Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0)

by K. L. O Johnson

  Not ever.

  “It’s not about me!” I growled, swerving around to face him as he shifted his back to me, “It’s about Kal!” He looked at me, attentive. Is that all it takes? I thought with a little jealousy. Though, I shook of the feeling and focused on the issue at hand. “She’s gone, taken by a Troll.”

  “What . . . how?”

  I continued, “We came here to get away from the castle, we came here to relax and be like normal teenagers. But no, instead, I was chased, threatened, thrown and attacked. All because they came to get Kal for some unknown reason.” Even as I said the words I knew there wasn’t exactly something right about them.

  “But they got Kal,” he said.

  I heard the others pile around us, “We got that genius,” Marcus retorted and was soon backhanded by a woman with the same green markings that Marcus had but around her wrist. The same markings I knew that Zarlach and I both shared—just a different colour. It was the markings of our complimentary partner—our predetermined mate. One that was always found within that race. That marking was a tattooed design of our biological makeup—mine was a demon bat with wings beneath a six-point star and I knew Zarlach had the same design in the same spot.

  The air was burdened with a familiar presence. A presence I knew all too well. A presence, I had forgotten about until, now. “Lovely,” he mused. “I really did enjoy that show you displayed it was beyond intriguing. And yet you have not tapped into your true potential—how sad.” Ivan glided into the room, with a demon commander on one side and a Morkania Banshee on the other. He regarded the sight of the Abitroth at his feet beside him and glanced at me. “You don’t know how much potential you have.”

  “You know nothing about me,” I seethed.

  He, in turn smiled, thwarting my courage only slightly. I watched with hidden fear as he moved closer to me, all the adults that I assumed was the predestined mate of my comrades positioned themselves hastily between Ivan and I. “Now, now, is that anyway to treat a Purebreed. Then again, is it any ay to treat, royalty.”

  “You have no right to utter such a title,” Zarlach snarled.

  “Zarlach Sivortsova, you’re of royal lineage. I’m sure you can empathise.”

  Zarlach didn’t speak and I knew that this encounter was going to be something dangerous. A woman who backhanded Marcus, stepped forward, her silver hair glistened under the shine of the morning sun that reflected off broken glass, smeared along the ground. Her heels were silent as her movements. She pointed a green-scaly finger at Ivan. “You will accompany us to this planet’s Prethial and will be trialled for your crimes.”

  “Oh really?” he teased and the demon commander I had faced before stepped forward in sync with the Banshee. They stood ready to guard Ivan and I wondered if this was how it was going to go down, another battle, another problem. Then the next sound of armed Knights entered the foyer area, their uniform was smeared in blood. I watched in horror as I noted it was the squad we met before; the woman who spoke to us and her companions. Her short silver hair sat at her shoulders, just above the gleam of her war tainted armour.

  She held a silver rifle, blue lights were marked along the barrel that I noted hummed smoothly. The men behind her, now helmetless held weapons similar to hers all of which were locked onto Ivan. “Lord Ivan, you’re formally under arrest for the murder of Council Member Zarlick, leading the revolt against the United Council and the twenty-three other counts of murder, thievery and forgery,” she declared. I realised their uniform was different, it was like Zarlach—its design, however, was different this was because they were PASA agents. “Not to mention the harassment of the Rusakova Clan. Anything you say here on out will be used as evidence in court, you have the right to remain silent if you choose.”

  And so, silent he was.

  I heard many footfalls, stamper around us and soon the room was filled with blue, black and silver scaly suited PASA agents like the rest of us were cladded in armour. Their weapons were all locked onto Ivan and his followers, he nodded his head and held up his hands. The demon commander followed as did the Banshee, both of which were shackled with energy bands. Their power I recalled was limited to almost zero. They were as powerful or rather equaled the humans’ power levels. They were collected and taken away to the Prethial, I recalled the woman declare. Understanding, this the woman disappeared after them while I watched a PASA agent walk towards us. Her movements were elegant and controlled.

  “You’re a brave little girl,” she announced. “First it was the serpents, vampieres and now this. I hope you’ll get some sleep tonight.”

  “Sleep is far from my mind at the moment.”

  She nodded. “Understandable.”

  “She’ll be returning to Earth with us,” Zarlach declared and I felt Bella place a hand on my shoulder. Catching her eye, she smiled and I forced one of my own which I was not entirely certain looked convincing, as I was rewarded with a frown on her behalf.

  I was relieved and excited to know that Ivan was getting put away and I felt I had accomplished a major goal. I wanted nothing more than to jump with undeniable joy but Zarlach’s mood stated otherwise. So, to the temporary guest house we went, just south of ruined citadel city. A place where I was made aware, would house us until Nerelda opened up a portal. As I waited in the living room with the others, I wondered why my parents haven’t show up demanding “what happened” or “are you okay”. No, instead, it was just Zarlach and his disapproving gaze but I knew that was nothing compare to what was yet to come. In my eyes, I saw the motions of fate beginning to play; turning its dials to that point in time, I knew would be the end of me.

  I dreaded seeing my parents, above all I dreaded, knowing they knew I wasn’t sound asleep at Castle Haven. That thought both quelled and annoyed me. I, right about now, couldn’t wait until I grew up. To explore, spread my wings and do what I wanted. Within the legal boundaries of all planetary laws, of course.

  Waiting in the living room proved to be a major problem as all I could to was, wander up and down the furry carpet. Contemplating my next move, questioning its motive and criticise no action on my part. I knew Kal wouldn’t blame me but the fact remained, she was gone and I had to figure out what specific details that troll possessed. Due to my bump on the head which might I had was still getting over. So without that information I risked losing Kal forever, something I prayed to never ever happen. She was too close to just let disappear.

  She appeared as the type of person who could take on a large mountain and survive. Leaving nothing behind but shattered rocks. I knew Kal was tough, proud and hard-headed but most of the time it seemed like she was guarding something. Something precious—something I knew only a special someone could ever possess. Whatever that was, I prayed wasn’t something they’d exploit. I stared at the silver clock on the far end of the wall, it read five-to-thirteen. I groaned. I had little to—no idea about how to read the time of this world.

  I figured it was just an extra hour but I didn’t know what day it was on Earth or if my parents even noticed my absence. I wanted something—anything to tell me the time difference. I could just imagine my panicked mother right now. The thought of it did perk me up a bit but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do what the others were doing and sleep.

  So instead, I parked on a nearby couch and pulled the book I had picked out at the large bookcase a few moments ago. It was in Vataricani which was good, my mother spent the past seven months trying to teach it to me. So I knew it was bound to stick. I knew enough to make out the sentences and decided to kill time and my lack of desire to sleep with one stone when I felt a familiar presence. Pulling out a small blade from within my Vampieruz boots, I held it at the chest of the person behind the couch. The armour of his hand, deflected my assault and I looked up to spy Zarlach. “You’re getting better.”

  “Thanks to Kal.”

  “We’ll find her.”

  “I hope so,” I muttered and returned back to my position on the couch and tried
to calm my nerves. The adrenaline or oricaline as it was recognised by resoncretalians and cretalians, began to slow within my body. I glanced back at Zarlach who didn’t move. “What are you doing here?”

  “Wondering why you’re up.”

  “Why do you care,” I grumbled. Flipping a page, I forced my mind to dive into the book only to be pulled out by his voice.

  “I’m supposed to.”

  “Of course,” I moaned and flipped another page, conscious of the fact, I wasn’t taking in anything at all. The thought of it did bother me. The problem was I didn’t know which bothered me; Zarlach or the book. Either way, I knew both needed to be tossed aside. “Can you go away; I’m trying to read.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Of course.” We were quiet for a bit and I eventually gave up on my book. This time I noted Zarlach was leaning against the couch, his Vampieruz eyes were sewn on citadel tower. It looked ready to crumble, as did the other cities surrounding it. Most of the citizens were evacuated—the unfortunate ones were turned. It was like a curse or a viral mutation that couldn’t be quelled nor destroyed. I wanted nothing more than to head first into a den of Vampieres and demand where Kal was but I knew I couldn’t do that because one: I needed to get away from Mr. Busybody and two: I knew it wouldn’t solve anything but instead prove the point I was not trustworthy.

  “I know you’re not really reading,” Zarlach commented.

  “How do you know that?” I asked keeping my eyes on the pages.

  “Simple, when you were younger and angry, you would avoid talking to people by burying your head in a book and whenever someone asked if you were okay you always said “please go away I’m reading” then when your father made his famous pancakes you spoke to everyone. It was like a magical cure,” he said as his eyes appeared glassy in another time. He pulled away from the couch and stood straight, “So now, I figured that is the case. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  I sighed, “You’re right”—placing the book down—”I lost concentration the moment you arrived.”

  “You can’t blame me for your lack of concentration.”

  “Yes I can, you’re a distraction!”

  “How am I a distraction? I wasn’t even talking—” he cut himself short and finished, “much.” I crossed my arms and nodded, silently agreeing I had won this argument. “But seriously, you should get some sleep, your father’s going to flip if I haven’t taken the necessary appropriate protocols to ensure your health is well looked after.” I realised what Zarlach had to go through with me, it wasn’t some little love story we had going on. It was more along the lines of something will happen, not now but in the future and he had the expectations of my father and potentially my mother too on his shoulders. Plus, my anger and bitterness towards him at times. He had a much bigger burden to carry and that was being my guardian.

  So placing the book down, I stood and headed towards the hall. “Fine, good night Zarlach.”

  He was quiet and I waited patiently for his evening valediction, “Good night princess.” Turning the door, I opened it and I disappeared into a dark hall. Once I had entered the common room, I searched for my assigned room. With adults on one side and us on the other it wasn’t that hard to find.

  The next day, was the same as we were all stuck in the assigned apartment and this time—electronically locked from the outside. “Why do the adults get to take off!” I groaned.

  The room was hesitantly silent. “What?” I asked, turning over my shoulder to face Bella and the others.

  “Well, Cecelia you and David are the minors here.” Marcus spoke, as a matter-of-fact. I moulded a glare and watched proudly as he flinched under the weight, surprisingly I wasn’t all that bothered.

  “And you were making passes at a minor. No, no, no, not on Marcus. Keep that up and you’ll be slandered a paedophile,” I teased with a giggle of my own. However, by the look on his face, I considered I may have taken my joke a little too far because Marcus stood stunned—shocked even.

  “Marcus?” Bella lightly pressed at his shoulder. She stood ready and behind him in case he was going to faint. Something I doubted he’d never do. It took him a moment or two to recover, then I was quick to apologise.

  “Hey, you know I was only joking, right?”

  * * *

  18:Hunted

  “I know . . . but please refrain from such jokes in the future,” he managed. “that was far too unpleasant.”

  “Okay.” I quickly spoke. The doors at the far end of the room unlocked. In strode Zarlach and the other adults that I have yet to meet.

  Aware that Zarlach was in his idol form I took a chance and whispered, “Hey Daphne?” She sat up straight, “Your people specialise in clairvoyance correct?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “So, here’s my question: using your clairvoyance, you reckon you can track Kal?” I probed, peering back at the conversing at adults by the door and turned my attention discreetly back to the others who huddled closer from the dining room table to where I sat on the living room, sofa.

  “Yes, I know her well enough but I’m not that good.”

  I was surprised recently by the unfamiliar voice that buzzed around me, “Madam, would you care for a beverage?”

  “Water please,” I realised to the robotic butler who turned and exited the room via a different door. I continued to stare after him realising the detail the robot possessed, he walked, acted and talked like a real person—Cretalian or Resoncretalian, it didn’t matter. The detail of him was amazing and mind blowing, on the inside I wanted to jump up and down with excitement. I had an itching desire to search him from head to toe to see how he worked. In reality I knew that would be beyond inappropriate so I turned my gaze away and watched as David eyed the path the robot had taken with clear scrutiny.

  “So—” he began, with crossed arms as he pointed a finger at the absent robot.

  “What? Earth has nothing like that—yet.” I covered. “It was pretty awesome to see. Come on, you have to admit it was cool right?” I pressed and David looked almost ready to cave but seriously; was he going to get jealous over a robot? Sometimes I wondered about boys.

  I turned my attention to Zarlach who stood behind David. “What’s pretty awesome to see?” he asked. David was a little rigid with tension and I felt sorry for him. He really did see me in a romantic sense. I couldn’t begin to understand how he felt about Zarlach being the man I was supposed to marry. Behind Zarlach five other adults followed. Two females and four males; including Zarlach. I realised they were promised to each of the royals. I didn’t want to voice the disappointment in that. I’ve often dreamed of what it would be like to settle down with someone I bumped into because we just clicked. I wanted what my parents had, sure they were promised to each other but that didn’t change their undeniable compatibility and that was what Tylif based its results on who was the most appropriate suitor. An advanced method of natural selection.

  The robot returned with a tray and on it was my glass of water. I was relieved, he was surely an ice-breaker. I thanked him and he skidded back behind that door which had my curiosity spiked. Maybe I could investigate when the others are gone? I thought, considering it just to quell my desire for knowledge. That was something I had in common with my Resoncretalian friends, they too desired knowledge. It was an unquenchable burn that I knew, no blood type in this universe would ever stop. “To see a real life working robot,” I answered. Zarlach glanced at the door I had been eyeing on an off, for the past two minutes.

  “Hmm,” he grumbled. This caused my brow to rise, did he know that I wanted to check it out? Or what? Whatever thought scrambled through his mind, he refused to share and decided on introducing the other adults, “We’re going to be stuck together for a while, so I suggest we at least know each other’s names. Helena, Misca, Eyris, Marbuque and Dante.”

  Helena and Misca were both gorgeous with nice tanned toned skin and brown hair. Helena’s long smooth wavy hair looked silky
to touch and I could sense the Fae power flowing through her veins, she was destined for Jorden by the looks. Misca, I could sense the power of the Licanthrope, she had lovely gentle look to her, her straight brown hair and blue eyes matched nicely. While the men, were not rough looking but nice to look at, like male models.

  Eyris had bleach blond hair with green sparkling eyes, Marbuque had long black hair which surprisingly didn’t make him look any less of a man but more so. With dark eyes he was alert then there was Dante, his coffee coloured skin like Kal’s glowed a golden tint. His dark eyes were warm and welcoming as his sharp short spiky hair seemed gelled in place. I could sense the Nefaliem heritage flowing through his.

  Everyone in this room, was not Human or Zylarian or Spartin. They were Resoncretalians, they were supernatural aliens with powers that Humans dreamed to possess. And, yet because of that power and because of our civil war that thwarted the Human’s way of living upside down. Had given the even more reason to be hostile and doubtful of our good intentions. Then again, I didn’t blame them, I knew it was going to take centuries to earn back their trust and most were willing to place their trust in us, others, not so much.

  This knowledge only proved that my friends, my human friends weren’t going to live to see my patience. I often wondered why beings of lower energy levels perished so quickly. I remembered clearly being told that it was because of their limited energy levels and basic cell cycle that made their time limited. As I regarded this group of people I realised, I had created a lasting bond—not necessarily as special as Kal and Bella but cherishingly on its own. I was certain, these people will have a child, which like me was pre-determined—far down the track.

  “Now that you’ve all met,” Zarlach’s voice pulled me from my unexpected thought pattern and back to the present. “Because of that stunt you guys pulled back at Castle Haven, I expect you to pull something similar, so as of now you guys are no longer allowed to be alone together. Two of us will be with you at all times so you can’t pull something sneaky.”