Chasing Aurora

When we pulled up in front of the office, I was jumping out of the car before it had fully stopped. I had gotten a few steps away when I felt the urge to look back at the sword. I felt strangely naked without it, but I shook it off. I couldn’t go walking into an office with a giant sword in my hand. Flora and Fauna fell into step beside me as I made my way up to the office while Merriweather went to park the car. I was just about at the door when I saw Robby. He practically tackled me in a hug, his huge body was shaking as he held me.

“Oh my god Pip. I missed you so much.” He said pulling away. Tears were streaking down his tanned cheeks, “I will literally kill you if you do that again.”

“Come on, I need to see my dad. Did you bring what I asked?”

“Yeah I did, but why do you need all this?” He lifted the duffle bag I asked him to pack.

“I’ll explain later.” I pushed open the front doors and immediately I could feel all eyes on me. The entire entryway went silent before hushed whispers filled the room. I just kept my eyes forwards and strode to the elevators. I’m sure I was a mess, I hadn’t showered in almost a week. The grime and dried blood from my week were still clinging to my clothes. I’m sure I’ll be the topic of gossip for years to come after this, but I had to stick to my plan.

The ride up the elevator was tense. Robby kept looking at Flora and Fauna with suspicion while I was full of nerves. It felt like a lifetime ago that I was here. My biggest problem was planning a date for my girl, and now her life depends on me. Not to mention the fact that I wasn’t even human. I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince my dad this was all real though.

When the doors finally opened, I walked out onto the executive floor. I could see the other executives coming to their doors. I ignored them all, going straight for my dad’s office. I walked straight past his secretary and pushed open his door. My dad’s head popped up, ready to tell off whoever came bursting in, but as soon as our eyes met his entire demeanour changed. “Pip?” He pushed himself up from his desk.

“Hi Pop.” I suddenly felt tears start to gather in my eyes. I thought I could stay strong, but as soon as I saw my dad all that changed. I found myself hurling myself into his arms and crumpling into his chest. I could feel all the stress and adrenaline leave my body and my knees started to give out. My body realized that I was finally safe and I didn’t need to worry anymore.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe now.” My dad whispered into my hair as he held me up. He slowly directed me over to the couch in his office. “Robby go ask Diana to get Piper some food and water.”

Robby left the room for a moment before coming right back. He looked over at Flora and Fauna and back at me. “I’m sorry, but I got to know. Where the hell have you been and who are these women?”

I sighed unsure of where to start. I knew I had to tell them everything, but that didn’t make it any easier. “I was taken by a woman named Maleficent. She just wanted Aurora, but I showed up at the wrong time and pissed her off. She ended up taking me too. She left me at a house, chained up in the basement while she took Aurora away. I was able to find out she’s somewhere in the south of France.”

“Well then we’ve got to call the police or Interpol. We’ll get her back.” My dad started to stand but I reached out to stop him.

“The police can’t help her. Maleficent is... powerful.”

“You think she has the police working for her?” Robby asked.

“No, yes, maybe. She probably has people all over the place. She had twelve guards working for her at the compound I was at, plus there was Doc and Natalie. I would guess that she has at least that many with her in France, maybe more, but then again, she’s there and Aurora’s still asleep so she’s not exactly a flight risk. But she did smuggle someone out of the country, which has to mean that she has some kind of connections. Then again, she can use magic, so she could just, I don’t know, magic the customs people to let her through with a sleeping body.”

“Um, did you say magic?” Robby interrupted looking at me like I had lost it, “Did you hit your head, or did they drug you?”

“What? No, um, guys?” I looked at Flora and Fauna for help.

“Right, so basically Maleficent is a thousand-year-old dark fae who has vowed her revenge on the Dubois family. Aurora is the last Dubois. My sisters and I are much less powerful, but good fae who have been hiding Aurora for the past twenty-five years until her Guardian comes of age and saves her. Which would be Piper here.” Flora explained with a cheery smile on her face. Robby and my dad both had expressions of complete disbelief.

“Maybe show them some magic so this all goes quicker,” I said.

“Right. Time is of the essence.” Fauna held out her hand. I watched as that familiar green glow gathered around her hand. Slowly, the tiniest of sprouts appeared in her hand until a fully grown rose had grown out of her hand. The green glow dissipated and she grabbed the rose in her hand, passing it to Robby.

Both Robby and my dad were silent, processing what had just happened. I knew they needed their time, but there were things I needed to do. “Dad, can I use your phone?” I asked. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it, and handed it to me. I took it and stood up, giving the boys their space. I pulled up the contact for Stefan Dubois and dialled.

“Hey Hugh,” Stefan said. I could hear the sadness in his voice.

“Sorry it’s Piper, I’m using my dad’s phone.”

“Piper? Oh my god, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Flora, Fauna and Merriweather saved me. Look, Maleficent took Aurora overseas. One of the people at the compound I was in told me that she’s in the south of France. I don’t have a lot of information yet, but I promise you that I’m going to bring Aurora home to you.”

“Piper, I’m sorry you got mixed up in all of this. I know you’re a good kid, but maybe it’s best to leave it to... Aurora’s Aunts.”

“I know about the fae. They already explained everything to me, but I can take care of myself. I just need you to know that we are doing everything we can to find her.”

“Thank you. Take care of yourself too. I want you and Aurora to come back in one piece.”

“I will.” I hung up the phone and turned back to everyone who were watching me.

“That’s why you wanted me to bring all this for you? You’re planning on going to get her?” Robby fumed, “We just got you back and you want to leave?”

“I have to! Maleficent said that she is going to Aurora is going to die by the Summer Solstice and I can’t let Aurora die!”

“You just met her!” Robby yelled.

“I’ve known her my entire life,” I responded softly, “We seem to be connected through our dreams and have been since we were kids. Everything that I am, is because of her. I’ve been in love with her since we were kids. I just never knew that she was real until we ran into each other in the forest. I can’t let that be the only time I ever got to hold her.”

Everyone was watching me, unmoving. Not even Flora and Fauna knew what to say. I could feel the tears start to prick at my eyes. I was ready to storm out of there and try my best on my own when my dad stood up and took me into his arms. “Just promise me that you’ll be safe.”

“I promise.”

“Good.” He stepped back and cupped my face, “Your mother is going to kill me, but when I explain everything she’ll understand. I’m going to get the jet for you, but they’ll need some time so you better shower because you smell horrible.”

“Thanks dad.” I laughed. He took his phone from my hand and went right into business mode. I walked over to Robby with my arms crossed. “Do you understand why I have to do this?”

He sighed, “Yes I do. I also know that I’m coming with you.”

“Robby, I don’t have time-”

“First, your mom took Samson when we realized you were missing. Second, I have enough vacation days saved up at work and third, I packed myself a bag identical to yours because I know how fucking stubborn you can be. Now, go get showered so we can come up with a game plan.” Robby picked up my bag and tossed it to me. I couldn’t help but smile. I suppose that having my coach with me couldn’t hurt.

“Fine. Meet me in my office.” I slung the bag over my shoulder and walked out of my dad’s office.

I went down to the employee gym and went straight for the showers. After a quick shower, I got dressed and went back to my office. Robby, Flora and Fauna were already waiting for me. I went and sat behind my desk. Immediately I sighed, it was like coming home. After feeling so powerless for that week, I was finally back in my element.

“Alright, so what’s the plan?” Robby asked clapping his hands together.

“We need more information than just the south of France. We need to narrow it down somehow.” Flora said.

“What about the town that Thibault died in? If Aurora is the last Dubois, then it makes sense to end it where it all started.” I offered.

“That is what every bad guy ever has done,” Robby added.

“Then we start there.” Flora smiled.

There was a knock at the door that pulled us away from our conversation. I pushed myself up to see my dad’s secretary standing there with a smile, “Hi Miss Jennings. Your dad has everything almost set up with the airline, so he suggests you get a move on. He’s sorry he can’t send you off, but he knows time is of the essence. Also, I have the food you asked for earlier and a new phone so you can keep in contact.”

“Thanks Diana.” I said taking everything from her.

“It’s good to know you’re safe. We were all worried about you.” She gave me a wave and left.

I closed the door and dumped everything on my desk. Robby was already picking up my bag, and I shoved my new phone into my pocket. I went to my desk and pulled open the top drawer to grab the spare charger I kept there when a business card caught my eye. I picked up the blank card and right in front of my eyes, gold writing appeared across it. In case of weird, call me. Ella Bishop.

“What are you doing Pip?” Robby called to me. I looked up at him, waiting by the door and back down to the strange card.

“Nothing. Be right there.” I shoved the strange business card into my back pocket, grabbed the charger and food, and left the office. I’d have plenty of time to deal with the strange Ella Bishop later, for now, I had to save Aurora Dubois.