Page 57 of Grimoire Omens

Invisible bands wrapped around me, immobilizing my arms, making me a sitting duck for his judgement. A judgement he appeared determined to mete despite the regret in his eyes.

“I truly am sorry for this. Apparently, your mother was wise to keep us apart.”

“She knew of the prophecy.” Stated, not asked.

He didn’t have to reply. I saw the answer in the slump of his shoulders, a rounding that lasted but a brief second before he conjured a sword of crackling white flame.

He really was going to do it. In a panic, I huffed, “You don’t have to kill me. I have no interest in your throne. Let me go back to Earth and I promise we never have to see each other again.”

“Until another like your brother thinks he can use you against me.”

“Do you really think I’d agree to help anyone dethrone you? You might be a dick, but I’m not a murderer.” Although, given my current level of irritation—and lack of salty snacks the last few days—I might soon turn into one.

As we argued, no one watched Gryvak, that sly coward. He slipped behind the king and, before anyone could shout a warning, power fisted a hole through my dad’s chest.

The wide surprised eyes almost made me feel sorry for him.

As daddy-not-dear dropped, his fire sword winking away, I saw Gryvak standing behind, his hand bloody, wearing a shit-eating grin. “I told you I’d be king.”

I could have let him have the royal seat. Could have opened a door and walked away but years, decades, of people using me—even if I didn’t know it at the time—left me with a giant chip. Not to mention, I knew Gryvak would never let me live in peace. Either he’d find a way to have me killed or he’d make me his prisoner, his tool to conquer the other kingdoms.

“And now, dear sister, I will allow you the honor of being the first to kneel and swear fealty.”

“Like fuck,” I spat.

“You will obey!” Gryvak hollered, and then he tried to encase me in the bubble of silence. A shell meant to quell. To render me meek and malleable.

No more. My rage exploded.

Literally.

From my humming body, flames shot out, and since my brother stood in front of me…

Gryvak started screaming as he lit up like a pyre. He ran, arms waving wildly, heading for those watching, who stood there like morons, and thus a few ignited as Gryvak passed by, which led to even more high-pierced shrieking.

Oops. This might be a good time to leave.

And so I did. Like Dorothy, I started thinking, There’s no place like home. There really wasn’t. I missed the shitty house I’d made my own. Missed my best friend. Even missed Cedric, that hissing furball menace. Most of all, I really regretted not having that pizza before getting kidnapped, and as the thought of a warm gooey pie filled my thoughts, a slit opened in the air in front of me, and this time, I didn’t fall but stepped into the portal I’d made and found myself in my favorite pizza parlor.

16

The problem with having travelled to another dimension was returning without a damned thing. No phone, no cash, no credit card. I mean, sure, I looked rich in my fancy ballgown, but Manny, the owner of the pizza joint, who had been serving me pizza since I moved into Grams’ place, still wouldn’t give me a slice.

“No freebies,” he stated with a shake of his head. “If I give one to you, then every regular would start asking and I’d go out of business.”

Doubtful since he made the best pizza ever but I could respect his wishes. However, I still wanted, make that needed, a slice of familiarity.

“I don’t suppose I can borrow your phone?”

That he allowed, and after the initial squeal that rendered me deaf, Flo arrived to the rescue in my car. She didn’t come alone.

A not-so-dead Ulseere accompanied her, as did Cedric.

Upon seeing the former, I squealed, “You’re alive.”

“Thanks to you. If you’d not stopped Gryvak from stomping my head, we wouldn’t be speaking,” his wry reply. “I’m pleased to see you managed to return unharmed.” His tone also indicated surprise.

“I wouldn’t say unharmed,” I grumbled. The revealed secrets and the fact I’d seen my dad get murdered and then not-so-accidentally set my half-brother on fire would likely scar me for a long while—but I’m sure several bags of chips, a few joints, a bottle of wine, and then more chips would help.