Lily Thatcher had undergone rigorous and extensive training with the NSA to overcome nearly impossible odds and circumstances, but none of that training could have prepared her for the excruciating pain now resonating from her heart. Her mind replayed Allan’s horrible death over and over again, and she felt an immense guilt that she didn’t do anything to stop Timur. It didn’t matter that his control over her mind had been too much for her to overcome.
It had only been a few minutes since John and his army had stormed the Temple of Atlantis from the underground tunnels. Under normal circumstances, she would have been on her game, ready to fight at a moment’s notice. She had no idea that witnessing Allan’s gruesome death would affect her so badly. After all, she had seen hundreds of killings during her career with the NSA, and admittedly she had killed several targets herself too. Her previous lover was also recently killed, so why was Allan’s death taking a toll on her?
All is lost…
Lost in a haze of self-pity, she found herself mesmerized by the swirling blue portal that opened up before her. Mini lightning bolts danced across the swirling vortex and pulsated with energy from the two beams of light streaming through it. Before she had an opportunity to gather her senses, Timur reappeared in a flash of light.
“My Queen,” he cooed.
She tried to turn away, but in an instant he grabbed her face, his eyes boring into hers.
“Follow me.”
She had a strong urge to spit in his face, but her body refused to obey. “Yes Master.”
Filled with rage, she found herself unwillingly following him as he ascended the stairs from the Control Room.
A loud commotion erupted from the courtyard. He led her down a corridor to the main entrance of the Temple, where the large doors stood ajar. Leading her out to the grand staircase, she recognized Allan’s body crumpled on the ground near their feet.
Littered throughout the courtyard were the bodies of peasants: men, women and children. The sounds of swords clashing were fading in the distance. Priests armed with swords waded through the bodies to confirm that none of the rebels or peasants had survived the slaughter. A dark cloud moved among the fallen bodies, devouring whatever life force left that could be consumed. Bolts of lightning knifed across the sky, emanating from the highest tower of the Temple.
Timur stood transfixed, admiring his work. Meanwhile, Lily wanted to turn her gaze away, but all of her movements were controlled.
After what seemed to be an eternity, Timur finally broke the silence. “Come. We must return to the courtyard, and you must prepare yourself for your coronation.”
He continued walking toward the courtyard and Lily followed behind him.
Is this what I really want?
The answer came to her instantly. No, she didn’t want to be Queen of Zion! But what choice did she have? She couldn't let Timur kill everyone else, and that was what he intended to do.
Timur stepped forward and stopped at the base of the stairs leading into the courtyard. He turned around to look her in the eye.
“You have done nothing wrong, my Lily. You are one of us now. You belong to me, and we will rule this world together. We will create an empire unlike any the world has ever seen. Our dominion will spread across the entire galaxy and we will bring peace and prosperity to all of mankind. This is your destiny. Join me today, my Queen. Let this be a new beginning for everyone.”
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A shadow passed across his face and a sinister grin appeared on his lips. His eyes flashed with a deep green energy as his voice boomed.
“Join me, and together we will rule all of mankind!”
Timur raised his hand and pointed to the sky. Blue lightning bolts streaked across the sky, just like she had seen in her vision.
Her mind raced as Timur cradled her chin in his hand. “Now kiss me.”
“I have longed to taste of your lips again, my lord,” she whispered. Even the words from her mouth were involuntary.
“Then I will satisfy your desire.” He smiled, leaning toward her.
Their lips met. A fire of hatred burned inside her as he kissed her. Fear shot down her spine as his kisses became more forceful, like a beast newly awakened from a long slumber. She felt one of her hands cradle his bald head and the other groped his back.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve desired you.” He moaned in pleasure and kissed her again.
Despite all her instincts, she had no choice but to accept his advances. An ugly sinking feeling overwhelmed her as her mind returned to their last forced kiss just moments before Allan’s horrible death. Rage mounted within her as Timur’s tongue parted her lips. As her anger reached a peak, she suddenly regained control. She bit down hard on his tongue.
Timur screamed in pain as he ripped his face away from hers. Blood trickled from her mouth as she pierced him with a defiant stare.
“It appears my Queen still remains unbridled.” He pointed to the altar. “I command you to sit!”
That’s all I am to him. A dog to be commanded.
“No,” she said. “You cannot control me anymore.”
Timur stared back, bewildered, and a throng of priests who had joined them stared at her in awe. More determined than ever, Timur stepped up to her, their faces mere inches apart. He intensified his stare, willing his command of her to return.
“I said, I command you to sit!”
She punched him hard in the face, and let loose an inhuman shriek. The sound was unbearable, and it echoed through the Temple. Timur and the priests and fell backward onto the ground, blood pouring out of their ears.
Lily felt her heart beating rapidly, and she realized she had finally broken free of his control. She was standing on her own two feet, and it felt wonderful.
She looked over the bodies scattered across the courtyard, and the people who had fought so valiantly to defend themselves. In the distance, she saw John's army retreating from the courtyard, leaving their dead comrades behind. She looked over at Allan's lifeless body and felt her chest tighten with sorrow.
Timur recovered quickly, and looked up at her. He wiped blood from his lip, and grinned.
“You're mine, my Lily. You will always be mine.”
She shook her head vehemently. "No. I don't belong to anyone."
"Then join me, my Queen. Together we will rule the world!"
She glared back at him. "I won't be your queen. I will never love you."
He laughed. "I know you love me. You've been lying to yourself ever since you first laid eyes upon me. I am your destiny, my Lily. I am your future and your past. I am your every desire."
Timur walked toward her, boring his eyes into her’s. "You love me."
"I hate you!" she yelled.
They faced off against each other. Timur loomed over her, and she knew that if he struck her, she would die.
"I am your master, and you are my slave. Your every desire is mine to fulfill. All you need to do is say, 'Yes, Master.'"
With a look of disgust, she took a step back, and then another. The rage in his eyes was intense.
"You are my queen, and I will be your king! And together we will rule all of mankind!" he insisted.
She scoffed. "I'm not joining you."
"If you refuse me, you will surely die.” he seethed in rage, “I will not allow you to leave this place alive."
With malice in his eyes, he reached out and grabbed her arm. Her hand instinctively went up to his face to push him away.
"I have already told you. I don't care what happens to me."
His grip tightened, and she felt her flesh burning under his touch. Her only defense, she let out another inhuman scream.
Timur released his hold on her and covered his ears.
“What are you doing?!” he yelled.
Lily could see the fear in his eyes. He recoiled and stumbled away from her.
Lily had never heard such a horrible noise come out of her own mouth. She felt herself trembling uncontrollably as she released a second round of unimaginable screams. She could feel her muscles contract and her bones ache with the intensity of the sound.
Timur fell to his knees, covering his ears.
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