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Chapter 34

The Heart of Fire

Emily pressed her ear to the cold metal door, straining to hear anything that might tell her where Hydra was taking her and her grandmother, but the only sound was the muffled roar of jet engines. There was no window to look from, no way to tell in what direction the plane was flying. She thought they were heading south, but she couldn't be sure, any more than she could be sure how long they had been flying.

Earlier this morning, she had been in the manor, thinking of the future, safe and secure in her family's ancestral home. Now, the future was anything but secure. She got up and walked over to Jacqueline, stretched out on a reclining seat. Kneeling, she took her hand. Jackie was barely conscious when Hydra brought her aboard, and hadn't roused since. God only knows what the shock had done to her heart, weak as it was. Emily put her hand to Jacqueline's neck, feeling for her pulse. It seemed good, and her breathing was steady, if shallow, but she looked so pale…

A sound made Emily turn. Through the small window in the door, she saw their captor, his face cloaked by a hideous death's-head mask, befitting his name: Crossbones. Fear invaded her heart at the sight, but anger also. The anger won out, and she stared at him with cold contempt.

"If looks could kill," he said, chuckling low. "How is she?"

"What do you care?"

"Frankly, I don't. But the boss wants her alive. Is she?"

"No thanks to you. She's not well, her heart is very weak. She needs a doctor."

"She'll see one when we land. In the meantime..." He tossed a small plastic bottle, and Emily caught it. Jacqueline's heart medication.

"I need water," she said.

Crossbones disappeared. A minute later he stepped into the small room, his immense frame seeming to take up all the space. He tossed her a bottle of water. "One for you," he said, tossing another. "Wouldn't kill you to say 'thank you', would it?"

She glared at him. "Go to hell."

Crossbones laughed. "Nothing sexier than being cursed out by a prim and proper English girl. You're a real spitfire, aren't you? Just like your old granny."

"Is that what this is all about? Is the Red Skull so petty that he seeks revenge on an old, dying woman?"

"The heart wants what the heart wants."

"She's an important woman," Emily said, ignoring his casual mockery. "They'll look for her."

"Oh there's someone I know will look for her. That's the real reason the boss wants her. You know, get the old band back together, one last trip down memory lane. Course, Cappy's not doing so well, is he? Maybe he won't show."

"He will come, and he will find her. I doubt you'll be so smug after he smashes your arrogant face in."

Crossbones laughed again. "You have a mighty high opinion of the man, don't you? That's okay, so do I. Yeah, he'll come…and I'll be ready when he does. I got a theory about Cappy and your old granny. I think they were more than just teammates...I think they were very special friends."

Emily pierced him with an icy stare, keeping her silence.

"I'm right," he said, his voice sparkling with mirth. "Not that I blame him. She was a looker. You're a looker, too."

Crossbones stepped closer. He reached out, brushing his fingers through her hair. Emily shuddered.

"Once you get settled in, we can spend some quality time together. You'll need a friend where we're going. I can be a good friend, you'll see."

Emily steeled herself. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing the fear clutching her heart.

"Does it make you feel strong, terrorizing women? Is that why you wear that mask, to hide your shame? What a wretched thing you are. If you're going to rape me, do it, and get it done with."

"Yeah, you're a real spitfire all right," he said, coolly. He was not smiling now, she could tell that even before he took his mask off. She tried not to gasp. His face was a patchwork of scars. His left ear was all but gone, and the cheek was laid clean to the bone. The sight made her wince.

"A little gift from your red white and blue hero. Cappy tossed me through a jet turbine a few years back. Oh, I don't hold it against him, I was trying to kill him. I should have died, but I have what the doctors call a 'strong will to live'. And that, sweetheart, is what's what makes me strong."

He slipped the mask back over his head. "Don't worry, your virtue is safe with me. I was just having a little fun. We'll be landing in a few minutes. Been a pleasure talking with you, Miss Falsworth."

Crossbones left, closing the door behind him. Emily felt an ugly swirl of emotions churning inside her: anxiety, fear, anger, and even pity. It sickened her that he could stir even an ounce of pity in her heart. "Bastard," she muttered, staring at the door.

"Yes...I rather suspect he is a bastard," Jacqueline said, her eyes fluttering open.

Emily rushed over to Jacqueline and helped her sit up. "Here, take this" she said, handing her the pills and water.

"In a moment. I'm not as sick as I pretended," Jacqueline said, setting the medicine aside. Her voice dropped to a whisper, and Emily had to lean in to hear.

"We are in grave danger. When we reach our destination, they will take us to see him. You must keep your wits about you if you are to survive."

Emily swallowed a knot of fear. "The Red Skull?"

Jacqueline nodded. "Johann Schmidt is not a man. He is something…other, something from beyond the world. He intends to use me as a lure, to bring Steven. You were taken as an afterthought, but that will change if he senses your true heritage. Schmidt will try to pull this secret from you. You must be on guard, and steel your mind against him."

"I'll try, but…I'm frightened. I was talking bravely a moment ago, but the truth is I'm very frightened."

Jacqueline took her hand. "Use that fear, Emily, let it keep your wits keen. He has a way of sensing things about people, but he cannot read your mind at will. He will bluff you, confuse you, in order to break you down. Don't let him. Keep your secrets locked away."

"I'll try, Gran."

Jacqueline smiled. "Be brave, child. Steven will come for us, and when he does...you will see the hero that he is. "

The jet engines throttled back as the plane began its descent. Jacqueline pulled Emily closer. "Do you have the pendant I gave you?"

Emily pulled the silver chain from under her shirt, the golden gem sparkling in the dim lighting.

"Good. Do you remember its name?"

Emily nodded, cradling the brilliant gemstone. "E'alomm Tae. The Heart of Fire."

Jacqueline put a finger to Emily's lips, and gently tucked the gem back under her shirt. As the jet's tires screeched against the tarmac, Jacqueline's words became more urgent.

"If he sees it, he will take it from you. Keep it hidden. When the time comes, place the stone against your heart, and speak its name. You will know the time, for the gem will tell you...and it will show you wonders."

Emily had never seen such a look on her grandmother's face before. Her eyes sparkled with a secret fire, and the years seemed to fall from her. Jacqueline put her hand over the gem, and Emily felt a warmth touch her heart.

"It is the last of an ancient magic, now lost to the world. It was the source of my power during the war. I was given guardianship of this power. Now I pass it to you."

"I…I don't understand. Your power came from a blood transfusion, didn't it? The Human Torch's synthetic blood caused a mutation in your cells, at least that's what father always told me."

"That was a story I told to keep the gem secret. It is your task now. Remember, as you safeguard the gem's power, so it will safeguard you. Quickly now, what must you do?"

Emily's fear melted away. She answered, the words flowing as if she'd known them her whole life.

"I will keep it secret. I will protect its power. When the time comes, I will place it against my heart…and speak its name."

Emily embraced her grandmother. Tears filled their eyes, but also determination. The side door swung open, flooding the compartment with blinding sunlight, as heat and humidity fell on them like a blanket. Emily realized her guess was correct; they had traveled south. Crossbones called out from the blazing light.

"Okay ladies, last stop. Everybody out."

Emily's eyesight adjusted to the sunlight. They were on an island, a sprawling base of some sort, bristling with soldiers. There were stockpiles of weapons, gleaming and oiled, speaking the low promise of death and destruction. Crossbones turned to the man at his side.

"Get a wheelchair for the old lady."

"Rubbish," Jacqueline said, standing on her own power. Taking the water, she swallowed the pills, and then straightened her dress. She looked at Emily with cool resolve.

"We are English women, daughters of the House of Falsworth. For a thousand years our line has stood, Defenders of the Realm, pledged to justice and chivalry. Take my hand, and let us show these blackguards we stand unbowed."

Emily took the Grand Dame's hand, and together, the two Falsworth women walked into the Hydra compound.