How had things gone so wrong? Weren’t they the winning team? What was Slurpy doing to Kayla? Where did he have her? A million other questions tumbled out, crushing him, until he felt like there was no air left to breathe. He was drowning.
Exacerbating the sensation, the skies around them dimmed, the high mountains behind him rushing the onslaught of full night. Then the sunlight hit the last angle where its beams could squeeze through the mountain’s bulk. A golden light, tinged with pinks, apricots, and creams, shone through for a second.
And Jaden was reminded of the words Zareh had told him to keep close. “Living with hope.” He snorted derisively at the sentiment. Then he realized that was all that they had left now. Hope. He had to rely on it to find Kayla. He had to remember it to complete his journey and put an end to all this suffering.
It was night and black as sin now, but the new day would soon dawn. When it did, he would be ready.
Chapter One
Jaden didn’t think he’d survive. The crushing weight of Bree’s death was nothing compared to the agony of Kayla’s disappearance. As he dismounted from Han, his legs buckled so severely, he had to catch himself before tumbling to the ground. When Han landed seconds later, his worried frown told Jaden his stumble hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“I’ll be alright. It’s dark. The ground’s uneven.”
The frown didn’t leave Han’s face. It only deepened as they neared Taz. Jaden was appalled to see her hooked up to an IV. Atu had healed her wounds, but her movements were feeble as her head turned to see who approached.
Spotting them, Taz smiled weakly. “Come to visit the wounded warrior?”
Despite her infirmity, Taz still sounded imperious. Jaden grinned. “Who says we’re here to see you?”
Taz twittered. “And here I thought we meant something to you.”
Jaden would’ve been mortified if he hadn’t caught the tiny twinkle in her eyes. “Well, now that you mention it . . .”
Han pushed past, almost knocking Jaden over. “How do you feel?”
Taz tilted her head so she could look Han in the eye. “Healer says I will make a full recovery provided I get my rest.”
Jaden cocked his head. There it is again. That undercurrent between Han and Taz. Is it deference in Han’s voice when he addresses Taz? Loyalty? Love?
Han purred. “We should leave then so you can sleep.”
He nudged Jaden, and Jaden scowled. While Jaden hadn’t figured out what was going on between their gliders, he still had questions. And Jaden wasn’t about to let Han bully him away from Taz before he had answers.
Fortunately, Taz had the same mindset. “Not before you tell me about Kayla. Have you found her?”
Han bristled when he realized Jaden wouldn’t leave and, worse, planned on entertaining Taz’s questions.
Jaden patted Han’s shoulder. He understood Han didn’t want Taz upset. But keeping the truth from her would only make her more agitated. Sparing Han a reassuring glance, Jaden sank down and stroked the soft fur along Taz’s neck.
“We need your help to find Kayla. And no, that doesn’t mean you flying around. It means you giving us some direction, so we know where to look.” Taz moved as though to rise, but Jaden kept her down. “Leave us to find her. You know we love her just as much as you do. We need you to heal so that when we find her, you’re strong enough to help retrieve her if need be.”
Taz huffed. “Very well. I can see I won’t get past you two ogres.”
Jaden allowed a smile to touch his face, but he’d heard the weariness in Taz’s voice. On cue, her eyes closed. “Taz?” Her eyes fluttered open again, but they were glazed. “Can you tell us what happened?”
Taz moved a little, trying to rouse herself. “Kayla was asking questions. I couldn’t answer them.” Her voice faltered, and her eyes drooped.
“Taz?”
“Jaden, leave her be. She needs her rest,” Han urged.
“And what happens when she wakes again and we haven’t found Kayla? Do you think she’ll rest then?”
Han growled, his displeasure evident, but his voice was resigned. “Go ahead.”
Softly, Jaden tapped Taz’s shoulder. She stirred. Her eyes opened again. “Kayla. Did you find her yet?”
“We need your help. You said Kayla was asking questions. You saw her before you were hurt?”
Taz moaned, moving her head side to side. “No, no, not then.” She swallowed. “Water?”
Jaden jumped when a hand reached past him with a cup. Turning, he found Atu. “When did you get here?”
“I’ve been here a while already. I wanted to check on Taz.” Atu leaned past Jaden and dribbled water into Taz’s mouth.
Slurping, Taz worked her tongue around the water so she could swallow it. “Hmm, thank you, Healer.”
Atu nodded. “I’ll leave the water here. Can you reach it?” Taz’s tongue slipped out sideways and into the cup. “Good. You need to keep drinking. Now, can you tell us more about Kayla?”
Taz’s eyes sharpened. Then, as though she knew she didn’t have much time, the words flooded out. “Before we left on our second mission, while Jaden and Pallaton were speaking, Kayla had questions. Because I suspected a traitor, I said I would answer her questions later, never expecting the traitor would be Tarise. I thought the traitor was one of our own.” Taz stopped and took several deep breaths.
Jaden frowned. Taz hadn’t been there when Tarise had confessed. “How did you know it was Tarise?”
“Healer told me.”
Jaden needed to clarify something else. “One of your own? You mean a glider?”
Taz nodded once, but her eyes were losing focus again. “Find Kayla.” Then her eyes rolled back, and she passed out.
Jaden leaned forward, but Atu stopped him. “Don’t wake her again. She needs to sleep. As do you.”
Even as he glared at Atu, the healer’s words slapped him with reality. Feeling his exhaustion down to his bones, Jaden sprawled next to Taz. He allowed himself one second to savor his relief before glancing at Han. “Did any of what Taz said make sense to you?”
Han was just as perplexed. “She mentioned concerns about some members of the Legion. But she said nothing about that conversation with Kayla.”
Weary as he was, Jaden’s interest piqued. “What concerned her about them?”
Han’s pause made Jaden wonder what it was his glider wasn’t saying. “The Legion has been hidden in your world for a long time. And some of its members still cling to the old ways.”
“The old ways?” Jaden was losing patience. “Stop playing games and give me straight answers! I have enough questions Zareh won’t answer. Don’t you start too!”
Han lifted a shoulder. “Let’s just say there was a hierarchy in our society at the time the Legion left our world. Some still believe in that hierarchy. And if the usurper planted them in that hierarchy before they left our world, they would still be loyal to him.”
At Jaden’s scowl, Han explained further. “Think of your world a few centuries ago. There were kings and queens and their courts. Our world was like that once, where royalty ruled. And like your human courts, ours had their own intrigues. Plenty of spies reported to the nobles of that time.”
“And let me guess—Slurpy was one of those nobles?”
Han looked startled. “How did you know?”
Jaden shrugged. “Considering the time that’s passed, Slurpy probably hadn’t yet acted on any of his baser impulses. Or been banished for doing so. Ergo, he was someone of importance, someone high enough in the court to think the power belonged to him.” Jaden thought a moment. “So, because he was a noble back then, he probably had spies who reported to him?” Han nodded. “And you think he selected some of those spies for the Legion?”
Han snorted. “More likely the usurper inserted them than selected them. I wouldn’t put it past him to have had a few of the original team murdered so he could replace them with his own people.”
“Then discounting
Taz’s convictions concerning traitors in the Legion would be imprudent. Going forward, we should compartmentalize the information we dispense. But that’s an issue for another day. The question now is how do we find Kayla?”
Han’s face grew serious. “I’m not sure.”
Jaden was drained to his soul. How had things turned against them so fast? He should’ve listened to that voice in his head that told him to go with Kayla when she left. Was that really only a few hours ago? It seemed an eternity since Kayla had zoomed away in his family’s ‘pod. Then Zareh’s arrival. And the resulting battle of their lives. Losing Bree.
Sobs rose in Jaden’s chest. Sweet Bree! How can she be gone?
As much to escape his grief as to feel like he was doing something to find Kayla, Jaden swept to his feet. Black spots formed in front of his eyes. His head hurt. Then the ground rushed up to meet him. Then . . .
How did I fall asleep with Kayla’s life at stake? Jaden jerked up but lay back as vertigo washed over him. Bile filled his mouth. He swallowed the bitter substance back down.
“Easy, bro.” Atu’s voice was distant.
Jaden tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t form. And what’s that irritating thing in my arm?
Atu answered his unspoken question. “You passed out.”
Jaden felt his frown. What an odd sensation.
Atu must’ve realized he didn’t understand. “You were trying to do too much too soon after losing so much blood in the battle. It was your body’s way of making you pay attention.”
Jaden’s brain struggled to escape the quicksand encasing it. The more he tried to think, the further the muck dragged him down. I lost blood?
Slowly, ever so slowly, his memories came back. The battle. The injury to his leg. Bree. And Kayla. Kayla had been taken! He and Han had gone to see Taz to find out what they could about Kayla’s disappearance.
“Have we found Kayla yet?” His voice was croaky. The words sandpapered his soul.
Atu’s expression answered before his words. “I’m sorry. She’s still missing.” When Jaden made to rise again, Atu pushed him back down.
“How long?” Irritated when Atu didn’t understand the question, Jaden said, “How long have I been out?”
Atu’s face cleared. “About eight hours.”
“Eight hours?” Jaden tried rising again.
This time Atu’s hand was firmer. “Bro, do I need to get Markov in here to tie you down?” Something in Atu’s tone had Jaden sinking back into the pillow. “You couldn’t have done anything, anyway. Taz hasn’t woken up again yet, and even if she had, you and Han would’ve been bumbling around in the dark.”
Oh, yes. Now he remembered. When they had gone to see Taz, right after the battle, night had just fallen. Like the shot of light that had fired through the mountains at that last second before the sun disappeared, the memory of the words on the leather strip lashed him. Living with hope. He would have to hold those words close. He was too near the edge to not have something to cling to. And without Kayla, those words were his lifeline.
Jaden finally scanned his surroundings, noting he was in his own room. How did I get here? Never mind. It doesn’t matter.
He smiled with a grim twist. When Atu smiled back tentatively, Jaden said, “No, I’m not trying to trick you. I just realized I’m useless to Kayla if I don’t get my strength back.” A trace of uncertainty still lingered in Atu’s eyes, and Jaden held up a hand like he was making a promise. “I swear, I won’t go anywhere until you say it’s okay for me to move again. What would be the point of trying to rescue Kayla only to pass out and get caught myself? That would be the last nail in all our coffins.”
Atu’s smile finally reached his eyes. “Fair enough. I’ll let Markov know he’s off the hook.”
“Any chance you have a potion that will bolster my blood production and restore my energy?” Atu’s glare returned. Jaden lifted his palms up in the air. “Okay, okay, just thought I’d ask. If you can’t do that, can I get some food?”
Atu chuckled. “That’s better. If you keep the food down and your vitals look good in another four hours, I might let you out of bed. Until then,” he reached for a pitcher of water next to Jaden’s bed, “drink!”
Chapter Two
Pain. It racked Jaden’s body. Every inch of his body hurt. Especially his head. Miniature hammers turned the tender parts of his brain to pulp. Wincing, Jaden raised a hand. The plastic tube snaking from his arm and off his bed snagged his attention.
Jaden frowned. He remembered Atu telling him to drink. After that, nothing. A glance at his PAL told him he’d slept most of the day. It was late afternoon. Those few thoughts began the deluge.
Memories screamed back with disturbing clarity. His emotions tumbled after, a mess of grief, anger and despair. How could he not have protected Kayla? It was the one thing he had sworn to do. Losing her to a simple thing like letting her travel alone was inexcusable. And Tarise! The traitor! If he ever saw her again, she’d better have someone protecting her. He wanted to put his hands around her neck and squeeze until the life left her. As it had Bree.
Sobs racked him then, making his head hurt even more. How was he such a loser? Why had he gotten his friends involved? Why hadn’t he just lied to them? At least they would’ve been safe. But his moral compass hadn’t allowed him to. And look at the mess they were in now. Jaden sniffed. He needed a tissue.
When he found the only thing on the table beside his bed was the empty water pitcher, he bellowed with rage, yanked the tube out of his arm, and stumbled to his feet. The world spun. He felt sick. Jaden gave it a second, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Slowly, the world righted itself. The nausea subsided. Cautiously, Jaden rose, keeping one hand on the edge of the bed just in case. Although his legs were shaky, they held, and the world stayed on its axis. Placing one foot in front of the other, he headed for the bathroom.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” Markov’s voice was clipped. His powerful shoulder slipped under Jaden’s arm.
“I needed a tissue.”
Without a word, Markov led him back to the bed and helped him onto it. “I’ll get you some. And more water. Then I’ll fetch Atu so he can put that line back in.”
Grabbing the pitcher, Markov disappeared into the bathroom. He returned bearing a full pitcher and a box of tissues. “Here you go.” He gave Jaden the box, then topped up a glass with water. When Jaden finished blowing his nose, Markov passed him the water.
Jaden took it and drank. “Thanks.”
Markov eyed him. “Were you having a pity party without me?”
Jaden wasn’t sure whether to punch him or laugh. The smile won out. “Yeah. Things suddenly just got to me.”
“Grief will do that. As will exhaustion. Both require more rest before you can resume saving the world again.”
“It’s not the world I’m worried about.”
“Kayla?”
Jaden nodded. “I need to find her. I need to know . . . need to find out if —” Jaden trailed off, unable to say the words.
Markov was grim. “If she’s still alive. Yeah, I hear you.”
Jaden’s resolve crumbled again. “I don’t know if I can do this without her. No, I know I can’t. And if —”
Markov cut him off. “She’s not dead. I’ve been thinking about this. That monster took your parents so he could get to you. Don’t you think he knows he could use Kayla the same way? Possibly to greater effect?”
Jaden reeled as if slapped in the face. He’d been so focused on Kayla’s welfare that he hadn’t considered why she was snatched. Not only for Tarise’s benefit. Duh! I can be dense sometimes! I knew this. I just didn’t allow myself to think past the tiny box of Kayla’s disappearance. Anger replaced fear. Jaden snarled. “Is Tarise here?”
Markov took one look at his face. “If she was, I wouldn’t let her near you.”
“Why not? She’s responsible. She should pay! If Tarise hadn’t betrayed us, Bree wo
uld still be alive. Kayla wouldn’t be missing. Tarise is the rat who sank the ship. I want to chop off her head!”
“Jaden, calm down.”
“I will not! Where is she? You bring her to me this instant, or I’m getting out of this bed and finding her—with or without your help!”
Realizing there was no way to calm Jaden when he was like this, Markov took a different tack. “She’s gone. We don’t know where she is. We think the usurper might’ve taken her too. And even if Tarise was here, she wouldn’t be able to help.”
“Explain!” Jaden managed through gritted teeth.
“After you and Han left without saying goodbye last night, we asked Tarise to tell us about the usurper. She was so upset about Bree she just blabbed everything. Said she’d met the usurper in a cave, but that was only a meeting place—not where we could find him. She began telling us about their meeting, but before she could say more, she grabbed her hand and began screaming again.” Markov shook his head as though he still couldn’t believe what he’d witnessed. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Her hand blistered like she was holding it in a fire. She was in so much pain she couldn’t talk. She wailed at us to leave her alone, that it was the only way the punishment would stop. Then she ran off, and we let her go.”
“You let her go?” Jaden yelled.
Markov backed up a step. “Bro, she knew nothing. She wouldn’t have been able to help us even if she did. Did you not hear the part about her hand?”
Jaden blinked. Then a twisted grin marred his face. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
Markov shook his head, bewildered. “Dude, I don’t know if I even know you anymore. Come on, this isn’t like you. What would Kayla say if she was here?”
That stopped Jaden cold.
Pouncing on the pause, Markov said, “Are we going to stoop to the Usurper’s level? Are we going to lose our humanity? Or are we going to rise above this adversity? Let’s give Tarise a second chance. Let’s try understand where she was coming from and grant her some grace.”
Destiny Series Boxed Set Page 88
