“Are you trying to tell me, deputy, that a heavily guarded criminal simply broke from his cuffs and killed a bunch of detectives? Do you realise how stupid that sounds?” Luke asked through gritted teeth.The deputy locked his jaw.“Information reaching me has it that they stopped for a restroom break and the kidnapper faked a seizure. They had to free him so he didn’t end up hurting himself with the sharp edges of the handcuffs. Before they realised it was all staged, he’d already gone for Marshall, the officer closest to him.He shot Marshall point blank in the head with his gun. Connor tried to step in but he was shot as well. He died on his way to the hospital.”Luke could not believe his ears.“And the criminal? Where is he?”After a silent beat, the deputy said.“He shot himself. He’s dead.”“Fuck!” Luke exclaimed, pacing to the other end of the room. Behind him, Nina’s mother gasped in pure horror.A few seconds later, Luke felt someone grab his shirt from behind.“Are you a cri
“Excuse me?” Mrs Washington asked the doctor, her mouth hanging open in shock. The doctor speared her with a cold, stony stare.“I said that you should please vacate that seat. His lordship cannot be left standing while you’re seated.”“Who exactly is this ‘his lordship’ you’re talking about?” She asked slowly.The doctor motioned behind her.“You just walked past him.”Nina’s mother turned to survey the area. The only two people standing there were Luke and the deputy. None of them looked like they had any royal titles to their names.“All I see is the officer and that good for nothing Luke. I think you must be mistaken.” She sneered.The doctor’s eyes flashed with annoyance.“No, Ms. I believe you’re the mistaken one here. How dare you address his lordship as good for nothing?”Just then, Mr. Washington walked in and his wife rose.“Can you imagine what the doctor just said? “ she asked, her lips curled in a sneer.“What is it, honey?” “According to him, Luke Bradford over there ha
The deputy finally convinced Luke to go home and have a shower. All the way home, Luke thought of ways in which he would break the news of Nina’s assault to her parents, but he came up with nothing. Absolutely nothing.The Washingtons were big time snobs. If they found out that their daughter had been hurt in any way, Lord or not, Luke was going to bear the heat for it…and so would his grandfather.Luke did not want anything that would link his grandfather to any sort of scandal, meaning he’d have to keep his mouth shut. At Least until he came up with a good plan on how to approach the Washingtons.Just before he left the hospital, he’d gotten news that Nina was awake. He’d rushed down to see her but her parents had already beaten him to it.The Washingtons kept the doors to Nina’s room firmly closed, saying without words that no one else was welcome…especially him.The next morning, showered, dressed and feeling slightly better after two hours of uneasy sleep, Luke finally made his w
Luke stood in Kayla Andrew’s house fiddling the bracelet, his nerves all but ready to explode with rage.She finally stepped into her living room, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw him.“Luke? What are you doing here?”Luke stared at her for a moment, his face hard and unsmiling.“Do you have a minute? I’d like us to discuss a few things.”Her eyes narrowed in confusion but she hid it really well.“Oh, please sit.” Her gaze clouded with concern. “Is this about Nina? Is she okay?”Luke paused for a bit, unsure on how to broach the subject.“Nina’s awake now. The doctor proclaimed her stable yesterday.”She brightened immediately.“Oh, that’s great. So…what did you want to talk about?”Luke fixed her with a thoughtful stare.“Kayla, when the police questioned you concerning the night you and Nina were kidnapped, are you sure you told them everything you knew?”Kayla shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Yes. I’m sure I did. Is there any problem?”“Think carefully, Kayla. Are you
Kayla’s face twisted in shock as she stared at Luke.“What exactly are you talking about? Do you even realise the depth of what you’re saying?” She screeched.Luke was not perturbed.“You are certain that the kidnappers did not drop you off at any building. However, investigations reveal that your fingerprints were all over the attic where Nina was being held hostage at the British Museum. Can you explain that?”Her eyes darted nervously around the room as she tried to come up with a reasonable excuse.“There has to be a suitable explanation for that. Perhaps the kidnappers…”“The kidnappers cut off your hands and stamped your prints all over the walls?” Luke asked sarcastically.Kayla stepped back.“Look, I am innocent in all of this. I was not taken to any museum. Someone is obviously trying to set me up. Can’t you see?”Luke curled his fingers into fists, trying to contain his anger.“Save your lies for the court, Kayla.”“I’m not lying!” She yelled desperately. “I promise, I’m not
The day of Fiona Carmichael and David Humsworth’s wedding dawns bright and clear. Even the usual cold, rainy London weather gives way to a bright and sunny day. The birds chirp their congratulations in perfect symphony, and the toll of the great church’s bells can be heard for miles.While Fiona is busy preening in her wide skirted wedding dress and David is celebrating a double win – the successful kidnapping of Nina and his intending marriage to Fiona – Luke and officers of the London Police Department are plotting to destroy a wedding that will soon be the most talked about event in the history of London weddings.The joining of the Humsworth and Carmichael families could be said to be a match made in heaven. Both families were incredibly snobbish, ridiculously proud and loved attention to a fault, which explained the numerous reporters who flashed cameras and took interviews at the venue of the wedding.To Luke and his men, the reporters would only be an added advantage. The fas
“Excuse me?” The lady asked, her brows narrowing in confusion.“Oh,” Luke said, making a show of acting shocked. “You didn’t hear the news? Nina Wahington was kidnapped a few days ago. Wanna know who kidnapped her?”The lady stared at Luke like he’d gone crazy and he looked away with a short laugh. In front of the church, David was trying to explain the horrible images on the screen to a screeching Fiona.“What the hell is going on?!” Fiona cried. “Shut that thing off right now.”“Wait.” One of her bridesmaids called. “Isn’t that Nina? Nina Washington?”Fiona was trembling with rage now.“I don’t care if it’s the Duchess of Mesopotamia. Those pictures have no business at my wedding!”David and his father were currently arguing with the projector’s operator, looking for means to stop more of the pictures from coming up.If only they knew.“I’m sorry sir,” the operator tapped at his screen, frustration already evident on his features. “It seems like I have no control over it. My sys
All the TV stations streamed it. Every radio station in London carried the news.London’s very own prestigious family, the Humsworths, were part of a notorious New Mexican cartel, and were responsible for the kidnap of Nina Washington.Nobody else asides Luke and the doctor knew that Nina was sexually assaulted. That would’ve been too messy.The news of Fiona’s ruined wedding ceremony travelled far and wide as well. Most called her lucky for successfully evading being married into a family of criminals. Others mocked her and called it karma for rejecting Luke.Over the next couple of days, Luke made sure that David and his father were tried and sentenced for their crimes. Of course, being crooks, they tried to bribe the judge into influencing the judgement in their favour, but Luke made sure all their plans proved abortive.On the day of the sentencing, David broke down and cried like a baby when the judge gave him fifty years with hard Labour, and twenty five years for his father.N
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