by M. R. Polish
“I had no idea I would awaken powers inside someone who I didn’t know was from Aridam.”
He reached his hand up and covered hers. “Thank you.”
“It’s just a cut.”
“Alright, lovebirds. We need to know why he left like that and where he went.” Magnus let out an aggravated breath.
He grasped Magnus’s forearm in a greeting. “Uncle, I’m glad you’re here.”
“You are my family and I don’t want to lose you again. I couldn’t sit around and not do anything.”
“Alexis kicked you out, huh.” Karis could imagine the other woman was probably irritated with Magnus pacing the house and told him to leave.
“Yeah.” He laughed.
A low moan averted their attention. “Oh, I forgot, Azul.” Karis’s mouth fell open, and she darted over to where he lay.
“Karis,” he slurred.
“I’m right here.” She ran her hand over his head and searched his body for wounds. Her hand warmed and tingled in several spots so she hovered over them until he was healed enough to move, but he would need more help to recover fully. The guards used some darker energy on him that was for sure. Only certain powers could cause this much damage.
Slowly, he sat up with Brady’s help. “We need to leave. I must warn my men.”
Karis narrowed her eyes. “Warn them about what?”
“Coron, he’s coming, but I don’t know when. He’s behind it all,” Azul panted, still in pain.
Karis shot Brady a hard questioning look.
Brady shrugged. “I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine. I mean, we knew that he had something to do with it.”
“Well, let’s get him out of here before Tharious comes back, or worse—Coron.” Magnus lifted on one side of Azul’s body, and Brady grabbed the other. He could stand, but needed help to stay on his feet.
Karis reached up and took his face in her palm. “Azul, can you make it out of here? I can help you later, but we must hide.”
He winced. “Yes, you remember where the old theatre is?”
Karis thought for a moment. “Yes, over by Corina’s house.”
“There’s a secret passage underground through there. Anyone who is part of the uprising can enter.” He grimaced again. “If something happens, go there.”
Karis nodded as tears filled her eyes. It was no time to cry. She needed to be strong, but the reality of her world came crashing down, and she could only see the darkness and evil that used to be her home.
She turned on her heel and walked back to the open part in the wall.
“This? This is a theatre? It looks more like a hotel than a place to watch movies.” Brady huffed as he looked around.
“We don’t watch movies here. But we do enjoy good plays.” Karis fumbled around with the door and let out an aggravated sigh. “It won’t open.”
“Use your power, Karis.” Azul sounded more alert than before.
“Of course.” She rolled her eyes, frustrated at her own foolishness. “I’m just used to opening doors without that part.” She waved her hand and let her energy flow. The door unlocked and she pushed it open.
It was dark inside, but the morning sun streaked through the dirty windows. Small particles of dust floated in the light rays.
“Karis!”
Karis turned. Corina came running through the theatre doors and barreled into her, embracing her tightly. Karis laughed. It felt so good to be welcomed back by her friend.
“I can’t believe it’s you. They said you were probably dead by now,” Corina said as she continued to hug her.
“It would take more than a tropical island to kill me.”
“I’m so glad you’re back.” Corina finally pulled away. “You look the same.”
Karis laughed. “So do you.”
Her friend’s shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes were the same as in her memories. She wore a blue dress that reached her ankles.
Corina did a double take at Brady. “And who is this?”
Karis felt a jealous urge to grab his hand and show Corina he was with her, but she forced herself to stay where she was. “This is Brady. Brady, this is Corina.”
“Well hello, Brady.” Corina dipped a small curtsy and smiled with a hint of flirting in her eyes.
Brady nodded with a tight-lipped grin, slid over to Karis, and wrapped his arm around her middle. “Nice to meet you.”
Karis could have kissed him at that moment.
Magnus cleared his throat. “I hate to break this up, but we really need to get going.”
“Yes, we do.” Karis looked around for the secret opening.
“It’s over here.” Corina darted off to the back of the theatre, toward the stage.
“You know where it’s at?” Karis asked.
“Of course I do. My best friend was banished because of Tharious. I want more than anything to help you restore your crown. We talked of that day when we were small. Remember? I would sit with you and be the Queen’s best royal advisor.” Corina glanced down. “Unless…”
Karis wouldn’t let her finish her sentence. “Corina, we’ve always been friends, we always will be. Just get us through that door and down to whoever is down there. Coron is coming, and it’s not good.” She glanced over her shoulder but didn’t see anyone yet.
Corina’s face brightened. “Coron?”
Karis hesitated. “Yes, why?”
“Nothing, I’m just surprised is all.”
Karis wasn’t sure why, but she knew her friend was withholding something. They stopped at the stage. “It’s right here.” Corina pushed the small opening under the stage open.
Azul winced as he walked forward. “Before we all go in, I need to talk with Karis.”
He took Karis by the elbow and hobbled out of the way so the others couldn’t overhear. He spoke in hushed whispers close to her ear, “I don’t trust her. Something about the way she acted when you mentioned Coron’s name didn’t strike me right so I poked around a little.”
Karis let her shoulders fall. She forgot Azul had the power to mind read, but only did it when appropriate. “She’s my friend.”
“Karis what I saw in her mind is not a friend. She and Coron were together, if you understand what I am saying.”
A foul taste formed in her mouth. “Ugh, Azul that is wrong.”
“I know, but I had to tell you. I think there is more so I will be quiet for a bit while I read her. Cover for me if anyone gets suspicious.”
She let out a long breath and backed up to face him better. “Okay.”
It was hard to picture Corina sleeping with Coron, not that she thought too hard about it.
Brady gave her a quizzical stare and she knew that she must have projected those thoughts to him. She wanted to laugh over the horrified look he had. So far it was a blessing that he was the only one who received her thoughts. She could just imagine what Magnus might say or do if he’d seen that image flash through his mind. She bit her tongue to keep from laughing at the mental image.
“Alright, we better get going.” Karis motioned for everyone to enter the door.
Corina went first, then Azul. He didn’t stray too far from Corina while he probed her mind. Magnus followed close behind them.
Brady stood there with his arms crossed. “You have some gross thoughts, woman.”
She let out a stifled giggle. “Azul can read minds, he read Corina’s after the way she acted when I said Coron’s name. He saw that image of her and Coron while probing. It’s definitely disturbing.”
“Disturbing doesn’t begin to cover it, but I don’t trust her either, something I agree with pirate boy about.”
Karis frowned. “I’m not sure I do either.”
Karis walked through the door and down the stairs. All the happy faces that greeted her at the bottom surprised her. Brady came in behind her, but neither of them could move for all the bodies that surrounded her.
“Princess, Princess… So glad you’re back… W
e missed you…” All voices, words, and greetings slurred together.
She felt pressed in and reached out for Brady, clinging to his hand as if he was her lifeline. It was a large room, much bigger than she thought it would be. It had to go out even further than just under the theatre. Small rooms branched off the sides, and it looked like most of the theatre props and costumes lined the walls.
Magnus pushed his way through the crowd. “This way.”
Karis scrunched her brow. “I thought we were already here.”
Brady shrugged. “I don’t know, but I don’t see Corina or Azul either.”
She scooted inch by inch along the cement floor, forcing a smile at each face she passed. She would have to get used to being among crowds again, but today wasn’t that day. She loved her people and wanted to be with them, but she would rather do it in smaller increments for a while.
Finally, they saw Azul perched on top of a table with a young woman who had short, spiked red hair and stood fussing over his injuries. They were out of the way of the crowd up on a platform of sorts. Karis let out the breath that she didn’t realize she held in the whole time. At least back where Azul was, there were no people to bombard her.
Karis smiled at the lady as she approached. “I can help him.”
The woman placed her hands on her hip. “I’m capable of helping him. Just who do you think you are?”
Azul raised his hand and winced with the movement. “Syrena, this is Karis. I would show more respect for your future Queen if I were you.”
Syrena gasped and placed her fingers over her mouth. Her eyes widened as she looked Karis up and down. She dropped her hand and smirked. “My apologies,” she bowed then added with a heavy accent, “My Queen.”
Karis could tell it was fake, but she didn’t have time to argue about it. She brushed past Syrena and up the last step to Azul. Placing her hand on his bare shoulder, a strange tingling sensation ran up her spine and through the bonding mark on her arm. She turned and noticed Brady staring at her hand placement.
She shook her head gently. Jealousy was a funny thing. Karis looked down into Azul’s eyes. “I’m not sure if this is an appropriate place.”
“Oh for the Good One’s sake, of course it is.” Syrena swatted Karis’s hand away from Azul. “If you make him wait anymore, the end of the worlds will come.”
Karis bit the inside of her lip trying to restrain herself from letting the ill-mannered woman have an earful. “I’m well aware of the situation.” She brought her attention back down to Azul.
He gave her one of his charming smiles. “Sorry, she’s a little impetuous at times.” He winced again and his breath hitched.
“I’ll close the curtain.” Corina pulled a purple velvet curtain closed around the small group, creating a small private room.
Karis forced a small grin. “Thank you.”
“Karis,” Azul whispered and grabbed her hand with his. “I trust you.”
“You’re in pain and would probably trust that witch over there to heal you.”
Syrena gasped at Karis’s remark but remained silent.
“Aw, you know me well, my Princess, even after all these years.”
Karis’s chest tightened. Now was not the time for memories or trying to recover what they lost. Ugh, Brady had to have heard that. She chanced a quick glance in his direction. His arms were folded over his chest, and his eyes were so fiercely glaring at Azul that Karis was afraid he would start fires, or something equally as harmful.
She let out a breath and looked away from everyone but Azul. “Well, I guess it’s time to make you feel better so we can defeat Coron and find out what happened to Tharious.”
“Oh hell no.” Brady threw his arms in the air. “Uh-uh, no way is that happening. She stays with me.”
Azul straightened his shoulders. He wanted time alone with Karis so badly that he could taste it. “I think it would be good to let her go while you can. What will you do when she’s Queen? You're from Earth. You’ll want to go back I’m sure.”
Brady narrowed his eyes. “I’ll go wherever she wants.”
Azul let out a little tsk tsk. “Brady, Brady, she is to be my wife.”
“Was. Not anymore,” Brady seethed, feeling his anger build.
“We shall see. We’re the same, me and her, and she’ll need someone who can be there, someone who understands our world. She’ll see this, and you’ll be left alone.”
Brady ground his teeth. “Azul, you’re a real piece of work. Karis is not yours. She is mine in every way. The only thing we don’t have is a piece of paper.”
Azul raised a brow at his words. “You best not be telling me what I think. You’ll be sorely sorry if you have forced her.”
“Hold it right there! I’ve never forced anyone, let alone Karis. We are together, and not you or anyone else will change that. Have you seen her bonding mark?” He held up his arm with the tattoo. “It looks just like this. Take a good look, Azul.” Brady clenched his fists as he walked away.
He crawled out from under the stage and into the theatre seating area, needing some space. He ran up the stairs to the balcony two at a time until he overlooked the stage, then grabbed the railing with his hands and squeezed. Leaning over, he exhaled deeply. He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs, but didn’t know who’d be around and didn’t want to draw unwanted attention to him or their hideout.
He bent over and rested his head in his hands. “I really hate that man.” What he wouldn’t give to get him in a ring. Any ring. Anywhere. Hell, the ring could be made out of cardboard boxes in the basement of a mortuary for all he cared.
Hushed voices came from the lower level. He picked his head up to listen better. He didn’t want to eavesdrop, that wasn’t him, but he needed to know that whoever they were, they were friends and not enemies.
“Does she suspect?” a man’s voice whispered. Brady looked around until he caught the shadows of two people standing close together in the corner by the back stage exit.
“No, not yet anyway. Are you sure we have to do this?” Brady tensed up. He knew that voice. It was new but familiar. He’d heard it in the last week, he was sure.
“So this is the famous hideout, huh? Where is everyone?” the man’s voice whispered again, ignoring her question. “Coron will be happy to know he can trust you. I’ll let him know where to come. Just make sure everyone is here. We don’t want anyone to escape.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
Brady held his breath and strained to see who was talking, but it was too dark. The back door opened, but it just led to another dark room, so no light was shed on the couple as they left the stage. He released his breath and darted down the stairs. Staying in the shadows, he crept along the wall to the stage exit door.
Who was that? He needed to find out. He needed to keep Karis safe. Carefully, he pushed open the door, but whoever was there was already gone. He kicked the doorjamb, then trotted across the stage and jumped off, flinging the door under the stage open and running down the stairs.
There weren’t as many people hiding out as there had been when they first arrived, so he could move quickly. He spotted Karis in the corner with Azul. Anger boiled inside him again seeing them together. She spotted him and smiled; his heart warmed knowing it was meant only for him.
He skipped the two steps up that lead to the corner platform. Reaching out, he touched her arm. “We need to talk.”
She focused on his eyes and nodded, then turned to Azul. “I’m sorry, we’ll have to continue this another time.”
She stood and left without hearing a response from Azul. Brady grasped her hand and held on to her tightly as they moved to leave the secret room.
Brady led her upstairs to the balcony where he was before. “Brady, what’s all this about? What’s wrong?”
He looked into her eyes. “I needed to talk to you without everyone around.”
“You know we can communicate with each other in our minds, right?” She gave a s
mall laugh. “We’ve been practicing a lot this week.”
“I know, but this is different. I didn’t want prying eyes and such.” He grasped both of her hands. “I was up here about fifteen minutes ago, right before I found you, and there was a couple in that corner over on the stage.” He nodded with his head in the direction he meant. “There was a woman and a man. The woman gave the man details and telling him where the hideout is. Karis, the man said he would let Coron know and that the woman was to keep everyone here so no one could escape.” He hesitated and watched her face drain of color. “I think the woman was Corina.”
She looked away. Why would Corina betray them, betray her? “She did leave for a bit.”
A door closed with an echoing bang, and Karis jumped from the startling sound. Brady let go of her hands and held a finger to his mouth, telling her to keep quiet. “We don’t know who it is,” he told her in her mind.
She nodded and scanned the dim stage for any movement. A woman came in to view. Her short blonde hair made her stand out, and it took all Karis had not to gasp out loud.
“It’s Corina,” she projected to Brady’s head.
Brady made a grim twist with his mouth and glared down at Corina. She turned and looked around before opening the under-stage door.
“You think it’s a coincidence she was being all sneaky coming back?”
Karis bit her bottom lip and glanced away. She didn’t want to admit that her friend was her enemy. Brady laid his hand on her lower back. “Karis.”
She waved him off. “Just don’t.” She sucked in a deep breath. “We need to tell Azul so we can prepare an escape plan without causing attention. We need to get all these people out of here.”
“I agree.” Brady looked back down to the stage. How many people were in that room? There had to be at least one hundred, if not more. How would they get everyone out, without Corina noticing and running back to tell Coron?
They headed down and found Azul in his usual spot in the corner with Syrena close by. Karis rolled her eyes but continued ahead. “Azul, we need to talk with you.”
Azul glanced up at Karis with a gleam in his eye. “Of course, M’Lady, anything for you.”