I KNEW I'D FIND YOU
Chapter 7
I Knew I'd Find You
Part 2
I watched as the man stepped from the hover copter. I pushed my hands behind my back to hide their shaking. The same man that had taken my sister and me from our home was standing in front of me. It was the face I could never forget as he stood by and let Elvira torture me into submission. The blades went still as the flyer turned it off. A dark feeling settled deep in my bones, and I knew this was not going to be a short visit. The echoes of his feet reached even inside the dome. He made his way toward us his face was completely indifferent.
Last time I saw this man was when he was smiling as Elvira used the whip on me. Forcing my sister's lifeless body to watch. The image of her pale brown eyes leaking of life flashed in my mind. I cringed, curling my fingers into my hand. Sweltering anger shot through my body, and dragons curled tighter around my arms as they prepared for battle. I could take him now, damn the Snake armada and my life. The consequence would be worth it. To feel his blood run down my fingers. To see the life, drain from his eyes, the same way my sister's did, as I pushed a blade through his heart. I swallowed already, feeling the ecstatic energy at finally killing the man who ruined my life.
Daisha cleared her throat next to me, and I watched as she pushed her hair out of her face. Kira shifted, running her hands down her sides. They were nervous. Hell, everyone in this room was on edge, and I understood that if I were to take action now, the consequences would not just fall back on me. Elvira and this man would seek retribution on my teammates. Get a hold yourself Mute. Daisha was right. My actions no longer just counted toward me. Even If I was able to get past the snake armada and Elvira. I would still have to take on his powerful abilities, and that was a task in itself. I was immune to his mind screamer, but it was a lot harder to get past his others. My dragons moved against my skin, sensing my volatile energy. They sent out their warmth wanting to stay calm and wait. This wasn't a quick visit, no they were determined to take their time with us. While everyone stood kneeling, I quietly moved to the background.
It was best, I go unnoticed this time around. A man with a white robe billowed out from behind him. His strong arms posed behind him. His eyes, similar to Xanth's, were narrowed and mono lidded. The grey eyes glanced around as he surveyed the area with a dead expression. If it were not for the bio-screens broadcasting his face no one would have known that man standing before us was the King of the Bio-world. He didn't look like he was old, on the contrary, he looked as if he hadn't aged past thirty years instead of thousands. The only indication of his age were the wrinkles around his eyes and the frown line around his mouth.
His strong nose was turned up, and his plump lips were in a thin line as he observed the area with disapproval. He had dark onyx hair and tribal markings that ran across his bare chest and down his arms. The patterns almost similar to Xanth's except; the king's tattoos were abstract styled and went down his neck and arms. A younger man stepped out from behind the king, the boys assemble the same as his minus the markings, almost as if he hadn't earned them yet. My heart wrenched in my chest again and I force myself to swallow the bile rising in my throat. I held fast, breathing in deeply. Each one of my teammates gasped over the link. Words too hard reiterate at this very moment as they came to the same conclusion as me.
The young prince who had yet to be seen to the world was the spitting image of Xanth. No wonder Xanth files were hidden away with so much power. It was because he came from the same race that created this horrid Bio-world. The same race that took me and my sister from our homes and enslaved the rest of this forsaken solar system. I glanced at Xanth, his face was still as stoic as ever, but I could see the hostile force flashing in his eyes. Xanth was the dark prince of the Bio-world, and heir to the throne.
…
The atmosphere in the room was damn near choking. The Crown and the prince sat in the same area that was earlier, full of life and laughter. Now, it was frosty and ominous. Ancestors, I wanted nothing but to get out of here and let Xanth deal with whatever problems he had with his father on his own. However, my teammates had made a promise to stand by him if need be, and ill be damned if I left them to fend for themselves. Especially, when I could help against the king's abilities. I was selfish and broken. Not cold-hearted and cruel. My hands started to sweat as we waited for the King to say something or anything. Elvira and her snake armada were left on the tarmac to await further instructions while his liege and prince sat at the table in front of us. The Crown leaned back in his wooden seat; his face partially obscured by the shadows in the room.
"You look well, my son." The king's gray eyes flashed with malice. For a minute, no words were said as the ruler scanned Xanth from head to toe. The creepy gaze of his was enough to make my skin crawl. Nevertheless, Xanth showed no indication that his father affected him, instead, his hands were poised behind his back. His face was completely devoid of emotion as he stared at a spot above his father's head.
"I fair well my crown, and so does my team." Even his voice sounded practically robotic. I didn't miss the fact that Xanth chose not to call the King his father. If the dictator was displeased by Xanth's use of cordialness, he didn't show it as he searched the room, looking at all of us. I stepped behind Daisha, making sure those cold gray eyes didn't land on me. I winced when he started speaking again. Fear that I had been noticed leaving me almost immobile.
"Well now, we can't be too hasty, I have Bio-marks running on the winning of your team. I just want to make sure I get my value." Disgust riddled my teammates and me speechless as he finished.
Their links jumping in unison with revulsion. He had bet on us. Lives were at the stake of being floated all for the pleasure of the monarch and his rich to see a tournament. This was nothing but a game to him and his people. I still couldn't help the relief flowing through me when he did not notice my presence. Xanth shot a hostile look at Drakson, as he stepped forward, and before Xanth could stop him, he spoke.
"I cannot assure you of our winning, but I can assure you that we are better than ever before." The king's eyes landed on him with a strike of malevolence. Drakson swallowed but kept his composure.
The dictator's mouth twitching was the only indication of his anger. Xanth back stiffened as we all felt the energy swelling in the room. I felt the dim menacing energy clawing at my throat and skin. The Fatales in the room flickered in and out as they sensed the malicious energy. Dammit, there went my plan to stay behind the scenes. I slowly stepped forward-moving to put myself in a few ways behind Kira and right behind Xanth. This was about to get ugly. Drakson had just broken protocol and the king was about to seek retribution. Hiding in the shadows was no longer an option. I knew how the king operated. The way he commanded his mind torturing power to cause so much pain you would be comatose for weeks. And that was only if you were strong enough to pull yourself out of it. I was practically immune to it, which at first had pissed the King off, but then he became more interested. More curious. Which in the end scared me the most. My team had never encountered the crown before now, and If I can use my immunity to save them from the pain even if it meant pissing him off, so be it. I moved forward some more quietly pushing a confused Kira out the way. I needed to get in the middle in case he decided to seek retaliation on my teammates. If my sister were here, she would tell me to stay back and be quiet. But she was not here, and even if she were, my stupidity would not have allowed me to stay put anyways. Zaylee, who stood directly behind Drakson, shifted in her stance as she too felt the pressure closing in.
The king's cold gray eyes landed on her, and she flinched. Grozit. "Be that as it may, I would still like to have my questions answered. Tell me youngling, how fairs your training with the Illustrious prince of the Snake armada?" The king spoke, his voice echoed the lifeless and emotionless aspect of his being as he leaned back in his seat.
He folded his hands in front of him, showcasing his jeweled rings and scarred fingers. I gritted my teeth wanting Xanth to say something or at least move so I didn't have to step in. The king had yet to notice my presence, and I was hoping to keep it that way. If he noticed me, then he would do everything in his power to have his chance to torment me again. Xanth still had yet to say anything, so far, he had only stood in front of us, keeping his eyes on his father. His brother, that was announced as Vale sat next to the king at the head of the table with a boring look, I recognized all too well, on his face. He was practically the spitting image of Xanth. I could only guess they had to be twins he looked the same age as us. The only difference was that Vale's monolid eyes were a pale gray like his father's, and he lacked the tribal tattoos they had as well. Those pale gray eyes focused on something in front of him. A sad look, cresting over the irises of them. Almost like he wanted to close his eyes and float away from the world. Zaylee stood taller as she answered.
"Our training fairs well." The king only blinked at her before a dark smile crested his face. Next to me, Xanth cursed under his breath. The king had finally got what he wanted.
"You would dare lie to me youngling." Vale froze next to his father, his face still stoic, but his eyes blazing with no longer, sadness but fury.
It looked like the second prince had daddy issues as well. Zaylee sputtered, bowing her head.
"I would...I would never my Crown."
"I think you would. I think you all would. How can I trust that your team has training when your second in command can't hold his tongue!" Zaylee stumbled back as the king's temper rose. Her worried lavender-blue eyes, searching the room. Daisha moved to step in front of her, but I blocked her with my hand. She looked at me with wide eyes as I shot her a deadly look. I slowly shook my head, and she got my meaning as I stepped past her.