by N. J. Cooper
“Zarek, you can’t have known that they were against what your father created. It could have been any of them doing this. Plus, now they are going to be taken into custody and reprimanded, then there will be another chance. You’ll be able to choose new reps for the vampires.” Kyla tried to reassure. His arm went around her lightly.
“Yeah I guess.” He said simply. Kyla snuggled into him, breathing in his scent as she sighed against him. “We’re going to have to get that ash before we leave as well,” He remembered. Kyla nodded, her eyes fluttering against exhaustion as he spoke. “If they have it” He whispered. Kyla frowned but was too tired to respond. She’d hit a wall with her body, and it refused to stay awake to ask what he meant. Seconds later she was asleep against him, still thinking about whether they were going to get the ash or not.
~ 20 ~
An hour later, the caravan door closing startled Kyla awake. She sat up quickly almost falling from the couch as she did. She looked around to inspect it, only seeing their luggage in the middle of the camper. Warmth against her, had her looking down to see Zarek’s seemingly asleep face and his body holding hers.
“It was Shemar dropping our things off, we have to go to the next inspection site.” Zarek said sleepily. Kyla nodded and laid back down against him. He opened his eyes slowly, staring into hers.
“I’ve missed being with you like this.” Kyla whispered. Zarek smirked.
“In near death situations? Or trying to ignore our natural instincts to make out with each other while in near death situations?” He teased. Kyla laughed.
“The latter, obviously,” She said back then smiled “Although, technically we’re not in a near-death situation.” Kyla observed, grateful for the fact.
“At the moment, while Onyx is still out there, every situation is a near death one.” Zarek said sombrely but Kyla wasn’t ready to get into the serious stuff yet, it was too early, and she hadn’t had coffee.
“I guess we should make out then.” She grinned leaning into his smirking lips. He met her kiss, his hand holding the side of her face as she sighed against him. She knew they weren’t meant to be so weak; they were meant to resist each other but after everything-she was taking something for herself. Kyla tasted his honey and walnut scent, felt his soft lips against hers and reminded herself there was a reason she was going through the things she was. She was trying to save a realm, Zarek’s realm but at the same time she needed him and if defeating an evil sorcerer was the way to get him then that’s what she would do. Warmth spread through her body as it always did when she was so close to him and his hand moved further down her body. She pressed herself against him harder, deepening their kiss, letting her mind lose itself to his touch. She wasn’t going to be the one to pull away this time, and if he didn’t, she wasn’t going to stop things going further than what they normally did. But she needn’t have worried because right on cue, Orion was banging on the window in front of them. Despite the curtains being drawn, she moved away from Zarek with a sigh.
“His empathy power is becoming inconvenient to my libido.” Kyla chuckled. Zarek sat up with her, kissing the side of her face.
“Mine too. We should get going though.” he stated, standing from the couch and going through to the bathroom and even though nothing was obviously wrong with the way he had acted, something in the way he spoke tipped her off. She moved off the couch following him, standing by the door that was closed before her.
“Zarek?” She asked. He didn’t answer straight away, and Kyla was about to leave, deciding he wasn’t going to when she heard his voice through the wood.
“I am going to be the King, Kyla. I don’t know most of what I’m doing anymore but I shouldn’t be letting my feelings for you distract me like that. We can’t be like that with each other, it’s forbidden.” He explained, a distant note in his voice. Kyla’s eyes widened. He really had broken up with her. It wasn’t just a fight they were going to get over after what happened with his dad, he truly wasn’t going to be with her anymore. Kyla clutched her stomach as pain tore through it and she knew for sure that she would have rathered get stabbed by Onyx again, than feel the emotional pain Zarek just caused. She clenched her eyes shut, leaning on the door before pulling herself together. He was dealing with his dad dying and the fact that he could become King at any point which was a heavy burden to bear, so she had to back off. Let him deal with it, be there for him as a friend rather than add to his worry. She took a deep steadying breath then answered as well as she could, hoping she portrayed none of the sadness she felt in her voice.
“I understand Zarek. I’m sorry, I’ll do my best not to let my control slip anymore.” She promised. Zarek opened the door to her then, his eyes shimmering.
“I’ll do the same.” he whispered, looking over her once more before shutting the door and turning on the shower. Kyla ran a frustrated hand through her hair at her situation then grabbed her suitcase and got changed for their trip to the next inspection site. The camper gave a slight jolt as the centaurs ran forward, already taking them to where they needed to go.
Kyla pulled on one of her white and gold outfits that had been given to her specifically for realm travelling; a white jumpsuit with a thin gold belt and heels then moved over to the window of the camper’s main area, opening the curtains to watch the centaurs run through forestry and wait for Zarek. He came out wearing the same as yesterday in his royal gear, his face showing no signs of the earlier emotion. Kyla bit her trembling lip, attempting the same mask. It wasn’t as well practiced as the Prince of course, but it was something.
They arrived at the next inspection site, a store on the boundary line between territories. It was a grocery store and Kyla barely paid attention as they went over more reports and inspected the premises. She did her duty, said nothing, watched on with not even a loud breath. Her face showed nothing, stuck in the same monotone expression and all the while, her anger festered. Her ears picking up on every little sound that the Elders made. They accompanied them to the inspection site and Kyla waited to hear anything of Byron’s escape or what they thought. They must have known by now that she had managed to escape their trap and that she had taken him and yet they said nothing. Everyone seemed to be on their best behaviour today which infuriated her even more. It wasn’t until they finished their inspections and Zarek mentioned going back up to the main peak of the mountain for the ashes, that Kyla knew they had been played.
“About the ashes, Prince…” The goblin started with a knowing smirk across his face. Kyla stepped forward to demand what of them, but Shemar kept her back. Her fists clenched at her sides. She had gotten to Byron, done the stupid inspections, and all the while the Elders, who she had thought she had outsmarted were undermining her success.
“What about them?” Zarek demanded.
“Well it seems they have been misplaced.” Elder Lorrin took great pleasure in informing them. Kyla’s jaw set, her blood boiling as anger rose through her body, swift and hot, her palms burning as her powers waited for command. It took every bit of will power not to let them out.
“Misplaced? How do you misplace the ashes of an ancient? They have a scent and can be traced.” Zarek growled. Elder Ulga stepped forward then, her step shaking the ground. The trees protesting with rustling leaves and shaking branches.
“Prince, if I may correct Elder Lorrin’s words. We didn’t misplace them. They were summoned. We don’t know by who, unfortunately.” She said clasping her hands together in a way that told Kyla, that was their story and they were sticking to it. Although, she figured the ashes probably were summoned and by Onyx; who was tipped off by the Elders that stood before them.
“Magic doesn’t get through here without approval from the territory’s Elders. You’re telling me you approved them being summoned?” He tried to catch them in their lie, but Kyla knew it wasn’t going to happen. They could play the innocent card all they wanted because there was no damn proof. They had nothing on them. Kyla needed that ash to heal properly, to be at
full strength to face Onyx and they had known that, taking her advantage away. She would have done the same and she cursed herself for not thinking of it. How could she have left the ashes alone? Damn it. Kyla turned away, breathing slowly so she didn’t lash out and get herself in more trouble. Zarek wasn’t having much luck with his temper either as his face flushed and his jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing on the Elders.
“This magic was too strong Prince. Sorry, there was nothing we could do.” Elder Egen announced confidently. Zarek pulled a scroll out from his royal robe.
“That’s the last straw, Elders. Hiding a Djinn that is wanted by the King for treason, losing ashes that were as of yesterday, Royal property and having incorrect reports is too much to ignore. Mons area, and the Elders are officially under investigation and on lockdown until further notice.” Zarek bit handing over the scroll. His outburst wiped the smirks off all their faces and quickly. Elder Timmin was the first to recover and scoffed.
“I thought we agreed to a free pass from both parties lack of formality, Prince.” He spat the Royal name. Zarek shook his head.
“No. Not after this. You don’t get to manipulate the system like this. You were chosen to stand up for this realm and support your King and you have disgraced that honour. Your titles have been revoked until the investigation is completed. You should have known better. Centaurs will arrive shortly to take over and you will wait in the dungeons in the mansion until you are summoned. We can’t trust you in your area anymore.” Zarek ranted, his voice full of fury. The Elders looked as surprised as Kyla at the outburst. They had hit a nerve and they knew it. Taken it too far. Kyla smiled proudly at Zarek who was amazing as Prince and would be a great King, despite the guilt he would feel for having the title.
“If we are sanctioned, then we want her punished for her assault yesterday.” Elder Lorrin sneered. Zarek stormed up to the goblins form, glaring down at him as Orion hovered closely with a hand on his sword.
“She is pardoned.” He whispered dangerously. The Elder narrowed eyes.
“You can’t do that. If she is pardoned, then we are.” The Elder challenged. Zarek looked over at Orion who somehow knew what Zarek meant, even though Kyla didn’t. Not until Orion stepped forward and handcuffed the goblin, taking his weapons from him and throwing them to the ground.
“No, you’re not. You all acted against the King, she acted for him. Loyalty will not be punished. Not when there are so many traitors in our midst.” Zarek growled, his voice lowering to show them he wasn’t backing down from his decision. The Elders looked like they wanted to disagree but didn’t get a chance because a thunderous noise broke through the area. Kyla jumped at the noise, instinctively turning towards it with her palms ready and burning. But she didn’t need to fight. Instead she shuffled closer to Shemar, so she didn’t get trampled by the hundreds of centaur hooves storming towards them. They surged up to them in a tight formation, four wide, the front rows breaking off to surround the Elders and handcuff them with giant onyx handcuffs and a smaller set for Elder Timmin. The rest circled them, standing at attention for instructions. Orion turned to the leader of this pack, bowing to him. The leader bowed back.
“Diem.” Orion greeted.
“Orion.” He responded before they stood from their bow. It was all so formal and yet it felt intimate. The respect in the simple gesture was intense but had Kyla wishing that all the creatures had what the centaurs had.
“You understand your assignment?” Orion asked as the others remained silent. Diem nodded.
“We’ll keep the area on lock down. Nothing in or out. And you want the Elders escorted to the dungeons?” He checked warily as if he didn’t quite understand what was happening. Orion nodded as Kyla bit her lip. They didn’t know about the tunnels, but they needed to. If they didn’t, they couldn’t guard them.
“Yes. They have been revoked until the investigation of the area is completed. Find anything and everything you can, that isn’t meant to be.” Orion ordered. Diem nodded then looked over at Kyla. Her eyes widened as she saw his narrowed almond eyes. She wanted to say something, but she was pretty sure she still wasn’t permitted to speak. She looked over to Orion for confirmation.
“He senses your emotions, Kyla. Something you need to tell us?” Orion questioned. Kyla bit her lip, looking over at Zarek. He nodded but as she looked over at the smirk on the goblins, she realised they wanted her to slip up. To admit she had left the area, found the tunnels. She wasn’t falling for it. She shook her head, then since Orion’s mind was too strong to access, got into Shemar’s.
‘Last night when I went to the vampires to get Byron, I used the tunnels. I found the entrance in the warehouse by the box we pulled out. The smell of the box was masking the scent of our blood stains so we wouldn’t find the door. The pole that has the entrance to the tunnels is in between the two shelving units.’ Kyla revealed, his eyes widening then narrowing on her. He shook his head then looked over to Orion. They had their own mind link thing that centaurs could do, and he must’ve relayed the information to both the centaurs because Diem glared towards her.
“She should go back to the mansion before she gets the Prince in any more trouble.” Diem scolded. He didn’t have the same patience with her as Orion and Shemar did. Orion nodded.
“That’s where we are going. You have this place secured then? The border is closed?” He checked. Diem nodded.
“Yes, as requested,” Diem nodded then turned to the centaurs holding the Elders. “Take them to the mansion, keep them separated. Transport is waiting at the border.” he ordered to his clan. They nodded words then urged the Elders forward. Kyla watched as they were escorted back through the forest by a lot of centaurs and despite getting them and the vampires arrested, something still felt off. Kyla shook off the feeling putting it down to her paranoia. After everything that she had been through to get to the point where they began to capture their enemies, why shouldn’t it be easier than she had thought? And yet, she just couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t over with the traitors. That they can’t have been Onyx’s only cards. And the third player, she still wasn’t convinced was Byron, could still be making moves against her and the Royals.
The centaurs left with the Elders and after some more narrowing down of the details between the Elders, Zarek and Kyla were directed back to the camper. They moved in and Zarek straight away took off his jacket and robe, placing them across the table. Kyla went straight for the kitchenette, making their coffees and bringing them to the booth where they sat. She hadn’t gotten sleep last night besides the hour that morning, so her body was running on empty, not to mention food would’ve have been a great addition but that would have to wait until the mansion. She waited for Zarek to speak but instead he put his head in his hands.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” He whispered.
“Done what?” She frowned.
“Arrested them. Had them sanctioned and moved to the dungeons. Put on lockdown. Take your pick.” He cringed.
“Why not?” Kyla demanded. “They were openly getting away with treason and forcing you into giving them what they wanted. I’m glad you stood up for yourself and took charge, otherwise it would have been the same behaviour when you become King. Now they know they can’t mess with you.” Kyla reassured. He looked up at her with a small smile.
“You still have every faith in me. I know I had to do it but going to that extreme is probably going to make my father mad. He should have been the one to make those decisions, not me. I don’t even know if he would’ve done the same as I had,” He worried. Kyla placed her hand over his.
“Your father wasn’t there. You were. And I think you did the right thing,” Kyla promised before her phone began vibrating in her pocket. “Hold that thought, it’s Wyatt,” She hurried to answer the call, glad he was okay after the vampires had drained him.
“Wyatt, you’re alive.” Kyla answered with a grin. Wyatt chuckled.
“Of course I am. I owe you a thank y
ou as well for not dropping me in it with everything that happened but something else first,” He said his voice holding an urgent tone that had her gripping the phone.
“What’s wrong?” She asked earning her a weary glance from Zarek.
“Not wrong Kyla. Something good. Sky found your mom, she’s in an apartment in Detroit, Michigan in your human world.” Wyatt revealed. Kyla’s jaw dropped, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes tingling with tears. Her mom’s face came to her mind. Soft features, the same blue eyes as her own, the loving smile. Her mom. And she was alive.
“We’ll be there soon.” Kyla whispered then hung up. Zarek looked over at her expectantly.
“Sky found my mom, Zarek. She’s alive.”
~ 21 ~
As soon as they pulled up at the hospital, Kyla stumbled from the camper, not even waiting for Orion and Shemar to unhook themselves first. She burst through the doors, going straight to the elevators and up to Sky’s floor. The psychiatric ward.
It was coated in magic that assisted the locked doors in keeping the unorthodox creatures of the supernatural world in. Including Sky. Except she was a different kind of unorthodox. She wasn’t crazy, just able to see ghosts. To a human, that would have been a gift, or something strange even but not for the supernatural realm. For their realm, it was odd, unnatural and even considered evil by some, which meant until Sky couldn’t see them, she was staying locked up. Onyx had really done a number on her when he had taken over her mind.
But Sky’s mind was strong and despite it being a constant source of guilt for Kyla, it was the only reason she had been able to find her mom, so for that, she was grateful. As the King always said, ‘everything is happening for a reason’ and it was things like finding her mom that forced her to believe that.
Kyla shifted from foot to foot as the elevator climbed, Zarek leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed and a stern frown.