Change of Heart

Chapter 41

**

The pain in my body began to waver, and it became easier to move. I somehow managed to bring myself up to my knees. With my hands tied up, there was nothing much else I could do right now. I waited a little longer before trying to stand on my feet.

After a few times, I successfully stood up. Looking around, there really was no point in doing that, there was just no way off this platform. I'd either have to have the ability to fly or the power of transportation.

"I see that antidote finally kicked in." Turning around, Nikki appeared before me. "And I also see those chains are doing their job well too."

"Why are you doing this?" I couldn't keep the words from coming out. Just seeing her standing there, it kind of reminded me of Zoey. Even though she was an enemy at first, she ended up trying to save me in the end, costing her life. But now seeing Nikki, she's just the opposite.

As she began to approach, I stepped back. My foot came across the edge of the platform causing me to stop. "You're probably saying to yourself how could I have said such noble things to you, and yet still be capable of doing something like this. All that I said, it was all a lie."

I was wrong about her. How could I have been so easily deceived? "Then what about Alek? Was that a all just a lie too?"

She laughed as if it was some kind of joke to her. "You are just too much. I can assure you, that was no lie." Nikki stopped for a moment, and smiled brightly. "But there is one huge twist I'm sure you would've never expected. The one who's been lying to you all this time, is Alek himself."

"No...no, you're lying!" She had to be, Alek wouldn't be the enemy, he couldn't be! "Alek would never do something like this!"

"Don't believe me then. I could care less. And besides, what makes you so sure? After all he's a demon too, and I've known him much longer than you have." Right now I can't tell if she's lying or not. Could she just be saying all this to get inside my head, or...has he been working with Zander this whole time? No, I can't believe it. After hearing his story...about their past, it's just not possible! "Well in any case, time for us to go back." She took a hold of my hand, and we were back inside Zander's throne room.

"Welcome back, dear princess. Nice to see that you're up and well!" Zander came up from behind and embraced me tightly. "Now, it's about time to have a chat with our dear friend, Alex! Nikki, take us to them. I believe you know their location."

Nikki glared at me with those cunning eyes of hers and nodded. "I sure do." She closed her eyes and held up both of her arms. Bringing them together, a loud static noise filled the air blasting in my ears. My arms jerked instinctively to cover my own ears, but it was pointless. A gust of wind slammed against my face causing my eyes to shut. "We're here." Nikki pointed out, and I slowly opened my eyes. We were surrounded by trees on all sides, but neither Alex nor Alek were in sight.

"Well then, where are they?" Zander asked annoyingly. "They aren't here." Even Nikki looked surprised. Could she have been wrong? Tricked, maybe?

"I'm positive this is the place." Glancing side to side, she shook her head. "This is definitely the place, I don't understand."

The grip around my body got tighter and I winced. "Where the hell are they?"

"Looking for me, Zander?" This voice was Alek's. There's no mistaking it, but where is it coming from?

Zander let out an entertained laugh. "You're not the one I want. Where's Alex?"

"He's unconscious." I tried listening in the direction his voice was coming from, but it came from all over. "Sorry, I was unable to do what you asked. Alex sure is a stubborn one, I had to go all out." My eyes widened. Did I just hear him right? Did Alek end up turning on Alex? Was Nikki actually telling the truth? Something fell from the sky and pounded into the ground. My heart dropped when I saw Alex's body lying there.