Royal Hearts Read Online Free Page B

replied as she considered
this new possibility. “So maybe he’s not really after me. Maybe I’m
a decoy.”
    “Whether or not his threat is genuine, we
still have to take every measure to protect you,” Hathor told
her.
    “I agree,” she replied. “I will take all the
necessary precautions.”
    “Omin’s big goal was to rule Pale,” Jaz said.
“I’m sure that whatever he plans, it involves Pale.”
    “Then why would he leave?” Zak asked. “What
could he possibly want with a spaceship?”
    “Maybe he’s out collecting other clones of
himself,” Jaz whispered in dread. “Maybe he’s got an army hidden
somewhere.”
    Paff sat down and put his face in his
hands.
    “The Razians and Olympians will help you,”
Ann said. “Hathor and I will go to Olympia and speak on your
behalf.”
    Paff nodded. “Omin’s strength is strategy,
but it’s to our benefit to have a good defense. Thank you, Queen
Ann.”
    “At least we have an initial plan of action,”
Zak said. “I think it would be good if the queen saw the room where
the clone was in. It might help her understand the situation better
so she can explain it to the Olympians.”
    “Good idea,” Paff agreed, rising to his
feet.
    The others followed him to the secret
room.
     
    ***
     
    Omin-2 in a Spaceship
    Galaxy: Mythical
     
    As Omin-2 guided the spaceship through the
galaxies, he contemplated his newfound life and the abilities he
possessed. To be sure, he was more sophisticated and better suited
for his role than his donor. Plus, he retained all the knowledge of
Omin: how he assumed his leadership on Pale and the destruction he
caused to many in pursuit of his personal gain. But more than that,
he was made to be superior.
    He took time to study all he could about
Earth. Humans seemed to be simple creatures. Certainly, they
weren’t as complicated as more advanced life forms, such as Palers.
He would assume the physical appearance of a human so he would
blend in with them, and he would gather them all together to do his
bidding. They were like sheep looking for a shepherd to guide
them.
    He shook aside his distaste for such
mindlessness. Their weaknesses were going to be needed if he was to
succeed in his ultimate goal. He would rule Pale, and he wouldn’t
let his domain fall from his fingers like Omin had. Omin was too
easy on his enemies.
    Not Omin-2. No mercy. No debate. Just
absolute obedience. It was the only way things would work.
     
    ***
     
    Alpha Head I
    Planet: Pale
     
    Ann stared in dread at the small room where
Omin’s clone had hidden. The room was dark and sparse. Jaz’s
flashlight lit up enough for her to see where the clone had slept,
waiting for the time when he would wake up. The chamber he’d been
preserved in was open, leaving behind the only trace he’d once been
there.
    “Are there any other clones on Pale?” Ann
asked, turning her gaze to Paff.
    Paff shook his head. “We did a thorough sweep
of the planet. This was the only one.”
    She frowned and inspected the chamber. One
clone. If he had the ability to make one, why didn’t he make more?
A thousand clones posed a much better threat than one.
    Ann picked up the plans
Omin-2 had left behind. Kill Queen Ann.
Kill all rebellious Palers. Subject the Laxes. Set up rule. Was it possible Omin-2 took some kind of cruel joy
out of threatening them?
    “You can see why I had to call you,” Paff
said, turning to her.
    She nodded. Unfortunately, she was, once
again, Omin’s target. But she wasn’t the only one. From the list,
Paff, Jaz, and Zak were next.
    “If there was one thing Omin knew how to do,
it was hold a grudge,” Jaz muttered.
    “I better go to Olympia and ask the gods
there to help us,” Ann replied.
    “I’ll go with you,” Hathor said.
    “Of course. I’m sure Aphrodite will be glad
to see you,” she wryly commented.
    Of all the gods and goddesses on Olympia, she
liked Aphrodite the least. That goddess couldn’t resist flirting
with any man, even if