by VJ Dunraven
“Yikes! I'll get the brunt of her stinger for sure, now that I'm back to boot her off.” She made a funny face and Bryan chuckled. “How's everybody? Anything new?”
“Everyone's excited about the Mardi Gras dance.” Bryan led her down the crowded corridor. “Ann and Charlie are super busy with all the prep, Vanessa is making a monstrous cake for the contest, and Sue is rehearsing her speech for the awards ceremony.” He glanced down at her. “You didn't forget that it's tonight, did you? Are you coming with me?”
“Oh shit!” She slapped a hand on her forehead. “I forgot! We're supposed to wear a costume, right? I don't have one!”
“What about that purple dress I got for you last Christmas? Do you still have it? I have an extra mask you can wear with it.”
“That's a great idea! Colors are purple, green, and gold, right? I think I have a thick gold belt somewhere.”
“Good! Problem solved then.” He beamed and they did a high five. “I'll pick you up at seven.”
Chapter 58
John Drake’s Hidden Agenda
In the woods surrounding John's building, Catherine dropped the wild flowers she'd been collecting and hid behind the trunk of a large tree. Up ahead, shrouded in the darkness of the night, she spied a Battalion of armed men in black and red uniforms, assembling in a clearing.
Uneasiness settled in her gut. What was John up to? Why was he organizing such a large army? She faded back into the thick woods and made her way to the building through another path, determined to find out.
Once inside, she immediately noticed the urgency and tension in the faces of the men who were manning the computers. Others were efficiently packing up documents and equipment in large crates. Several Officers were busily examining a digital atlas and hardly paid any attention when she peered over their shoulders to investigate.
She studied the highlighted areas on the map.
Mansfield. What could they possibly want from there that could justify the amount of soldiers being deployed?
She followed the route that had been charted and highlighted in yellow with her eyes, which didn't make sense to her. It seemed that from their base camp, they were to travel partly by water and partly by land to Mansfield. She found it odd that they didn't have a return-to-base route. Instead, they mapped a partial land trail that led to a river channel, which eventually ended in the Atlantic Ocean.
“Captain Rogers will meet us here.” The Officer to her right pointed at an area marked in red, miles from the coast. “We'll board his ship at sea and then sail back to central headquarters in Cape York, Peninsula.”
“Australia?” Catherine blurted in surprise, before she could stop herself.
Seven pairs of scarlet eyes turned to her.
“Hello.” She smiled innocently, fluttering her lashes at the men.
The Officer with the most stars cleared his throat. “My Lady, General Robinson at your service.” He gallantly bowed over her hand and regarded her with sharp eyes.
“General, everyone seems awfully occupied. What's going on?” She glanced around the bustling room, ignoring the evident displeasure in his expression. He was startlingly handsome, with dark hair and the finely chiseled features of an Alpha Deimon. John must have offered extremely generous compensation to get the General to work for him.
“I'm afraid I'm not at a liberty to tell,” General Robinson said with politeness, though she could detect the underlying authoritativeness in his voice. “If you have any concerns, the Duke would be more in a position to address them.”
Catherine felt her cheeks burn. Most men would have turned into pudding in her company, but apparently, not the austere General Robinson. “I'll find out from him then,” she said curtly, and turned towards the escalators.
In the privacy of his library, John Drake rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers together as he regarded Colonel Reynolds. “Are you saying that Colonel Gunter was having an affair with Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The Colonel nodded. “My men saw everything. The Prince almost killed Colonel Gunter.”
“Almost?” John tapped his fingers together.
“Yes, but the Prince eventually let him go. Our men were too far to listen in on what went on.”
“Where is Colonel Gunter now?”
“He was last seen boarding his limousine with enough luggage for the men to assume he's leaving the country.”
“And the Prince?”
“He hasn't left The Palladian since the altercation with Colonel Gunter.”
“Not even to see Elizabeth?”
“No, Your Grace. According to the men, it looked like the Prince had broken off their relationship.”
“Interesting.” John rested his chin on his fingertips. “But nevertheless to our advantage. With both Colonel Gunter and Prince William absent, our job had just become easier. We must take this opportunity to abduct Elizabeth before one or the other decides to come back to her.”
“Your Grace, Elizabeth was seen leaving the house earlier with a male human friend. Our spies followed them to a school party. However, I instructed the men to refrain from unnecessary confrontation with humans. We don't need the nuisance of dealing with them.”
“Smart thinking, Colonel Reynolds.” John sat back in his chair. “We need to be as discreet as possible. We wouldn't want the local authorities to get in the way. The European Royal Army will intensify their campaign against us if human casualties are involved.”
“Precisely, Your Grace. Likewise, we still have the issue of the other assassins. They have been guarding Elizabeth closely since Colonel Gunter left.”
“Ah, but our three hundred men should take care of them, Colonel Reynolds. General Robinson will oversee Elizabeth's capture while the assassins are distracted.”
Colonel Reynolds inclined his head. “Our mission is coming along better than planned. The battalion had already mobilized a half hour ago. Our scouts should inform us of the rendezvous as soon as a suitable location is established for an ambush.”
“Excellent. Then let's carry out our part of the plan.” John stood up. “I'll meet you outside. Prepare to depart in fifteen minutes.”
On the other side of the door, Catherine released her grip on the doorknob and darted to the nearest room, hastily flopping on the sofa and switching on the TV. She had barely put the remote down when John strolled in.
“There you are,” he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “I was just going to tell you that I must go to an urgent meeting tonight.”
“In your combat suit, fully armed?” Her gaze slid to the daggers on his waist and the sword peeking from its scabbard on his back.
“Safety reasons,” he smiled too readily.
“Can I come?”
“Er ... why don't you just wait for me here? I won’t be long, I promise.” He squeezed her shoulder and started for the door.
“John?” She twisted from her seat to look at him.
“Yes?” He paused in his tracks and glanced at her.
“You're not doing anything ... dangerous, are you?” She deliberately gave him the opening, hoping he'd share what she'd just overheard from his conversation with Colonel Reynolds. Why did he intentionally hide his plans from her? And, why was he still interested in Elizabeth when she'd specifically asked him to let the matter go?
“You worry too much.” He chuckled. “I'll be back before you know it.”
Catherine watched him go. Well, she certainly wouldn't be sitting here without finding out exactly what he had been plotting. She waited until his vehicle disappeared through the gates before she dashed towards her own car to tail after them.
A half hour later, John Drake and Colonel Reynolds parked not too far from the yellow cottage and sat in their vehicle, observing their surroundings.
“I see no army guards anywhere.” Colonel Reynolds swept his gaze up and down the street one more time.
“Good.” John glanced up at the only lighted window on the se
cond floor. “Let's pay our long lost Queen a surprise visit, shall we?”
Farther down the street, Catherine wondered who lived in the small house important enough to warrant a visit from the Duke and the Colonel. She didn't have to wait long to find out, before three figures emerged from the door. She ducked behind the dashboard, peeking cautiously at them.
She immediately recognized John and Colonel Reynolds, but couldn't get a good view of the restrained woman between them. As they passed beneath a street lamp, however, the light illuminated the woman's face.
She pressed her palm on her mouth to stifle her shock.
The woman was none other than Queen Elizabeth Gwendolyn XV, former Queen of the Highest Royal Coven of Europe—, believed to have been long dead.
All this time, everyone assumed that John had killed her. Apparently, she'd been in hiding over the years. How did John find her? And why was he still pursuing her after all this time? Why would he risk their safety from the European Royal Army?
Catherine crouched lower in her seat, as the men's vehicle drove by her car. Then, she put the car in gear and made a U-turn, following them at a safe distance.
Outside the gym at Mansfield High, several students in colorful costumes from the recently concluded Mardi Gras chatted and bade goodnight to their friends.
Elizabeth made her way with Bryan through the crowd and congratulated Vanessa, who had won the cake contest, Sue, who got an award for community service, and Anne and Charlie for a job well done.
“Are you ready?” Bryan asked, eyeing the line of cars piling towards the exit gate.
“Yes.” She waved one last time at their friends before boarding Bryan's BMW and glanced at her wristwatch. “I didn't even notice how late it is.” The time was half past midnight.
“Did you have fun?” Bryan steered the car towards the queue of vehicles.
“Yeah—, did you see the dagger looks Jessica Myers was throwing my way? Man, she's mad!” She laughed.
“Thanks for rescuing me from her clutches.” Bryan chuckled. “I thought she would never stop stalking me.”
“But you're so nice to dance three songs in a row with her.”
Bryan shrugged. “I didn't want to be mean, but I also didn't want to lead her on. She's cute, but not my type. What about you? Brandon Bailey was positively drooling over you during that slow dance.”
“Now that was something I have to thank you for.” She giggled. “I thought he was going to pass out in fright when you practically hauled him off me after he licked my ear. Yuck!”
“Eww! Sorry, but that's just gross, Lizzie-bee.” Bryan cringed.
They both laughed and chatted more about the dance, as they sped down the dark road.
“But seriously—,” Bryan glanced at her. “I noticed you were spacing out a few times. What's up? Anything you want to talk about?”
“I have to tell you something.” Elizabeth dropped her gaze to her hands. “I really didn't go on a vacation at my Aunt Karen's.”
“Oh yeah? Where'd you go?”
“To another school.”
“What?” Bryan exclaimed. What do you mean, another school? Where?”
“Darian Hall. I don't know the exact address, but I know how to get there. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere.”
“You're kidding.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Are you transferring there? Is that what's bothering you?”
“Not really.” She sighed. “Bry—, I met someone there.”
Bryan pursed his lips and stared at the road ahead. “You like the guy?”
“Yes.” Her heart lurched a little. I love him.
“Tell me about him.”
Elizabeth drew a deep breath. “Well, he's tall, cute, and kinda quirky like you.”
Bryan raised a blond eyebrow. “Uh, thanks for the compliment. I think.”
“He has the most amazing silver eyes.” She smiled wistfully.
“Uh-oh. What's this?” Bryan leaned closer and peered at her. “Is my Lizzie-bee blushing?”
She glared at him and punched him on the arm.
“Ah. It's that serious, hey? So—, when am I going to meet this dude?”
She shrugged. “We broke up,” her voice quivered and her chest constricted with a dull ache.
“Lizzie-bee.” Bryan sobered and reached for her hand. “Did he hurt you?”
“Yes.” Tears swamped her eyes and she hastily looked away. “I hurt him, too.”
“God, don't cry. You know I can't stand it.” He pulled her close to his side. “You want me to talk to him?”
“I-It's too late. He went back to England today.” She sniffled.
“England? What is he doing leaving in the middle of the school year? And why—, hey, what's that over there?” Bryan released her hand and switched on the bright head beams.
Elizabeth tensed as she caught sight of the shadowed figures barricading the deserted dark road ahead. A sudden sense of foreboding stemmed in her gut. Instinctively, she reached for her cell phone in her bag and called Chad’s number.
He answered at the first ring.
“Chad! Oh God—, there are so many of them!” she cried, her eyes glued to the multitude of glowing crimson eyes now clearly visible up the road. “Bryan! Stop! Turn the car around now!”
Bryan braked. The car swerved as he frantically turned the steering wheel. “What the hell—?” he narrowly missed the black SUV following them without its headlights on.
“Bryan! Look out!” Elizabeth screamed, dropping her cellphone as the car careened into a deep ditch along the side of the road.
Bryan pressed on the accelerator, but the tires merely kicked up mud.
“Oh, my God.” Elizabeth‘s eyes widened at the sight before them.
More men with luminous eyes, clad in black and red, blocked the other end of the street. Several others emerged from the trees lining the stretch of lonely highway, effectively boxing them in.
Chapter 59
The Heart of a Prince
Prince William stood by his bedroom window and propped an elbow against the frame, grazing a knuckle repeatedly along his lips. His mind was blank, save for the image of Elizabeth that seemed to have perpetually adhered in his memory.
Another image crossed his mind; that of two lovers entwined in a passionate kiss. A scene he had tried to forget, but like a persistent itch, it kept pricking at his skin until it became so intolerable, he wanted to claw on it till it bled.
Was this her way of retaliating? Had he so wronged her by waiting to shield her from the truth that he deserved to be betrayed? Did she ever even love him?
Obviously not. He must have misread her feelings. If she had chosen Alexus Gunter over him, then, she never did at all.
The picture of Elizabeth in the Colonel's arms taunted him yet again and his temper exploded. He cursed viciously and drove a fist through the glass window—, and then another, and another, but nothing could diminish the fury that bedeviled him deep inside.
He supplicated with his father, the Great Omni, to aid him in his grief, but no answer came save for the wisdom that had always been etched in his heart.
That for him to have compassion and achieve immortal perfection, he must first experience the depth of mortal suffering and emotion.
For him to experience joy, he must first experience sadness.
For him to know the power of faith, he must first learn to believe.
For him to love unconditionally, his heart must first be broken.
So many things were required of him. So much was expected of him. He was tired of it all.
Why must the Omni constantly test him? Why must he always prove himself worthy? Haven’t he done enough to gain His favor?
He had followed all His instructions. He had been obedient to a fault. He had foregone the use of his powers and pursued his destiny in as humanly manner as possible. And yet—, the great Omni was relentless in showering him with obstacles, keeping him from h
is goals.
What else could he do to please Him?
Prince William looked to the heavens, heavy with dark clouds, warning of a brewing storm. “What do you want from me?” he shouted angrily, tears streaming down his cheeks, as he slammed his fist through another glass windowpane.
Sophia knew it was time for her and her cousins to barge in, when they heard the shattering glass on the other side of Prince William's door. All of them had been worried about him. He had sequestered himself in his room since his tempestuous arrival a few hours ago.
Sophia gasped as she saw the destruction the Prince in his rage had done. She glanced at David and Philippe, and exchanged a speaking look with her twin, Silvia. They all knew how dangerous he could be when angered.
“Leave me alone!” He turned to pick up a chair and hurled it across the room.
Sophia's heart thudded in her chest. Even with all four of them, he could easily do serious injury, but they must pacify him at once. He had successfully destroyed most of the furnishings and would undoubtedly wreck the entire wing if they didn't do something to appease him.
She gathered her courage and cautiously approached, stopping at an arm's length before him. “William?” she said softly, peering at his wild, colorless eyes. “Please—, please, don't be angry. We are only concerned about you. We love you.”
A muscle twitched on his cheek and a moment of silence followed.
“William?”
He took a rough indrawn breath and pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes. Then, without a word, he dropped on his knees and wept.
Sophia stepped towards the disheveled figure of her beloved cousin. His powerful shoulders slumped, his knuckles bleeding from the broken glass. She stroked his hair, coaxing him with words of reassurance though she knew it would be of little help.
David had told them of what might have occurred based on what little he'd read from William’s tumultuous thoughts. If he was right, then no amount of comforting could console him. However—, it never hurt to try.
“William?” She gently pried his hands from his eyes. “Please ... talk to us.”