The King's Traitor

Chapter 8 - The Shocked

Joshua's POV

    I glanced at my phone once again. I had just arrived back in Reign, and was now traveling swiftly through the city. About an hour ago I'd left the woman I loved to doom while I was stuck in a slow moving train. Yes you heard me right. The woman I loved. I had loved Kira since I'd first met her 11 years ago. Not that she knew it, no she could be kind of clueless in that area. Not that I had deigned to tell her though. I knew she didn't see me in that light, and that hurt. A lot. 

    I sighed inwardly remembering the text I had got from Astefan 30 minutes ago. "Bring Keirstan with you to the Diamond Palace" . There were only so many reasons that Astefan wanted me to bring Keirstan, and none of them were very promising. 

    I glanced at my phone again looking for any sign that Kira was alright. I had always known that she could handle herself, but I sometimes worried how that cockiness of hers would damn her one day. She would absolutely murder me if I voiced those worries to her. 

    That was the thing about Kira she had such a fiery spirit. It was one of the things I had silently admired about her. It's what made her chafe under Astefan's rules and orders. Why I think she fought against our engagement so much, but she never did it when I was around. Was that because deep down she truly cared about me like I cared about her? Or just because she didn't want to ruin our partnership. That silent trust whenever we went into dangerous situations. She knew what I was going to do before I did it, and I did the same for her. It's what made us such a great.

    So why? Why couldn't she trust me with that heart she kept so well guarded? Why did she push me away when I had done nothing but care for her. For God's sake Keirstan even knew I was in love with her older sister. So if Kira was so observant in every other situation. Why couldn't she see my heart? I had always been told I wasn't good at keeping secrets from those I cared about, and Kira was the woman who held my heart. If something had happened to her... I'd tear apart the world to get her back. 

    I pulled off the cowl of my black traveling hood, letting my brown dreadlocks curl absentmindedly around my face. Usually I kept them pulled back, but that had been the last thing on my mind after receiving Kira's frantic call earlier. I scowled as I lood at the ornate building with gauzy over the top curtains.

    Madame LaPera's Brothel. 

    I knew this was a place that Kira had frequented. Not to use its services, no, Kira wasn't that kind of girl. I'd never even known of her having a lover, and I certainly couldn't ask her or Keirstan about it. No Kira went to this place in order to keep up a wide range of contacts throughout Reign. Valeria LaPera and Kira had a tumultuous relationship, but if Kira kept demons away from LaPera. LaPera let Kira do what she wished with the customers of the brothel and secret opium den. I at first had been against keeping the opium den open, but one pleading look from Kira's bright and beautiful icy blue eyes had me relenting. 

     I just growled softly to my self pushing open the doors and wondering what the hell had driven her to seek out LaPera tonight. Especially if Keirstan had been with her. I knew Kira would never put Keirstan in a situation like this unless things were very dangerous. 

    I sneered as the sight and scent of s*x hit me. LaPera's was packed tonight, and I knew it would be frustratingly difficult to find the Madame of the house tonight. I drew the cowl of my hood back up not interested in women ogling me, or men depending on the preference of tonight's customers. The hood, however, did not stop the stares, the leers, the looks of fear. I suppose many probably wonder if I was Demon or men and I picked my way towards the office Kira had dragged me into thousands of times. The Lair of LaPera. 

    I arrived in a seemingly plain back hallway, much in contrast to the gaudy interior of the brothel. Perhaps LaPera's lavish tastes were all a facade, but I wouldn't know, nor did I intend to find out. I padded closer to a simple wooden door and heard voices inside. I leaned my ear against the door, quiet as a mouse, trying to see what I could pick up. 

    What I heard wasn't promising just the voice of two women, and what sounded like a man. I sighed and just decided to knock. Whoever was on the inside might not answer, but it was more peaceful than just breaking down the door. 

    "Come in" A female voice said hoarsely. I grinned grimly, recognizing the voice as the Madame herself. I eased the door opening before stepping across the threshold of the door. 

    Valeria LaPera's office was surprisingly drab for the seemingly gaudy-decoration loving Madame. A simple cheap desk, two wooden chairs, a bookcase, brown couch, ottoman, and some scenic paintings seemed to be her preferences. The desk was littered with papers, and a picture showing the Madame and an unknown man. Perhaps her former husband? 

    Both chairs were occupied luckily I recognized at least on of the patrons. Her face was pale and drawn, her blond hair elegantly style, pink dress hugging her in places that were dangerous to wear in a brothel, but it was her blue eyes that looked at me with such fear. As I realized Keirstan Hathoway couldn't see under the cowl of my hood. 

    The man sitting next to her watched me with a guared, fearful, and tired expression. He had golden skin, blonde, hair, and stunning caramel eyes. I suppose that this was Keirstan's new boyfriend, Isaac Myanmare. The woman seated behind the desk had a weary expression on her face. I knew she was in her thirties, but the devastation on her face made her seem older. Her sable skin washed clear of makeup for once, her chocolate brown hair pulled back in a messy and hurried updo, her light brown eyes spoke of the horrors of the world, and her red dress more unkempt then it usually was. 

    Then all stared. I knew they were trying to figure out who was under the cowl. I just sighed and pulled the cowl back Keirstan jumping to her feet with look of fear mixed with relief. Issac immediately followed her watching her with worry. Valeria let out a sigh of relief standing up.

        "I was beginning to wonder when you'd drag yourself through my doors" She said with her usual sourness. Her accent rich and rolling speaking of the Southern lands rolled through the room. I just studied her with a wolfish look. No I wasn't going to let her push me around tonight. 

       "And I was beginning to wonder why you let my partner deal with a bunch a Demons by herself tonight" I answered. Valeria rolled her eyes why Keirstan let out a shaky sigh, sat down, and put her hands in her face. Issac followed suit, sitting and laying a comforting hand of her lower back. 

        "I don't fight Demons" She growled. I just rolled my eyes and turned to Keristan.

        "Astefan wants us both at the Diamond Palace" She just looked at me and nodded while her boyfriend looked at her skeptically. At this point I think he was wondering what the hell he got himself into. 

        "So you're just going to leave" Valeria said, as Keirstan, Isaac, and I made our way to the door. 

        "You made it very clear you have no interest in helping Valeria" 

        "Do you think I wanted this to happen to her!" Valeria snarled. I knew with a woman like her it would be easy to play on her prideful side. 

        " I don't know what you wanted as you haven't been very forthcoming" I said softly as I stalked towards her desk. 

        I had to give it to her she didn't flinch when I set both palms on her desk and leaned towards her. She just stared right back at me. There were many things I would usually do in interrogations, but none of that could be performed with Isaac in the room. I also had a feeling Keirstan wasn't in the right state of mind to see any of that. 

        "Your fiance," Valeria started earning a surprised gasp from Isaac, "came  bursting into my shop with her sister about an hour ago. 

        "In all my years of knowing your precious High Huntress. I have never seen Astefan's little princess have a look of fear on her face. And yet, tonight, she looked like she was preparing to die." She said standing up from the desk. I just glared balefully at her. Keirstan was watching Isaac, who in turn was watching with wide eyes. It probably wasn't a good thing that he now knew Kira's and I's identities. 

        "She asked me to provide a room for her sister which I so gladly did for a certain, price..." She said throwing me a casual smirk. I still hadn't moved from the desk just watching the Madame pace around the room. 

        "I sensed something was wrong so I brought the woman some different clothes. Something more practical for fleeing into the night. She looked worried fingering her hidden weaponry, she'd glance towards the door every now and then. The I gave her my cell to call you which she did. She hung up when two men entered the tavern. I have never seen the blood drain from a woman's face faster. She sprinted out of there both men following her. There was nothing I could do to stop them." She said with a dramatic sigh throwing herself onto the couch. 

       I considered the situation. So many different outcomes running through my mind. Keirstan was softly crying, and Isaac was trying to comfort her. I just knew we had to get back to the palace, and now.

        "I believe you. What did the men look like?"

        "I didn't get a good look, but one had pink hair and the other a navy blue color." I just sighed remembering both of those Demons from the warehouse.  

        "Let's get to the palace" I said walking out the door before Valeria LaPera could say a thing to stop me. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        It was raining lightly by the time we reached the gates of the Diamond Palace. The gates were made of a stunning, glittering, opalescent pearl. They were nearly indestructible standing 30 feet tall. They gave of a muted glow right now in the rain and the dead of night. Holding us back from whatever news laid for us inside the Diamond Palace. 

        I approached the two guards standing in attention at the gates. Neither looked like Grant of Sebastian the usual nighttime Gate Guardians. 

        "Where is Grant and Sebastian?" I intoned the cowl of my black cape was again pulled over my facial features.

        "Not here" The guard, who I now recognized as Alec, a normal stable guard answered.

        "Why would Astefan have a stable guard guarding the Gates?" I couldn't help but wonder. 

        "State your business here" The other man a gruff intimidating figure whom I didn't yet know. 

        "Joshua Enero" I said flashing my badge and flicking my cowl back, scowling at the rain that now soaked my hair and face. The men shared a private worried look. Which only pissed and worried me off even more. 

        "If you have something to say you can say it to my face." I growled causing both men to look at me startled. Their eyes then drifted to Keirstan and Isaac behind me. I could sense they were trying to determine what they wanted to tell me. 

        "King Astefan is expecting you in the throne room." Alec said the other man turning to unlock the gates. I inhaled deeply. Astefan hardly ever used the throne room unless there was an important meeting. He preferred to meet Kira and I in his study. The pearl gates swung open then with a ominous Clang! I just nodded at both men in thanks and led Keirstan and Isaac deep into the bowels of the Diamond Palace.

        Walking into the throne room I felt a cold feeling settle into my bones. The throne room itself was made of a mixture of silver, pearl, and gold. Astefan's throne carved of rich gold and splendid cut rubies. The throne taken by the man of the hour himself. Astefan was dressed in all his finery even though it was only two in the morning. Robes of ruby lined with gold adorned him, and his gold crown sat in his messy gold hair. His golden eyes darted to mine as soon as the door swung open. 

        He was joined by the captain of his guard, Killian Ironstone. Killian had always been a brutal cold man. Neither Kira or myself had ever cared to deal with Killian. The man on his left was the man who ran the technology and security of the Diamond Palace, Miller Abbadon. I walked silently to the steps before his throne and dropped to a knee. Keirstan and Isaac followed suit all of us dripping water on the floor.    

        "Rise Joshua Enero, Keirstan Hathoway, and young man." I almost snorted seeing Astefan's sneer at Isaac. He didn't like surprises and I don't think he suspected me to bring Isaac here. Isaac just watched wide eyed and pale, Keirstan almost an exact mirror of his expression. 

        "Where's Kira?" I said crossing my arms over my chest. Astefan just studied me, but I could sworn something like pain flashed in his eyes. 

        "Why don't you show himthe security camera videos Miller" Astefan said nonchalantly with a flourish of his hand. He went back to whispering with Killian while Miller made his way towards. 

        "This is the video from the gates when Ms. Hathoway arrived at the palace." Miller said handing me a simple tablet. I felt Keirstan and Isaac peer over my shoulders as I inhaled and pressed play on the video. 

        I watched as Kira appeared at the edge of the screen sprinting towards the gates with reckless abandon. I felt true fear as she got so close only to be cut off by the Pink haired Demon who sprinted with unimaginable speed. She stumbled back with a yelp palming her knives. Sebastian, Grant and 8 other guards ran for Kira. 

        "End of the line" The pink man crooned as 4 others Demons appeared in a flash of blue and began to circle her. I recognized Navy and Black Eyes. The green haired man was unknown to me and the man with the braid must've been Jayce. I watched in silent horror as Black Eyes taunted Kira. Kira trying to keep him talking until help could arrive.

        In the video the 10 guards approached and the Black eyed Man turned on them. He raised a hand muttering something about a "waste" and a plume of darkness surrounded the guards. When it cleared off 10 seconds later all the guards were dead, causing the three of us watching the video to gasp. 

        I watched feeling sick as Kira screamed at them to just kill her already. She knew that there was no way she could win. I wasn't expecting the blonde haired man to tell her she wasn't going to die. Though I watched in horror as the green haired man walked behind Kira without her knowledge and laid his hands on her neck. Kira's hand shot back as she tried to pull them off, but instead she stumbled as her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed. 

        "Keep watching" Miller choked out even though I had no idea what else might happen. 

        After almost all of them, including Kira, disappeared Black Eyes approached the camera a sick grin on his face. He began to speak causing me to glare "Hello Alexander Astefan. I know you're listening right now. I know you saw what I just did to your precious little High Huntress. Maybe you should think again before sending any more of your so called Elite Soldiers after the members of our monarchy. Contrary to what you might believe you don't stand a chance. You're just a coward who sits on that golden throne and lets lackeys do your dirty work for you. Not that I'm sure you haven't done any dirty work yourself. Someday you'll no longer sit upon that throne, and this is just the beginning. Your Huntress belongs to me now. I wonder how long it will take me to break her? How long it will take me to make her into a traitor? To turn her against the man she calls a King? For her to learn the truth? Fabricate this video all you want, but I have one of the most influential people in Dorlonia in my grasp now. And in my time observing I've learned how much humans love to betray each other."  I watched in supreme anger before he composed himself and said " My name is Lyrion Morei, and I'm done hiding. I have your High Huntress, and I'm coming for you next Alexander Astefan." 

        I heard a ringing in my ears as I dropped the tablet in horror. Keirstan let out a choked scream and Isaac looked like he might throw up. Alexander just looked at me with pain in his eyes and said. 

        "I'm sorry Joshua, but there is nothing we can do"