Free We Shall Rise by J.E. Hopkins

screen appeared. He was no taller than three feet. He had a long white frizzy beard that reached the top of his pants. All his hair ended up on his face as he had a huge bald spot on the top of his head with very little gray hair on the sides. He carried a tiny axe that looked like a tool Kaden could use as a toothpick for his fangs. “Clearly not the Orlando Bloom Lord of the Rings type of elf. More like the Keebler kind.”
    “Did you just call me a cracker?” The elf sprang forward with his tiny axe in hand. One of the Chihuahuas hovered next to the elf baring rather sharp teeth at an amused Kaden.
    “I don’t use racial insults,” Kaden retorted, “when there are so many other reasons to mock, such as…”
    “Shut up, Kaden,” Reysa elbowed him sharply in the side as she turned to the seething elf. If he had been human, she would have fractured a rib. “Grotaon, please forgive my friend here. We usually keep him away from others, but sometimes we have to let him out the cage.”
    “Grotaon is his name?” Kaden mused as he whispered to Reysa. “This is too good to be true. I bet women yell ‘Gro’ often during sex. He thinks they’re screaming his name when they’re actually just hoping for a miracle.”
    Reysa elbowed him again harder this time as she tried to hide her grin. Kaden was exasperating. Thankfully, Grotaon did not hear that joke.
    “G-Grotaon,” Reysa barely muttered the name without laughing, courtesy of Kaden’s tactless jokes. “Diamonde summoned us to come. I’m assuming she has news about Yasmine.”
    Grotaon’s harsh features softened. “Aye Miss Reysa. Diamonde has been beside herself with worry over the young Yasmine. First Madeira and now her baby girl. This is too much, I’m afraid. Please come inside and your friends can come as well as long as they are housebroken.” Grotaon pointed to Kaden, who couldn’t wipe the smile off his devastatingly handsome face.
    They followed Grotaon to a sitting room decorated in fuchsia. Grotaon left to make sure Diamonde was ready for visitors.
    “Don’t say a word about this room Kaden.” Reysa’s stern looked reminded him of his mother when he was about to get in trouble for another misdeed. “Diamonde likes colors—bright colors especially—when her mood is dark. Don’t mock this house and especially don't mock her. I can’t protect you from what she’ll do. You’re already in enough trouble for your stupid comments about Grotaon.”
    “I don’t need your protection, darling, but I’m touched that you want to rescue me,” Kaden winked flashing those irresistible dimples.
    Reysa turned to Julian. “Please control your brother. If he doesn’t listen, then disassociate yourself with him completely so he only incurs Diamonde’s wrath.”
    “How bad can she be? She’s Maddie’s mom. She’s a witch. Witches love me.”
    Reysa just smiled at him. “You know, Kaden, maybe you need to learn a lesson.”
    Grotaon returned. “Diamonde is ready to receive you.” The three of them followed him down a long seemingly endless hall decorated in blue, white and silver. On the wall were pictures of… Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith, Tony Romo and other former and current members of the Dallas Cowboys. In the middle of the room was a sculpture of Jimmy Johnson, the former Cowboy coach who led them to three Superbowls in the early 1990’s. He was dressed in a toga with a crown of white and blue diamonds on this head.
    “She’s a huge Cowboys fan,” Reysa explained. “She actually prays to Jimmy Johnson.”
    “Reysa, I’m trying really hard here,” Kaden whined.
    “I’m hanging by a thread as well,” Julian admitted.
    “I know, guys. Just keep trying please.”
    “My lady comes,” Grotaon motioned towards the front of the room where there were several steps leading towards a huge blue chair not surprisingly decorated with the Cowboys' logo. A flash of light appeared. Crystallizing in front of them was a…woman?
    The figured