Holy water dunk tank

I was so excited walking beside Edweed that I rambled like an idiot the whole time. Burying my face in my hands to hide the embarrassment since I'm sitting on little seat above a tank of holy water in front of hundreds of people. But Edweed said he will be back later. Is my hair alright? Why am I worried about my hair while at any point today I could be drenched. My heart races harder than the sweet fluttering I felt every time Edweeds velvety voice spoke. Slapping my face, I come back to reality.

"Two gold for a ball or five gold for three balls. Hmmmm. I think I would only need the one to make you a soaking hot mess." A smooth as caramel voice seeps into my ears.

A shiver of disgust dances up my spine then I turn to see Bellamy's poster boy. James the notorious town flirt. Why the girls and woman flock to him is beyond me. His brown hair is perfectly styled in that short jock hair cut, his white shirt is tight as always to show off his muscles and he has been wearing military cargo pants since coming back from his long earth mission. He is standing by the person running this attraction. James's brown eyes are looking at me almost hopeful.

"I'm working here, go bug someone else." I snub him and cross my arms.

"Mmmmm. Nah... Hey kid." James's voice turns away from me.

I look over and he is quietly talking to some kids. Then he pays for them to throw balls at the target.

"What do you think you are doing?!" I shout at him.

"It's a charity event. Is it wrong for me to donate?" James smirks.

I want to get down and punch him but the kids are throwing balls at the target all in hopes of dunking me. Some get real close while others are way off. James is cheering on the kids til they ran out of balls to throw. 

"Thank you for trying!" He says messing up their hair then hands them some coins and points to the food vendors. "Here is your payment now have fun!"

The adrenaline is calming down but I still want to smack him.

"Why are you here?" I groan.

"Protecting the ladies." He winks as I roll my eyes. He walks to the side of the tank. "You're here for a mission too, right? I'm to keep an eye on any blondes with blue eyes. How about you?"

I squint at him debating on how much to tell him. "I'm here to find clues about the current missing ones." I state caving to his caring eyes.

"So you are sitting above a dunk tank?" James jests.

"And your standing by one?" I snip back.

James sighs and then starts to strut away with his arms out. "I'll be back then."

Sure enough after some time he is back and in tow with probably all the blondes with blue eyes in the whole town. There was every age group from what I can see, my age and younger, some of them have kids and some had to be at least twice his age. Next thing I know he sets all but two gold coins of his money, which is hundreds of gold coins by the way, on the table.

"I'll pay for you all to play the game. Let's see who can dunk my college colleague!" James gives me his mischievous toothy grin.

I mouth "I hate you" to him and glare back. Which only makes him grin more.

Some girls got a glint in their eye and the kids just wanted me soaked. Every time the ball strikes the tarp backing I flinch knowing it could very well send me into the, I dip my toe into the water, yep! Thats cold! I begin to pray I don't get dunked. Before I knew it all the coin was spent and I thanked God above that I was spared from the cold water below me.

"Well everyone, these are my last two gold coins, would you mind if I tried?" James asks and they all step a side.

"No! No no! James! You so-!" Is all the screaming I could get out before I sink to the bottom of the holy water tank. Standing up, I wipe the water away and start to scan for the soon to be strangled man. Who is standing behind Edweed at the tanks ladder with an irritated glare at the back of Edweed's head.

"Here. A towel to wipe that look away you should never have to wear." Edweed says handing me a towel.

"T-thanks." I say carefully taking it but a drop of holy water burns his finger. "I-"

"It's alright. I knew the dangers." He says slipping on some leather gloves. "Let's get you someplace warm."

Edweed holds out his hand with a smile. I cautiously take it while getting out of the dunk tank.

"You alright Hazel?" James asked while eyeing Edweed.

"Rich coming from you." I snarl grabbing my bag.

Edweed walks me past James but not before whispering in his ear. "Thanks for masking her scent."

"What did you just say!" James tries to pounce on Edweed but his buff secretary detail deflects James.

"My my, barbaric for a holy paladin, aren't we?" Edweed smirks before leading me into a nice tent. Before closing the opening he says, "I hope the dress fits. My servant can help you into it."

Then I am left in the tent with another woman. I tried to argue that I can dress myself but the black and red dress was corset style. Which proved to be different to lace up alone. There was a mirror on the side of the tent so I could see the full length dress with red fabric underneath with black lace intricately working its way over the fabric. I was given elbow length black silk gloves to wear. The maid had my shoulder length brown hair braided and into a bun before I knew it. Then she started painting my lips a deep red and black eyeshadow making my hazel eyes seem darker than normal.

"Woah. You work fast." I state.

"Thank you." She bows then leaves.

"Isabella did wonders." Edween says stepping into the tent. Without his gloves on he tilts my chin up for his crimson eyes to gaze into my hazel ones. "I haven't caught your name Ms?"

"Hazel." I stutter.

"Hazel." He grins. "I would like to show you something. Since we do have a bit in common. It's a collection of sorts. Would you like to see it?" Edweed leans in a little bit.

I nod in agreement with my eyes on his lips since they are so close.

"Then follow me." He says taking my hand and we walk towards a small support pole and the tent side.

"Oh my bag!" I say out loud once it clicks that I can't leave it.

"Isabella can get it."

"No it's alright, I can carry it. Besides it has all my money in it." I grin sheepishly.

Edweed grins. This time instead of going straight for the door he leads me around that short support pole again before the tent flap. Once I step outside I see why. We had walked through a portal. Not just any portal though. One that can teleport you places without saying words, a direct connection so to speak. They're hard to make but easily destroyed.

Edweed and I walk down a red carpet in a hallway. Polished black brick walls shine reflecting all the light from candles and fire brazers hanging from the ceiling and walls. Cells lavishly yet precisely decorated with black and accenting colors line the left wall. Inside the cells were blondes with blue eyes dressed similar to me. Some sat on their beds, in chairs and few leaned against the walls. As we passed I could hear their clothes rustle as they stepped to the bars. With each step my heart sank deeper and deeper. The missing nine woman then the last three cells were empty. At the foot of a thone at the end of the hall were the three wives chained up wearing rags. Edweed ascends the steps to the throne and sits upon it.

"Welcome to my home. Or should I say the basement where my collection is stored." Edweed grins from his throne.

He grabs one of the wives by the hair and pulls her up to him. She had lost all fight and hope in her eyes. My heart sank to my stomach. That's when rage started to boil in me.

"There is some fight in your eyes. I like it. Let me finish this one off so there is room and you can be part of my collection." Edweed's fangs extend out to take a bite of the woman's neck.

"Like hell!" I shout pulling throwing knives from my bag. With quick flicks of the wrists I sink three knives into him. One in the gut, one in his right eye socket and one in his left arm causing him to drop the woman. I pull out a spear from my bag and stand tall. 

"Why is the spell not working on you?" Edweed snarls at me.

"In the name of Aba, I'm placing you under arrest!" I shout standing tall.