Page 22 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 14
Rory woke alone in the bed for the first time in what felt like days. Scanning the room, she realized she was by herself in her quarters.
“Anthony? Christine?” she called out to the empty space.
Stretching, she slid her legs from beneath the soft blankets and stood. It felt weird to be alone in her room, she’d become accustomed to sharing her space with the two most important people in the world.
Padding her way to the bathroom, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was still the same Rory as before, but different at the same time. After grabbing a shower, Rory quickly hurried to dress. She was feeling anxious for some reason and couldn’t place her finger on why.
Stepping from her quarters, she was shocked to find the Constable and newly promoted Captain walking towards her.
“Your Majesty…” Captain Kris had a grim expression on his face.
“Captain,” she cocked her head, “What’s the matter?”
“Rory,” Constable Philips grabbed her elbow, “Come with us to my office… we need to tell you something.”
Yanking her arm from his firm hold, “No… You’re scaring me, Constable. What the hell is going on? Where’s Anthony?”
“Please, Your Majesty…” Captain Kris reached out toward her, “It’s better if we discuss this in closed quarters.”
“FUCKING ANSWER MY QUESTION!” Rory could feel her power sparking, her palms itching with the burning need to release fire.
“Calm down…” Constable Philips pleaded.
“RORY!” Her mother was running toward her, “Listen to them… please…” Reaching her in the hallway, Queen Rachel wrapped her arms around her daughter, “Calm down… you’re going to set us all on fire.”
Rory took two deep breaths and nodded. Captain Kris, Constable Philips, and her mother guided her down the hall to the Constables office.
“Sit down,” her mother pointed to a chair. When Rory crossed her arms over her chest, her mother raised an eyebrow. “I’m still your mother. Do as I say and SIT DOWN.”
Rory huffed and plopped herself into a chair, “Can someone please tell me what’s going on?”
“There was an explosion at the market this morning.”
“Oh my god…” Rory sucked in a breath. “Wait… where’s Anthony and Christine?”
Her mother cast her eyes down, “They wanted to surprise you this morning…”
“What are you saying, mother?”
“Your Majesty…” Captain Kris spoke, “I’ve sent the best guards to the market. They are searching for them now.”
“Are you telling me the two most important people in my life were there when the explosion occurred?”
Everyone looked at each other, avoiding Rory’s face. “ANSWER ME!” She screamed, fire bursting from her fingertips. Rachel reached over and smothered the blaze as she pulled her daughter's hands into hers.
“Yes… they went to get supplies to make you pancakes. There wasn’t anything in the kitchen, and Christine really wanted to make you breakfast. Anthony offered to drive her. They thought they’d be back before you woke.”
“We got word about the explosion fifteen minutes ago.” Constable Philips shook his head, “We haven’t been able to reach either of them by phone. The scene is a chaotic mess, Rory.”
Rory stood and paced the room, “I need to go there.”
“That’s not a good idea. We are pretty sure it was intentional because someone saw them there. What if they try something seeing you there?”
“I. Don’t. Care.” Rory growled, “Do you understand the rage I feel? The need to see for myself is nearly more than I can contain.”
“I’ll take her myself. We will put several guards in front and behind our car. She’s right. She needs to go – maybe she can help.”
