by Jadyn Chase
“What’s the matter, Lorna?” Elaina asked me out of earshot of her husband.
“Your son took off while we were in the middle of-,” I stopped myself from revealing too much and rephrased, “He left while we were in the middle of a conversation. He got upset about something Mig did, and I told him I’d take care of it, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He bolted out of here and told me to wait for him. I wished he didn’t take off like that.”
“When Preston has his mind set on something…” she began but was cut off by the sound of the front door opening.
Preston walked in. His eyes mimicked the same surprised expression I had when I saw his parents walk through the door.
“When Preston has his mind set on something, what?” he asked with an awkward glance between the three of us.
“I was only going to tell her that you do what you want,” Elaina finished.
“What are you two doing down here?” he asked them.
Lucas didn’t bother looking up from the map before pointing down to it, “Needed the table. I think we should section the city off and let each clan run it as they see fit. Like different districts.”
Preston sighed, “No Dad. I have it figured out.”
“No!” I interrupted pulling him to the side, “What you need to figure out is how you’re going to get me a brand-new set of clothes, and how to stop me from choking the life out of you for not listening to me! What happened?!”
“I spoke to Skinner, but I couldn’t find Mig. He must have known there’d be someone looking for him after doing that to you,” he mumbled.
“I’m old, not deaf,” Lucas interjected, “What did Skinner have to say? And what did Mig do to you, Lorna?”
“We got into a slight altercation,” I admitted through clenched teeth, “But I promise you, just like I told Preston, I’m going to deal with Mig on my own. I don’t need any help!”
“I’d listen to her,” Elaina sided with me as she moved next to her husband. She touched something on the map that frustrated him but whispered something in his ear that instantly calmed him.
“Yes,” Lucas chimed in, “Listen to her, Preston. So what did Skinner have to say?”
“He knows about Grady’s plans, or at least he’s heard bits and pieces. This is why I don’t like pets in this building. They hear things that they’re not supposed to. I know it had to be an Anthro relaying information because no other Sapphire speaks to Skinner or any other Onyx Skull for that matter.”
“Which is exactly why I believe my idea of dividing up the city will work for everyone. It will give Grady the piece of land for Sapphires he wants, and it lets the other clans do as they want with whoever they want without interference from the other,” Lucas explained.
I’ve seen Preston stand up to that massive brute Jax, and some other Scalers for me, but what was unfolding in front of me would be a real test of his character. Preston had never failed before, and he didn’t know as he slammed his hands on the table.
The map rattled as he shouted, “Enough Dad! You don’t want this job. You never wanted it, and while I don’t either, I see a better solution that works for everyone. Drawing lines through the city isn’t going to work because we cross lines every day. What about the Anthros? The ones still living here who are scurrying around for their lives aren’t going to care about any boundaries we draw up. I’ve refined the Heads of Clans idea. I know you don’t like Skinner, but I can trust him. At least that’s the deal we made. It’s a good deal, Dad. And Lorna…”
He turned to me with those big blue eyes burning bright, “Skinner’s going to hand Mig over to us, to you, to be a part of this plan. I’m listening to you, Lorna. I could have easily scaled and searched for him, but I need all of this to work out, so you have enough.”
“So, I have enough?” I stared at him, confused, “Enough of what? What are you talking about Preston?”
“If I can make Black Harbor safe for you, Argos will be okay with you living down here and letting me love you. I want to make this a place that’s enough for you to stay; to stay with me. With every clan of Scaler in this city on my side, no one will ever try to hurt you. They will all know exactly who you are and more importantly, who you are to me.”
I finally let out a breath that I’d been holding as he walked toward me.
“Preston, you’re more than enough for me, especially knowing that you’re willing to do all of this for us, for every Scaler in the city. You’re doing more than anyone of us deserves. I guess I have to get better at choosing my battles, huh?” I told him fighting back the tears. I didn’t know why they were trying to fall, but I kept talking, “I have to know and accept that you will always fight for me or by my side. I can’t stop that, and from now on I’ll stop trying to.”
“Good,” he said kissing me delicately on the lips, “But just because I’m always going to be there for you doesn’t mean I always have to fight for you. You should prepare for when Skinner finds Mig for us. He’s not going to go down easy, and Lorna?”
“Yeah, Preston?”
“I will not hesitate to kill him if you don’t put him down first,” he told me.
I knew that to be true, so I had to get ready. Mig was going to die.
14
Preston
“We have to go back to Empyrean,” Lorna spoke softly as we laid together in my bed.
“Why? Everything I want is right here,” I told her squeezing her arm and pulling her in closer.
It had been a few days, and while she would fly back and forth on her own, she never mentioned me going with her. I guess at some point; I’d have to be brave enough to tell Argos how much I cared for his daughter and what I wanted for her. She rolled over onto her side, nuzzling her head in the space between my neck and my chest, her voice vibrated against me as she spoke, “I need to show my Dad, so he'll know why I’m coming back and forth.”
“Show him what?” I sat up with a tingling sensation rippling down my spine. “I hope you’re not talking about the scars, Lorna. Do you know what he’ll do when he sees them? If you don’t, I can show you.”
“Relax. They’re not fresh so it won’t be that bad. Just come with me. You can explain your plans for Black Harbor, and he’ll see how serious you are about me and our relationship. Besides, I’m tired of sneaking around.”
“I thought you told your parents you were coming here.”
She looked up into my eyes, “I did, but I didn’t tell them about the combat lessons I’ve been taking up with the guards. I don’t want them to overreact to this thing I got with Mig. Bad enough my mother already despises him from when he showed up unannounced and practically demanded my hand in marriage. Any news on his whereabouts yet?”
“No,” I sighed, “And Skinner’s been on it. We’re thinking he went underground and is hiding with the Anthros. We already know how much he adores them as pets.”
Lorna. Noticeably disgusted by the comment, wrapped her arms around herself as she leaned back into me. I enjoyed these snippets of time together. I only hoped there would be more of it in our future. The future. It's something so far ahead but also happening right now. I didn’t want to think about it because of the fear I harbored for Argos. Our families have been close, but the older Lorna got, the more time Argos dedicated to keeping her safe. He made it very clear that he’s scared of losing her. I know that feeling all too well myself.
“When do you want to go home?” I asked her getting up from our comfortable position. I would much rather lay with her in bed all day, but neither of us had the freedom to do that, not yet.
“We can head back in a few actually,” she replied. Going to Empyrean even sooner than anticipated didn’t seem like the most pressing matter of the day. I’d rather go out with Bart and look for Mig, but I had to do this for us; for our future.
When we arrived at the tall, outer wall of the high mountain city, I cringed at the sight of the Golden Imperials guarding the perimeter. I hadn’t any idea there were so
many of them. Right away, we were greeted by gladiator armor-clad guards who bowed to Lorna and glared at me stoically. She threaded her arm underneath mine before leading the way to the place she called home.
I couldn’t help but notice the three guards following us as we made our way to her father’s chambers. A soft gulp passed down my throat as I felt the temperature rising exponentially.
“Don’t be nervous,” she whispered as if she knew what I was thinking. However, that was indeed easier said than done. We stood in front of a large wooden door with golden accents. My chest tightened as she reached for the doorknob.
“Wait shouldn’t we knock? Or maybe announce ourselves, or something?” my eyes darted around nervously, “Or even better we can just skip this altogether, and keep hiding-”
Anxiety threatened to bend me over to my knees as I watched the door open up before we even had the chance to knock. Argos stood in front of me with his muscles bulging and hair greying with Lavender by his side. She was paler than I remember and those bold eyes of hers looked tired.
“My goodness, Preston,” Argos smiled, “You look more and more like your father every day.”
“Thank you, Sir,” I answered, still with a slight shiver in my voice.
“How is the old man these days?” he asked.
“We’re working hard to get Black Harbor into a place we can all live peacefully amongst each other. Honestly, that’s why I’ve come here.”
“It’s not to ask for our daughter’s hand in marriage?” he stared at me with a raised eyebrow.
I was stunned to silence.
Lorna didn’t let me linger there for long. She jumped right in, “Relax, Dad. He put together a great plan for the Clans to run Black Harbor and I want to be there with him while he does it.”
I found my voice again to help her out, “We care for each other a lot, but there are some things we need to take care of first before we move forward. One of the things we need to take care of is the Onyx Skull who hurt her. We would have come to you sooner, but-”
Lorna cut me off, “But I wanted to handle this on my own and not have you come down to Black Harbor again.”
“Yeah,” I sighed running my fingers through my hair, “There are still parts of the city buried in ash.”
He grunted with a half a smile. Lavender shoved him playfully as she stepped into the hall with us, “I know about the training, and I understand that Lorna is going to do whatever she wants to do.”
Argos grunted again, but this time with disappointment.
Lavender continued, “So you two are free to do as you wish with our blessing.”
“Fine, whatever my beloved says will be,” Argos stated. “Do I want to know what he did to you?”
Lorna shook her head with her eyes planted on the ground. Argos’s gaze shifted toward me. The guilt ripped through me, and I couldn’t help but speak up, “It’ll never happen again. I promised you long ago, and I’m continuing to uphold my oath to protect her.”
“I understand Preston,” he said gripping my shoulder, “I also know that protecting Lorna is by far one of the hardest tasks on this planet, especially when she doesn’t want or feel the need to be protected. Thank you for keeping her safe. I never doubt your ability to be there for her. So, Lorna, I guess we should run our drills then right?”
“I guess we should,” she smiled with her hands on her waist waiting for what’s next.
Lorna and I flew back and forth between the two cities wondering if her training would be enough. She had indeed gotten better at aerial combat, and her hand to hand abilities grew as well. With all of this work, I was sure that when the time came, she’d be able to handle Mig on her own and anyone else that challenged her.
That day came when we were in my place a few weeks after I spoke to Skinner. Grady and Celia had been back for all of one day before taking off into the world again. I think them traveling put a new perspective in his head because last we spoke, he didn’t mind how I wanted to run Black Harbor. It helped that my Dad changed his tune as well. The only thing left to do was to rally the Heads of Clans and let everyone else know how things were going to be moving forward. Part of that was finding Mig and Skinner came through just as he said he would.
We left the comfort of the Towers to see Skinner toward the center of the city. A crowd of Onyx Skulls and Scarlet Wings, along with a few Anthros, stood around him. After pushing people out of the way, Lorna stepped into the clearing first. Mig kneeled down on the floor with a collar around his neck and his wrists bound in chains to it. His long platinum blonde hair had been shaved short, and his once healthy stature looked like a shell of his former self.
“Unchain him,” Lorna commanded.
Skinner gleamed as he dangled the key in front of her, but then looked to me, “I believe we had a deal, Preston. Tit for tat, Sir. Tit for tat.”
“And I will hold up my end, just as soon as this business is finished,” I told him. Turning to Lorna, I motioned for her to move toward Mig. He remained on his knees with his head bowed toward his chest.
“What’s wrong with him?” Lorna asked. She lifted his chin to stare into his sunken eyes. He didn’t say anything. He snatched his face out of her grasp and returned his glare to the ground at her feet.
Skinner beamed that sinister smile, “Well what do you think happens to Scalers who are forced to go underground? They’re at the mercy of those vicious Anthros.”
A few boos emerged from the crowd.
“KEEP YOUR PETS QUIET!” Skinner yelled, “Or I’ll be tempted to stick things in their mouths to help them do so!”
I looked around and then back to Lorna. Disappointment rained down her face, and I understood why. All of the training seemed to be for nothing. I shrugged my shoulders, “Skinner did what he said he was going to do. I don’t want to even think about the lengths and depths of depravity he had to go through to find Mig. It’s on you, Lorna. Whatever you want to do with him.”
She looked down her nose to Mig, closed her eyes and moved behind him. Those gold talons of her pierced through her fingers just enough for her to wrap one arm around his forehead and sever his neck from the rest of his body.
“You deserve a thousand deaths for what you did to me,” she hissed at his decapitated corpse.
“NO!” a familiarly husky voice screamed through the crowd. Jax had found his way into the opening just in time to see Mig’s lifeless body hit the floor.
“Don’t let this PET masquerading as a Scaler manipulate you, Skinner!” Jax yelled. “If you’re willing to hand Mig over to them, what’s to stop you from delivering any one of your brothers up on a silver, well sapphire, platter?!”
“Oh, my dear boy,” Skinner chuckled, “I will always do what I want with who I want, and Mig only became a bargaining chip because he’s become a liability to us and all of Black Harbor. Can you imagine the toll taken out of this city if her dear father got wind of what happened to her?! Now apologize to me.”
“FUCK YOU!” Jax yelled. Pivoting his stance, he charged at Lorna like a bull, “And fuck you too!”
15
Lorna
Killing Mig didn’t have the satisfaction I was looking for. It seemed that I was putting him out of his misery more than anything, but this ogre charging toward me? He deserved every piece of my wrath that I unleashed from when he first twisted my ankle.
Listening to Jax grunt and yell as he ran at me almost made me scale but instead, I stood steady posed and ready to act. I waited until he got close enough for me to smell the sweat dripping down his bulbous forehead before I jumped and pushed him under me. He slid face first across the ground with a thud, and a huge cloud of dirt and ash kicked up behind him. A few people laughed which only angered him more.
Jax pushed himself off the floor to turn and charge me again. A smile inched across my face at this time I was ready for him. My breathing was steady, and this time when he got close, I didn’t move. I let him wrap his huge bear arms around me. As he
squeezed, he growled in my ear, “You’re going to beg me for your life you little cunt.”
“Lorna, Sweetie,” Preston called out to me. I could hear the nervousness in his voice, “Are you okay?”
“I got this!” I shouted back to him, and I did. I spread my arms out like I was pretending to be a chicken to raise his grip higher around my torso. His sweat made it far too easy for me to drop down out of his grasp and to the floor. I could hear the frustration seeping from Jax as he growled and roared. I even thought I saw a flame or two.
Gazing down at his feet, I pushed my talons out and through his boots slicing into his ankle. I pulled them out and jabbed them into his upper thighs. The cry sounded more like his ego died than actual pain coursing through his body. Jax collapsed to his knees, but that didn’t stop him from trying to attack me again. He grabbed my leg, most likely wanting to twist it again. That surely wasn’t going to happen as I jumped off of one foot and swung my free leg around to connect with his face.
The amount of blood he spat out was alarming as it left two teeth laying on the ground with it. He still held my leg, refusing to accept defeat.
“If you think I’m not enjoying this, you little piece of flesh, you have another thing coming. My pets hit harder than you,” he snarled.
“We’ll see about that,” I told him. With my leg twisted in his grasp from the way I landed from that kick, it would only take him a few seconds to figure out how to use this position to his advantage. I moved quickly to pull my knee into my chest after digging my claws into the ground. I pulled myself right out of his grasp and kicked back with as much force as I possibly could. The sickening sound of my heel connecting with his breastplate echoed through the night air drawing horrified gasps from the crowd.
