound of Harvey's voice. I whipped around to face him, my hands at the ready.

"None of your business." I replied.

"Hazel, you'll be much safer here than on the road." I heard Harvey say as he emerged from the cave. "You don't have to go."

"That's supposed to make me stay?" I asked, sarcasm thick in my voice.

"Just give us a chance. Give us ten minutes. If we haven't convinced you to stay after that, then you are free to leave." Harvey offered. I gaped at him. He couldn't be serious.

"Ten minutes?"

"That's it."

"Then I can go?"

"Then you can go." he assured. I sighed lightly, sliding a hand through my hair again. Nibbling my lip, I caved. Ten minutes...

"Fine, but don't think I won't make mincemeat out of you if you're lying." Harvey smiled and offered his hand to me, which I refused. I crossed my arms and followed him back down to the city. He walked me over to an empty building, unlocking the door and walking in. I stood in awe for a moment. There was a giant vanity mirror in the middle of the room with lights strews about it. They weren't on, but I could tell what they were for. There were electric supplies on the vanity and I walked up to them.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"A salon. Your salon." Harvey answered, leaning against the door frame. My head snapped in his direction.

"Mine?"

"You like to do hair, don't you?" I gaped.

"But how do you know that?"

"Alan told me. Got this place ready for you last night. It's not completely done, but I figure you might fit in a little better with a place of your own. What do you think?" he asked me.

"What do I think?" I honestly didn't know how I thought. Doing hair was a passion of mine, sure, but I wasn't expecting a full fledged salon to be laid out for me like this. I wasn't sure what they were playing at. "I think it's too good to be true."

"Come on Hazel. Just give it a chance."

"Stop saying that elf-boy." I snapped, looking around. Maybe a few days in the cave wouldn't be so bad. If I just spent all my time doing hair, the days would fly by, wouldn't they?

Besides, when Gabriel came for me, I would definitely be leaving.