“Mother—Mother doesn’t want to lose you, Rhone,” she finished. “Not as she lost her father.” Altais paused. “And not how we lost our grandmother.”
A flash of red blurred across his vision. “Her blood is on Mother’s hands. For the last time, I am nothing like our grandmother.”
“No,” she agreed. “You’re not. Grandmother was brash. Quick to judge. Even quicker to act. And when you are quick to levy judgments on others from a place of power, blood often trails behind you.” Altais lifted a hand to stay Rhone’s rising protests. Her voice turned gentle, the sound mocking him even further. “I’m not saying you alone possess this quality, Rho; that tendency exists in us all.” Altais took a deep breath. “But it’s not enough for us to hope this quality will remain a mere tendency. We all think it best that—”
Rhone exploded from his seat. “Enough!”
“Rhone—”
“You will not sit around plotting what it is I do with my life, sister.” A crimson tinge of fury washed over his vision, coloring everything in his sight. “Not you. Not Father. Not Mother,” he continued, his voice filled with righteous fury. “I—I—will be the one who controls my destiny.” The last vestige of his control slipped from his grasp as he swiped a hand across the d’jaryek controls.
Everything blurred in a sea of rage.
He had no place here. No place anywhere.
His entire family had seen to that.
If Rhone had been born a girl—if his sister had never been born—then he would be the one destined for the sovereignty.
And he wouldn’t be subjected to the haughty musings of Altais Imuriv. His little sister. In that instant, Rhone wished more than anything that Altais would disappear. That she’d never existed to torment him. To take his place. That she could fade into the ether, just like a lost d’jaryek piece.
Without warning, Rhone’s hand smashed into the center of the d’jaryek board. In his periphery, he saw his sister fly from her chair with a yelp.
“Rhone!”
Her scream was muffled.
Followed by a thwack.
Then silence.
His rage still consumed him. It was an effort for him to clear his vision and open his eyes to take in the truth. When Rhone’s vision cleared, he saw the body of his sister, slumped against the wall of the game room.
Her head had smashed into it, trailing a smear of dark blood down the flickering walls.
“Altais?” Rhone said.
His voice trembled.
She did not respond.
Rhone fell to his knees, the guilt rocketing to his core.
The relief washing across his skin.
CHRISTINE RICCIO’S VILLAIN CHALLENGE TO RENéE AHDIEH:
The Grandson of an Evil, Matriarchal Dictator Who Tried to Rule over the Universe Wants to Follow in Her Footsteps and Accidentally Loses His Temper, Killing His Sibling in a Game of Chess
THE EVIL VACCINE: KEEP THE DARKNESS AT BAY
GET VACCINATED TODAY!
BY CHRISTINE RICCIO
Evil is a plague upon our society. We must work together to snuff it out with the help of my vaccine. Do you need it? Refer to the serious symptomatic flags I’ve listed below. Paying attention to these early signs and actively following preventative measures will drive away encroaching darkness. Prevention is key! And the key to prevention is constant vigilance! My name’s Christine Riccio, actual, professional, almost life coach, and I’m here to vaccinate your life.
Below are the telltale signs that darkness is poisoning your soul. If you’re consistently experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please seek guidance and a vaccine from myself or your nearest Dumbledore figure as soon as possible.
?YOU SEE RED WHEN YOU’RE ANGRY.
You should never actually be seeing red unless you’re standing in a room that’s covered in red paint, or blood, or looking at an apple. If you’re just seeing red, something’s wrong. Don’t panic, but you might be evil.
Home remedy to try (prevaccine-level symptoms): Go see an eye doctor.
?YOU FIND YOURSELF HARPING ON INSIGNIFICANT GRUDGES.
If someone blows out your birthday candles, you shouldn’t be mad at them for more than ten minutes. If someone punches you, you’re allowed ten days. If your grandson murders your only granddaughter because she beat him in chess, the acceptable anger period is ten years, but after that maybe schedule an appointment to meet and see if you two can work things out.
Home remedy to try: Watch the film Frozen: laugh, enjoy, and listen to Elsa’s advice.
?YOU ENJOY STROKING CATS WHILE YOU THINK.
Cats are evil and stroking them encourages their evil thoughts to climb up into your brain. Be wary of combining cat-stroking and thinking, for the result can be catastrophic.
Home remedy to try: If animal-stroking is essential to your thinking process, switch to puppies. If you’re allergic, try rubbing the head of a friend who cares about your health.
?YOU LIE COMPULSIVELY.
Tiny lies are generally okay: No, I didn’t accidentally break your super-cool Anthropology mug. Yes, I did watch that documentary about snails you recommended. But it’s a slippery slope and lying can quickly get out of hand: No, I didn’t accidentally destroy your original copy of Deathly Hallows. No, I didn’t secretly murder your cousin. Yes, I floss every day. Too far.
Home remedy to try: Never speak.
?YOUR LAUGH IS SCARILY LOUD.
Loud laughter is a clear sign of treachery.
Home remedy to try: Laugh silently or seek help from a life coach.
?YOU’VE ADDED LORD TO YOUR NAME.
The fact of the matter is you’re not allowed to make yourself a lord unless you’re the queen of England. And I don’t know why you would do that because you’re already the queen. Know that if you make yourself a lord, I will be suspicious and I will call a life coach to save you.
Home remedy to try: Community service.
?YOU HAVE URGES TO KILL PEOPLE.
You’re never supposed to kill people. Maybe you’re unaware, but it’s actually against the law. Don’t do it. Instead, get a life coach. Do not kill said life coach.
Home remedy to try: Channel these urges into something productive, like basket-weaving. Why get jail time when you can get a basket!
?YOU USE PENNIES TO PAY FOR THINGS.
Pennies are irrelevant and they should die. Smother this habit now before you become a threat to humanity.
Home remedy to try: Hot tea with honey.
?YOU’D REALLY LIKE TO ATTAIN TOTAL WORLD DOMINATION.
Really, what are you going to do with that? Why? Whatever you said in response is wrong.
Home remedy to try: Work toward acquiring total leadership over your local zumba classes, a real challenge for your mind and body, without all the hassle of war and politics.
?YOU DON’T LIKE THE BEATLES.
Why don’t you like the Beatles? You’re wrong. Try listening again. Listen until you like them.
Home remedy to try: Why don’t you like them? You like them. If you still disagree, refer to bullet four.
Happy not being evil! You’re welcome! Be vigilant and get vaccinated! Please note the evil vaccine is 53 percent effective and may cause loss of your nose and/or the ability to frown.
Love,
Real, Almost Life Coach Christine Riccio,
aka PolandbananasBOOKS
JACK
BY AMERIIE