Power of M

Chapter 10

10. Things go from bad to worse.

After Violet paid her respects and left Arthur made me and Ash get some sleep. I honestly had no idea of the time. There were no windows. Nothing from the outside world to even give us a hint on whether it was day or night. All I knew was I was tired and I didn't regret the suggestion. Arthur didn't rest though. I think she was writing something. I didn't really worry about her actions because she felt like family.

Later, when Ash was fast asleep and it was pitch black because we switched off the light, Arthur shook me awake.

I was still drowsy as she gently guided me to the other side of the room. I was still drowsy when she handed me a knife. I immediately snapped awake when she uttered two words.

"Kill me."

"I'm sorry what?" I whispered. "Where did you even get the knife in the first place?"

She ruffled my hair almost teasingly but her eyes were dead serious. "You didn't really think I would hug her. Did you? I have lived here for half my life Alex. I know the ancient traditions. Every queen has a small knife in the back pocket of their jeans. They never use it so it is never missed."

She took a deep breath allowing me to sink in her brilliance. Then she continued.

"Kill me Alex. Do it now!" I shook my head wildly.

"Arthur. No. There has to be another way. I won't do it."

She smiled sadly. "I've made some terrible mistakes in the past Alex and I want to make amends."

I looked at her carefully to see if she was lying. I couldn't imagine someone like Arthur making even the smallest mistake. Even though she was human.

"What have you done?"

She looked me right in the eye and at that moment I realized that no one is exactly how they seem when you see them at first sight. I also knew that whatever she was about to say would be connected to me and I wouldn't like it.

"I betrayed your parents to queen Violet. I transferred her mother's soul into her. She was a normal innocent baby Alex; I ruined her by transferring generations of evil into her. I betrayed my own masters to the queen and I wish to make amends."

I stared at her, my mind in a whirl. I felt like my head was literally spinning and I felt dizzy and scared. Arthur betrayed my parents. That's how they died and how everything sort of revolves around the Slogans, Arthur and the queen of Twilight. Tears were running down my face but I wasn't angry.

This was someone who saw her own mistake. Someone who wanted to make things right even if her decision was a choice between life and death. Some might call it admirable, others might call it stupid.

She had taught me so much and I refused to let her down.

An understanding look spread across my face and Arthur smiled with so much love and compassion that it hurt. Blinking back tears and telling myself I was doing the right thing, I plunged the knife into her heart.

She smiled a she fell onto her knees wheezing in pain. "Thank......you......Al.....Alex......ex......you.....will......"

She never finished that sentence and I crumpled to the floor. I would never say it out loud but I loved her so much. I felt so close to her as if she was my own mother.

"Alex!"

Ash cried out in shock and she stared at me warily with a mixture of curiosity and fear. I stared straight ahead gritting my teeth.

"She made her own choices. I made mine."

Ash stared at me for a second as if she was considering the odds of this entire scene being part of a prank and her look of horror, fear and confusion made me completely break down. And when I say break down I mean burst into a flood of tears with snot running down your nose kind of break down.

"I didn't want to do it Ash. Don't look at me like that. I did it because.........because it was the right thing to do." She slowly stepped close to me and put her arms around me. "Alex....shhh....it's OK. She's going to go to heaven, resurrect and be back before you can say jack rabbit."

This was an inside joke that I had made up for Ash when she was missing mom and dad almost 5 years ago when she was only nine years old. I guess she thought it might cheer me up but it actually made me choke up some more.

"She wanted......wanted to make amends." I said unnecessarily. Ash swayed me gently from side to side like I was a small child.

"And she did Alex. She made amends. It wasn't either one of your faults. Our fates are shaped by destiny."

I looked at her feeling as if blue flames were glimmering in my eyes. Ash uncertainly took a step back.

"That's where you are wrong. Fate is shaped by destiny but not just destiny. Our choices can make a huge difference. When fate says something is impossible, our choices say anything is possible which means anything impossible is possible."

After that monologue about complete nonsense if I was being completely honest, I somehow felt stronger and more stabilized. Ash looked at me weirdly.

"That doesn't sound like you. For a moment you sounded like Arthur." I tried for a smile.

"Arthur loved me and I had to kill her as part of the sacrifice. Now murder is blessing me by letting me keep a part of her. I think."

sorry. um yeah. sorry doesnt cut it. wait for tomorrow.

but tomorrow never comes