Page 93 of His Queen
The urgency in the situation is undeniable, and a sense of dread settles in the pit of my stomach. Lena’s eyes widen, mirroring my realization.
“No. It’s not. Come on, let’s go,” I urge, my words rushed and filled with urgency.
We hastily make our way out of my office, our footsteps echoing down the dimly lit hallway. The acrid smell of gunpowder hangs in the air, mingling with the scent of fear.Armed guards stand at every corner, their presence a stark reminder of the danger that surrounds us. The flickering lights overhead cast eerie shadows on the walls, heightening the tension in the air. I can’t help but feel a surge of frustration, exhaustion washing over me. How many times must we face these life-threatening situations?
We push forward, Lena and I, our pace quickening as we make our way toward the safe room. But before we can reach our destination, the sound of gunfire erupts, shattering the already fragile peace. The echoes reverberate through the halls, intensifying the chaos that engulfs us.
“Come on this way,” I urgently whisper, my fingers tightly gripping Lena’s arm as I guide her through the dimly lit hallway. The distant echoes of gunfire and desperate shouts fill the air, making it difficult to pinpoint their source. Vlad’s voice cuts through the chaos, calling my name, but his exact location remains hidden.
As we approach the safe room, my heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through my veins. Suddenly, a hulking figure steps out into our path, blocking our escape. His presence alone exudes menace and danger.
“Lena, you have caused me a lot of trouble,” he sneers, his voice dripping with malice. “You should have just come back home. Don’t worry, I have a special place picked out for you. I’m taking you home.”
Instinctively, I position myself in front of Lena, shielding her from harm. My muscles tense, ready to defend her at any cost.
“If you want her, you are going to have to get through me,” I assert, my voice steady despite the boiling rage within me.
The man’s laughter fills the air, mocking and cold. Anger surges through me, intensifying the heat in my veins. His hand rises, and in an instant, searing pain rips through my shoulder, causing me to grit my teeth in agony.
Lena’s scream pierces the air, her words echoing my fury, “You fucking bastard!”
I strain to locate the source of the sudden gunshot, unable to pinpoint its origin. Panic surges within me, but I refuse to abandon her. My grip on her tightens, desperation fueling my every move. The assailant lunges towards me, his presence a looming threat. Instinctively, I seize his wrist, twisting it mercilessly behind his back. Agonizing pain pulses through my body with each exertion. In a desperate attempt to defend myself, I deliver a swift kick to his leg, destabilizing him. He stumbles, offering me a fleeting opportunity. With all the strength I can muster, I deliver a punishing knee strike to his stomach.
“Run, Lena! Run!” I urge her, my voice strained. “Find safety! I promise I’ll track you down!”
Lena’s eyes widen, fear etched across her face. She nods, tears streaming down her cheeks, and darts away into the darkness. I watch her silhouette disappear, my heart pounding in my chest.
Turning my attention back to the man, adrenaline courses through my veins. He lunges at me, fury burning in his eyes. I sidestep his attack, my muscles screaming in protest. The pain is a relentless reminder of my injury, but I push through it.
With lightning reflexes, I deliver a swift elbow strike to his jaw. His head snaps back, and I seize the opportunity to grab hold of his collar. In a desperate attempt to break free, he throws a wild punch at me. I dodge it, narrowly avoiding the blow.
My grip tightens, my fingers digging into his flesh. I twist his arm further, forcing him to his knees. He grunts in agony, his resistance weakening. The fight is far from over, but I can’t afford to lose focus.
In a swift motion, I sweep my leg, knocking him off balance once again. He crashes to the ground, disoriented and vulnerable. With a surge of determination, I deliver a bone-crushing kick to his ribs. The impact reverberates through my body, but I ignore the pain.
Gasping for breath, the man struggles to rise, his face contorted with rage. But I’m not finished. I seize the opportunity to deliver a devastating blow, my knee driving into his chest with unyielding force. He crumples, gasping for air, defeated.
Breathing heavily, I glance around, searching for any sign of danger. The hall is shrouded in shadows; distant sirens broke the silence. I can’t waste any more time. I must find Lena, ensure her safety.
With a last look at the fallen man, I sprint down the hallway toward the safe room, my determination guiding my every step. The hunt for Lena’s salvation has begun, and nothing will stand in my way.
She sprints down the dimly lit hall, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. I strain my eyes, watching her desperate race towards the safe room. A wave of relief washes over me, and as I exhale, I feel a rush of cool air brush against my face. Suddenly, a searing pain grazes my cheek as a bullet whizzes past, snapping me back to reality. Panic sets in, urging me to find safety. “Lena!” I shout, my voice trembling with fear. She turns, her wide eyes reflecting the urgency in my plea.
With a determined grip, she clasps the door handle, ready to secure our sanctuary. But, in that moment, my heart sinks as I spot a figure emerging from the shadows behind her, inside the supposed safe room. I try to scream a warning, but my voice fails me, betraying my distraction. The man seizes me, his twisted grin stretching across his face. I catch a glimpse of his sinister satisfaction before he forcefully covers my mouth with a cloth. The world around me begins to blur, fading into darkness, and my limbs grow weak like melting jello. Amidst the chaos, my final conscious act is reaching out desperately for Lena.
Rose
Idonotknowhow long I was unconscious, but when I finally regain consciousness, Vlad’s worried face came into focus. He is kneeling beside me, his eyes filled with panic. The room is dimly lit, and the sound of distant sirens fills the air.
“Where is she?” I whisper, my voice raspy and weak. I can feel the dryness in my throat, a mix of fear and disorientation.
“Who, Rose?” Vlad asks, gently brushing my hair back from my face. The touch is comforting, a brief moment of solace amidst the chaos.
“Lena. He took her. The man in the safe room,” I explain, my words slurred and disjointed. The grogginess still lingers, making it difficult to think clearly.
Vlad’s expression darkens, mirroring the weight of the situation. “What do you mean, Rose? Who was in the safe room?”
“I don’t know. I was fighting another man, and Lena made it to the safe room. But then, I saw a man sneaking up behind her, and I tried to warn her. Before I could react, someone covered my mouth with a cloth, and everything went black. When I woke up, you were here.”
