The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) by Ravyn Rayne Read Free Book Online

had solar powered cars. The poor, the majority of the people, traveled on foot or by horse. "Where are we going?" Aria asked. "How did you get here today?" It took weeks on foot and Aria had just seen Ethan yesterday morning from the window, planting outside along the riverbank.
    "I stole a motorcycle," Ethan said.
    He was the last person Aria would have expected to steal a cent.
    "Don't judge me," Ethan said and pointed to the vehicle. "Over there."
    Aria jogged with him to the motorcycle and he climbed on, handing her a helmet. She secured hers and he did the same with his. Aria's hands encircled his waist. "Do you know how to ride it?" she asked.
    "After I fell off a half-dozen times, yeah I've got it covered."
    Aria clung to Ethan as they headed east, far from the palace, but still within the kingdom of Brayleigh. She couldn't easily escape the kingdom. She would need to hide, forever.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Aria couldn't stop herself from constantly glancing over her shoulder. This was her life, afraid Prince James would find her or worse King Gideon. Where would they live? There were communities, small dwellings, and cities. Would they question why Aria didn't wear the brand on her arm?
    They may not have been able to create a brand so realistic and convincing but surely Aria was not the only gem to exist within Brayleigh. Others must have tried to slip past the four princes. It wasn't something talked about, and finding someone knowledgeable and well skilled that was trustworthy would take time. Did they have it?
    In the distance, Aria could make out a speck along the horizon. Her stomach sunk. Had James known she'd gone missing by now?
    "Get off this road," Aria said, urging Ethan to another road, a different path. She couldn't get caught again.
    The vehicle, though still in the distance grew closer.
    Ethan slowed and steered to the right toward a dirt road, but the turn still much too sharp, and the motorcycle couldn't take the pull as gravity beat it down to the ground. Aria's skin burned as the dress tore along her arms and hips. Her body rolled from the vehicle against the grass and dirt.
    Aria blinked several times over. Her heart beat erratically in her chest. Still alive, she stumbled to her feet and removed her helmet. Ethan lay pinned beneath the motorcycle.
    Aria lifted the bike off his form, groaning with the struggle. His leg was crooked. "Your leg is broken. Does anything else hurt?" Aria asked.
    "I'll be fine." Ethan grimaced. She tried to help him stand, they couldn't stay here forever, but holding Ethan proved too much. Aria eased him back down onto the ground. They needed to get off the road and away from the main path before James found her. Aria removed his helmet, her fingers tangled in his thick chestnut hair.
    The vehicle that had been approaching from the distance slowed to a stop. The back door opened and James stepped out. He didn't look happy. Not that Aria would have expected anything less.
    Aria exhaled a heavy sigh. She screwed up her one chance at escape. Why had they stuck to the main road east? Aria stepped closer to James; she needed him to see this from her perspective.
    "Care to explain what's going on?" He glanced Aria over. "Please tell me this vagrant kidnapped you against your will."
    The driver stepped out from the vehicle, pistol in hand.
    Aria's eyes widened. Why did the driver have a gun? "What are you doing?" Aria's voice hitched and her hands trembled. "James? What's he doing?" Her breathing matched her heart as it accelerated at an unpredicted pace.
    "Cleaning up your mess," the gentleman said.
    Aria attempted to run toward Ethan, to protect him but it was no use. James gripped Aria's arm and although she attempted to break free, she couldn't. He was stronger than Aria and his hold proved it.
    The driver fired his pistol at Ethan.
    Aria screamed. Tears trickled down her eyes and past her cheeks.
    "No!" Aria's voice carried in the wind and her legs trembled, giving way to her