Quentin, dammit, wasn’t in the room. Not that I’d ask him. I wasn’t sure if I’d believe what he’d tell me.
“It’s all up to you.”
“What?” I turned in a complete circle, looking for the source of the voice in my head. “Who’s there?”
“You must go down to come up, the circle should never meet.”
Sam. Had to be, whispering so softly I could barely understand, much less recognize his voice. Had I missed something? Why was he talking in riddles?
I jammed my hands in my pockets and stomped across the room, mentally pleading for him to tell me what the heck he meant.
I stopped after three steps. My hand was shaking when I withdrew it and turned it over. As I opened my fist, I gasped. There it was. The last gem.
Now what? Goose bumps covered my arms as I remembered the first part of the cryptic message. Up to me? Sure. No pressure.
But I wouldn’t simply sit here and let things happen around me. Nor did I think I could safely protect the gem. I could…hopefully, figure out a way to use it to stop Mr. B. That thought almost had my half laugh turn to tears.
Now thankful Quentin wasn’t around to question or follow me, I went invisible and snuck back into the maze of hallways until I found a staircase leading to the basement.
And I wouldn’t have gone down there, really, if I hadn’t felt the pull. I could feel the power in the air. A pulsing heartbeat coming from the center of the compound. The life blood.
The gems.
I’ll admit it, first curiosity and maybe even greed had me straddling the doorway. I knew it was there, just around the corner.
Quentin called my name. Couldn’t tell if it was in my head or in my ears. It was intense. Had to be the magic. The power called to me. I couldn’t fight against it. I had to see, to know, to understand what I fought for—to understand why this raw energy couldn’t be trusted in the hands of anyone like Mr. B.
My body pulsated, as if my very heartbeat was connected to the power the gems radiated. I followed the invisible lure until I reached a door. It looked like any ordinary door. Yet I knew.
Something icy cold blasted me from behind and sent me sprawling into the room. I could almost feel the chilling, snake-like laughter wrap itself up and around me and stop my heart.
I shook it off and stood.
There it was.
Incredible.
It was like being in a room of pure sunshine and oxygen. Power seeped through every pore on my body. Like a super injection of revitalizing vitamins. I felt whole, powerful, alive.
Funny, though, the circle exuded so much power yet the room wasn’t filled with light, Brilliance from such an extreme amount of magic should have spilled out through the doors and windows, desperate to escape and fill the world.
But then I remembered my last visit to the island. I’d been tainted. Couldn’t see that. Perhaps an innocent could. But for me, the Technicolor was hidden behind bad intentions and selfish decisions. I was still stuck in black and white, and likely doomed to stay there.
I wondered if Quentin or Mr. B could see anything more than the contraption that centered the room, illuminated only by overhead fluorescents.
These gems were supposed to be the heart of happiness, the soul of goodness, the power of freedom. And they were about to turn off the lights on the good side of things forever.
Enough philosophizing, Ella. That’s not going to stop him. Think. How are you going to do this?
Plan? Why hadn’t I engraved notes from my talk with Lou and Sam on my arm? I couldn’t remember anything except…something about acting like a magnet and the power turning. I didn’t have a magnet. I shook my head and looked around. There had to be a solution here.
The room wasn’t ornate. In fact, the walls were nothing more than painted concrete block and the only thing worth seeing in the entire space was its centerpiece.
It rendered me speechless. Thoughtless. I could only stare, mouth agape.
The giant glass-looking circular frame, constructed in metal, stood nearly six feet tall. From what I could tell, it was propped in some oversize contraption that reminded me of a decorative plate holder. But this thing was meant for function, not aesthetic appeal.
And that’s not what had me gaping.
It was what decorated the glass that held me in awe.
Gems. Nine of them. Placed around the circle like numbers on the clock, gleaming like diamonds in the plain overhead light.
They radiated the power.
Awesome power.
It took virtually no effort at all to close my eyes and wish to be wearing the ball gown I’d left laying out. An easy finger flick created the perfect hair style. I snapped my fingers and was rewarded with shoes. Now, one last thing.
I held out my hand and mentally reached for the velvet box.
“Looking for this?” Mr. B strode through the door and closed it behind him. “Ah, you sensed it then, the pull to the magic. The sapphire has its own magic—one a little different than these.” He gestured to the circle behind him. “It can stand alone, to some extent. Its magic is limited unless paired with one of these.”
At the top of the circle, high noon, was a place I could only expect had been created to hold the sapphire Mr. B currently clutched.
He continued, “Combined with the ten gems, the magic created by this circle will be stronger than any that came before it.”
“What of the other gems, the copies? Couldn’t you, at any time, have put them in the circle with the sapphire?”
He shook his head. He’d tried it, of course, he was too greedy not to. But even one hundred of those fake gems couldn’t have the power of ten real ones.
“We’re getting close. The labs working day and night to duplicate the power.”
“You’re making magic?” Preposterous. There had to be something, a link, a draw. Magic wasn’t creatable. It just was.
Listen to me. Like this little travel agent from Illinois knows jack about magic.
“Oh yes, we’re making magic. Once we can complete this circle, Ella, we anticipate magic will be at our disposal.”
I couldn’t imagine a life with magic in abundance. Chaos and mayhem would rule. Everything sacred would be replaced. And no one could govern a world in which everyone had so much power. Even if Mr. B thought so.
If he tuned in to my thoughts, he ignored me. Didn’t say a word, but walked over to the circle of gems and touched one. It pulsated with color at the contact.
I must have gasped. He laughed.
“Go, on, Ella, dear. Touch one. Feel the exquisite strength in the real gems. But then, I forget, you’ve worn them, known their power, haven’t you? You’re quite familiar with the pull they have.”
And I did. Much as I wanted to deny it, having known them, I feared being without them. Any of them. And there was a definite difference. Zirconia to diamond. Pyrite to gold.
Mr. B glowered over me. He was not a friendly creature. I took a step backwards, aiming for the general direction of the door. “Why are you doing this to me?” I asked.
Mr. B lifted his hand and the glow faded. “Why?” He ignored my intent to escape as if he didn’t think I would, or could. “Why indeed, Ella Mansfield?”
I waited.
“I need you.” He smiled like a hypocritical preacher asking for tithes, and slung an arm around my shoulder.
My hands dug deeper into my pockets. I hated this—having my personal space invaded. Especially by a snake.
“Pardon me.” He stepped away. “But I should expect you to be repulsed. One of the things I like about you, dear, is your loyal spirit. Soon, however, you will see I am not evil at all. My establishment is run with careful consideration. My intention is not to corrupt the world, but rather to show by example how my ideas can revolutionize the modern globe.”
I felt like snorting. He sounded political, and one of the first things my father taught me was politicians will tell anyone what they want to hear.
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br /> “Why do you need me?” I knew it wasn’t really me he needed. It was something he thought I had.
“No, Ella, I know you don’t have what I need. But you’re carrying my heir. A child—proof my theory of peace can be successful.”
The man was talking in riddles. But I really expected that was what he wanted to do—confuse me. It needed to stop. “I need to get ready for this dinner,” I said.
“Why? You look ready now.”
I glanced down and growled. That’s right. I had played tricks with my clothes to save time. What a stupid move that had been.
Still, I wasn’t completely ready. I pointed to my face. “War paint. Make-up. Something to make me appear beautiful. I know I look stressed.”
He waved his fingers. I should have expected him to use magic. A feather like touch brushed over my face. I guess he solved that.
An easy snap of his fingers produced a full length mirror. “Smashing.” Mr. B nodded and smiled. “Quentin will be pleased. He chose this dress, yes?”
What could I do but nod?
He made the mirror disappear. Lord, I wish I could do that.
“No!” Mr. B stepped toward me, his eyes flashing.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.” I fought to think about not having anywhere to go, even if I wanted to. I sighed.
“Good girl. Now let me help you with the necklace.”
I stood while he fastened it around my neck. It’d be so easy for him to choke me. Or unhook my gems and leave me defenseless.
“Defense, Ella? They were provided simply to aid you in daily life—”
“It’s not what I mean.” What did I mean? I could remember a time when I hated the gems, didn’t want them. Now I was scared to be without them.
“Ah, Quentin, good of you to finally join us.”
A hand rested at my waist. A warm, welcome hand.
“Hi, dear, how was your walk?” He looked down and smiled.
Opaque eyes. I hated the emptiness there. His touch suddenly didn’t feel so comfortable.
I didn’t squirm, despite the overwhelming urge. Instead I practiced acting and tried to look like the loving partner as I smiled back up at him. “I got lost—caught up in traffic. Can’t believe there’s so many people down here.”
Can’t say as I liked the exchange the two men shared. I interpreted it as “piece of cake”—referring to my apparent naïveté. “What?” burst out of my mouth like it had burned my tongue.
“You ask too many questions.” Mr. B nodded at Quentin.
Oh, give me a break.
“The dress looks great, Ella. Why don’t you come back with me to the room while I get ready?” The whisper I usually found irresistible became irritating
I should have tuned into them. I tried, then, but found nothing. As if I was blocked. Well, that was a new one.
Quentin tugged at the back of my dress. I heard something fall. My hand immediately grabbed at my neck, but both the tight choker containing my knock-off gems and the sapphire were in place.
It could only mean…
I refused to think. Instead I cursed dresses and the lack of secure pockets and even the fact I didn’t have ample cleavage to keep my secret…well, secret. All this during the moment we all sort of stared at each other, disbelieving.
Then, on some invisible cue, we all dove toward the sparkling gem. I, of course, might as well have been wearing a straight jacket for the speed and agility in which I reacted. Damn dress.
It was Quentin who came up with it.
The final gem.
“At last,” Bergestein gasped and clapped his hands together in evil glee.
I shuddered and choked. “No.” I reached for it, but Quentin fisted it and held it to his chest.
He wouldn’t meet my eyes.
Now what? I knew. I’d failed. I’d let Quentin in too close and the mission was over.
Lightning, strike me now.
What happened next was considerably worse than the prospect of a few hundred thousand volts of electricity. A giant green vine reached out from the wall. Like a horror movie. A Jack and the Beanstalk horror movie. It snared my legs.
Panic ensued. I kicked, stomped, tried to run. But it held tight and pulled me backwards toward the wall.
Oh. My. God. I was going to die.
I fought with everything I had. And my magic was useless. Even with the supposedly powerful sapphire against my throat, I could do nothing to get free. I wouldn’t look up at Bergestein or Quentin, though the passing wonder of why Quentin refused to help me stole some of my strength.
The snake-like vine slithered up my back. I clawed at my neck, reaching for the gems, praying for their power. But the vine was quicker than I, squeezing my neck and keeping my fingers from reaching the gems.
Power. One last chance.
I closed my eyes and relaxed. God, it was hard to relax. But I had to let it build. Easy. Easy. I couldn’t use my hands. I had to be sure of what I was doing. I thought of what had transpired, letting the anger, the hate, all flow through me and become a giant ball of power in my gut.
I’d have to use eye contact to direct it. I prayed it was enough.
Fire.
Literally.
Fear must have weakened my ability—or else my gems had been rendered inactive. I gave it all I had. Mr. B should have gone up in smoke and ash. Instead, his sleeve caught fire and his eyebrows got a little singed.
All I’d managed to do was piss him off.
Nice move, Ella.
Quentin echoed the thought, mentally. Finally. I was beginning to think I was powerless. No, I had power, just not enough to do anything with it.
The gem remained tightly in Quentin’s grip. And my lover and my friend—the one I’d trusted and run to—had failed to even acknowledge I was becoming dinner for some oversize Venus fly trap.
Since nothing else worked, I tried to save myself the old-fashioned way. “Help!”
And I yelled loud, too. Bergestein laughed. Quentin frowned.
Bad thing was, apart from blinking, my mouth was the only thing I could move. And with the huge vine circling my neck, my jaw was quickly becoming immobile.
I really was going to die.
No.
Not with that creep leaning down to sneer at me. I’d have given anything to wipe the arrogant smile off his face.
“Ella, Ella, Ella. You’re a fiery one. It’s a shame I have to extinguish your spirit. But you can’t go on. You’ve learned too much. You’re too dangerous to me. Surely you understand that.”
The limbs tightened. He intended to have me ripped limb from limb. Brain cells exploded, as if finally taking it in. I don’t want to die!
What of the child? The heir, the whole purpose for my being?
“Sorry dear, but you’re not the only fertile woman on this planet. As much as I’d hoped this would work, you’re just too much of a liability.”
The pain blinded me. The vine circling my stomach had gotten to rib crushing power. How could he?
“Apparently Quentin is as eager to be a father as you are a mother, my dear. He’s quite unwilling to save you, or your child.”
Mr. B and Quentin stared each other down.
“Quentin, no. Please.” My teeth were locked together, but I had to get it out. I could feel the waves of indecision. He was almost ready to give in. Probably afraid of suffering the same fate as I.
He caught my eye, then looked away. I willed him, begged him both vocally and mentally to do the right thing. Mr. B pulled the other way, I knew that without hearing his thoughts. God only knew what he was feeding him. And Quentin’s own ego had to be involved in the volley. He’d been power hungry all along.
I choked back a sob as my shoulder popped. I wasn’t sure I had legs anymore. Circulation had ceased and even the tingling stopped.
I could only hope my brain would be as numb as my extremities when the skin started tearing.
“Do you want to see her suffer further?�
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A drip of sweat rolled down Quentin’s cheek as he looked from me to Bergestein.
“No, Quentin. Don’t worry about me. Do not give him the gem. Please.” The room was getting hazy. Blurry.
“Do you want to watch me kill her?” Mr. B’s voice was followed by the expected villainous laugh. It was almost funny. Except the pain part. If I didn’t have nerve endings I could have pretended I was dreaming this ridiculous stunt.
“This is the one you love, isn’t it, lover boy? The one who would give you a son.”
I was being severed. Something rolled down my back. Sweat? Blood? Who knew?
“Let her go!” Quention straightened his shoulders and squared off against Bergestein.
I felt limp. “No! Don’t give in. I’m nothing. Save the world, dammit.”
“Here, take it. Let her go!” Quentin threw the gem at Mr. B., or I assume he did. I heard something skate across the floor. And then I felt fingers at my neck, struggling against the vine.
He touched my gems.
Nothing.
I gasped a hard fought breath. Nothing?
“I’m so sorry, Sam. I’m so sorry.” I felt it coming, the tunnel that would take me from this body. Close. So close.
But Quentin was in my way, peering into my eyes.
Close. So close.
“I love you,” he whispered.
My eyes closed.
“Heeeeelp!” The dark tunnel took a distinct right turn and jerked me back into bright light. I was being shaken like a rag doll at the same time. But I could move. I really could.
Magical green eyes bore into mine when I forced mine open. I could breathe, too. My lungs screamed their thanks as they filled with oxygen. Quentin. Quentin had saved me.
“Oh, Ella,” he said, finally letting go of my shoulders. “Thank God you’re okay.”
“I’m not,” I croaked. My throat burned. And that didn’t even describe it well enough. Something told me that once feeling came back to the rest of my body I’d wish I were dead.
The would-be murderer stood before the circle of gems. Totally oblivious to us. His nonchalance surprised me, but I even didn’t have the energy to point it out to Quentin.
I watched as he rolled the stone over and over in his hands. But even I understood its importance. That once little marble-looking thing could disturb the balance of the entire planet.
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