Changing of the Glads (21 page)

“Maybe.  I guess that depends on what happens.  I’m fairly certain my brother won’t do anything until he has lured you back in though.  So you must go, to save her.  To save them.  And this child
must
be saved.”

Max’s brow furrowed.  “Why?”

Karaticus leaned against his desk.  “This child is important to Vitus.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.  I haven’t ascertained why that is, but it has power.  I’ve already sensed its awareness.”

“You have?”  Max paced back and forth in the small office.  “Does Vitus know?”

“No.  I don’t believe so.  Since you arrived he’s been... well, let’s just say he’s not paying attention to me or mother at the moment.”

Karaticus reached out and stopped Max.  “But soon he’ll re-engage, and when he meets with Mother, I’m pretty sure he’ll sense the same things about the child.  If he senses you in the palace also... well, let’s just say that we don’t want things to be that easy.”

Max resumed his pacing.  “Why can’t I take her with me?  If we run, then Vitus won’t be able to harm any of us.  He will have to search all over again.”

“You can’t.  The infirmary is heavily guarded.  Besides, very soon Vitus will be aware again.  This whole city seems to be tied to his mind.  You wouldn’t get very far.  However, if mother is here, that should give you time to get away.”

“I don’t care about getting away.  Take Zalphia.  I’ll stay.”  Max growled in frustration.  “Vitus should face me, man to man.  Not hide behind his mother in the hopes of trapping me.  Get Zalphia away.  I’ll remain behind and stop your brother.”

Karaticus shook his head.  “That would never work.  Vitus knows mother is here.  Any movement on her part will be immediately detected.  You must leave. It’s the only way.”

Max’s pace increased, and the room seemed to close in on him.  He had already failed his wife, twice.  They had discovered how far up the corruption went, right to their eldest son. Zalphia’s part should be over.  What kind of a man would leave her here?  What kind of man would use a woman and a defenseless child to obtain his goals?

“No, I’m not leaving without Zalphia, not again.”

“We can use the child and Zalphia as bargaining chips for your capture.  But if you’re already here, then we lose that advantage.”

“I don’t care.  I can’t leave her, not again.”

“You have to if you want Mother to live beyond the next hour.  Your leaving is the only way to ensure her survival.”

His son’s argument made sense.  But how could he take the chance that the child would be killed?  And how much torture would Zalphia go through in order for Vitus to lure Max to the palace?  But if he stayed, and he and Zalphia couldn’t combine their minds, how could they overcome Vitus’s power?

Another growl clawed up his throat and exited with fury.

Max punctuated it with a fist into the wall.  Dust and debris came away with his stinging knuckles.  “Damn him.”

Karaticus swung his father around to face him. “You can’t save her.  Not now.  Not like this.”

Max shrugged his son’s hands off.  “I know.  I see the validity of your proposal.”  He ground his teeth.  “But that does not mean that I like it.”

“Like it or not, that is how it must be.”

“I know.”  Max sunk down on a leather couch. “Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Promise you will do all in your power to protect them. Make sure she and the child are safe.”

“I would if I could, but Vitus can force my hand.”

Max looked at his son.  “Please?”

“I’ll try.”  Karaticus opened the door then looked back.  “Lock this behind me and wait until I return.”

Max rose and stood beside his son. “As you wish.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Karaticus nodded, and Max closed and locked the door behind him. 

If Zalphia was to survive another day, then he must leave.  Max slid to the floor and let his head fall into his hands.  Taking one shaky breath, he let all his frustration bubble to the surface.  And then, for the first time since he had lost Zalphia at the age of fifteen, Max cried.

CHAPTER 21

Platy dismissed the guards outside the door to Vitus’s throne room.  They bowed and returned the way they came.  Vitus would be angry that Zalphia was still alive, but Platy hoped he would be happy when he found out what she had discovered.  

She opened the door and stepped in.  Gray marble floors gleamed in the muted light from the ceiling.  Amongst a variety of purple, red, and gold pillows lay Vitus.  His bronzed arms shimmered against the bright backdrop, and on his head perched a golden crown.  Pure white garments trimmed in gold were partially hidden by a crimson and purple cape.  In size and stature, he rivaled Maximillion, making it clear who his father was.  But his features were more defined, more elegant.  In that way, he resembled Zalphia.  He was handsome, and his bearing told of unbridled power.  The chaise he reclined in stood on a raised platform three steps higher than the rest of the room with white pillars at every corner.

Three female slaves tended to his every need.  To Vitus’s right stood the lanky sandy-haired captain of the guard.  And to his left, the dark-haired, olive-complexioned, hard-as-a-rock Magnus, Vitus’s most trusted advisor.  When Platy entered, Vitus waved the nearest slave away and rose.

“Platy, what in the world is going on?”  Vitus’s angry voice echoed against the marble.

She squared her shoulders, hoping fear didn’t show on her face.

“Why was Zalphia not killed in the arena as we agreed?”  He took two steps toward her.

Platy raised her hands to stop him.  “I can explain, Your Highness.  And when you hear what I have to say, I guarantee you’ll be happy she wasn’t.”

“And how, exactly, did she survive?”

“Maximillion, of course.”

“What?”  Vitus turned to Magnus, eyes flashing.  “How did you let him slip by?  Did your men not detect him?”

Magnus stepped closer to Vitus.  “My Liege, you know how he can control minds.”

Platy cringed.  What a good thing Vitus respected Magnus.  Otherwise, that remark would have brought a swift blow.  If a fist fight ever ensued, her bet would have to be on Magnus.

The advisor continued.  “You can’t expect normal men to see past his tricks when he’s able to make himself appear as someone who belongs in the ranks of the arena or can hide his presence altogether.”

“What good are you then?”  Vitus took a threatening step toward Magnus.

The advisor held his ground, his eyes narrowed.

In spite of the desire to see the confrontation play out, Platy rushed forward, grabbed Vitus’s hand, and kissed his fingers. 

“Your Highness, it doesn’t matter.  Magnus’s failure has been your gain.”

Vitus relaxed, pulled his hand from hers, and turned toward his chair.

Platy glanced at the advisor, who gave her a quick nod.

“How so?” Vitus asked as he settled once again amongst the pillows.

Magnus stepped back to his original position.

“Come, Platy.”  Vitus patted a spot beside him and threw his head toward the advisor.  “Tell me why I should let Magnus live.”

Platy glanced at the advisor’s stoic face. 
Because he has friends with great power.

She sat beside Vitus and ran her fingers along his arm.  “That doesn’t matter anymore, my most excellent Emperor.  I’ve learned more about The Prophecy.”

“More?”  Vitus motioned for his drink, and it was immediately brought to him by the closest slave.  “What more can there be?”  He took a long sip.  “You know that when Karaticus and I came to this lowly planet, their prophecy was fulfilled.  I am the eldest child, and I have saved this world from destruction.  It was I that the prophets foretold would come.  None other.”  He shook his finger in the air.  “You know this.”

He lifted his head toward his advisor.  “Magnus, tell her.”

“It’s true, Platy.  Vitus is the eldest of Zalphia and Maximillion of Selestia.  No other can take his place.  He will rule this world from this time forth.”

Platy rubbed Vitus’s leg.  “You know
I believe that
.  But, the people... well, the people are saying something else entirely.”

Vitus sat up.  “Tell me.  What are they saying?”  He threw his hand out in front of him. “Who is responsible for sowing seeds of rebellion in my empire?”

“The religious zealots, of course,” Platy said as she laid her head on his shoulder, hiding the deceit she knew he would see in her eyes.  “But you, and you alone will rule, my love.”

He reached up and pushed her away from him.  “I will.  Everyone should know this fact.”

Platy smiled sweetly.  “I know, my love.  Everyone in their right mind knows that you are the prophesied leader.  But the rumors still run rampant in the streets that Zalphia and Maximillion have been sent from Selestia to overthrow you.”

Vitus sprang to his feet and threw his goblet to the floor, sending liquid spraying across the slaves.  “Ha! They were not sent from Selestia.  Did they arrive in a ship such as I?”

The slaves trembled and knelt to the ground.

“No, Your Highness,” said the Captain of the Guard. 

“See.”  Vitus’s arms waved manically in the air.  “How could they possibly be who they are rumored to be?  They were born here of human parents, and even if they can use their minds, they
could never
possess the same power as me.”  He whirled to face Magnus.  “No human has powers to rival mine, do they?”

The advisor shook his head.  “No one does, My Liege.”

Vitus stomped back toward the Captain of the Guard, and the slaves scurried out of his way.  “I am unstoppable.  Someone helped them the day they escaped.  And when I discover who it was, they will suffer before being crushed between the stones.”

Platy stood then knelt before Vitus.  “You are right, my love.  It is only rumored that they have powers.  They have never shown anything like what you can do.  Zalphia can only reach into other’s minds and change their thoughts.  And there have been a human or two throughout history with those abilities, true?”

“True.”  Vitus pulled Platy to her feet.  “But those were the product of beings like me mixing with human blood.  And there have only been two. This Zalphia and Maximillion were both born of human parents.  Born and grew up here.  They are not the beings from Selestia.”

Vitus returned to his chair, sat back down, and snapped his fingers.  Another drink was provided, and he leaned back against the pillows. 

Platy slipped to her knees beside the chair.  “It is true, no one has the kind of power you do, Your Highness. But if Zalphia and Maximillion are from Selestia, as they are believed to be, it is said that if they conceived a child on this world, it would not need another mind to be as powerful as you, my lord.”

“What?  Impossible.”  Vitus laughed and sipped his drink.  “One must be born on Selestia and of the royal lines to have mind powers.  Karaticus and I are the lineage through which this power will be passed on.” 

“But what if Zalphia and Maximillion are from Selestia?” Magnus asked.

Vitus growled beneath his breath.  “No mere human mind could ever compare to mine.  If these two
are
who the zealots claim them to be… if they could destroy me… would they not have done so already?”

Magnus took a step back under Vitus’s angry gaze.  “Tis true, Your Highness.  I’m not saying I believe the rumors.”

“I should hope not.”  Vitus took a swig from his drink.   

Platy joined Vitus on the chaise.  “But they have been together.  What if the rumors are true and they produce such a child?”

“Zalphia and Maximillion were born on this planet.  The product of human parents.”   Vitus chuckled.  “The product of two mere humans producing a child to rival
ME is
ludicrous. I was born and reared on Selestia, the planet of the overseers of many worlds.”

Platy rubbed his leg.  “But if such a child was born, what then?”

Vitus set his drink aside, stood, and paced the small platform.  After a moment, he stopped and raised one hand.  “Then I will destroy them.”  He spun around, his gaze raking across everyone in the room.  “And everyone who believes such deliberate untruths.”

“Wait, you mustn’t.” Platy rushed to Vitus’s side and hung from his shoulder, pressing her body close to his.

“And why mustn’t I?” Vitus asked, his lips pulling up in a smirk.

“Because.”  Platy rubbed against him.  “If you had a child like this by your side, just think of the power you could wield then, my love.  You could use his mind instead of Karaticus’s.  You could rid yourself of your bothersome brother and his family, and no one on this world or Selestia could stop you.”

“Hmm.”  Vitus rubbed his chin, then wrapped his arm around Platy.  “Interesting.”

“You see the implications?”  Platy hoped he would buy into the logic.  If she didn’t convince Vitus he needed this child, then all her plans would go up in smoke.  She grabbed his arm, pulled him back to his chaise, and pushed him down.  “You can have everything you’ve
dreamed of.  All you need do is see if this child might be what they claim.  It wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

Vitus motioned for Platy to join him.  “So you brought Zalphia here?  To the palace?” 

Platy sat down, licked the tips of his fingers, and then kissed them.  “Yes, and even more.  I brought Maximillion, too.”

Vitus grabbed her bruised face in his hands, pressing his fingers deep into the skin. She winced. 

“Don’t toy with me,” he growled.

“It’s true,” she said through squished cheeks.  “I told you I’d deliver them both or kill Zalphia.”

Vitus let go.

Platy rubbed one cheek and continued.  “Well, not only have I delivered them both, I’ve brought you a pregnant Zalphia.  She is even now in Karaticus’s private infirmary getting her chips removed.  I suspect he’ll be here shortly to bring you the news.”

“I will destroy them all.”  Vitus slammed a fist against his chair.  “Why would I take the chance there might be one who could best me?”

“You don’t understand.”  Platy draped herself across his lap and smiled.  “Wait for the child to be born.  If it has the powers you seek, then you can do away with his parents and raise him as your own. 
You
will be his father, and he will worship
you
.”

Vitus traced Platy’s breast with his fingers and raised his eyebrows.  “Worship me like you do?”

She ran her tongue across her lips seductively and nodded.  “Exactly.  You know I worship the ground on which you trod.”  She leaned close to his ear.  “Allow me to show you how much I worship you.”

Vitus grabbed her behind the neck and sucked her bottom lip.  “I will.”

Platy pulled back slightly.  “I’ve learned how to control a mind like Zalphia’s.  Look at all I was able to accomplish with her.  It’s just as you predicted all those years ago.”  She raised her eyebrows and looked at him sideways.  That always got to Vitus.  Drove him crazy, and Platy used every trick she knew to sexually excite him and get him to go along with her plans.

“She’s made us more money than any other Glad in history.  And she lured in the only other with mind powers on this earth.  We’ve done all you planned, and now there is an added bonus.  You could finally rid yourself of the ones who continue to plague you.”  Platy leaned closer.

Vitus shuddered.  “You mean...”

“Of course.  With this child at your side, you could destroy Selestia.  Then you’d rule all the planets in their influence.”

Vitus fell back against the cushions, his fingers laced together as he thought.  Then a slow smile spread across his face.  “Yes, the ruler of all.  I like that.”  He waved his hand in the air.  “Magnus, consult the prisoner.  See if what Platy says could be true.  Then report back.”

Magnus bowed.  “Right away, My Liege.”  He turned and hurried from the room.

Vitus turned back to Platy and ran the back of his hand down her cheek.  “Ah, look at you, my sweetness.  You look horrible.  Tell me, what happened?”

“It was nothing.”  Platy placed a hand against his inner thigh. 
Just take me already.  I’ve played the seductress long enough. 
She sighed and lowered her face until she was looking at him through her lashes.  “I would suffer this and more for you, my love.”

Vitus waved his hand in the air.  “Leave us.” 

The slaves scooted for the nearest exits.  The Captain of the Guard saluted and turned to leave.

“Captain?”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Darken the window and stand guard.”   Vitus wagged a finger at him.  “I do not wish to be disturbed.  However, when my brother comes with news, see him into my office to wait for me there.”  He squeezed Platy’s breasts in his palms.  “I will meet with him when I have finished with my Empress.”  He lifted his chin in dismissal. 

“It will be done.”

The captain hadn’t even reached the door before Vitus ripped Platy’s clothes from her body and tossed her onto the cushions.