The Sorcerous Prince - 21. Chapter 21: Quick Departures

Mihai entered the same interrogation room he had entered almost a week before. The Empress and High Chancellor Selena Rousseau were the only ones to join him this time. His parents had once again been placed in chairs on the left side of the room and were in shackles and chains. “I've come to a decision,” Mihai said suddenly. “I will drop the charges under one condition. The condition is that you will both go with Selena for a month. You will go wherever she goes and do whatever she says. Should you choose not to accept, you will both be sent to prison for a year. In the first scenario, you have a chance to regain your titles but only if Her Chancellorship decides that you are both worthy and ready. In the second, you do not have that chance. The choice is yours, and you have to both be in agreement. You have ten minutes to decide. We'll be outside the door.”

Once Mihai exited the room with both of his aunts, the Empress spoke up. “That's a nice plan! They need a reminder of what it's all about. Africa is quite unstable right now, and I think they need to see for themselves the reason why this empire exists. We must defeat the demons. There's no room for vendettas such as the one they seem to have for you. Still, don't be surprised if they choose prison. The twins don't get along very well. I leave it to you to figure out who's the good twin and who's the evil one.” Selena playfully slapped her sister on the arm, and Mihai giggled.

“Well, I hope they choose to go to Africa,” Mihai said firmly. “I can forgive them eventually, and I'm sure they will see things more clearly if they go.”

Before anything more could be said, the officer opened the door. “They've made their decision, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Bruno,” Mihai replied. The Empress and Selena entered the room, and Mihai followed them. The three of them walked toward Mihai's parents and stood there in front of them. “What have you decided?”

“We accept your conditions,” Frederico said. “Anything is better than prison. When do we leave?”

“I will escort you both back to the palace and allow you pick whatever belongings you wish to take with you,” Selena said prosaically. “We will be leaving for Kenya as soon as you have what you need. We'll be traveling by pod. You'll return to Candavorum on January 27. I've brought clothing for both of you.” Turning to Mihai, she added, “You must make it official.”

“Bruno,” Mihai said as he turned to the police officer. “I am dropping the charges effective immediately. Please release the prisoners.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Bruno replied. “And how is it you know my name?”

“I apologize,” Mihai said, blushing. “I accidentally entered your mind.”

“Oh,” Bruno seethed, unable to hide his anger.

“It does happen, Bruno,” the Empress said flatly. “He wouldn't do it on purpose.”

“I understand, My Empress,” Bruno replied insincerely. “Now if I may, I would like to release the prisoners.”

“I won't stand in your way,” the Empress said coolly. “Come Mihai. Let's go back to Hollindor.”

“Hollindor?” Frederico asked. “Why are you going there?”

“Because that it my new home,” Mihai said coldly. “It's not open for discussion.” Mihai walked quickly toward the door, and the Empress followed closely.

“You handled that well,” the Empress observed. “He would have tried to talk you out of it.”

“He would have failed,” Mihai said so coldly that the Empress shivered. “A month is definitely not long enough for me to even consider being around either of them for any length of time.” The two of them said little more as they made their way out of the police station. Because the police station blocked personal teleportation and Guadalupe had forgotten her teleportation ring at Hollindor, they waited until exiting the police station before Mihai teleported them to his new home.

Pavel was the first person to see his mother and his cousin when they arrived. “How did it go?” he asked.

“They are going to be spending a month with Aunt Selena,” Mihai replied. “She will decide if they are ready to return to their duties as King and Queen when they return.”

“Personally, I don't want them to return after what they did,” Pavel growled.

“Pavel, stop that,” his mother scolded. “They are going to be gone for a month, and believe me, if anyone can get them back on the straight and narrow path, it is your Aunt Selena. A month is plenty of time for them to sort their priorities. Hopefully, screwing over Mihai will no longer be on their agenda at all. They're in for a rude awakening. Africa is a very bad place to be right now. Demons are raiding villages left and right, and they'll be at the forefront, fighting them.”

“I'm sorry, Mom,” Pavel replied, trying his best to give her puppy dog eyes. “It's just that what they did was so mean!” Not wanting to be in the midst of the discussion, Mihai teleported to his bedchamber.

“And they're paying the price,” Guadalupe said firmly. “I don't think they'll want to cause trouble when they return. It's not in their best interest to hurt Mihai again. It won't be long before he is taking a trip to Africa himself, and I'm sure they want to make the best of it. He will not be in Candavorum much after that.”

“Do they know about that?” Pavel asked.

“Yes, they do,” the Empress replied. “I visited them yesterday and told them.”

“How did they take it?” Pavel pressed further.

“They felt bad,” the Empress said glumly. “Mihai is still upset with them, and it will take a great deal of effort to repair their relationship with him.”

“They should have thought about that before they shacked up with his first familiar,” Pavel shot back. “They should put his needs first. Hell, it seems they treat me better than they do him. I don't understand it. He's always respectful to them.”

“Well, they know I won't put up with them treating you like that,” Guadalupe explained. “I think a lot of their problem is that he looks so much like...”

“Yes?” Pavel pressed.

“I shouldn't say,” she replied. “If all goes well, it's something we can discuss freely after I meet with the council next week. They're making their final decision then, okay?”

“That's fine,” Pavel replied. Pavel knew that his mother was talking about Anica, but he was not allowed to talk about anything he had discussed in the secret room. He did not want to see the recreation anyway. The death of a small child was not something he had any intention of watching unless it was absolutely necessary. Suddenly Pavel heard some loud banging on the door. Annabel, one of the staff members, quickly answered the door, and Baron Charles Levesque entered. “Good day, Charles,” Pavel said as the Baron approached him. “Are you looking for Mihai?”

“As a matter of fact I am,” the Baron said with a hint of concern in his voice.

Sensing the urgency, Pavel sent a telepathic signal to Mihai. 'Charles Levesque is here to see you. Come at once.'

'Pavel, I'm a little busy with...' Mihai did not wish to reveal anything more, especially about the fact that Konstantin was giving him a blowjob.

'Get Konstantin's mouth off your cock and get your f**king ass down here!' The mental signal gave Mihai a headache. The intensity indicated that Pavel was “yelling” telepathically. 'Sorry, but my mom is still here, and she knows I'm sending this signal to you. She will be displeased if you don't come at once. No pun intended. Oh, and bring Konstantin with you!'

'Okay! I'm only trying to get laid here!' Mihai's signal was even “louder” than the signal Pavel had sent him. It was strong enough to drive Pavel to his knees, his head throbbing in pain.

“Konstantin, you're going to have to stop,” Mihai ordered. Konstantin took Mihai's dick out of his mouth and looked up at him. “Pavel has been sending me telepathic signals, and he wants us both downstairs to talk to the Baron.” Mihai pulled himself together the best he could, then teleported Konstantin and himself downstairs. The first thing Mihai noticed was that Pavel was down on his knees about 30 feet away. “Are you alright?”

'No!' The telepathic signal made Mihai weak in the knees. His body was immediately surrounded by electricity. Fabian, who was also in the room negated the electrical charge, which was threatening to cause severe damage.

“Pavel!” Fabian yelled. “Don't do that to him! If I hadn't been around, there’s no telling what would have happened.”

“Well, tell him not to do that to me!” Pavel snapped.

“Pavel!” This time it was the Empress snarling. “I could sense the intensity of the first telepathic signal you sent. Mihai was reacting naturally to the 'screaming'. You have been told about this from your trainer! He has told me that you are sometimes too intense. Get it under control, especially with Mihai.”

“Why especially with me?” Mihai asked.

“I fear that you don't know just how powerful you are,” she warned, causing Mihai to shudder. “But right now we need to focus on the Baron. Please, tell us what's going on Charles.”

“Very well, My Empress,” he replied. “I have some very bad news. King Damian Perkins of the Kingdom of the Southeast told me that his daughter has been kidnapped. He suspects dark witches and wizards of the crime.”

“Which daughter?” Mihai asked morosely.

“Ashtar,” the Baron replied wistfully.

“Oh no!” Konstantin shrieked. “She's such a sweet little girl. My old fairy Lugh is actually her guardian now. What happened to him?”

“I have no idea,” the Baron admitted. “All I know is that I must go to Atlanta at once. I am telling you all this just in case something happens.”

“I'm going with you,” Konstantin insisted.

“I fear that is unwise,” Charles retorted. “It could be very dangerous!” Konstantin had summoned Kyle through their connection, and he entered the room.

“I don't care!” Konstantin barked. “She's like a second little sister to me, and I'm damn well going, and I will stay until I know she's back where she belongs, safe and sound!”

“Please take Konstantin and Kyle,” Mihai insisted. “Konstantin can hold his own. Even I wouldn't ever want to get on his bad side. Those dark witches and wizards or demons will rue the day they messed with him or anyone he cares about. And of course Kyle has a gift that is very subtle, yet very powerful.”

“Well, there's not time to pack,” the Baron countered.

“Leave that to me,” Mihai said confidently. Mihai took out his wand and aimed it into the air. Within thirty seconds, a suitcase made of dark Dragons leather appeared beside Konstantin, and a coin appeared just above his hand. Kyle had a suitcase and a coin as well. Another coin was above Charles' hand. “These coins will let me know if anything is wrong with either of you. It's a good idea for you to keep them in your pockets or on your nightstand when you sleep.”

“Do you realize how rare these are?” Charles asked. “How did you find them?”

“I have a total of thirteen of them,” Mihai said flatly. “I received them for my fifteenth birthday from the King of the Elves. He is quite fond of me. He said that as long as I keep at least one, I can give nine to people I love. It just so happens that my parents have one each, and now so do Pavel and the Empress. Fabian has one as well. There are eight left.”

“Why didn't you give me one before?” Konstantin asked, mildly annoyed.

“Because you have never been far away from me,” Mihai countered. “I figured now is a good time. And don't worry. If you lose your coin, it will find you.” Mihai walked over to Konstantin and threw his arms around him. “You be careful!”

“I will, sweetie,” Konstantin replied lovingly. Gently, Konstantin kissed Mihai on the lips. “I have to go. I'll be back as soon as I can.”

The Baron had walked over to them, and as soon as Konstantin freed Mihai, he also gave the prince a hug. “I'll take care of them,” the Baron promised.

“You better,” Mihai replied. “And take care of yourself too. When you find the bastards who took that child, give them the worst nightmares you can unleash upon them.” Mihai was referring to the power that both the Baron and his daughter, Carissa had.

“Oh, I will,” the Baron growled, unable to hide his anger at anyone who would kidnap a child. “They'll pay for this! Now, we really do have to go. Mark will be over Monday afternoon to fill in for me.” The Baron released Mihai, who now had tears in his eyes. Something about this situation really got to him. Mihai could feel that this was a dangerous assignment, but he knew it was best for him to stay behind unless something else happened to escalate the situation. He watched as his beloved Konstantin and his primary magical trainer walked out the door, likely to the Baron's carriage.

“I'm so worried,” Mihai admitted, looking toward his aunt. “There's something strange about this. Whoever is behind this is either looking for money or setting some kind of trap. Either way, this could get ugly. Until we know for sure, can you stay? I have a really bad feeling about this, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we end up in Atlanta ourselves.”

“I was about to tell you that I've already decided to stay,” the Empress stated. “I've got the same feeling. Besides, it is ultimately my responsibility to make sure that heirs to royal thrones are safe.” The Empress chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “I'll have to tell Selena about this as well. She needs to be on standby. I agree that something isn't right. The last time there was a kidnapping of a prince or princess, The Order of the Dark Dragons was involved. I'll be blunt. They scare the shit out of me. They are known for coming up with some very nasty spells. Aside from demons as well as the Dark Emperor and his minions, the Dark Dragons are our biggest threat.”

“Are they not associated with the Dark Emperor?” Mihai asked fearfully.

“That is something I can neither confirm nor deny,” she confessed. “They are extremely shadowy. They have been around for millennia, but little is known about them. If I had to guess, I would say any association with the Dark Emperor is loose and that it's more of a tolerance. They want all the worlds within the portal network. The Dark Emperor is likely nothing more than a hindrance to their cause unless he is one of them.”

“My parents have talked about the Dark Dragons,” Mihai said. “They talked about the Dark Dragons but never in detail, but I knew that Father made it one of his goals to eradicate them from North America. He succeeded in doing so. He's shifted his focus to South America, but from what you're saying they might be back here. Speaking of which, you might want to contact Selena and delay their departure if they have not yet left.”

“Good idea,” she replied. The Empress pulled out her communication globe. “Selena, are you still in Candavorum?”

'Yes I am,' Selena replied. 'Is something wrong?'

“As a matter of fact, there may be something very wrong,” the Empress warned. “The King of the Southeast has reported that his daughter, Ashtar, has been kidnapped. Perhaps the three of you should stay in Candavorum for now. Charles and Konstantin are on their way now. Kyle is also going, and I think the Baron's familiars, Andre and Pierre, were outside waiting for him. That means we have five people investigating.”

'Well, we can stay here overnight,' Selena said. 'Oh, do you know where Frederico and Viviana's familiars are?'

Since Mihai was close by he replied, “They're in the conservatory on the top floor of the palace. I put them in the chambers on Saturday to make sure they did not die from lack of maintenance.”

'That's excellent,' she replied. 'We'll be just fine here for tonight. If anything changes, please let me know.'

“We will,” Guadalupe insisted. “I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and please let the Duke and his wife know that Konstantin went to Atlanta. He was beside himself on the issue, so I wasn't about to try to stop him.”

'Will do,' Selena promised. 'Bye!'

“Bye,” the Empress said cordially. After putting the device back in her pocket, Guadalupe asked Mihai a question. “Have you any idea who the commanding officer is for the Palace of the Southeast?”

“As a matter of fact I do,” Mihai replied with confidence. “Her name is Lieutenant Colonel Diana Simmons.”

“Thanks,” the Empress said warmly. “I want to use your office for this call. Is that alright?”

“By all means.” Mihai smiled at his aunt. “Think of this as your temporary home except for my bedchamber of course!”

“That's quite alright,” the Empress giggled, which was unusual. Mihai wondered if she was more receptive to humor when she was scared, that it comforted her. Mihai watched as his aunt walked toward the southwest side of the palace. Mihai had always noticed that offices were on that part of the palace, and it seemed that it was not a coincidence. The palaces often had certain similarities in their layouts, thought there were also some differences. Hollidor's conservatory was in the basement level just below the main floor, whereas it was on the top floor of his former home.

“This does sound serious,” Fabian said gloomily. “I don't know much about the Order of the Dark Dragons, but they sound evil. However, I can’t help but wonder if demons are responsible instead.”

“I'm not sure exactly why, but demons don't usually mess with small children,” Mihai replied. “The Demon King did kill my little sister though. Still, that is the only time that he has murdered a child. They kidnap and kill adults mostly as they believe that kidnapping and killing children is below them unless doing so proves a point. Let's say they wanted to get to me. They would most likely kidnap you or Konstantin... possibly one of my parents.”

“Well, then dark witches and wizards are worse?” Fabian asked.

“No,” Mihai said flatly. “The demons will do just about anything else. What the Dark Dragons are doing is instilling fear to get what they want. They don't tend to just kill everything in sight. They want to conquer and rule. The demons want to destroy. Demons normally kidnap people who possess a great deal of power, either that or adults who can be kidnapped as bait. Ultimately, the demons will slay even all dark witches and wizards. The difference is between a lust for power and a lust for annihilation. If demons got what they wanted, children left would be held prisoner until they were older, and the demons would eventually kill them or possess them.”

“I still don't get it,” Fabian grumbled. “Does that not defeat the purpose of having humans around?”

“There are other planets with humans,” Mihai sighed. “There are also many other species to annihilate throughout the universe. They will never stop unless we stop them.”

“So if we fail, they will conquer the universe?” Fabian asked.

“That's right,” Mihai said simply.

That night Mihai welcomed Fabian to his bed for the first time since Fabian's indiscretion. While he made it clear that Fabian was not “going to get any”, he wanted to snuggle. Fabian was softer than Konstantin as he was naturally less hairy. The two of them wore boxers, which was unusual, but Mihai wanted to make sure he was not tempted.

“I miss them,” Fabian admitted.

“Who?” Mihai asked, hoping that Fabian was not referring to his parents.

“Konstantin and Kyle,” Fabian replied. “Do you think they'll be okay?”

“I hope so,” Mihai sniveled. “I need to stop thinking worst case scenario, but I can't. The Order of the Dark Dragons scares me. The one thing Mom often told me is that Dad's war on them endangered him. And with them back in North America, we have to act quickly to push them back. The problem is that there always seem to be more to replace those who die. The leaders are so good at persuading those who join their ranks to fight. It's obsessive fervor for the dark gods. They say that the gods will reward those who die in service to the Dark Dragons.”

“In other words, they're fanatics,” Fabian said, cringing. “Do they respond to torture?”

“Sometimes they do,” Mihai stated. “It depends on just how much fervor an individual has and how much the individual has been conditioned.”

“How about telepathy?” Fabian asked.

“I'm not really sure,” Mihai admitted. “I have serious doubts though. There are techniques one can use to block telepathy. Others, like Karan, have natural resistance.”

“Well, you and your principal were able break through his defense,” Fabian reasoned. “There's no reason why you can't do something similar to them. Pavel could help.”

“No,” Mihai said flatly. “We do not want Pavel having a part in such interrogations. He will sometimes have to defeat enemies, but that's only in an emergency. He's still too young.” Mihai felt a sharp pain in his ears from a shrill alarm. Mihai turned toward his nightstand and the golden coin levitated into the air. Mihai opened his right hand, and the coin landed within it. He closed his eyes and concentrated on what the life force coin would reveal. What he saw was a conference room, but no one was seated. Instead, every single person in the room including Charles Levesque, Konstantin, and Kyle were on the floor, and their bodies letting off a strange blue aura. “f**k!” Mihai yelled.

“What is it?” Fabian asked in a frightened tone.

“They're all...” Mihai was horrified. He had never seen anything like this. “Go get Empress Guadalupe now!”

“There's no need,” someone said from behind the door. “My coin revealed the situation to me too. Both of you need to get dressed now, pack some clothes and potions, and meet me on the roof. We must go to Atlanta.”

“We'll be ready in a few minutes,” Mihai said loudly enough for his aunt to hear. The two of them prepared and were on the roof within minutes. There were already soldiers on the roof, and the pods were reconfiguring themselves so that there were two large pods instead of twenty smaller ones. Lieutenant Paul pointed to one of the pods, and both of them walked up the stairs. Mihai took a seat beside the Empress while Fabian sat on his other side. As usual, their seat belts buckled automatically. “What about Selena and my parents? Are they coming?”

“Yes,” Guadalupe replied. “They're in the other pod ship along with Adelric and Abigail Bayer. We're taking pod ships, because we need to be able to store supplies, including magical hazardous material suits. We should be there in less an hour.” The magical engines of the pod ship fired up, and it was the second time Mihai had heard a loud noise that evening. Within seconds, they were in the air and headed eastward.