Hiraeth {Book 3 in The Emerald of Annihilation trilogy}

(11). Time Waits for No Man

Marcus Houston's POV.

How long would I sit rotting in a cell?! While the city of Detriot rotted in my pathetic nephew's temporary reign I would soon be out and on my way to victory. On my way to grip onto the reins of the doomsday horses. Yes... Soon, I Marcus Houston would be king. The king of the world! 

Well, not the whole world per say, what I really wanted was to make those who laughed in my face tremble under me. Those who told me I was crazy. Maybe I was.... But they had no right to take my one and only precious possession into their own hands. 

Renamed my father's company under that infidel, James' name! James Klass. No ring to it! Not like Marcus Houston. But they would all pay. Just like James did. He had been the first to laugh in my face. But He got what was coming. What he deserved... His demise.

Then there was Kai Tanner. 

The man who had stolen my sweet Tiffany Hollenberg. The one person I cared about. More than myself of course. I could have given her the attention she desired. I could have been the man she deserved. But no.

I sat up as a guard slid a plate of food into the cell before locking the door again. "The high and mighty Marcus Houston. finally behind bars." He spat. I grabbed the food then looked up at him. "I still am high and mighty, you peasant. You'll be the first to fall under my boot as I leave this box of boredom." I scanned my eyes around the cramped room as I spoke. 

The young man laughed. At me! He must have been on laughing drugs or something of the sort. Or perhaps he was finally seeing his opinion was foolish and was laughing at how stupid he was. Is. I stand corrected by myself.

"Whatever nut job. You're never getting out of this hell." I stood and strode casually to the cell door, my gaze burning through his soul. "For your information Todd, I can get out of this cage myself. I'm not as bedridden as your poor grandmother, Linda, her name is. Correct me if I'm wrong." 

His sarcastic smirk was replaced with an open-mouthed gasp of awe. Or was that.....terror? I can never tell the difference you know. 

"And the only hell will be what this city will be in when I do decide to leave this lovely vacation I am on and get back to work." He swallowed hard, my eyes following the bob of his Adam's apple. 

"This city will have the true leader it deserves. I'm not interested in ruling the world or achieving diamonds and gold, my boy. No." I gripped the bars of the cage. I could feel energy burn my chest and build like a fire in my soul. Or maybe that was the prison food. 

"I only dwell on one thing. Revenge." I yanked on the bars, not with my whole strength, but enough to make them bend a good bit. 

Todd leapt back, his AK47 clacking to the floor echoing through the hallway. The other prisoners cheered and shouted. I smirked and backed up, lifting the food plater and grabbing the plastic fork. "Thanks for the supper son. I really appreciate it." 

* * * * * * * * *

Amber's POV.

I opened my eyes and got out of bed, leaving Scott there snoring softly. Ever since had dragged me out of Houston's office, leaving my friends there, he had promised to never leave my side. He had dragged me from the bridge as the police cars had arrived. 

I had yelled at him. Screamed to him to turn around. My brother had died. And Lily Hamato was who I blamed. I poured hot coffee into two mugs and sighed, the smell waking me up fully. Lily had stood there while Jay had bled to death. His life leaving his eyes. His last breath leaving his lips. 

She had left him to die! The nerve! I hung my head, gripping the sides of the counter with all the strength I could muster into my still tired fingers. 

Fresh tears spilt from my eyes as the site of my brother lying on the concrete bridge being pelted with rain as it mixed with his blood and most likely his tears as well. The memory sent me grimacing again and cursing Lily silently. 

Cold arms wrapped around me from behind. I shivered from the chill that spread through my body. "You ok?" Scott's chin rested on my shoulder, his eyes searching mine lazily. I reached up and patted his hand. 

"I'm fine..." I held back more, tears as I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. "Thinking of your brother?" I shuddered out a breath and left his embrace, which strangely left me feeling colder than his skin.

"Don't worry about it." I took the mug from the counter and placed it in his hands. Scott gave me a knowing smile and took a sip. "Did I ever tell you you'll make a perfect wife?" I nearly choked on my own hot drink. 

"Wh-what?" He sent me a gummy smile. "You make the best coffee in the world." I blinked and turned, hoping he didn't see my burning face. "Yeah, whatever...." I walked over to the window, staring out into the streets. I sighed. If I ever saw Lily again.... Maybe I would give her a chance..... to explain herself....just maybe...

* * * * * * * 

Jayden's POV.

The sounds of bodies heavily thumping on the ground were music to my ears. I looked back where Quinton and Lydia had taken out another prison guard. I turned my head and proceeded to unlock my Uncle's cell. 

He was sitting on the metal bunk, looking at me with an expression I knew all too well. An expression of disappointment yet, amusement. "Took you long enough boy." He stood, and walked past me, suddenly halting to look to me with a questioning glance. 

"Did you get my frappuccino?" I rolled my eyes and shoved the steaming cup into his hand. "Welcome back Uncle." He nodded, turning to kick an approaching guard in the face before grabbing Lydia's gun and shooting him in the chest.

"You spilt my drink." He tutted and shook his head and the fallen guard. He turned to me and began down the hall. "Let's be on our way, nephew. Time waits for no man." 

OOHHHHH!!!! Marcus is out of jail! Now, what will happen?