Page 21 of Onyx Queen
“It is my job to be at your beck and call, Your Majesty.”
Onika began filling him in on the information she’d received from Heath. She explained that she wanted Captain Stephens, along with several of his officers, to leave at once. They were advised to notify her as soon as they had a location on him.
“If you find him, notify me at once. I want to be there when you bring him in.”
“Onika,” Luca grabbed her arm, “You can’t be serious. It could be dangerous.”
Onika’s eyes grew dark, her body becoming rigid as she pierced him with her gaze, “Commander, leave us please. I need a word alone with Luca.”
Luca ran his palm over his face, “Onika…”
“No. You listen to me, Luca. The fastest way to build a wall between us is to start preventing me from being Queen. I will be there when he is found. You cannot stop me.”
“Please listen to what you are saying. You’re not thinking straight. You’ve been off the last few weeks, Onika. You know you’d never put yourself in harms way. Why now?”
Her anger bubbled, her magic seeping from her pores. The room began to grow dark, the light vanishing from the space they were in.
“Luca, you need to leave.”
Onika took several deep breaths, gathering her wits.
“Stop, Onika.”
Shaking her palms out, Onika relaxed, drawing the darkness back inside her soul. She could see the smidge of fear in Luca’s eyes, making her suck in a breath.
“I need some time alone,” Onika stormed passed him, “I’ll come find you soon. Please don’t follow me, Luca. It’s for the best right now.”
Luca watched as she abandoned him in the room. His heart thumped erratically against his chest, something was wrong with her, he just knew it.
Chapter 20
Her men found him quickly. Nicholas Brigham had been holed up in a run-down shack just outside her kingdom. What a fool. Of all the kingdoms he could have chosen, hers was the stupidest.
“Your Majesty,” Captain Stephens whispered.
They were hiding among the tree line waiting for his officers to give them the signal. Onika watched, waiting patiently to come face to face with the trash who’d caused heartache for Sarifena.
“What is it, Captain?”
“My men are saying he is refusing to open the door.”
“Well, then perhaps we can convince him.” She emerged from behind the foliage and strutted towards the front door. Her hands tingled with power, waiting to be unleashed. “Tell your men to prepare themselves… it’s about to get dark. Captain, hold on to my shoulder otherwise you will become as blinded as he is about to be.”
Captain Stephens rested his hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but not painful. Onika closed her eyes and allowed the magic to do its thing. Darkness enveloped the area, blinding anyone within its clutch. She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her lips as she heard him screaming inside. Guiding herself and the Captain inside, she pushed her power harder. She could see everything, including a sleeping Alex. Thank God he had been asleep. Onika didn’t think about how her magic would affect him. The gentle squeeze of Captain Stephens reminded her where they were. She eased her power back, calling the darkness to her. In a flash, the Captain had Nicholas in handcuffs.
“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Nicholas screamed.
“Oh we can and we are, Mr. Brigham. We know who you are… Captain. Take him out of here.”
Onika squatted beside Alex, who was now coming to. He rubbed his little hands across his eyes and sat up.
“Mama?” he whimpered.
Onika reach out, running her hand across his head, “No, but we’re going to go see her. Do you remember me, Alex? I’m your Aunt Onika.” Her arms outstretched and waited for him to crawl into them. He hesitated, but finally leapt into her grasp. She held him close as she stood. Walking from the tattered room, Onika’s eyes misted over, they’d nearly lost him to a monster.
The drive to the Sapphire Kingdom took most of the day. Alex slept in the car, barely making a sound. Onika heaved a forlorn breath, no child should have to endure what he had. Losing his parents, then being ripped away from the only person he’d come to know. Her blood boiled with vexation.
Onika watched as Captain Stephens led Nicholas Brigham into the house. Heath had requested seeing him if he was located, why she didn’t know. Maybe he wanted to punch him in the face – that notion made her crack a grin. Holding Alex, Onika stood with him by the window.
