Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 24 (Caldina)

I am walking to my office when a scream shatters any thought of rest. A girl's scream. One of terror. Juliana! Three of the Thirteen race to my side, but I'm already racing for their rooms. I stop in the doorway to see Anya being held by two Doryukans. A hand over her mouth, they are all focused on the scene that makes my blood boil with rage, fire consumes my hands. Juliana is standing with a maid holding a knife pressing against her throat. Doryukans! I hear Wesley and Cole stop beside me.

"Oh, my!" I hear Cole exclaim.

I step into the room. The wolves are a few inches behind, growling and snapping, but they won't attack without my command.

"You will feel what we felt when your aunt ran a blade through your father. I will kill this girl unless you bow to me."

I do some quick thinking. If I bow I look weak, but if I don't Juliana dies.

Esta chuckles evilly. "Do you think that you can defeat Caldina?"

"I don't need to defeat Caldina, but I can make her hurt. When I kill Juliana, Wesley will have no mercy for you. Pity."

At that, Wesley snarls. That boy has a witch in him after all. I frown at the Doryukan holding Juliana. I go to take another step forward but she stops me. "Another step and this girl dies. Now kneel!"

It takes all I have not to rip her apart. She is somewhat smart to have been able to hide this long in my palace, but stupid nonetheless.

I chuckle dryly. "Do you think they mean so much to me? I don't even know them."

"No, but they hold information about your mother. They know what she was like." I look over at Juliana, she is terrified! I can smell it all over her. But there is a look in her eyes, a look of determination. I just barely drop my eyes to her hand, where she is holding a small knife. Small but it will do the trick. I look back at the Doryukan. She looks at me with impatience. "My hand is getting tired and I grow impatient, witch. What shall it be?"

I look at Juliana, she waits for my command. I lock eyes with the maid. I gave her a charming witch smile, used to scare men out of their wits. "War!" Flames leap into my hands. I watch as Juliana spins and lodges the knife in the Doryukan's thigh. She screams. The wolves jump into action leaping for the two Doryukans holding Anya. Wesley, and Cole race to the girls, but I have eyes for only one person. The Doryukan lying on her back. The Doryukan's queen. The dumb fool gave herself away.

I chuckle. "You are an idiot. Only a fool would come herself and not send an assassin." Esta and Sienna move to grab her. I motion for them to stay. I want the woman to feel my flame. The reason why no one messes with me. I grab her collar, lifting her to my face, not caring if I burn her face. She had threatened my sister and not only that, she tried to make me look like a fool. "You have messed with the wrong witch." She spits in my face. I drop her on her legs. She screams with pain and crumbles to the floor. "Wesley, Cole! Take the girls back to your room and stay there until dinner."

I hear Wesley open his mouth to say something, but Cole stops him. They all leave the room. I grab the knife in the Doryukan queen's leg and twist it. "You have messed with not only me, but you have messed with The Thirteen. And not only that, you have harmed another witch. Also, I want to thank you for that information about my aunt." I stand up and yank the knife out of her thigh. I nod at Esta and Sienna who haul the woman up. I walk towards the two Doryukan girls. Stopping in front of them, I ask, "How many does it take to carry a message?"

They swallow. Then one of the girls bows their head. "One, milady."

"Quiet, Katherine," her queen hisses in pain. I look back to see Esta drive a punch to her gut.

"Esta, that is no way to treat a queen." I look back at the girl who had bowed her head. "So your name is Kathrine." Then I look at the other girl. "And what is yours?"

"Katrina."

"Smart decision. I wouldn't want to make you say it." She swallows. "Kathrine and Katrina, sisters no doubt. I have a job for both of you. Katherine, because you seem like the smart one, you will be allowed to return to your home. I want you to tell your people that I have no wish to take the throne. Katrina, you will ride to the next witch-town over. They are loyal to my aunt. I want you to tell them to take a message to my aunt. The message you will give them is this: 'I don't like it when people try to hurt one of my own.' Understand?" I turn around and walk to the door, but before I do, I turn to look at the girls. "Horses will be provided. Long live Queen Kathrine, Queen of the Doryukans."

The Thirteen take up the cry. "Long live Queen Kathrine."

"You have no right." the old queen hisses.

"Wrong, I have every right. My father was your king before you, making me the heir to the throne. But I have decided I want nothing to do with it," I declare, leaving the room to the sound of the former queen hissing that I can't hurt her; that her people will kill me. I shake my head trying not to laugh. I spot Artic heading into the humans' room. Following her, I walk to their room and halt in front of it. Dare I knock? Wesley hates me. Cole and Anya probably hate me too. And Juliana whatever mercy she had for me is probably gone too. But I need to make sure that the knife wound on her neck is cared for. I lift my hand to knock, then pause. William had received a neck wound from a knife too. I knock. A part of me wants to flee, and another part of me wants to barge in. Yet, a small part of my heart, the heart that still holds hope and love, wants Juliana to answer, and hug me. Pathetic!