The Island Princess

Chapter 18. Unfair fight

{Location: Prisoner corridor under Chen's island}(Skylor's POV)

Something is different. Her green eyes look more like my father's greedy ones than my own. She looks for something more than ambitious. She looks power hungry. "Skylor? What are you doing down here."

"Long story." I don't feel comfortable. But I need that heart.

Ronin coughs, calling attention to himself, "She came here for this," he holds up a small crystal almost more spherelike the heart.

Mom's eyes sharpen, "I believe that belongs to me." She reaches out for it.

"I need it now." I can't fail Sam and I'm running out of time. I step forward, in front of the door.

Mom's expression flickers but settles back on her staring at the crystal, "Princess, I need that to destroy your father. He's been arrogant of his place for far too long."

"I want to destroy dad too." I lie. Putting my improv skills t maximum use. I cover my chest as my voice softens, "But I need it to save a life."

Mom doesn't look the way I need her to. She still looks hungry for the crystal.

I snap my fingers, "Please. I need it to save my best friend."

She scoffs. Shaking her head then looks at me, her eyes have a different look about them. A reddish tint. Like she's losing part of herself. "Friend? Do you know how many friends he pulled me away from?" Her fists ball as random elements, mostly ice and nature, shooting off of her, "How many elemental alliance masters he nearly killed. I bet Chen hasn't told you about the kinds of spells Clouse used on the master of wind. You don't truly know what it's like to be ripped away from your whole world and for what? A miserable life on a stupidly hot island."

Ok, time to give up the kind approach.

I straighten up, ball my fist and wish I had my crossbow on me right now, "You don't think I do?" I grit my teeth as I feel pressure from time, "The last 5 years, I built a life. I went to high school, college, lived in a dorm, was a part of several social circles. Heck, I had a boyfriend. But the second my time was up, I was snatched from all of it. I don't want to be here." I push my right leg back, pull my hands up to my cheek and bend slightly in the knee. A fighting stance, "but I won't let my best friend die if I can help it."

That red glow deepens in her eyes as sparks of lighting flicker off of her.

"Ah-um," Ronin pipes up, "Sounds to me like the best way to settle this is with a bidding war. Let's start the price at um..300?"

Mom settles down, "We had a deal, Mr. Rouge."

"Yeah well, the deal's changed." He smirks, "And it's now 350."

"325."

"350."

"315."

"350."

"310."

"350."

"Fine, back to 325."

I scramble in my mind for how much money is in my bank account, "425."

Mom's eyes widen as Ronin's greedy smirk grows. He nods, "And you?"

"500." She folds her arms, "Final offer."

I almost snort. That's what I was thinking for a discount price, "1000."

"And we have a winner," Ronin pulls on the bars, "Now if the winner could kindly get me out, I'll give them the- GHA!"

I jump back as the wooden door smashes into a thousand pieces. As the dust clears, Mom holds her hand up as a huge rock levitates next to her.

Her eyes now seem fully red as she holds the crystal in her hand, "Little girl," her voice is deeper. Like she's gargling gravel, "This power does not belong to-"