by Kat Mizera
I shook my head, trying not to let myself go down that road. I had to be focused and sharp, without letting my emotions get the best of me. The goal was to kill Omar. No taking him alive; we wanted him dead, the threat completely eliminated. Even if he had others working with him, another rebellion of some kind brewing, he was the ringleader and the only one who had any power. Without him, his followers would hopefully lose interest and move on to something else. There was no way to know that, but that was my feeling, and Sandor agreed.
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day and though it was colder up here than down in Hiskale, it was fifty degrees and the snow had finally melted. Roads were clear, people were out and about, and life had resumed some semblance of normalcy since Erik had taken over. A year ago, streets were deserted, businesses closed, houses abandoned. I was happy to see life up here, especially since Elen was one of the people who’d worked so hard to make it happen.
A few people stopped, asking if I needed help, which was a reflection of the people of Limaj in general, but I politely declined. I didn’t need anything except to get back on the road, get to the secondary school in Vinake before Omar did. Unless I was already too late.
30
Elen
Getting out and meeting the people of my country was one of the few things I loved about being part of the royal family. For me, it wasn’t about the fact that I was royalty; it was about how much most people loved and respected our family and the heritage that went with it. Everyone I encountered had sweet, encouraging things to say about Erik and the job we were doing putting the country back on track. Teachers and parents gave me flowers, containers of homemade jams and jellies, notes for Erik. The children gave me cards and artwork, by the dozens, until Axel had to ask for a bag to carry everything in.
It warmed my heart and made me temporarily forget about both Omar and Xander, but I had to admit I was tired. Not only had I not slept well since Xander had left, but it took a lot of mental energy to be amongst the people. In general, I felt safe, but with Omar’s escalating threats and the fact that Xander wasn’t with me, I wasn’t as relaxed as usual. Axel knew what he was doing and I trusted him, but the simple truth was that he wasn’t Xander. I missed him desperately, even though it had only been a week.
I also still hadn’t gotten my period, which was becoming more of an issue. I was occasionally late, but it was going on two weeks now, which had never happened before. At some point, I was going to have to take a test, but I’d have to ask Lennox to buy one for me because I couldn’t risk being seen with one. The gossip mill would go insane, even if I asked one of the assistants at the palace to do it, so I had to use someone I trusted. It would probably throw Lennox under the bus, but I had a feeling she wouldn’t care. She and Sandor planned to start working on a family immediately. He’d just turned forty and she was thirty-three, so they didn’t want to wait.
At thirty-three, I understood that concept and promised myself I’d give everything some serious thought once I was back at the palace. For now, I had to get through an afternoon of meetings and public relations.
“Your Highness.” The principal of the secondary school approached me with an outstretched hand, a broad smile on his face.
“Good to see you, Mr. Heraldo.”
“The students are so excited to hear you speak,” he said, leading me through a hallway toward an auditorium. “And we have several surprises for you.”
“I love surprises,” I said casually. I followed him to the auditorium and waited while he gave a little speech and introduced me. A teenage student presented me with flowers and the kids all started to cheer. I walked to the platform and started my speech, discussing the importance of education, my days at the Sorbonne, how much I’d missed my people and country while I’d been in exile. I’d said the same things earlier today, just in more simple terms since those children had been younger, so I was already bored with this speech, but I didn’t want to disappoint the eager young adults intently listening to me.
When I was finished, I got a standing ovation and Mr. Heraldo came back to the stage, thanking me and giving me some kind of honorary award.
“As I mentioned earlier, we have a surprise for you,” he said. “One of our most successful alumni is here and he’s so excited to see you again. Mr. Omar Daishel.”
My stomach clenched painfully and I whipped my head around, looking for Axel. I didn’t see him anywhere and my heart rate picked up as Omar came out on stage, waving to the crowd as if he were suddenly the main attraction. I had no idea what to do and waffled between walking out and playing nicely. He wouldn’t do anything in front of the students, at least I hoped not, but I didn’t know where Axel was. My phone was in my pocket, something everyone from Sandor to Axel had told me was mandatory, and my fingers of my left hand closed around it as I shook Omar’s hand with my right. Then I made a hasty retreat.
Instead of going backstage, which was how I’d come on, I went into the crowd. I felt safer in a crowd of teenagers than somewhere Omar’s men could grab me, and I dug my phone out. My fingers shook a little as I dialed Axel’s number, but it rang until it went to voicemail, and even though I had a dozen kids surrounding me, I didn’t hesitate to hit the speed dial for the one person I trusted more than any other.
“Babe? You okay?” Xander’s voice warmed me and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“Axel is gone and Omar is here.”
“Axel is…what? I’m coming, El. Where are you?”
“The school in Vinake.”
“No, I mean, exactly, within the building.”
“In the auditorium.”
“I’m only a few miles away,” he said. “Don’t hang up, okay?”
“Please hurry,” I whispered. I held the phone in one hand, without hanging up, and posed for a few selfies, doing my best not to alarm the kids who were so anxious to talk to me. Somehow, I’d known Xander would be nearby. He wouldn’t abandon me, even if we were at odds, fighting, whatever.
“Your Highness!” Mr. Heraldo hurried in my direction. “We have a small reception for you in—”
“I’m so sorry,” I said automatically, holding out my hand. “I’ve been called back to the palace, some sort of emergency in Parliament and I have to go. Thank you for everything. It’s been a lovely event but I can’t stay.”
“Oh, but our staff worked so hard…” His voice trailed off. “Yes, of course. I understand.”
“Also, for future reference.” I was smiling, but there was an edge to my voice. “You realize that Mr. Daishel is my cousin’s ex-husband. There’s bad blood between our families, so I would prefer not having him make an appearance anywhere I’ve been invited.”
The man’s face paled a little. “But he said you were friends, that you’d asked him to come… I’m so sorry, Your Highness. We had no idea!”
“It’s okay. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” I put my phone to my ear. “Where are you?”
“Almost there, babe. I need you to get to your driver. Is he outside?”
“He should be.” I picked up my pace, hurrying to where Homer was waiting in the SUV.
“Tell him to drive you the hell out of there and I’ll be right behind you,” Xander said.
I jumped in the passenger side and repeated to Homer what Xander had said. Homer didn’t hesitate and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. It was the middle of the day, so people were out and about, making it hard to pick up speed. I sat clutching the seat as I put Xander on speakerphone.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on with Axel,” Xander said to us, “but you need to step on it, Homer. Get as far away as possible.”
“There’s a black SUV following us,” he said, and I glanced over my shoulder.
“Dammit.” Xander sounded frustrated.
“I’m going to—shit!” Homer let out a string of expletives as another SUV appeared on the right, getting in front of us. A third vehicle was pacing on
our left and I let out a little shriek.
“Xander…” I was genuinely starting to panic now.
“I know, baby. I know. I’m only a few minutes behind you.”
“There are three vehicles and we’re surrounded. In a couple of minutes, we’ll be beyond the city limits and they can do whatever they want with us.” Homer stared straight ahead as he drove, though his knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
“Shit!” Xander sounded frantic now too.
“I have to stop, Your Highness.” Homer cut his eyes to me worriedly. “The further we get from the town, god only knows what they’ll be able to do. At least here inside the town limits, we’re more likely to be seen, so they might prefer to kidnap rather than kill, which buys us time to come up with a plan and for Xander to get here.”
“Oh my god.” My heart was beating in a staccato rhythm in my chest, my breath starting to come faster. “Xander?”
“I’m sorry, honey, but he’s right. Once you get too far outside the city limits, there’s no telling what they’ll do.”
Homer pulled the SUV to a stop on the shoulder, pulling the gun from his shoulder holster. “Stay here, no matter what they do to me,” he said, opening the door.
“Xander, what do I do?” I whispered.
“Hang tight—I’m almost there!”
We pulled to a stop. The doors of the other vehicles opened and half a dozen men got out, all heavily armed. The man who seemed in charge approached Homer and they exchanged words I couldn’t hear. I itched to get out of the SUV, but they’d both told me to stay put and the last thing I wanted to do was get anyone killed.
Before I could make a decision about what to do, another car pulled up, this time a black Mercedes. Omar got out of it and glanced in my direction before saying something to Homer I couldn’t hear. Then he started walking toward me. I shrank back in the seat, whispering, “Xander…he’s coming. Where are you?”
“Almost there!” he grunted back. “Try to get him talking. Stall him.”
I slowly opened the door of the SUV and faced Omar. “What is the meaning of this?” I asked him.
He smiled. “You know what I want, Elen.” He reached for me but I moved back, shaking my head.
“I’ll never go with you,” I said. “You have to know you can’t get away with this.”
He laughed. “Never is a long time. Are you sure?”
“Sure about what?”
“That you won’t come with me.”
I frowned. “So you can kill or torture me or something? Not hardly.”
“We all make choices, Elen.”
“What does that mean?”
He motioned with his hand and someone grabbed Homer.
My hand flew to my mouth as one of his men pulled out a gun and shot Homer in the head. Blood spattered all over the road and horror and nausea tore through me, everything I’d ever eaten threatening to come back up.
“You were saying?” Omar looked at me coolly, his eyes dark and menacing.
One of his men yelled out that someone was coming and I looked in that direction, praying it was Xander while simultaneously hoping it wasn’t. I wouldn’t let them do to him what they’d done to Homer.
Xander got out of his car with a gun in each hand.
“Kill him,” Omar said.
“No!” I yelled, jumping out of the SUV. “No, please don’t. I’ll go with you. Don’t kill him.”
Four men approached Xander but his eyes never left mine, so much anger burning in them I would have winced. Except his anger wasn’t directed at me and in that moment, I knew he loved me just as much as I loved him.
“Why shouldn’t I kill him?” Omar asked me, smirking.
“I’ll go with you,” I whispered. “Please don’t kill anyone else.”
“Take her,” Omar said, nodding after another slight hesitation. “Put her in the car.”
31
Xander
“Elen…” I spoke her name, a catch in my voice. I’d never been as terrified as I was right now. Not for myself, but for her. What that bastard might do to her made me shudder, even as she was trying to be brave, but there were so many of them and just one of me. They’d left me no options. I’d fight to the death to save her, but I’d be dead in seconds if I fired now and they’d still have her.
“It’ll be okay,” she said as one of Omar’s men took her arm, though neither of us believed that.
“I’ll find you,” I called as they led her away.
“I know,” she said, looking over her shoulder. Then she turned and lifted her hand, her thumb, forefinger and pinky in the air while the middle two fingers were closed.
“I love you.”
My heart constricted painfully, knowing I couldn’t get to her, that if I fired, they would hurt her just to stop me, and that I was definitely going to die if I did. Maybe that was okay, because I never wanted to find out what it would be like to not love her, to not have her in my life. She’d become my everything and I was damned if I’d let Omar take her from me permanently. Except she’d just been put in the back seat of his Mercedes and they were driving away, leaving me here with these bastards.
They didn’t shoot me in the head, for which I was grateful, but once Omar and Elen were gone, his men took their time beating the shit out of me. With four of them holding me down, and two more doing the damage, there wasn’t much I could do. When they were done, they tied me up and tossed me in the woods just off the side of the road. It took me over an hour to wiggle out of the ropes they’d bound my hands and feet with. I probably had a few busted ribs, one tooth was loose, and one of my eyes had swelled shut, but I didn’t have time to nurse my wounds. Every step was excruciating, but I had to find help. Find Elen.
By the time I got to the main road, it was getting dark and I wasn’t sure where I was. I had no phone, no wallet, no way to contact anyone because they’d taken my rental car. We had contingencies for everything, though, and I stumbled down the street looking for the town and any open establishment.
After nearly an hour, I spotted a café—thank god for the cafés in this country—and walked in, limping and holding my face. Pretending I was an American tourist who’d been mugged was the safest course of action, and I gave the woman in the apron who spotted me a tired smile.
“Do you speak English?” I asked.
“Do you need help?” An attractive young woman, maybe in her mid-twenties, came out from the back wiping her hands on an apron as the first woman walked away.
“I was mugged,” I said, trying to look a bit sheepish. “If I could just use your phone to call my friends…”
“Of course, of course. Come.” She led me to a chair near the back and handed me her cell phone.
“Oh, it’s a U.S. number,” I lied, since I didn’t want to use a direct number on a stranger’s phone, though I would if I had to.
“Is okay.” She nodded. “No problem. Go ahead.” She disappeared into the back and I typed in the number to a landline at the palace that would automatically be transferred to Sandor. I had no choice because time was of the essence. It would take me hours to get back to Hiskale and Elen might not have that kind of time. Luckily, this number was one of many contingencies we had in place.
“Who is this?” Sandor’s voice was abrupt.
“Hey, Dad, it’s me.” That was code for not being able to speak freely.
“What happened?”
“I was mugged.” Code for an attack.
“Elen?”
“No, they got that too. Everything important.”
“Where are you?”
I looked around and gave him the name. “It’s a café just south of Vinake.”
The young woman came out with a towel, a bowl with water in it, and what looked like bandages and some kind of cream. I smiled at her. “What’s the address here, please?”
She gave me the information, which I relayed to Sandor.
“Ace is on his way. Are you safe until he gets there?
”
I looked around. “I’ll make do.”
“Hang tight.”
“Thanks.” I disconnected and looked at the young woman. “Thank you. One of my friends is going to come get me.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “How did you come to be in Vinake?”
I gave her a wry smile. “A girl. What else? I guess she led me into a trap. So dumb.”
She used some choice Limaji curse words as she put the items she’d gathered on the table. “I’m sorry. Our country has been in a very bad way the last decade or so—many women do these things with tourists because they’re hungry, cold, tired. I hate this happened to you.”
I shrugged. “I’ll be okay.”
“May I clean your face?” she asked. “Not everyone in my country is a jerk.”
“Oh, hey, you’ve already been great, but I can do it.”
“As you wish.” She pointed. “The restroom is there.”
“Thanks.” I picked everything up and limped into the bathroom. Damn, I was a mess, and I didn’t feel that great. My back was killing me and if they’d bruised a kidney, I’d need a doctor. I could take a beating, but right at the end, they’d just kicked and hit me repeatedly, all six of them, and it had taken a toll.
I did my best to clean up, washing my face and hands, cleaning the bruises on my face and putting a little antiseptic on the deeper cuts. There was nothing I could do about my ribs, tooth or kidney, so I gathered everything up and went back out to the main room of the café.
“I am Solange,” the young woman said, taking everything from me.
“Xander.” I smiled and nodded.
“Can I get you something to eat?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have any money,” I told her.
