Power Divided (The Evolutionaries Book 1)

by s. Behr

  I wanted to scream until the room shattered around us. My chest heaved, and my head shook. I was home, but I was more lost than I was in the wild.

  My father reached for my hands and got on his knees in front of me. “Be angry at us. Be angry at me. But please do not take it out on the people of Amera. They are innocent. Be the daughter of Neyr they need you to be.”

  I stood there, staring at the back of my hand.

  “Please, Violet,” my father whispered.

  My whole body ached, my heart, my lungs… But this was not from tumbling through a river. I stared back and forth between them barely able to whisper, “Now? Now you expect me to be the perfect princess? How?” I asked, pulling on threads of what I had been trained for.

  I knew what the proper etiquette was supposed to be. I even managed it more than once. “But how am I supposed to do that now, after all of this?” I cried to my inner voice. Still, he was silent, and the loneliness made my body tremble.

  How was I going to face all those people feeling this way? Then, I remembered what it felt like to lose my father. The days and nights I thought he was dead, and that my mother hated me, my entire family. The idea that I no longer belonged to Neyr Realm or Amera. I had wanted to die.

  I thought of every picnic, every sunrise, every laugh I had shared with the two people across from me. Every one of those moments in my life despite my worries at that time had made me want to live and be more.

  I was now nine shades of Violet, leaving me confused and conflicted. The facts I learned about my family from the tribunal made me furious. Having lost everything once already, it became clear there was only one thing I could do.

  With what little breath I could manage I began, “A week ago… Two weeks ago, this morning even, I would have done anything to see you again. Both of you. The twins. To have you love me after what I had done. I begged Mother Earth and the stars above to have you back. I swore I would do whatever it took to be the princess everyone expected me to be if I just had the chance.” I swallowed hard, remembering the bargain I made with the Earth in the darkness at the Ark. “Well, I got what I wanted. You’re here, and you say you love me.”

  But something King Lindstrom said rang true in my heart. This was my life, my story, and if it began today, it would be on my terms. Meeting their gaze with resolve, I said, “I will hold up my end of the bargain.”

  As I turned to leave, my mother said, “You won’t be doing this for us. You will be doing this for your people. For yourself. Never forget that.”

  “I will be doing nothing. You made sure of that. I will be in my room. When I need to smile for the people, I will be ready. It is, after all, the only ability you have left me with.”

  I curtsied as I would have for any king or queen, then I spun around and stormed from the room.

  On the floor of my room, I braced myself as the wheel of my life had turned again. Jane leapt off the bed, ran around me twice, and buried her head in my hair, her nose tickling my ear as I rubbed her chin.

  “We have slept on worse,” I whispered to her. She answered by curling into a little ball next to my cheek. Hugging her to me, I didn’t know how I would have made it through the last few weeks without her. She had been an unexpected joy in the shambles of my life. But Jane had not been alone in that department. I fished around in the giant pocket in the wide folds of my gown. When I found the tablet, I pulled it up to face me, and magically, Hailey appeared.

  “Are you all right, Princess?”

  “I don’t know, Hailey. Did you hear everything?” I asked, wiping my cheeks.

  “Frankly, it was impossible to ignore, even with a damaged microphone,” she said with a sad grin. I felt my eyes burn. “I am sorry, Princess. I am sure this has been a lot to process.”

  A laugh escaped me along with a few more tears. “Which part? Me almost killing my father, finding the greatest find in the history of finds, being held hostage by a snarky A.I., then almost dying trying to make it home to find that I had not killed my father, even if…” I shuddered, remembering of the scars on his face, but the dam had burst, and I couldn’t hold back the flood. “And surprise! My parents have been drugging me my entire life, and my entire family knew about it. Because I almost killed the heir apparent to the Phoenix Throne. Which part of that were you referring to?”

  “Yes, all of that,” she said, missing the sarcasm.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.” I closed my eyes.

  “You don’t have to explain. I understand.” Her tone held no judgment.

  “What do I do, Hailey?”

  “The mission has not changed. I can’t allow the Ark to fall into the wrong hands.”

  “And whose hands are the wrong hands? I thought that was the Hg-1. But now? Would it really be better for Amera to be in control of it?”

  “That decision, Princess, is not up to you. That choice has always been up to the Ark.” She glanced sideways as if studying the tablet construction.

  I sat up. “So, all this time, when I thought I was bringing you here to announce the existence of the Ark to the people of Amera, you knew there was a possibility that you would not open it for them?”

  “It was not the one with the highest probability, as you yourself are quite a remarkable example of an Ameran. I have hope, but yes, it has always been a possible outcome.”

  “Perfect. More games.” I sighed. “So what can I do to stop the humans at the Ark? If they find their way through the defenses and find what they are looking for, what does that mean?”

  Before Hailey had a chance to reply, I closed my eyes, and my shoulders sagged. “It’s probably already too late. I lost too much time getting here, and now…”

  With a smirk, Hailey said, “That is not likely.”

  “That look always means more than I think it does. What did you do?”

  “Before I finished retrieving the files you requested, I tinkered with the Hailey Two’s protocols. She will keep them running in circles, possibly forever,” she said with a proud smile.

  “How did you manage that?” I eyed her.

  “You know it would bore you even if you had clearance.”

  “Of course, if you say so.” I tapped my finger on my bottom lip. “I guess that means we have a little more time. With the Hg-1 being here, I can’t just accuse anyone of anything, especially without all the facts. That could lead to disaster on a global scale. Maybe if we knew what they were looking for,” I mumbled. “Can I see the files?”

  Her face flickered again, her expression shifting between frustration and guilt. “I am sorry to have to tell you this, but much of that data was corrupted in the damage of this tablet. I am still recoding to see what I can salvage. But with these limitations, it is going slowly.”

  “What?” My heart sank. “All that and we didn’t get it?” I couldn’t go to anyone without proof or reason.

  “Was I not clear? We have it, but it has holes that I am trying to repair. Until I can find a better outfit than this damaged tablet, we are limited.”

  I frowned. “And you’re just telling me now?”

  “I was waiting for the right moment.”

  “This is the right moment?” I squinted at her.

  “This is the first day you have been fully awake, and your day has been a bad one. I figured it couldn’t get much worse. Better to tell you when the chips are down. I would hate to spoil a good day.” She glitched a few times, and if I had to guess, it was on purpose.

  “Thanks for considering my feelings,” I muttered.

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled.

  Giving her a sideways glance, I exhaled. “So, what now? Do I spy on them?”

  Hailey’s face lit up. “That is an excellent idea. You have access to be near the human delegation.”

  “Of course, you would think spying is best,” I huffed. “Regardless, I don’t know where they are. They could be on their craft or the moon for all I know.”

  “It is unlikely they are
on the moon.”

  “Thank you, Hailey.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Ignoring her brand of sarcasm, I knew I was going to have to face the world to get some answers. But I was glad the real world, the new one I wasn’t certain I could navigate, didn’t start until tomorrow.

  I groaned as Hailey said, “We have all night to prepare strategies for when you do see them.”

  “As you pointed out, this tablet is damaged.” I examined the hardware as Hailey’s glitching seemed to get worse by the minute. “What can you do in this state?”

  “Since we have established my flaws, multiple times, I have been meaning to speak to you about our solutions. I am certain after seeing some of the technology displayed while you were unconscious, you have something that is far more advanced and more suitable for me to transfer into. You said you have something similar to a tablet. Can you show me?” She sounded excited at the prospect of upgrading and annoyed that she couldn’t do it herself in a blink of a microprocessor.

  I reached for my wrist, but I knew my bracelet was not there. Out of habit, my legs were already headed to my jewelry vault. Holding still for the retinal verification and biometric reading from my hand, it opened with a soft click. “Ha!” I said, feeling triumphant.

  “Did you think they had made plans for you not to return?” Hailey asked from across the room.

  “The thought had crossed my mind.” Despite everything I did and everything I learned today, this was proof they at least had hoped I would come home. It felt like a win, no matter how minor it was.

  My jewelry collection was comprised of gifts, birthdays, or other milestones. Some were given to me for state functions from visiting realms, but compared to my mother’s or even Lily’s collection, it was meager.

  Then I noticed two boxes that were not here the last time I had opened this vault. Lifting the first box and opening it, I found the bracelet I had left by the river.

  “They found it,” I breathed.

  It was perfect and shiny, as if it had been lovingly repaired. The platinum gleamed, and the missing jeweled buttons had been replaced. The amethyst sparkled, nearly the same color as my eyes.

  Nestled in the second box, I found a bracelet nearly identical, except this one had the engravings of my name, rank, and title, along with a citizen number. This was the bracelet that I’d expected to receive that terrible morning.

  I took it out of the box and put it on. It fit perfectly.

  “I see you have found it already.”

  I spun around to see Rall standing behind me. “Blooms! You are like a creeping vine. How do you do that?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “The door was ajar. I assumed you were expecting me.” He smiled.

  Just by the sheer size and condition he was in, Rall was not someone you wanted as an enemy. He was the constant mentor, always believing in me and pushing me to my limits and beyond. He had a way of convincing me I could overcome any obstacle. This morning I had worried he was angry with me, but now I knew that it had been because of my mother. Just his presence in the room made me feel better, and he was funny, too, even if I was the only one who thought so.

  “Which one am I supposed to use?” I asked, looking at both bracelets, one representing my past, the other a future I had believed in but was now impossible.

  “They are both technically ready. The old one is a bit small. I know your parents wanted to be the ones to give the new one to you, but as things are, perhaps they wouldn’t mind if you claimed it without the ceremony.”

  A pang of sadness struck me. Another tradition lost. I buried the thought with all the rest. “The old one had been cutting into my wrist for months. Will you help me set it up?”

  With a push of a few buttons, Rall rested his against mine. A few beeps later, he declared, “It’s ready. Would you like me to deactivate your old one?”

  “Hmm, I am a bit clumsy. It might be better to hang on to it just in case,” I answered, quickly shutting the vault. I had other plans for it, but he didn’t need to know about Hailey just yet.

  “I agree you have your moments.” He eyed me as I stuffed the small bracelet into my pocket.

  Changing the subject, I asked, “So, Captain, what are you really doing here?”

  “I am here to deliver your schedule,” he said just as a beep came from the new bracelet.

  We both looked down at my wrist. I pressed a small diamond button, and the week’s schedule began to scroll in the air above my hand for the next minute.

  “They trust me to do all of that?” I asked, trying to picture the arrivals of the courts, all the luncheons, tours, and meetings flashing before my eyes.

  “They do,” he said with confidence. “Whatever you may think of your family right now, they are good people, and they do love you. I would not have spent my life protecting what is most important to them if they weren’t.”

  I couldn’t look at him, afraid I might lose my tiny hold on composure. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  Lifting my chin with the tip of his finger, he gave me a solemn look. “I have known you your entire life, and I have trained you for most of it. I would not have done that either if I didn’t believe in your capabilities—with or without your abilities.”

  My head tilted as I eyed him. “I doubt my father or grandfather gave you much of a choice.

  “There is always a choice, Little Purple Flower. I know you will make the right ones.”

  My lips pressed together. I tried to appear strong when inside I felt like mush.

  “Have a good evening, Your Highness, I will see you tomorrow.” He offered a quick bow and left as quietly as he came.

  I shut the door behind him and said to the com, “Lock. Authorization Princess Violet Amplifien.” The words somehow felt wrong, as if my name made me an imposter.

  “He makes a good point,” Hailey said, as I walked over to my window and stared out at the landscape that I had watched grow and change with me over the years From here I could see Empire Tower, along with three others, and I wondered where the Hg-1 were.

  “The remaining half of the Council of Kings and Queens of Amera are scheduled to arrive over the next two days. I am supposed to greet them,” I said, my shoulders drooping. I didn’t want to admit that I had very little experience. My parents often excused me from these duties, allowing me to spend my time in the Archives. Now an introduction to society felt like another cruel joke of fate.

  “That sounds exciting,” Hailey said, sounded equally pleased as I felt uneasy. Then, in her strange way of knowing my unspoken fears, she added, “Your Captain is right. Your parents would not have given you tasks they didn’t think you could do well. After everything we learned this morning, I don’t believe they would risk it.”

  “How would you know? You barely know them-” I countered, leaning against the window, exhausted.

  “Perhaps, but I know the daughter they raised, and I am certain with a high degree of probability that they are correct in this matter.”

  “Traitor,” I mumbled, picking the tablet up.

  “That is irrelevant and untrue. I have watched you closely for the last few weeks and saw you adapt, grow, and overcome. You nearly died trying to get home. You handled yourself excellently this morning at the tribunal. I have faith that you can survive a luncheon.”

  “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, my head will explode.” I flopped onto my bed. Jane hopped onto the pillow next to me and made herself comfortable next to my cheek.

  “That is unlikely, but again, I am unfamiliar with your abilities.”

  “Me too,” I said, chewing my bottom lip.

  A strange feeling sprouted deep in my chest. The idea that before my next birthday, the abilities that had been hidden from me for my entire life would be revealed seemed incredible. I didn’t know if I was excited or frightened at what this meant. But in my time away, I watched a baby fox march fearlessly into a darkened cave, and a snarky A.
I. give up everything without hesitation because she had faith. Faith in me.

  I had a lot to live up to. I could not give in to fear.

  Eyeing my bracelets and rubbing Jane’s ear, I asked Hailey, “Do you think you would be happy in here?”

  “That is not the point of the transfer; the computing power and portability are.” Her face broke into a grin. “But it is shiny and beautiful, and that is always a plus.”

  Scrolling through my schedule again, I wrinkled my nose. “I guess we are going to have to add a refresher course on royal etiquette to our spy strategizing.”

  Hailey’s head tilted with a glitch. “What do you mean, Princess? They are practically one and the same.”

  The next morning came too early. Hailey had spent the rest of the day, and well into the night, educating me, then quizzing me on everything she knew about spycraft, which was surprisingly substantial. Several hours into our training, I nearly threw the tablet across the room.

  “Why do you keep saying it’s impossible?”

  “I didn’t say you were impossible, I said, ‘mission impossible.’ It’s a spy series I particularly enjoy,” she said.

  While Amera had not ventured into the art of reenactment, we did have a substantial collection in the Archives anyone could view. Using the holo-screen in my room, she had me watch hundreds of clips for examples of what to do or even what not to do.

  We ended the night just before the sun rose. Feeling as if I had just fallen asleep, I startled when my bracelet woke me. I sat up and scrubbed my face, pulling the tablet from under my pillow.

  As Hailey illuminated, I yawned. “I accept this mission, please don’t self-destruct.” I fell out of bed and headed to my shower, focusing on what I had to do. My heart and soul couldn’t bear the revelations from yesterday. I was going to focus on doing what I had promised and be a piece of the picture that was Ameran unity.