Find me

Chapter 90

Alice

I sucked in a sudden gulp of air. Her magic enevelop Dorian. Black mist surrounds him.
Pain burst through the back of his head, like her magic cracking open his mind. She grabbed Dorian by his head, squeezing his eyes shut.
No. No. Not again. 
He tried to push her away but couldn't.
Don’t listen to her. Open your eyes. Don't look at her.
"Look at me, young boy. Look at me".
No. She was good caster. She would be able to charm him again. This is her gift.
Mind magic.
It is just as dangerous as any weapon. She played with your good and bad memories. She tricked you, manipulate your memories. And this is what makes her powerful because she toyed with anyone she wants.
But why it worried me. A few minutes before I was thinking of killing him and now all I want was to throw this women off the cliff.
No.
I am no longer fooled by his act.
Thunder roars in the sky. Dorian's sword glow brighter, as if thunder is breaking through it. And his eyes—his eyes get bluer, brighter, like a blue neon sign.
He screamed, "You...cannot...control me," as thunder flew from his sword, knocking her and her magic off of him.
She quickly balanced herself. Her eyes is burning under the rage. She lifted her hand to cast a spell, but Dorian grabbed her throat, pulled her back, and smashed her into the wall.
Dorian twisted the sword, ready to plunge it through her heart.
"Stop or she'll be dead for good" a voice yell from my back.
It took me a moment to realise that someone put sword over my throat.
Dorian stopped. His eyes narrowed, jaw clenched.
"Leave mother or I'll cut down her throat".
I know this voice.
Petra.
His eyes met mine for the first time, and in some way his eyes assuring me not to be afraid. She pressed the sword harder against my throat, making a small cut. For a brief moment, I believed him. But why am I acting in this way? I cannot trust this man despite knowing everything. I really want to hate him. And I do. But something inside of me said no.
"Don't...touch her" he warned under his greeted teeth. "Or I will..."
He stopped midway as someone bury the blade into his back. His eyes widened. He opened his lips—maybe he intended to speak, but the only thing that came out was a wet, wordless grunt of pain.
"No...." I yell.
Queen gasped as she withdrew the sword from him and said, "Never show your back...to your...enemy."
Glancing down at me and then back to him, she continued "This is what I taught you from the beginning. Don't trust your enemy."
Dorian fall on his knees.
"Mum, kill him!" Petra sprinted over to her. "Kill him now, before he does any more damage."
Sucking in a breath, tears filled in his eyes.
"He is your brother; show some respect," she said to Petra, sounding more like a taunt.
She leans in to him and whispers, "A traitor has no place in my palace. But... I will not...kill you, my son," she paused and grabbed his head. "I will destroy you."
He chuckled, "There is nothing else left to destroy, mother." He spat blood out of his mouth. His glaring eyes spoke louder than words could.
In return, Queen tightened her hold on Dorian like a wild animal in their final throes. The red mist of blood magic surrounding them. Dorian was hurt. The Queen would be able to manipulate his brain, too easily. Dorian gripped her arms tight, not letting her pull away.
Petra used her magic to pull his hand away from her mother and bind it behind his back, "Time to say goodbye, brother."
And that is when Queen's arm was hit by an unexpected shaft.
She snarled, "Who dared to..." She stopped when her gaze fell on someone-unexpected.
I follow her gaze.

~~~~~~

A shadow.
Only a few people dared to challenge the Queen on her own battlefield. And it includes Dorian Wilson, who is already on his knees. Then who else? My mind wandered to a variety of scenarios but I could not find the exact answer.

Is there someone I have not yet met?

Staring into the utter darkness, Queen's palms grew damp. She looks pale as if someone drained all blood from her beautiful face.
Shaft return to its hand as invisible force pull it back.
Wait.
I have seen this before, that shaft belongs to...
My eyes widened as fire ignited, brightening the surroundings. A massive flame emerges from its hand, capable of destroying the castle in a blink.
Mouth dry and heartbeat racing, I glance as the shadow tightened its grip on shaft, twisting it in cirle. And eyes is burning red under fire.
Am I not dreaming? No, this is not a dream. This is real because I still feel the heat coming from her.
The Queen stumbled backward, bumping into her daughter. Clenching her hands into fists, her body went numb.
And I myself stared at this woman who is fearlessly walking toward Queen.
Telling Dorian, who is half smiling and half panting, "Sorry for being a late, young boy."
"Long time, no see, Helen," she said, glancing over at the Queen.
Tears filled in my eyes, as word escaped from my trembling lips, "Mom...".