Princess of AMBER

Chapter 31

"What's the matter, Michael?" said Mia, clueless of her husband's reasoning.

      She took a look in a Micro-H-tab in her lap and I saw an unpleasant surprise taking over her pretty face. Something was written on it. But what?

"Michael, she is innocent. Nothing of it is her doing. You have to believe me. Kyra just needs a place to stay in for a while. No harm will come in that."

     Michael averted his gaze away from me, towards his wife: "I know, it is not her fault, but do other people know it too? Look at the money they offer. I don't want my family to be in danger."

"But.... no one will know, she is here. We.... we can hide her well."

"NO!" came his hard response. "Mia, you have no idea, how crazy people are about this and how crazy they can get for money, that's offered for her."

       I listened in their conversation and did not know, when to step in or what to say. I knew, that situation in Amber concerning me, was bad, but have it gone to other cities too? And how much they want for me?

"Mia, don't worry. I will leave. I do not want to endanger your family too, because of my problems." I swallowed hard in anticipation of Michael's reaction. Mia told me, that he is a nice man, but now seeing him for myself made me question it. No doubt, towards her...... probably, but he looked dangerous in his own way. Certainly, that kind of man, who would not back off in front of confrontation. "Uhmmmm..... can I see it?" I gestured at the tablet in her hands. I was curious of the amount of money, put on my head.

     Surprisingly Michael passed it to me himself, his features a bit softer, than before. I took hold of Micro-H-tab and noticed it's bad technical state. It was very old model and a hologramic picture was in bad quality. The light coming from it was dim, which made a contents harder to see. I examined a picture, that have caused the atmosphere in this room so unpleasant. On it, I saw a picture of me and under it an amount of money for finding me. I have seen posters in Amber, that indicated the true meaning behind it..... On them was clearly written 'WANTED', but this one was a bit different. It said A REWARD and money, for finding me was hundred million. My jaw dropped. Who would want to pay so much money for me? Who would have so much money in a first place? I tried to find an information, that would indicate the offerer, a person behind this. The only thing present was just phone number and it was from Amber. 

      My mind raced and I felt scared again. I looked around the room for one more time and then back at Michael. My eyes barely holding in my tears. 

"Why are you doing this? You could have taken me and would receive all this money.... They way you live...... Why are you setting me free?"

"It is because of Emily. She would never forgive me for doing something like that to you...... her 'princess'. Sadly..... her feelings are more important to me, than money for you."

I could see, that he was still considering such thought. I should get moving, before he change his mind.

"Thank you! Thank you too Mia."

Bryce's POV.

      Grains of sand were slowly moving in on a grassy patch in Kyra's greenhouse. I felt broken and devastated, the same way as this place now. Half of a dome was shattered in pieces, one wall was damaged so much, it gave a clear access to the forest from outside the property. Some trees were burned, larger ones have survived the fire, only their bark is taken color of black. I hope, this place will survive the times to come, the open air and the climate of Amber. It will take months to repair the dome and get the forest protected again. Until then, I will keep an eye on it. 

       Right now, this is an only place, that still reminds me of Kyra and keeps my mind on some level of sanity. I have lost any kind of compassion towards people. Only hate is left, which is keeping my mind in hostage. I have not felt anything else, since I got to know, that Kyra have left the city. 

      Days ago, Cole have uncovered the footage of a video, where Kyra leaves this god damned sanctuary for human kind. She looked so disparate and afraid. I could not go right after her, as my power in city was still unstable. I wanted to run after her, but what would I do, after finding her? It would be hard to start a new life in Amber. People would still threaten us and life in a desert, I am sure, is not pleasant one. I have to strengthen my power and show these low beings who is in control...

   I am waiting for a party of robots along with humans, who have misbehaved recently and do not want to accept me on a top of power. I am feeling kind to them, offering them a second chance to comply. If not, then nothing better awaits them. 

     Cole comes from behind. With his help, we have infected more robots for our needs. It is easier to control them, though, with a new mind and will, they could be as troublesome as humans. They understand the place I am standing and my views and partly, they are afraid of me. I could still deal with them in same way as humans - dismember them for parts.... or kill them with brute force. All that matters is their loyalty. If they can show me their willingness to stand next to me and prove their good willed intentions, I am willing to spare their lifes. 

"We have gathered some of them. What do you want them to do?" Cole says. 

"First.... they need to clean up the mess they made. I want every single piece, that does not belong here, to be taken out. Glass, rock.... rubbish..... everything. This forest needs to be restored as soon as possible."

"What to do, if they object?"

"Beat them up and make them do it. If needed, kill them. There is plenty more of their kind."

"Understood." Cole responded firmly. "What are you going to do now?"

"I am planning to go out, leave the Amber for unknown time. Before that, I need to acquire a suitable vehicle for a desert. I will have to talk with Braun. I know, he had some good ideas in mind."

"And who is going to be in charge?"

"I will put my man to work. He needs a change of job." I chuckled of the thought of him.