Nine

Ash’s eyes cracked open, her first reaction being to shield her eyes from the light.

“Oh good, you’re awake. How do you feel?” Romi asked.

“Not good.” Ash replied weakly.

Romi put a hand to Ash’s forehead and frowned. “You’re burning up worse than last night. I’ll get the doctor in here, Clara should be by with water.” She left the room and left Ash to stare up at the fabric above her bed.

She tried to sit up but between the pounding in her head and her aching back she might as well had been trying to hike up Mt. Genevieve in heels. With a sigh she turned to her side and tried to sit up again.

“What are you doing?” Snow asked coming into the room followed by Clara.

“I’m just, nevermind.”

“Here I gotcha.” Snow said helping Ash sit up.

“Thanks Snow.”

“Of course.”

“I brought something that should help your head.” Clara said handing Ash a pill and a glass of water.

Ash took it and finished her water in one sitting. “Thank you.”

There was a knock at the already opened door. The women turned to see Charlie, Luca and Alan standing at the door.

“Come on in, let’s make it a party.” Ash said tiredly.

“I’ve got some news.” Charlie said.

“Shoot.” Ash said.

“My mom moved the trial to today, and it will be televised.”

“Oh shit.” Ash said tiredly.

“Will you be able to take the stand?” he asked.

Ash thought about it. She already collapsed from the stress of telling her father and the royal family her story. “How many people are going to see the trial?” she asked.

“It’s going to be broadcast on channels nine, two and seven. As well international news.”

“Seriously?” Snow asked. “All her business will go international?”

“This is a high-profile case. Ash is an heir to a multi-billion lyro industry. It’s messed up, but…this might help start conversations and bring child abuse to the forefront worldwide.” Charlie stated.

“I-I’m not ready.” Ash said.

“Well is there anything you would like to be heard at court?” Luca asked holding a notepad and pen. “Perhaps about the night Morgana whipped you, or any other times that could lead to her incarceration?”

Ash nodded. “She had ghosts holding me down during the whipping, and…” she trailed off raising her arms showing the scars. “The touch of a ghost can manifest as a burn or scratches as well as freeze your blood. My core body temperature dropped by five degrees. I’m actually surprised I even have a fever now. As for the night of the whipping itself, Caleb would have a better perspective anyway.” Ash said before having a coughing fit.

Luca turned to Alan and Snow. “What about you two? From what I understand members of the Bai-Song family will be speaking today.”

“I’ve seen Alex eat while at my house. I got a few things to say.” Alan added.

“Thanks guys. How soon will the trial start?” Ash asked.

“As soon as your father gets here, but until then you should eat and get some rest.” Luca said.

Ash grimaced at the thought of food. “I don’t think my stomach could handle food right now.” She said.

“Your stomach is bothering you? I’ll see if I can get you something else.” Clara said with a worried expression, she turned to leave, but Ash stopped her.

“Wait, Miss Clara it’s okay. I’m just not hungry, that’s all. I have a low appetite as it is.” Ash tried to explain.

“And that’s one of her biggest problems. Will you at least try a smoothie?” Snow asked.

“Snow-“ Ash started.

“I would suggest a protein bar too.” Alan said interrupting Ash’s incoming protests.

“I’ll have the kitchen staff whip something up, you all go ahead and get ready for the trial.” Clara said.

Snow, Alan, Luca and Clara left leaving Charlie with Ash.

“Are you okay with all this?” he asked.

“I think we’re way past what I’m okay with, you got me into this mess now look at me.” Ash quipped.

“It was for the greater good. You can blame me all you want, I don’t mind.”

“Because you know you were right?”

“You said it not me.” Charlie said with a grin.

Ash sighed. “What am I going to do now?”

“Finish school? That’s an option.”

“Yeah. Listen, I know I keep giving you a hard time, but, thank you. For your kindness. And for forcing me to leave. I’m still scared and I know I still have a long way to go, but…Gods this is getting sappy. Just, thanks.” She said reaching out her hand.

Charlie smiled and put his hand in hers, and they shook. “This feels like a business transaction.” Charlie joked.

“Would you rather we high-five?” Ash asked letting go of his hand.

“We’ll decide on a secret handshake later, get some rest. If you want you can watch the broadcast in here.”

Ash nodded, he could tell she was still tired, and ready to doze off. He left the room and jogged to Snow and Alan talking further down the hall. “You guys ready for this?”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.” Snow said Alan nodding in agreement.

They walked to the throne room to see that it was teeming with Alonians trying to find seating so they could watch the biggest Alonian trial of the ending century. The Queen was already seated on her throne, the throne of King Stefano was next to her covered with a sheer black sheet his crown resting in the seat. Charlie’s seat below his parents was a silver throne covered in blue padding.

Charlie took in the sight of the camera crew from the local news station. He wondered who would tune in.

“I need to take my seat, but Vincent will take you to the others.” He said walking towards the front of the room.

Vincent came up to them. “This way.” He said taking them further into the throne room.

Snow and Alan followed holding hands. “It’s almost over.” Alan said reassuringly.

“I hope so, for Ash’s sake.”

*~~**~~*

Charlie was resisting the urge to claw his chair with how much anger was boiling inside him. Right now the court was listening to Alexandra give her account, and it was heartbreaking.

Hearing the stories of how the abuse started when Ash was thirteen. How at first it was small things, and then it just got worse with every attempt at resistance from Ash. She was currently talking about the night Ash was whipped.

So far, Snow and Caleb had spoken, both telling the story of that night.

Ash and Caleb had snuck out of the house to attend a Halloween party, but they arrived back home too late. Caleb tried to explain, but Morgana immediately singled out Ash and took her out to the back of the house. Morgana beat her severely with a cat o nine causing her skin to break and bleed.

Caleb talked about screaming for it to stop he himself was restrained by spirits conjured up by Morgana. Caleb managed to break free and use his powers to banish the ghosts and knock Morgana out.

After Caleb’s burst of power, he told Alexandra to load up Caleb’s car with blankets and pillows while he tried to stop Ash’s bleeding. Caleb drove her to Snow’s cottage where Dr. Goro Bai-Song stitched her back and bandaged everything else. Charlie’s blood boiled just thinking about it.

After that Snow’s uncles tried to get Ash to go to Alonian Patrol, the police force, but Ash refused to say how she had gotten severely injured. Without her testimony they weren’t able to press charges. The Bai-Song’s made Ash stay at their house for a few weeks, before they trusted Morgana with Ash again.

Caleb ended his story by talking about how he was trying to get Ash to have fun for once, and Snow talked about how truly damaged Ash’s back had been. As bad as hearing the stories was for him, he knew it was hard for Mr. Black, who stood on the side. Trying his hardest to remain stoic, but for a Red warlock that must’ve been difficult.

Reds controlled emotions and other neurological functions. From the stories Charlie had heard Bernard Black could absorb other people’s emotions, mirror them, and make others feel what he was feeling. Looking around at the rest of the court Charlie could see the looks of pity, and horror on their faces and it was making him feel drained. What worried him more was that Ash wasn’t even here to speak. It made him want to check on her, but he had to stay and wait until the trial ended so he focused his attention on Alexandra.

“Ash is in constant pain all the time. She tries to hide it but sometimes she can’t walk without limping or she can’t get out of bed. We tried to get her medicine for it, but when mother found out we had taken money from her she took the pills away.” Alex said in a rapid-fire speech tears streaming down her face.

Charlie turned his head slightly to look at his mother whose hand looked like it was simply resting on the arm of her ornate chair, but he could see her veins straining against her pale skin. Her jaw set as she grinded her teeth. She was listening, but her gaze was on Morgana who was now standing with white chains draped on her body. They were Lucinda’s creations, with every horrible thing Morgana had done more chains were added. Between the ultimate death glare his mother was sending her and Lucinda’s chains, he was surprised Morgana hadn’t burst into flame yet.

“Thank you Alexandra, you may sit down now.” His mother said to the sniffling teen who gratefully left the podium. Charlie watched as she went to Caleb and Snow’s arms both reassuring her.

Morgana was now standing at the podium her head held high, but her eyes downcast avoiding the gaze of her children and her husband. This would be the one chance she had to defend herself, but at this point all attempts would be futile.

The court was silent, everyone waiting to hear whatever order of words she could possibly string together to justify her actions. Something about her posture was off, it could’ve been the burden of having those chains on her, but Charlie noticed she was breathing heavily.

“Morgana Fai you have been charged with multiple counts of child abuse and two counts of neglect, how do you plead?” Lucinda said her voice was calm, but her eyes were venomous.

Morgana closed her eyes and her body began to glow. Her gray aura showing itself. The sound of ghostly wails filled the air and the air grew cold. A few of the nobles began to panic. The camera crew tensed up making sure not to miss a single moment. Charlie felt a shiver go through him but focused his attention back to Morgana who was shaking.

She began to float her eyes gone full gray she finally began to speak in a loud warbled voice, as if there were a thousand other voices speaking with her.

“The arrival of the Blood Moon looms. Children of magic will bleed. The Black Witch aims to free the Crown of Light from his tomb. Should husband and wife reunite they will descend on Nitia like a blight. Protect the Dark Dreamer for it is the Crown of Light she will succeed. The Dark Dreamer and Crown of Light must fight. It is they who will make history right.”

Then in a flash of light Morgana disappeared along with all the noise and the chill.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Lucinda ran to the spot where Morgana was just standing, the audience members were starting to frenzy Queen Annabelle started shouting for everyone to calm down. Charlie looked at where Ash’s friends and family were standing and there was a mix of shock and anger through them.

He didn’t understand what was happening, but with Morgana out of his sight panic welled in his chest and he jumped out of his chair and broke into a sprint. He ran to the upper levels of the castle until he came to the living quarters.

Once he found Ash’s room he opened the door and saw that Ash wasn’t there. Fighting down his panic he went to the bathroom and knocked. “Ash are you in there?” there was no answer and his panic rose.

He went back to the room and saw that her balcony doors were open. He ran out and looked down only seeing the dying grass below.

He sniffed their air confused. “How did she…”

Running back inside he started calling her name running down the halls until he came back to the throne room where people were exiting whispering among themselves about how that awful woman managed to escape. The whole city would have to be on the lookout for Morgana, but she wasn’t the only person missing now.

He ran to Alan and Snow. “Ash is missing.” He told them.

“What?” the duo said in unison.

“She’s not in her room, or anywhere in the residential wing.”

“You don’t think…” Alan trailed off nearly afraid to say it.

“No, if Morgana knows what’s good for her she’ll leave Ash alone. We need to find her if she’s not in the castle then she could be anywhere walking around sick.” Snow said.

“Where would she even go?” Alan asked.

“Where would who go?” Caleb asked walking towards them. Bernard next to him.

The younger teens glanced at each other, until Charlie spoke up. “Ash is missing.”

“What?” Caleb and Bernard exclaimed simultaneously.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Caleb asked angrily.

“I can organize a search party and we’ll look all over the island. She couldn’t have gone far.” Charlie stated. “Vin!” he called.

Vincent came over. “Whats the plan?”

“I need you to form four search parties have your best trackers as leaders, we have to find Ash.” Charlie instructed.

“Understood.”

“I know a few places she might be.” Caleb said.

“Okay follow me.” Vincent said leading Caleb out of the throne room pointing at guards as they exited giving them orders.

Charlie turned to Alan and Snow. “You two should come with me. Do you know where she could’ve gone?”

“She’s been known to explore the forest when she can, but she could be anywhere. I wouldn’t know where to start.” Snow said.

“I’ll have to track her.” Charlie said.

“Track her?”

Charlie turned to them and huffed.

“Oh my god he’s gonna do the thing!” Alan said excitedly.

Charlie rolled his eyes then closed them taking a deep breath and silver and black fur sprouted on his skin, he fell onto all fours until he was a large wolf.

“Oh my god!” Alan whispered in awe.

Charlie let out another huff in irritation.

“Well I guess that’s that, lets go before the trail goes cold.”

Alan and Charlie nodded and the three left the castle.