Chapter 11: You Have Killed People
Gemma kneeled in the center of the throne room, staring at Bloody Mary. The small woman seemed even smaller in her throne, which took up almost the entire wall behind her. Mary's questioning had been going on for a while, now, and Gemma was getting sore from kneeling. Despite this, her pride wouldn't let her move from her position.
Mary took a sip of her wine. "So, Miss Fogg, how was life treating you when you met Jack Frost?" Her next question surprised Gemma, but she didn't let it show. "It was just fine, your Majesty." Mary frowned. "I see." Mary shifted in her chair and gave Gemma a sympathetic look. "You must be uncomfortable on the floor like that, d'you want to stand?" Gemma knew better than to stand while Mary was sitting. "No thank you, your Majesty."
Mary frowned at this remark. "Would you like a seat?" Gemma's pride was appalled at the question. She repeated the same words as before. Again, Mary frowned. "Guards! Bring this young woman a chair. For we have much to talk about." A guard scrambled to get a chair and brought it to Gemma, who gave Mary a wary look. Forgetting her manners, she asked, "Why are you doing this?" Mary grimaced at her rudeness, but ignored it. "Because you are my equal, my dear, and I have a deal to make with you. Now, sit." The guard picked her up and sat her in the chair. Gemma would've shoved him away, but the chains on her hands repelled that.
"Now, Gemma." She noted Mary's change of acknowledgement. "As I said before, you and I are equals in mind and in powers. I control lighting and powerful thunderstorms and you control rain and less powerful thunderstorms. Included we are just as smart as each other, and respect that. Correct?"
At this point, Gemma was through with Mary's hours of endless babbling. So, she responded with a question. "What do you want," she asked, glaring. Then she gave Mary a sweet look. "Your Majesty?" Mary was appalled at Gemma, but quickly recovered. She changed strategies. "I know what you're feeling, Gemma. You are full of anxiety, wondering why the Man in the Moon picked you as a Guardian."
Gemma frowned, how did Mary know that she was picked as a Guardian? "You're anxious, wondering if the other Guardians will come to rescue you when they couldn't even see you. You're wondering if Jack Frost will come and save you." Gemma sat back in her chair, shocked that Mary knew as much. "You see, I know what is going on in your mind, and I can use it against you."
"You don't know anything!" Gemma was mad now. She hated this torture. Mary laughed. "Oh, child, that is everything I know! I live off of the depression and anxiety of young people." Her voice hardened. "And that is why I am so powerful now." Gemma wanted to shrink away, but couldn't. Bloody Mary smiled at this.
"Now, I'm offering an appeal with you, and I want you to consider your options. If you and I were to join together, we could rule this world. Just think about it, people will know who you are! You can walk freely in the world without bother!" "And what about the Guardians?" Gemma asked. "The Guardians?" Mary let out a laugh of contempt. "Who needs the Guardians when people will actually see you? Know your name? Your life will be blissful." Gemma glared at her. "No, it won't. I'll be feared. People will shrink away from me. I want to be looked on with curiosity and welcoming, not fear and apprehension."
Mary looked shocked at Gemma's answer. Then she stood up, hovering over Gemma. "Fine. But let me remind you of what you've done. You've killed people, Gemma. You have lead them to their deaths. Thousands of sailors have died at your hands. People have killed themselves in your mist and fog." Gemma reeled at the words, it was as if someone had taken a blow to her chest. "Keep in mind, Gemma, that because of this the Guardians will not accept you. They will hate you for it. You will never be as good as they are. You will forever be a foolish, unseen figure of their past."
Gemma's eyes were wide, now, and Mary could tell that she had hit Gemma at the core. She stepped off of her throne, walking towards the red haired teenager. "You never realized this, did you?" She smiled at Gemma, then made the wide-eyed girl's chin turn up to face her. "You see, it is your job in this world. Now, Gemma, will you join with me?"
Gemma stared in shock at the queen. Mary had her, now. Then a faraway look came into Gemma's eyes, and Mary looked confused. A guard leaned forward, asking, "Your Majesty, what is happening?" Mary frowned. "I, I don't know." Another guard stepped forward, but Mary put up her hand. Without turning away from Gemma, she ordered: "Stop. Keep your position. We will wait and see what is happening."
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