Eli was sitting in the library when a guard came to him.
"King Kojo requests an audience. You're Elijah, correct?"
Eli closed the book he'd been flipping through and nodded. He wordlessly got to his feet and followed the guard out the door and through the halls. The guard pushed open the door to the throne room, Eli entered and then froze.
Emily was couched before the king with a sword to her throat. Tears stained her cheeks, and blood had dried on her arm.
King Kojo sat on his throne looking as regal as ever with his hair brushed from his face, and his robes without a trace of dirt or speck of blood. The crowd was perched on his head, casting colorful rainbows across the ground.
"Ah. Elijah, yes?"
Eli blinked. "What's going on?"
"You came to me earlier, no? Was that a distraction?" King Kojo leaned forward. "Lie once, your sister loses a limb, lie twice..well, let's just hope it doesn't come down to that. Hm?"
Eli swallowed, unsure what to do. He'd been caught and now his sister was going to pay the price. He tried to steady his racing heart: calm.
He couldn't predict the outcome, but he strongly favored the option to minimize bloodshed.
"Your Highness-"
"Eli don't!" Emily yelped when the guard yanked her head back and pressed harder with the blade. She flinched.
Eli could see blood bubble up and dribble down the blade. Emily stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, clenching and unclenching her hands.
"Vlad." the king hissed. "Pull the weapon away. Now."
The man gritted his teeth but did as the king asked with furrowed brows and pursed lips. Emily collapsed onto her hands, coughing and grasping at her throat.
"Your Highness, what I showed you was no distraction." Eli averted his gaze from Emily to the king. He cocked his head. "My mother had always spoken highly of you and how you'd do anything for power. I believe you'd like my ability. What could I have distracted you from?"
King Kojo stared at him as though he were looking for a weakness. Eli had heard of stories of people who've done wrong and they come to bow at his feet and beg for forgiveness.
Not today, satan.
Begging was one thing he wasn't going to do.
Laughing, the king sat back. "I did enjoy watching it. You still haven't answered my other question."
"Oh?"
"What do you know about the revolution?
Besides that the fact they hate your guts?
But before he could come up with an outrageous lie (it was a good one) a woman with golden skin burst into the room with a guard close behind.
"Conor, what is the meaning of this?" King Kojo boomed.
The man blanched under the king's fierce gaze. Grateful for the distraction, Eli got on his knees and crawled toward Emily who was silently sobbing.
The guard, Vlad, glowered down at them but Eli ignored him.
"What's going on?" Emily whispered. "I'm scared."
"Your Majesty it's of the utmost importance!" Conor said, swallowing his Adam's apple bobbed. "This woman here said that the princess is missing."
King Kojo jerked up. "Excuse me?"
"It-it's true sir." the woman squeaked. "I'd left to fetch wood to make a fire and she was gone when I returned. A fire was going as well." she frowned. "You don't think that...."
Eli blinked trying to figure out what she was hinting at and then it clicked. She thinks that Princess Kaya is a witch.
"Did you have anything to do with this?" he swiveled his scorching gaze on Eli.
Eli's heart hammered in his chest. The princess was missing?
Xavier didn't tell him this was a part of the plan! His hands began to shake and get clammy. Beside him, Emily's cries got louder.
What did they expect him to say? Oh, yes..I know exactly where your daughter is! In return, I ask you to spare my life.
Stupid idea.
He risked a glance at King Kojo who appeared to be frozen. Eli rubbed his eyes to be sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. The king still sat there leaning forward face screwed up into a scowl. His crown was lopsided on his head and his face was red.
"Is...Is everyone frozen?" Emily stammered.
"Not everyone."
Eli and Emily turned to see Vlad crouched behind them wearing a snarl. They both tried to scramble back but someone grabbed them and held them by their clothes.
Eli could hear the seams ripping.
"Conor, what are you waiting for?" the guard hissed. "You know I can't hold this spell for long. Go! Our master is waiting."
But Vlad-?"
Vlad bared his teeth, his forehead glistening with sweat. "Don't question me. Our master will be very pleased with this one." he winked at Eli. "Leave the girl."
"What about you...and...Bella?"
"We can take care of ourselves." Vlad snapped his fingers and a portal opened.
Conor dropped Emily to the ground and he moved toward the portal but not before Emily kicked him in the shins.
"Let him go! Let him go!" Vlad grabbed her hair and pulled her away. "No! Eli! Stop!"
Eli opened his mouth but Conor subtly shook his head. "You'll make things worse. Don't."
Eli turned back just as they stepped into the portal leaving Vlad and Emily behind.