Page 25 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 16
Rory followed the Captain towards the rear of the building – or what was left of the building. It was apparent that someone had been buried beneath the rubble as the ground was covered in blood.
“Whose blood is that?” Rory looked around, trying to search for Anthony.
“We’re not sure. But whoever was here was moved. None of the survivors were found here.”
“Are you saying that someone was taken from the scene?”
“Not someone… we have reason to believe it was Commander Blake.”
“What? How?” Rory ran her hand over the stained ground, now sticky to the touch.
“We found a cell phone. It was smashed badly, but it has the Ruby logo on the back.”
Rory squeezed her eyes shut. Only employees of the Castle had phones with the kingdom’s logo. She knew Christine had been at the car to call for help when the explosion happened – leaving this to be Anthony’s phone.
“And you didn’t find Anthony anywhere?”
“No, ma’am.”
“FUCK!” Rory screamed toward the sky, “Call the other Kingdoms. I need their help. We will not stop until we find him. Anthony was obviously hurt.” She pressed her hand into the pool of blood. Rubbing her fingers together, “Please don’t let him be dead.” She muttered into the air.
“Rory,” Christine stood to the side, “I…” Rory jumped up and grabbed Christine just as she began to collapse.
“Help me get her to the car. I’m taking her home. Alert me the moment you know something. I want Anthony found.”
“There’s something else, Your Majesty.”
“What else can there possibly be?”
“A message was left for, I assume, you.”
“Show me.” Rory held fast to Christine as the two women followed the Captain around the shattered brick. There on the only remaining wall was a message painted in red.
Fracture the core, and the rest will tumble down.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Christine gasped.
“They think by taking Anthony away, I will fall apart. What they don’t know is it only fuels my fire. Captain, I always want a guard on Christine if she is not with me. They are not going to win. I will burn these mother fuckers down.” She turned, pulling Christine towards the car, “I need to get back to the Castle. It’s time, Onika, and I had a chat.”
“I will send Officer Camp with you. I’m going to stay here and see what I can find. We’ll find him, Your Majesty. I promise.”
Rory and Christine got in the backseat of the car. Christine laced her fingers with Rory, “We’ll find him.”
Rory nodded, “What if…”
“Stop. Don’t think like that.”
Rory rested her head on Christine’s shoulder, “I don’t think I would’ve survived if I lost both of you.”
“You didn’t lose either of us. I know he’s alive. He has to be, Rory. We were so excited to go this morning. I wanted to make you pancakes, and we were going to tell you we wanted to move into the same room – together. He is tired of the split time, frankly, so am I. Anthony wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed.”
“Really?” Rory beamed, “You’re ready to share the same space with us?”
“I’ve come to love him too,” Christine wiped a tear. “He loves you, Rory. How can I not love someone who puts you first? Yes… I’m ready.”
“Then you’ll move in immediately. I need you close with him missing. Missing…” Rory sucked in a breath, “First Dimitra, now Anthony. When will this madness stop?”
“I don’t know, but you have me. I’ll be beside you through whatever is thrown our way.”
“I hope Onika is ready to tell me what the journal said. It’s time everything gets out in the open.”
“I’m scared, Rory.”
“Me too, Christine. Me too.”
