The True Ruler, page 19
part #5 of Worlds Apart Series
Cassie kissed Darden, perhaps for the last time. There were no guarantees once they left the conference room. It would have been so easy to ask Darden to flee with her and find a world where the two of them could live in peace. But in the long run, Cassie knew she could not turn her back on the Troyk universe and its people. Whether she liked it or not, she was the True Ruler. This was her world and she was more than willing to die liberating it. Not that she would admit that to Darden.
From the somber look on his face, Cassie knew she let that last thought seep through their channel. Destiny was a bitch, but she had been fighting it too long. She had done a lot of growing up in a short period of time. Maybe it was no longer being isolated on Earth or her inability to deal with circumstances in the penal world. Her life had been irrevocably changed when she entered the Troyk universe.
Darden looked at her long and hard. Everything she was thinking made it to her soul mate. His expression pensive, he ran his index finger across her cheek, saying goodbye to the little girl he once knew and welcoming the woman she had become. His mate was meant to rule one day.
“Be safe,” Darden said, choking on the words.
She could only imagine the turmoil running through his mind. For once, Darden managed to block his feelings from entering the soul mate channel. It was his way of respecting her decision. Regardless of her words, she knew Darden did not want her to know how terrified he was.
“The Grand Hall has been secured,” Candy announced. “We are working to control all the entrances. Your grandfather maintains control of the fourth floor. There is still fighting on the second floor between those Primes that are mind control telepaths and our group. We managed to enter this world in a buffered position.”
“Dad, where are you?” Cassie communicated through the warrior channel. She would have preferred a private conversation with him, but Jeryl Jarlyn also had access to their familial link.
“Outside The Prime Ruler’s living quarters,” her father replied. “He continues to use the power of the crystals to manipulate the weaker minds of his followers. His guards have him well secured and average citizens are finding their way in to try and stop us. Watch your back.”
There were so many entrances into The Palace, securing the Grand Hall only cut off access to part of the building. Although they had control of more than three-quarters of the first floor, her father was right, they needed to be careful.
“Darden will be on the third floor evacuating anyone who can’t make it past the second floor,” Cassie shared with her dad her soul mate’s role in the current battle. “Where are the med-techs set up?”
“Cassie, you will do more good rallying the people in the Grand Hall,” Benko Jarlyn told her. “Reach out to the people outside and reassure them we are working on as peaceful a transition as we can. Tell them the days of mind control are behind them.”
Before she had a chance to say a final goodbye to Darden, a badly injured man was brought into the room. Crystal weapons fired a short laser beam and he was missing part of his arm. Due to the heat of the blast, the wound should have been cauterized on contact. He must have fallen on the wound, opening the scab, causing his arm to bleed.
“We have a med-tech located in the Grand Hall, but I cannot get to him,” the Palace Guard who was helping to support the man said. He had abandoned her grandfather and now was loyal to her father. “Can you open a portal to anywhere on the first floor?”
Cassie handed Darden her ring and gave him a quick kiss before he worked to open a portal. Frazour drew his weapon, ready to assist in finding a way to the embattled second floor. It would be interesting to see how a water elemental dealt with laser fire. Between his strength and Candy’s foresight, Cassie knew she was in good hands.
Cassie grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and had never been exposed to a war zone. She wondered what she would encounter as they made their way down the hall. People were shouting ahead, as others from the second floor were making their way to their level. She did not know if they were going to battle armed hostile Prime Representatives and their staff eager to put an end to their little uprising or some of their freedom fighters.
Candy’s premonitions were received right before the event. If Cassie was too far away from Candy, there may not be time for her friend to take the appropriate action. Cassie’s nerves were getting the best of her and she began to breathe rapidly.
She tried to get some insight within the warrior link, but there were too many conversations to figure out who was where. It was easy to communicate with her father in that link because of their relationship. Singling out a single person advancing on them and identifying them as friend or foe was beyond her ability. If she had been active in the link earlier, she may have already mastered the feat.
A laser blast exploded two feet above her head. It was either a warning shot or someone had really bad aim. Either way she was happy with the results.
“Who are you?” Cassie yelled.
The communal pathways were chaos. Most of Troyk’s citizens were probably suffering from headaches and nosebleeds. Cassie doubted they were used to this kind of activity. If anyone had the capability of turning down the volume or exiting the pathways they would be wise to do it. Oral communication seemed the best way forward over short distances.
“We are loyal to The Prime Ruler and the Prime Council,” a male voice shouted back.
“Well, then you better head back to the second floor,” Candy yelled. “I support the True Ruler. What do you think about that? By the way, I have someone from the Nightshade universe next to me, who is rather thirsty.”
Candy turned, smiled, and winked at Cassie. She was not sure if Alex and Candy had discussed their suspicions or if Candy had figured out who she really was on her own. Either way, it was the first time any one of them had mentioned it outside their small circle. Cassie was not sure which statement would better forestall the person they were conversing with. The Nightshade universe was now well known as a parallel dimension of vampires. It was illegal to enter that dimension after the scandal involving Chartail was revealed. Who would dare say anything when a revolution was under way?
“The True Ruler is a legend,” the man shouted back. Cassie could hear the doubt in his voice.
“My name is Candy Phillips and people call me the Warrior Woman. The Prime Ruler knows soul mates exist, but has not bothered to share that little fact. I should know, I am one. You wouldn’t happen to have a new pathway that recently opened that feels a bit strange?”
Her friend was fishing, but Cassie was all for ending this particular skirmish peacefully. She knew this man might very well support Jeryl Jarlyn, making a fight inevitable. Daring a quick glance at Frazour, Cassie thought he seemed ready for hand-to-hand combat. Although there were still sounds of battles taking place throughout The Palace, things were relatively quiet in the nearby halls.
Three crystal weapons came sliding across the floor in their direction. Cassie took it as the man’s surrender and whomever he had with him. Two men and a woman came forward slowly, with their arms lifted in the air.
“We surrender,” the older of the two men said. “I am Prime Ione and these two are members of my staff.”
Cassie did not recognize the Prime, but she had not met every member. Her grandfather had spent his efforts introducing her to young, eligible men from wealthy, influential families. She did not miss the three of them looking at her in wonder. This was not how Cassie wanted to be viewed by any citizen of Aster Province.
“I’m Cassie Jarlyn,” she said and extended her hand. The name now rolled off her tongue. She had finally accepted who she was. “This is Candy Phillips and Frazour from the Nightshade universe. Thank you for laying down your arms.” When she noticed fear replace their awed expressions she added, “Frazour no longer drinks blood. He is my father’s ally. He helped rescue Candy from the Troyk penal colony world and is my friend.”
“I heard what happened the other day at the gathering place restaurant between you and the armed man,” Prime Ione informed her. “I thought you were a very lucky girl, but now I understand what really occurred. You and your father have my support.”
It was unlikely they would continue to be so lucky. Cassie still needed to get to the Grand Hall.
“I’m an idiot,” Cassie admitted. “Do any of you have any crystals on you?”
Prime Ione turned over a key chain with a beautiful blue topaz and his female assistant gave her a clear quartz pendant. She gathered her bounty and headed back to Darden. He could get them to the Grand Hall in seconds. Cassie had concerned herself with keeping him out of harm’s way and had not realized her soul mate was the easiest solution to her problem.
“Thanks,” Cassie said. “Ever traveled through a portal before?”
She led them into the conference room where she left Darden. He was sitting in a chair, resting, with his head in his arms. He looked up when they entered and relief washed over his face.
“How about opening another portal to the Grand Hall and joining us?” Cassie asked. “These should help in opening the gateway.”
Cassie passed him the crystals she just collected and took his hand. She channeled her power through Darden and a large portal opened. Darden may look awful, but they were both becoming more powerful, Cassie observed, as the portal was larger than usual. Together, they entered the gateway and Cassie could hear Darden’s mind manipulate the portal’s frequencies. Candy, Frazour, Prime Ione, and his assistants accompanied them.
When they stepped out of the portal into the Grand Hall, Cassie was surprised to see the room teeming with people celebrating a victory that had yet to be won. Her first priority, regardless of her father’s orders, was to get Darden to a med-tech. His complexion continued to worsen every time she glanced his way.
Her hand was tugged downward. When Cassie realized why, she started to panic. Darden had collapsed.
Chapter 21
Cassie’s world spun out of control. She stood back in horror as Candy called for a med-tech. Frazour bit into his wrist and fed Darden more blood. Her soul mate’s face was white as a ghost. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and Cassie wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sign. Prime Ione took her into his arms and tried to comfort her. Cassie was not aware she was crying hysterically.
People swarmed around her, wanting to help. All Cassie wanted was space. She could barely breathe. Conversations took place around her, but she couldn’t make sense of them. Frantic with worry, Cassie gasped for air.
A hand slapped her face—not hard, but it got her attention. When she focused on the person before her, Cassie recognized her father. She collapsed into his waiting arms. Even though the coup to overthrow the Troyk Prime Council and its Prime Ruler was in full swing, her dad still managed to find her when she needed him.
“Daddy,” Cassie cried. “Darden…” She couldn’t utter anything else. How could she put into words that her soul mate was perhaps dying. Frazour’s blood did not seem to help him at all.
The med-tech was kneeling over Darden with his diagnostic equipment beeping. She tried to read his face to determine if the readings were good or bad. Alex once told her about the time Tarsea had been stabbed and the med-tech had him healthy within minutes. Cassie could only pray the beatings Barash inflicted upon Darden had not damaged any of his organs.
The examination seemed to take an eternity. Darden was still unconscious and his coloring had not improved. Cassie never considered herself a violent person, but she wanted to kill her grandfather. He was responsible for the beatings Darden received, she was sure of it. She could hear her father giving various orders, but he never left her side.
Cassie’s eyes never left the med-tech. She willed that he would finish and tell her Darden was going to be all right. It startled her when he got to his feet and approached her.
“There is nothing more I can do,” the med-tech said. “He has a couple of broken ribs. Fortunately, they did not puncture his lungs. My concern is with his kidneys. Most of the damage he suffered was to his abdomen. I am afraid whoever inflicted the punishment used more than his fists at some point in time. His abdomen has suffered blunt trauma which in turn damaged his kidneys.”
Everything she knew about kidneys rushed into her mind. She knew they filtered blood and produced urine. Although there were two kidneys, people only needed one. It is not uncommon for one person to donate a kidney to another, assuming they met some kind of matching criteria. That was the extent of her knowledge.
“What does that mean?” Cassie asked.
“From the tests I have performed, his kidneys will no longer function properly,” the med-tech continued. “I am sorry.”
“Wait,” Cassie shouted as he walked away. “What about a transplant?”
“Not possible in our dimension. I’m sorry,” he said again. “All we can do is make him comfortable.”
Cassie stared in disbelief as he walked away. Things could not end this way. She ran over to her soul mate and took his hand. People were going to die today, but she did not think Darden would be one of them. She would make sure her grandfather suffered when her father was the new Prime Ruler. After Darden’s death, Cassie would return to Earth, and try to forget the Troyk universe ever existed. String theory was exactly that, a theory. Multiple dimensions did not exist. Her grief would make her believe the lie.
She could feel the link between them weakening. Cassie pushed energy to her soul mate, but it would not heal the damage to his kidneys. With all the power she possessed, she could not save him.
“Now is not the time, Drake,” Cassie heard Shirl growl. Her friend truly hated the vampire.
Cassie had not noticed Shirl and Starc’s arrival. Of course, Darden’s twin brother would want to spend Darden’s last minutes with him. She lifted her eyes from Darden’s pale face to see Starc take his brother’s other hand. They shared a brief glance and Cassie directed her attention back to her dying soul mate.
She watched a shadow pass over Darden’s chest as Drake came to kneel beside her. Cassie was not in the mood for the smooth talking Lothario. Couldn’t everyone just leave her and Starc in peace as they said goodbye to Darden?
“What would I get, precious, if I save your love’s life?” Drake whispered in her ear.
Anger brewed within Cassie. It was bad enough this monster was blackmailing her friends to get access to Alex and her baby. The creature had the unmitigated gall to interrupt her final moments with her soul mate. She had waited eight long years for them to be together, only to have it come to a tragic end; and all because of her grandfather’s grandiose ambitions.
“Go taunt someone else, Drake,” Cassie could barely keep the anger from her voice. “Frazour already tried to save Darden by feeding him his blood, more than once.”
Drake laughed and Cassie looked up at him, horrified. If she had a stake handy, she would have shoved it into the bastard’s heart—assuming he even had one. Tears she had been holding back, so she could appear strong, finally started to run down her cheeks.
“That animal is trying to play hero? Darling,” Drake drawled, “calling Frazour my blood brother is now a misnomer. He no longer has pure vampire blood since his elemental conversion started. Besides, Frazour is only a little over two thousand years old. I am older than dirt. No blood, including the Creator’s, is as powerful as mine.”
New hope blossomed in Cassie’s heart. “What do you want?”
“Only that the True Ruler kindly intercede so I can visit Alex, and Star when she is finally born,” Drake replied.
“I would never force my friend to do anything,” Cassie said, “regardless of whatever title or power I may possess.”
The vampire looked between Cassie and the dying man on the floor. Cassie would give her very life to save Darden, but there was no way she would force Alex or her daughter into a relationship with the creature beside her. Granted, he and Alex had developed an unusual friendship, but there was no guarantee that would continue.
“Then how about one soul mate for another…” Drake continued, “consider how you feel right now, when Darden is so near death. I would go through the same pain if I lost Star. When she reached out to me telepathically, my life changed forever. All I demand of anyone now is either the right to see her or a promise to give their life for hers.”
“You have yourself a deal,” Cassie said. She did not have to consider her answer once Drake mentioned the soul mate bond. From what she had witnessed, every decision Drake made was done with Alex’s daughter, Star, in mind.
Drake bit into his wrist and placed it against Darden’s lips. She willed Darden to drink the crimson elixir that would save his life. He kept feeding Darden until a little rose color finally graced Darden’s cheeks. Drake withdrew his wrist and Cassie saw it heal before her eyes. When her glance returned to Darden’s face, he was no longer pale.
Their friends had used their bodies as shields to keep the Troyk citizens from watching what occurred between Drake and Darden. Her soul mate’s recovery would be considered a miracle or that the med-tech’s instruments had somehow malfunctioned. No more would a mind control telepath interfere with anyone’s recollection of what occurred today.
When Darden’s eyelids began to flutter, Cassie cried out in delight. She wanted to throw herself on Darden, but took into account his healing body. The last thing Cassie wanted to do was re-injure his abdomen or kidneys before the vampire’s blood had finished its magic. She was not sure if the blood would heal bones, too, and Darden still had broken ribs near his lungs to consider.
Finally, she got to bask on the sight of his beautiful blue eyes. They were sharp and clear. He gave her a questioning look, which she answered with a smile.
