Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

45

Fifteen minutes. She was fifteen minutes late. Orion had tried calling her but lines of communication were down. She hadn't sensed the danger. Something was interfering with her power. So, they had used the old ways. The Academy was old enough that it worked. The Headmaster's Office had a special button on the underside of the desk which released a certain energy frequency which could only be heard by those with the power of the Core. One that could be heard across the entire planet. And it was still working. Upon hearing that call, Amneris and Lvaane had dropped everything and zapped to the Academy, Amneris' Court close behind. 

Amneris felt her power flare at the sight, at the bodies of the students. Her students. She waved a hand. Her Court vanished to help the others. A nod to her father had him doing the same. Amneris looked up to the ship. The design was familiar. Where did she know it from? It didn't matter. She could destroy it with her power no problem. So long as it didn't mess up. Again. 

Gunshots from the left made her spin. Jay, Sky, and several other students were pinned down by soldiers dressed all in black. The weaponry looked . . . Human? Now that was something very wrong. Humans weren't supposed to be able to reach Lyriumia without Amneris' permission, or that from someone she let borrow a portion of her power to do so. Now wasn't the time to think about that, nor where the ship came from. She had to help.

A flick of her wrist brought her staff to hand. Amneris dashed forward, gripping it tight. The diamonds on its head glowed as her power built up, her eyes flaring white. She had some sense of Jay calling her name as she flipped over him, over the rubble he was taking shelter behind, and landed. She swung her staff. The soldiers went flying. 

"Took you long enough," Jay said, head peaking over the rubble. 

"Coms are down," Amneris said. "Would've come sooner."

"What about you danger sense thingy?"

"Not working for some reason." She pointed at the ship. "I have the strangest feeling it's related to that." 

"Isn't it impossible for ships to reach us?" Sky asked.

Amneris gave him a grim look. "Not impossible. Just extremely difficult." She looked around suddenly. "Where's Hathy?"

"Vivus. It got blown up and she went to help."

"Shit." Amneris ran a hand through her hair. "Right. Sky get everyone here . . . I dunno. Take them somewhere safe and easily defendable. Take anyone else you find along with you."

"Me?" he exclaimed.

"Relax," said a voice from behind. Nikki placed a hand on his shoulder, Carmin and Zoe beside her. "We're coming with you."

"Thank the Gods."

"Jay, Hathy is your responsibility." Amneris narrowed her eyes at the surprised Fae. "I'm trusting her safety to you. Should anything happen, it will be on your head." He nodded. "I'm going to see what I can do about that ship and take out as many soldiers possible along the way. Got the strangest feeling my power is the only thing that can get rid of it. Sound good?" Affirmation all around. "Then get moving."

* * * * * * * * 

Hathor stood on the second floor of the ruined Vivus dorm, hands on her hips as she surveyed the area. Where the hell could Dex have gone? The roof above her creaked. She moved away from the area. Would he even still be in the building? If not, that was going to be a problem. She had to find him . . . and get answers no matter what it took.

* * * * * * * * 

The students were holding their own but losing badly. It had taken Colt barely five minutes to realise this. They were powerful as a group, yes, but learning to fight in a classroom and being caught in a real life or death situation were very different. It was a wonder that more had not already been lost. And that was the good news.

Colt passed body after body, Leo close on his heels. They were following the sound of gunfire which slowly moved away, leaving a trail of bodies behind it. Some were recognisable. Others not so much. There were no words to describe the feeling rising up inside of him, Colt thought, but disgust was certainly close enough. These were people who were willing to kill children. Sure, most of them were older than his current form was, but the feeling remained. 

A group of students ahead were caught in the open, the only thing stopping them from being killed an energy shield around them. It was cracking. The shield wouldn't last much longer. A quick look gave away why. The one who it belonged to was injured. Leo and Colt exchanged glances before bursting into action. 

Colt jumped in front of the group, summoning a crimson shield of his own. This took the soldiers off guards momentarily. A moment was all Leo needed. He rushed forward, appear behind them and slashing with his gladii. They went down a matter of seconds. Colt waited another few seconds before lowing the shield, just to be safe.

He turned his attention to the group. "Everyone okay?" They nodded. Colt bent down to the injured member. "Let me look." 

The girl moved her hand away from the wound on her thigh. "Is it bad?" she asked.

Colt shook his head. "You will be fine." A snap of his fingers closed the wound.

Leo stood over them, arms crossed. "Fine but limping for a few days." He nodded to the rest of the group. "Someone will have to carry her."

"Find somewhere sheltered and out of the way to hide," Colt said, sending the General a pointed glare. "Stay there unless you are found by the bad guys. Then you run, understood?" Another wave of gunfire made him lift his head. It was close by. "Go. Now."

Leo waited for them to be out of sight before speaking again. "Surprised you had nothing to do with this."

A sigh. "I thought you were over the 'I am Terpolite therefore I am evil' thing."

"Just saying."

"Is that why you came with me." Colt shook his head with a laugh, standing. "Never mind. I don't want to know. Let's just find the next group to rescue."

"Always the white knight," the General muttered, but made no move to stop him as they ran.