The Spectrum Force Volume Three by Heather Ray (ready player one ebook txt) 📕

too much."

Phaedra hissed.

"Now," Spectra declared, her free hand lighting up, "I banish you from this body!"

The energy stretched into a foot-long blade, and with a mighty thrust, Spectra drove the light into Jocelyn' stomach.

Jocelyn released a wordless scream, her hands flying to the site of her injury.

The Spectrum Force stood completely petrified.

Slowly, the shrill scream tapered off, and Spectra removed the blade. She gently lowered Jocelyn to the ground, kneeling beside the girl as she began shaking violently.

The Force slowly recovered from their shock.

"Wh… what…" Rachel stammered.

"Phaedra has infected Jocelyn with her Seed. So long as it dwells within her, Phaedra can exert her will upon Jocelyn at any time. The purge is painful, but only for a short while."

The group gathered around Jocelyn, who folded into a fetal position.

Matthew rubbed her trembling back tenderly. "Phaedra… she's done this before?"

Spectra nodded. "Once she infected the Red Star Rider. The Star Riders are a team such as yourselves, with very similar powers. When she meditates, she can see through the eyes, and hear through the ears of the infected person without the infected person's knowledge. She lingered in him for months, slowly learning how the powers of the Light operated." She sighed. "After a while, she had gathered enough knowledge, and attacked us all. We developed a method to permanently remove the Seed, and she'd never used it again."

Tamara bit her lip, clinging to Keith as Jocelyn began to heave. "Now what's she doing?"

"I have killed the Seed, but only she can expel it."

The Force watched in grotesque fascination as Jocelyn rose to her hands and knees, and vomited a small, black slug-like creature.

"Ugh," Tamara grunted, turning away.

Matthew glared at the vile creature, his fist lighting up. He released a single beam of energy from his finger, vaporizing the thing instantly.
Chapter Forty-Five

Phaedra's eyes slid open, glowing in frustrated anger. She'd been yanked from the Orange Enforcer's body quite ungently, and without either truly harming the humans, or securing the Diadem.

Yet victory wasn't completely out of reach. Perhaps Spectra's arrival could be manipulated to her benefit.

So she doesn't think I would harm Gaius?

she reflected, a cold smirk spreading her lips. Won't she be surprised?

She rose to her feet, carefully smoothing out the wrinkles of her sweeping gown. She then straightened her back, and marched purposely out of her chambers, and into the hallway.

It only took a few moments for her to come into hearing range of something… terrible.

Something inside her twisted as she realized the source. The cries of torment, of blinding pain that could never be duly described.

The Blight was tearing him apart, but so slowly, he would linger for months before Death took him.

She shivered… she had no idea his cries would be so loud! She was two full decks away from the cell, and yet-!

"Empress!"

She whirled around, casting her terrifying glare at the peon who dared raise his voice in her presence.

The man, one of Mor'se's assistants, bowed at the hip. "F…forgive me, Majesty," he pleaded.

She snarled. "What do you want?"

"Th… the noises made by the traitor are… very disconcerting, Majesty. His wails can be heard from all ends of the ship."

She huffed impatiently. "So?"

The soldier's jaw trembled. "Perhaps the Empress is not opposed to moving the prisoner? He is in no shape to attempt escape, so a lower security, more remote hangar may suffice?"

"Don't be a fool," she hissed, leaning forward. "No other room has the telepathic dampeners. His screams may be bad, but the ravages of his mind will be far more 'disconcerting.'"

She noted the embarrassment that crossed the young man's face, and scoffed. "Out of my way!"

He stepped aside, watching as the Empress marched through the halls. As always, passing crewmembers lined the walls as she passed, all casting lingering glances of curiosity at the back of their unsettled monarch.

By the time she reached heavy door of the cell, her sure-footed steps had slowed to a subdued crawl.

The hallway had been abandoned for several dozen yards. Since she had given the guard the order to make himself scarce after she first introduced the Blight, there was no one obligated to remain.

Though, as the wailing pierced her ears, Phaedra wondered if any sane soldier would stand his ground, even if ordered to do so.

Her muscles tensing, she unlatched the door and pushed it open. Forcing herself forward, soon the darkness of the cell swallowed the Empress whole.

True to her prediction, the swell of emotions his dazed agony released stifled her. Within the cell, the dampeners had no effect… and the flood of gruesome pain forced the proud woman to lean against the wall for the strength to simply stand erect.

Something heavy and foreign sat in her stomach. Dismayed, she understood that nothing in her life… none of the purges, none of the bloody conquests; not even the dazzling hope of unearthing the famed Diadem… could steel her enough to face his torment unaffected.

"Gaius."

Her voice was soft, though steady. It projected into the consuming darkness, but the fevered screams were far louder.

She tried a different approach. *Gaius…*

Mor'se had told her Stage One did not yet effect his mind. Somewhere within that stubborn man was the ability to respond… to surrender.

*Save yourself, Gaius!* she commanded. *You can end this… I can restore you to health! I swear it!* Her tone grew… oddly pleading. *Submit to me and you will be forgiven. Your lands returned, your title restored… I will even spare Spectra.*

His mind was still obstinately closed, proving the power he still had to either offer or withhold information.

Phaedra's eyes squeezed closed, the sickness within weakening her knees. *You tie my hands!* she accused, fists trembling as she wrestled for composure.

Still… no response.

More agitated than she could ever recall feeling, Phaedra marched toward him, nostrils flaring. "I will not be denied!" she screamed, her shrill voice overwhelming his moans. Roughly, her hand reached for his forehead, fingers burying themselves in his smooth hair.

The heat radiating from his skin burned her cool fingers, but she refused to pull back. Instead, she concentrated, using every ounce of her formidable skills to push passed the resolute walls of his mind.

Slowly, the solid wall gave way, revealing swirling, hazy visions that raced through his consciousness.

"Show me the Diadem," she urged, "Let me end this…"

At that moment, his hand lanced to hers, squeezing her wrist with bruising force. Startled, Phaedra pulled against his tenacious grip.

His thoughts slowly organized into a readable impression, and as his eyes struggled open, a glare colder than the Denebian wastelands pierced her.

Her focus gave way as she surrendered to the message he was desperate to relate. She waited, daring to hope for final victory, as the image took form.

She staggered, horrified, at the impression he related to her.

It was her… as he

saw her. A brutal, horrible monster. The kind of beast that haunted young children's dreams, striking fear into the souls of all to meet its eye. Hideous in its iniquity… so repulsive no one could ever care for it.

At that moment, he launched his final attack into her mind. He saw her as his own personal devil, intent upon destroying everything he held dear. A devil he despised

… with more passion than can ever be put into words.

His spite and hatred traveled through the mental connection like an electric current. Dizzily, with eyes peculiarly moist, Phaedra managed to wrench herself from his grip, stumbling on her own heels and falling to the cold, cold floor.

Never, in all her existence, did she feel so sharp a pain. It was something she couldn't even describe… something that would haunt her for all her days.

And the worst of it was… the pain wasn't merely a reflection of Gaius' physical suffering. The pain stemmed from within her

… reacting to his hatred of her.

Appalled by his feelings, and equally appalled by her shameful response to them, Phaedra rubbed her bruised wrist. Clouds darkening her eyes she struggled to her feet, and made a solemn, binding vow.

Never again…will I let anyone

make me so weak!

To think that she had practically begged

him to let her save him. That she risked so much

to try and show mercy! She had even been willing to risk incurring her husband's wrath by blatantly caring

for a worthless traitor!

Never again

will anyone

stand in my way!!

From that point forward, she resolved to make her heart just as cold and monstrous as Gaius… the man she had once loved more than any other… thought it to be.

And she knew just how to begin.

Chapter Forty-Six

Jocelyn finally opened her eyes, and began blinking furiously. Slowly, her blurry vision cleared, allowing her to make out the green form hovering over her. "Matt," she whispered, "How long was I asleep?"

Keith frowned, trading worried looks with Tamara before speaking. "Asleep?"

She sat down on her legs, and rubbed her head. "I was helping Matt read Gaius' computer, and I guess I nodded off." She looked up, feeling the quizzical stares of her friends. "Or… not?"

"How do you feel?" Spectra asked.

Jocelyn stared at her mentor, confusion written all over her face. "I… I feel good; but when did you get here?"

She smiled. "Just in time, it seems."

Rachel turned her attention from Jocelyn to Spectra. "How'd you know we needed you?"

"When I received Craig's message, I was already approaching Jupiter's orbit. Otherwise it would've taken hours to respond."

The Force retreated into surprised silence.

"Craig… contacted you?" Tamara murmured, thunderstruck. "When?"

"Perhaps half an hour ago," Spectra approximated. "He used the Ireli sphere, and showed me the battle you were engaged in."

Keith scratched his head. "But that doesn't