When Disaster Strikes, Two Graves Must Be Dug

Emily was shocked to see Xavion standing in the corridor with his arms crossed, perhaps anticipating her return, when she entered the vortex and entered the palace. He must have anticipated her return. Without a word, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her quickly into a supply closet for the cleaning workers nearby. He probably didn't want anyone to notice them, so he didn't turn on the lightbulb over them.

In a loud whisper, he said, "What are you doing here?"

Emily's thoughts were racing as she blinked. "Looking for a way to get Hayden out of this."

His voice was low but powerful as he retorted, "There is no way out." "Hayden is doomed, and Queen Celeste isn't amenable to compromise." There was a quiet, grim confidence in his remarks.

"I understand," she said in a determined whisper. "But I must try at least."

She began to leave the closet, but Xavion grabbed her tightly and pulled her back.

"No. "You must leave this place," he demanded, his tone tinged with desperation. With a flicker of rebellion, Emily shook her head.

"You will receive the harshest penalty if you are taken before Queen Celeste. Are you aware of that? He issued a warning, his intense, hard gaze staring into hers.

"Of course I am!" she exclaimed, a little too loudly, her annoyance exploding.

She let out a sigh as the pressure of her feelings caused her body to slump. "What more am I meant to do? I have to keep Hayden safe.

In any case, what do you see in a mortal? "He has only caused you trouble," Xavion said, his voice becoming a little softer and showing a glimmer of human empathy. It was not surprising that he would find her attachment puzzling, given he frequently considered them to be inferior beings.

"I'm unable to express it. She looked down, her cheeks flaming, and said, "All I know is that I love him, and I'd do anything to shield him from danger." Her voice was almost audible above a whisper. She had never been this close to telling her mentor how she felt.

With narrowed eyes, Xavion objected, "He's not good for you, Emily."

I've never given a damn about what you think. "Now leave this alone—this is my affair," she growled, her voice piercing with determination. Without turning around, she left the closet. She was not followed by Xavion.

She was quickly recognized by the soldiers, who then led her to the Royal Room, where Queen Celeste was waiting on her throne. It was a huge space with tan walls and a floor that looked like an arena. Two silent servants held leaves on either side of Queen Celeste's seat atop a throne made of human bones. The enormous double doors were guarded, and two more were standing next to the servants, their stances hard with military accuracy. Emily got up shakily from the ground where the guards had thrown her, ignoring the humiliation, which strengthened her determination.

What a welcome surprise, Emily. With a tone full of hate, Queen Celeste snarled, "I was hoping you'd come to visit." Emily gave her a scowl. Queen Celeste was a merciless person with pale complexion and long black locks that fell to the floor when she stood. Her profound black eyes contrasted sharply with her thin, emaciated body. She wore a dark crown that identified her as Queen, and she wore a flowing crimson garment with black flower motifs.

She said in a friendly, even taunting tone, "I hope the boy is doing well." Emily winced as Hayden was brought up. Emily's rage was only heightened by the knowledge that Queen Celeste undoubtedly meant to administer the most agonizing death sentence imaginable.

After taking a deep breath to calm herself, Emily said, "I'm here to make a deal with you." Behaving kindly with Queen Celeste would only make matters worse if she displayed signs of weakness.

With a mocking smirk twisting her lips, Queen Celeste cocked her head. "How? Beyond all else, what do you have to offer?

"My soul," Emily said, continuing. "If you let Hayden go free, I'll give you my soul and powers, so you'll rule as Queen for the next thousand years."

More than anything Emily could possibly want, Queen Celeste had always coveted her abilities. So why not grant her her wish? Since she shouldn't have been here in the first place, Emily had no problem leaving this planet.

Queen Celeste didn't even give it a second thought. "Refused," she answered icily.

Emily gaped in disbelief as she gazed at her. "What? However, that is what you desire!

"What makes me want you dead? With a dismissive sweep of her hand and a calm, detached voice, Queen Celeste stated, "I decline the bargain because you'll be more useful to me alive."

She signaled the guards with a snap of her fingers. Emily knew it was either now or never, so she took action. She was prepared as the guards lunged at her. As the others rushed to restrain her, she blasted the person holding her hands with black laser beams that exploded from her palms, sending him hurtling into the ceiling. Before a painful prick pierced her shoulder, she was able to stand and get ready to battle in her Obsidian Angel fashion. To her left, she noticed a dart pierced through her flimsy shirt, its poison soaking into her flesh. Before everything became black, it was the last thing she saw.

Even though the needle had only knocked her unconscious for five minutes, she woke up to find her wings and wrists shackled by Shadow Energy-infused chains. With methodical movements and a long, black whip in her hand that had been honed to a deadly point, Queen Celeste walked toward her.

Emily spoke in a murmur and lowered her head in surrender. "Try your hardest."

With a sly grin on her lips, Queen Celeste watched Emily with sadistic pleasure and said, "If you insist."

Then she swung the whip out. With the swiftness of a snake, it struck Emily's back, leaving a stinging sting that was like fire. A loud, nauseating smack boomed throughout the room as the whip cracked against her flesh and rebounded off the walls. Queen Celeste persisted in her attack, ripping through Emily's back with merciless accuracy with each hit. Every lash caused Emily to writhe in agony; the pain was unbearable, yet she remained silent. She refused to provide Queen Celeste with gratification.

Later, Emily was imprisoned in the castle's basement in a pitch-black dungeon. Hard, rocky, damp, cold, and completely alone, the place resembled a cave. The bars at the entryway, which were made of Shadow Energy and were so strong that not even she could break them, were the sole difference. Her back hurt and burned from the wounds, and she sagged in the center of the cave. The whip had left brilliant, crimson scars on the back of her blouse, which was ripped apart. She felt defeated, alone, and without hope. She could not possibly go back to Hayden, and the likelihood that she would ever see him again decreased with every second that went by. She saw Hayden, imprisoned in that apartment, starving, impatient, thirsty, and dying because she had locked him there, and her eyes filled with sorrow. She had locked him in there, but why? There was nothing she could do but hope that someone would realize Hayden was stuck in that apartment and get him out before it was too late.

A few more minutes passed while she stood there in despair until the black energy bars at the entryway abruptly vanished. The door opened! She hurried out without wasting any time, only to discover Tara and Xavion standing in the hallway. Tara was dressed in long black stretch pants and a long-sleeved blouse, which Emily had never seen her in before because she always wore dresses or skirts. Maybe this was her take on an escape costume.

Tara handed Emily the flimsy black jacket from her room and added, "Here." Emily put it on, squinting when the charred material touched her back's injuries. The three of them fled silently together, trying to get out of the most strongly guarded castle in the entire Dominion of Obsidian Angels.