Galena
Chapter Twenty-Five

The three left Emma’s house and went across the yard to go into the village. Halfway across the field, a portal opened in front of them. Heath put his arm in front of Maggie to protect her from Vanessa who stepped through. Kard appeared in Jace’s hand.

“It’s a shame my best Knight chose the wrong side,” Vanessa said, glaring at Heath.

“You’re getting what you came here for Vanessa,” Jace said, taking a step forward. “Call off your Knights. Nobody needs to die. You have us now.”

“But they all have such wonderful power. I even recognized a few,” Vanessa said, laughing. “But I guess you’re right. I have what I want,” her eye settled on Maggie. Her other eye had a patch over it, hiding the hole that Jace made, deflecting her attack from the last time they stood together. “Arrest them!” she yelled, and four Knight went to the them. “Leave Heath.” She walked up to him and hit him in the back of his knees to knock him down.

“No!” Maggie screamed, trying to go to him as the Knights pulled her arms back - locking the anti-magic locks on her.

Vanessa ignored Maggie and bent down to Heath, holding his chin. “You’ve been rogue for too long,” she stated then pushed her finger into his forehead. He slumped over.

Maggie struggled to go to him. “You’ll pay for this,” she glared at Vanessa. Hatred filling her eyes as they pierced through Vanessa.

Jace watched Heath be lifted by other Knights and brought through the portal. He knew what had become of his friend. Vanessa had easily rewashed him just by the touch of her finger. The Knights that stood behind him and his sister pushed them to walk. Jace’s eyes met with Vanessa’s and she grinned at him. “How did you replace us?” he asked, as they stepped through the portal.

“Through this of course,” Vanessa said, pointing to the painting they came out of. “Did you know the words on the frame say exactly how to use it. I wouldn’t have known what to do if it wasn’t for your mother.”

Jace’s eyes widened and he knew Maggie’s response was the same.

Vanessa snickered at their reactions. “I too thought she was dead, but it dawned on me. Why would Garos kill her? His human side keeps coming through, so it only makes sense that he wouldn’t kill his sister. Then when I met you,” her eyes landed on Maggie, “I could sense something different about you and the Mage confirmed it. You’re the High Advisor, but your magic wasn’t strong like it would be if Vivian passed the magic down to you.”

“Where is she?” Jace demanded, trying to take Vanessa’s attention off his sister.

“So, I found Vivian in the eastern tower,” she continued, ignoring him, but giving him a look, “Definitely not living like a royal, but alive, nonetheless. She’s spunky like you,” she added, looking back at Maggie, “But her tune changed real quick when I told her you two were on death row if she didn’t tell me how to use this teleporter.”

"Where. Is. She?” Jace growled.

By this time, they had entered the dungeons and Jace was being chained to the wall. His shackles held his hands close together and the anti-magic cuffs remained locked. It was the only way to prevent him from calling Kard.

“Still in the eastern tower,” Vanessa said in detestation. “You think I’d kill her with Garos still attached to that prince?” She began to laugh, “I’m not looking for a death wish, my love.”

“But you will,” Maggie said, glaring at Vanessa, as the chains clipped onto her cuffs.

“Kill her? Of course, after Garos is transferred to me. Then I will take Kard for myself and rule all of Len like how it should be.”

This time Jace laughed, along with Maggie. “You?” Jace said, “You’re not royalty. Kard would reject you the moment you tried.”

“True, but I have this,” Vanessa said, pulling a chain out from under her armor. She held it up. It was an amulet with the royal symbol printed on it - the beam of Valo coming from Galena. “I was in Valo long before you came along, love. And you’re not the only Prince I’ve seduced.”

Jace’s lip rose in disgust hearing her say this.

Vanessa’s grin became wider. “Prince Auron took me to Valo’s trophy room where worthless items from around the kingdom were on display. Kard sat in its golden case in the back and right in the middle of the room was this amulet.” She stared at it. “It allows me to claim Kard as my own while I have Garos’ magic. Yours too,” she looked at Maggie, “and possibly Vivian’s. Oo,” she said, putting her finger to her chin. Her eyes lit up with an idea, “Maybe I’ll just kill Vivian after I take Garos’ magic. Her magic would transfer to you,” she pointed at Maggie, “double and I’ll take it then. Become even more powerful.” She began to laugh, pleased with her plan.

“What could you possibly do with all that power?” Maggie glared at Vanessa. “The other kingdoms are at peace. We keep to ourselves.”

“Oh silly, naïve Maggie Creed,” Vanessa shook her head, “How do you think Galena prospered so much? Before King Valo made a peace treaty with the surrounding kingdoms they were always at war. Every kingdom wanted magic for themselves. Why do you think Garos keeps taking in magic and why he needs a new host? We’re preparing to take the next kingdom over.”

Jace stared at Vanessa as she talked out loud. Heath was right, Vanessa was sharing magic with Garos and now he knew why. They needed to come up with a plan before Vanessa would do anything rash.

Vanessa broke into Jace’s thoughts, telling them, “Well it’s been fun. I must get everything ready. Maybe I’ll see how Heath is doing with his rewash.” She kept her eyes on Maggie with this comment then blew Jace a kiss. “See you all later.” She walked out of the Creed’s cell and continued down the hall.

Maggie’s eyes filled with tears at the thought of Heath becoming a heartless Garzil Knight again. She tried to calm herself. The ring on her finger reminded her of their binding. She was going to fix the spell they placed on him. Then with the help of her brother, take on Vanessa.

“If that amulet allows the King to have magic and Kard, why didn’t our family just use it?” Jace asked, sitting back and looking over at his sister.

“Because that’s not how things work, Jace,” Maggie plainly answered.

“So, you know how these things work now?”

Maggie rolled her eyes, “If the King has magic at the time he takes Kard, he’s a greater threat to his people than to his enemies. They would be tempted with draining everyone – magic or no magic – and move onto the next kingdom…”

Jace gave his sister a look. He could’ve sworn another voice was speaking with her. “Mags?”

“What?”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I think so- I feel kind of…” she let up as her eyes rolled up and her head dropped to the side. Jace called for her, but she was too far gone. Maggie was no longer in the cell with her brother. She found herself standing in darkness. Turning around, she called for Jace but received no response. She began to walk, noticing that every step she took the floor lit up.

“Garos is my brother,” she heard and spun around to replace a woman standing there. She was glowing white and was floating. Her hair and dress were floating around her and she held a staff. She reminded Maggie of Emma, but when the woman stepped closer, Maggie realized she was looking at a Yhden. “At least that is the name he took when he joined with Prince Auron,” Nainen continued.

“You mean the man next to your statues?” Maggie asked, feeling the love and pain coming from the being.

Nainen nodded, “I have to save him.”

“He’s killed many innocent people and stole their magic.”

“And he will be punished by the Yhden Council.”

“There’s more of you?”

“Of course, dear,” Nainen said with a smile that made Maggie feel calm. “The kingdoms need their gods.”

“Why did he take over my uncle?”

“Uros always had the desire to become human. But I don’t think he expected this to happen. He entered Auron the moment he went to take Kard,” she explained but had to pause to collect herself. She shook her head, saying, “Kard rejected him and sent Uros into a craze of power and greed… He became Garos and forgot who he is.”

“Vanessa said the human side of him keeps coming out.”

Nainen nodded, “Prince Auron’s body is dying from the amount of magic Uros holds.”

“That’s why mom said Jace would be his next host…” Maggie thought out loud.

“Yes, but the same thing will only happen to your brother. You have to stop it.”

“Why me?”

“Because you are powerful, Maggie Creed. The High Advisor’s magic is equally matched to a Yhden’s on Earth. When you receive your full power, Uros will give up. It is then that I will take him back Home.”

“Wait. Receive my full power? Are you saying my mother is going to die?”

“I’m sorry, Maggie,” she gripped her staff tighter, “It’s inevitable. Not even I can save her.”

“Fate…” Maggie let out, looking away from Nainen. “Everyone seems to die for me and Jace.” She thought of Heath, “Or puts themselves in danger.”

“You two are the heirs to the throne. To lead and protect Galena; continue the treaty King Valo fought so hard to create,” Nainen said, catching Maggie’s attention again. “You mustn’t allow Vanessa to win. The kingdoms will be lost if she does and not even myself and the other Yhden can stop her if she succeeds.”

Maggie stared at Nainen. Her heart raced thinking about everything that had happened up until this point. She had mixed feelings about all of it – take back something she never knew was theirs. She was ready for the challenge when she was in Vorik, but now that she was being faced with the task, she just wanted to go back to the day where she was clueless.

Maggie mentally slapped herself with this thought. This was who she was. Whether she knew it or not growing up. Everything that happened to her since a child happened for this exact moment. For her to stand with Jace and save Galena. Their destiny was handed to them and now they needed to fulfill it.

“How do we stop her and send Uros Home?” she asked. Her eyes narrowed on Nainen.

Jace jumped to his knees towards his sister when he watched her slowly come to. He helped her sit up and tried to look at her face. She was still pale and spaced out.

“How long have I been out?” she asked, going to touch her head. She gave the cuffs a look, forgetting they were there. She looked over at her brother.

“All night,” Jace answered, sitting beside her, “You had me worried sick. I can’t do this without you, Mags.”

“I know,” she let out a laugh and Jace gave her a look. “I met a Yhden,” she told him, “She told me who Garos is and how we’re going to remove him from our uncle.”

Maggie explained everything to Jace, leaving out the part that pulling magic from Garos’ body was the definite plan. She also kept from him another piece of information Nainen shared with her. She didn’t want him to worry. Jace took in everything – telling her that he was ready to do whatever was necessary to take Galena back.

“Maybe save mom in the process too,” Jace said with a small smile.

Maggie returned his smile.

Their mother’s fate was another piece of information she didn’t want to tell him.