The Academy - Book One (Published)

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty One
Rayia

Kaelen stared out the window as remnants of death and chaos lay behind him.  The council had been alerted to an attempt to overthrow the leadership of the Alliance. Isaiah Sinclair and Joshua Lawson had swiftly dispatched Lucas and Jacob.  They both had faith their sons would destroy all who opposed them.

"Why do you and Kayla do that?" asked Lucas with a puzzled expression.

Kaelen tried not to smile with all the death around him, "We're just admiring the view."

Lucas shook his head as he walked toward the few survivors of their raid.  "Come on we have questions that need to be answered,” he called back to Kaelen.

Kaelen strolled behind him watching his step, he didn't want to step in blood or trip over bodies.  As they neared the back of the home he could hear a woman sobbing and pleading for mercy.  He walked through the door and stared dispassionately at the scene before him.

"Please, I swear I didn't know what they were doing!" cried the woman huddled with her two children on the floor.  Those slaughtered included her husband and some of his family members.  "When I learned I alerted the council immediately!"

Jacob released a deep breath as he stared at the woman.  She had  alerted them through his mother Acadia. She'd told her the plans her husband and his family made.  Her actions spared her life and those of her children; and left them handsomely compensated.

He presented her with his honey smile and it seemed to calm the lady, "What else can you tell us?"

The lady gazed at the handsome face enthralled by its beauty, being lured to speak by his warm seductive voice.  She stared at him with eyes that belied the fact that moments earlier he'd killed several people without batting an eye.

The woman leaned forward as her voice turned  raspy with lust, "There are others who Damien plotted with.  I don't know who they are, but their plan is sound."

This caused Jacob to turn and look at both Lucas and Kaelen.  They all wondered what type of plan they could have.  They didn't have to wait long as the woman hugged her children then spoke clearly, "They plan to hurt the heirs by killing what they hold dear."

Jacob laughed. With a wave of his hand he dismissed her words then said, "And what do I hold dear? After all I am an heir."  Lucas and Kaelen both nodded in agreement. There was the problem.  The plan was faulty because neither Jacob nor Lucas held anything they considered precious.

She shivered slightly and with a distant look toward Lucas she said, "They will kill Paramour Ward. With her death they will shake you." She shook her head slightly and said in disbelief, "They hoped your grief would distract everyone on the counsel."

Kaelen stared at the woman thinking she was crazy while Lucas looked thoughtful. Jacob helped her rise so they could leave and return to Ah'Taria where she would inform the counsel of anything else she knew.

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Ah'Taria - Lucas and Kayla's Suites

Kayla stood on one of the balconies. This one overlooked a beautiful koi pond.  She could hear the water trickling along the rocks as she closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of the wildflowers that were in bloom.  She rubbed her neck trying to relieve the pressure.

It had been ten days since she'd invited Kaelen to the palace and he had yet to come visit her.

"Paramour Ward, your guest has arrived."

She tried not to recoil at the title and turned to smile warmly at the servant girl.  "Thank you,” she said as she anxiously walked to the receiving area.