Page 13 of Amethyst Queen
Chapter 11
It was a devastation of epic proportions. The bomb had leveled an entire block of houses and shops. A fire burned everywhere she looked. Amalee struggled to keep the bile down – hundreds of people hurt and who knew how many dead. Walking down the street, her heart thrumming heavily against her chest, she was looking for one house in particular.
“Your Majesty,” Commander Gentry paused, holding his hand in front of her to stop her movement. “This was the worst-hit area, perhaps you should wait here while my men search for survivors.”
“No…” she pushed past his arm and continued forward.
She stopped in front of a familiar home, the backside completely gone. The exterior looked as though a powerful wind would blow it down if given a chance.
“Has anyone checked this house?” she glanced at two of the officers standing behind her.
“Yes, ma’am. One survivor was pulled from the rubble a few moments ago. She was taken to the hospital a while ago.”
Her hands fisted, the worry eating at her gut.
“Which hospital?”
“Ma’am?”
“I said, which hospital?”
“Royal-Memorial.”
“Your Majesty,” Commander Gentry spoke, “Did you know the person who lived here?”
Trying to still her racing heart, she took a few deep breaths. Answering him with the truth could be dangerous, but she needed to see if the woman was alive.
“Yes – the woman who lived here helped me when I was at school here.”
“If you must go, I can have an officer take you.”
Amalee dipped her chin, silently answering him.
“Officer Stephens,” Commander Gentry called out, causing Amalee to glance back at the two men, “You're to take the Queen to Royal-Memorial and seek out this homeowner. Guard her as though your life depends on it, do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir,” he turned to Amalee, “Your Majesty, shall we go?”
“Thank you, Commander. Keep me informed.”
Officer Stephens escorted Amalee to the awaiting SUV and helped her inside. All she could do was pray the woman had been alone at the time of the explosion.
“You all right?”
Amalee looked up to find Officer Stephen's confused look in the rearview mirror.
“I’m fine…”
“Well, you don’t look fine, Amalee. I realize things have been awkward since I told you how I felt… but I am still your friend – ok?”
“What happened to the whole – you’re the Queen, so we need to treat the relationship as such?”
“I was hurt – ok? But I get you were right… I deserve your entire heart, not the leftovers. Friends?”
“Yeah… fine – friends.”
Amalee shifted in the seat nervously. How was she going to explain this to everyone?
Officer Stephens parked the car and assisted Amalee out. When they arrived inside the emergency room, it was pure chaos. They had brought in many of the victims for medical treatment that couldn’t be provided at the on-site medical tent. Covering her mouth, Amalee glanced at all the people who’d been hurt by the attack.
