***Bea's POV***
It's dark and smells like fresh laundry. Loud whipping noises come from behind the closet door, followed by a feminine wailing in a different language. I hug my teddy bear tighter, gathering enough courage to exit the closet and rescue the person being tortured. My tinny arms wrap around the tall, slender man's leg.
-"Bitte, verletze sie nicht. (Please, don't hurt her!)" I beg in a language I don't even know.
To the attacker, I'm just a weightless nuisance he quickly pushes off before resuming his assault on the beautiful brunette while sipping his beer. Fruits, vegetables, and cutlery scatter to the floor as I collide with the table. A burning ache forms within my chest, my whole body shaking with emotion. I can't bear the domestic violence sight before me. Her tearful green eyes beg me to leave the room, but I can't leave her. My min become occupied with a single thought. I want her to kill him and stop it all at once.
-"Töten ihn!" (Kill him!) I silently command.
Gripping the knife that had fallen close to her, the woman stands up, piercing the man's heart. He falls to the floor inert. The room goes silent for a few seconds. Realizing what she had done, the woman drops on her knees while her blood-stained shaky hands hover over her mouth, incredulously.
-"Dämon. Du bist ein Dämon!" (Demon. You are a Demon!) Her eyes look at me with fear.
-"Mutter." (Mother) I say while approaching her, warm tears trickling down my cheeks.
"Nein. Du bist nicht mein Sohn. Raus aus meinem Haus, Dämon!" (No. You are not my son. Get out of my house, Demon!) She throws in my direction vegetable by vegetable, a potato successfully striking the left corner of my forehead.
Frightened, I open my eyes to realize I was dreaming. They say you can't feel pain in your dreams, but that sizeable stone-hard potato sure didn't go unnoticed. On top of that, my achy chest feels as if I was the one who got stabbed. What kind of straight-from-a-scary-movie dream was that?
Connor adjusts himself making me realize my head is on his shoulder as his reclines on top of mine. Instinctively, I try to pull myself off, but all I can muster is a head wobble. He stirs awake, noticing his position and my agitation.
-"Are you okay?"
-"Am I okay?" I retort out loud. At least my voice is back.
Placing his hand over my mouth, he peaks through the opening between our seats while gesturing me to hush. After double-checking no one heard me, he releases his hand. Is he not supposed to talk to me, or what? Why do I have to whisper? I should be screaming my head right now, these people broke the deal and kidnapped me, they deserve nothing less, but since Connor had been nice to me despite our circumstances, I decided to do as he told me. It's easier to fish out information if you are on someone's good side.
-"Do you want an honest answer?" I whisper this time. He nods. "You turned my family into ice sculptures, made me a human vegetable, kidnaped me, and you ask me if I am okay? Peachy, just peachy." I sarcastic scuff.
Connor turns on the reading light above us, adjusts my position, so I sit straight, and adjust the blanket covering my shoulders. Where the blanket came from and how it got on me might be yet another mystery to solve, but it sure feels nice.
-"Look, this wouldn't have happened had you complied. We are not the bad guys."
-"You broke the deal before I had the chance to return. Who are you people, and how did you get a hold of a Phoenix's tear? And what can I possibly give you that you don't already have?" I point with my head towards the front of the airplane, which is behind us. The aircraft had a total of 14 white leader seats. At the back, the seats face each other in pairs of two. Ours, however, faces a wall, giving us extra legroom.
-"A can't answer. It's—"
-"Classified. Of course." I roll my eyes.
-"No, it's not classified. It's not my place to tell you." He drops his gaze to his lap, leaving us with the cabin's engine noise.
We have been whispering mere inches from one other. I know what you must think, I am too calm for someone who just got kidnapped, but hey, I got myself in this mess in the first place. Although the way I left wasn't what I had planned, I was meant to leave with these people. They all have the same electric blue eyes when they use their abilities. Just like when I use my powers. They are like me, which means they can help me master my powers. I must gather as much information as possible. Even if that intel requires me to take notes on how handsome Connor looks up close. He had a baseball cap earlier, so I couldn't see his features. Dark-brown hair strands curl up under the moisture from the sweat beads while two ebony spheres stand in a sea of freckled ivory skin. What makes a good-looking gentleman like him kidnap someone? I wonder.
-"Were you having a nightmare?" He randomly asks, breaking the trance I had on his chin's subtle but cute dimple.
-"Did you ever hear about personal space?" Taken by surprise, he clears his throat and straightens himself in his seat.
He might seem nice, but I was definitely not going to have a personal detailed friendly conversation about a nightmare.
Awkwardness settles in between us and we remain silent for a while. My gaze is fixed outside the window, but my thoughts are about my family. They must be worried sick about what happened. I wonder if by now Liam had opened his eyes. Is he also looking for me? The full moon is fading as the sun dismisses the night's dark tones. My focus changed to the airplanes interior reflections cast on the glass. Connor's elaborated breathing is replaced by deep steady breathes and his frowned brows are now less tense. He had fallen back to sleep. The nap I had earlier restored some of my energy. Whatever voodoo Adrian did to me is slowly lifting off, and hopefully, by the time we land, but for right now I need to find someone to help me use the restroom. I am bursting.
Catching movement down the small corridor, I turn my head and lean as close to the aisle as possible. Maybe I can ask whoever is coming to help me to the bathroom. By doing so, I set myself off balance, and I end up landing face down on Connor's lap. Awkward! Mind you I still can't move my arms or legs.
-"You sure don't waste time." Adrian's annoying voice mocks me. Could this become even more embarrassing? "You can have your turn when I am finished with her, but for now she is mine." Adrian nudges Conner awake before placing me back on my seat. Flustered and confused, Connor tries to excuse himself, but Adrian ignores him.
-"I am not yours. Reverse whatever you did to me, now!"
-"No can do." He grips the top of the white leather seat with his left hand while his right holds my chin as he leans closer. "It doesn't matter if you lie it or not. As the Lunensevain Crown Prince, you became mine the moment you stroke a deal with us. As for your energy, you can get it back by kissing me," he gets even close, our lips nearly touching, "or you can wait it out, your choice. What will it be?" Didn't he learn his lesson from last time? I make my own options.
-"I think I prefer the third alternative, as***le." I headbutt him as hard as I can, causing him to fall back on his rear. Connor immediately rushes to his aid but is pushed away by an angry Adrian, who disappears to return shortly with a syringe in his hand.
-"You are quite the troublemaker, but this should keep you at bay till we get to the palace."
Taking my arm, he levels the needle to a fifteen degree over my prominent vein, and with no hesitation, he injects the liquid, which I presume to be a sedative, into my arm. There is nothing I can do due in my current state. I never felt so vulnerable in my entire life. Squinting my eyes close, I scream from the top of my lungs, freezing my surroundings at a frightening speed.
-"S**T! She is one of us." Connor gasps.
-"I will be damned. Who would have thought, the pup is actually a chick."
I struggle to stay conscious, my eyes slowly closing as I focus on Adrian and Connor shouting orders in that language I can't understand. The airplane lights flash a warning red, and people rush to open the emergency exits to then jump off, with no parachutes! Maybe I am hallucinating from whatever Adrian forced on me. Why would anyone jump out of a flying aircraft without a parachute?
The aircraft dips into free fall, plunging Adrian and Connor to the front. Oxygen masks sprout from the compartments above, frantically waving to the air movement created by the open exits. I'm so sleepy, but I have to fight the drug's effect. At least, my outburst broke whatever movement block I had, because I am finally able to move, only to be locked in by a frozen solid belt that my hands so desperately try to pray open. Out of nowhere, Adrian crawls his way back to me. In his hand, he carries Connor's dagger, which he uses to break the ice ring. My heavy eyes close longer than usual before opening to witness Adrian taking me to the open emergency door.
-"Brace yourself, is about to get bumpy, but don't worry, I always take good care of what's mine." He says before throwing me off-board.
BASTARD! I yell in my head. It's all his fault. Darkness clouds my vision while my body falls through the sky, obeying gravity. I'm going to die. So much left untold, unfelt, unseen. I wish I had embraced my family one last time and told them how much I love them.
Reflected morning sun rays compel me to open my eyes. A beautiful silvery-blue bird descends on me, his feathers twinkling under the golden hour's light. So beautiful and mesmerizing. Instinctively, I reach out to it as the sedative finally kicks in full strength.
~~~ Bea’s POV ~~~A bucket of icy cold water jolts me awake. Confused and disoriented, I look down at my arms, abdomen, and then my surroundings. Different ethnic women held their straight military attention pose in front of me. There are three blue-grey bunk beds equally spaced between them, along the wooden cabin wall. I'm still alive. Was the airplane just a dream?-"Wake up, cadet." Connor shouts.Standing at an arm's length is the girl who wielded the raging storm when they kidnaped me. She motions for me to get out of bed and follow. Her hands held an empty bucket, making me deduct she was the one who dumped the cold water all over me. Stopping at the end of the bunker bed, she props herself to attention. I do the same.Connor paces up and down the cabin, speaking in an authoritative tone.-"Remember to be on time. Tardiness won't be tolerated. Your team will be your family from now on." He stops before m
~~~ Bea's POV ~~~ One. Two. Three. The Pain never came. Connor had somehow made his way over and blocked the attack with the Ice shield. Things were getting out of hand quickly, the infected phoenix constantly pressuring our defenses with fireballs. -"How do we stop him?" I ask, gripping Connor's back. -"By killing it." -"What? It? That's Jacob, your comrade!" -"Not anymore, he isn't. The plague consumes him. There is nothing else we can do besides putting him out of his misery." Connor states. "I'm going to get us close. Use your power to freeze it in place. Once contained, I will pierce its heart." He says, smashing my frozen foot with the handle of his sword. -"Connor, your plan is terrific, but there is one little problem." His gaze locks with mine, questioning what the problem may be. A fireball hits, and we almost lose it all. "Eyes on your opponent." I screech. "My powers are weak." I wasn
Adrian and I navigated the confusing corridor, stairs, and even elevators maze. All to reach a different palace area where I presumed his office is. That had been the original destination before I wandered off. Hopefully, Connor won't punish me for it. The dizzy spells from food deprivation and intensive training were getting to me. If the nurses hadn't given me a glass of water while we waited to be examined, I would be thirsty too.-"So... What's behind this door that I'm allowed to see?" I question a little sour from have been denied the wounders behind the other door.-"Normally, you wouldn't, but I can make an exception. Just for you." Adrian's lips curled mischievously while he opened the door we stood by. "Lady's first." He gestures for me to go first.We walk inside a bedroom. Every inch of it screamed Royal, from the fancy rose gold molded ceiling to crystal chandeliers and massive king-size bed elevated by three steps. To the left, by the large balcony
Amaya had one more task to go through before retiring for the night. I offer my help on the condition she would enlighten my questions about today, starting with what made Jacob turn into a disfigured monster. I might have been quiet about it, but I haven't forgotten.-"Fighting villains during the day, moping floor dooring the night. I got the feeling it should be the other way around, right?" I tried to build a conversation, but Amaya seemed indifferent.We are currently moping the throne room, and other than the mop slashing water from the bucket to the tile floor, we had been in complete silence.-"What made Jacob change into that monster? How does it happen?" I ask, successfully capturing her attention.-"Darkling. The being we fought is called a Darkling." She whispers, stopping for a moment to inspect the surroundings. "We are not allowed to discuss it. No one really knows how you become one, there isn't much correlation bet
***Bea's POV***Last night had been unexpected. After soaking in the bathtub for half an hour, I had a pleasant talk with Maya, a beautiful loose curls blond who resembled the female photo in Adrian's room. Our conversation felt like the sleepovers Caroline, and I had when we were in high school About boys. Connor is the king's eldest son. However, the throne succession falls to Adrian, the second oldest, because Connor isn't legitimately recognized. Maya is the youngest of the three and shared both parents with Adrian, the king being the only parent she still had alive. She didn't go into details about her mother or the cause of her passing. It didn't feel my place to protrude more than I already had. That subject will be for another day. The morning early hours came, and with it, so did Connor. Maya had thrown a pillow in protest for the rude awakening on a Sunday morning, but I couldn't ignore my captain.Borrowing the first sports clothes I c
From a happy memory into complete chaos, Liam's summer kiss had been so real as if had been right there in front of me, but then it became a winter stab, leaving me inert in a deep well of darkness where all the soul scream echoed off the wall to cause yet another wound. I couldn't breathe with the heaviness on my chest or walk with the weakness debilitating my being. All those whispers of insecurity, despair, and scrutiny were caging me in.Around me, village houses burned with purple fire. Women wailed their children's blood as darkling soldiers claimed it with their sharp claws. Their skin-crawling screams made my legs tremble while the rancid smell of burning flesh knotted my insides. Destruction consumed every stepping stone in the path before me. Never have I felt or seen anything like this before, so broken. The desire to make everyone feel the same became a raging flame, fuelled with each dying breath. The suffering, despair, and fear of these unknown people felt repu
***Adrian's POV***Thanks to Connor's ability to influence one will, we managed to control the situation before my father came out of his room, yet again. The Dark cloud is almost gone, which means he will be weak for a while. The earful reprimand he gave me yesterday had been enough for the rest of the month. Having yet another issue come to his attention would be undesirable. If he finds out about this breach, he will undoubtedly de-throne me. I must get it together.-"Alpha Xavier Kohler, I have something you might be looking for." I announce as soon as the person on the other side of the call picks up.This intruder might become a blessing. I don't know how she wandered in without being detected or why she is here seeking Beatrice, but surely, I know she became my ACE card for more information about Naomi Stevens, Bea's mother, the moment she did.-"Prince Adrian Von Wilczek," a growl follows, "if you so lay a fin
*** Bea's POV*** The past few days had probably been the worst in my entire life. I would do anything for something as simple as a toothbrush and toothpaste. Using my fingers to clean my teeth didn't even come close to the freshness you experienced after using a good toothbrush. Hey, I was already invading Adrian's Privacy by showering in his bathroom. Why not use his hygiene products also? However, I couldn't bring myself to search his cabinets after seeing the condoms-filled top drawers of the mirror vanity. Clearly, Adrian hadn't grown up from his hormonal high school popular boy years. He is the type of boy I hate the most. If he thinks I will fall for his charming-swipe-off-your-feet-sloppy-technics, he better have a spare ego because this one will get crushed. "Self-centered narcissist prick." I slur while following him to the VIP's living room. Far from home with no luggage, cellphone, or credit cards, my life went from Daddy's little princess to borrowing clothes and eating