Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,277

into Kepler’s ear, “I wish I had a camera.” When the mage saw the confusion appear on the jaguar’s face, he rolled his eyes. “Really?”

George adjusted his gaze and focused on the queen. He could see the pain on Shalee’s face as she knelt beside what was left of her friend’s mutilated body. The only thing identifiable was a pendant necklace that he watched Shalee pull out of the pulverized mass that once served as Helga’s chest.

The queen mumbled, “I gave this to her, Sam ... only 8 Peaks ago.” Shalee dropped her head. “This is my fault. She would’ve never been here if I hadn’t agreed. I’m responsible for her passing. I should’ve stopped her from using the mask.” She buried her face in the palms of her bloodied hands and sobbed as the king gathered her into his arms.

George came out from behind the pedestal. His voice struck a nerve as he announced, “I’m sorry for your loss, Shalee.”

Shalee spun out of Sam’s arms and sent her magic flying.

George was forced to react. He quickly held up his hand and diverted the power. The needles buried into the wall of the corridor to his right. “Relax! It’s me ... George! Holy garesh!”

Sam reached out and grabbed Shalee’s arms to keep her from invoking more of her magic. “George, what are you doing here?” the king questioned. “Are you here for the—” Sam stopped himself from continuing.

George drummed his fingers on top of the pedestal. “If I was to take a guess, I’m here for the same thing you are.” He motioned to the bloody pile that was Helga. “I was present when your friend passed. I wish I could have saved her, but it wasn’t in my best interest.” The mage moved to stand next to the hidden demon.

Sam shook his head. “Why would you be after the crystal? And, why wouldn’t it be in your best interest to save someone’s life?”

“Look, man, you and I are on opposite sides now. I’m running the show in Bloodvain. It’s my house now.” The mage pointed toward the needles in the wall. “My power has been demonstrated. Shalee knows I should be mincemeat right now, but she isn’t strong enough.”

“He’s right, Sam,” Shalee confirmed. “He should be dead. Where did you learn to wield that kind of magic, George? And just so you know, I would’ve never tried to hurt you. You startled me.” The sorceress paused. “What do you mean, you’re running the show in Bloodvain?”

George frowned. “You were never the brightest apple to fall off the tree, were you? Anyway ... we fight for different sides now. Nothing else needs to be explained. From this point forward, we’re enemies. The next moment I see you two, I will drop you like a bad habit.” The mage smirked. “Sure, it sucks when you think about it, but hey, it’s all about getting my daughter back. This is the only way I know how to make it happen.”

Sam tried to reason. “George, your daughter? She’s dead. You know this.”

“No!” the mage emphatically rebutted. “I can save her! I can bring her back! I know how!”

The king held up his hands to show that he did not want a confrontation. “Okay, okay, George, I hear you. But you should think this through. Everyone died when Earth was destroyed. I know it’s hard to believe, but—”

George thrust his right hand forward. A single dart shot from the tip of his middle finger and stopped only a hand away from the king’s face. The energy driving the dart caused the object to hum as it remained suspended. “One more word, and you’re a dead man, Sam,” the mage hissed.

George lifted the piece of the Crystal Moon to present it. “This is mine. My baby can be saved, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me from getting her back. May the best man win, Sam.”

George dropped the arm that was holding the crystal to his side. “No offense. It’s just business.” With that, the mage closed his eyes and disappeared after he touched the invisible demon on his back. A moment later, the dart fell to the floor.

Shalee turned to face Sam as he picked up the dart to examine it. “For heaven’s sake, what’s going on around here? Nothing makes sense anymore. How could George be our enemy? What did we do to him? And how did he get so powerful?”

“I don’t know,” Sam replied, “but let’s get Helga’s body out