It makes sense to go now to keep you safe while we deal with Vennum No it does not make any sense at all We have been at war with Vennum for eight years You well know that the situation has changed said her mother Vennum’s army has grown over the last few months He has become exceedingly powerful That is why I should remain here I am your most powerful genie Her mother’s shoulders stiffened I am the Imperial Empress of Genesia and I have made my decision Kora whirled back to face her father Tell her she demanded Tell her that you need me here to help defeat him It is true that you are the most powerful genie to be born in centuries Her father’s eyes were gentle But that is why you must go Vennum wants you more than any other genie Imagine how it would feel Kora if he was to harness you and force you to destroy Genesia I do not want to be banished It will not be forever Earth duty for you is a requirement under Genesian law The High Council of Genesia demands it Please father I do not want to go now You need me Enough I will argue with you no more The Emperor 6
signalled to Amurru You will leave immediately Kora I command it The air around her began to stir Her father’s command had activated her globe and she was being pulled in against her will She took one last look around at her home and then glared at her parents I hate you she spat I hate you both 7
Arrival Kora felt the power course through her veins pumping and tingling until it built to a level far greater than she needed She gloried in the surge of power an act of defiance against her father and the rest of the High Council Empress Amurru’s wheezing voice distracted Kora and the magic exploded from her chest transforming her glamorous globe so that it would appear to the outside world as just an ordinary rock The inside of course stayed the same an extravagant mix of Genesia’s finest creations designed for an empress shrunk down along with her by the magic of the globe She turned to Amurru delighted with the disapproval in his eyes Your father would not condone camouflage He shuffled towards her his bad leg dragging on the ground like a forgotten shoelace You must be found 8
The air in her globe still sizzled with the heat of her excessive power She stared down at him I do not care what you my father or the Council think If I am to be banished to Earth then I shall do as I please Amurru flexed his long amber wings An empress puts her own interests aside and does what is best for her people I can do nothing from here she spat What is best for my people is for me to be there fighting with them No He adjusted the wide black belt on his silver suit It was the right decision for everybody to send you here I will find a way to defeat Vennum she hissed Even from here No Empress The danger is too great If Vennum should find you I am not afraid Well you should be Empress Amurru shook his round head You should be She looked away from him in disgust I will not be harnessed Kora stormed around her globe the loud jingle of her jewellery filling the space when she felt rather than saw Amurru’s mood lighten She slid her eyes in his direction but did not turn her head His fox-like ears twitched and she knew he had heard something Armourowls had 9
