The Lost Relics Box Set

by LJ Andrews

  “The Ponderi are defenders of all realm people,” the intercoms boomed through the building. “Anyone caught bringing any harm to anyone of another race or traveling the Hemisphere illegally will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Do not allow yourselves to forget who we are and who the true enemy is. Stay true to our purpose. Thank you.”

  The coms beeped and Miller put the microphone back in his desk.

  “Never in my life would I think there’d be a day when the Ponderi would invade another realm,” he said as he poured himself a hot drink that smelled strongly of licorice. Killian saw Empress Gwyniera standing near the window. She smiled slightly when Mercedes walked in before turning back to the rising lavender sunlight. Owen sat in one of the large white chairs, appearing strangely relaxed as he examined his fingernails.

  “Idiots,” he huffed. “I’m proud of all of you for acting so quickly, and I’m sure the Cimmerians thank you as well.”

  Hearing Owen’s praise was more satisfying than Killian thought it would be and he felt his face flush. They all turned their heads when the door swept open again and Dalia, Rhetta, and Egan entered.

  “What did you do with the attackers?” Miller asked in his authoritative tone.

  “They’ve joined my brother in the underground cells,” Egan said, also helping himself to the drink cart. “I have to say, Miller, that Lucan recruit is a straight arrow. He insisted on guarding the prison entrance until you’ve had a chance to determine sentencing.”

  Miller chuckled before allowing his face to return to the somber expression. “I will need to council with both you and Gwyniera for the proper punishment, seeing as this act involves realm security.”

  Egan coughed as he sipped his mug and peered into the liquid as if surprised by the taste. He brushed a hand in front of his face as he set the drink down. “In time. Right now, Killian said he found something in Cimmerian.”

  Killian grew hot as their eyes drifted toward him. “Well, I think so, but I can’t read the Cimmerian symbols. I hoped Dalia would be able to help. I think it has something to do with Queen Rhea.”

  Dalia’s eyes brightened and she seemed more interested. “Why do you think that?” she said, gently taking the scroll from his outstretched hand.

  “Tynan said it has the royal seal.”

  Dalia nodded as she brushed her hand over the purple wax.

  “Vell, don’t leave us vondering, open it up,” Gwyniera said after Dalia paused.

  The parchment was dark and noticeably old as Dalia unrolled the scroll.

  “Oh my,” she said, swallowing a lump of emotion as she brushed her long ebony braid over her shoulder she looked up at the curious crowd. “You’re right. It is from Rhea. Forgive me—I was rather close with the late queen. It is strange to see her words again.”

  Rhetta placed a comforting hand on Dalia’s shoulder, encouraging her to continue.

  Dalia scanned the parchment, carefully reading each line of symbols. Her face scrunched in confusion, then her eyes widened as she carefully placed the parchment on Miller’s desk.

  “What?” Owen said. “What does it say?”

  Dalia paused as if she were trying to make sense of what she’d read. Finally, after a tense moment, she looked at each one of them. “Queen Rhea knew about Master Claec’s treatment of the realms during the Venture.”

  Dax seemed let down as if the report was anti-climactic. “So, what’s significant about that?”

  “You have to realize even I didn’t know what Claec was doing until Merlin and James Thomas forced me to realize the truth.”

  “So vat did Rhea say to Merlin?” Gwyniera demanded softly.

  “This is a letter from Rhea explaining how she was finally going to stand against Claec and try to change what was happening in the Hemisphere. She mentions his brother, Ronan, and how she believed he was poisoning Claec with dark magic. But more importantly, she explains that she has provided Merlin the piece of her power to help him open the gateway. At the end, Merlin signed the letter in...in blood to seal his promise to obey her request.”

  No one spoke for a moment, until finally Owen said the words everyone else seemed to be thinking. “Dalia, maybe for those of us who have no idea what you’re talking about you could elaborate a little more.”

  Dalia chuckled and sat down on the sofa. “This isn’t an ordinary gateway she’s speaking of, not like the travel tracks we use. I knew there were always rumors of other worlds, but this proves Merlin and Rhea knew of a gateway to a completely different Hemisphere. She commanded him in the letter to open the gateway and lock the darkness away. She wanted him to extract it from Ronan. The Queen, my friend, was planning to denounce her husband and attack her brother-in-law.” Dalia sat back against the sofa, awestruck.

  “Brave woman,” Egan said respectfully. “Obviously she didn’t live long enough to do it. But what happened to the gateway?”

  Dalia shook her head. “She wrote about the piece of her power that he could use to open the gateway. I’m not sure what that means,” Dalia admitted.

  “The ruby,” Killian said as the memory of the painting filled his head.

  “What ruby?” she asked.

  Killian looked at Owen. “The ruby in the book you showed me. I saw a painting of Rhea in Merlin’s house. She was wearing the exact same necklace.”

  Owen rushed to a drawer in the marble-topped desk and took out the brown book, quickly flipping to the right page. He handed it to Dalia, who silently read the book’s theory of the ruby being cursed or full of magic.

  “Of course,” Dalia said, jumping up from the sofa. “It makes sense. If Rhea wanted Merlin to find a gateway to another Hemisphere, it would take powerful magic.” Dalia paced excitedly.

  “Perhaps you could tell us vy za ruby vas needed. Vy couldn’t zay just use za magic zay already had, I don’t see vy magic needed to be placed inside za necklace,” Gwyniera asked with the same biting tone, but since the attack everyone seemed to accept her frosty demeanor more easily.

  “When magic is concealed into an object, it is pressurized in a way. In an inanimate object, magic is in its purest form without the emotion of a person interfering with its power.

  Pressurized magic is incredibly powerful, which is why Merlin created the relics. This ruby would need to be incredibly strong to open another Hemisphere and stay open long enough to transport people through without destabilizing and crushing in on itself.”

  “Which is why the legend says Merlin sacrificed all of his magic?” Mercedes asked.

  Dalia nodded. “But it’s becoming clear, Merlin wasn’t the only one who sacrificed his magic.” Dalia scanned the room with a dramatic pause as if she wanted to leave them on the edge of their seats. “I believe Rhea sacrificed her magic as well.”

  “What makes you say that?” Miller asked, thoughtfully stroking his thick mustache.

  “Rhea was killed on the Terrene Venture,” Dalia began, “and I’ve always wondered why she did not defend herself against the attack. The queen was incredibly powerful—one of the few people with matching skills to Master Merlin—yet she did nothing to stop it, and now I am sure it was because she couldn’t. She died sheltering Maurelle. That was the only thing she could do—shield her daughter.”

  “Why doesn’t anyone give more details about the Venture attack?” Killian asked with exasperation. “I know it was what caused the Venture to fall apart, and now you tell me it killed the Queen of Cimmerian. I can see why Maurelle has a grudge against Terrene.”

  Dalia pursed her lips and looked away, but Rhetta stood and sauntered toward Killian with a notable hesitation in her expression. “It’s also the reason Maurelle despises you and Infinium−ˮ

  “Rhetta,” Dalia interrupted trying to stop her from continuing.”

  “He deserves to know,” she insisted. “Killian, you know Axel created Infinium during the venture, but he was also the one behind the attack that killed the queen. Many lives were lost that day. Axel was sent
away and Dalia kept watch on him until he eventually disappeared.”

  Killian gaped at her. “Axel killed people with Infinium?”

  Dalia hung her head before meeting Rhetta’s eye with a look of frustration. “I explained to you long ago, Axel lost control of the formula. He wasn’t in his right mind when it happened, but yes—his actions killed Queen Rhea.”

  “And no one thought to tell me this? I mean, it’s as easy as saying ‘Hey, Killian, that thing that’s in your head? Yeah…it’s the same power that killed Maurelle’s mom…so she wants to murder you now.’”

  “Killian, we’re sorry,” Owen said. “With Axel being back, we weren’t sure how to bring it up, but it doesn’t change anything. Even with the truth, Maurelle still wants you dead. Now you just have more insight as to how deep the hatred goes.”

  “Listen, Killian,” Miller said standing up from his large chair. “Owen’s right. Nothing has changed. We need to focus every effort on finding this ruby. Killian and Mercedes, it’s time to try and use your relics. We need to see if their power connects with the necklace.”

  Killian glanced at Mercedes as she rubbed her thumb over the black firestone in the gold ring she wore on her index finger.

  “Well, let’s get to it then,” she said, but Killian couldn’t help the intense warning of danger fill his veins. Something was happening out there and he wasn’t sure they’d be ready in time to stop it.

  Chapter 12

  The Trinity Returns

  Four days had passed, and Killian sat against a glass wall on the athletic field rubbing the gold charm around his neck and pushing down the growing anxiety in his chest.

  “Come on, Killian, you might as well train with us,” Lucan said tossing his spear at his feet. “We’ll find it.”

  “I need to focus on this ruby, or no amount of training is going to help against Maurelle.”

  Dax plopped down and let out a long sigh that sounded more like a growl. “You and Mercedes are strange. You both have been trying to use your awesome super powers with your individual relics. Did you ever consider maybe working together and joining all four relics? The Ponderi has all four, right?”

  Killian stared at Dax as if he’d just revealed the answer to a difficult exam question.

  “Dax, you might be right,” Mercedes said, walking toward them. She threw both her daggers into the soft ground and sat cross-legged on the plastic grass. “We should use all the relics, and with Infinium we may be able to get some sense of where the ruby might be hidden. What’s wrong?” She asked when Killian rubbed his face with one palm.

  “I just can’t believe how much time we’ve wasted! Dax, you’re a genius.”

  Dax shrugged and smiled smugly while popping a large green nut in his mouth. “I’m just here to help.”

  “Let’s go. I know where Miller keeps the pearl and seed,” Killian said.

  The elevator car seemed to have taken the longest, jerkiest path to the upper floor. Lucan paused to lean against the wall and settle his stomach. Without any pause, Killian rushed to a far room three doors from Miller’s office. The plush carpet crushed against their feet as they ran toward the door.

  Inside, the room was kept dim, with only a single marble table in the center and two winged chairs. He darted around the furniture toward the back wall where a tall painting of the Praetorium hung on the wall. Killian pushed the painting to the side and Dax held the corner so it stayed out of the way. Behind the painting was a small steel safe with the shape of a hand imprinted on the surface.

  “I didn’t even know this room existed,” Dax said.

  “Not many do. Miller says it’s to keep the relics safe. Only Miller and relic guardians can access the safe.”

  Killian placed his hand on the safe and the steel glowed in a bright orange, then faded to a dark blue before it beeped and the safe clicked open. A small wooden box with painted flowers on the lid was surrounded by numerous stacks of papers in the center of the safe. Quickly, Killian took the box and opened the lid. Kneeling on the floor, he carefully removed the marble-sized green pearl and unnaturally large lily seed on the wood floor. Mercedes knelt next to him and removed the firestone ring. Taking the gold charm from around his neck, he placed all four relics in front of them. Dax and Lucan stared at the unusual collection of items and waited for either Mercedes or Killian to do something out of the ordinary.

  Mercedes glanced at him and Killian met her with an unsure gaze, but just as he was about to put the relics back into their box a strong pull tugged him closer to the four pieces. Mercedes gasped as she leaned her head in as well. One by one, the relics pulled toward one another like magnets until all four were attached by one side.

  “I think the ruby is close,” Mercedes whispered, her shoulders still forced in a hunch toward the relics. “It feels…like it’s in the Praetorium.”

  She glanced up at the three men with surprise. Killian nodded. He was relieved to feel a strong pull that seemed to have an anchor close by as he focused on the ruby.

  “I’ll never understand how all this magic stuff works,” Lucan whispered to Dax.

  “Killian, can you narrow down where it’s coming from with Infinium?” Dax asked.

  Killian closed his eyes and focused. He imagined he could see the invisible rope as it wound its way through the long narrow halls of the building. The back of his neck went from a faint, comfortable heat to a blazing fiery surge up the red scars.

  “What are they doing?” he heard Lucan say. “Why are they spinning?”

  “Shhh, let him concentrate,” Mercedes commanded.

  His mind sped through the Praetorium as if he were walking alongside the rope; the pull was strong as if the hidden magic wanted him to find it after all these years. Inside his mind the image grew colder and darker, and any sound from the busy athletic field or health clinic faded. Soft drips of cold water filled his mind and a heavy, damp smell slipped into his nose. Finally, a confirmation warmed his chest; even Mercedes breathed a sigh of relief, though he didn’t know what her experience had been. Suddenly Killian’s eyes flashed open and the heat disappeared. Looking at the four relics, he saw that they lay separated and uninteresting on the floor in front of him.

  Dax and Lucan stared at him quizzically and Mercedes looked thoughtful and relaxed.

  “What happened? The relics, they started spinning and then…just stopped.” Dax said.

  “I know where it is,” Killian answered quietly. “We have to go low, down to the original structure. I’ve seen the room before, I’m just not sure when.”

  Mercedes stood and returned the firestone ring to her finger. “Well, what are we waiting for. Let’s go get it.”

  Killian gathered the green pearl and the lily seed and placed them gently into the box before securing them behind the wall. The greenish setting sun was creeping into the room from the open doorway as they turned and rushed in the hall.

  “Oh, excuse me,” Mercedes said when she slammed shoulders with another walking along the upper hall. “Ivy, I didn’t recognize you. Sorry for crashing into you.”

  Ivy flipped her long white hair over her shoulder and adjusted her gray top. The recruit trainer smiled at them before patting Mercedes’ elbow. “Forgive me. It was my fault I was enjoying the sunset and not paying one ounce of attention as to where I was walking. Where are you all off to in such a hurry?”

  “Oh, just taking some respite time before the evening meal,” Mercedes lied without faltering for a second.

  Ivy nodded, her pale blue eyes studying them as if she didn’t believe Mercedes. But after a short pause, the soft-spoken woman smiled and nodded. “Well, enjoy the down time. Breaks are few and far between these days.”

  They smiled once more before signaling the elevator beyond the wall. Ivy watched them load on the glass car before the steel doors closed on her wind-burned cheeks and thrust them diagonally across the building away from the upper floor.

  Killian directed the car into the depths of th
e building even further than the clinic on the lower floor. The car opened and they all stepped off. Before them was another door that would eventually lead them to the prison cells, but to one side was an old stone archway with a set of stone steps leading somewhere he’d never been, though the sensation of the relics pulled him in that direction.

  “What’s down there?” Lucan asked.

  Killian shrugged. “When the Trinity attacked, I noticed the archway when the walls were blasted to pieces, but never followed the stairs. All I know is this is part of the original foundation and Merlin was here when the Praetorium was built.”

  The steps wrapped around a large stone pillar. The lower they went, the cooler and mustier the air became. Finally, the staircase ended in a large room. The walls were covered in arched stained glass windows like those in medieval cathedrals, but the walls were trenched so far below ground only darkness could be seen outside. The stone floor was coated in a fine layer of green moss, with scattered puddles in the cobblestone crevices from ground water seeping in the cracks.

  “So, I’m not seeing anything,” Dax said hugging himself against the chill.

  Mercedes made her way toward a far wall and placed her palms against the stone wall. Closing her eyes, she spanned the large area for a moment before Killian followed her example. He focused, trying to form the connection once again to the ruby he knew had to be in the room.

  “Hey, look at this,” Lucan said from a dark corner.

  Killian and Mercedes rushed over to the corner and saw what he was pointing at. A symbol in the shape of an upside down ‘Y’ was carved into a high stone. It was barely visible and appeared as if it had been carved a long time before.

  Killian reached up for the stone and was instantly filled with apprehension in his chest, which made him want to turn around and leave the room.

  “Perhaps we should come back later,” Mercedes said in a small voice.

  “What are you talking about?” Dax huffed. He scoffed when Killian lowered his hand and began stepping away from the stone. “Oh, I’ll do it.”