CHAPTER ONELuke Bradford pulled up his hoodie to avoid being recognised as he rolled his bike to a stop beside the flashy Porsche which conveyed his wife and her friends to Bridgeville University.He barely had time to help his foster mother off the bike before Fiona, his wife, and her group of friends began barking orders at him. "Hey, bird brain, what the hell are you doing there? Come over right now and take our bags." Carmella, one of Fiona's bratty friends screeched.Fiona had clearly stated that she would not have "the trash" riding in her brand new car. Even when Luke had begged her to just allow his mother ride with them, she gave the older woman a disgusted look and proclaimed that if she would not ride on the bike with her son, she might as well walk.Luke's face reddened in embarrassment as half of the parking lot turned in their direction."Hold on, mum, I'll be right back." He whispered to his mum.Mrs Bradford shook her head, sadness clouding her features as she watche
Luke stared at his reflection in the mirror, willing his jangled nerves to calm down. It was eight thirty already. Fiona and her family had already left for the exquisite ballroom where the event was going to be held hours ago, making it easier for Luke to slip out without being seen.He had on a navy blue suit, crisp white shirt and pristine navy blue slacks. His wavy brown hair was perfectly slicked back and his jaw was shaven smooth.After successfully dodging the mansion's security guard, he whistled for a taxi.Luke pulled open the back door and slipped in."Boons and Diamonds Event Hall, Central London."The driver paused with his hands on the wheel, giving Luke's cheap suit a suspicious glance in the rear view mirror."Are you sure that is where you're going? I heard the Carmichael families are having an event there." He asked.Luke glared at him,"I am Fiona Carmichael's fiance . Can you take me to the hall now?"Visibly surprised, the driver zoomed off without another word, w
David opened the box, revealing a shimmering, luxurious diamond ring. From every indication, the ring was worth millions of pounds.Luke stared down at the little fancy diary he got Fiona as a gift. This could never be compared to David's gift. Everyone would just laugh at him.Luke was about to turn away when David looked straight at him, his eyes burning with challenge.Finally, he got down on one knee."Fiona, I have loved you ever since you were just ten years old. Your beauty and intelligence have never failed to leave me in awe. This ring is worth ten million pounds and today, on your twentieth birthday, it is my utmost pleasure to ask you to become my wife.Will you marry me, my princess Fiona?"Shocked silence fell over the entire hall. Fiona looked dazed, while Mr and Mrs. Carmichael's eyes widened with pleasant surprise.Luke held his breath, waiting for Fiona's response, then all around him, guests erupted in a chant,"Say yes! Say yes! Say yes…!"Fiona's eyes shimmered wit
CHAPTER FOURLuke jolted awake with a skull piercing headache. For a moment, he was totally disoriented. He blinked a couple of times to clear his befuddled brain, wondering what the hell had happened.His blurry eyes took in the heavy draperies and pure white walls. Then it struck him. Fiona’s rejection. The party. Getting plastered…and getting kidnapped.He shook his head slowly, taking in the strange surroundings. He was in a bedroom, and from every indication, this room belonged to an extremely affluent person. The gleaming marble floors complemented the dark draperies and bedside table made of pure mahogany. Floor to ceiling windows covered the east wall, giving him a splendid view of the large grounds of the building and the beautiful water fountain below.Even the Carmichaels’ mansion could never be compared to this beautiful place.“I must be dreaming or something.” He said to himself.He got to his feet slowly and made for the door. He looked for a door knob and couldn’t fin
Luke collapsed into his seat, his mind buzzing with a billion different thoughts.If anyone had told him that he would one day be kidnapped and later proclaimed heir to an empire worth trillions of dollars, he would have laughed them in the face.“I’m not so sure about this.” He rasped.The old man smiled.“I understand that this is a lot for you to take in, but I assure you that accepting your position will be the best decision you have ever taken in your life.”Luke shook his head and attempted to change the subject.“So you said my parents died in an accident. Was it really an accident? Being an heir to so much money, some people might have been after them, right?”The old man heaved a sad sigh.“I’m afraid you’re right, my son. You see, the George name is one of the most important and powerful names in the world which was why I ordered that we would remain anonymous. I did not want any links or trails that would associate us with our wealth…but your father began to get out of cont
“Where would you like to go, your Lordship?” One of the guards, apparently their leader asked.Luke smiled.“Please, call me Luke.”The man shook his head.“I’m afraid that will not be happening. Your Lordship is your official title.”Luke stared at him in confusion.“Uh…okay. If you say so.”He looked down at his dirty shoes and the wrinkled shirt he wore to Fiona’s birthday party last night and a thought crawled into his mind.“Take me to the best boutique in the city.”“Of course, your lordship.”The guards went their different ways. Some of them got into a huge, black jeep while two followed in my Tesla. Before long, we arrived at a magnificent boutique with “Kings’ Wardrobe” inscribed with shiny gold lettering on the walls.Luke asked the guards to stay in the car or just loiter around the environment while he went in on his own. Now that he thought about it, Luke had actually read about this boutique.It topped “Vogue’s most classy and luxurious boutique of the month” list just
CHAPTER SEVEN “Has everyone suddenly gone dumb? I asked a question!” The man thundered. Martha gave Luke a full glare before turning to her boss. “I apologize for the commotion, sir. This man,” she said, pointing at Luke, “ walked in here and started picking up our wares, claiming he can pay for them. From every indication, sir, he doesn’t look like he can afford the least priced item we sell here, talk more of a ten thousand dollar watch. He was beginning to constitute a nuisance to our actual paying customers so I decided to call the security officers.” The Manager turned his dark, serious eyes on Luke. He appraised him slowly, starting from his worn out shoes to his low budget shirt. Luke did not look down or cower. Rather, he met the manager stare for stare. “What are you doing here, young man?” The manger finally asked. Luke shrugged. “I’m here to shop like everyone else.” “And how do you intend to pay for the items you’ve picked? Before you answer that question, I want y
Nina stepped into the car, confusion written all over her features. The last time she saw Luke, she had bought him a plate of food from the school’s cafeteria because he was unable to afford even the least item sold there. Where the hell did he get a Tesla?She decided to keep silent so as not to appear rude. Maybe he had borrowed it or something.Luke put the cat in “drive” and continued down the lane.“So…how are you, Nina?”She forced a smile.“Very well, thank you.”Awkward silence reigned in the car after that. Something was wrong with Nina. Luke could feel it. Her normal bright and smiling countenance was stiff and dull.Has someone hurt her? Luke felt his blood boil at the thought.When the silence began to get uncomfortable, he decided to broach the subject.“Uh…Nina, are you okay?”She turned her big blue eyes in his direction.“What? Yes, of course. I’m fine.” A forced laugh escaped her.Now Luke was sure something was wrong.“Are you sure you’re okay? You can tell me, you
One year later“…to end this broadcast, here’s a recap of the major stories.Former Mrs. Fiona George, ex wife to one of London’s most successful trillionaire businessman, Luke George, along with her mother, Mrs. Carmichael and ex-boyfriend, David Humsworth have all been sentenced to different years in prison. After a long year of legal battles, the court finally announced their sentence today, bringing months of crime and criminal conspiracy to an end…”A sense of satisfaction settled over Luke’s heart as he watched clips of Fiona, her mother and David being led into a police van, already handcuffed. Fiona was screaming and crying while David and Mrs. Carmichael lowered their heads to avoid being captured by the cameras.Beside Luke, Nina, his five months pregnant wife, snuggled deeper against his side, placing her small hands atop his chest.“It’s finally over.” She whispered, her gentle voice already soothing his soul. “It’s really over. Are you happy now?”Luke twisted to the si
For five long seconds, a thick blanket of silence reigned in the room. Lord George stared at Nina in shock, obviously unable to believe his ears. Lucas’ expression was filled with awe while Fiona and her mother looked like they’d just been forced to swallow a bowl full of fart.“Luke, she’s lying. This bitch is lying to you. I didn’t bribe the doctor. How could I do that when I didn’t even know the hospital until you took me there? How can I betray you like that?” She sniffed and hiccuped, looking every bit the victim.Mrs. Carmichael was enraged.“All you’ve done for the past few minutes is go around yapping that little mouth of yours and spewing lies.” She spat at Nina. “Where’s your evidence, huh? You’re claiming that my daughter bribed the doctor. Where’s your goddamn evidence, you shameless homewrecker?!”“If you’re looking for evidence, don’t ask her. Ask me.”Everyone turned towards the door, searching for the owner of the new voice.Mrs Carmichael’s face dampened with fear an
Luke’s heart thundered like a runaway train as Fiona came closer and closer, thrusting the baby towards him.When she was just a hair’s breadth away, Nina intercepted her, blocking her from reaching him.Fiona’s scowl deepened, her eyes already burning with rage.“What the heck do you think you’re doing, Nina? Get out of my way.” She snapped angrily.“And what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Nina countered, folding her arms.Fiona raised her chin.“I was just about to introduce Luke to his son and heir before you rudely interrupted. As you know, my Cameron is a bonafide member of this family. You’re not. Therefore you have no right to be here. Why don’t you just give up on your plans to destroy my marriage, Nina? Can’t you see that you’re already failing?”Nina smirked.“Since we’re all here and you seem to have so much to say today, Fiona, why don’t we play a little game?”Luke stared at the back of Nina’s head with confusion. What was she doing?“In addition to being blind, ar
SIX MONTHS LATERPain. He was in so much pain.His arms, legs and back throbbed and burned. His head felt like a wailing banshee had taken up residence. He tried to open his eyes but his eyelids seemed to be glued shut.“His vitals seem okay but he’s no longer responding to treatment. I’m afraid his coma might become worse. His injuries are nothing like we’ve ever seen before.”He heard noises above him and tried to alert whoever it was to the fact that he was actually awake. He tried to blink or even move his finger, but his body refused to listen to his brain as usual.“I’m sorry but you and your family will have to consider taking him off life support. I don’t mean to be pessimistic but it doesn’t look like he’ll get any better than this.”His heart tightened with panic as he listened to the doctor go on and on about how he’ll never recover. Someone was crying in the room. He could hear the whimpers. Her whimpers.He struggled to stay awake for a moment longer but his brain was spi
THREE MONTHS LATERThe day was dark and gloomy. Rydling soldiers and Elders gathered around the glass casket, their faces pinched in tight frowns.“We’re gathered today to celebrate the one person who sacrificed his life to save all of us. We’re here to witness the end of the reign of our chosen one.” Elder Tomako said quietly.“We watched him fight a good fight. Now, it’s time to bid him farewell. We tried our possible best to bring him back, but I believe this is really the end of the road for our hero. Lower the casket.”The casket was lowered by four heavily built soldiers into the already dug earth. The moment it touched the ground, the death bells started ringing.The forlorn sounds of the bell were followed by flashes of lightning and the deep, rumbling sounds of thunder. That was the king of the Rydlings himself, saying goodbye to his chosen one. The Chosen One had fought a good fight. Now, it was time for him to rest eternally.
THE END OF HIS REIGN***Have you ever gotten the feeling that you’re about to die and no one can save you even if they tried?Have you ever looked death straight in the eyes?That was all that went through Luke’s mind as he stared at the red eyes of the demon-beast before him. His knees and heart quaked with fear and blood whooshed loudly in his ears.Luke knew he was powerless without his amulet. Even if he’d trained for physical combat, those skills wouldn’t be of any significant help against Malcolm.Malcolm took a step forward and Luke gulped in deeply.“I heard Rydling had chosen a weakling to save his people.” He growled, his voice dripping with disgust. “I thought my people were bluffing. But looking at you, I guess they weren’t.Which makes me wonder why my own brother would, out of the millions of experienced and well-trained soldiers at his disposal, choose a good-for-nothing scaredy-cat to lead a war against me.” Malcolm burst into loud, booming laughter. “I mean, what w
A month later…Something was coming. Luke could feel it.For the past month, his anxiety rate had tripled. During the day, he felt followed, stalked. At night, he felt watched.. He could barely sleep these days. His amulet glowed all night and he was pretty certain he’d heard whispers in the dark two nights ago. The hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention. His guts burned with suspicion. There was something wrong somewhere.Something was coming. Something dark…and very, very ugly.****“Focus, Luke. Focus! Channel your amulet’s power. If you’re distracted, the enemy will definitely find an opening to strike.”Luke took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging nerves. Today’s training was on mobility. His ability to dodge the strikes of evil spells or possibly, gun shots from the enemy.“There’s an unwritten rule that guns are banned from all supernatural wars but Malcolm’s followers are evil. We should not underestimate their inclination to cheat.” Elder Tomako had said ea
FOUR MONTHS LATER“It's all about concentration, Luke.” Elder Tomako said for the umpteenth time. “Close your eyes and focus on the power within your amulet. Channel it. If you can do that, the amulet would do anything you want. Close your eyes and feel the magic. Command it.”Luke shot his eyes and focused. Gradually, he felt the familiar energy begin to build. His amulet glowed and throbbed against his chest, sending spurts after spurts of power through his entire frame.He chanted the power codes he was taught throughout his first month of training and the tips of his finger began to burn. “Ancient spirits please arise. Lend your power and your might. Victory over my enemies, I pray thee. Ancient spirits please arise!”Finally, the energy within him became so powerful, shards of dangerous light shot through his fingers and sliced all the targets in front of him, reducing them to puffs of dust.The room erupted into a flurry of explosions and the stench of smoke filled the air.Whe
“How did you kill him?” Luke asked as they both settled down on the Italian sofa.Lucas’ expression became guarded.“Well, turns out, grandpa isn't the only person Edoardo was indebted to. The bastard was involved with a lot of shady people. He gambled a lot and lost loads of cash in the process.Unfortunately, he borrowed money from an organisation that doesn’t believe debtors should walk around scot free.”A slight chill crawled up Luke’s spine at Lucas’ dark expression.“What organisation was that?”Lucas took a few seconds too long to reply and Luke instantly knew that Edoardo had fallen into deep, deep shit before his death.“Edoardo borrowed money from the Russian crime syndicate. The Bratva.”Luke froze as shock shot through his entire system. “D-did you just say…?”Lucas nodded.“Yes. Unfortunately for him, he borrowed half a million dollars from them and couldn’t pay back after a period of six months like he’d promised.”Luke's heart thumped wildly as he asked;“How did they