Vital by Jamie Magee Read Free Book Online

named Xaviour,” he said.
    As Drake locked eyes with me, I could see his rage for this man, for the idea that I was his target.
    The dark man struggled under the pressure of his captors. “You’re lost, my king. They’ve taken your queen – your throne,” he said in broken breaths.
    Drake pushed through the others and lifted the man using only his energy, suspending him in mid-air. “You’re a traitor! How dare you call yourself a follower of mine! I – not you or anyone else - have the final say in everything in this world!”
    “Killing him makes us no better,” Landen pointed out, not because he had mercy on the man, but because he didn’t want me to witness his murder; his intent to shield me made that very clear.
    “Devil!” the man screamed from the air. “Don’t listen, Your Grace – his words are poison!” he screamed.
    “His words are countering your death,” Drake bellowed, dropping the man. “What are we going to do with him? He can’t go back.”
    “I’ll take him to the prison in the palace,” Marc assured, helping the man up.
    Brady grabbed the man’s other arm, and they led him away. Ashten and my father followed, wanting to make sure he was locked securely away.
    “I hope it’s a big prison,” Dane snapped as he came to my side and reached his arm around me protectively.
    Seeming to notice Dane for the first time, Drake stepped closer to us and reached his hand out for me to come to him. “Back so soon?” Drake said calmly.
    Willow, come to me. Drake thinks something is wrong – really wrong , Landen thought harshly.
    I’d learned never to doubt any fear that Drake had. I wasn’t afraid of Dane; I just thought perhaps Drake had sensed the demon somewhere in the string. I reached for Drake’s hand, feeling the hum of his skin, the addiction of his energy. He didn’t look at me as he led me behind him into Landen’s arms.
    “Why are you so concerned with the size of my prison?” Drake asked once I was away from Dane.
    Dane shook his head and smiled cunningly. “What’s wrong, Drake? Am I a threat to you? Do you really think you can tear us apart – come between us?”
    “I’ll come between Willow and anyone who’s a threat,” Drake vowed, crossing his arms and glaring at Dane.
    “I’m not a threat. I’m the only one who’s still thinking clearly,” Dane said coldly.
    “Stop it!” I yelled. “All of you! This is nuts! Why are you fighting? We have bigger issues,” my quivering voice pleaded for a truce.
    Drake glanced back at me, then nodded once and stepped away from Dane.
    “What did you mean about the prison, Dane?” I asked, seeing that they were calling a silent truce.
    Dane stared coldly at Drake as he answered. “Mr. Perfect here has pushed more than a hundred spies through the string over the past few days.”
    “How do you know that?” Drake asked callously.
    “I’ve been in the city. I’ve heard them. I’ve been to the underground meetings, the ones that have one purpose: to overthrow you,” Dane answered.
    “Let me guess: you were the guest speaker,” Drake seethed.
    Dane smiled sardonically. “I would have if I’d been given the opportunity – but you see, my friend, there are too many who have an opinion about you. They believe that Landen is the devil – and that devil has you on a string like a puppet. That right now you’re so lovesick that you can’t see that your reign has already been given to another man.”
    “Who is leading these meetings?” Landen demanded.
    “So now you want to hear what I have to say?”
    “Dane,” I pleaded.
    He didn’t say anything; he just glared at Landen.
    “Alright,” I mumbled bleakly. “I’ll figure it out myself,” I said, walking toward the direction from which he came from before. Drake and Landen began to follow me.
    “You’re not gonna let her go in there?” Dane argued, following us.
    “Stopping her is pointless,” Landen stated flatly, looking over his shoulder, knowing