Free Hail to the Queen (Sage Trilogy, Book 3) by Julius St. Clair Page A

am seeking to fix above all else, while simultaneously solving the second.”
    “Which is?”
    “Eliminating the human equation, of course. Throughout the course of history, no matter who is the oppressor and the oppressed, there will always be uprising and revolution. No matter how good or bad a people may live, they inevitably rise up for more, or to overthrow their ruler altogether. Again, I understand, but since I’m on the ruling side, I want to ensure this doesn’t happen.”
    “And how will you do this?”
    “Now, there’s no reason to reveal everything,” Thorn laughed. “I just wanted to see your reactions and whether you believed me so far. When I give my victory speech on how I’ve become god of this world, I want to make sure it’s a good one.”
    “You sound ridiculous,” Scarlet scoffed.
    “It seems you two just can’t appreciate a good monologue,” Thorn sighed. “And I’ll admit, my patience is running a little thin. But, perhaps you can only think of yourselves and what interests you. I’ll switch topics…how would the two of you like to join me?”
    “No, thank you,” Scarlet scoffed.
    “I’ll have to decline,” Kyran said as Thorn nodded his head.
    “I thought you would say that, but how about if I make the offer swe eter? What if you could see your loved ones again? Chloe, your wife, and for you, Scarlet, your brother Lem?”
    “That’s impossible,” Kyran said as Scarlet shot up to her feet.
    “Don’t you ever say his name again?!”
    “What, Lem? That is your brother, isn’t it? He can be here within minutes.”
    “STOP IT!” Scarlet screamed as she reached over her shoulder and with a sudden flash of light, unsheathed her halberd eidolon, and stuck the long staff into the King’s face. Thorn smiled and sat calmly.
    “Strike me down if you l ike. It won’t work,” he said as Kyran put a hand to her shoulder.
    “Calm down,” Kyran said. “I want to he ar what he has to say.”
    “Are you joking? ” Scarlet yelled, sheathing her eidolon. “He can’t bring the dead back to life!”
    “I’m very capable,” Thorn assured her. “And I wouldn’t even be so cruel as to ask you to combat your friends. All I want is for you to cease your mission and stay out of my way.”
    “Why?” Scarlet scoffed. “Because you’re afraid of what we can do?”
    “Not particularly, but one can never be too careful. See, there is a reason I’ve kept my ‘Kingdom’ secret for all these years. In the beginning, I was quite vulnerable. You or Kyran could have dispatched me without batting an eye, but I’ve worked hard, and those times are now behind me. With most of my preparations completed, I’m no longer afraid…of you or anyone else. Not because you can’t fight back, but because my power far exceeds your own. It’s just a fact that one way or another, you will have to deal with.”
    “If you’re so powerful,” Scarlet said. “Why are you hanging around the house all day? Why don’t you just attack us?”
    “Because my dim-witted friend,” Thorn chuckled. “The ether has not yet covered your Kingdom. But ask me that same question tomorrow and I promise that my answer will have changed…”
     

Chapter 5 – Monsters
     
    “CATHERINE!” James shouted as he sat up quickly in the bed. He winced and ru bbed his forehead, then squint his eyes to examine his surroundings. It was completely foreign to him and that immediately put him on guard. Thankfully, there were no weapons on him that an enemy could confiscate. All that he needed was inside him.
    James threw off the blankets and wiped the sweat from his arms, trying to think of what to do next. Run off and hope for a familiar marker? Wait for someone to return? What happened to Catherine? Did she drop him off at this place to recover?
    James grunted and ran a hand through his hair as he heard the sound of two cups clang together. He turned and saw a woman staring at him, her eyes glowing with excitement and