An Euperian Tale
THE DEAD PRINCE
Alejandro Betancourt
Lovem Entertainment
Copyright © 2020 Lovem Entertainment
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. For more information, address: [email protected]
ISBN: 979-8-6177-7849-8
Cover design by: Damonza
Printed in the United States of America
Thank you to everyone who made this dream
possible; especially my father, who was my
biggest critique and supporter.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 1
The warm, orange glow of the afternoon sun pours through the windows of Harper's Diner. The stainless steel-clad restaurant in Port Jervis, New York is unusually quiet for a Friday afternoon. The much-anticipated protest at City Square has siphoned off the office workers who regularly fill the booths and stools at this hour. Some are at the rally, while the timid ones, fearing repercussions, are already on their way home.
Zack Parker is sitting at his usual table, wolfing down his customary pastrami on rye, when the front door bursts open and Emma Lance rushes in, late as usual. "Oh my God!" she exclaims to Amy Harper, who's tending the counter. "I'm so sorry I'm late, but it's madness out there!" Emma hurries past her friend and heads to the back of the diner. She stuffs her purse and shoes into her locker, ties on her apron, and slips into her work shoes before darting back into the main space. "Did you check your messages?" she asks Amy. "I texted you that I was going to be late."
"Yeah, it's fine," Amy says with a half-smile. "I heard on the news that it's crazy out there. Manhattan is going nuts. I just hope nobody gets hurt. After all those people died in Boston, I'm a little freaked out."
Emma shakes her head sadly. "It'll only get worse if the UN recognizes the Ucte Empire. If that happens, you know the Ucte will start deporting Euperians, and I just don't know how people will react."
"Let's pray that doesn't happen," says Amy.
"Poor Joseph and Nathaniel. They were born on Earth. They've never even been to Azha. They must be terrified!"
"I know, it's not fair. Their parents must be going crazy too." Amy bats her hands against her hips. "Anyway! Let's just go ahead and start closing up. I want to get out of here before the mob rolls back through, 'kay?"
"Gotcha."
A moment later, as Emma carries a stack of plates back toward the kitchen, Amy gives her a devious smile and says in a low voice, "He's been staring at you since you came in, you know."
Emma laughs. "Who, Zack? Awww, he's cute enough. And that Mustang of his is fire. Maybe I'll ask him to drive me to the party tomorrow night."
Amy lifts a pale eyebrow. "I thought you were babysitting for your sister's anniversary," she says slyly.
"Argh! Crap, I totally forgot about that! Well, I guess he's all yours, then." Emma pouts prettily. Good thing Zack can't see her, or he might drool.
Amy rolls her eyes. "C'mon, now, I'm not going to lead him on. Besides, Mike would kill him, poor guy."
"Yeah, but remember when you had a cruuuush on him when we were freshman?" Emma asks, turning the screws as she clasps her hands and twirls around in a little circle, batting her eyes coquettishly — another thing Amy doesn't want Zack to see.
"I was just out of middle school!" Amy protests, turning red.
"Oh look, he's asking for the check," Emma says, eyelashes still a-flutter. "I guess you better go service him. Unless you'd prefer I do it?"
"I've got it, you brat." Amy swallows hard as she marches out of the kitchen, and her heartbeat quickens a bit as she approaches Zack. She still kinda has a crush on him, she realizes. Kinda sorta, but not really, she decides. Their eyes momentarily lock before Zack nervously looks away. Emma, meanwhile, watches the pair from the kitchen door, trying hard not to laugh.
"How was everything?" Amy asks him dryly.
"Everything's great," Zack replies. "It always is when you're around … err, the food, I mean." He quickly hides his face by taking a drink of water.
"Aww, you're so sweet! You've been in here almost every day this summer — you must really like the food, huh?"
"Best pastrami west of the Hudson," Zack replies. "Say, can I get one to go? I promised Blake I'd bring him something."
"Sure. Gimme a sec."
Amy strides back to the kitchen, where she findsEmma laughing hysterically, if quietly. "That was so hilarious!" she gasps to Amy. "You looked like a couple of robots learning how to talk to each other!" She extends her elbows and does a rigid robot dance, like something from an old music video.
Embarrassed, Amy slaps her friend's arm lightly. "Don't be silly. We're just friends. That's all we can be."
"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
Meanwhile, Zack glances through the large front window and spots his sister Olivia crossing the street, strolling in his direction. She smiles enthusiastically and waves as she approaches the diner. He knows what she wants — an invitation to the Back to School Senior Dance that's coming up in a few days.
"Forget it," he says automatically when she sits down a moment later. "I'm not going, and even if I were, I wouldn't be taking my sister. I'm not that desperate or nerdy."
"That isn't fair!" Olivia protests. "Stop reading my thoughts! And I'm entitled to a little fun once in a while, ya know? The way things are going, this
