Sapphire

  “You’ll be safe,” said a soothing masculine voice.

  Baby Shawna looked up from her crib as two strong arms reached towards her.

  “Stop!”

  The arms withdrew. Shawna began to cry. She didn’t like the sound of that demanding voice; it held a frigid arrogance that frightened her. The man reeled around, fists clenched, his face carved in lines of anger.

  “You’ll regret this,” the woman spat.

  “I will not let you take her,” said the man. “You cursed us all! Can’t you see that?”

  Shawna wailed even more loudly. She was choking on her sobs, wishing for the soothing voice again. Her eyes fixated on the man. His arms trembled as light coursed down his veins.

  “You’ll destroy everything!” the woman shouted back. “By letting her live we’ll all perish! What we’ve gained will be lost. Look at yourself. You’re already closer to death.”

  There was a blue flash, yells, explosions, and marble rock was rumbling and raining down. The crib was overturned, and she tumbled out in a cocoon of lavender scented blankets. Hands grabbed and jostled her, but her cries were muffled in the sheets. Someone was running with her down hallways and through rooms flickering with firelight.

  The person stopped, and a hand pulled the stifling sheets from her tear-streaked face. It was the man, saying kind words. Her sobs turned to hiccups, and she tried reaching for his face, glad it was him. He tensed and whipped his head up. She whined, feeling his apprehension. He held her closer.

  “She finally understood,” said that female voice again. “She agreed with what must be done.”

  “You lie. What have you done with her? No one believes your insanity anymore. You stand alone and you will fail. I will see to that.”

  The woman snarled like a feral animal. Shawna arched her neck, trying to see her. She saw something glint on the woman’s chest, and her young eyes were enchanted for a moment.

  “Warwick,” the woman whispered. “Please, believe me. It was for all of us.” Her voice dropped lower. “There was no other way. It was out of love for our people, my—”

  The force of his shout made her step back.

  “Love?!”

  His worn, but still handsome face, was contorted by rage. “You know power. Even your own sisters knew that.”

  The woman’s voice was now tinged with desperation. “Warwick, think of what our world has gained from—”

  “Think of what it has become! You will never touch her.”

  His lips then soundlessly started to form powerful words. The earth quaked as a dark creature, flashing with silver, erupted between them. Swirling white fire flew from the unicorn as it reared out of the ground. The woman screamed, and Shawna wailed. Everything was falling from her. She was falling, falling from those protective arms.