I yawn at the mention of sleep. “Yep. How long does it take to, well, recharge? Forcing myself to become consumed by my light and…light jumping…is what I’m going to call it, is very draining.”
We swim to the edge of the pool and jump out, water rushing from our clothes like a waterfall, darkening the dry concrete. Marc says, “It is. I’ve not accessed mine in a very long time. The first time in years actually. But I’m pretty connected with that part of myself. My mother wouldn’t let us forget it.”
We pick up the checkers board and game pieces and head through the revolving doors, soaking the floor on our way in. “Marc?”
“Hmm?” We stand in the middle of the lobby, and he looks up. “I think the food is up there. I know our rooms are.”
I ignore his search for now. “Thanks for helping me figure all this out.” I’ve learned a lot from him. Without him, and even his mom and Danny, I’m not sure what would’ve become of me.
Marc makes a sort of pfft sound with his mouth and starts for the stairs. “Of course.” He extends his hand behind him. I take it, following him, quite certain of this feeling warming my neck and numbing my tongue. It’s funny how an emotion can be felt throughout the entire body. How does my neck know I love Marc?
It’s getting late, but we get a bite to eat that we take back to his room. We eat and move from the floor to the bed once the food is finished. We lie staring at each other; the color of my blue eyes and his purple mixing together make a deeper purple hue cast on our faces. Our stares advance to kisses; our kisses advance to touching, and our touching transitions to acts that would be frowned upon if performed by two Creations. But we’re more than just Creations. And free to be ourselves, we surf through my new found freedom to a point where we don’t care about the bright shine of our bodies and affection drawn thoughts. We give in to them…finally.
I fall asleep on his bare chest with his arms wrapped around my bare body, with the thoughts of what tomorrow may bring weighing heavily on my mind. A constant thought circles my mind. Will we ever experience an evening together again?
Chapter Thirty-One
The sun cuts through the curtains, shining directly into my fluttering eyelashes. I pull the sheets up to my chin and wait for Marc to wake up. Today, the world feels at peace. I’m at peace. The air enters and exits my lungs with ease, and I exist without the worry I had yesterday after hearing all Trade Officer Grandin had to say. Wherever my life takes me from here, I’ll travel with it. For the America, I’ll uphold my oath.
Marc grunts as he wakes, stretching his arms over his head. “Morning,” he says.
I kiss his chest and sit up. “Good morning. I’ll go.”
He closes his eyes and tugs my arms for me to lie back down beside him. “Why?”
I take in a deep breath through my nose and hold it. Looking away from him, I release it and say, “I just don’t want the moment to last forever for you.”
Marc snorts. “I want all the memories. If there’s a chance I’ll never see you again, years from now I want to remember seeing you today.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, and his fingers trail over my neck to my shoulder. His brows knit as he says, “Don’t rob me of that. Or just agree to the suggestion I gave you yesterday.”
“Hush, Marc.” I slip from the bed and head for the bathroom to shower and dress. I avoid looking at my reflection in the mirror as I run my fingers through my damp hair. I want the memories to be as minimal as possible.
Marc silently comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He kisses the spot behind my ear, and the heavy rasp in his voice when he asks, “You’re ready to head back down?” makes me want to go back to bed.
I avoid looking at our reflections in the mirror, our uniting as one in an image. I don’t want that picture stuck in my mind, knowing I may only have hours to enjoy it. Or to have it be the last thing to cross my mind and force me to reconsider my commitment.
A knock on the door saves me from indulging in this moment.
“Yes. I’m ready,” I say to Marc, heading out of the bathroom and to the door. “See if we can help gather any details about Richard and Arletta before the Vojin attack.” No one knows when this will happen. Could be in five minutes, five days, or five years. But the Trade predicts it will be soon, based on communication they’ve intercepted between the Vojin and Richard.
I open the door to Sean. “You two coming out for breakfast? Our mom’s waiting for us,” he says.
I nod and ask, “Any news about the Guidance?”
“Nothing yet,” he says and nods to his left when Marc pokes his head out of the bathroom to speak to him.
Sean stands in the doorway, thumbs stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans, and holds his shoulders high near his ears.
I tighten the corners of my mouth as I survey his awkward disposition. It’s nothing like the laid-back, always joking Sean I’ve grown used to. “You…Uh. Want to come in?” I ask.
He waves his hand in front of us. “Nah. Just um,” he slaps his hand down on the back of his neck and rubs it roughly. “You two just come down when you’re finished.”
“Okay.”
Sean turns to his left and heads down the hallway in the direction of the only flight of stairs in the entire building. I push the door closed and hear the shower running.
The Trade equipped me with boots my size and a tactical armor vest that fits perfectly. They also ensured we had weapons and ammunition required for battle against Vojin and Zombies. My hopes are similar to Grandin’s. If we can cause enough damage on the Vojin, they will be forced to retreat, and they’ll never set foot on Earth again.
Marc and I join his mother and Sean for an uncomfortably quiet breakfast. The only communication is between the silver forks and ceramic plates and chewing before sipping orange juice. Trade Officer Grandin joins, but he does not eat. He watches the table, and once the last of us has finished eating, he says, “Kylie, we think it will be best for you to preserve as much of your energy as possible. We’ve prepared a parachute for your descent back down.” His gaze slices over Marc, Sean, and Lovett as he says, “You all are also welcome to the parachutes or way of travel of your choice. The aircrafts and traveling carts are not an option as we want to keep a low profile during these times of uncertain allegiance.” With a smile, Grandin rises from his chair and leaves us.
We’re in what the waitress who sat us referred to as a sunroom breakfast den. Three of the four walls and the ceiling are glass, letting in the sun. The sunlight makes Lovett’s beautiful black hair shimmer as it cascades over her shoulders, her dark eyes sparkle, and her full lips are plump. Color has returned to her warm-toned skin, and she wears a light smile that doesn’t particularly say she’s happy, but it doesn’t say she’s distressed either.
She flicks her gaze toward me, away from passing clouds outside the window. “Kylie. Your parents would have been proud of what you’re doing. It may not do anything for the freedom of Itteix, and while I can’t speak for all of us, I can say for myself, I’m not looking for freedom. More so, we want peace.”
A snap of thunder shakes the glass and rattles the dishes on the table. We scoot back and watch the table tremble as a shadow darkens the sky and turns the white clouds gray. There’s a low rumbling, as if the sky is clearing its throat, and then another snap like a cough.
The windows explode, spraying glass around us. We guard our heads, diving under the table.
Sirens sound from below, fading as it coasts from one end of the city to the other.
I’m the first one on my feet, racing for the desk in the lobby. “’Chute, now.”
The receptionist, calm and composed, dips behind the desk and comes back up with a black bag. She hands it to me and then dips back down, bringing up three more when she sees the others quickly coming up behind me. I head for the door, stuffing my arms through the straps and snapping the belts around my chest and middle. After I’m secured, I break out into a sprint, shove open the front door
s, race over the sidewalk to the edge, and jump.
I pull the string of the ’chute and cascade to the city below me. Beside me, I see Luke smiling with the wind smashing against his cheeks as he gives me a thumbs up. I blink, and he’s gone. But I’m flooded with his strength and courage, and driven to give this my all, even knowing that means my life.
Metal fireballs fall from the murky sky along with me, racing for their destination, hitting buildings and exploding on impact. The explosions send gusts of wind thrashing me back and forth through the air until gravity angrily pulls me to the roof of the Guidance building.
Vojin erupt from the explosions throwing acid-flaring balls around the city, melting walls and burning down houses. The disruption sends Normals into the streets, fleeing their homes, running into the oncoming herd of Zombies. Their screams bleed through the streets of Highrum, joining the rumbling of the groaning Zombies, and explosions from their attacks. It’s like an orchestra playing to the destruction of Earth.
Marc, Sean, and Lovett land on the building across the street. I wave to them and point to the door of the Guidance building, letting them know I’m going in. There’s truly only one way to stop the hunting of the Itteix. I have no intention of saving Arletta and Richard for the Trade. If they require I give up everything, I’m doing this my way.
Chapter Thirty-Two
*Marc*
I throw myself in front of my mother, guarding her from the explosion of the building beside us. The heat blazes my back, and Sean yanks us to our left.
We throw our arms over our eyes, blinded by the flashes of explosive light destroying Highrum. Oval shaped vessels and zipping Vojin crash and soar through the whipping clouds of smoke. Beyond the clouds, lightning strikes of blue, green, and orange taint the sky.
Sean steps to the edge of the roof we landed on, just across the street from the Guidance’s headquarters. “This is really happening,” he says in awe.
My mother and I step to his side.
The pink and blue Vojin land, rising from their circling pits of dust, and begin circling the Guidance building seemingly to form a shield. Others march through the streets, snatching up anyone they can get their hands on. They shove the Normals into each other, lining them up. Other Normals stand back at a distance, wrestling to pick up their children. They race for freedom, but the Zombies are coming.
A bloated herd, covered in blood and grime, charge through the streets like an avalanche, taking down everyone in their path.
“Hey!” I scan the ground, seeing Jord on the corner waving for our attention. I run to the other side of the roof. He stands with a crowd of Creations at his back. He shouts over the mayhem, “Give Kylie the backup she needs. We’ll take care of this down here.”
I nod. It was a true honor fighting at his side. There isn’t enough of us to make it out of this, but it’s in our blood to run into the fire and fight to the death.
The roof is an even surface of grass and dirt growing shrubs. A Normal pokes his head out from the opening of a hatch. I point, “Get back down there, and don’t come up until the silence falls.”
He nods and shuts the hatch.
I tell Sean and my mother, “We have to get over there and give Kylie some backup. She’s likely going to warn those in the bunker.”
Sean rubs his hands together. “Let’s fly across and make this shit hit the fan. I’ve been waiting my entire life for a war like this.” He looks to our mother. “You get somewhere safe when we get over there. You know Marc and I got this.”
She pats his shoulder and fades out into a thin line, using the light within the air to help carry her over to the roof of the Guidance. Sean and I are right behind her, landing in full form. We rush to the door.
My breath thrashes as adrenaline rushes through me, ready for the fight that’s coming. I draw my gun, loading it as I hold it near my waist, waiting for the right second to use it.
My mother stays between us as we rush down the stairs to the fourth-floor door in the stairwell.
Sean jiggles the knob. “It’s locked.”
“Keep moving,” I say.
He starts down the stairs, and we check each door, finding each of them locked, with the exception of the one on the first floor. Sean shoves it open, and we slip into the hall. A man screams to our left.
I take the front of our line, quickening my steps to make it to the nearest opening.
It’s not long until I see a door. It’s ajar. Whimpers and frightened whispers come from within.
I peek inside.
A long table with empty chairs surrounding it makes the room appear empty, but the shuffling footsteps going on inside tell me otherwise. I push forward, nudging the door open with my shoulder.
Huddled in a corner, fear pouring tears from their eyes, the Guidance members we previously held hostage in the bunker under the building beg for their lives. “Please don’t do this.” A man with deep brown skin stands in front of the cowering group, knees trembling, shaking hands raising over his head. “We mean you no harm. Just let us go. Please?”
“Sit!” Kylie demands, a pistol clutched in each hand, aimed at the leaders.
They panic, hurrying to find seats around the table, hands trembling as they keep them raised over their heads. I wave my mother and Sean to follow me in.
“Ky,” I say, cautiously approaching her. This wasn’t a part of the plan. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you all peace. Getting us answers,” Kylie says. Carden passes her, bloody and bruised, on his way to a seat around the table. “Get back here,” she says, snatching him by his arm. “I don’t want to have to put this gun to your head, but I need you to do a few things for me.”
“More things?” Carden sobs, throwing his bruised hands in his face. “Please. Please no more.”
Kylie ignores his whimpers. “First, get your mother down here.”
“She’s already here,” Arletta says, entering through a black door in the rear of the room with Richard beside her. Sean and I aim at them. We flick our guns to the left, instructing them to also have a set at the table. They comply.
“What are the other two things?” Carden asks, voice trembling.
Kylie looks at Arletta and says, “Get your Vojin contact here. Asap.”
Arletta chuckles, looking away from her.
Kylie looks at Arletta and kicks Carden in his calf, forcing him to his knees. “We don’t have time for this, woman. I have absolutely no problem blowing a hole through your son’s head.”
“But why?” Carden yells, glowering up at Kylie from over his shoulder. “I saved your life! Remember?”
Remaining behind him, Kylie fires a shot past Carden’s head. He throws his hands over his ears as Ky lifts the gun. She likely blew out his eardrum with that one.
Carden tries to shuffle out of Kylie’s grip on the back of his neck, keeping him shoved against the ground. I know firsthand how strong Kylie is, and with Carden not having the proper training, he’s not getting out of that hold. He shouts, “I saved you. I convinced you to stay here so you wouldn’t die in that plane crash. That has to count for something! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
Arletta nods. “Yes. He did. He even convinced us to be kind when we took you, to give you a nice room, and slowly manipulate you into offering your body to the Guidance. We were originally going to breed you and Luke with original Itteix, but Carden thought that was cruel. Always caring for the little people,” Arletta titters. “He even thought you’d prefer to breed with your fellow Creation.” She points a finger my direction. “But that was out of the question. He’s useless to us. We need the Itteix bloodline.” She leans back on her chair and crosses her legs. Richard whispers in her ear. She chuckles. As Richard draws back from her ear, her eyes gloss with appeal. Sitting forward, her gaze pins on me as a smirk slowly spread her lips. “But I don’t know now. Seeing how closely the twins cling to the Itteix. We may have to reconsider.”
Kyl
ie shifts her gaze to me, but it doesn’t settle as she looks at the ground, squints, and then looks back to Arletta. She straightens her spine and takes her bottom lip between her teeth. She bites down hard, as her disbelief is replaced with disgust, curling her upper lip. “You’re the scum of the earth.”
Sean pulls up the door, and my mother stays tucked behind us. The Guidance has zero protection; Sean and I took out the last of them when they ambushed us. The closest thing they have is us, and I’ll be damned if I lift a finger to save their lives after they sabotaged our plane and threatened to use us.
Pressing her hands to the table, Arletta leans forward and looks the Guidance members over. They patiently wait for her to speak, though their brows furrow with panic. She softens her expression and grins. “I reassure each and every one of you, everything will be fine. We have a rogue Creation, and unfortunately, we’ve discovered when you don’t completely remove emotions and the will for power from your subjects, this is a side effect. This is why we want to push through the new Creation models, sign off on this, and start production as early as tomorrow.”
“There isn’t going to be a tomorrow! Have you not looked outside?” Sean points in the direction of the covered window. “The Vojin have taken over!”
Arletta ignores him. “We have the entire situation under control,” she says to her counterparts.
At these words, the trembling Guidance members relax in their chairs and smiles begin to spread across their faces as they thank her and nod.
Obliging with Kylie’s request, Arletta leans over and pulls a black tablet from what may be a bag beside her. She places it in front of her on the table. She taps it once, and within seconds, a stream of dust appears in the room and forms into the Vojin behind Kylie at a podium that’s just grabbed my attention.
Kylie demands, “Call off the dogs.”
Standing at the podium is a figure of glistening blue and green particles churning under a layer of latex-like flesh. A thin film falls over the Vojin’s eyes as if he is blinking. The alien extends his slender arm and spreads his four fingers in Kylie’s direction. The Vojin speaks, voice deep and hollow as if he speaks from a hole in the ground. “You do not have any say in this Kylie Alexander. Your purpose to our plan was minimal, and you have shown your disloyalty.”
The Separation Trilogy Box Set: Books 1 -3 Page 87
