The Forgotten Zodiac

"Rescue? You can tell him that you don't need rescued. You're not leaving me, either of you, and you're not going to be taken away by these people." Ela snorted, then pointed to the back rooms. "Back to your rooms. Go, now." She snapped. "I'll take care of things."

Verdi, his ears drooping, chose to slowly walk back to their room.

Israel, however, stayed put. "I want a say in all of this," he said determinedly, crossing his arms and not moving. Bermuda nodded to the Siren, then turned his gaze to Ela.

Israel, however, stayed put. "I want a say in all of this," he said determinedly, crossing his arms and not moving. Bermuda nodded to the Siren, then turned his gaze to Ela.

Ela frowned and immediately shook her head. "No. You're not allowed. Keep your mouth shut, Israel." She suddenly grabbed him by the collar. "I bought you for a fair price. I fished you out of the Black Market on a gamble, and no, you didn't let me down...but you know what happens if you leave! You can't do that to me, you can't do that to Lilac. I will not allow a slave to leave and allow that little girl to turn into a filthy prostitute at the hands of starvation!"

She turned to Bermuda. "You, leave. These two are legally mine, and you won't be taking them anywhere. I don't care who you are or what you say from here on. Just close your mouth and leave."

"B-Bermuda!" Israel stammered, shocked at Ela's sudden personality change. "B-But..."

"Since when was there a slave trade in Foamalaught? I thought that only went on with the Sirens!" Bermuda snapped, looking angry. "Leave Israel alone! I..." he stopped abrubtly, realizing he had just been about to blurt "I am the prince" and had sense enough to know that announcing that was not in his best interests.

"You have no further business here, now leave, or--" Ela started at a low hiss, but stopped short and nearly screamed as Makke jabbed two fingers into the small of her back. The witch silenced the sound of the scream before it could get out. Electricity surged into Ela, coursing through her like lightning and fire. She collapsed in a silent heap, twitching slightly.

"I've had enough of this." Makke snarled. She pushed Israel towards Bermuda. "You, go with him. I'll get the fuzzy guy. Get to the broomsticks, the others are probably waiting on us."

"But--" Israel began, but Bermuda cut across the Siren's words.

"Move now, explain later," he said curtly, pulling the hood back over his head and grabbing Israel by the wrist, pulling him along.

By the time Makke emerged with a squirming pillowcase, Ela had enough energy left in her to grab at the witch's feet. "Do-don't..." She rasped weakly. "You...do-don't know what you're...doing..." She groaned as Makke ripped her foot away and stormed off.

"Let's GO," She snapped at the others, who were only close to the door by now. She pushed them both out and slammed the door behind her, sitting down on her broomstick. "Off we go."

Bermuda kept a firm grip on Israel's hand as he mounted the broomstick. "Go, go, GO!" he said, glancing around in the hopes that no one would think their departure odd.

"Calm down, we don't have Nana," Makke lifted off, glaring at the building. There was suddenly a flash of light in one of the windows, and Makke sighed. "She teleported. We'll find her later. Let's get out of here," She started off, the few she had brought for protection zooming after her. "Are you satisfied, Bermuda? That Ela person was a real charmer," She laughed a bit.

"I certainly didn't understand her intentions at all," the nereid murmured.

Israel was a sour bundle of black feathers as he watched the circus tents grow smaller in the distance. He let out a deep sigh, saying nothing.

"Something about a little girl. Who knows? It doesn't really matter," Makke shrugged, continuing on.

The flight back to Halberd Hall was long and silent after that. Makke landed and let the others off, smiling a bit. "There you have it. Done and done. Have fun walking back to the Palace. You probably don't want us there, considering..." Witches were attracted to high magic energy. The Sancuary in the Manakete Palace was one such place. Makke didn't want to endanger herself or get caught up in its energy, which would endanger others.

"Yeah, thanks," Bermuda said, smiling and nodding. He clapped a hand on Israel's shoulder. "You ready to go see Verolen?" he asked. Israel hesitated, but then offered a small smile.

"I... suppose," he said, though he still looked a bit upset. "Which way? I can fly us, if you like," he offered. Bermuda nodded and indicated the right direction as Israel shifted to bird from. Bermuda climbed onto the Siren's sturdy back, and then the two lifted off. Israel circled once over Makke's head as Bermuda waved, and then they made their way to the Palace.

((I'mma say Bermuda was holding Verdi. xD

Also, I'm goin' to Manny and Eve nao. o3o))

"My arm hurts." Manny said quietly, rubbing the stump he had been left with. "Eve..." He looked over to her. They had been forced into separate cages, but Manny had bent the bars of his and hers so that he could hold her hand. "Are you okay?" He questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"Of course. I'm fine, Manny," Eve said, reaching over for his hand. "It'll be all right, we'll get out of here," she said. The demoness looked a bit strained, but nothing more. She sighed and stroked the back of Manny's hand with her thumb, lost in thought.

"Yes...we'll get out." Manny nodded quietly. "What do you think they did with the...the bomb he made you make? He said Sylas was taking it somewhere...Sylas wouldn't do that, right? Sylas is a good boy. Like Manny." He looked back over at Eve, frowning a bit. "I felt my hand for awhile there...it felt...squishy. What was around my hand. And then it was very, very hot...you heard me crying. That was why. Something burned my hand, and now I don't feel it any more..." He sighed. "Do you think it exploded? The bomb? I hope Sylas is okay..."

((Courtesy of my mother.))

"Well, all I know is that the Phantom said "give me a hand". And I told him "no, get your own stupid hand". And now I'm cold. What's squishy? I want him. He will be mine and he will be my squishy. Did I tell you that I subbed in Special Ed today? This squishy... squishy... I miss squishy... I hope squishy didn't blow up. I'm going to lay on the couch and dream about squishy."

((She says she's a little off her game today. Here's a real reply. XD))

Eve frowned and sighed. "I don't know, Manny. But listen, I'll make you a new hand as soon as I find some dark matter, all right? Did I seal your wrist up all right? Nerves deadened?" she asked.

((My gosh, Hannah.

That had me rolling in my seat laughing. xDD))

"Okay." Manny nodded quietly. "Yes, it feels okay..." He moved his good hand away and let Eve touch his stump. "Yes...it's okay. I don't feel pain, so..." He sighed a bit, then closed his eyes. "Eve, I love you..." He murmured. "I'll get us out of here soon, and--" He jumped about a foot and whipped his arm back as a set of large claws scraped at them. The claws pinned Eve's hand down and held it tightly. Surprisingly...gently.

"Found you..." It was Rush. Behind them was a grate that was used as a floor window to the hallway below. Rush had been searching for awhile. "Eve...I think...I think the Phantom tried to blow up the Manakete Palace. I don't know if it worked or not...I got L'arc out. If he made it on time, they'll be coming to save us soon enough. If not..." He lowered his gaze. "They're degrading my mental state. The Library can't do anything but preserve me as I am now; if it gets the chance, it'll put me back in my place. But at this rate, I'll be nothing but a hound dog. Exactly as the Phantom wants. I think...I think I may soon become a...a monster. I think you'll be fed to me. I..." He sighed. "There's nothing I can do about it..."

"You think I can't take you?" Eve asked, quirking her brow as she tried to smile. In truth, she was worried about... what Rush described, but, for Manny's sake, she couldn't let her fears show. "It'll be fine, Rush. We'll get out of here. All of us," she said. "The others will come, and soon. I sense it."