Chapter 3 (Luka)

                                    

                                          
3
                          
Luka
                          
How could I stay? If I stayed they all would be dead. Myra hadn’t seen all of the vision. I hunted every person we had ever known. The pain I had felt when the blade slid into Myra didn’t compare to the anger and the gratification I felt when I tortured and killed Rykar. Then Brooke and so many more, finishing with Nyght... I had enjoyed it.
                          
I’m a horrible brother. What was I thinking going off on my own? It seemed like a good idea at the time, now I’m not so sure. And how could I have asked her to cover for me. Myra didn’t lie. She’d rather knit than a lie. I, Luka Kerr Kane, Prince of Evigheden am a horrible person.
                          
I hope, really my only chance was to complete the spell.
                          
To do that I needed to head west, to what I wasn’t sure. My talent was little help. Sure, I could see the future, but only when I slept. There are rare moments that I could see the past but only if Myra had to be nearby. One advantage to my talent, for an unknown reason, I am hard to sneak up on.
                          
“Nyght, what are you doing here,” I asked the darkness behind me.
                          
“What am I doing here?” His answer was to hit me in the jaw.
                          
The sound of flesh against flesh echoed through my ears. Then the world went out of focus and I fell to the ground. Dirt and rocks cutting into my knees ripping my pants, I sucked in the dust filled air, coughing. He talked to Myra.
                          
“What are you doing Luka?” He demanded.
                          
I was still close enough to the castle that Myra would hear me. You could have warned me. I could feel her there. Myra didn’t answer. Guess I’m on my own. I rubbed my jaw, and swallowed the metallic taste of blood. I tried to get back on my feet.
                          
“Nyght…” I said.
                          
He hit me again. My right eye throbbed with pain. I hoped my eye wouldn’t swell shut. I would’ve of fought back if not for the knowledge and fear that he might kill me, but I wish he’d stop hitting me.
                          
“You’ve never been outside the castle walls. Food doesn’t just come cooked; drink doesn’t just appear because you want it?” He lectured. “Just being you could get, you killed.”
                          
Now not only angry, but hurt, I jumped to my feet. “I’m not a complete idiot.” I shot back.
                          
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not so sure about that.”
                          
“You think I would just leave?  Thought it would be fun, have great adventure?” I tried to shove him out of my way, but it was like shoving a stone wall. I met his frenzied gaze. “Nyght, you know me better than anyone. I’m not the spoiled prince everyone thinks I am.”
                          
“I don’t even know who you are.” I could see the anger boiling behind his violet eyes as he clenched his fist with the frustration. “The Luka I know would never leave his sister to clean up his mess.”
                          
I shook my head. He was right, of course, and if there was any other way….
                          
“What is she supposed to say when they ask her to find you, you know they’ll ask. She won’t lie… Not even for you.”
                          
I looked down at my shoes shuffling my feet in the dirt afraid to see the disappointment reflected in Nyght’s eyes. “Nothing.”
                          
“NOTHING!!!” Nyght bellowed “You told her to say nothing!”
                          
I flinched away from him, fearing he might hit me again. Not that I didn’t deserve it
                          
“And she agreed?” Nyght pulled his fingers threw his long black hair. “Of course she did.”
                          
“It won’t last.” I protested. “She told you. I give it a day, maybe two, before she tells our parents,” I said. I hope it’s enough time. “It took her no time at all to tell you.”
                          
“Moment of weakness,” he mumbled. “I wish she hadn’t.”
                          
I picked up my bag and wiped the dirt from it. “Then forget she did” and turned to walk away.
                          
“I can’t,” he said defeated. “I have two choices. I can either drag you back…”
                          
I could guess what the second option. “Your talent has no effect on me.” I turned and grinned at him. “If it did we would not be having this conversation."
                          
He cracked his knuckles. “There are other ways to knock sense into someone.”
                          
It was an empty threat and we both knew it. “How do you think your dear, sweet Myra will feel if you bring her favorite brother back black, blue and bloody?”
                          
His shoulders stiffened and determination vibrated from him. “I’m not dragging you back.” He crossed his arms. “I’m going with you."
                          
I motioned to him. “In your formal garments and crown?”
                          
“You need me.” He pulled out a well-worn dirt covered satchel.
                          
I demanded, he ignored me digging through his well warn satchel. “What will happen to your kingdom if you leave Nyght?”
                          
He pulled out a pair of dark pants and shrugged. “They’ll figure it out.”
                          
I leaned against a nearby tree watching him, wondering about the bag. “And Myra?”
                          
He didn’t say anything.
                          
“No changing your mind is there?”
                          
He stood, stuffing his crown into the satchel before answering. “No.”
                          
I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but I need his help. I hoped Myra will forgive us both when this was over.