by Joy Spraycar
Max saw a shadow pass across Simeon’s face. “And what happened to them?”
“My mother was lost in a struggle much as you and Zalphia face here.”
Max gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles a vivid white.
Zalphia could die?
His heart hammered, sweat popped out on his brow, and his mind screamed at him to run back to the palace as fast as he could.
A lump almost took his breath away, but he managed to swallow. “So... so... failure is...?”
“A possibility? Yes. It always is. We must fight for the right. And if it requires a sacrifice of life to turn the tide, then we must be willing to lay even that on the line to save a world.”
Max folded his arms on the table and let his head fall onto them.
Oh, Zalphia. I never should have left you.
He couldn’t do this. Zalphia carried his child. They could not expect him to stand by and allow her to forfeit not only her life, but their child’s as well?
His head popped up and he banged his fists against the table. “No. I will not let her die!”
All talking ceased, and everyone turned to look.
Raising one hand, Simeon nodded. “It is all right. Just making a point.”
A few raised their glasses in toast, and the rest returned to their conversations.
Simeon laid a hand on Max’s fist. “The choice is not yours. It is Zalphia’s.”
Max jerked his hand away. “I do not care. I am the strong one. I will take her place. Zalphia and our child will not be subjected to the horrors I have witnessed. I will not stand for it. Do you hear me?”
Simeon sat back, his hands folded on the table. “I know how you feel, Son. But you know as well as I do that those like us only lend power to those like Zalphia... and, well, we can only do so much. Only one who can physically change things can choose to sacrifice to save a world. My mother did it, and my wife’s sister chose the same path. It is up to Zalphia how this ends. And you can do nothing to change how things must be.”
“No!” Max’s hands shook as he again grasped the table. “Let me take her place. I will do anything. Please, do not let this happen.”
Simeon shook his head. “I have no control over this. Zalphia, and Zalphia alone, can decide what will be. She may choose to save herself and the child. Or she may choose to leave this planet and all on it to destruction. But if she decides she will do all in her power to save the humans here, then only when it comes down to the last moment will we know what will be required.”
“Can I not –?”
“Take her place?” Simeon glanced down at his folded hands. “No. I am afraid not.”
Max again slammed the table with his fist. “Then why did you send me here? If I can do nothing but sit by and watch while my wife dies, what good am I?”
“Because.” A sad smile spread across Simeon’s face. “You did not want her to be alone. You wanted her to know that no matter what she decided, you would be right there for her in the end. It is all any of those such as us may do. Stand by their partner at the end. Lend strength and watch the mission accomplished with the ultimate price being paid.”
“I cannot do it.” Max rocked back and forth, shaking his head as a single tear slipped down his cheek. “I cannot watch her die to save this planet.”
“You have no choice. Besides, you promised Zalphia before you came here that you would honor her wishes and not interfere. Do you wish to break your oath to her?”
Max felt the blood drain from his face. His vision swam in blurry lines. He had promised to watch the love of his life die and not step in to save her? Why in the world would he have said that? But he would do anything for Zalphia. Anything she wanted, he would grant. But this? Could he do this even if she asked him to?
“I cannot just stand by. Not if I can save her.”
Simeon shook his head. “You know she would hate you for it. She would never forgive you if you interfered and caused the failure of this mission.”
Simeon was right. Max knew deep down Simeon spoke the truth. Zalphia had been the strongest mind on Selestia. She knew what had to be accomplished here before they came to this planet, and if she had made him promise not to interfere – well, then – he would not interfere. It would kill him to stand by and watch while she did what was required. But he would stand by her. Lend her strength. It was the least he could do. But that did not mean he would like it.
A strangled sob clawed through his chest and made its way out. “I will do as I have promised.”
Simeon nodded. “I know it is not an easy thing. But in the end you will see the good in the sacrifice.”
Max rubbed his trembling chin. “What do I do?’
“Wait. I will make sure you are where you need to be in the end. But for now, we wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“For Zalphia to find the power that lies within.”
“I do not understand.”
“I know, Son, but you will.” Simeon motioned for their drinks.
Silence reigned. Max grabbed his drink and gulped the foul liquid. It burned his throat and settled like hot lava in his stomach.
Simeon held his mug in both hands, close to his chest.
“So.” Max set his mug on the table. “Exactly how will Zalphia discover her power? You instructed me on the ways of Selestia. Who will she learn from?”
“Karaticus will do what he can. But there are others with our beloved Zalphia.”
“Who?”
“Well.” Simeon arched an eyebrow. “This is a blessed generation.”
“What do you mean?”
“All will become clear. For now be content to know that Zalphia is in good hands.”
“How do you know?” Max leaned forward.
Simeon leaned forward and laid his hand on Max’s cheek. “In time, Son. All will be revealed in time.”
CHAPTER 28
A rapping at the door brought Zalphia out of her thoughts, and she cringed. The narrow slit opened.
What now?
“Hello?” Karaticus’s voice came through the opening.
Relief flooded over her. At least it wasn’t Platy returning to try again.
Zalphia stood and peered through the slit. “Karaticus, what are you doing here?”
The jingle of keys reached her ears, and her son met her gaze through the narrow slot. “I have to get you out of here. Everything is in an uproar. You fought with Platy, and now Vitus has decided to kill both you and the child. He’s angrier than I’ve ever seen him. I guess he really does love that arrogant power-hungry trainer of yours.”
Sticking her fingers through the hole, Zalphia gasped. “But Karaticus, what about your family? Vitus will kill them if he finds out you released me.”
The lock clicked. Zalphia stepped back, and the door swung open.
Karaticus shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
She couldn’t let him do this.
“It does matter. I won’t let you sacrifice your family.” She shoved Karaticus backward and pushed the door.
He stuck his foot out, stopping it. “No. You don’t understand. You have to find Father and deliver this child. It is the only way Vitus can be overthrown. If you don’t stop this madness, we’re all dead anyway. Selestia will destroy this world, and there is nothing Vitus or I will be able to do about it. You’re the only hope I have to save my family. Don’t you see?”
Zalphia’s heart hurt for her youngest son. No clear choice for him. No matter what he did, he only saw a bleak ending for his family. But she could change all that.
“No, Karaticus. What I see is that if you help me, you will lose your family. And if I stay and Vitus succeeds in killing me, then you’ll all die, too. But there is another way.’’
“Another way? What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I have sensed another mind here, one controlling Vitus.”
“Really? I sense nothing. I’m linked with Vitus, and I would know. How c
an you feel something I can’t?” Karaticus grabbed Zalphia’s hand
“Platy came here spouting about someone named Dameon or Mantus.”
Karaticus’s face paled. “Mantus?” He shoved the door open, stepped into the room, and then closed the door behind him. “That’s impossible.”
“Who is that?” Zalphia studied his face as he wandered to the cot and sank down onto it.
“I knew there was something, an evil influence. But Mantus? I never dreamed. Mantus was the Elder on Selestia stripped of his powers for interfering with the lower planets.”
So this was who had interfered. The reason she had sent her sons here, and the cause of her eldest son turning into what he had become. She shook her head and sat down beside Karaticus.
Zalphia nodded. “Oh, I see.”
Karaticus shook his head. “It is unbelievable. Why have I never sensed him?”
“He is hiding his thoughts in the vibrations of the earth. Don’t you feel them?”
“No.” Karaticus ran a hand down his face. “It can’t be him. Mantus was stripped of his powers many years ago on Selestia.”
“Well, somehow he has gotten them back.”
“It was hard to believe that Vitus had changed so radically.” Karaticus hung his head. “But if Mantus is behind it... well then, that makes sense.”
“Tell me more about Mantus. What did he do that got his powers taken?”
“Well...” Karaticus shook his head. “He visited other worlds, kidnapped leaders, planted deep-seated suggestions in their brains, and then returned them to their places. His ultimate goal was to have all the planets turn against Selestia. He wanted to overthrow the council. But, mainly you, Mother.”
Zalphia sucked in a quick breath. What had she ever done to this Mantus character?
“Me? Why?”
A sad smile lit Karaticus’s face. “You chose Father over him. He wanted to combine with you, the most powerful mind on Selestia. The two of you would have been unbeatable. But instead you took the steady, loving Maximillion as your other half. Mantus determined that he would overthrow the two of you, and he was well on his way when his deceit was discovered.”
“I see.” Zalphia studied her hands. “Now everything Platy was raving about makes sense.”
“What do you mean?”
“She kept ranting that I couldn’t have him. That Dameon, or Mantus, or whatever he goes by here was hers. Do you think he is still trying to end up by my side?”
Karaticus rubbed his chin. “I always wondered why Vitus wanted to trap Father. It seemed to me that if you were killed, then this would all be his. But after your first Glad match, he changed his mind. Wanted to lure Father in. But if Mantus is behind it, he would want Father dead and you alive. With Max out of the way, he could have you all to himself.”
“I see. So Vitus is not my true enemy.”
“Maybe not, but once he sensed the power he could have here, he wanted that. It wasn’t until later that I recognized the changes in him. He is as much an enemy to us as Mantus.”
“What about Max.” Zalphia took Karaticus’s hand. “What has Vitus done with him?”
Karaticus shook his head. “Father isn’t here. I sent him away.”
She slumped and dropped her face into her hands. Max was gone? How could he? She needed him. How could she fight without him?
A small kick reminded her that she wasn’t alone. Although cold seeped into her extremities and her heart hammered painfully, Zalphia shook off the sadness, straightened her back, and threw back her shoulders.
She could do this. She had to do this. But could she without Max’s calming influence? She swallowed hard. “Why did you send him away? I need him.”
Karaticus put his arm around Zalphia’s shoulders. “I know this is hard, for Father and for you. But if Vitus has the both of you, then he will execute you. With Father on the outside, he may be able to do something. But really, you should take the chance I’m offering and run also.”
Zalphia placed her hand against his cheek. “You don’t know how much it means to me that you’re willing to do this. But I can’t let you. I won’t.”
“I don’t see any other way. Vitus has scheduled your execution for tomorrow morning. Father will not be able to come up with a way to get you out of here before then. Don’t you see? This is your only chance.”
My brave boy. He will lose everything. And yet here he is trying to do what’s right.
She took his face in her hands. “No, Karaticus, I have to stay.”
“But what about Father? Together the two of you are stronger than Mantus. Stronger than Vitus.”
“Are we?” Zalphia raised one eyebrow. “There are three minds combined here. But Max and I are only two.”
“You’re right.” Karaticus’s countenance fell, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “I hadn’t thought of that. So how can you do anything here? You’re a prisoner.”
“That may be so,” Zalphia said. “But if I stay here, I’ll be close enough to find out what Mantus’s weakness is. I’m a Glad, Karaticus. I know how to turn every fight to my advantage. Let me try it my way.”
“Are you sure? What about Vitus?”
“I don’t know. Buy me some time, if you can. Hopefully, I’ll find a way to end this.”
Karaticus threw his arms around Zalphia. “All right, for now. But if it comes down to it, promise me you’ll run if there is no other option.”
“I promise. Now go before Vitus finds out you’re here.”
Karaticus retreated behind the door. “I hope you’re right, Mother. Because if you’re still here by the morning, I’m sure my brother will succeed in having you killed.”
“I know.”
The door closed, and Zalphia heard the lock click back into place. She hoped that she’d done the right thing. Lying back down, she knew that no matter what morning brought, she would be all right. Curling into a ball, she laid one hand protectively across her belly.
Me. Danger. Us.
Little one, is that you?
Danger.
What do you know? Tell me.
Danger. Must use power.
Zalphia sighed. I don’t have any.
Do.
Zalphia waited for more, but the infant said nothing else.
Little one?
Silence permeated the room and Zalphia’s mind. The child stilled. The air in the room grew thin, and the light dimmed like clouds covering the sun before a storm. Zalphia calmed her mind, ignoring the feeling of impending doom, and searched for the hidden mind.
Mantus.
***
Karaticus scurried toward his office, shaking his head. He saw his mother’s point, but he still felt she should have taken this chance to flee the palace. He shut the door behind him. Vitus would soon know what he had done. He’d taken a huge chance to offer Zalphia her freedom, and now his family would pay with their lives. Sitting behind his desk, Karaticus let his head fall onto his arms. How could he have been so stupid?
The sound of the door opening brought his head up.
“Vitus.”
His brother shut the door behind him. “So, she wouldn’t go, huh?”
Karaticus felt the blood drain from his face. Vitus had been with Platy. How had he known? When did their minds reconnect?
“What?” Karaticus should have known better than to play games. Now his family would pay.
“Don’t worry, little brother. I’m not angry. Your wife and boys are safe. For now.”
Karaticus slumped in his chair. Thank Selestia.
Vitus plopped down on the couch. “However, I’m curious.”
“About?” Karaticus stared at his brother’s thoughtful face.
“About this other mind Zalphia mentioned. Have you sensed another mind in here?”
“Don’t be absurd. If I had you would know about it, wouldn’t you?”
Vitus steepled his fingers in front of him. “Yes, I would. However, you have hidden things from me in the pa
st, haven’t you? I heard your conversations with Mother, and you are hiding things from me even now.”
“No!”
Vitus chuckled. “Not to worry.” He sat up straight. “I’m not angry. However, I’ve changed my mind about Zalphia.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was going to make her pay for what she did to Platy.” A smile spread across his face. “But it seems my Empress-to-be is keeping things from me also.”
“And...?” Karaticus sat up straight in his chair.
“I want you to arrange a Glad match.”
“A Glad match? For who?”
Vitus ran his fingers across his lips. “Platy and Zalphia.”
“What?” Karaticus’s fingers dug into the arms of his chair. “Why?”
Vitus leaned back on the couch. “If Platy is playing me, then I wish to draw out this other Selestial being. And what better way than to pit the two women he cares about against each other. One way or another, someone he wants will be killed unless he reveals himself.”
“But what if he doesn’t?” Karaticus wished Zalphia would have left when he offered her the chance.
“Then I’ve taken care of most of my problems in one afternoon. Besides, I’m betting Father will not allow his precious Zalphia to be killed. So you see, brother, I’ll have everything all wrapped up and served on a silver platter. And I alone will be standing when the dust from the arena settles.” Vitus grinned. “Now, do as I’ve instructed or one of your sons’ lives is forfeit.”
Karaticus felt the blood drain from his face. “You can’t be serious.”
Vitus chuckled as he rose from the couch. “But I am.” He raised his eyebrows. “Deadly serious.”
“But why?” Karaticus rose to meet his brother. “You know if you do this Selestia will destroy this planet.”
“Will they?” Vitus’s smile grew. “And who exactly will be left to do that?”
“What are you saying?”
“I’ll draw Father and Simeon out of hiding with this match and destroy them all. Then there will be no one left on Selestia who can defeat me. I’m going to kill them. And you’re going to help me do it.”
“But you can’t.” Karaticus grabbed his brother’s arm. “You mustn’t.”