Steel Rose

Chapter 27

Ptolemus Pov

   My teeth grind painfully, my body is sore and I'll admit I'm exhausted. But my pride is strong and I can only hope nobody important saw my surrender. I push through the armada of Sentinals and Security. I can't get away fast enough.

   My mind races through the blur of events. The heat of Cal's fire on my metal still ghosts to my skin. All the thousands of eyes watching as I duel. The crackle of blinding purple lightning, and the scream of Maven from above. Kill her. Shoot her. 

   I step out of the arena, my chest heaving for air, sweat sticking to my body. I rush out of the arena to as the sound go a thunder clap reaches my ears. A lie, Maven had said. Clearly not. I just hope that information isn't the end of me or the ones I love. 

   Belle Pov

   I break away from the rest of the rushing crowds to find my way to Ptolemus. To my brothers. Anyone I recognize. Samos' angry snarl burns into my memory for a moment, and quicken my pace. I push past the bodies of the crowd, all in their mourning blacks, all whispering among themselves about what happened in the arena. 

   It it true? A red with abilities?  One person says. Another trick, it has to be. Says another. 

   I'm too busy eavesdropping to notice I nearly run smack into someone. Strong arms grip my biceps, stopping me in time before impact. My gasp of surprise turns into one of relief. 

   "Where's the fire?" he smirks. 

   I push a piece of my hair back, "Sorry, I-," I swallow, "I was looking for you. I was worried." 

   Christian twists his lips to the side in disbelief, "Sure you were." He wraps his arms around my shoulders. "Come little sister, I think we both need a drink." 

   I smile tightly, "I don't drink Chris,"

   He nods, "Yea, but I do." He pulls me closer. "We'll meet the rest of the family at the house, and don't worry I'm sure your loverboy will come sniffing for you later.

Ptolemus Pov

   I didn't even get the chance to catch my breath before Eve found me. She looked winded, tired and angry. Once more, like her first encounter with Mare during Queenstrail. Only this time it seems worse. Sand still clings to her boots and her hair loose. She grinds her teeth and paces back and forth in her chambers. 

   I watch her from my seat on the couch, chewing on the inside of my cheek. I replay the battle in my head especially one part. The burns on my skin long healed but not forgotten.  

   The heat of the prince's flame blisters my skin underneath my armor. He's going to cook me in my own suit. I focus on trying to get his hands off me, but every attempt fails. The heat scorches my skin, and I scream. I feel a whole lot of things at once. My pride, embarrassment, anger. The thousands, millions of eyes crushing down on me. 

   "I don't want to kill you Ptolemus," The prince yells his bronze eyes ignited like his hands. He pulls me closer, and for a second I'm stunned. "Think of Isabelle," he mummers almost to low to hear but to clear to not.

   "Are you listening to me?"  Eve says standing in front of me. "Tolly?" 

   I open my eyes, never remembering closing them. Belle's face flashes before me for a second before I push it away. She is safe. "What?" 

   "You saw what happened in the arena," she starts, "You saw what that red rat could do."

   The bright memory of purple lightning flashes before me. "Yes,"