Murmurs rose from the crowd. Faces twisted in confusion. The young girl smirked.
“But you were slaves, not zombies. Athena abused her power under the guise of love.” I placed a hand on my heart, setting my eyes on Carter.
His lips spread into a warm smile, encouraging me to continue.
“She gave you the opposite of love. In Rushna, I found a person who cares about what’s best for you. She’s patient and kind, not jealous or boastful. Her main concern is the people of this country. Brought up by the monks of Crestone, this girl lives in Miske as a humble, caring servant to her neighbors. In my own heart, I know this is your prophesized queen.”
“Another foreigner?” One of the guards near the front asked the question.
“A foreigner raised in the ways of Rushna.”
“Where is this woman?” A courtier removed his hat and held it over his heart.
“That’s the thing.” I twisted a piece of hair around my finger. “She risked her life to save her fiancé from Athena. Now, I’m not sure where she is.”
“I’m here.” Esme entered the room, looking more regal than I’d ever seen her, although blood stains drenched her white uniform.
Satchel ran after her, not quite sure what to do with this Esme. He’d have to stop ordering her around when she became queen.
“It is not my intent to address you in such a manner as this.” She swiped her hand down her soiled clothing. “Nor, is it my intent to assume that you’ll accept my position. Yes, I’m an orphan, found by Brother Michael. I come to you as a simple woman from Miske.”
“Are you a foreigner, like the girl says?” The same guard who spoke up before scratched his beard. “Do you have proof?”
My friend reached into her pocket and pulled out the tiny transport bracelet she wore when she was an infant. “My parents brought me here wearing these stones. I come from a land beyond.”
An older woman with her hair gathered in a red kerchief hobbled to the front. She raised a scraggly black eyebrow at Esme. “What if ye are a fake? An abuser like our last queen? Never in all my days in Rushna have I seen such a disgrace to the monarchy.” She scratched her head and spoke directly to the vocal guard, placing a hand on his arm. “The crown. The crown will tell all.”
He looked up at us and a frown crossed his lips. “Did the hag’s crown get swept away with her body?”
Carter reached for a bag from behind the throne. He set it up on the pedestal, unzipped it and removed the red jewel set in the intricate silver casing. Without a word, he passed it to me.
Bile rose in my throat. This adornment had touched Athena’s head, the woman who hurt Brek. I bit my lip and stared down at him.
He nodded at me to continue.
“Do you want me to wash it first?” Lice was definitely a thought that crawled through my head.
Esme placed her hands on mine. They were soft like silk, which surprised me with all the fighting she’d been up to lately. “Will you do me the honor? You believed in me before anyone else.”
I held the crown, no longer afraid of tiny bugs, and reached up to place it on her head. The second the metal touched her hair; the red stone glowed with a brilliant light.
The people, who had been so sure minutes ago that I was their queen, slowly fell to their knees. It was a sight I’d only seen on TV with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Guards, courtiers, and commoners alike, crossed arms over their chests.
“Long live, Queen Esme!” The heckler guard was beginning to grow on me. Maybe I’d recommend him to her for captain since Jaco was sure to end up in the dungeon.
Satchel kneeled in front of Esme, taking my breath away more than any other sight I’d seen that day. Maybe the two of them could make it work.
28
Merchants and employees removed any traces of red from their shop windows in the abandoned shopping mall. A white one-piece, like the one Esme wore when she became queen, adorned a mannequin, faux bloodstains and all. Apparently, she was the new trendsetter.
Tyran paced the pink marble stones, his unsettled nature making me nervous.
“Can we go?” He plopped down next to me on a bench. “I still have a pint-sized ruler to get past to free Shaol.”
“It’s not me you’re waiting on.” I sighed, placing my head in my hands. “You have more control over him than I do.”
He stood up and walked away, his words trailing behind him, “I’m not even going to go there, little girl.”
Why did everyone think I had more control over my best friend than the next person? I gazed at the kiosk that once held framed pictures of Athena. Brek leaned in close to Wren, his fingers wrapped in the ropes that hung from the hood of her cape. His lips touched hers, and she smiled. Her cheeks reddened.
She was good for him. Right?
And he couldn’t take her with him. But he’d want to come back. When I pictured him with his hot supermodel wife and Leave it to Beaver lifestyle, I’d always thought he’d still be accessible to me. It was us. We’d always be in each other’s life. Until now.
What if he loved her?
“Earth to Meg.” Carter slid along the bench until he bumped into me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “Do you have the jewel?”
I nodded, still staring at the happy couple.
The intensity in Carter’s eyes bore into the side of my head. “Don’t worry, Covington. Soon, she’ll be out of his life, and we can go back to our polygamist lifestyle.”
“Shut up!” I smacked him, and he grabbed my wrists to pull me closer.
He smelled like lavender, and his hair was soft to the touch as I ran my fingers through his dark strands. We’d utilized the palace’s amenities, each with a private room and our own tubs.
My jeans appeared frayed and worn as I crossed my legs over his and scooted closer. “You know our deal. We’re best friends, nothing more.” I raised my hand to his cheek. It was smooth under my fingertips. “I’ve never kissed him. Well, he kissed me when we were like sixteen but that was a long time ago and didn’t really count.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. My kiss with Brek just weeks before was buried deep.
He rested his forehead against mine. “I don’t know if I can continue on. I mean, if the two of you want to tackle the White Door. It’s up to you.” He sniffled. “You almost died, Brek pretty much died twice, Rachel died, Fivlon died.” He rested his cheek in my palm. “I’m not sure if the whole thing’s worth it anymore. There’s just all these expectations laid on us… I mean for you to get the money.” His cheeks flamed. He turned away and buried his face in his hands.
“Expectations for us?” I touched his shoulder. “No one knows we’re here, right?”
He swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck, the glaring empty spot on his arm among his myriad of tattoos at the forefront.
“Carter.” Tyran seemed to appear out of nowhere. “A word.”
What was it with the two of them? They were always having a word. It made me wonder if Carter was Tyran’s apprentice, and not Brek.
Following one last kiss with Wren, Brek walked over to the bench and sat down beside to me. His long arm snaked around me on the bench.
He shot me a sheepish smile and sighed. “We did it again, Covington. Defeated the bad guys, earned the prize money, and I even got me a new girlfriend. Not bad for a week’s work.” He poked my shoulder. “And I only had to almost die once.”
I enveloped my knees in my arms. “And what now?” My cheek resting on my knee, I turned my eyes on him. “We’re not the same people who started this game a month ago, as crazy as that sounds. I have a boyfriend, you’ve got a girlfriend, and magic on top of that. It used to be the two of us taking on the world. You know, like we used to take on zombies.”
“Things change… people change. I took your lead.” He lowered his gaze from me. “You’ve always said this is what you wanted; for me to move on. I thought you were happy for me.”
“It was… I am, it’s just that
when Carter and I break up, I’ll be alone.” Yeah, I was a selfish jerk. Not willing to give up Carter but not ready to give everything to Brek.
“Is something going on?” He reached into his pocket and removed the blue plastic ring from fifth grade. He slipped it on my finger. “It doesn’t matter what other women are in my life. You’ll always be my girl.”
It sounded stupid and cheesy, but in a way, it was what I needed to hear. I lowered my voice. “There’s something going on with Carter and Tyran.”
“What do you mean?” He turned on the bench to stare at the two of them talking by the fountain.
“When I found the items in the boxes in the mansion, there was a symbol on the lid. Tyran gave Carter an envelope with the same symbol.” I swallowed, watching my boyfriend in a heated conversation with the magician. “There’s something more going on here than a stupid game. I’m worried.”
“I haven’t found a reason not to trust Tyran, but Carter…” His face lit up into his big goofy grin.
“I’m serious.” I slapped his arm. “Carter’s talking about not doing the White Door. I think he knows something.”
“Then let’s skip it and get the two million from the Black Door. We’re on a role. Don’t want to break our winning streak.”
“You died, Matthews.” Heat rose up in my throat to my face, and my eyes watered as if I were reliving it again. “I watched you take a knife and thrust it into your chest. If it hadn’t been for Tyran’s quick actions…”
“Exactly.” A smug smile tugged at his lips as if I proved his point. “Without Tyran, I wouldn’t be here. Nothing sinister’s going on there.”
I didn’t want to push it any further. With Brek thinking that Tyran could do no wrong, I was alone in my dread. I picked at the hem of my shirt as Ricky walked up.
“I know the two of you want to wait to say your goodbyes to the queen, but I’m going to head back home.” He twisted the transport bracelet on his wrist. “I’ve had enough of this game to last me a lifetime.”
Brek, Carter, and I had already resolved to give Ricky the prize money from the Red Door. He needed it to keep his business going, and at least two of us were going to attempt one of the other doors.
He stared down at my ripped jeans and Nirvana shirt. “I guess this means you’re quitting?”
“I might be a little busy for a while.” I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You don’t know what this job’s meant to me and my dad. I’m sure you can find another lazy teenager to take my place.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure they won’t have your taste in music.” He shook his head and looked from me to Brek. “I’m going to miss seeing your sorry faces and those damn reminder notes around the store.”
“We’ll come back in to bug you.” I plopped back down on the bench. “I promise.”
Ricky opened the door that read Janitor’s Closet and disappeared down the hallway that led to the Red Door.
Carter and Tyran returned from their discussion as Esme and Satchel entered the atrium. They’d both changed into more suitable clothing for a king and queen. Not a stitch of it was red. Eight armed guards followed closely behind.
“You’re welcome here anytime.” Esme pulled me into an embrace. “You would have made one hell of a queen. I could always use a second-in-command.”
I shot a look at Satchel, who had parted ways with Esme to say goodbye to Carter.
“He’ll be all right.” She winked at me and folded her hands in front of her. “Just has to learn to take my orders for once.”
Satchel shook hands with Carter then headed in our direction. “My ears are burning. Her royal highness must be talking about me again.”
“We were just discussing what a dashing king you’ll make, darling.” She ran a finger down the front of his three-piece suit. “What a piece of eye candy for the queen to cart around.”
“Well, hopefully you can respect me for more than my body, My Queen.” He pitched forward and gave her a peck on the lips.
I pursed my own lips to keep from laughing.
“I don’t know what Esme has told you, but Rushna is open to the three of you whenever you wish to return. You’ve truly changed this place for the better.” He grinned at his fiancée. “And you’ve changed how I value the people in my life.”
Tyran led the way down the long hallway that brought us to the Red Door. I’d ignored Carter since his little private discussion with the magician. I crossed my arms so he’d have no way of holding my hand. I wanted him to know I was pissed.
Once inside the bright lights of the white corridor, we replaced our bracelets on the hook.
Tyran stood in front of the Green Door, removing one of the transport bracelets. “Well, I guess this is where I say goodbye, at least for now.”
I gave him a hug, wondering if I really would see him again. “Let that little princess know who’s boss.” I gave him a quick punch on the shoulder. “And send Shaol our well wishes.”
Brek reached into his pocket and removed the amulet. He wrapped it in his palm and held it out to Tyran. “This belongs to you.”
“Keep it.” He placed his palm on top of Brek’s. “You don’t know what you’re going to face in the White Door. Magic only finds those responsible enough to handle it. I thought it was meant for Meg, but from what I saw behind the Red Door, Brekken, this is who you were meant to be.”
Brek stared down at his shoes.
“I only regret that I haven’t had time to teach you more.” He touched the handle to the Green Door. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with me?”
“You mean back to Ferox? To Vradian?” Brek’s eyes lit up for a split second before he looked at me. “Thanks for the offer. I have other things I’ve got to do first. Covington needs me. At least, I hope she does.”
“You’re not breaking up the team.” Yeah, I could do this thing with Carter, but there were trust issues there, and I did need Brek.
“Another time, Tyran.” Brek smiled and then dug through my backpack. He pulled out the black button to summon Mrs. Sonnenberg. “Good luck with Shaol.”
“Now that I have the key, nothing’s stopping me.” He smiled, cracked the door open, and disappeared into the forested world.
“Are you ready to head home?” Brek held the button in front of him, his thumb ready to press it.
“Yeah, wait one minute.” I walked down the corridor to the White Door.
Nothing had changed from the first time we inspected all the portals in the hallway. The edge of the door seemed to disappear into the pure white of the walls. The only carving was of a pure white bird. But the door still called to me like it had before, making me want to turn the handle. I reached down, feeling a pull unlike any of the other doors.
“Stop.” Carter grabbed my hand. His brown eyes bore into mine. “We’re not prepared at all. We need time to recoup and get a strategy together.”
“Then you’re coming?”
“People die in these worlds.” He walked down the hallway taking in the colorful myriad of doors. “But if something happened to either of you…” He stopped and touched the Green Door with his fingertips. “I don’t think I could live with that.”
The door at the end of the hallway opened, and Mrs. Sonnenberg stood there with the key ring in her grip and a frown on her face. “Well, you survived the Red Door. Do you have anything else for me besides the pleasure of your company?”
I reached into my bag and removed Athena’s tiara with the red stone as the centerpiece. To be rid of something that, in my mind, represented all of the terrible things that woman did, was a relief. I gave to Mrs. Sonnenberg.
“You do realize that you’re sending teenagers to their deaths. Right?” We’d spoken the words to this woman before, but I thought they bore repeating.
Her heels clicked on the cement as she turned her back to us, apparently not ready to have the conversation again. Behind the Blue Door, it was the players Nikki and Mack had killed by drowning them. Beh
ind the Green Door, it was Courtney and Nikki. And now, we lost Mack behind the Red Door. How many more players were in this game? When I inspected the White Door, two bracelets were missing.
Back in the office, Mrs. Sonnenberg opened a ledger on the mahogany desk. “I assume that I’m making the check out to Miss Covington again?”
“No.” My mind was made up. “Make it out to Ricky Rodriguez.”
That evening, I plugged in my phone for the first time since we’d left for the Red Door. A ton of text messages popped up on my screen—most from my dad.
Where are you?
I stopped by your apartment today.
Why aren’t you picking up your phone?
Did you run off with Brek again?
I’d have to give him a call in the morning and make up an excuse. I sighed and reclined on the couch, stretching my legs out in front of me. Carter turned in early, not seeming ready to talk about all the things we needed to talk about. What was he hiding from me? If I couldn’t trust him, how could we continue?
“Do you mind if I sit here for a while?” Brek lifted my legs and laid them across his lap. He’d taken a shower and smelled like the Axe shampoo he used. It was better than the au natural scent he’d been sporting behind the Red Door. He rubbed my calf.
“Are you ok?” I set my hand over his, pausing my massage.
He stretched his arms over his head and then rested them on the back of the couch. Swallowing, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked away from me for a few seconds. When he returned his attention, even in the dim light coming from the stove in the kitchen, I could see the tears forming.
“Come here.” I lifted my legs and pulled him into my arms. I smoothed his hair. “I hate what happened to you.”
“The worst part was I couldn’t stop myself.” His chest heaved. “It’s a horrible feeling, you know. Not being able to control your body.” He pulled away, his eyes on his hands. “I had the same commitment as you. To wait until I was in love.” His eyes on mine again, he half-smiled. “It was going to be something special.”
The Red Door Page 21