"Mmmph....gasp...mmph!"
"Strange. Why do I keep hearing a mumbling sound?" Mariano asked.
"I think you should already put her down and uncover her face." Antoine reminded him.
"Oh! I forgot! I got myself a pretty lady here!"
He unloaded me from his shoulder and gently removed the coat he covered on my face. I gasped for air.
"There you go. You're safe now."
"I...hate...you!" I said while struggling to breathe.
"No, you don't!" he replied cheerfully.
"The maze spirit won't kill me. But lack of oxygen will!" I angrily complained.
Both men stared at me with apologetic eyes.
I noticed that we are inside an old warehouse.
"How are we going to escape?" I asked them.
"We're going to teleport!" Mariano announced excitedly. "Where do you want to go?"
I gulped.
I hoped that maybe this is my chance to go back to my "real world".
"You can do that?" I inquired.
"Let's see." he responded while drawing some weird symbols around us..
"Can you take me to 2020? In my house?" I was quick to cover my mouth, surprised with my silly request.
He stopped drawing and looked at me with wonder.
Then, at Antoine.
"It's always her dream to go to another time. Do you want to go to Spain or France instead? " Antoine tried to divert the conversation to another.
"Right. Just take me somewhere safe." I agreed.
"I'll recite the rites of teleportation now. Stay close."
"I should do that." Antoine immediately started to chant in Latin as if he was avoiding his friend to utter any single word.
"No!" Mariano gave him a shove on the shoulder to stop him. "I'll do it. Don't underestimate me."
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are. For your information, I know those Latin verses too." He started the chant. In a blink of an eye we were inside a palace. "Ha! I told you I can do it" he said so proudly.
"That was cool!" I happily squealed. "Is it possible for us to go Chillingham Castle someday?"
"If that is what you want, my dear. But that place is haunted."
"Now, that's more exciting!"
As I walked around, I saw a boy of about five peeking behind a pillar.
"Hey, what are you doing there?" I waved and smiled at him. He gestured for me to come nearer and pointed at a golden door.
I flinched back in fear.
If I am right, he is the maze spirit. I ran back to where Antoine and Mariano are.
"H-He's here!" I shrieked. "What did you do, Mariano?"
"I think I made a mistake, sorry." he scratched his head. "No worries. I'll chant another..."
"No! Eeek! You won't! Let us run." I pushed them both towards an empty room. I locked the door, pushed a big sofa and table behind it. I never felt so strong in my whole life.
The men just stared at me with mouths open, speechless.
"Are...are you alright?" Antoine asked. He attempted to hold my shoulder but stopped when I moved away from him.
"It's your fault! I don't want that boy to take me...to be lost. Again! This is too much!" I was controlling myself from crying by lashing out at him.
Instead of being angry, he treated me with so much understanding and kindness. He held my shaking hand and calmed me.
"We're not leaving you."
I came back to my senses and regretted my bad behavior towards him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm just so scared."
"Don't be." he assured me.
"Argh...what's that pathetic drama all about?"
We looked around to see where the voice came from.
"Hahaha!" She laughed wickedly. "Make way for the most beautiful woman in the world! A one, two, three..."
Poof!
A white rabbit with a wand appeared.
Mariano laughed with no restraint.
"Carrots?"
"How dare you! I will punish you for disrespect!" the rabbit angrily barked at him.
"Hey, don't be mad, bunny rabbit. Where is the beautiful woman anyway?
"Like duh? She's standing before you, idiot!"
"Eh?" he highly disapproved.
"You'll see soon, Dummy! What's wrong with this wand?" She waved it in the air and when nothing happened, she hit it mercilessly on the floor.
Poof!
There was a lizard.
Poof!
A pig.
Poof!
A rat!
Finally, a blonde lady in a queenly outfit slowly emerged from the smoke. We held our breath as we waited for a goddess to appear.
I and the boys were disappointed.
She had several layers of talcum powder on her face and the "reddest" blush-on ever.
We stood silently, too shocked with the unexpected view.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she asked with her exceptionally thin eyebrow raised.
The door burst open and we were surrounded by a thousand guards.
In between them were two ladies with theatrical outfits and terrible makeup. They should sue to court whoever is their fashion designer.
"My, oh my! Blonde, what's the commotion all about?" the one with the red hair said while looking at her manicured nails.
"This three trespassed, my dear sister, Redhair."
"I'm napping and oh my..." the brunette one stopped talking upon seeing us. She flipped her eyelids in a flirty manner. "Who are these handsome men?"
"They are our slaves now, Brunette." Redhair told her sister.
"What?" Mariano protested. "No way."
"Let us go. We are really sorry for the trouble." Antoine apologized. "This is all a misunderstanding."
The three ladies whispered at each other.
"We accept the apology, gorgeous boy. But one of you should be left behind." the youngest one said as she winked at Antoine.
"What if we just take that man?" Redhair suggested while pointing at Mariano. "I like naughty-looking boys. I want to tie him up all the time for being bad!"
"Nah! I have a better suggestion." he raised his hand. "Just take Antoine with you. He's single and always available!"
The three women cooed.
"No, take him." Antoine retaliated. "You're right, Redhair. Tie him up all the time."
"Just kidding!" Mariano took back his words while cringing. "That brunette lady is not that bad looking at all." he whispered to him. "You will have a girlfriend at last."
"Great. Then, go out on a date with her yourself." Antoine whispered back.
"I want the girl. She will be my lady-in-waiting." Blonde insisted. "Besides, that young boy already tires me out. He is of no use. Maybe, I should dispose him." She instructed the leader of the army to get the men out of the castle and then take me to the maid's section for orientation.
"We're not leaving anyone behind. Let us go!" Mariano uttered firmly.
Blonde raised an eyebrow.
"What did you say?"
"I said, we're not leaving anyone behind." he answered in contempt. His usually joyful expression was now changed into a very serious one. "Send us to jail if you want but we'll stick together."
Blonde's face turned into a hideous scowl.
"Then, all of you will rot in jail. Forever."
We were sent on a dungeon.
That was Mariano's real plan as it would be easier for us to think of strategies on how to escape with the three of us together. We had no match for a thousand guards so he opted for us to be put in jail instead.
But he had other plans at the expense of his friend, Antoine.
"Do I really have to do that?" he muttered nervously.
"Of course, if we're right, those are the Tres Marias. Minor demons. There is nothing we can do while we are inside their castle. Right, Juanito?"
The boy nodded at me. Only I can see him. We soon knew that he is not a bad spirit. In fact, he was really protecting women to be abducted by the evil sisters. He hides them in a field for days so that they could not be taken and forced into a lifetime of slavery.
"Just promise me that you will help me find the light. And, that they won't hurt me anymore." Juanito reminded me.
It turned out that his mother did not neglect him in the field to die. His mother, too, became a victim of the Tres Marias.
"I promise."
"Can you promise me something too, Bianca?" Antoine intervened. " That you'll never tell anyone about this?"
"Why should I not? You look really dashing now in a format suit that is why Brunette was quick to notice you."
"Am I dashing?" he asked.
"Yes! I did not expect that you know how to dress so well!"
His eyes glittered and a restrained smile formed on his lips.
Mariano put his hand over his shoulders and gave him a pat.
"As practiced. Once you get out, all you have to do is find an open window or door to break the spell. Our freedom depends on you."
"Why don't you do it yourself?"
"Nah! Im not good with those Latin chants."
"You realized that only now?"
From the dark, we saw Brunette, along with her two guards approaching us. Mariano pushed Antoine near the iron gate. He looked at me with pleading eyes. I gestured for him to proceed with the plans.
"You better not waste my time." she demanded for him to speak. "Make it quick."
There was silence.
"Come on, Antoine! Just do it!" my mind screamed.
"Aren't you going to say something?" Brunette inquired.
He stared at me like a seven year old boy being forced to eat vegetables. I rolled my eyes and waved my hand as a sign for him to go on.
"Bianca..."
"Shoo. Go, lover boy!" I pretended to scold him even if I felt like laughing like there is no tomorrow.
He turned a little on his side, removed his eyeglasses and looked at her intently. Our target was taken aback. She covered her face with her fan.
"I just thought of something." He started to act while leaning a bit on the railings.
"What about?" She closes her eyes in a flirty manner.
"Maybe, I can stay here for awhile...for you?"
I pinched myself to stop myself from giggling.
"Really?"
"But you have to free my friends."
Brunette put her fan down. She frowned.
"You're tricking me."
"No. How? We're powerless here."
She turned her back and walked away. I made hand signs at him to continue "Plan B".
"Isn't it a bit warm here?" Antoine removed his dark blue coat. Brunette turned back to face him.
She gasped.
"Won't you come nearer so that we can talk?"
She looked at her emotionless guards.
Antoine unbuttoned his white formal shirt, revealing a lean but muscular chest.
I covered my eyes and shook my head.
The sight was too overwhelming!
What a specimen!
I hate to admit that this "fiction" man is one lethal temptation to women. Up close and personal, he had the looks that would make even the most prim and proper lady swoon.
Mariano whispered, " A while ago, you'd like me to do that, don't you?" I pinched his arm to stop pestering me. "Ouch! Sorry if I'm so bad in Latin."
"Come closer?" Antoine said so sweetly that I also felt being swayed by his voice. As I opened my eyes, I was quick to notice that his shirt was now open down to his...
Are those...abs? I blinked a couple of times to see those clearly.
Those are certainly abs!
I will die.
What on earth did I make him do? Droplets of sweat began to form in my forehead and my palms felt so cold. I bowed my head a little and pressed my hands together so that no one would notice my silly reaction. Maybe it was just his otherworldly charm working its way up to us, females.
Right. This will pass.
Brunette rushed at him and reached for his hand. She put it on her face.
"Oh! Would you like to have dinner with me. Life here is so...boring."
"S-Sure?" he replied with a tone of uncertainty while turning his head to me. "Can I get out?"
Brunette ordered the guards to open the gate.
She leaned at Antoine's shoulder and held his arm. They disappeared in the dark. After about a minute, there was a flash of light.
Antoine came running towards us. He opened the gate and reached out for me.
"Let's go!"
I grabbed Juanito's hand and ran out.
"There! There he is! He tricked me! Catch him....alive!" Brunette ordered the guards.
Blonde and Redhair came to assist their sister.
We were blocked by another gate. Antoine tried to open it with the keys.
"Faster." I shrieked.
Blonde pointed her wand at us.
"I will turn you into pigs."
"If I were you, I'll turn them into barbecue." Redhair furiously suggested.
"Oh...can I still have Antoine? Not in a pig form...you know...alive...served naked in a platter?" Brunette intervened.
Blonde rolled her eyes and ignored her. Black smoke came out from the wand.
Then, it turned white and disappeared.
"Impossible!" Her expression looked scared. "One of you is not human. A fairy or angel!"
I looked at Juanito.
"It's not me."
Brunette pointed at Antoine.
"It's you, that's why I got hypnotized so easily." She trembled and was quick to apologize. " Forgive me, Sir!"
Antoine threw away the keys and calmly opened the iron gate with his bare hands.
"That can't be opened by a human!" Redhair shrieked.
They stepped back in fear.
"Forgive us for our inappropriate behavior! Please, don't hurt us!" The three of them embraced one another, awaiting for the punishment that would be hurled at them.
"I won't. Just free us and never hurt anyone again."
With his usual kindness, he made them promise to never abduct anybody again or suffer the consequences.
"Y-Yes, Sir!" they unanimously agreed with the deal.
Antoine led us out of the castle. He held my hand and guided me through the dark and rocky hallway.
"You have a lot of explaining to do." Mariano told him. He did not answer back but just quietly proceeded to the exit.
When we stepped out, we were back in the field again. It was already dark. I sat on the ground not minding the dirt anymore.
"Juanito, would you like to stay with us for a while?" I invited. "Antoine, can I make him stay in my room until he's called to rest?"
He was looking at the dark sky. With the moon's faint light, I saw him smiling.
"No need. I think I can rest now. I can see the light."
" What do you mean?"
"My business here is done. Thank you for helping me stop the wickedness of the Tres Marias. No words can express my gratitude to you."
A blinding halo surrounded him as he faded from my sight. I murmured a prayer for his soul to rest in peace.
I stood up and faced Mariano.
"I think we're too late for the party."
"Bianca." he started, then hesitated.
"What?" I wondered.
"Would you be safe from him?"
"I won't hurt her." Antoine replied. He walked towards me and held my arm. "I swear, I mean no harm."
Mariano approached him and asked in an eerie manner, "What are you?" He was visibly controlling his temper.
"According to my father, my mother is an earthbound spirit. A fae." he admitted. "I haven't seen her. I preferred this to be a secret to avoid any trouble."
Mariano observed him for a moment with brotherly concern.
"Does any other human know?" he questioned. "Does she know?"
"I do." I intervened.
"Then, don't tell anyone. He is in danger of being hunted down. Not all hunters are understanding and considerate."
"I never thought that the Tres Marias would find out. I should be more careful. I'm sorry for keeping this from you all this time." Antoine told him.
No one uttered a word for what seemed like forever.
"You should be!" He messed Antoine's hair. "Because of that, I am staying at your house. I'm so tired." The latter fixed his hair back in place and smiled in relief.
"Thank you for understanding."
"Nah! I just don't know what to do with you, weird creature!" he answered with a chuckle.
He directed his attention to me and put his arm around my shoulder. He winked at me and grinned.
"Would you make me a late dinner?"
"Yes. Just take your hand away from me!"
"How feisty! Don't be mad. Hmmm...what if we ask Antoine about his brief romance with the brunette one over dinner? A fae and a demon, how interesting!"
"Right!" I agreed.
Antoine began to move away.
"Hey, don't be shy!" I teased him. "Brunette likes you very much! What a love team! I "ship" you together!"
"You are so cruel to me, Bianca." he complained. "Brunette said I would have looked good without my pants on. I feel terrible now."
"If you have to strip to free us, you must! You are darn irresistible..." I covered my mouth, embarrassed by what I just joked. Too much shock made him blush. He turned his back and began to button up his shirt again and put his eyeglasses on.
"Nah! We could have made him do it so that I won't have one annoying fairyboy trudging behind us, Dear." Mariano tactlessly said as if willing to really leave his friend behind. "Just invite me on your wedding day."
He shook his head in disagreement and continued to walk away from us.
We simply followed and made fun of him along the way.
Poor Antoine.