The Red Queen

by Meg Xuemei X

  Lucienne gasped. No, this wasn’t her thinking. It was the Eye of Time whispering in her head.

  “You really think you can manipulate me that easily?”

  I do not lie, Siren. You know more clearly than anyone that you were born to reach the home of the gods. Have you not found me?

  Lucienne breathed out. “How does Ashburn heal me after I let you have him?”

  Once TimeDust is complete, it can purge the venom in your Forbidden Glory. You will be powerful beyond any human’s wildest dream. When Ashburn becomes who he is destined to be, you do not need to seek the portal to Eterne. Eterne will come to you.

  “But the scrolls say we need the full code to open the portal,” Lucienne said. “Who’s lying, you or the prophecy?”

  The Eye paused for a second. No human has interpreted the prophecy accurately.

  “Then tell me your version.”

  In time you will know.

  It sounded just like Jekaterina. “If you want me to free you,” Lucienne said, “you’ll be honest with me. At least give me something.”

  The code is you and Ashburn.

  A flash of memory.

  Ashburn had once opened his mind and showed her his first encounter with the Eye of Time. It had persuaded him to activate it, but Ashburn hadn’t known how. It had explained, “You need to use the code.”

  “What code? I don’t have any code,” Ashburn had said.

  “You are the code,” the Eye of Time had replied. “It is encrypted in your DNA.”

  So both she and Ash were the code? A cold shiver shook her as if she’d just found out she was being strung up by a puppet master. She would be no one’s puppet.

  “Jekaterina said the same about the code.” Lucienne tested the Eye.

  Your mother is always right.

  “Who’s she to you?”

  The Eye of Time was silent.

  A cold smile tugged at the corner of Lucienne’s lips. It indeed had a long history with Jekaterina. “Who is Jekaterina?” she asked.

  Your mother, it said.

  “I rephrase. What is Jekaterina?”

  A thousand names and faces, it said unwillingly.

  “What does that mean?”

  A thousand names and faces.

  “What's her real name?”

  Real is unreal, it said. I can say no more. Your mother is not our target—Ashburn Fury is. We need him to heal you. We need you to survive.

  “Who are ‘we’?”

  You and I and he, it said. You are the seed implanted an eon ago. I will assist you to bring back Eterne. Soon you will have no more burdens. You must fulfill your obligations. When destiny is satisfied, you will be all powerful. No secrets of the universe will be hidden from you.

  Thrills and chills travelled in her veins all at once. Her every predatory instinct had kicked in, telling her what to do next.

  Her shaking fingers clenched on the locket’s pins. One push, and she’d change her future, as the Eye of Time promised, and Ashburn would pay only a little price.

  The Eye of Time gazed back at her, its color turning dark red with ravenous hunger.

  Yes, she’d walk into the realm of the gods. She’d live.

  But Ash—

  The Ash she loved would be no more.

  With a sob, Lucienne slammed shut the locket, dropped it in the crystal box, and fled the room.

  CHAPTER 26

  GIRL SCORNED

  Mom knows the Shadow is in me, Bayrose thought in a cold sweat. How could Mom know? What would she do? Would she choose one daughter over the other? Even now, Mom was actively seeking a cure for her firstborn. In no time, she might just succeed.

  Bayrose must stop her mother before that happened. But how could she beat her powerful mother? And who was Mom really? Jekaterina, Samantha, or someone else?

  Bayrose brushed aside her sense of dread being exposed and turned to observe her half-sister.

  In a red dress, Lucienne sat on the floor of the white mansion’s sitting room, playing with a toy train. Eyebrows drawing together, Lucienne struggled to figure out how to make the electronic train set run while holding a Barbie doll in her hand.

  Had Lucienne’s intelligence dropped to that of a child, or had another split personality popped up? The Siren never had a normal childhood. Maybe insanity had her overcompensating and reliving a lost childhood?

  Now and then, Bayrose caught a strange glint in her sister’s eyes, as if the sane Lucienne was kicking and screaming to make a comeback. The Siren’s mental state had become more unstable and unpredictable. She would be the most sought-after patient in the psychiatric world. If it were up to Bayrose, she’d lock up Lucienne in an asylum, where the mad Siren truly belonged.

  Prince Vladimir, however, didn’t seem repulsed by Lucienne’s lunacy. He leaned against the frame of the door, watching her dotingly. He looked exhausted, yet the tenderness for her in his hazel eyes made Bayrose want to claw at Lucienne’s face. She hoped Lucienne looked like a hag with messy hair, grayish skin, and saliva drooling from the corner of her mouth. To her displeasure, a mad Lucienne took meticulous care of her appearance. Bayrose hated to admit that the Siren actually radiated wild sexiness in her insane state—possibly because the loony didn’t have the inhibitions of the normal Lucienne.

  Vladimir jogged toward Lucienne.

  The door flew open and Ashburn moved in like a flash, blocking Vladimir before he reached her. “Not today,” Ashburn said. “She’s doing fine. Let her be.”

  “Who appointed you head of the household?” asked Vladimir, ready to shove away his rival.

  “You were spent healing her last night,” said Ashburn. “It’s stupid to exhaust yourself.”

  “When has my wellbeing become your business?” Vladimir grated.

  “I am not concerned about you or your health,” Ashburn said coldly. “I’m thinking of her benefit. If you don’t preserve yourself, then you’re of no use to her when she really needs the healing. When the next big wave hits.”

  Vladimir gave Ashburn a disgusted stare, then returned to lean on the doorframe. Ashburn sat on a chair, distant from everyone, watching Lucienne wearily.

  Had Vladimir and Ashburn just put their differences aside for Lucienne? Bayrose had heard that they’d almost killed each other on several occasions. She’d studied, observed, and learned more about Ashburn at close range. His eyes were forever ice-blue until they trained on Lucienne, and then their color immediately shifted to light silver, glowing with longing. But whenever he saw Vladimir and Lucienne together, his eyes were gunmetal gray, and their shade kept darkening.

  Maybe Bayrose could find comfort from Ashburn and give him hers? He was evidently hurting from an unrequited love, just like her. He was born off base, as Prince Vladimir constantly called him farm boy, but this farm boy was no less than any prince. The two of them were the opposite forces of nature: one burned like fire, the other had the strength of ice.

  If Bayrose could get Ashburn to desire her, it would revive Vladimir’s feelings for her. Men are competitive animals. They don’t value easy prey. She fell for Vladimir too fast and too far. Holding that thought, Bayrose sauntered toward Ashburn and slid onto a chair near him. He gave her a brief glance before turning back to Lucienne.

  Lucienne combed the doll’s light auburn hair with her fingers, then put the Barbie on top of the train. How could both men—the hottest, most powerful men—be interested in this mental case? Bayrose shook her head in dismay. They were temporarily blind, and she needed to help them see a much better alternative in front of them.

  “Hi, Ash,” Bayrose said with the sweetest smile.

  Ashburn turned to her, looking surprised that she called him Ash instead of Ashburn. Bayrose blushed, suddenly feeling like a trespasser.

  “Hello, Bayrose.” He returned the courtesy, but his expression remained blank.

  A man like Ashburn didn’t waste time in small talk. Social polish meant nothing to him. But Bayrose wasn’t discourag
ed. “My sister is doing better,” she said. Using “my sister” instead of Lucienne would reduce the gap between them and get Ashburn to treat her like the Siren’s family.

  “No, she’s getting worse,” Ashburn said bluntly, eyes flashing dark gray.

  “You care about her,” Bayrose said. “We all do.”

  Ashburn’s gaze on her intensified as if he could see through her soul. Bayrose shivered, regretting her initial idea of making him warm up to her. Now she only wanted to flee from him. No wonder everyone in Sphinxes tried to stay as far away from him as possible. The fathomless Ashburn was completely out of her league.

  “Yes, I care about her very much,” he said. “Anyone who intends to harm her will meet with destruction.”

  Was that a threat? Her cheeks flamed hot, but her armpits felt cold sweat as a realization struck her. Ashburn knew about her plan for vengeance. He’d collected her past memories before she’d taken in the Shadow.

  He can’t know now, Bayrose heard the voice of Shadow inside her. He’s powerful, but not all-powerful.

  And he hadn’t told anyone yet, which meant he didn’t want to grieve Lucienne. He didn’t want to break the Siren’s heart and quicken her demise.

  “People can change,” Bayrose said in a regretful, submissive voice.

  “I hope so,” he said. “I’m watching.”

  That was why he hadn’t said anything yet. He was hoping she could really be Lucienne’s sister. He was giving her a second chance for Lucienne’s sake. Bayrose could take advantage of that. She couldn’t hide her past, but she could hide her feelings and future plan. The Shadow had made her a great deceiver.

  Mother knew all about the Shadow too. Why did the Shadow become impotent in Mom’s presence? Whenever Bayrose consulted it about her mother, it fell silent.

  “Thank you for looking out for my sister,” Bayrose said. “I've always wanted a sister, and I couldn’t ask for a better one than Lucia.” The Shadow concealed her bitterness. How could that nutcase deserve men like Ashburn and Prince Vladimir?

  Ashburn straightened his back, suddenly vibrating with tension. He was about to rise to pounce. Bayrose cringed. Had she said anything wrong? No, he wasn’t focusing on her.

  Vladimir had moved and sat across from Lucienne on the floor.

  “Who are you?” Lucienne asked him.

  It dawned on Bayrose that her sister had become a little girl. That was why the loony hadn’t reacted to anyone other than Aida. Usually she clung to Ashburn and repelled Vladimir in her mad state, which made Vladimir all the more eager to restore her sanity.

  “I’m Vlad,” Vladimir said. “We played together before.”

  “I don’t remember you, Vlad.” Lucienne tilted her head. “I have no playmates. Anyone who is too close to me will be used as a weapon against me.”

  “I’ll never be a weapon against you,” Vladimir said.

  Ashburn snorted.

  Lucienne swept her gaze toward Ashburn. Holding his breath, he held her stare in such a hope, as if willing her to recognize him. A spark rose in Lucienne’s eyes, then vanished like a dime sinking into murky water. She turned back to Vladimir and whispered, which was loud enough for everyone to hear, “Who are that boy and girl?”

  “They’re nobody,” Vladimir said. “Don’t mind them.”

  Bayrose felt Vladimir had just scratched her face.

  Ashburn narrowed his eyes, but didn’t retort. He focused on Lucienne as if studying a scientific case. Bayrose realized he was looking for a crack to break through. Although he’d told Lucienne he couldn’t heal her, he’d never really given up.

  Let the farm boy find nothing, Bayrose whispered to the Shadow.

  “They stare at me and my train,” Lucienne demanded. “Are they thieves?”

  "They might be," Vladimir said. “But you have me. I won’t allow anyone to steal a thing from you.”

  Lucienne beamed at him, and Vladimir looked heartbroken at her smile.

  “You can be my first friend, Vlad,” Lucienne declared.

  “An honor,” Vladimir said.

  “I like anything to do with honor. Will you protect me then?”

  “Always and forever,” Vladimir answered.

  “Will you swear?” Lucienne asked intensely.

  “I’ll protect you until my last breath,” Vladimir said.

  “Like Kian?” Lucienne asked.

  “Better than Kian,” Vladimir said.

  Lucienne laughed. “You can’t compete with Kian. He’s bigger than you. People are scared of him.”

  “Not me,” said Vladimir. “Some people are scared of me too.”

  Lucienne laughed harder. “You hope! I guess I can trust you. But I’m not supposed to have toys. Grandfather won’t be pleased.” A sad, lonely look entered her eyes. “He doesn’t want me to be a normal girl. That’s why I don’t have a friend my age.”

  “You have now,” Vladimir said. “And we’re more than friends.”

  Ashburn growled a warning.

  “That will be our secret.” Lucienne darted a glance at Ashburn and Bayrose. “Do you see the way they look at me? They must be spies.”

  “I can kick them out,” Vladimir offered.

  “That’s enough, Blazek!” Ashburn called.

  “Blazek?” Lucienne blinked. “You said you were Vlad! And the spy boy knows you. Are you working together to get me?” She looked like she wanted to slap the liar in front of her.

  Bayrose willed Lucienne to hit Vladimir, only to realize that act simply wouldn’t turn off the Czech prince. Lucienne had put a knife to his chest, and he still went back to her. How fair was it that he could forgive her sister forever, but not her?

  “Not in a million years would I work with that farm boy,” Vladimir said.

  Lucienne looked back and forth between Ashburn and Vladimir. “I guess you’re right. He just gave you the evil look. He doesn’t like you much.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” Vladimir said.

  Lucienne’s gaze roamed over Ashburn again. Bayrose cursed her sister for not showing the slightest interest in her. Raised as a princess, Bayrose was used to being the center of the universe. Until she was in her sister's presence. Even in her insane state, Lucienne wasn’t sharing the limelight. Damn the Siren to hell!

  “The farm boy is clean and nice to look at,” Lucienne said.

  “You know me, Lucia,” Ashburn said with an encouraging smile. “Try to remember. You—”

  “Lucia,” Vladimir called, his knuckles tracing her face. Lucienne turned away from studying Ashburn, distracted by Vladimir’s touch. Then she leaned forward toward him, wanting more, and Vladimir conjured the most charming, lopsided smile.

  Bayrose wanted to pick up the toy train and hammer it on her sister’s head. But she was also puzzled. Lucienne was usually unkind to the prince in her mad state. What had changed? Did Vladimir’s healing help his chances with the mad Siren?

  Ashburn leapt to his feet, clenching his fists, but then probably thought better and slumped back down in his chair. The leather made noises under his force.

  “I made the train run for you, Lucia,” Vladimir said.

  Creak. Crack. The electronic train raced around the circular track.

  Lucienne applauded. Bayrose was now so sick of the nutcase’s giggling that she wanted to leave this place at once, but she glued herself to the couch.

  “I always wondered what you were like when you were a little girl,” Vladimir murmured.

  “Little girl?” A strange light flickered in Lucienne’s eyes, as if the sane Lucienne underneath fought to surface. Then the light in her eyes grew brighter, driving away the red rings around her irises.

  “Vlad,” Lucienne called, her voice no longer the little girl’s. There was true recognition in her eyes. “You’re here.” Her hand reached for him.

  “I’m always here, láska,” Vladimir said, holding her hand in his. “You know I’ll never leave you.” There was gratitude in his eyes, and his tender
ness was the endless sea in sunlight.

  What wouldn’t Bayrose kill to have Vladimir look at her like that!

  “And you came back, my love,” Vladimir said in a choked voice. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “Vlad,” Lucienne said desperately. “I can’t hold onto myself.” She stretched her other hand toward Vladimir. “Don’t let me go please.”

  So needy. So clingy, Bayrose cursed her sister under her breath. You’re the Siren. Act like one!

  Vladimir moved to sit beside Lucienne. He held her, his forehead pressed against hers. She twisted away, eyes darting around. She was looking for Ashburn, but didn’t need to look far. He was at her other side in an instant. Bayrose hadn’t noticed him move.

  “Lucia,” Ashburn said. “I’m here.”

  Lucienne narrowed her eyes on Vladimir. “Did you bring me back?” she asked. “I told you not to do that! You now have enough of my poison in your body.” She turned to Ashburn. “Ash, you promised you’d look after him. You’re the strongest of the three of us.”

  “Only if I can take your poison instead,” Ashburn said.

  “Ash!” Lucienne cried. “Don’t say that! Would I wish that for you?”

  “Shush, Lucia,” Vladimir said. “The farm boy stopped me from healing you. You came back all by yourself.”

  Lucienne exhaled, more relaxed now, but also exhausted. “I’m in limbo, wandering in the dark alone. The darkness is endless.”

  “You’re not alone,” Ashburn said. “You’ll never be alone. You have to remind yourself of that. We’re with you. Always will be.”

  Bayrose rose to her feet. This melodrama was making her nauseas, but she didn’t want to be left out of the trio’s little clique. As she neared her sister, a ring of redness started forming in Lucienne’s eyes again.

  Lucienne breathed hard. “It’s returning!”

  The next second, Lucienne surveyed the room like a predator.

  Her sister slipped again. She lapses easily when I’m close, Bayrose realized. The Shadow was potent. Marvelous!

  Lucienne shook off Vladimir’s grasp. “Prince Vladimir, what a surprise!”

  “No, Lucia,” Vladimir said. “Come back—”