Element Restraint

Chapter 15: Erik

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I hope this is the person Acantha named to me earlier.

"What do you want?" The rebel says sharply. I turn in the darkroom and squint my eyes. The rebel sits on the cold stone floor, his arms in the air chained to the wall.

"You must be Valence Garmund." I say casually.

"Don't play dumb with me. You already know who I am and why I am here." he spits. I am not surprised by this anger from him. He is chained in a cell.

"Yes, I do know who you are," I answer. I try to look down at my watch, but it is too dark. Next time I need to bring a lamp. "But I do not know why you are here."

"Hilarious," He says with no emotion.

"Do you know Acantha De Vries?" I ask him.

"No." He says without hesitation. I give him a small chuckle as the air shifts.

"You think you are clever?" I say.

"I know I am clever, but I don't know any Acantha."

"You must also know that I am a royal Airling."

His smirk drops. He forgot I can sense emotions in the air.

"That is all I needed to know Mr. Garmund," I say and pull a needle out of my pocket. I am running out of time now. My father will soon come looking for me.

I pluck the needle and allow a few drops to come out.

"What are you doing?" The rebel says angrily.

"I am going to save you," I say, walking over to him urgently.

He begins to back away from me.

"It is a death serum," I explain to him, but he does not budge. I wrestle with him and slam it into his neck. He kicks my groin, making me double over in pain.

"You are going to pass out and wake up in a few days. I will get you out of the city where you will be safe." I explain to him as I step away from him.

"I don't believe you." He spits.

"Well, you are going to have to," I say and leave.

~~~

I watch the rebel as he fights the guards in the throne room. I watch, waiting for the perfect moment. He begins to slow down now. I race over to make my move.

I pull out the fake knife and stab the rebel. I timed it perfectly. He hits the floor as the serum begins to take action.

"No!" I hear someone scream through the crowd of chaos. I look over and see Acantha emerge from the crowd.

As soon as I see the lamps burst, I curse under my breath. If only I had a chance to tell her when I had the chance.

I stand frozen in place as she goes up in flames. She examines herself in fear, not knowing what to do. I do not know what to do. I have never seen a Fireling in action before.

The fire stops and one thing remains in my mind. GET THE NECKLACE!

I snatch the necklace off her neck and watch as she is dragged away from me. She screams the whole way out. I watch as a Musgravite chip is put into her neck and the pain settles in. I watch her pass out just before the throne room doors close.

"It looks like we have a new toy to play with." My father smirks at me. I quickly tuck the necklace in my pocket before he sees it.

"What are we going to do to her?" I ask.