Ace sat at his desk flipping through the book that Vlad had managed to toss through a portal before he'd been captured.
He runs his hands over the stubble on his chin, lost in thought. For the past three years, he's been searching for the lost elemental crystals. His father believed that the crystals would return them to their former glory.
Ace has traveled everywhere, turning tons of kingdoms upside down in his searches but he's always come up empty-handed. This book was supposed to be the key to finding the crystals, but he couldn't understand the language on the page.
It appeared to be written by Guardians. They were people who were tasked with keeping an eye on all magic and being sure that no one was using it unjustly.
But they died off years ago, and no one had seen one since. According to the tales, they lived in the forest -sleeping in trees and in caves.
A knock at the study door pulled him from his thoughts and he closed the book, tucking it away. "Come in."
The door opened, and Ari and Vlad entered. Ace stood and embraced his son first before squeezing Vlad's shoulder. "You're still in one piece."
"I am, though, starved." Vlad chuckled. "Where is Bella? I must alert her of my safe return."
Ari sneered. "That won't be necessary. They've betrayed us. Ari and Aniya."
Vlad stumbled back in surprise. "What? Bella wouldn't...she couldn't have-" he broke off and shook his head as though trying to shake the thought. "No. Liar."
"I heard them." Ari frowned slightly. "Who's Eli?"
Ace and Vlad share a look over Ari's head and Ace clears his throat, thinking of a proper response to his question. "Eli was your best friend."
"Was?"
"Yes," Vlad said, vigorously nodding his head. "You two were close and played every game imaginable, running up and down the palace halls giggling and such."
Ari's frown deepened and Ace worried what he had overheard Bella and Aniya talking about. "Who were they talking to?"
"Eli's sister. Emily, I think her name was. But Bella said that I'm not..Ari." Ari blinked up at Ace, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "Is there something that you aren't telling me?"
Ace put a hand on his shoulder. "Your sisters are liars and traitors. I pray that you aren't taking their words to heart."
Ari bit his lip. "No sir."
"Good. You are now tasked with ending them. Both of them. Vlad will accompany you. You're dismissed." Ace said waving his hand toward the door.
Ari bowed his head and then stepped from the room.
Ace turned his face toward Vlad wiping it clear of any sympathy. "She knows."
"Wh-What?" Vlad spluttered.
" Bella knows what happened to her mother. What actually happened. It was one of the reasons I wanted you to be 'together' so I could keep a close eye on her, but this betrayal says it all." Ace clasped his hands in front of him. "As commanded you help my son terminate them both."
"Ace sir-"
"Don't tell me you were actually falling for Bella!" Ace chuckled, throwing his head back. "I'm surprised you two lasted this long..but then again, she's been playing us both this entire time."
Vlad's mouth moved but no sound came out. Ace sat back. "Go complete this for me and you'll have a handful of beautiful women waiting for you at your villa you have my word."
Vlad looked ready to protest but he clamped his mouth shut and gave a slight nod. "Of course. When should we leave."
"Tomorrow." Ace licked his lips. "I have no doubt they've alerted them of the upcoming war."
"Yes sir."
"You're dismissed."
When Vlad closed the door behind him, Ace pulled out the book again and ran his hands over the cover. He hated things that frustrated him or confused him and this book was one of those things -he'd been tempted many times - to throw it in the furnace, but then he'd be back in square one.
Ace hummed softly. "The last Guardian was named Rob also known as The Great Seer but he hasn't been seen in the last decade." he bobbed his head slightly. "Perhaps he's in hiding. Hiding another Guardian, maybe? I must look deeper into this. How interesting."