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

53

"It's out of the question."

"But-"

Amneris crossed her arms, the stars dancing around her now-wine-tinged hair dimming ever so slightly. "You're not coming with us to rescue her."

Maddie's voice was on the edge of begging. "She's our best friend. We want to help save her!" The others nodded their agreement. 

"You can help by joining the search for survivors at the Academy and leaving the rescuing to those of us who are able to so."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Troy growled. 

Amneris sent a pointed look to his arm, now bandaged properly and in a sling. "You are in no shape for a rescue like this. You are in even less shape to be part of a rescue mission in unknown territory where there are most likely a shit load of rebels around. That goes for all of you."

The group looked down, accepting defeat. Except for one. 

Troy was not taking no for an answer. He stepped forward. "You can't stop us from coming."

"I'm your Queen," Amneris countered. "I can easily stop you."

The Wolf Shifter held her gaze. "What's the real reason you won't let me - us - come?"

And there it was. Amneris flicked his injured shoulder. "You were shot. You ran toward my mother and were shot by a new type of bullet able to slow the healing process of immortals. You misjudged the situation." Her voice rose with each point. "You leapt straight into danger without taking the situation into consideration. You were reckless. You could have died. To act in that way without knowing you can heal, even if it takes a while, is a bad move. If you had any consideration for my daughter's feelings-"

Whack!

Amneris fell back a step to regain her footing. The group behind Troy were in various stages of shock. The guards around the throne room begun to move forward, weapons raised. Amneris held out a hand. They stood down. Almost unconsciously, Amneris raised a hand to her cheek. She was uninjured. This new skin was tough. She'd barely felt the strike! She turned her attention to Troy, eyes blazing, her newfound power rumbling up inside of her. 

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered Imogene saying "You just punched the Queen!" followed by Sky's "She could throw you in prison for that!" and Isaiah's "Are you insane?" 

Amneris took a breath. Her power returned to its slumber. She placed a star-lit hand on Troy's uninjured shoulder. "I know you're concerned for your friend, but you're far better off staying here. You can be of far more use by helping people here. Leave Hathy to me."

"But she-"

"I'll let you see her as soon as I get her back, but nothing you say will change my mind on the matter. You're staying on Lyriumia, understood?"

He sighed. "Understood."

"Good. You're all dismissed." 

Jay waited for the group to leave before stepping to her side. "Well?"

"I like him," Amneris said, turning back to her throne.

"You just say that 'cause he managed to hit you without your noticing."

She smirked as she sat. "Well, yeah."

The Fae male shared an all too familiar look with Colt, Carmin, Dan, and Zoe. They all shook their heads in response. The conversation was over before it begun.

Amneris crossed one leg over the other, her eyes carefully going over each member of her Court in the room. Nikki and Kayla had remained at the Academy to begin the search and rescue, as well as tend to the wounded. Kay had taken her best Healers with her. Nikki had transported plenty of volunteers to help. Leo was coordinating the guards and soldiers both on the planet and surrounding it, just in case the ship - or others - returned. Amneris doubted they would but had to agree with his "better safe than sorry" theory. Which left the people before her.

She sat forward, her swirling violet-gold eyes settling on Zoe. "Remind me why you aren't at the Academy."

"Thought I'd be of more use here," the Light-Bender said with a shrug. 

"Zo. Sweetie. You're an engineer. Go engineer something." When she made no move to leave, Amneris said, "As useful are you are in combat, this is where you should be."

Zoe huffed, clearly against the order but knowing better than to argue. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.

"Right," Amneris continued, ignoring the bad vibe being sent her way until Zoe was out of sight. "I have another question. Jason Winston, what in the name of the Gods could be so important that you're staring at your phone during a meeting?"

"I'm texting Ema," he answered, surprised. "She's found Hathy."

Dan snatched the phone from his hand. His brows shot up. "Yep. That certainly is what she said."

"Planet called Apep," Jay said, taking back the phone with a withering glare. "Em sent coordinates so we don't have to go looking for it."

"Apep," Amneris repeated. "Interesting choice." Her eyes glossed over with a slight violet glow. Her next words were said in a distant dreamlike voice: "Follow the path across the eternal nightto where Apep slumbers, fangs forever sinking into follower and preyalike." 

"What was that?" Carmin asked.

Her eyes and voice returned to normal. "What was what?"

"That riddle you just said."

"What riddle?"

Carmin's eyes narrowed. "Are you feeling quite all right?"

Amneris gave the Dragonoid woman a confused look. "I should be asking you. You're the one who thinks I'm spouting out riddles." 

Her Court exchanged confused glances.

Colt was the one who spoke up. "Tali, you said a riddle which, if I am correct, would have led us to Apep's location, were we in the correct universe. Perhaps," he continued, "you gained more than a stronger body when you shifted."

"We can figure this out later," Jay interrupted. "We know where Hathy is. Let's go get her!"

"Much as I hate to say it, I'm with the Fae on this one," Amneris said.

"Thank you," Jay nodded. His head shot up. "Wait, what!"

"You and Colt will come with me to get her." Amneris pushed herself to her feet, stepping down from the dais.  "Carmin, you're still on maternity leave and you know it. Go home. Dan, you can either tend to your wife or help at the Academy. I'll let you decide."

The Dragonoids cried in outrage.

Amneris glanced over her shoulder toward them. "You're the ones that wanted a baby."

Once she left the room, Colt at her side, she heard Jay mutter "Queenie has a point you know." The pair gave each other knowing looks as they heard Carmin's growl, attempting not to laugh as Jay appeared at their side seconds later.