“What part of ‘we’re tank-born’ don’t you get?” I asked. “I didn’t choose to have him, but that doesn’t deny who he is.”
He held up his hands. “All right, all right. I guess I can go with that. So who’s his father, then?” I looked away from him. “Eira?”
“It’s…” I sighed. “It’s Rylan…”
“Wait, what?”
I looked him in the eye. “Rylan is his father.”
“Yeah, I got that part, but I don’t know. I’m just really confused. I thought you said Rylan and you are only friends. You said you had no, and still don’t have any, attraction to him in the least.”
“And you would be correct. There isn’t anything between me and Rylan. We are only friends.” Raikidan’s brow rose in question and I exhaled slowly in irritation. “Ryder wasn’t Rylan’s or my choice. He was Zarda’s. Zarda figured using my DNA and Rylan’s DNA was a good idea, so he made it so. That’s how it goes with us. What Zarda wants, damn everyone to hell if he doesn’t get it.”
“So why you two?”
“Because of the bond. Even though Zarda scrapped the project, he still had great interest in its potential. He believed the bond has special DNA properties even though none of it could be proven. So he ordered the geneticists to combine Rylan’s and my DNA, with the demand the only alteration made was life longevity attempts. Zarda assumed with the types of DNA he was combining, Ryder wouldn’t need much more alteration.”
“All right. I think I get, it but why is he so young? I thought you said you guys don’t come out of your tanks unless you’re around seventeen.”
I sat down and nodded. “That’s true, but there was a problem.”
Raikidan walked over and sat down next to me. “What kind of problem?”
“Ryder stopped developing, and the longer they kept him in there in hopes it would resume, the faster his life force faded. Not wanting to lose him, they took him out. He didn’t grow past the age of ten.”
“So was it the alteration that messed things up or the accelerated growth?”
I shook my head. “They didn’t accelerate his growth. They didn’t want to risk it since Rylan and I hadn’t had that kind of treatment. They feared the acceleration might kill him.”
“I see.” There was something off about the tone in his voice. Like he was piecing something together that wasn’t a part of this conversation. “So when you found out about Ryder, how did that affect you guys?”
“Well…” I thought for a moment to figure out how to word myself. It wasn’t something I wanted to say, but he would keep pestering me until I did. “Rylan… Rylan thought he could use Ryder as a tool to get me to care for him. He figured if we had something to connect with, together, then I might change my mind.”
Raikidan snorted. “Even I know that wouldn’t work.”
I laughed. “Well, you’re a little smarter than him, because he tried it and it pissed me off enough where I wouldn’t even look at him for five months.”
“Ouch. A little harsh, don’t you think?”
I snorted. “Hardly. I had been fed up with him not listening to me in the first place. And the fact that he thought he could use a child as a tool disgusted me. I couldn’t stomach looking at him. But harsh or not, the treatment got Rylan to understand I didn’t see him that way. My refusal to acknowledge him at all showed him the depth of my rejection. I didn’t want to crush him as bad as I did, but it was the only way he’d give up. It was the only way I knew I could get him to stop.”
“So what is Ryder’s opinion on the matter?”
“He… he doesn’t know.”
Raikidan’s brow rose. “What do you mean, he doesn’t know?”
“I mean, he doesn’t know Rylan is his father. Or, as far as I know he doesn’t. I decided it would be best not to tell him.”
“How does Rylan feel about this?”
“He hates it. He fought with me for a long time over it. He still thinks I made the wrong choice. He thinks I’m being selfish.”
“But you don’t think you are?”
I shook my head. “I thought it would only make the situation worse. With Ryder’s developmental issues, he’s got a mind that’s stuck between a child and a grown man. If Ryder knew the truth about his lineage, it would only confuse him. He would struggle to understand why Rylan and I weren’t together. I wouldn’t do that to him because it wouldn’t be fair. No matter how much Rylan wanted Ryder to know, at that time, I knew it wouldn’t be right. Now that time has passed I just wait for him to ask. I figure that’s the best way to tell him because by then he’ll be ready to know.”
Raikidan went quiet. Feeling uncomfortable due to our conversation, and now the sudden silence, I went to leave. Since our conversation was over, I didn’t see a reason to stay, but Raikidan grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.
“You want to talk about something else?” I asked. “Because there’s nothing more to say about this current topic.”
Raikidan looked at me, but still didn’t speak. His expression wasn’t readable, making it hard for me to figure out what was up. Then suddenly, he reached up and stroked my cheek with the back of his finger. My eyes grew wide and my breath caught with his sudden, bold behavior. He leaned closer to me.
I pulled away. “What are you doing?”
He attempted to move closer again and lightly touched my chin. “I still want that kiss.”
I pushed him back by his face. “I just get done telling you I have a kid and you want a kiss from me? What is with you? Most would want nothing to do with me after that, regardless of the fact my son is tank-born.”
He pulled my hand off his face. “I just want to know what it feels like. It doesn’t matter that you told me you have a son or that you rejected Rylan, his father. It’s not like this is supposed to mean anything. It’s just a kiss. I want to know what it feels like.”
I scoffed and stood up. “I told you, find a hooker to kiss. I won’t do it.”
“Why do you have such a problem with this? It’s just a kiss.”
“You don’t get it, Raikidan, A kiss is never just a kiss. It’s supposed to mean something. That’s the point of a kiss. Depending on the emotion placed into it makes it different every time.”
“I don’t understand. You’re just pressing your lips against someone else’s.”
“Obviously you don’t get it! There are different types of kisses. There’s one for each emotion you place into it.” I looked out the window with my arms crossed.
“Eira, what are you not telling me?”
I sighed. “A kiss can also be false. It can be a lie, even though it’s still a kiss, but a lie uses a negative emotion.” I walked over to the door. “Stop trying to get a kiss out of me, Raikidan. It’s not going to feel the way you think it will, and I don’t want to be a part of it. Keep your mouth away from mine.”
I shut the door behind me and headed for a different place to be alone. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to stay calm, and I didn’t want to lose it over such a topic.
It was dark—more than dark. It was black. I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t hear anything. I looked around frantically, but I was alone. There was no doubt about it. The empty feeling that loneliness brought, crept all over my body. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like being alone. Then I heard it. It was quiet at first, but it became louder.
“Eira.” Someone was calling me. I looked around. “Eira.”
The voice was masculine. I knew this voice, but I couldn’t remember whom it belonged to. I didn’t like that. I wanted to put a name, a face even, to the voice.
“Eira.” I ran for it. I needed to find the source. I needed to feel like I wasn’t alone. “Eira.”
I spun around. The voice came from behind me now. Or maybe I had gone the wrong way.
“Laz.” I liked how the voice said this name. I liked how it rolled off his tongue. I wanted him to say my name like that all the time. “Laz.”
I stopped dead
and looked around. The voice’s direction changed, confusing me. Where was it coming from?
“Laz. Laz. Laz.” I held my head. It was coming from all directions. “Laz!”
I fell to my knees and screamed. “Someone help me! Please, help me. I don’t want to be alone anymore…”
“Laz…”
The grip on my head tightened and the feeling of loneliness gripped tighter. Then a new feminine voice spoke—one I recognized. She had no face—no name. She was the darkness inside me.
“You cannot find it. Loneliness is your only destiny.”
I punched the black ground. I wanted it all to go away. I wanted to be free of this place.
“Please… someone… anyone… save me…”
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Glossary | Characters
Dalatrend
Leaders
Zarda – Ruler of Dalatrend, nu-human
Military
Zo – Nu-human experiment, general, interested in Eira
Rebellion
Council
Genesis – Oversees Team 3, first nu-human, necromantic abilities
Hanama (HAH-nah-mah) – Oversees Team 1, nu-human experiment
Team 1
Assassin based
Team 2
Recruitment based
Dan – Nu-human experiment, former lieutenant to Eira
Team 3
Income based, former brute and foot soldier mostly
Argus – Nu-human experiment, inventor
Aurora – Nu-human experiment, Underground computer tech
Azriel – Nu-human experiment, former medic, night club owner: Twilight
Blaze – Nu-human experiment, ladies’ man
Eira (AIR-uh) – Nu-human hybrid experiment, battle leader, former commander, assassin, fire shaman. Alt names: Laz, Laz’shika (laz-SHEE-kah)
Orchon (OR-con) – Nu-human, bouncer at Twilight
Raikidan (RYE-ki-DAN) – Black and red dragon, Guard in training
Rylan (RYE-lan) – Nu-human experiment, experimental shapeshifter: wolf, former captain, artificial mental bond with Eira, ice elementalist, interested in Ryoko
Ryoko (Ree-OH-koh) – Half-wogron experiment, clone of Peacekeeper Ryoko, Brute, former lieutenant, best friend to Eira, interested in Rylan
Seda (SAY-duh) – Nu-human experiment, psychic: Seer, twin to Nioush
Zane – Nu-human experiment, uncle to Eira, brother to Jasmine, former soldier, mechanic
Team 4
Reconnaissance based
Team 5
Psychic based team
Team 6
Research and development based
Team 7
Reconnaissance based
Chameleon – Nu-human experiment, molecular fusion ability, former assassin
Doppelganger – Nu-human experiment, temporary cloning ability
Ezhno (EZ-no) – Nu-human experiment, Underground computer tech
Mocha – Nu-human experiment, anthropomorphic: cat
Nioush (NEE-oosh) – Nu-human experiment, psychic: Battle Psychic, twin to Seda
Raynn (rain) – Nu-human experiment, battle leader, former general, clone if Peacekeeper Raynn
Moles
Arnia (ARE-nee-ah) – Nu-human experiment
Jaybird – Nu-human experiment
Shamans
North Tribe
Fe’teline (fey-TELL-een) – Nu-human, fire shaman
South Tribe
Ne’kall (nay-CALL) – Elf, son to Del’karo and Alena
Tla’lli (teh-LAH-lee) – Elf, chief’s daughter, wind shaman
East Tribe
Se’lata (say-LAH-tah) – Elf, spice merchant, earth shaman
West Tribe
Alena – Elf, wife to Del’karo, mother figure to Eira, mother of Ne’kall and eleven other sons, healer
Daren – Human, Valene’s adopted father, inn keeper, former partner to Valessa
Del’karo (del-CAR-oh) – Elf, mentor and father figure to Eira, husband to Alena, father of Ne’kall and eleven other sons, fire shaman
Ken’ichi (ken-EE-chee) – Nu-human, friend to Eira, Guard and healer
Maka’shi (mah-KAH-shee) – Leader, half-elf, ice shaman, widow
Mel’ka (mel-KAH) – Elf, elder, storyteller, earth shaman
Shva’sika (sh-VAH-see-KAH) – Elf, sister to Xye, mentor and adopted family to Eira, lightning shaman
Valene (vah-LEEN) – Human, daughter to Valessa, Eira’s and Daren’s adopted daughter, earth shaman
Valessa – Human, mother to Valene, earth shaman, former partner to Daren, deceased
Xye (zeye) – Half-elf, brother to Shva’sika, attempted to court Eira, healer, deceased.
Gods
Anila (ah-NEE-lah) – Goddess of air
Arcadia (are-KAY-dee-ah) – Goddess of spirits
Genesis – Goddess of life, partner to Zoltan
Gina – Goddess of health and healing
Halcyon (hall-SEE-on) – Goddess of the sea
Imera (eye-MEER-ah) – Goddess of literature and knowledge
Jin – Goddess of refined earth
Kendaria – Goddess of water
Koseba (koh-SAY-bah) – God of shapeshifting
Le’carro (ley-CAR-oh) – God of lightning
Lunaria – Goddess of the moon
Nazir (nah-ZEER) – God of death and corruption
Phyre (fire) – God of fire
Raisu (RAY-sue) – God of dreams
Rashta (RAH-sh-tah) – Goddess of judgement and rebirth
Rasmus – God of love and fertility, partner to Savada
Satria (sah-TREE-ah) – Goddess of war
Savada (sah-VAH-dah) – Goddess of sex and seduction, partner to Rasmus
Sela – Goddess of psychics, sister of Tyro
Solstice – Goddess of ice and winter
Solund – God of the sun
Tarin – God of nature, partner to Valena
Tyro (TIE-roh) – God of psychics, brother of Sela
Valena – Goddess of earth, partner to Tarin
Zoltan – God of life, partner to Genesis
Miscellaneous
Rosa (ROH-sah) – Succubus, mated to Zaedrix
Voice – Mysterious voice that speaks to Eira inside her head. Malevolent
Zaedrix (ZAY-dricks) – Incubus, mated to Rosa
* * *
Spirits
Amara (ah-MAR-ah) – Nu-human experiment, general, water elementalist, deceased
Jade – Nu-human experiment, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Jasmine – Nu-human experiment, aunt to Eira, sister to Zane, geneticist, deceased
Tannek – Nu-human experiment, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Zeek – Nu human, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Peacekeepers
Assar – Dwarf, deceased
Pyralis (PIE-ral-iss) – Red dragon, deceased
Raynn (rain) – Human, deceased
Reiki (Ray-KEY) – Green dragon, deceased
Ryoko (Ree-OH-koh) – Half-wogron, earth shaman, deceased
Varro – Elf, healer, deceased
Glossary | Language
Elvish
Elvish is an eloquent language, light on the tongue with an airy sound. Even the usual consonants of common don’t hold the same harshness in Elvish. Many elves and other humanoids raised with Elvish as their mother tongue carry this light speech over in their common.
While not the easiest language to learn, Elvish is a favorite to among the linguistically gifted. Those who seek to learn this language seek out elves before any other race and are taught by full immersion. Some elves will provide a few words for the humanoid to start with but it’s not common to do so. The elves believe this technique is the best way to learn and created a better understanding of the language for everyday use.
Written Elvish is just as elegant as spoken, usually written in script by native speakers. Non-natives tend to forgo the script,
which is accepted by native speakers, though the handwriting is still expected to be neat, and flourished on important documents. Sloppy writing is considered an insult.
Draconic
Draconic is a gutter language made up most of grunts and growls with the occasional tongue flick, exhales, or teeth clatter. It’s difficult for a non-dragon to learn, as the formation of these words are foreign to most humanoids. Some sounds are impossible for non-dragons to create so other sounds are substituted as an alternative. Even dragons taking a humanoid form must make these changes. Rarely is a humanoid able to perfect the speech, even when raised among dragons.
Those attempting to learn are always taught single words before attempting sentence structures. Draconic sentence structure is similar to Common, but with a possessive edge due to the mindset of dragons. There are no contracted words in Draconic, as such, dragons who don’t speak common often, tend to use the same sentence structures of their mother tongue when they do speak common.
It’s not common for dragons to write in the current age but there is a basic written form of the language that was used more extensively in the past. This written form is comprised of glyphs easily created with dragon claws and easy to decipher for most dragons no matter the cleanliness of the script. Non-dragons find this writing easier to learn than the spoken language and most of the time will stop learning after they’ve master it.
Below are phrases translated to Eira in the series:
Destiny (Experimental Heart Book 1) Page 57
