Shadows and Stars

by Becca Fanning

  She checked the corridor again and guided Vincent out of the room, although, it felt more like the way she shoved the last few socks in an already stuffed washing machine as she bundled Derek and his over-sized limbs inelegantly through the doorway. So much for guiding.

  Finally free of the room, Vincent redistributed Derek’s weight again and became only a blur of motion as he darted away.

  Be careful. Warning given, Penny retreated into the shadows to await his return.

  “Right.” No trace of exertion lingered on Vincent’s face as he arrived back, though he did smell a little like wet dog hair.

  Penny wrinkled her nose against the unfamiliar odour as she spoke. “Time to find Victor?”

  “Let’s go get him. Hopefully, Derek will be okay. I left him out of sight. If the heat damage isn’t irreversible, he should come around as he cools down. We have to hope for that. I don’t know how Derek would go on.”

  “Who leaves a cold weather shifter stranded in desert level?” The horror of the torture still hadn’t faded. “Surely Geraldine wouldn’t?”

  “Who knows what Geraldine really does?” Vincent spat his words from his mouth like pebbles.

  “I thought she was okay.”

  “I don’t think we can afford to think that anymore.” As Vincent spoke, he tugged her along, faster and faster. “People are going to see us soon.”

  “Want me to wait somewhere, so I don’t slow you down?” Penny started to slip her fingers free of his.

  “Nope.” He swung her easily into his arms and began to run. “Why didn’t I think of this before? We should always travel this way.” He cradled her closer against his chest.

  She pressed her hand over her mouth to keep the contents of her stomach inside and squeezed her eyes closed as flashing lights and colours swirled around her. Maybe not.

  Vincent chuckled over her head.

  Slowing down, he set her on the floor and murmured very quietly, “This is as far as I got when I searched. There’s only that wing left.” He indicated the left side of the corridor. “I managed to dodge the sun before, and this bit was the last part to go light, but now—” He stopped abruptly, and Penny followed his gaze. Sunlight beamed through each window of the viewing areas.

  “Dammit,” she whispered. “You stay here, or go and check the interior section, and I’ll do this bit?”

  “He’s my brother.” Vincent took gentle hold of her upper arm. “I helped him to be on The Salvation; it’s my job to find him. It should have saved them both. Instead, look what I’ve done.”

  “Then how do we manage?”

  “Quickly.” He offered her an apologetic smile before he grimaced in pain.

  “What is it, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s Victor. Something’s hurting him.”

  “Has he said anything?”

  Vincent shook his head and took her hand, leading her towards where the sun streamed into the giant travelling space station. “Military precision. In and out, okay? And no matter what you think is happening to me, I’m fine.”

  The tone of his warning sent icy fingers along her spine, and she stifled a shiver.

  He stepped forward into a shaft of light, and his entire body stiffened as he bent low, checking under the viewing benches.

  “Let me do that. You check the cupboard spaces.” Penny tugged him towards his feet. “Stay out of the direct sun as much as you can.” Already, a pink tinge coloured his face, and thin tendrils of steam rose from his clothes.

  He shook his head, his mouth in a grim line. “I’ll be fine. I’ll heal.”

  “Ash doesn’t.” The sharp retort left her lips as the reality of losing her immortal best friend, her unexpected match, forced its way forward.

  She pushed past him, striding further down the corridor. There weren’t windows into these rooms, so she tried each door switch. Doors slid silently open as she applied gentle pressure until she reached a door she recognised.

  “This is Hazel’s office, right?” She turned to Vincent who breathed heavily behind her.

  He nodded before wiping his face with his hands. Angry red burns marred his skin. “Let’s go in.”

  Memories of the huge picture window, which Hazel had ensured had its screens tightly closed to protect Vincent while she signed her contract, flooded her. “You can’t. It’ll be like a greenhouse in there.”

  He reached towards the door. “Is it locked?”

  “You can’t go in.”

  He threw a closed fist at the door, punching a hole through the switch and pulled the whole thing from its runners. “I can now.”

  “Let me go first, at least.” A note of panic crept into Penny’s voice, and she would have shoulder barged him out of the way if her weak attempt to push him hadn’t just left her with at least three fresh bruises. “You’re like a rock. Let me go in before you? Please?”

  His face softened, and he stepped back, allowing her to go through the doorway. At first, she saw nothing out of the ordinary in the room. The furniture all looked the same as the last time they’d been there. In fact, judging from the dust build up, no one had even used the space since. She turned to leave but, as she did, she caught a small movement out of her peripheral vision. “What the—?” A large pile of clothes had been left scrunched up in the corner, and it was quietly steaming.

  SIXTEEN

  VINCENT’S GASP echoed around the large room, and he appeared beside the bundle before Penny even felt him brush past her.

  “Help me.” He turned back to her, his eyes glowing like embers. “We have to get him out of here. The sun…it’s just a big ball of fire. They’re burning him, killing him.”

  She ran to his side as he lifted his brother against him. Victor’s hand flopped from his sleeve, the skin bright red, blistered, and oozing. “What can I do?”

  “Check the corridor.” Panic shone in Vincent’s eyes, excusing his terse words.

  “It’s clear. Where are you going?”

  He’d already dashed past her before she asked her question. My room. It’s like he’s been in a room of flames. He needs to be somewhere dark to start healing from his burns.

  Isn’t your room the first place they’ll look for you both? She glanced around the command office again. Taking in the mix of opulence and office function, she laughed at the peculiar juxtaposition of both Geraldine and Hazel’s influences in the small space.

  “You!”

  She turned at the howl behind her. Gerald stood in the doorway, Neville lurking behind him.

  “I was…looking for Hazel,” she murmured. “She’s not here, so I’ll go now. I’ll catch up with her, later.”

  She tried to sidle past Gerald, but he caught her arm, his fingers squeezing her skin. “Why are you in my office?”

  “I thought it belonged to someone else. I made a mistake.”

  He glanced to the corner where they’d found Victor. “Yes, you did.” His smile of grim satisfaction chilled her skin. “And now you’re coming with me.”

  She fought against his cruel grip, but he only tightened his hold until she whimpered.

  “I was going to jettison that stowaway, but you’ll do. He’s probably dead, anyway. He’s been there for hours.”

  “You’re going to jettison her?” Neville’s eyes widened.

  Gerald looked at him, his gaze narrow, thoughtful. “Is that a problem?”

  “No…no, not a problem.” Neville took a hesitant step backwards into the corridor. “It’s just….”

  “You’ll be all alone? No match?”

  Neville nodded as his face drained of colour.

  “I can solve that, too. Come with me.”

  “You can?” Hope shone in Neville’s face. “I mean, I knew you would, Gerald.”

  “Absolutely. What better example than to just launch both of you? The matches are important. As I’ve always said, and tried to let everyone know, no one belongs alone. And no one will doubt me again. Come here.” He leant to grab Neville with his
other hand, but Neville dodged and disappeared, leaving an empty space. Gerald’s hand curled around thin air, and he snarled.

  I’m stuck! Penny telegraphed her frantic thoughts.

  But there was no reply.

  “Where’s Geraldine?” Or a space cadet? Dear God, where was a space cadet when she needed one?

  “Geraldine? Pah!” He sprayed spit from between his lips. “She was never strong enough. Not with all her romantic notions of eternal love between soulmates. She needed reason, procreation, the future. She forgot she’s a scientist, and we aboard The Salvation, we are the future—whether or not I had to save losers and wasters like you to do it. I can mould you all to my way, in my image if I have to, make you stronger when we reach utopia.” He dragged her from the room. “But not you. You’re interfering. I don’t have time for that. You’ll learn.”

  Penny’s fingers slid over the smooth metal surfaces of the corridor walls as she grasped for a hand hold, but when she finally curled her hand around a window ledge, Gerald yanked harder.

  “Stupid wizard. Always whining, always complaining. I should have known he couldn’t comply.” Gerald muttered and mumbled while he manhandled her further away from the office, as though he were talking to someone else, and his coffee breath blew out in jagged pants over her hair and skin.

  Finally, he stopped, pulling her in front of him and gripping her wrists in one of his hands. He forced his knee between her legs and pulled her back close against him so she couldn’t move.

  “Where are we?” Behind the plate glass doors in front of her, was a tiny room that only contained a small hatch door.

  He gave her wrists a shake before he answered, chafing her bones together. “This is one of the old airlocks for a capsule dock.”

  “The lifeboat system?”

  “If you like.”

  “Are you sending me back?” Horror filled her. There was so much she didn’t know. Was she the last of her kind? Had everyone else been imprisoned? Or killed?

  Where are you?

  About time. She hadn’t heard from Vincent since he took Victor, and her thoughts erupted from her in short stutters. I think Gerald is sending me home. I’m at one of the capsule bays. He brought me here. Waves of hurt and loss radiated through her, but Vincent didn’t put his feelings into thoughts.

  I’ll be right there.

  Tight plastic zip ties cinched around her arms, and Gerald stepped away from her, pushing her to stand against the window. “Take a look at your escape.” He pushed a button, and the hatch slid open, allowing a view of an endless starry sky.

  Shit…there’s no… “Where’s the capsule?” She struggled to calm her thoughts and find spoken words for Gerald. “I…you said…?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Must have forgotten that we dumped all of the capsules before we started. We’re on a journey of the righteous—no need for lack of faith. We are The Salvation, not some little life pod. Besides, they were additional weight.”

  “Then what are you doing with me?”

  She glanced at him, and he cocked his head before he spoke very slowly. “I told you. We’re going to get rid of you.” He looked around. “Shame that wizard’s not here, or he could go, too.”

  At a second touch of the button, the hatch slid closed. Gerald grinned and opened the glass door to the airlock. He gave her a shove, and she fell into the small space. Leaning against the furthest wall from her prison, he crossed his ankles. “I’ll just take a few moments and enjoy this. Build my anticipation for the finale. I’ve switched on the communication system so we can chat.”

  Her mouth dried. “What did I do to deserve a death sentence?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure you shared the vision.”

  “The romance?”

  He shook his head.

  “That’s all Geraldine ever wanted. Happiness and love. Acceptance. Don’t tell me it isn’t.”

  His face twitched, his eyes gentling before they hardened again. He shook his head a second time and pressed his lips into a thin line.

  “Aren’t you lonely, though, Gerald?”

  “What?” His posture straightened a little, and his hand twitched in the direction of the button to operate the hatch.

  She pulled herself up straighter, too, and lifted her chin. “I mean, Geraldine…she’s lonely, right? She wants love, a partner, friends.” Where are you? Gerald could open the hatch at any time. Only his impulse to play the super-villain and shoot the breeze stood between her and being a shooting star across the night sky.

  Where are you? Urgency rang in Vincent’s echoed reply.

  I’m still somewhere near the office. He didn’t bring me far. Come soon, please. She needed to see him again, couldn’t go without goodbye.

  “You know nothing about Geraldine.” Gerald’s words cut across her thoughts and recaptured her attention. “She doesn’t know what she wants, or what’s best for her. Only I can keep her safe and protect her—keep her safe from unwanted influences like you. I’ve kept her from danger and the ramifications of stupid decisions her whole life.”

  “And how’s that working for you both?” The goading question slipped out just as she saw a movement over his shoulder. Vincent, thank God. The figure moved into her sightline. Not Vincent. Neville gestured, but she gave a slight shake of her head. Just the sight of him sent her magic fizzing through her, turning her skin itchy. He gestured again, miming taking a drink. As she frowned, he waved his arms at his sides, looking like a demented dancing squid. Irritation at Neville replaced the cold fear that Gerald inspired. She didn’t have time for a game of charades when she was six inches from death.

  “Release her!” Vincent’s voice echoed around the airlock as he arrived next to Neville. He seemed to take in Gerald’s stance, and proximity to the release button, with one look.

  Gerald chuckled and moved his hand closer to ending her life. “Well, well. Welcome to the first public launch. Just as well you’re here to see it, really. You’ll know what to expect.”

  “I can protect her from you. Leave her alone and take me, now, instead.”

  The desperation in Vincent’s voice ripped holes through her heart, shredding her.

  “Instead?” Gerald laughed louder. “It’d be as well as, tribute.”

  What are you doing? She pressed her hand to the glass, willing Vincent to do the same.

  His gaze met hers. Being jettisoned won’t kill me. No one explodes or implodes in space. People die of cold and not being able to breathe. Those things don’t affect me.

  But you being jettisoned would kill me. Her eyes filled with tears, and she blinked to clear her vision, focusing on his face.

  He shrugged, his mouth twitching into his customary wry smile. Can’t have everything in life, sweetcakes.

  Gerald yawned, the sound loud and unwelcome. “You’re both boring me with your little performance through the glass. Get in the queue if you want a one way trip to the outside, vampire.” His fingers slid over the button.

  Neville stepped forward, still waving his arms and gaping his mouth open and closed like a fish. Irritation rose in her again, and magic surged through her with more force.

  Gerald stopped moving and stared at him. “What the hell? I’ll drown you in the aquarium if you don’t cut it out.”

  Aquarium. She focused on Gerald. Switched to Vincent. Then glared at Neville and allowed his face to conjure up the rest of her frustration. What had he called her? Oh, yes. She remembered. She prevented herself from clawing at her arms as the skin itched to a fiery burn. She sneezed and closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to be in Vincent’s arms. She focused all of her thoughts on that safe place, until hard muscle braced her back and strong arms wrapped around her.

  “What?” Gerald’s scream ricocheted from the walls, and she opened her eyes to stare into his crazed ones. “How did you get through the glass?”

  She shrugged. Maybe she’d never know how she did that. “What have you done with Geraldine? Geraldine? Ar
e you in there?” She held her gaze on his eyes until they began to soften, becoming watery. She reached out and gripped his hand. “Geraldine. It’s okay.”

  Geraldine ripped her hand away before darting into the airlock. “Seal the door and open the hatch. Do it now. I saw you in here, and I think I did it somehow. My memories…I don’t remember. We have to end this.”

  Vincent reached across the wall to close the door and seal the room off, but Penny stilled his hand. “We can’t; it’s Geraldine.”

  “And also Gerald. It’s our only chance,” Neville spoke abruptly before looking at the floor, and she turned a glare in his direction.

  “It’s murder. You know. Like, mass-murder, or something, when so many people are involved and in that little room.”

  Indecision floated across Vincent’s features.

  “Do it!” Geraldine insisted from behind the glass wall. “I can’t control myself. I can’t make it stop.”

  “I want to talk to Hazel.”

  Geraldine screwed her face up in confusion.

  “I want Hazel.” Penny repeated her command. “Step away, Geraldine. You’ve done enough. Thank you.” She babbled her words, unsure she could even reach Hazel if Geraldine didn’t know who she was.

  Vincent glanced at her. What are you doing?

  I don’t know. She offered him a tight smile. Don’t take your hand away from that button, though. It could all go horribly wrong if Gerald comes back.

  Geraldine covered her face with her hands and began to wail, the sound an unearthly scream before she began to mumble. “I can’t do this. Just kill me, please just kill me.” She listed where she stood, before crashing against the wall and crumpling onto the floor.

  Vincent let his hand fall away from the wall. “Should we check her?”

  “I vote no.” Neville’s nasal voice cut across any reply Penny had been about to make.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Despite potentially saving my life just then, Neville, your vote doesn’t count for much right now.”