Legacy Rangers (Book Two of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Ten

ZEDD

He was delighted his children had succeeded in stealing the power coins. When Tanner, the oldest, approached him, he knew something wasn't right. "You have a traitor, Father," Tanner said.

"All of you were successful... Aside from Tye, and we punished her. That scar on her face will forever remind her of the consequence of failing me," Zedd said. "None of your siblings will betray me."

"It was not any of my mother's children... It's the Sorceress, Father. Your princess is not loyal."

Zedd scowled. "That is a very serious accusation, Tanner."

"She has an affection for the Blue Ranger. It softens her. Yesterday, she saved him from Taylor and Tessa. They were doing fine, but Angeline interfered. She allowed them to have his coin, but she protected him from their magic."

"Are you certain?"

"Tessa told me herself. She was worried you'd be angry with her."

"The child followed my orders and delivered the coin. She has not failed. None of you are strong enough to take on Angeline alone." He shook his head. "I will handle her. Go."

"Yes, Father." Tanner bowed before leaving.

Zedd cast a communication spell he'd been saving for an emergency. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Hey, Ed!" Rito cried enthusiastically as Zedd projected before him. "How's my sister?"

Zedd groaned. His brother-in-law had not changed. "It's Zedd, you buffoon!" He shouted.

"You're looking a little see-through there, Ed. Everything okay?"

Zedd was starting to regret his decision. Still, he had no choice but to proceed. "Rito, the time has come for you to help us. Our daughter's loyalties are in question. I need you to remind her why it would be unwise to betray us."

"Sure thing, Ed! Anything for you and Rita! What should I do?"

"Scare her. Terrify her, in fact. Attack her with every inch of brutality you have! I ask only that you not kill her. Just send her a message. We still need her alive."

"Tough love. Got it."

As he broke the communication, Zedd hoped Rito would not fail him for once in his miserable existence.

THORN

He didn't believe what he was seeing at first. "Caleb?" He asked in shock.

Caleb was pale, but other than that, he looked okay. "Thorn!" He cried as he flung himself into his arms. He was trembling violently. "I don't know what's going on... I... I woke up in a morgue, and I stole a pair of scrubs because I couldn't find my clothes, and I've been hiding ever since because... I think I died, Thorn. I don't understand what's happening to me." He was crying.

Thorn held him tightly. "You're here... You're okay..." He started to cry, too. "You're alive... I'm here, Caleb. And I'm never letting you go again. Everything will be okay."

"How?"

"I don't know... We'll figure it out." He kissed him and tried not to think about the fact that he'd slept with someone else the night before. It wasn't your fault, he told himself. Taylor used you. He manipulated you and stole your power coin and it's not your fault...

He was filled with rage. That was a very unfamiliar sensation for Thorn. Suddenly, all he wanted to do was destroy everyone who'd hurt him and Caleb.