A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (6 page)

“We all know that there are different clans around the world that are connected to Mother Nature, like we are. Each clan has their own rules and leaders. Mother Nature split us all up to ensure the balance all over the world. There’s one clan, in the southern United States, that isn’t as
friendly
as we are. For the past century, it has become more and more criminal. Their leader is a man named Zane. He isn’t a pleasant man at all. I, and several other Royals, have tried to help him, but he doesn’t listen.

“Now, the clan has taken on what can only be called, black magic. They are using their powers for evil. They are robbing real world citizens, dealing drugs, and who knows what else. I have been watching this clan closely because there is more to them than just the illegal aspect. He is also taking on banished citizens.

“Mother Nature, many years ago, came to Earth in a dream of a Unit citizen and told her a story. A story on how one person would be able to defeat this
evil
and unite all the clans as one. The female wrote down the story and told the King and Royals of it. It became a prophecy of sorts. Not many people believed her until now.”

The King stops and takes a breath.

“What does the prophecy say, Dad?” Xaviera whispers.

The King looks at me and I nod.

“Gia.” He calls for me to come forward. I release Graham’s hand and step forward. “Would you like to take this?”

I nod and turn to my friends. Amaya and Xaveria’s eyes are as wide as silver dollars. I’m not nervous right now. I’m determined to tell them the truth; I want them all to know.

“The dream happened to my great-grandmother, who was also a Controller. She wrote it all down. It stated that there were going to be six Unit citizens and the story depicted what would happen. Two would be strong. Two would break the rules. One was from a different bloodline. And one would make the ultimate sacrifice. Xaviera and Oliver are the strongest. Thaddeus and Amaya broke the rules. Graham’s parents are both Controllers, and he’s a Protector, and I’m the remaining one.” I quickly rush out the last part and continue. “It also told us of a great fight that will happen, because the one that brings us all together is the baby.”

Thaddeus and Xaviera gasp.

I look at my dear friend. “Your son is going to be a great leader, but Zane wants him and essentially me.”

“Why does this Zane want you?” Graham’s voice is laced with anger.

“Because I’m not only a Controller. I’m special. I’m different.”

“What do you mean?” Amaya looks me up and down as if I’m about to grow a second head.

I look at the King and he nods. Instantly, I relax and open my mind completely. The blue orbs form in my hands and I begin to rotate them.

I can control all the elements, like a Royal. I’m strong, like a Protector. I can control all emotions, like a Controller, and the orbs help me protect the baby.

Everyone gasps as I send all the thoughts to them.

Zane wants me because Mother Nature created me as the ultimate sacrifice.

“What is it?” Xaviera’s tears stream down her face. “What’s the sacrifice?”

I swallow back the lump in my throat and look at Graham. My Matched. I turn back to Xaviera.

“I’m going to die in the fight saving you and the baby.”

Chapter 6

Keep the Peace

“I will not allow that.” Graham roars and paces the room.

“Neither will I.” Amaya yells as well.

“Everyone stop,” I command and no one moves.

“How can you be sure that this is you?” Thaddeus speaks.

“Because everything my grandmother wrote down has come true. When I was born, a tattoo appeared on my body. When Xaviera said she was pregnant, the blue orbs started. When we found out that Thaddeus and Amaya broke the rules, it all connected. Zane wants me and the baby. You all don’t realize how strong this baby is going to be.”

“He will not take you,” Graham bellows out again. “I won’t have that happen.”

For the first time since I walked in, I smile. “He’s not going to take me. He’s going to kill me. I’ve known this since I was eight. I’ve come to terms with it.”

“You can’t die, Gia.” Xaviera cries.

“Think of the bigger picture. Your son is going to be the greatest leader Unit has ever had. He’s going to unite us all. There’s going to be peace and clans will work together and bring balance to the world. That’s greater than you or me. And if my death brings that, then my life’s mission is fulfilled.” I know it sounds corny, but it is true. I knew what my death would bring to the world. I have come to terms to it. I thought it would happen later, but looking at the overall picture, this is how it’s meant to be.

“Gia, could you release this hold on us? Xaviera needs comfort.” Thaddeus asks.

“Sorry.” I’d forgotten that I had commanded them. I wave my hand and they all move. Thaddeus wraps his arms around her. I walk over to her and hold my hand out. She takes it and instantly I calm her.

“What do the orbs do?” Thaddeus inquires.

“They protect.” I whip the orb in my hand and cover Xaviera and Thaddeus in a blue cocoon. I grab the King’s paperweight and fling it at Xaviera’s head but it smashes into a thousand pieces, leaving them unharmed.

“Oh my Mother Nature,” Amaya gasps. Graham and Oliver stand in shock.

“See, I can do this, too.” I protect them all with the orbs. “It’s not just the baby.” I wave my hand bringing the power back to me. “The only one I can’t cover is myself.” I shrug as if it’s not a big deal.

“When is this fight supposed to happen?” Oliver inquires.

“We don’t know.” The King answers. “However, the note that Gia received makes us think it is sooner than we hoped.”

“So, Zane knows this story.” Graham’s face is still filled with anger.

“All Controllers know this story. Zane knows it because...” I stop. Do I tell them this part?

“Gia, you’ve told them everything else,” the Queen pushes.

I nod. She’s right. They need to know the whole story. “Zane’s my father.”

The gasps in the room echo.

I turn to the King so he can tell this part of the story.

“Before my father died, and I took control of Unit, he’d banished Zane for having relations with a city girl. Gia wasn’t born yet. Justine took her maiden name Bates back and then Gia was born. Zane moved to Georgia and easily took over that clan since he had Royal blood and they had no leader.” The King explains. “Somehow Zane figured out a way to gain his powers back using this black magic.”

“Then how does he know Gia’s the one in the prophecy?” Thaddeus asks.

“My mother sent him a picture of me. In it, I was in a dress and he saw that tattoo on my leg. She felt like that he should know what I looked like and see me.” I tell them. “From that point on, he’s been putting his plan together to get to me.”

“So, your own father is going to kill you?” Amaya clarifies.

“Yes.” Now, my emotions bubble up. I can remember when this story was first told to me and I try to not let the tears fall this time. “But, I’m going to save the baby and Unit.” I push the point across to them.

Xaviera sits down in the chair. “Why are we learning all this now? How come only the Controllers know this story?”

“That’s my doing.” King Douglas answer. “I ordered that only the Controllers because Gia will be famous among them.”

“Is that why you trained so much when we were kids?” Amaya seems to be putting pieces of our past together.

“Yes. I’m as strong as a Protector; I wanted to know how to fight.” I smile at her hoping to keep the peace with everyone.

We all go quiet. They’re trying to process all the information that the King and I have thrown at them. I’m not sure if they’re going to handle it well. Then again, it’s a lot to take in. It’s taken me this long to come to terms to it.

“How about everyone goes home and relax? I think we all have a lot to think about. However, I want you all to be on the lookout more and no one leave Unit alone, especially Gia and Xaviera.” The Queen tells us.

Xaviera grabs on to me tightly. “It’s a boy,” she whispers in my ear.

“Yes and he’s going to be great,” I tell her.

She pulls away and stares at me.

“It’s fine,” I tell her with a lot of encouragement.

Amaya is right next to her, and she looks like she’s in pain. I can feel it. She’s upset that she’s not going to be able to save me.

“It’s going to be okay.” I touch her arm and calm her.

“Gia.” Large tears roll down from her green eyes.

Oliver and Thaddeus lead the girls away. I turn to Graham. He’s hands are jammed into his pocket, and he looks like he could kill something.

“Graham.” King Douglas walks up to him. “She’s still your Matched. I know that you care about her. Enjoy your time together. Memories last a lifetime.”

Graham is shaking. I can feel all his emotions. I slowly move over to him. “I can calm you.” I keep my voice low.

“Let’s go home.” He doesn’t take my hand, but leaves the room.

Queen Stacy tries to put on a smile. “He’ll be fine.”

I nod, thank them both, and follow him outside.

Graham doesn’t say a word on the way home. I’m not even sure he can because his heart is racing out of control.

He slams on the brakes in the driveway and stomps into the house. I silently follow him and shut the door. Graham is pacing the living room and I keep quiet until he’s ready to talk.

It takes thirty minutes of him pacing.

“You told me that there were no secrets between us.”

“I lied. I’m sorry; I couldn’t tell you, not until now.”

“You. Are. My. Matched.” He yells louder with each word.

I step over to him, but he retreats back.

“Don’t try to calm me, right now,” he warns.

“Graham, it’s not like you like me anyway.” I tell him honestly. “I mean, maybe you like me, but you don’t love me. You don’t touch me. You’ve only kissed me once. You sleep in the other room. I’m sure the King will allow you to find another Matched. Maybe she’ll give you everything that you’re looking for.”

The anger, rage, and hurt roll off him and almost knocks me down. “How dare you, Gia? How dare you think you know my true feeling about you? Have you read my mind? I assume that you can since you can talk to us telepathically.”

I hang my head. I feel like I’m a child being scolded by my parents. “I’ve never read your mind. I keep that part of my
talents
closed. I don’t like intruding into people’s thoughts.”

“Then you don’t know. You really think that I would go through all this if I didn’t care about you. Do you?”

I raise my head and Graham’s eyes are watering. Now, I can only feel hurt.

“Graham,” I reach for him, but he holds his hands up.

He shakes his head in despair and bolts up the stairs.

I close my eyes. I’ve had twelve years to deal with this, and I know he needs time to cope. I head into the kitchen a grab a slice of the now cold pizza and a Pepsi.

I think about the past hour and how my friends’ lives changed. Now, we’re all on the same page. Now, they know the secret.

Now, the tears fall.

I tried to be strong in the King’s office, but it’s a front. I’m scared. I’m nervous. I hurt my Matched. I caused pain for my friends.

It’s all up to me.

What if I fail?

What if Xaviera’s son dies because of me and I ruin the future?

I’ve had to deal with all these issues and question for twelve years with no one to help me figure out the answer.

I go up to my office, pausing for a moment at Graham’s room. I can’t hear anything and I don’t see any light peeking out of the bottom of the door. I reach up to knock. I want to tell him it’s okay, but I leave him alone.

I walk into my office and sit in my chair. Looking around the room, I’m still proud of myself for putting it all together. I glance over at the large black bookcase. All my books, mostly classic, except one green bound book. I deftly pull it out and hold it.

The prophecy.

I open it up and see her perfect cursive handwriting.

Gia,

No words will ever express the joy that this brings to my heart to know that you’re my granddaughter and will the one that saves us all.

Love your grandmother

I smile at her words. She died long before I was born, but she knew. I turn the aged paper to the beginning of the prophecy.

Unit is the heart and soul of Mother Nature’s descendants.

Unit is the one to bring them all together.

Unit will save the world when the leader becomes King.

I wipe the tears and turn the page.

Two will be strong.

Two will break the rules.

One will be born of different blood.

One will sacrifice to save the Princess.

The sacrifice will be from the one that holds all the powers. The one that lost her father to evil. The one will save them all.

I’ve read the words a million times. I know it by heart. I have known since I was eight. I turn the page and continue the story.

The fight will be the biggest battle of the six. The evil will fight harder, but one will stand strong against the father. The battle will be fierce between the two but the sacrificial one will prevail at the end, giving her soul in exchange for the Princess and future leader to live on.

My soul.

I’ve always wondered where it goes when we died. In my head, I hope for a large flowery meadow, where I can lounge around and bask in the sunlight.

Maybe that’s wishful thinking. I stand, walk over to the window, and look out at Unit.

My home.

I would die to save them.

I know that I will.