Thirty Minutes to Heartbreak Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Nadia Scrieva

  If I can live, she promised herself as the blast enveloped her torso, I will take off the ring. I must live. I must find a way to bring out the power, to milk every drop of energy from my center. I am Pax Burnson, the granddaughter of the Fire Deva. I have a family waiting for me at home, and a best friend not too far away who will go nuts without me here for her. Focus. Focus! Come on, Pax. I can do this! Focus, Pax! I don’t need anyone but myself! She opened her mouth wide and screamed, yelling just as she had done before—and she touched it.

  She touched it. It was there, encased in a brilliant diamond deep within her, more valuable than any that could be worn. More valuable than any jewel that could be given from another was the diamond within. Inside of that diamond was the power she needed—it was the fjuyen center of the white dwarf star, what remained after the burn. She didn’t know where it had come from, if it had always been there, or if it had just been created. But as she touched it, she grasped it with her mind, and she tapped it. She unleashed it, and it brought a huge influx of prana to her power.

  She would survive! She had found that immense concentration of power hidden at her core; she was clutching it. But was it enough? Did she even know how to use it? She felt so heartened by its existence that she could have almost believed the power was unlimited—but she knew that no energy was unlimited. That was a false confidence; even stars burned out and died. The energy bomb she had created finally overwhelmed her and exploded; she could do nothing but grasp the energy for all she was worth. She focused on that inner diamond, and clung to it for dear life.

  She felt death. She touched that too, and it tasted metallic and cold. She thought of her mother and grandfather, who were already dead, and it did not seem like such a horrible thing. But then she imagined Thorn’s face, and she knew that it was. She thought of her father and Uncle Ash. She thought of Vincent, Rose, and finally Amara. Their faces all swam together in her mind and she sobbed as the energy burned through her skin.

  I try to act tough in front of Mara, but it does bother me. I hate dying. It’s always so inconvenient. Darkness inundated her, seeping to her core and causing her to lose her grip on her power. The world slipped away.

  Chapter 11: Wearing Platinum Mascara

  Amara growled when she woke up and felt a chill. She reached to her side where she was sure that her other half was lying beside her for warmth. She was about to yell at herself for moving away when she realized that there was no one anywhere around her. Was she whole again? She felt a distant surge of massive power.

  “Pax?” she whispered, looking around at the ruined city fearfully. Being this alone, it was deathly quiet—she almost expected to see ghosts of old residents floating by. Ghosts would be the only thing that could make the Pseudosphere worse. She hated them almost as much as she hated bugs.

  Amara frowned when she realized that the energy she felt was nowhere nearby. She looked out into the distance and couldn’t see Pax anywhere. She began to panic. She felt a colossal explosion of two different forms of energy just before she could clearly sense Pax’s life force spike to an incredible height. Suddenly, it was all gone. She could no longer sense her friend.

  I hate dying. It’s always so inconvenient.

  Amara shivered at the thought she’d overheard. She brought her hands to her cheeks in fear, trying to reach her friend telepathically. Pax? Pax! You better not be dying again, because it was scary enough the first time. She leapt off the bed, flying in the direction that she had last felt the energy. She flew for about half an hour before she couldn’t continue any further. She tried to assume Ruby Form and go a bit further. The energy signal had completely disappeared and she had no clue where she was heading.

  Paxie! Pax? If you're alive, even barely, can you respond to me?

  Amara felt dread as myriad scenarios ran through her mind. What could have happened to her friend? The girl was power incarnate, and it would take something impossibly strong to damage her. Like herself, Amara realized with a start. She had recently grown uncomfortable with what she considered the “evil” look in the second Pax’s eyes. She knew that Pax referred to the separated selves as “weak” and “strong” halves, but Amara had always considered them good and evil. In her own mind, she had begun calling the creepy woman Dark Pax. She knew that she should never have trusted Dark Pax and Light Pax together—those two were bound to kill each other.

  Amara continued searching, walking around and calling out mentally and physically for what felt like a very long and terrifying time. Pax! Paxieee! Her mind screamed over and over again. She screeched when she felt the burning metallic rain on her skin. She touched the smooth substance in confusion. There’s another one for the dermatologists. I’m going to need a team of them, and I’m going to make them very rich.

  Suddenly, as Amara looked around in every direction and saw only white nothingness, she realized that she was lost. And she had lost Pax. Amara wrapped her arms around herself and sunk to her knees in trepidation. She was out further in the abyss than she ever had been. She had never even been out so far that she couldn’t see their campsite—not alone. Not without Pax. She had never really prided herself on having a keen sense of direction, and she had always relied on Pax to help her get back to the carefully chosen safe-spot; of course, it was not completely safe, but she needed the sense of safety that having such a spot gave her.

  Not only was Pax lost and possibly dead, but now she, too, was disoriented. If she couldn't find Pax, she probably wouldn’t be able to find the campsite again. If she couldn't find Pax, there was no point in going back anyway. Pax! she called out mentally, forcing herself into a standing position and struggling onward through the density toward where she thought the energy signal had last been. She continued to push onward, one slow step at a time, calling out mentally every few minutes. Her Ruby Form boost was draining, and it was challenging to stay strong.

  Finally, after a long time, she stopped. She stopped and stood there helplessly.

  Damn you, Pax Burnson! she screamed through their telepathic channel. You do not get to run away from your problems through an easy death! We’re going back to Earth and we’re going to raise some hell! We’re going to use Para to screw with everyone’s minds like we planned, and it is going to be divine! Do you hear me? She knelt and pounded both of her fists into the ground angrily.

  Mara...? It was the feeblest of hushed thoughts.

  The blonde girl looked up in shock at finally getting a response. Tears of relief flooded her eyes. Oh, thank Sakra!

  Am I dead?

  I hope not. But I can’t feel your energy. Increase your prana, Pax.

  My... prana?

  Pax! Send me a signal with your prana so I can find you.

  I can’t feel my body.

  What do you mean? Amara waited a few seconds and hearing no response, and feeling no energy, she began to worry. Pax, are you still with me? There was still no response. Was Pax really dead? In another realm? Or had she just fallen asleep? Amara powered up herself.

  Do you feel my energy, Pax? Do you feel my life force? I can’t find you, and I can’t go any deeper into the void. I’m trying but my body is being crushed and burned by metallic rain. What’s up with that? Please, if you can, teleport to me! I’m freaking out here.

  Mara…

  Come on, Pax! Come on. Hurry up before I have a panic attack.

  I can’t feel my arms. I can’t find my fingers. I... can’t breathe. What the hell is this?

  More metal rain fell on Amara’s shoulders, coating her with a silvery layer. Her eyes widened, and realization hit her. Holy shit, Paxie—I think you passed out in the metal rain and got covered with metal. You’re encased in metal… Amara shivered at the thought, making a disgusted face. She imagined her friend lying on the floor with a sheet of metal covering her face. Oh my god, that’s worse than a horror movie. That’s worse than ghosts. I don’t want to see it!

  Metal? It does feel cold. Pax tried to open her eyes, but her delic
ate eyelids were coated with a thick layer of something rigid. You’re right. What should I do? What if I get stuck like this, Mara? I don’t think I can get out.

  Amara scowled. You will not be a permanent popsicle! Get out of that metal tombstone now!

  Pax struggled to move her body against the steel cast, but she was too weak and her motions were unsuccessful. Not working.

  Raise your energy! Suck your energy from the metal itself, just like you taught me.

  Pax tried to gather prana from her center, but none would flow. I don’t have any left.

  Don't give me that bullshit. You just need to be able to touch your stomach and teleport to me. It’s easy!

  I can’t.

  How hard can it be to break a little flimsy aluminum?

  It feels like titanium.

  I think I have my telepathy wires crossed! This can’t be Pax I’m thinking to, because the Pax I knew was stronger than a few tin cans. And slightly smarter than them, too.

  Pax tried her best to smile at this, but the metal wouldn’t allow her lips to move. She immediately tried to frown, but that wouldn’t happen either. She moved her tongue inside her mouth, and felt triumphant at being able to do just that. I think I finally climbed past Ruby Form. It exhausted me. I became something stronger, just for a moment, just so I could survive my attack on myself.

  Wonderful. Can you do it again?

  How can I possibly... actually, that’s a good idea. I’ll try. Pax felt like her eyelashes had been coated heavily with platinum mascara, and it was considerably uncomfortable. She tried to reach into that place deep inside her that she had touched before. Where was it? In the back of the bottom of my mind, hidden under all the messy wires and stress and troubles. A peaceful place. In the part of my soul that doesn't need anything other than itself to be strong. What did it feel like? Like a precious prism filled with power. Hard lines and smooth surfaces, perfect geometry radiating warmth and distilled electric energy. How did I tap into it? How did I access it?

  I just needed to. I just knew I would, and felt confident in that and... I just relaxed...

  Pax tore her eyes open as she found the place and latched onto it. She felt the warmth of energy flood through her. She used her mind to concentrate on accessing the energy, and refueling her body. The metal slipped away from her skin like a silken gown, and she flexed her fingers immediately. The feeling had returned to them as she powered up on her newly discovered backup battery—the secret emergency reserves. She felt her body and instinctively knew there was somehow, magically, no permanent damage. This made her spirits soar; her skin had regenerated itself under the metal. She would not have any permanent burns, or hideous scarring, nor would she be losing any limbs.

  Which is great, because amputations still suck, she thought to herself. It was very good to be part-deva. Very, very good.

  Amputations? Amara repeated with panic. She had listened to Pax giving herself a prep talk about her inner power with awe, and she had felt inspired—but now she was worried about the condition of her friend’s body. Pax, I can feel your power again! It’s stronger than before! You’re still so far away. Are you alright?

  Pax laughed to herself with relief. That telepathy sure has a long range, doesn’t it?

  I’m discovering that. Can you teleport over here?

  Pax extended her fingers and pulled her hand into the form to initiate the movement through space, but then she smiled down at her hand before it touched her solar plexus. It was unnecessary now. There was a new silvery glow of energy around her palm—as she looked at her newly mobile fingers, and wiggled them, she remembered her promise to herself that if she survived she would take off the ring. She had already grown accustomed to wearing it, but it was due time to part with the burden to her soul which it represented.

  The problem with Thornton was not just that he had betrayed her. It was that she had trusted him, and she had allowed herself to be hurt—the problem was that she had allowed herself to lose control to an extent which she had never done before, and she had become her own worst enemy; she had become a monster.

  Pax had never killed another innocent human being out of simple rage. She had ‘disabled’ them on occasion when it was warranted, but she had never acted so much without reason or logic. So animalistic. She might love Thornton, despite his misdeeds, but she had a hard time feeling self-esteem when she had stooped so low. She had a hard time feeling proud or comfortable with herself while she wore his engagement ring. She levitated off the ground and flew toward Amara, reaching her very quickly despite how far away she was. Her new form gave her impressive speed.

  When Amara saw her friend she sighed in relief. “What were you thinking, going off on your own like that? You scared the bejesus out of me, woman!”

  Pax landed close to her and walked forward, holding up the hand with the Tigress Eye diamond on her finger. She pulled the engagement ring off her hand and tossed it into the air with a smile, before catching it in her fist. “I realized that I can’t wear this anymore.”

  Amara stared wordlessly for a moment, surprised at her friend’s change of heart. “I guess you’re not going to be my sister, then.”

  “Your sister?” asked Pax, as she walked with Amara back to the living area. “We’re the same person sometimes; isn’t that close enough?”

  Amara giggled at this, but when she glanced at her friend, her smile disappeared. She could see and feel Pax’s increased life force.

  “You really have ascended,” said Amara in awe. “Is this Silver Form? It’s intimidating. Your power is amplified at least tenfold from your previous maximum, and you’re just walking around casually…”

  Pax nodded as they walked. “I’ve been close for a while. I don’t know why I couldn’t touch it before. I guess everyone is motivated differently. You’ll probably achieve this transformation before we leave the room as well.”

  “Are you kidding? I can’t even stay in Ruby Form for more than five minutes. You can stay all day. If it took you ten years to achieve the second level after the first... it’s impossible for me to do it in a few months."

  “Anything is possible for us,” said Pax softly. She could feel the truth of her statement in the power that hummed within her. Just as she said the words, she noticed the yellow door to the safe room appear on the horizon. She smiled, almost reluctant to leave Room Four; it had surely changed her life for the better.

  Chapter 12: Pretend Nothing’s Wrong

  “No, Mrs. Kalgren. I’m really going to need a last name. The pictures aren’t getting me anywhere.” The dark-skinned woman in her mid-thirties was gently rocking a baby with one arm while holding the phone in the other. She listened to her fretful employer on the other end of the line. Her charcoal eyebrows knitted together. “Hold on, you think that might be related?”

  Layla Solyst used her shoulder to hold the phone, briskly sifting through the photographs and article clippings spread out all over the kitchen table. “Yes, there is a slim possibility that she’s not human, but I think you’re just being paranoid. I know you want to protect your son, but this ‘Medea’ woman is probably a gold-digger at the very worst. I highly doubt she’s Asura.”

  Two little girls ran by, screaming loudly as they chased each other, and Layla narrowed her eyes at them. “Nyssa! Behave yourself and stop bothering your sister!”

  “But Olive threw a fireball at me, momma! Look, it burned a hole in my favorite green dress!”

  “Both of you, go to your room!” Layla said harshly. The infant boy in her arms woke up and began to cry. Layla groaned, trying to soothe him as the girls skulked away obediently. She never seemed to have enough hands. She put the phone on speaker and placed it down on the table, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Kalgren. Remind me why I chose to marry a deva again?”

  “Stamina,” came Rose Kalgren’s voice from the other end of the line.

  A devious smirk came to Layla’s lips, crinkling her copper skin into creas
es around her mouth. “Good point. Well, I should have followed your example and had my kids over a decade apart. You never had to deal with Thorn and Mara breathing fire at each other, did you?”

  “Mara was a good girl, but darling—Thorn and Ash tried to kill each other several times a day. Your kids are angels compared to those two rascals.”

  “I remember the way they were in high school,” Layla said with a chuckle. “Speaking of which—you should show a little more faith in Thorn. He has always had really high standards about who he dates.”

  The older woman on the other end of the phone could be heard laughing. “You’re only saying that because he dated you, sweetheart.”

  “True. Too bad he didn’t meet my high standards,” Layla joked. “Anyway, Mrs. Kalgren, while I want to ease your mind, I also want you to know that I trust your instincts. There’s something wrong with this woman—something probably small, but wrong nonetheless. You were right to have her investigated. No one is this difficult to find. It’s like she doesn’t exist! My guess is that she also gave Thorn a fake name.”

  “Will you keep looking into it, dear? Some rather… pressing business has come up, and I fear I won’t be able to check in with you regularly. But please do let me know if you find anything.”

  “Sure, Mrs. Kalgren.” Layla smiled down at the cooing baby in her arms. She used her fingers to encircle his small arm. “You saved my life when I was seventeen and the doctors had all given up on me. Your use of new technology is nothing short of heroic, and I’ll never forget that. I’ll do anything I can to help you, always.”

  Rose seemed to pause on the other end of the line. “It was nothing, dear. You were the one brave enough to let me pump your body full of metal and go all Dr. Frankenstein.”

  Layla heard her youngest daughter let out a bloodcurdling scream. She sighed. “I swear, those girls will be the death of me,” she told Rose angrily. She began to sift through the case files again. “My little boy better have a thick skin when he grows up, or those two will rip him apart.”