Page 8 of Diamond Queen
“Shit,” Dante barked out to the Commander, “Get the others out here now.”
Rory had jerked from his hold and started toward the other Queens. As they got closer, they found several of the guards shouting at one another. Drake, Luca, Heath, and Anthony had joined them outside.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Dante grabbed one of the men by his shirt.
“Constable…” he gulped, “in the woods…” he shook from fear, unable to get his words out.
“Calm down,” Emersyn grabbed his arm, her magic flowing through him. When his body relaxed, she released him. “Now… tell us what’s wrong?”
He nodded, looking at the men standing around him, “the missing guard… he’s in the woods.”
Everyone erupted into shouts.
“SILENCE!” Onika shouted, causing everyone to freeze in place. “Can you show us?”
He shook his head, “You shouldn’t see… sir,” he turned to Dante, “the women… they don’t need to see him.”
“Why?” Sarifena asked, “Where is he?”
“No… bullshit. Take us to him now.” Onika demanded.
Commander Gentry tipped his chin, “They’re the Queens, son. If they want to go, we must obey their command. Take us to what you found.”
Everyone followed the guard, who was visibly torn up into the woods. As they approached the spot where he’d found the fallen guard, Rory gasped.
“Oh my god.” Rory grabbed Anthony, burying her head into his shoulder.
Onika squeezed Luca’s hand as she stared around at her sisters. Their faces wore the same expression, sadness, and outrage. Laying in the grass was Officer Stokes. His neck had been sliced open, leaving him to bleed out. The ground was bathed in his blood, tinging the soil maroon. His lifeless eyes stared into the abyss.
“Holy shit.” Emersyn dropped to her knees beside him. Her hands rested on his arm as she tried to pour magic into his soul. “He’s too far gone. I can’t…” she sobbed as Drake pulled her into his arms.
“It’s ok, Emersyn.” He kissed her temple, “We need to take his body back to the castle, and his family notified. It’s time we finalized our plan of attack. Helix cannot continue to taint this earth.”
Chapter 13
Helix stood in the empty room. Rage was burning beneath his skin as he took in the remnants of metal that were once encasing Dimitra’s hands. Picking it up, he shoved the broken bracelet in his pocket. He didn’t know how she’d done it, but somehow Dimitra and Jason had escaped. Sifting through the room, Helix turned over the bed, destroying what little had been left behind.
His head was going to explode. Helix had intended to come and kill the Diamond Queen. He was done playing nice with the six kingdoms, and sending them proof of her death would have sent them over the edge. Now, his plan was foiled.
Walking outside, Helix paused to listen. Without knowing how long they’d been gone, he had no chance of finding Jason or Dimitra. He was kicking himself for just leaving them to rot in their prison. Helix had been sure Jason would die. He’d stabbed him, leaving him to bleed out in front of the Queen.
Shaking his head to clear the anger clouding his thoughts, he glanced toward another one of his minions. Collecting people to aid him in his plan to take over the six kingdoms had been easy. It’s incredible what people will do for money or out of fear.
“You,” he barked at one of the men standing at the edge of the water, “I need you to go and collect something for me.”
The man nodded as Helix explained his plan. Dimitra might have escaped, but the other Queens still believed he held her prisoner. His new plan wasn’t foolproof, but maybe they’d believe it was real. After dismissing the man, Helix ordered the remaining two men to set a fire inside the cave prison. He didn’t want to leave anything for the others to find.
As the orange flames filled the entrance, Helix smiled. The smoke would draw the other kingdoms to this location – precisely what he wanted to happen. They would be beside themselves knowing that the Diamond Queen had been held here – right under their noses.
Tossing the fragmented metal into the flames, Helix beckoned his men to follow. He was eager to get back to his hideout and see if his new plan was ready to be implemented.
Chapter 14
Jason cradled Dimitra against his chest as he sat off from the water’s edge. He’d walked with her in his arms for most of the night, not really knowing which direction he was going. The only thought in his head was to get them as far away from Helix as possible.
Using her magic had taken a toll on her. Her body pressed against his as she remained unconscious. Closing his eyes, he leaned against the cropping of rocks near the bank. He was exhausted and had pushed through the overwhelming desire to close his eyes. Until he was sure they were remotely safe, he’d forced his feet to keep moving.
“Jason?” Dimitra’s voice filtered through his sleepy haze.
