Chapter Four; Waiting in the Wings
(Olivia’s POV)
You’re doing well, my dear. The plan is working perfectly. I smirked, looking down at the necklace. Hatchi wasn’t really as bad as she seemed.
“I’m only doing this because you said you can get Mariah out of my life.” I told her, continuing to trudge up the mountain. It was hard to do in slippers and a nightgown, but I was managing. I had to make it to the top of the mountain to set up camp.
And she will be, trust me. Hatchi laughed. Her cackles made the rocks on the mountain shake.
“So how exactly do I free you?” I asked the air. It was weird talking to a necklace, but soon she’d be back. And soon Mariah would be gone forever.
There’s a specific Alpha who put me in this. We need her staff. Hatchi explained. Liza.
“And how in Jamaa do you expect me to get it?” I asked, getting frustrated.
Patience. We will come up with a plan once we reach the top of the hill. Do you have the bag with the tent and blanket like I said? Hatchi asked. I touched my bag.
“Yes, Hatchi. Looks like this will be our home for awhile.” I noted, finally reaching the top of the mountain.
Don't worry. Next time, we will fly up here together with my powers. Hatchi cackled, and I joined her. Mariah wasn’t going to win this time. She had to be stopped. She wasn’t going to be taking my crown. Father really thought I was that dumb to think I wouldn’t realize she would become Queen?
“Now it’s time to learn how to put up a tent.” I sighed, opening my bag.
***
(Mariah’s POV)
“She did what?!” I heard Xavier’s voice yell into the phone. Cruizer had just explained my little escape plan, and dad wasn’t taking it very well. “I’ll be right there, Cruizer. I apologize on behalf of her actions.”
“My actions? My actions to try to save your daughter?” I yelled before Cruizer hung up the phone.
“Still want to go after her?” Liza asked, leaning against the wall. Her staff was beside her.
“Of course I do! This was my fault. I’ve pushed her too far, and I admit that. Now it’s time to pay for it.” I sighed, fidgeting around.
“It’ll be okay, Princess Mariah. I can promise you that.” Headmaster Cruizer explained, taking off his glasses.
“Yeah and how do you know that?” I asked.
“Because we have the best alphas given to us by Mira and Zios.” He finished, gesturing to Liza.
“Then you clearly don’t know my mother as well as you think you do.” I explained, muttering under my breath.
“I came as soon as I could.” I heard Xavier’s voice behind me. I sighed. Here we go.
“You tried to escape the school? Do you know how dangerous that was? The phantoms they-” Cruizer got up, leaving the room to give us privacy. Liza stayed, however.
“I know, dad. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take. If we don’t act now, your daughter is gone.” I explained, watching his heart drop. “My mother will fill her head with these lies that she’s worth nothing. She’ll egg her on and use her for her own gain. When she gets freed from that necklace, she’s using Olivia as a vessel.”
“S-she wouldn’t hurt her though, right?” Xavier asked, looking into my eyes for reassurance.
“If I know my mother as well as I think I do, that’s not her goal. She wants payback.” I explained.
“On whom?” Liza asked calmly.
“Who knows honestly. Him or me is my guess.” I pointed at Xavier.
“We will triple security at the castle, your Majesty. We’ll also send all the students home early. We need to be prepared for anything. Mariah, you’re going home.” Liza explained, picking up her staff.
“No. I’m not.” I said quietly.
“You can’t get hurt, honey.” Xavier explained.
“I don’t care. Don’t you see? Look around you. Can’t you see what I’ve done? Olivia is missing. She was right. I am a freak.”
“No you’re-”
“Don’t lie to yourself. Everything she’s said about me is right. I have no soul. I’m nothing but a filthy, dark hole of a Jammer body. That’s what all hybrids are said to be, right? Evil Jammer bodies.” I walked towards the door.
“I’ll see you at the castle, and I’ll have Olivia with me.” I told him, looking at Liza. “Now can you make sure this thing doesn’t try to have the entire Jamaa Army trying to hunt me down?” I asked, pointing at the alarm system on the door. She nodded, looking at Xavier. I reached in my dress pocket, pulling out my Destroyer bracelet.
“You really need to turn that into me after this is all over.” Liza sighed, opening the door with her badge.
“Mariah, no.” Xavier’s low voice trembled.
“Xa-Dad, I can’t-” I said, ready to rush out the door.
“I can’t lose you too.” He said quietly, his voice shaking. I sighed, looking at Liza. She
had a worried look on her face.
“Then who’s going to go save her?” I asked.
“We will. The Alphas and I. You are the next heir. You need to stay safe in the castle with
your family, okay? I’ll send updates directly to the castle.” Liza told me, closing the door.
“But I-” I started, but I looked at Xavier. His eyes were pleading for me to stay, but my
brain was telling me to go. Xavier took me in. He gave me a home. He loved me even if my mother and I made some AWFUL mistakes. I changed, and I took the oath to serve and protect this land. I’m not fulfilling that duty if I don’t go out and find Olivia. But dad-
“Please. Come home.” Xavier said, a tear falling from his face. My eyes widened. I had never seen anyone cry before other than my mother one time when I was a child. I let all of my standards for myself fall down with his tears. I couldn’t do that to him.
“Alright.” I whispered, putting my bracelet back into my pocket. “But this is staying with
Me. Just in case.” I smirked at Liza, walking out with Xavier. I felt a touch of regret, but I shrugged it off. Books always said family was the most important thing, and my family needed me more than anything. Olivia is missing, but I had to keep my family together while she was being found.
***
(Olivia’s POV)
So if I just sneak into Alpha Headquarters tonight, I’ll be able to get the staff?” I asked Hatchi, her necklace hanging off my neck. I was lying in the tent I had brought. It wasn’t actually that hard to set up.
Yes. I will guide you through to Liza’s portal. I know that place like the back of my paw.
“Portal? Like you mean there’s a portal to her house? House STUPID are these alphas?” I asked, standing up.
“They truly are, my dear. Let’s waste no more time. It’s time to prepare.” Hatchi lowly spoke. I nodded. You’re done for, Mariah.
“We will leave in an hour. The sun should be setting by then.” Hatchi informed me. I watched the sun slowly fall behind Coral Canyons.
“And what if someone tries to stop us?” I asked.
“They wouldn’t hurt their dear princess, would they?” Hatchi cackled. I smirked. This was perfect. They wouldn’t expect a thing.
***
(Mariah’s POV; Two Hours Later)
Xavier was pacing around the family room. Liam was on his phone. Lucy had her hands together, watching Xavier move back and forth. I looked out the window, feeling completely helpless. My phone started to buzz. It was Andrew.
“Hey. What’s up?” I asked, looking at Xavier.
“Are you alright? Have you seen the news?” He asked. I put him on speaker.
“Heard what news?” I asked.
“It’s about Olivia. She-”
“What happened? Did they find her?” Lucy asked, jumping out of the chair.
“Well kind of.” Andrew sighed.
“Well, what is it?” I asked, knowing he was struggling to get his words out.
“Olivia she- she was spotted leaving Alpha Headquarters with Liza’s staff.”Andrew finished. The room went silent.
“How in Jamaa did she even get it from Liza?” Lucy exclaimed, pacing around the room.
“Manipulation.” I stated, running my paw through my hair.
“She probably acted her way into getting that staff.” Andrew noted.
“But why would she-?” Xavier asked, looking at me.
“My mother is very manipulative. She’ll do anything to get what she wants. Either she
filled her head with lies or Oliva genuinely hated my guts to the point where she was vulnerable enough to obey my mother. And honestly, I’m believing the second one. She hated me since the day I arrived here, Xa-Dad. She hated the idea of a sister, and I don’t blame her. It was all really fast, and she wasn’t ready for it. I think she just got so caught up in the idea of not being Queen that it made her weak enough for my mother to trap.”
“This is not your fault, Mariah. It’s Hatchi’s.” Lucy assured me, putting a hand on Xavier’s shoulder.
“What else did the news say?” Xavier asked. Liam came over and sat next to me. I could tell he was nervous to see his twin again.
“She was last seen heading up to the Coral Canyon mountains. The Alphas are heading there now. That’s all I know.” Andrew finished.
“Why would she even want that staff?” Liam asked me. I sighed.
“To escape, my mother needs the object that put her inside the necklace. And that would be-”
“Liza’s Staff.”
***
“It’s been a year, Hatchi. I’ve had to live in Mariah’s shadow that long, and I refuse to any longer. We’re going to be the sun, eliminating that shadow from existence. With this staff, I can free you from your prison. We’ll take over Jamaa, and I’ll be the rightful ruler!” I cackled, watching the sun set off the mountain.
“I know I was meant for glory
But that's never what my story brings”
“My chances come and then I blink and they're gone
Always overlooked unfairly
While pretending that it barely stings
But it stings, yes it stings”
Hello Jammers! It only took another month for a chapter to come out XD. I got a bit overwhelmed with schoolwork, so I had to put my priorities on school. Don’t expect to wait this long for a chapter again unless school decides to be a jerk again XD. Enjoy! Jam On!
