by Laynie Bynum
Sechenova snorted. “Like you would jump in that water with those mammals.”
“How do you think I got in here?” I raised my eyebrows to her.
Chapter Eleven
Koyama
T
akamaru Yoshiyuki knelt at my feet. He looked like a former shell of himself. His muscular body felt four times smaller than it was. His long shiny jet-black hair now had streaks of white, and his skin was no longer golden. His aura had changed.
“What are you doing here? We all thought you died five years ago.”
I still couldn’t believe he knelt at my feet. Every year for the last five years, I had mourned his death. His death had affected me so much.
“I had received a cryptic message the year before saying that I had been identified as having exceptional power and that they wanted me to join them. That was all the message said, but I noticed that the insignia on it was that of the Faceless Ones, so I didn’t want any part in it.”
“You may stand.” Leaning against the door with my arms folded, I listened. The footsteps that were in the hall now headed down the corridor.
He rose to his feet. “I sent a message back stating that I would never be associated with them. A year later, I was out in the park smelling the cherry blossoms when something pierced my neck, and my vision went black. I woke up an hour later in prison, and I’ve been in here ever since.”
“What have they been doing to you?” I could sense the difference in him. His aura was darker. There was something else that was surrounding his aura. A force that had nothing to do with the power that the goddess Qiaris provided to the chosen ones.
“They have done all sorts of experiments on me. They have ruined me and turned me into a mindless freak.” He turned away from me and walked to his bed. Sitting down, he ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t let them operate on you too. You must leave this place immediately.”
“We both need to get out of here. Somehow, they have ways to disable my power. We need to avoid them and sneak out.”
Takamaru snorted. “Princess, this place is crawling with them. It is not so easy. Don’t you think I have tried to escape?”
He stood and turned around, showing me his back. “This is the result of my attempts to escape. When they got bored of beating me to death and reviving me, they went on to other creative measures of torturing me.”
“I refuse to sit here and be tortured. Father didn’t die for nothing. I can’t allow Filippov to destroy my planet and my people. I have to try to escape.”
I turned around and opened the door. A second later, the door was closed again and he whirled me around.
“Takishima Miho has died. How? He was in perfect health.” His arms wrapped around me and he hugged me.
“Zariah and the special counsel killed him. He gave himself into their care in order to save me. He told them Nakatomi had the power of the goddess, so they expect me to get her to stop the destruction of our planet and are forcing me to deliver her to them.”
“Your father loved you very much. Where is Chalen?” He dropped his arms and stepped back.
I lowered my head. “They killed him too.”
There was no way that I was dying now. Once I fulfilled my duty and saved my people, I would die, but not before. My planet was a beautiful place to live, with people who deserved better than the Teleterian Special Council’s corruption. Father did not die in vain. His strength, legacy, and power lived on in me.
He sank to his knees again. One hand was over his chest. “My queen, I will do everything in my power to get you out of here safely. My life is yours. Let me lead the way. Do as I say and follow my lead. We both can’t escape, but I will get you out.” He opened his door and stepped out into the hallway. After looking around, he motioned for me to follow him.
He doesn’t know me well if he thinks I will ever leave him behind. Both of us are going to escape this place.
Running down the hall, I followed him to a long narrow corridor that looked like we were going deeper and deeper underground.
“I’m not sure what’s gotten into Filippov. He seemed to have lost his mind when they killed his wife and daughter. It’s time for a new leader,” Petya said.
Takamaru darted in between two doors and pushed me inside. Once inside, he pushed me behind the vending machine. I started to move out of hiding when he disappeared before my eyes.
What the heck? Takamaru vanished. Whatever experiments these Faceless Ones had done on him, he’s now able to make himself invisible.
A tall green alien strolled inside. “Petya, you challenged him the last time and lost. If you do so again, he will kill you. Do you have a death wish?” said Chernov.
I stepped back behind the vending machine out of sight before he noticed me. This alien seemed ferocious with horns protruding from his skull and metal piercings dangling from his nose. His skin was scaly like a reptile’s.
The door opened and another alien came inside the room. His color was gold. He didn’t have scales, but he had a long tail. His body was scarred from head to toe and he radiated menace. His aura was as black as night.
He walked over to the machine on the opposite wall. He pushed some buttons and a series of musical notes came out of the machine. A second later, processed food in a container came out. “Chernov, you need to grow a backbone. Filippo’s love for his wife and daughter has made him soft. They have been dead for three years now. When will he get over it?” asked Petya.
“Mark my words, Chernov. There’s more than one way to kill Filippov, and I don’t mean in a challenge for the right to rule.” He knocked the food container down on the floor and stomped toward the door.
When both aliens left out the room, Takamaru became visible again. He pulled me out of hiding. “That was Petya Andreevich. He wants to rule over The Faceless Ones,” he said.
I shook my head. It seemed that everywhere I went and no matter what planet I was on, there was always someone who wanted more power, money, and stature.
“Chernov Larionovich and his flunky, Petya Andreevich, were nothing but troublemakers. I wouldn’t be surprised if Petya tried to murder Filippov tonight. You must get out of here as soon as possible before all hell breaks loose.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “We need to leave now.”
I followed him out into the hallway. We ran down two more hallways until we reached a door on the righthand side of the wall. He propelled me through it, and we ran down the steps into the lower level.
“Why are we going deeper into their lair? We need to go back up.”
He shook his head. “Trust me.” Without another word, he opened another door. It was an escape pod. He pressed the buttons on it and the glass opened. Lifting me up, he placed me in the pod.
I shook my head and tried to get out. “You get in first, then I will get in on top of you. We can both fit in there.”
He smiled. “You still have a tender heart. This escape pod is for cargo, not humans. The weight restriction is a hundred pounds.”
“Where is your escape pod?” I looked around, but besides boxes and crates, there was nothing that resembled an escape pod.
He led me here knowing there was only one pod. I refuse to leave him here in their clutches.
“I weigh more than hundred pounds, so I can’t go in this one. I will get in your escape pod with you.”
I heard voices. “Find her. If you let her escape, I will kill you all,” shouted Filippov.
A voice rang out from just outside the door. My eyes widened. I tried to pull Takamaru inside the escape pod. If this was our only chance, at least we would die on our own terms and not at the hands of Filippov.
“My Queen, please forgive me.” He shoved me back and pressed the buttons on the outside of the escape pod. The glass came down, locking in place, and the engine roared to life. Running over to the wall, he pressed several buttons, and the hatch opened at the other end. I pressed my hands to the glass, trying to get it open, but there wer
e no controls on the inside of the pod.
“No, damn it. Takamaru Yoshiyuki, you get in here this instant. This is an order from your queen.”
He pressed a series of buttons and the pod shot forward.
I turned around as Filippov opened the door behind Takamaru. He stabbed him in the back and tossed him aside.
Filippov rushed to the controls and started pressing buttons. Takamaru pulled the dagger from his flesh and threw the dagger at Filippov. It landed in his back, and he slumped over the control panel. Takamaru collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth.
“Takamaru!” I pounded on the glass as the escape pod shot out into space. Closing my eyes, I slumped down in the seat. My chest ached for Takamaru.
Your sacrifice will not be in vain. I will make Filippov pay for what he has done to you. I will make them all pay.
My eyes flew open. During the long and boring journey through space, my fatigue had caught up with me. I had fallen asleep. The escape pod had landed. There were two suns on this planet. I wasn’t sure where I was, but I was not on Teletera. A button on the left flashed green, and the glass lifted.
Filippov had been punching several buttons before Takamaru had thrown the dagger at him. What if he routed me to another one of his secret base operations?
Jumping out, I ran into the cover of the trees. There were footprints in the sand. I could smell the saltwater in the air. It was hot on this planet. I followed the footprints to the end of the tree line, and there stood a huge palace. However, it looked more like a fortress with legions of guards stationed outside protecting it.
Turning around, I walked in the opposite way. Whoever lived at this end had a legion of guards. I needed food and water. After I had that, I would figure out where I was and how I would get off this planet.
I could see, through the lush trees, a vast ocean. It seemed to go on for miles and miles. The sun was baking my skin, making my mouth dry. After walking south for several miles, I didn’t see anything that resembled civilization. My head felt heavy and the pounding at my temples became too much to bear. I walked over to a tree, sat down, and tried to steady myself. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes for a minute.
I heard nearby tree branches crunch as male voices were heard over the crashing waves against the rocks. My eyes flew open and I jumped to my feet. I started running in the opposite direction, heading toward the palace.
“Chernov, there she is. Don’t let her get away,” said Petya. He dashed right, heading straight for me.
“We can’t let her get to the palace,” said Chernov. He went left, running after me.
Both were running fast and closing in on me. I kept running forward, and focusing on the tree in front of me, I lifted it from the ground and hurtled it at Chernov, since he was the closest to me.
He grunted as he landed on the ground with a loud thud. I kept running, increasing my speed as I ran. Glancing to the side, I didn’t sense Petya anywhere. Somehow, I couldn’t sense his aura.
Father. I need you now. I feel so lost.
Freeing my mind, I listened to the waves and ran right toward the water, veering away from the palace. Ignoring the cramps in my legs, I ran faster. Channeling the energy of the water, I ran on top of it. Several steps behind me, I heard Petya’s soft cursing as he ran in the water trying to catch me. Lifting my hand, I focused on the wave that was heading toward us.
The wave lifted high off the ground and continued to grow massive in size, and when it was close to us, I directed it behind me and ran forward faster.
“I’m going to kill you. I don’t care what Filippov ordered. You’re dead. You hear me? Dead,” said Petya. His screams were drowned out by the continuous crashing of the waves. Every time he surfaced; another wave came crashing over him.
It wasn’t long before I left them behind and reached civilization where the palace stood. I didn’t stop running until I was in front of the guards. My heart pounded and my head was foggy.
“I need help. Please help me.” My vision blurred and I lost consciousness.
Several minutes later, my eyes opened. My body felt cold and I couldn’t move my limbs. I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t even lift my neck. Long green vein-like ropes were wrapped around my body. I tried to move but the bonds held me tightly in place.
He sat up in the chair and continued to peel an orange with the sharp blade in his hand. “I’m glad you’re awake. Who are you, and why did you bring The Faceless Ones to my planet?” he asked.
How does he know about them? Did he kill them? He doesn’t sound like he’s working with them.
My lips parted and my mouth watered. The smell of his orange made me salivate. I averted my face from the smell of his food and focused on what he asked me. “Your planet. Where am I?”
“You’re on the planet of Milkovanian, and there isn’t anything that happens here without my say so. This is my planet.”
Wait. The young man couldn’t be Atticus Ebizo. He couldn’t be the fearless Atticus. He didn’t look old enough.
“You lie. You’re too young and handsome to be Atticus Ebizo.”
His lips curved. “I look young for my age. Compliments won’t save me from snapping your pretty little neck. I won’t ask you again. Why did you bring them to my planet?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I didn’t bring them here. Heck, I didn’t set course for this planet either. I escaped from Filippov, and he must have rerouted the escape pod to this location. His men were already here the moment I stepped out of the escape pod.”
“I should sell you back to him.” He popped another orange slice in his mouth.
“You sell people? What kind of person are you? Don’t send me back to him.”
“Why not? You came here with nothing of value. You are not in a position to bargain.”
“Wrong. Call General Palacheck and tell him you have Koyama Miho. He will pay you.”
He sat up and walked to the bed. He held up a piece of the peeled orange to my lips.
I shook my head. “I can’t take food from your hand. That would be a betrayal to my mate.”
His eyes darkened and his eyes dropped to my lips. “Who is your mate?”
There’s a darkness that surrounds him. His aura burns bright with an amber hue. He might use this information to manipulate me.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Amitai, we need to talk.”
He knows Amitai’s number, and he can just pick up the phone and call him. Are they enemies?
“This isn’t a good time. I’ll call you back,” said Amitai.
“No problem. I will tell Koyama that now isn’t a good time.”
“You would dare to steal her from me and call to bargain with me?” asked Amitai.
He shrugged. “The Faceless Ones are here to kill her. They have requested permission to enter the palace.”
“I’m on my way. If you harm her, I will kill you,” said Amitai.
Smiling he slid the phone into his pocket. When he hung up, he started to whistle. His aura had completely changed in that short amount of time. “Thank you.”
Frowning, I stared at him. “Why are you thanking me?”
“Do you know how hard it is to get the general to do you a favor? He is crazy over you, so he won’t turn me down because he doesn’t have a choice.”
He walked to the door. With a snap of his fingers, the binds fell away from my body. “If one of the Fearless Ones gets inside, you need to fight for your life, although I doubt you’re any match for them. They are trained assassins, so you’re alive because they want you back alive.”
The door shut behind him with a click, and I heard the lock slide into place.
Rubbing the feeling into my hands, I watched him leave. I wasn’t sure which was worse, Atticus Ebizo or Filippov. It seemed that crazy creatures surrounded me.
Walking around the room, I counted the steps from the door to the bed. The room had no windows. There was one way in and one way out. The bathroom was lar
ge and spacious. After a hot shower, I put on a white terrycloth robe that was hanging in the bathroom and sat on the bed. I leaned my head against the headboard.
If I lived through the night, tomorrow would be an interesting day. I needed strength so I had to rest. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to take a twenty-minute nap. A deep sleep was out of the question.
Amitai was coming, and I wanted to be alive when he arrived.
A short time later, I opened my eyes. The room was dark, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Something woke me. My instincts were never wrong. Without thinking, I rolled to the other side of the bed just as a silver dagger struck the spot, I was just sitting in. Raising my hands, I sent the bed moving to one side, but instead of hearing a grunt, it was met with silence.
Grabbing the heavy glass lamp, I swung it in front of me. A gust of air flew past my face as a strong hand gripped my neck. I was lifted off the ground and thrust against the wall.
“You thought that weirdo could keep us out of the castle. There is no place that we can’t infiltrate,” said Petya.
I slammed my knee between his legs. Other than a grunt, he didn’t loosen his grip on my throat. His nails dug into the tender flesh around my neck as he cut off my air completely.
Floaters appeared in my vision as the blood in my veins slowed and my head became heavy. The strength in my limbs started to fade.
The bedroom door burst open, and the man from earlier walked in. “I told you if you came in here, you would be delivered to the goddess herself. Let her go.”
Petya dropped me like a sack of wheat and pulled his sword. “I will kill you and take over your planet. You are nothing without your guards.”
The man ran toward Petya then disappeared. He reappeared when he thrust a sword in his gut. Once Petya went down, he disappeared again, only to reappear and stab him repeatedly. The last time he reappeared, he slit his throat, which was a mercy after all those stab wounds.
I stumbled to my feet. My throat was raw and I couldn’t find my voice. “What are you?”
