Back to Atlantis by Bar Sagi (best book reader txt) 📗

his killer, well, she’d probably be this angry too.

“We still need to find Gloriana. We have to tell her.”

Violet nodded, her eyes promising murder. Apparently her ladylike ruse was gone.

David glared at her, obviously annoyed at being delayed. “Fine. But let’s do it fast.”

Yasmin glared back at him.

“Look, if someone like the rebel’s second-in-command is coming, Gloriana needs to know. We can’t defeat someone like that alone, no matter how much we try. We need both her power and experience.” Yasmin put her hands on her hips, ready to argue. “You know I’m right.”

David glared at her again. “I just want him to pay for what he did.”

“And he will,” Violet said, pulling David’s arm.

Her eyes showed concern for David. “But let’s go back to the hill first, I see Gloriana there.”

Yasmin looked up at the hill overlooking the valley. A distant figure that could be Gloriana watched them, waiting.

She squinted. Had Violet really seen that far?

They began walking up the hill in silence, an awkward energy surrounding them.

Yasmin tried to break the silence several times, to say something. But the words wouldn’t come out, no matter how hard she tried.

“Where’s Lucas?” Was the first thing that came out of Gloriana’s mouth when they got to her.

Yasmin felt awkward, not wanting to explain something again that had been so hard to say the first time.

“He was working for them.” Was all David would say.

Yasmin looked at him gratefully, but he just stared at the horizon, far from her reach. She felt lonely.

Gloriana nodded, even though it was obvious she still had more questions. But she changed the subject, and Yasmin was grateful for that.

“Have you guys seen any rebels? This town has not one rebel! It’s crazy! When are they coming?”

“They’re not,” a male voice said from down the hill.

Yasmin whirled toward the voice, startled.

She saw David’s eyes widen, and his face contort in horror.

He must be Varley! She realized in horror. But he doesn’t look like a traitor! Indeed, with thinning white hair and a slight slouch, Varley looked like someone’s caring old grandpa.

Aside from the smirk on his face, he could have been a nice old man at the senior center, playing cards all day.

“I’m the only one.” His eyes slid over to Yasmin and she shivered.

He had the eyes of slime, greasy as oil. He looked like he could tear her to pieces and smile. “Well, well. It looks like I didn’t even have to go all the way to that boy to get you. It turns out he failed. I guess his parents will die now.” His eyes gleamed, as if he would kill them personally.

Yasmin felt her stomach twist.

“NO!” she yelled, her eyes pleading. “You can’t kill them!”

“Why does it matter to you?” He tilted his head as if enjoying watching her plead. “He betrayed you, and you’re going to come with me anyway.”

“Lucas was a dear friend of mine, and there is no way I’m going with you!” Yasmin pointed a finger at Varley and glared at him. “Leave Lucas alone!”

“Why do I care about Lucas?” Varley raised an eyebrow, scowling at her. “I came to get you, as ordered by the beast.” He made a pulling motion, and Yasmin felt herself fly into his arms. “Let’s go.”

“No!” Yasmin pulled free, calling a fireball to her hand.

She saw Varley laugh. “Go, on. This will be amusing.”

He grabbed her wrist, his face darkening. “Don’t make me laugh. I’m not that Abby girl the beast took over last year. I’m his second-in-command! Do you really think you can defeat me?!”

Yasmin tore her wrist away from him, shaking with fear.

Her thoughts scrambled. He’s not bluffing! I don’t think I can defeat him. I don’t think all of us can.

Yasmin felt a slight wind pass over her head, and hit Varley. The strength of the wind was so great he nearly fell off his feet.

Varley snarled, and made some signs in the air, cursing.

The wind vanished, and Violet fell to the ground, coughing up blood.

Gloriana ran to her. “Violet!” she exclaimed, horrified to see Violet shaking in fear.

Gloriana began drawing symbols in the air, trying to heal Violet.

Yasmin felt a fireball coming her way, and she raised her hands just in time. The fireball was huge! It was the size of a house, and it suffocated Yasmin.

“No!” Yasmin heard David yell, and he made some signs in the air.

Suddenly, the fire ball shrunk to the size of a mouse, then vanished.

Yasmin took a deep breath. She could breathe again!

“Stupid prince!” Varley snarled, pulling David toward him by magic. He grabbed David by the shirt, choking him.

David glared up at him, his eyes promising murder. “Do you really think I care about you?”

“How could you?” David said, kicking Varley. It didn’t seem to hurt him, however, because he didn’t move.

Yasmin wanted to help David, to do something. But she couldn’t move. She was exhausted, the fire Varley had conjured must have sapped her strength. “My father is dead because you betrayed him!”

That seemed to amuse Varley, because he smiled. “I suppose he is, isn’t he?”

Yasmin could hear David sobbing, and she felt like crying too. How must it feel to have your father’s best friend join the side of his killer?

“Wanna hear a secret?” Varley whispered, but his voice carried on the wind. “I suppose I should kill you all, or else it will be a bother. Besides…” he said, shaking David, who was still kicking him. “I really hate royalty.”

“Why would I want to know anything you have to tell me?” David said through gritted teeth, hitting Varley.

Yasmin tried to tell him no, to warn him he was playing right into Varley’s hands, but she knew David wouldn’t listen to her. When he got like this, David wouldn’t listen to anyone.

“Richard is alive.”

Yasmin saw David stop kicking, and saw him turn pale. She heard Gloriana gasp, and saw Varley laughing.

David started crying. “You’re lying!” he yelled, looking at Varley with tears in his eyes. “My father is dead!”

Yasmin