by L. N. MALONE
When the smoke clears Bassel stands in the center of the room. “I mean you or Akasha no harm King Armand.”
“That has yet to be made clear, Bassel. Maybe once we know more of what this is about, we would be less on guard. Then again, maybe not.” Armand says with a slight curve of his lips.
“I will explain everything to you both. This is not just about My Queen Mother; it is also about you King of Darkness. Your destiny is now intertwined.” Bassel says with a slight nod.
“Ugh, can you get any more cryptic? Just spit it out already.” I say with a roll of my eye and annoyance definitely in my voice. Armand chuckles low trying to not be too obvious while Bassel folds his arms narrows his eyes. “Do you not want to wait for the King’s people? If not, we can start now,” he says with a cocky eyebrow up.
Armand sighs an exasperated sigh before turning to me. “Ash we should wait for everyone. No need in us explaining it all over again to them. Once should be enough.” I nod in agreement, I mean, to be honest I would like all of this to go away already. I am exhausted and still in my gown that now I really want to get out of.
Just then the door opens and the clatter of people walking in reaches our ears. “Looks as though they arrived.” Bassel says with a cockiness in his voice that is beginning to annoy me.
Both Armand, and I work together to notify everyone of what is going on. I alert Luke and Mirella of Bassel’s presence and ask them to come down. Armand tells everyone else to drop their items off in their room and meet in the meeting room. Once we have made our way to the meeting room and I am surprised to see that it is exactly like the room at his mansion that the circle meets in. It has the same circle shaped table and same throne as seat at the front overlooking the table. The only difference is the wood color and along the wall are wooden chairs with white cushions lined up. I must have been so focused on the room because Armand startles me by taking my arm to make our way to our seats. He stops briefly and leans down to whisper softly in my ear. “I will try to move this along as fast as I can. I know are tired and need to get out of that dress. Please know that when this meeting is over, I would be happy assist if you would like.” His breath and words send chills throughout my body and I find my breath has hitched. He lifts his head and winks “Oh, I adore your blush.”
Unable to form any coherent thoughts, I just narrow my eyes and him and start to walk as if I know where my seat is. I do not of course and of course he knows this so with a chuckle and a slight tug he directs me to the throne and waits for me to sit. He must have seen the surprised look I had on my face because he said, “Your throne will be delivered shortly. You should always be beside me always, not in front or behind. That is your place as my queen.” I felt the usual heat fill my face and this time I do not try to hide the appreciation I am feeling and nod with a genuine smile. Luke brings one of the wooden chairs and places it next to me and Armand sits. We wait for everyone to get settled in their seats and I can feel the anxiety Armand is feeling. His emotions are coming out in waves hard and fast. I look over and see his expression that shows none of what he feels. I wish I were able to do that, especially around Armand. I think to myself. Noticing the silence in the room Armand waves to Bassel to start.
“Good evening or morning if you will. My name is Bassel, and I am a Cambon half demon half human. My father was born of the Leviathan line and my mother was human. My father’s offspring have always been the right hand of the King or Queen of the First Circle of Hell, or as most call it the Soul Realm” I heard a small gasp come from the room. Bassel looked directly at me with a strange fierceness in his eyes. “Yes, I am here because Akasha is the Queen, and my place is at her side.”
Now it was me that gasped just before I jumped up “Wait just a second. How in the world is that possible?” I held up my hand as Bassel was about to say something. “No, it’s not possible. I am human, while it may be true, I have some powers but Queen of Hell?!? No freaking way!” I all but shout. Armand leans up to me and slightly brushes my hand and instantly my nerves calm a bit. “Akasha, I know this is all strange but maybe it would be best to let him explain.” he says in a calming tone. I sigh feeling exasperated and nod in agreement and sit back down. “Continue Bassel and please get to the point and do it as quickly as possible.”
“I will try to make your story as brief as possible my Queen. Hundreds of years ago Mother Queen of the Darkness met a young male human named Heron, who she fell hopelessly in love with. She enjoyed going up to earth from time to time from our land in the underworld to dally and see how the world was progressing. The moment she met him she was enthralled by his love for life and love for the earth. He was truly a good soul full of light and that captivated the Queen being in darkness most of her life. He fell in love with her fast as well and agreed to come with her to the underworld as her consort. She wanted to make him King however she knew wisdom came with age. So, she decided to wait and enjoy the time they have and see where fate took them. A few years later they had a son, Dargon, who they loved dearly. Mother Queen was concerned about her son growing up without a father so on his 25th birthday she turned her love into a vampire so he could take the crown next to her and never grow old.” Bassel stopped and shook his head a bit with sadness obvious in his eyes.
“Their happiness was ruined not long after. The vampire strain was too powerful for his gentle soul and it changed him. Heron soon grew distant, and the vampire strain took over his soul. He would fall into the blood lust and bring their son along with him. When he would come out of it, he would not remember anything. Mother Queen was beside herself unable to help him. She would try and shield Dargon the best she could however she still had her duties to her people to attend too. She could see how Heron’s poison was affecting Dargon as the years passed by. Then one day the Queen found out she was with a child again. She was both overjoyed and terrified. She knew she would love her child but also knew that between Heron and Dagon the child’s life would be in danger in more ways than one. She hid her pregnancy with the help of a confidant and close friend Tei. Together Tei and the Queen hatched a plan to spell Heron to put him into a deep sleep until they could lessen the vampire strain. The night she gave birth the two spelled Heron just before Mother Queen started to give birth. There were complications during the birth and the Queen died giving birth to a beautiful daughter.”
“What about the boy? What happened to him?” I asked. Bassel sighed and when he looked up, I could see the moisture forming in his eyes before he looked away.
“Dargon lived and took his place as the new King of the land.” he said with a curtness that was hard to miss.
“However, the night Mother queen died her spirit was transferred into her daughter resurrecting the Mother Queen of Darkness. The true and rightful heir to the throne. That same night her trusted friend Tei who is a seer as well saw what would become of the child if she stayed in the underworld. That is where you come in Akasha.”
“I was her daughter.” I said in a whisper of disbelief.
“Yes, you are. Tei told the court that the child had died during birth along with your mother and sent you away to live with the humans. Only a handful of people knew you existed. She wanted to give you the best chance at life that she could. She knew that growing up around humans would allow you to learn and love humanity. However, every lie has a way of being revealed.”
“If Dargon is already on the throne what is the need for Akasha to return?” Luke asked. Just then Iris stood up looking much more pale than usual.
“King Armand, I believe this is what the prophecy I foresaw is referring too.”
Bassel nodded and repeated the same prophecy Iris told us about just days ago.
“Pain brings love. Love brings life. Life brings power. The prophecy that was once thought lost is now upon us. The forgotten Queen Mother shall rise again and bring peace. If the enemy does not kill her before the rising.”
“What has changed.” I asked.
“Your b
rother has been surrounded by demons since he was born. Although, he has fought back he is not as strong as you were born to be. He was never supposed to rule. The demon court has poisoned Dargon’s mind to believe that all humans are weak and wanted to find a way to make them more like us. Well, at least that is the rumor. It is being said that since your brother himself has limited power he became connected with a wizard who was to help him recreate humans. I do know however, that he has been in contact with a human and is currently working with him to search for something powerful that was lost.”
“Well, if he is the King why would he need a human to help him find anything, and why would he work with a human if he despises them?” Mirella asks and for once I am glad for her bluntness.
“You are correct, he did not need help from a human. However, the human had valuable information for the King that persuaded him to join forces with him. They have already created quite a bit of devastation upon the land up here. I believe you call it the darkness.” Unease spreads across the room. I feel it like a tidal wave so strong it takes the breath away from me like a punch in the gut.
“What information did the human have that was so valuable?” Armand asked with a hint of frustration in his voice. “That his sister was alive and had the power that was needed to change humanity.” Bassel said and that of course is when all hell broke loose in the room.
Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Armand POV:
Everyone is talking over everyone else trying to decide the best course of action. I however am stunned silent unsure of what to say or do now. I look over to Akasha and see she has the same look as I probably do. What must she be thinking? This whole thing seems impossible. At least now that prophecy makes a little bit more sense. However, it now seems we have a whole new situation to deal with and of course Akasha is right in the middle of it. Anxiety is building up inside with unanswered questions and all the possibilities of what the future may hold.
The emotions in the room must have been overwhelming to Akasha because I heard her softly grunt in pain, her hands were tied together so tight it made her knuckles turn white. I can feel the temperature in the room drop and could feel the ice that is now covering the throne chair around Akasha. No one else in the room seems to have felt her power but I my body is attuned to her that I can sense the distress she is feeling. Standing up using my power letting it seep through my words I raise my voice and say “ENOUGH. This has been overwhelming news and as much as we would like to address the issues at hand right away, we need rest and time to process everything that has been told to us. Circle members and Iris head to your rooms and we will meet at sunset here. Bassel you stay.” Everyone starts filling out of the room and as soon as the last one left and the door closes, I heard Akasha release a loud breathy moan. “Akasha are you able to proceed or would you like to withdraw to your room? We can pick up tomorrow if you need.”
A look of appreciation filled her face and I thought she was going to take her leave when she surprised me yet again. “No, my king, I can continue. Thank you for your concern and thoughtfulness.” Now for the first time in my undead life I think I blushed and quickly turned my head from her but the smirk rising on her face makes me think she must have seen it. I quickly school my face and turn back to Bassel.
“Who knows who she is and how much danger is she in?”
“The human in question calls himself Jayson and is now tainted if you will. He is no longer human however he is not another either. He has bargained the Queens identity for power that he is now unable to wield. Dargon trapped souls into him so he as a human could create magic. However, all magic has a price and in this case the magic knows he is not supposed to be the one to wield it. Every time he performs magic the earth magic knows it is against the earth laws and kills a piece of the Earth. That is the darkness that is spreading across the land. If he continues it will destroy the world.”
Silence filled the room until Akasha broke the silence. “Jayson? Bassel are you sure of his name?”
“Yes, my queen. Is there some relation between the two of you?” Bassel asks with a look of curiosity.
“He is my adoptive brother.” she simply says, and a look of realization crossed Bassel’s face.
“Ok, I have heard the rumors about the Mother of all Vampires. It says the heir must claim their chosen mate before her spirit is fully resurrected within the heir. Is that correct?” Akasha asked with a slight glance in my direction.
“That is correct, however there are some things that have been kept secret. It is correct that your full power and the original Mother Queen spirit cannot be resurrected and merged into you until you claim your chosen one. However, being the only female heir of Mother Queen, you should already have her power, just not as strong. The transfer of power from Mother Queen to daughter is sacred information for the protection of mother and daughter. Humans and others will do despicable things for power which is why this information is only available to a select few. You should have had your first power surge between the ages of fifteen and sixteen.” Bassel tells Akasha.
I still do not trust him completely, so I ask, “What kind powers are we talking about?” I am trying to see if it lines up with what Akasha has told me.
“By now she should have advanced speed, agility and strength. She should also be able to conjure the ice flames and feel emotions. As she grows and trains, she will be able to turn ice flames into red fire. However, her most important role is to be able to redeem souls.”
“Redeem souls? What does that even mean?” Akasha asks.
“Souls that are residing in the first circle realm can be redeemed when they have completed their pennants can be released to the first level of Heaven. There the souls can be judged and placed in reincarnation to put their lessons to the test before final judgement. While your mother was the Queen of Vampires being the creator of the first, you Akasha, are much more. While once the mother spirit is reincarnated with in you, you will be able to create as well, but it is not your primary destiny. You are the are the Queen of Souls, deciding on if souls are to be redeemed or not.” Bassel says simply.
I look over to Akasha to see how she is handling all this information. Although she seems to be taking it all with dignity and calmness, her white knuckles and the twitch of her jaw says something completely different. “If I am the Queen of Souls then is there a way to stop the darkness from spreading?” She asks and I have to say I am impressed that her first priority would be the fate of her people versus her own life.
Bassel hesitates before answering, “Yes. However please be cautious. I know the humans are important to you however, it is dangerous, and you are nowhere near ready to take on the souls that lie within Jayson. Maybe if you had claimed your chosen and taken on the past Mother’s power, it would be enough power since that is not the case the task will be difficult.”
“If this is so difficult why have you come to claim her now?” I ask.
“Her brother Dargon is not powerful enough to control the souls and the kingdom is getting restless as well as the other realms. I am concerned how much longer they will last under his reign. There is a resistance against him that has been formed, which I am apart of as well as Tei. I have kept a close eye on Akasha through the years. Since she has not yet has not been claimed I intend on taking her home to train and help her claim her rightful place on the throne.”
“I know who my chosen is and have every intention of claiming him, however I will do so in my own time without being forced.” Akasha says bluntly and surprise and sheer pleasure seeped out of me. Akasha turned to me and smiled softly before turning back to Bassel. “I am not ready to be claimed or to take over the throne as of yet. There are matters here that are urgent and the human race is in dire need. If the humans do not survive it will affect many more including the people of my chosen. I will not let any of my people suffer. I must stop Jayson first. If I am not powerful enough then I will train.” Akasha turns to me and asks
, “Do you think Mirella would work with Bassel to help train me?”
I take her hand and squeeze lightly trying to let her know she is not alone. “Yes, the entire circle will assist and so will I. This is a matter that affects both kingdoms. We need to create an alliance with King Darin as well,” she nods in agreement and squeezes my hand back in what I think is thanks.
