Page 10 of Diamond Queen
Luca handed a small envelope to Onika, “This was attached.”
Onika glanced at the others before slipping her finger beneath the seal and tearing it open. A piece of paper was folded inside. Onika pulled the parchment out and began reading the words out loud.
I’m done playing nice. The six kingdoms are mine. The first has fallen – the rest will follow. Consider my gift, a final warning of what is to come.
“What does this mean, Commander Critcher?” Onika handed off the paper to the Diamond Kingdom’s commander.
“I have no idea.” He read over the words again.
“What’s in the box?” Emersyn pointed to the large box sitting in the center of the table.
Amalee grabbed the cardboard, “It’s heavy.”
“Wait,” Heath stepped forward, “We don’t know if what’s in there can hurt anyone.”
“I don’t care,” Sarifena leaned against him, “We need to see what’s inside. Helix said it was a warning of what’s to come.”
Amalee poked her nail into the tape, ripping it open with the jerk of her thumb. Peeling back the flap, she found tissue paper. Pushing the paper aside, Amalee screamed, collapsing to the floor.
“AMALEE!” Dante grabbed her as Anthony snatched the box.
“MOTHER FUCKER.” Anthony ran his hand down his face.
“What… Anthony,” Rory stood, trying to grab the box from him.
“No,” Anthony grabbed her, turning her away from the container. “You shouldn’t look.”
Emersyn had managed to get the box, her sob echoed through the room. Onika had stepped beside her, her face a mask of fury.
“Emersyn, Onika…” Sarifena tried to pull out of Heath’s embrace and go to her sisters, but he held fast. “Let me go, Heath…”
Sarifena pulled from his grasp, bumping into the table beside the box. Folding the flaps open to expose the contents. She covered her mouth in shock.
“No…” She whispered into the room, her voice barely audible, “It can’t be. This must be a sick game. Heath,” she turned to her husband, “it’s not her… please… it can’t be.”
Heath pushed between Sarifena and the others. Taking a deep breath, he slid his hands into the box. Nodding toward Luca, Dante, and Drake, he pulled the contents out. Anthony pulled Rory against him, burying her head into his chest, hiding her from the gruesome contents.
Onika clenched her hands, “THAT MOTHER FUCKER!” the room began to darken as her magic billowed from her.
“Onika,” Luca pulled her into his hold, “Take a breath. You’ll hurt everyone.”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, “I’m fine – I’ve got control.” She leaned into him.
Drake motioned to Heath, “Cover her up.”
“Why…” Emersyn gripped the edge of the table, “We can’t let him live. He deserves death more painful than we can give him.”
“He will get all of my fury, I promise you.” Onika turned and left the room.
Chapter 16
Jason watched as Dimitra stripped her shirt off and waded into the water. He’d been awake for some time, admiring her from a distance. Tugging his own clothes off, he slowly made his way to where she was standing in the stream with her back to him. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Dimitra jumped.
“Jason,” startled she leaned her head back to peer at him. “You scared me.” She pressed her body against his, relaxing into his firm hold.
“Sorry… what were you thinking about? You seemed off in a trance.”
“Everything… I need to help, Jason. What if Helix attacks the kingdoms or worse… kills one of the Queens.”
