Jordy quickly lifted his head and stepped backwards away from Sky. “What did you just say?” The light in the tunnel was dim and occasionally flickered, but she could see his reaction. The expression on his face was worrisome, scared even...

  Sky stood still confused by her lover’s reaction. “Which part? Child of Fire part or being with child?” Jordy looked down at Sky’s stomach like a monster was growing inside. “Ok, you’re giving me mixed signals here. You’re ok with me being an Angel of Death but not an Angel of Death and pregnant. I save your life and this is what I get? Fuck this!” The water splashed as Sky turned around and began to storm away.

  “No wait.” Jordy grabbed her arm before she got too far. “You don’t understand. I’m just trying to process everything. My uncle just blew up his own tavern, killed Fuego and five of the Star Counsel’s queens. It’s one thing after another and trust me when I say he’s not done. Ro will turn this city into a war zone if he has to, just to start the KFM over in a different location. Sky, this is not the only city we control. The KFM is all over the universe… My uncle was the leader of this sector. It’s true the LaGons is one of the organization’s founding members, but we’re everywhere. For the past sixty years we have expanded to at least ten other sectors. If he succeeds in escaping, he will tell the other groups that I’m a traitor.” Taking Sky’s hand, Jordy pulled her in and looked deep into her eyes. “I am ok being called that, but bringing a child into the mix makes this a whole lot scarier. The KFM will never stop hunting us. They’re everywhere and nowhere at the same time. That’s the life we built as smugglers, and we LaGons ruled the underground world. What I’m saying is, the child would never have a chance at a normal life if anyone knew who they really were...”

  Sky placed her finger on Jordy’s lips. “I’m starting to see more and more why Arkaminus chose us to carry this out. Once we get out of here, I’ll explain everything to you. Just know, I would never let anything happen to either of you.”

  Jordy cupped Sky’s hand within his then leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “In reality,” He said while they continued walking through the long water tunnel. "Taking down, my uncle would scratch the surface of what the KFM organization is. If you want to stop the purge of taking out Star Children, then you’ll need the one who hired us in the first place. I knew working with the queens was a bad idea from the start, but there was a lot of money on the table. Most of all, an opportunity of our lifetime to finally get the infamous Angels of Death out of the picture. You three were always messing up our gigs and partnerships. When the deal presented itself, my uncle took it at first bite. To him, it was killing two birds with one stone. In truth, that’s how the Star Counsel plus the queens saw it too.”

  In the pit of her stomach, Sky knew the name Jordy was about to say, but she needed confirmation. “And who was it that gave the KFM this grand opportunity?”

  “The one you all call Mother Queen... It was her idea to begin the Essence Stones productions. After my grandfather discovered the stones were more just pure energy. It was the Star Children’s weakness. The key to what we believed was ‘restoring the balance’. As one of the Weapons Specialist, it was my job to come up with a new, next level weapon that could kill an Angel of Death. It's been your leader all along... Helping us, supplying us and paying us to get this done.” Jordy caressed his lover’s cheek. “You know once this is over, we have a lot of stories to swap. We might have to completely start over...”

  Sky exhaled and closed her eyes as she enjoyed Jordy’s touch. “And we will, I promise. We can redo every conversation we’ve ever had. But first, that bitch has to die... Come on, I know where you’ll be safe.”

  *

  The captain of the Stellan prison guards opened the cell door where Esio was being held. The Counselman at first didn’t bother to move until the captain mentioned who requested him. “The Mother Queen would like to speak with you, Counselman.” Slowly arising to his feet, Esio walked out of the shadows into the main hall leading to the entrance. He had to shield his eyes from the light because the brightness burned them. The Counselman had no clothes on but his undergarments. His beard was full and scruffy, which matched his hair. Esio was dirty, filthy, and was in desperate need of a bath...

  The captain slowly opened the door which led to the outside courtyard. There the Counselman stopped and smelled the fresh air. He let the sun beat down on his pale olive skin for he hasn’t seen the light of day in weeks. The captain had to push him along in order to get Esio to move. Barefoot, half naked and bound by chains that were around his wrists and ankles, the Counselman had no choice but to get aboard the small carrier. The prison’s location was a small, secluded island which was miles away from the mainland. Anyone who has been sent to prison on Stella has never left... This was considered a special occasion.

  Upon the Counselman’s arrival, a handful of maids approached their superior. “Mother, your Counselman has arrived ma’am, and he is beyond filthy. He has lice and smells worse than death.” All of the ladies held their heads down looking at the floor as Mother Queen walked back to her throne chair.

  The Mother Queen Trina chuckled before she answered. “Of course he is filthy, ladies. The man’s been sleeping with rats for the past few weeks. Clean him up well, so he may be presentable in my presence.” All the maids bowed once more before leaving through the door.

  It took the maids two days to get the Counselman properly prepared to be in front of the Mother Queen. By the end of the second day, Esio looked brand new again. The maids had to shave his full head of hair because of the lice but was able to keep most of his goatee. When the lead maid Helta walked into his room for the final touches, she dismissed the remaining servants. The middle-aged, tall, brawny woman waited until she heard the lock close before she began to speak. “Sir...”

  Before she could get two words out, Esio stopped her. He put his index finger on his lips then whispered, “There are cameras everywhere... It’s not safe.”

  “I know, sir. I assisted your mother in putting them up. Trust me, we are safe in here...” Helta once again looked over her shoulder as she dug her hand into her bosom. She pulled out a small dagger that was small enough to fit into a pocket. “Here, my Counselman. I don’t trust the new Mother Queen, sir. I’ve always been loyal to the queens I’ve served but this one. This one sir is something from another dimension... She’s crazy! To make matters worse, she’s convinced everyone else she isn’t. There are a lot of the Star Counsel on her side, sir. Please be careful when you go to her chambers. She might have something sinister planned.” Helta tucked the dagger inside Esio’s formal military uniform coat.

  As the lead maid made her way to the door, Esio called for her one more time. “Helta...”

  “Yes, my Counselman.” Turning around, Esio handed her a small note that was folded a few times.

  “I need you to send a message for me. It’s very important that it reaches the right person on Temrack. Can you do this for me?" Cupping Helta’s hand with the note inside, the Counselman held her hand until she answered. The lead maid nodded her head, agreeing. “Thank you. The instructions are inside... Be careful and don’t send it until tonight.”

  The guards escorted Esio to the Mother Queen’s chamber. Once they entered inside, she was nowhere to be seen. All three men heard a command come from the other side where the bathroom was located. “You’re dismissed, guards.” The two men on duty that evening took their bow then proceeded to walk out of the large wooden door. A few moments later, Trina came from around the corner with her hair dripping wet. She dapped her head with the towel then loosely tied her robe around her naked body. The sheer almost see-thru bath robe did little to cover her breast. Only the lower half was somewhat covered... Trina walked right up to her Counselman and unlocked the handcuffs that were around his wrists. “Now that’s better... I’ll keep this nearby we might use them later.”

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  Esio tried hard not to stare at Trina’s body. She effortlessly walked around her chambers, knowing her goods were out for display. “What is this about?” He asked as he watched his Mother Queen pluck a grape from the stem that was sitting in a white bowl.

  There was a medium size table that was covered from end to end with an array of food. It was placed in the middle of the room with two chairs on both sides. Trina sat down and crossed her legs. Her robe was partially opened which exposed her cleavage. “Come and sit down. Eat with me...” The Mother Queen picked up a pitcher and poured red wine into a glass cup. “Oh, come on! I promise I’m not trying to poison you...” She took a sip of the wine and closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet taste. “See... Not poison. Now I’m not going to say it again, Counselman.”

  Esio slowly picked up his fork and stabbed the cut-up piece of red meat on his plate. Afterwards, he took a big gulp of his wine then gently put down the glass all while not saying a word. Trina looked at her guest anxiously, but with a sliver of excitement. “There, happy... Now can we talk about why I’m here.”

  Trina looked Esio directly into his eyes and replied, “Because I want you here, duh. Besides, you know being here with me is ten times better than being in that awful prison. Relax, and stop being a stick-in-the-mud.” The Mother Queen stood up from her seat and walked over to her guest. Refilling his glass of wine, Esio couldn’t help but gaze over Trina’s body once more. Her aroma was seducing which did a number on his self-control. She smelled like fresh roses and perfumed soap. Her hair was beginning to dry, which made her natural curls pop out. Trina was undoubtably beautiful, and once upon a time, she was all his...

  Clearing his throat, Esio said, “Trina, I just want some answers. I just sat in prison for weeks for doing the right thing, and now I’m sitting here with you. I deserve to know the truth. This clean slate thing...”

  “Will save lives...” Trina interrupted. “The Star Counsel should have never let the Stars procreate all willy-nilly. We don’t even know how many are out there... There should have been more order and control when it came to creating special beings. The Ancients fucked up Esio, and I’m going to fix it.”

  Esio grabbed his glass and gulped his wine once more. “Fix it, how? You can’t just wipe people out by any means possible. That’s not how it works.”

  Trina was beginning to see the shift in her guest’s mood. She was already standing close by and decided to change the subject before it was too late. “Shh... Once this is over, you’ll understand. It’ll all make sense. For now, can we call a truce?” Trina walked over and sat across Esio’s lap. In a low tone and inches away from his face, she whispered, “You know I never stopped loving you. As much as I’ve tried, I can’t get you out of my heart.” The Mother Queen leaned down and kissed Esio hard on his lips.

  He had to pull her off in order to speak. “Trina, please. I just want to talk to you. I have a lot of questions...”

  “And you deserve answers, we’ll talk afterwards, I promise. Can’t we just enjoy one another tonight without it being about business? For ol’ time's sake?” Trina rubbed her nose against his before moving to Esio’s neck. She pulled down his jacket and began unbuttoning his white shirt. All that time he spent getting dressed only to get undressed in a matter of minutes. Trina kissed the Counselman on his chest then down to his abs while unbuttoning his belt and pants. She slowly knelt down to her knees when she finished freeing his pants from his waist.

  “Trina...” Esio tried to plead one more time before feeling the ultimate sensation. He moaned loudly as he tilted his head back. It was hard for him to resist her, deep down he knew this might happen. Trina had Esio’s heart as well, and she used that to her advantage every time. Picking up her pace, all of the Counselman’s self-control slowly left his body. “Is this what you want?” Standing to his feet, Esio picked Trina up on hers then quickly untied her robe. Throwing it to the ground, he picked up his Mother Queen by her thighs and carried her further into her chambers.

  Both bounced together on the king size bed as Trina whispered, “Bout time you came to the party. You’re the only one who knows how I like it...” Both made loud moaning noises as Esio thrust himself inside. Grabbing her breast and kissing her on the neck made Trina call out in bliss. His pace wasn’t too fast as he slammed his pelvis against hers. That’s how she liked it... A chance to submit and surrender her power. To let loose and allow someone else to be in control. For that moment, she was able to enjoy pleasure. Switching positions, Trina got on top and straddled Esio’s waist. She then dug her nails deep into his chest muscle leaving three bloody scratch marks.

  The Counselman screamed out in shock that Trina just did that. Grabbing her hands, they switched positions with Esio on top again. The Mother Queen wrapped her arms around his torso and dug her nails into his skin. “Aw! Trina what in the hell is wrong with you?”

  Trina chuckled as she pulled Esio down for a kiss. “Sorry, love. I was getting too into it... Don’t stop.” Brushing it off, he picked his pace back up. This time the Mother Queen had a different request. One that she has never asked for before. “I want you to choke me...” Grabbing Esio’s arm, Trina placed his hand around her neck, but he didn’t squeeze. “I said, choke me dammit!”

  When Esio didn’t comply, Trina grabbed his arm and bit him under his wrist. That made the Counselman jump back. He was confused and rightfully upset for this was not the way they usually made love. “Enough with that! Are we fucking or fighting, Trina? I have scratch marks all over me and now teeth marks?”

  Wiping her mouth, Trina slowly sat up with a new persona. The look on her face was different. The way she looked at her lover wasn’t the same either. The Mother Queen scooched down to the edge of the bed before saying, “You know, my brother had the right idea. The perfect plan until Arkaminus killed him. It wasn’t Ephrim’s fault. These laws the previous Council abide by are ridiculous. He had come up with a better plan than the Ancients and he died for it. You should have been the one who died that day...”

  “Ephrim, is your brother?” The Counselman began to put all the pieces together. “It’s been you this whole time. You’ve been the one who has been helping the rebels.”

  “Once it’s all said and done, everyone will thank me. There will be a new era of peace and tranquility...” Trina stood up and put on another robe that was nearby.

  “That’s why you brought me here? I told you I had nothing to do with his death!” Esio screamed.

  Trina continued her speech, “The people will worship me, and I will be named their goddess. I need you out of my way... You are my weakness, my last ounce of humanity that needs to disappear. It’s for the greater good, my love.”

  “The ‘greater good’? Fuck you, Trina! You will not win...” Esio proceeded to march towards his Mother Queen.

  She quickly walked back and screamed, “Guards! Help me!” That stopped him in his tracks. Esio glanced towards the double doors, but nothing happened. He then dashed back around to where his pants were and quickly put them back on. Trina continued, “I’m doing this for our greater good. Don’t you see, with me being the supreme ruler there won’t be a need for an Ancient to be born. There won’t be a need for that stupid prophecy. GUARDS!”

  “That’s what this is about? Some fucking prophecy! Luna is dead because of you, and you’re worried about a fucking baby that may or may not be born!” Esio screamed once more, and he ran towards this military uniform jacket. Putting it on without his white shirt, the Counselman heard the double doors burst open.

  “Seize him!” Shouted the Mother Queen as she pointed towards her former lover. “He tried to assault me. I tried fighting him off... Take him away so he may be executed.”

  Esio’s eyes widened, then he quickly turned his attention towards the guards. “Desmond, Keith, you two know me very well.” The two young guards stopped mid-stride. “You two escorted me here. You know I wouldn’t do something like that...” The Counselman turned his attention back towards Trina, who effortlessly stood behind the guards. “You pull me out of prison, just to seduce me, and now you’re trying to frame me. Like I said before, you won’t win this...”

  The two guards hesitated because they honestly did not know what to do or who to listen to. Esio slowly did the circle dance with them until one lunged towards him and missed. “Come on, Counselman. You can make this easy or hard for yourself. Just turn yourself in, sir.”

  Trina grew impatient with every second that passed by. “Just grab him already! Listen to your Mother Queen first! He assaulted me! Your Counselman took advantage of my kindness and tried to force himself on me. Don’t you see the scratches? Hurry up dammit!”

  Again, the guards lunged towards Esio, but with no luck. He grabbed Desmond by the arms instead and threw him into Keith who was standing nearby. Within a blink of an eye, Esio dashed up the stairs and quickly ran out of the double wooden doors barefoot. Escaping with only a few minutes to spare, the guards lost his trail. By the time Esio got outside, the alarms could be heard from every corner of the Hall of Matres. The now ex-Counselman turned around to get one last glance at the place he called home. Fuming with rage, Esio knew if he was to return it would have to be with an army.