by Beth Hodgson
“Really…” Derek was not convinced.
“You ask what I want? There is nothing I desire more than to seek and destroy the whole lot of them. But to do that, I, too, will need your princess’s blood. If I acquire it, I will destroy them, and take back my throne. I will rid the planet of supreme authority, restoring the future sectors as they should be, along with the balance of magic and machines.”
Derek couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Magic and machines? It was all nonsense. “Is what you said earlier true? Does Emerald have magic? Truly?”
“Green magic. The most desired color in the future. There hasn’t been anyone documented to be born of green magic. That was, until a recent discovery.”
Derek frowned. Had Emerald had magic this whole time? She had not once, for as long as he’d known her, ever confided in him. It hurt his pride.
Ikaria saw his downcast face. “It is such a shame that one as special as her did not share her secret, bare her burdens to someone as loving as you.” The woman smiled. Her words stung him, wounding his ego further.
“That did not help,” Derek snapped at her. “And what does this all have to do with me?”
The woman eyed him, her violet irises glowing. “My prince, I have come here to ease your troubles” she said smoothly. “I think we can benefit each other.”
Derek scoffed, thinking about Damaris and turning away. “You know nothing of my troubles.”
“Oh, come now, of course I do. I have been in your mind the last twenty-four hours, have I not? I know what you need.” Ikaria’s violet hair wisped in the air softly.
“Oh, really? What’s that?” He continued to look away from her.
Ikaria leaned into his back, her fragrant aroma softening the stiff air. “Damaris is such a… nuisance, don’t you think?” she suggestively whispered, her hot breath against his ear. “It would be so much easier if he just agreed to your terms, allowing you to marry the princess.”
Derek snapped his face in her direction. She did know of his situation. But how? She couldn’t really be inside his head.
“Oh, yes, my prince. King Damaris will need much convincing. Especially since you are now his prisoner. And what about that siege that he will lay to your kingdom? I believe it will happen within a fortnight.”
Derek ran up to her, face to face. “What siege? I don’t believe you. He barely has a functioning military.”
“Indeed, he does. And it’s more than a military. Man, machine, and magic combined, using your princess’s blood. Cyborgs, I believe they are called.”
“Cyborgs?”
“They are completely unstoppable. Well, for the most part. And I find them quite a turn-on.” She ran a finger across her chest playfully. “Your city-kingdom won’t last through their invasion.”
“Are you sure? How do you know?”
“Have you not been paying attention? I have seen the future of this city. I have seen what happens to your princess, and I know who she marries. It isn’t you, I am sorry to say.” Ikaria leaned into his face, giving him a charismatic smile. “But we don’t have to follow what has been done before, do we now?”
Derek’s heart stopped. Emerald not married to him? That he could not stomach. He was meant for her. No one else could have Emerald but him.
His eyes met Ikaria’s, and she looked back at him with a knowing understanding.
“Why me?” he asked. “Why do you want to help me?”
“You have so much to offer.” She came over to him, floating in the air as if she were effortlessly swimming, streaming dark-violet magic behind her. “And let’s just say I have a soft spot for unrequited love.”
Derek scoffed. “You? I highly doubt it.” Derek turned away, drinking more wine.
“Oh, come now, my prince. I am human.” Ikaria placed one of her hands on his shoulder. She held out the other, as if showing him a secret. Within her palm, an image of a crown appeared in her hand, emitting a dark-purple glow. The crown was the color of onyx, with a shadowy purple jewel in the center.
Derek eyed her hand on his shoulder until Ikaria removed it, then he reached out to the glowing circlet. As his hand met the crown, it ran through the image. It was a hologram.
“What is this?” he asked, curious.
“Part of our little arrangement. I want half of Arcadia’s cyborg army and a vial of the princess’s blood. In exchange, I will see that you are set free. I will ensure the King agrees to let you wed the princess. And I will also throw in this trinket.”
“Why would I want that?” Derek asked, eyeing the glowing circlet.
Ikaria smiled deviously at him. “Well, I can’t make Emerald fall in love with you, but this will at least help.”
“Nonsense. Emerald already loves me. She has said so herself,” Derek said sharply.
Ikaria shrugged, then shook her head. “Whatever you say, my prince. The rest will be attainable once you give me her blood.”
“This arrangement sounds much more in your favor.” Derek took another drink, then stumbled to a nearby sofa. He’d had much too much wine. “Besides, I cannot bargain for what is not mine. I am not the King, and I have no say in such matters.”
“I will ensure you become king,” Ikaria said casually. “We’ll take care of that first. That shall be a little present from me to you, so you know that I am serious.”
“But how will you know if I will fulfill my end of the bargain? I never said yes,” Derek said.
Ikaria extended her hand slowly, and glowing violet magic spilled out of her palms, guiding the crown to his vanity. It stopped two inches from the surface, hovering, still in a transparent form. “Because you will be needing this, more than you know, and you cannot have it until I have the blood.” Ikaria gently set her feet down on the ground. “The other minor details, dealing with the cyborg army and what not, we can work out after you give me the blood and when my body is in your time.”
Derek snapped his head up at Ikaria, as if he truly was looking at her for the first time. “You mean, you aren’t really here? Then how… did we…” Derek stumbled on his words, too afraid to finish the sentence.
“The mind can do wondrous things, along with a little help from blue, violet, and orange magic.” Ikaria smiled wickedly at him.
“This was all in my head?” Derek asked, confused from the effects of the wine mixed with the image of Ikaria.
“You looked so tense. I just wanted you to have a bit of fun.”
For the first time, Derek felt like he was trapped inside of his mind and had no power or control to determine what was real or not. Taking the chalice in his hand, he hurled it at the sorceress as hard as he could.
“You damned witch! Get out of my mind!” he yelled.
The cup flew through her transparent image, smashing into the wall behind her, and the dark liquid splashed all over the walls and floors.
Ikaria eyed the fallen cup, then tsked. “Don’t make a mess on my account,” she said, then her gaze met his. “When you are ready to give me the princess’s blood, call out my name near the circlet. Just one vial should be sufficient.”
“Never.” Derek ran over to the nightstand, snatching up a lamp and throwing it at the enchantress. “Get out!”
“You can thank me later, once you become king,” Ikaria’s voice called out as her body began to dissipate before his eyes, proudly sweeping back her hair.
With a sudden violet flash, her image was gone.
“Remember, just one vial of her blood will do…” she said, her voice reverberating through his mind, every word torturing him.
Derek felt her presence in his thoughts, her control deep within him. The pain in his mind was worse. Much, much worse.
Finally, the violet hue disappeared, and the world turned back to full color. Silas and the guards were in motion, running to Derek.
“Your Highness! What is it?” asked Silas in a concerned tone, looking around at the room. He spotted the broken glass and the puddle of wine on the flo
or. “What has happened?”
“Prince Derek?” asked one of his guards. “Is everything okay?”
Derek sunk into a nearby couch, letting the velvet fabric envelop his naked torso, rubbing his fingers through his sweat-soaked curls.
Everything was not okay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GREEN
Kyle slowed his motorcycle as he neared the location of the band’s next gig, with Emerald clinging tightly behind him. A horde of transports, motorcycles, bikers, punks, gangs, and drunkards stood between them and the building, leaving nowhere for Kyle to park. He came to a complete stop before the crowd. Through the masses, Emerald saw the band’s ground transport trying to get through, with Remy yelling and cursing out the driver’s side window at a group of people. Whatever was happening, it didn’t look good.
Kyle revved his engine, warning those who stood in his way. A few people moved, allowing him to gradually inch his way through the thick crowd, meeting the transport with Remy’s half-outstretched body hanging out the window. Kamren had his head sticking out of the passenger side, slinging profanities at the biker gang blocking the way.
“What the hell is going on?” Kyle growled at Remy, annoyed.
“Some asshole named Jaxx wants to be a dick and block the band transport. Apparently he rounded up all these shitheads to do it.”
“What in the hell is his problem?”
“Who the hell knows. The guy probably just wants to be a jackass,” Remy said.
“Fucking Diego, man,” Kamren cursed. “Most likely went on a tirade and pissed off the wrong guy. He always has the habit of making enemies.”
“Yeah.” Kyle shrugged.
The gang became agitated as Remy honked his horn and yelled more obscenities. Emerald frantically fidgeted with Kyle’s guitar case strap slung across her back, making sure it was secure. She was starting to worry if Arcadia’s authorities were going to show up. Especially the strange robotic men.
As Emerald scanned the crowd, her eyes locked on one man in particular, rendering her motionless. It was the tattooed man, the same man who had been giving her trouble the other night. He just happened to be the leader of the biker gang. This had to be the Jaxx Remy said was stirring up trouble.
Emerald gripped Kyle’s waist tightly as she leaned closer, afraid of what was about to take place. A moment later, Kyle saw Jaxx approaching, and her stomach fell into her gut.
“Fucking really?” Kyle muttered, recognizing the tattooed man as well.
“I came here just for you. You should feel fucking special.” Jaxx laughed while the other gang members joined in, snickering.
“Don’t you have anything better to do, like go fuck yourself?” Kyle asked coolly.
“No, I don’t,” Jaxx spat, the tattoos on his face folded in anger. Jaxx lunged toward Emerald, then firmly grabbed her, yanking her off the bike.
Emerald yelped, reaching an outstretched arm toward Kyle as her body flew off the vehicle, landing right into Jaxx’s iron hold. She tried to force her way out, but he pulled her close to him effortlessly while his gang created a barrier around them.
Kyle furiously leapt off his bike in Jaxx’s direction, tearing through the gang to get to them.
“Don’t you fucking touch her!” Kyle roared. The gang members held him back as Kyle swung wildly, struggling to make his way to her. Kamren and Remy were watching in shock.
“She’s mine now, bitch. What are you gonna do about it?” Jaxx said, taunting Kyle.
Emerald grimaced in disgust and fear as he gripped her arm harder. Her eyes met Kyle’s from afar. She shifted her attention to his hand, nervously wondering how she was going to get out of this mess.
Kamren and Remy leapt out of the transport to help, but it was no use. They were outnumbered.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Kyle screamed. “I’m gonna stab the shit out of you!”
“Let’s see you try, pussy,” Jaxx said, his voice booming with laughter. He turned to Emerald, his mouth right up against her ear. His rancid breath tickled her ear, making her cringe. “Hey, sweetheart,” Jaxx grunted. Emerald wriggled in disgust, struggling.
“You are a fucking dickless wonder!” Kyle shouted from across the gang, continuing to swing wildly.
Emerald knew she had no chance to free herself from him, unless she called on her magic. But did she dare release her magic upon Jaxx? Everyone would see it, and her father and the authorities would soon know where she was. But one glance at Jaxx triggered the thought of his hand moving further down her body, and she decided right then to call upon the dark side of her power.
But instead of his hand moving anywhere else on her body, Jaxx yanked the guitar case off Emerald, then released his grip, throwing her to the ground. Jaxx held out the guitar case, then snapped one of his fingers, signaling for one of his gang members to come and take it from him. One of them complied with his demand, taking the guitar case from Jaxx, then disappearing into the gang. Then they kicked Kyle and stepped away.
Kyle dashed toward Emerald, and she ran into his arms. He put his hand around her shoulders, holding her close. Emerald’s heart was pounding, but it also pounded with a new sensation. What was that?
Remy met them, and Kyle handed her over to him gently.
“Get her away from here, now,” he ordered Remy. “In fact, you might want to leave too, because I’m most likely going to end up in jail after I am done with this asshole.”
Remy nodded, guiding Emerald away from Kyle and Jaxx. Emerald turned back to see Kyle through the growing crowd, then yanked away from Remy, pushing her way back toward Kyle. She caught a glimpse of him charging toward Jaxx, attempting to punch him, but he missed.
“You just don’t fucking give up, do you? First the girl. Now my damn guitar! What the hell is it with you, asshole?” Kyle roared. He swung another punch at Jaxx, this time clipping his ear. Jaxx threw the guitar case to one of his friends behind him, then got in Kyle’s face.
“You fight like a pansy,” Jaxx taunted. “Come on, pretty boy, let’s see you make an ass out of yourself to your girlfriend,” he said, his voice booming with laughter.
Emerald watched as Jaxx swung his hefty fist against Kyle’s side. Kyle grimaced, then swung back, landing a punch to Jaxx’s side, missing his kidneys. Jaxx shot his face up in pure rage, clenching his jaw and making an audible grunt. He swung a punch in return, but by then, too many onlookers had pushed their way in front of Emerald, making it hard for her to see what was happening, and she could only hear their shouts.
“You want your guitar, asshole? Tell you what, let’s have a race. Winner gets the guitar. Loser gets the hell out of here,” Jaxx yelled over the crowd.
“You want a fucking race? Fine!” Kyle snarled, reappearing in Emerald’s line of sight. He hotly marched over to his bike as the crowd began to cheer. “You better be prepared to have your ass handed to you!”
“Kick his ass!” Diego’s voice could be heard from within the crowd. Remy reappeared next to her, along with Kamren.
“You okay?” Kamren asked.
“Yes. But his guitar,” Emerald fretted. She suddenly felt guilty about Jaxx taking Kyle’s guitar from her.
“Our gig…” Remy groaned. He anxiously smoked a cigarette, trying to relax, but instead became more intense with each puff.
“Fuck the gig! This is way more entertaining. Besides, our man is the shit when it comes to riding,” Diego said, coming up to them smiling. He was enjoying himself while drinking a bottle with a brown paper bag wrapped around it.
“And where in the hell have you been? We needed your ass!” Remy scolded.
“I just got here. I wouldn’t have been able to do much anyway.” Diego shrugged, taking another drink from his bag. “Did you see how many of his gang members there were?”
“Chicken shit.” Kamren eyed him, clearly annoyed.
“So what if I am?” Diego said casually. “At least I’m smart about my odds.”
Th
e crowd formed on each side of the street, waiting for the race to begin, allowing Emerald to see Kyle once again. By the minute, there were more people joining in the spectacle, the numbers swelling in size. Emerald wouldn’t have been surprised if all of the southern sector’s lower levels were piled up in the street at that moment.
Kyle and Jaxx got on their bikes, lining up in the street. They sat on their motorcycles, revving their engines as if to compare whose bike was more intimidating. Jaxx’s mouth was hurling insults, but what he said, no one could tell over the roars of the engines. Emerald saw the kind of motorcycle that Jaxx was on, then compared it to Kyle’s. Though she knew nothing of motorcycles, even she could tell that Jaxx had a much more powerful engine than Kyle’s. Kyle’s bike seemed like a child’s toy compared to the monstrous power of Jaxx’s humming engine.
The motors were drowning out the noise of the crowd. Emerald became nervous for Kyle, biting her nails. Emerald saw Jaxx’s mouth move again, most likely trying to squeeze in one last insult to Kyle before they took off, but Kyle paid no attention to Jaxx. His face was stone cold, looking directly forward.
Emerald absently clutched on to Diego’s arm, shaking with nerves.
Diego nudged her. “Don’t worry, Em. Kyle does this kind of shit all the time. He always wins,” he said, attempting to reassure her. “Drink?”
I hope so, Emerald thought, then shook her head to Diego. She couldn’t drink at a time like this; it would make her a nervous wreck.
The engines roared one last time. A man dressed in studded leather stood in front of the two bikes.
“Go!” he yelled.
In a flash, the men sped off while the crowd roared, screaming for their favorite biker.
Emerald watched Kyle race down the street until he was out of sight, turning a corner. The crowd began to move in anticipation. Small fights broke out, bets were being called, and liquor and drugs were passed around, causing Emerald to be pushed away from Diego and the other two band members. In a panic, Emerald began to push her way back to her original spot, but it was no use, as another fight blocked her way.