“I think it’s important we get your input. The gliders have been battling the Gaptors and the usurper far longer than we have. Your insights will be invaluable.”
Han grinned. “At least we’re good for something.”
This time Jaden didn’t have to force a smile. “You know you’re the best weapon we have.” He actually laughed when Han puffed out his chest. “Okay, okay, before that goes to your head, let’s finish planning this meeting.” When Han opened his mouth, Jaden guessed what he was about to ask. “Yes, all the gliders plus my childhood friends and both my parents and Kayla’s. Tough as it will be for them to hear it, they all need to know what happened to Kayla. Then we need to agree on a course of action. If we’re going to get Kayla back safely, the only way I can think to do that is to get to whatever Slurpy doesn’t want us to reach before he does.”
“Jaden, are you not feeling quite yourself again?”
“What do you mean?”
Han hesitated. “Well, you sounded okay until that last sentence. Then you made no sense at all.”
Jaden groaned. He was having a tough time trying to remember what he had said and what he hadn’t. He probably hadn’t explained that part to Han. “I’m fine. I’m just losing track of what I’ve said aloud and what I’ve been thinking. Does it help you understand that last sentence if I tell you I think Slurpy is just as much in the dark as we are about how we finish this mission?”
Han thought a moment. “What you’re saying is it’s a race between him and us to reach the final objective? And if we beat him to it, we can win and get Kayla back before he can harm her?”
“Exactly.”
A slow, toothy smile spread across Han’s face. “What are we waiting for?”
Chapter Five
Blackness so thick she could touch it, darker than sin. Kayla groaned. Her head felt like it had been split in half. Her throat was parched. Every muscle, tendon, and nerve screamed in agony.
Kayla lifted a hand to touch her head . . . she couldn’t move! Apprehensive, she tried again, confirming she could not lift her hand. Not even a finger! Panic churned like an ocean wave about to dump her. Where am I? Why can’t I think? What happened?
Kayla clawed through the muck clogging her brain. She tried again. What’s the last thing I remember? Jaden. Saying goodbye on his rooftop. Getting into the ‘pod to take her home. Closing her eyes because she was so tired. And then . . . Bam!
Kayla’s eyes widened as she remembered the collision. Then confusion fogged her brain once more. The ’pod couldn’t have crashed into anything. Its sensors prevented collisions. A horrifying thought struck her. What if she had collided with something not of this world? Had a Gaptor attacked her ‘pod?
Fighting her rising terror, Kayla dissected the problem. A Gaptor attack was the only thing that made sense. As distressing as the idea was, she had to play this scenario out. Gaptors had attacked her transport. So how had she survived? If the ‘pod crash hadn’t killed her, why hadn’t the Gaptors?
She groaned as a fresh wave of pain punched every nerve ending. The wrecked ‘pod would explain her injuries. She tried moving her finger again. No luck. Had the crash paralyzed her? Squashing her hysteria, she focused on reaching a conclusion.
So Gaptors took out my transport. My ‘pod crashed. Somehow, I survived the wreck. And being killed by the Gaptors. What happened after that? Where was she? And why couldn’t she see anything?
For an appalling moment, she thought she might be blind. But after closing her eyes for a second before opening them again, she realized two things. First, she could open and close her eyes. Second, there was a difference in the level of light when her eyes were open or shut. Definitely not blind.
Irritated by getting sidetracked, she rallied her wayward thoughts. Her brain finally began functioning again. The only reason she wouldn’t remember what had happened was if she’d blacked out after the accident. While coming to that realization was comforting, the blacking out part wasn’t encouraging. Either she had cracked her head hard enough to black out, or her injuries had been severe enough to render her unconscious. Each had their own ramifications.
Consciousness had returned in this dark place, along with the possibility she was paralyzed. Paralyzed! How would she finish the mission? But other things could paralyze. Like Gaptor EMPs. Unfortunately, being unable to move meant she couldn’t check for either her medallion or ring.
Frustrated tears leaked out. Maybe this place wasn’t as detestable as she thought. But if someone rescued her after the wreck, wouldn’t she be in a hospital, a place with lights and movement and friendly faces? Her spirits plummeted. She’d just confirmed her suspicions.
The Gaptors had certainly taken her. Reinforcing this conclusion was the memory of Clara’s dream. Clara told them she and Ty had woken up in an unknown place, unable to move or speak. How dark it had been, a blackness so thick Clara felt like she could touch it.
Abruptly, Kayla gasped for air. She was suffocating. Was the air here that dense, or was it realizing Gaptors had taken her? The same way they’d taken Jaden’s parents. And Atu’s parents. If that were true, was she in the Gaptors’ world now? Was she beyond Jaden’s reach? The sobs only aggravated her injuries, but she couldn’t hold them back. Would she see him again? Or any of the others she loved and cared for?
The sobs morphed into hiccups as she struggled to breathe. This couldn’t be happening. Hadn’t Zareh warned them of the dangers of traveling in a transport? But Jaden’s home was such a short distance from her own. How could they have known the Gaptors would strike so precisely? Weren’t they supposed to be stupid beasts?
No, this reeked of a far more intelligent mind. Just like that, her tears dried up, and anger fired her veins, ramping up the pain. But she didn’t care. The usurper’s fingerprints were all over this. She was in his domain. And he wanted her for something.
Slight scratching sounds interrupted her thoughts. Kayla tried turning her head, to no avail. She wanted to beat the air and scream and thrash about and punch something, all at the same time. She had never known helplessness like this before. Having to lie here and take whatever came was intolerable. Useless limbs!
Hot, fetid breath swamped the air above her. Kayla gagged, the odor repulsive in the extreme, then gagged again. Her continued dry heaving told her she’d had nothing to eat or drink in a while. Perhaps another reason her brain was being so uncooperative.
Another whiff of that disgusting smell. Then something cold and hard pressed against her face. Kayla cringed inside, unable to retreat from whatever it was. Sweat prickled her forehead, the tiny drops fusing into beads before they trickled down the side of her head. A drop rolled into her ear. She didn’t need the unpleasant sensation to remind her how helpless she was.
When the hard object only pressed more sharply against her cheekbone, Kayla would’ve cried out if possible. Liquid splashed onto her face. Surprised, Kayla’s mouth opened involuntarily. Before she could modulate the action, she was gulping the liquid, thirsty beyond reason. Water! Blessed water. Greedily, she swallowed a mouthful, then another, the actions uncontrollable. Water went down the wrong way. She choked.
I’m drowning! Frantic, Kayla coughed and spluttered, trying to rid her lungs of the water. Is this thing trying to drown me or give me a drink of water? Its stench hovered nearby. It hadn’t left. When her lungs finally wheezed clear, she sucked down air.
The hard object pressed against her cheek again. Kayla pursed her lips, keeping her mouth closed. If she drank too much too quickly, she’d have other issues to deal with. Water sloshed over her face, but she kept her mouth closed, praying the water wouldn’t go up her nose.
Just when she thought she couldn’t take it a second longer, the container disappeared. The loss of pressure and sudden relief to be free of potentially drowning only made her other injuries scream for attention. A drum beat a painful rhythm through her head. Every part of her hurt and ached with an intensity that made her conside
r a potential infection. Since she couldn’t move her limbs, it was impossible to gauge the extent or condition of her injuries.
Without warning, the world overhead lurched. Kayla’s heart slammed into her throat before she registered this wasn’t something to fear. She was moving. Or rather, whatever she was lying on was moving. Like she was on a gurney. Maybe it was a gurney, and they would take care of her injuries. Perhaps she couldn’t move because her injuries prevented it.
Kayla wanted to smack herself in the face. Who am I kidding? More likely they’re rolling me to my death. Think, Kayla, think! She calmed her racing mind enough to process events. It’s what Jaden would’ve done. I miss him! And . . . no, I can’t think about him. I have to find a way out of this.
Kayla began with what she did know. She couldn’t move because the Gaptors had loosed their EMP on her. No, that couldn’t be right. Her medallion protected her. Or had she lost her medallion? Worse, had she also lost her relic stone? Only a combination of those factors would allow the Gaptors’ EMPs to affect her this way. The medallions insulated their holders from the Gaptors’ EMP, and the relic stones released those held captive by its numbing effects.
Desperate, she tried feeling for the ring on her finger—and her finger moved.
She was so shocked, the sharp intake of air happened before Kayla could hide it. Her bed stopped moving. That stink as the thing came near her face again, as though it could see her in this inky blackness. She dared not move. The thing—was it a Gaptor?—hovered over her for what seemed an eternity. Then the bed began rolling again.
Hiding her relief, Kayla tried moving her finger again. When not one, but two fingers moved, she kept the grin off her face. Repeating the action, she found what she had been searching for. Her ring was still on her finger, which only confused her more. If that was true, the Gaptors’ EMP wasn’t numbing her. Kayla bit down on her scream. Maybe the crash really did paralyze her.
No, no, no! If that’s true, I wouldn’t be able to move my fingers. What’s wrong with me? Why are my thoughts so scattered? Kayla suddenly noticed the light. Scanning for the source, her eyes whipped side to side. Then it was there, shining in her eyes, so bright she squeezed her eyes shut against it.
As the image faded against the backs of her eyelids, she realized what it had been: the bright round disc of an operating theater’s light. They really are planning to cut me into pieces. Tiny, little, itty, bitty pieces they’ll send to Jaden one at a time to prolong his agony. Kayla knew she was spiraling into delirium, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Every terrible thing she had ever imagined seemed to converge in her mind. Then she heard the voice, and her mind froze. It was the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. And it petrified her. Chills pierced her very soul. Maybe that’s why her thoughts were so dark, so lost. Without a doubt, he was here. Kayla’s blood curdled in her veins. She was going to die. There was no escaping the fact.
A murmured reply. What are they saying? Kayla struggled to hear over the blood roaring through her ears, her adrenaline spike only exacerbating the problem. More words.
“You can repair her?”
Repair her? What am I? A broken toy?
“Yes, my lord. But it will be a few days before she’s fully functional again.”
Fully functional? So I am paralyzed? Functional for what? What does he have planned for me? Her finger brushed against her ring, and she was suddenly desperate to hide it. What if he takes it while I’m unconscious? Or takes my medallion? In the background, the blips and beeps monitoring Kayla chorused a little faster.
“My lord, please, she’s getting nervous. It will hinder her recovery.”
“Your antiquated techniques are unnecessary. I’ll tend to her serious injuries. We don’t have time to wait for her to heal. You can mop up the rest.”
“Yes, my lord. May I please put her under before we continue discussing her situation?”
Hell no, you can’t! You keep me awake so I can hear every evil plan you have for me. Kayla saw the mask descending. Didn’t they know they shouldn't give patients water right before surgery? She wanted to scream, to tell them to stop. But the mask planted itself over her nose. It would be . . . only . . .
Chapter Six
As they flew to the valley, the scene of their last battle, Jaden used his PAL to request his friends’ and family’s presence at the meeting. He sent an additional request to Markov, asking him to contact the other riders. Then he pinged Atu, requesting that he summon Pallaton with his reed so the Legion could attend as well.
That done, Jaden absorbed the scenery passing below. It was a relaxing exercise, and by the time they reached the clifftop meeting place, it had soothed his soul. Dismounting, he ambled over to a boulder and sat down. Sitting, it turned out, was a bad idea.
With nothing to do, Jaden’s mind went to Kayla and fixated on all that blood. Especially the blood on the back of her head. Was Kayla still alive? How serious were her injuries? Would Slurpy provide medical attention? Worse, how was Jaden going to answer these questions when someone invariably asked them?
Unable to tolerate thoughts of Kayla’s fate for a second longer, Jaden bounced up and began pacing. He took several steps before realizing standing hadn’t made him dizzy. Finally, he was free of the debilitating effects of his blood loss.
Probably a result of all the rest Atu had forced on him. And the food Han had made him eat. Lowering his stress levels by concentrating on the scenery probably hadn’t hurt either. Jaden would make resting and eating a priority. He needed all his strength for what lay ahead.
In the distance, Jaden saw the first gliders approaching. Excellent! They could soon get on with things.
The gliders slid in one at a time, dropping their riders before arcing away to circle further afield. The new arrivals exchanged greetings. Several people commented how pleased they were to see Jaden up and about again.
Jaden smiled and chatted with those he knew and those he didn’t. Assessing numbers, Jaden noticed Stovan’s absence and felt a twinge of disappointment. A quick conversation with Markov confirmed Stovan had opted to stay home. Did Stovan blame him for Bree’s death?
Jaden searched for another face. His own soured at the thought of Tarise. She had better stay away.
When everyone had arrived, with Tarise notably absent, Jaden whistled. They turned and looked at him expectantly. Here we go again.
“Thanks for meeting me. The battle we shared here was tough for all of us.” Jaden glanced around, noticing Kayla’s parents were holding one another. “I know this is an unconventional place for a meeting, but I thought it would be best to gather where our gliders can also be part of the conversation.”
“Any news about Kayla yet?” Vicken asked, impatient for an update on his daughter.
Jaden’s blue eyes turned the color of cold steel. “Yes,” he answered quietly. As though him lowering his voice cast a spell over the others, the silence that settled seemed unnaturally loud. Taking a deep breath, Jaden shared what he’d learned.
“You don’t know if she’s still alive then?” Sadie’s voice quavered.
“I’m sorry. I don’t. However, I think it’s unlikely the usurper would take Kayla just to . . . get rid of her. He needs her for leverage against me.”
Jaden studied the Melmiques, waiting for the anger he expected. Anger that he had gotten their daughter involved in this. Anger that he was the reason she was missing. Anger that he hadn’t protected their daughter.
He saw only resolve. Vicken squared his shoulders. “In that case, what are we doing to get her back?”
“Pallaton,” Jaden called to the massive leader of the Legion. Pallaton drifted closer. “Do you have any idea how we might cross the breach?”
Pallaton shook his head. “If I knew how to do that, don’t you think I would’ve already taken my Legion after the Interpreter?”
Jaden blinked, Of course! Without Kayla, they had zero chance of interpreting the next clue. He had
thought if they beat Slurpy to the prize, they would get Kayla back unharmed. Only if they didn’t get her back before this ended, they wouldn’t have the faintest hope of succeeding.
“May I ask a question?” Markov’s voice cut across Jaden’s thoughts.
“Sure.”
“Do you think the Gaptors we killed in the battle were the bulk of the usurper’s army?”
Pallaton rumbled, his face thoughtful. “Why do you ask?”
Markov scratched his chin. “I’m thinking if Slurpy,” he shot Jaden a grin as he referred to the usurper using the derogatory name Jaden had assigned him, “wants world domination, he’ll need a much larger force.”
Pallaton shrugged. “Your observation has merit. Unfortunately, the usurper went underground millennia ago, so we don’t know the size of his army or where they might be.”
Markov nodded. “The real question, then, is where are they? With centuries in hiding to create those monsters, he certainly hasn’t run out!”
Jaden debated telling Markov that Zareh had been working on something to find the Gaptor nests in the other world. But even if Zareh found a solution—a big “if”—how did they know the technology or method he used there would work here? No, now was not the time nor place to share. Jaden didn’t want to give false hope.
Aren addressed the issue Markov had raised. “You said it. I don’t think he has run out. He’s just stashed them somewhere.”
Markov’s face was grim. “Then we need to find them!”
“We do,” Jaden agreed. “But how? Does anyone have any ideas?” He glanced at the circling gliders, hoping one of them might have an answer, but silence and dejected nods met his gaze. “Alright,” Jaden sighed. “Another thing we need to figure out. Without knowing whether there are more Gaptors gathered in our world and where they are, we can’t eliminate them before Slurpy sends reinforcements. In the meantime, I propose you all head back to Sven’s to finish your training.”
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