Several audible breaths confirmed I wasn’t the only anxious passenger.
“How are you feeling, Bryn?” Jarryd’s skin was pale and his eyes were ringed in dark shadows. He dropped his helmet between his feet.
“Better now that I’m away from Hypor.” I squirmed in my damp swimsuit. “Where are we headed? I’m cold and wet.” I kept my tone light, trying to hide the fear and uncertainty that hovered near the surface.
“The rebel hideout. We’ll soon be there. It’s not far from our island.”
“If we’re that close to home, tell the pilot to drop us off.” Our beautiful island. My heart yearned for its peaceful shelter and Mother’s loving care.
“We can’t do that. If there are drones watching the island, we’ll attract their attention and draw them to Mother. She’ll be safe with old Joe and the villagers. For now, we’ll rest and plan. There’s a lot we need to discuss,” he added solemnly.
Father’s fate filled the stillness between us. I dropped my head and sniffed back tears when Jarryd’s hand squeezed my shoulder.
“Prepare to land.” The pilot turned his head. The voice was muffled, but the resonant undertone was familiar. “We’re almost home.”
“Good. I need a pee,” yelled one of men behind us.
“I need a good meal,” added the other.
Their laughter was a balm to my soul, but I wasn’t ready to join in. The day’s events plagued my mind. The image of Ruby’s dead body wasn’t easy to erase. Neither was the memory of the other two swimmers. What had I done?
From the lander window, my unfocused gaze surfed the expanse of turquoise ocean until a scattering of tiny black dots caught my attention. As we flew closer, the dots took the shapes of four-legged insects with rusty metal carapaces. What were they?
“They’re derelict oil rigs.” Jarryd read my mind. “From before the Rising. They’re off the main trade routes and under Hypor’s radar.”
The closest one had a landing platform floating at sea level. The body of the structure soared fifty feet or more skyward. Up one side ran a corroded ladder, its rungs decayed by the unrelenting lapping of seawater.
“If we have to climb up that ladder, I’m staying in the lander.” Cranky and tired, I didn’t bother to lower my voice as the airship dropped lightly onto the platform.
The engine went quiet. The pilot swiveled in his seat, removed his headgear and fixed me with an emerald stare. “A little gratitude would be nice.”
“Kaal?” I ignored his sarcastic tone. “Where’s Leika? Did she escape?”
“She sure did.” Kaaluk’s seatmate yanked off her helmet and glasses revealing another pair of piercing green eyes.
I reached over the seat and hugged Leika. I had a million questions, but they’d have to wait.
Last to exit the lander, I stepped onto the platform and eyed the ladder with hostility. Jarryd laughed and pointed to heavy chain that held a makeshift elevator cage. Clanging and creaking, it slowly descended alongside the rig. It appeared only slightly sturdier than the ladder, but I’d done my share of climbing and was prepared to take my chances.
It thudded to a halt. I entered the cage behind Leika and Jarryd.
“Hold on tight to the rail.” Kaaluk stood behind me as we rose into the air. “I don’t want to have to rescue you from the water a third time.” His warm breath brushed my cheek.
What did he mean ‘a third time’? Had he been my rescuer in the pool during the blackout? Was it possible he was the guard who saved me while I was free diving?
I twisted to look at him. “You?”
“Keep still, Bryn.” Jarryd steadied Leika when the lift started to swing. “This thing isn’t anchored.”
Kaaluk grabbed the cage on either side of me.
His closeness set my pulse racing. “I guess I owe you.”
“I don’t expect repayment, but life has a way of balancing things.”
My face went hot when he smiled. “I guess so.” I tore my gaze from his and tried to ignore the tingles shooting through my body.
The squeal and shudder of the slowing lift was a swift reminder of our surroundings.
Inside, the hideout proved to be more comfortable than I expected. One large space had been split into four. Two rooms housed the men. A third was for the women. In the fourth, a rustic kitchen shared space with a long metal table and chairs. Two women stirred steaming pots of aromatic food that set my stomach gurgling. Leaning against the opposite wall was a collection of weapons that quickly brought home the seriousness of our situation, but even that didn’t squelch my appetite.
Leika and I headed to the room farthest from the entry, where three other women sat talking. As I changed into the dry tunic, tights and boots she provided, a loud clanging tensed my nerves and I shot her a glance.
“Dinner.” She smiled and rubbed her stomach. “Hurry or there won’t be much left.”
We weren’t the first at the table, which was covered with bowls of steaming stew. I sat beside Jarryd. Kaaluk sat at one end of the long table, Leika opposite him. Other men and women filled the dozen seats on either side.
Hoping for anonymity, I kept my eyes on my plate.
We started eating and a man voiced his curiosity. “So you’re the Champion of Steepchase. How’d you win it?” His tone was teasing, but his question set my hands shaking. My fork clattered onto the table.
“Leave my sister alone.” Jarryd surged from his chair, anger tightening his lips.
“It’s okay.” I grabbed his fisted hand. “I’m sure he meant no harm.”
The other man was equally red-faced and tense. “Like she said, I was just curious,” he muttered.
My brother’s response was out of character. Usually difficult to rile, I wondered if something else had provoked his strong protective instinct.
“Jarryd, sit down. No more talk about Steepchase.” Kaaluk’s calm tone had a settling effect on both men. “There is still work to do. We don’t need to be squabbling among ourselves.”
My brother nodded and sat.
A comment about the food started a light banter, but an undercurrent of tension remained. Several times during the hour, Kaaluk left the table. Silence followed until he returned. He shook his head when someone asked if there was any news from Hypor City.
I finished my meal and stood to leave. Exhausted from the grueling day, I needed sleep.
“Don’t leave yet, Brynna,” Kaaluk said, returning to the table after a brief absence. “You’ll want to hear this.”
“Good news?” one of the men asked.
“Good and bad. Our plan to expose Delio worked.”
“Whose plan? What happened?” I was anxious to know the details.
“Kaal planned the revolt, including the final ploy that brought Delio down,” said Leika.
“Was it something to do with the explosions?”
“Yes, and a woman.” Leika grinned. “Delio’s mistress in fact. She sold Kaal a video of Delio bragging about his scheme to get off the planet. We hacked into the video feed in the Steepchase arena. It was rigged to start once you were outside the gate.”
“I heard explosions.”
“A little theatrics to get the crowd’s attention,” added Kaaluk.
“What did Delio say exactly?” I asked.
“He admitted that the starships he’d ordered were only for his family and friends. He also gloated about the gullibility of the council and how he’d manipulated them. His stupidity was neglecting to include his mistress in his getaway plans. It gave her the incentive to betray him. She wanted revenge.”
My stomach wrenched as I forced my words. “Did he confess to causing my father’s crash?”
“Not directly, but one of the technicians admitted that Delio ordered the disabling of the lander.” Jarryd’s face flushed with rage. His eyes blinked away tears as he took a deep breath.
Leika put her arm around my shoulder. “The man is a psychopath.”
“The guards have ralli
ed in support of the council,” continued Kaaluk. “The bad news is that Delio has escaped, along with Prince and his private army.”
Where was Calia? Had she fled with her boyfriend?
“They’ll be long gone from Hypor City,” someone commented.
“I promise you they won’t get far.” Kaaluk‘s confidence infused the room. The men started to clap and hoot with excitement.
“Let’s go get them.” One rebel stood, followed by others. They grabbed weapons from the stack opposite then waited for their leader’s command.
Kaaluk simply nodded and reached for a long-bladed knife and sheath that hung on the wall. “No women.” He stopped beside Leika. “You stay here.”
“I agree,” said Jarryd.
I didn’t like the idea of being left behind, but I was too tired to argue.
Leika’s face was stony. Weapon in hand, her green eyes challenged the men. “Why do I have to stay?”
“Brynna is exhausted,” said Kaaluk. “The other women are vulnerable. I need you here in case anything goes wrong.” He gripped his sister’s shoulder gently. “Please.”
Her lips tightened as she struggled with his request but she finally nodded and propped her weapon by the door. When the men had left, she joined me. “Damn, Kaal. He’s always right.”
“Everyone seems to respect him.” During dinner, I’d been surprised by Kaaluk’s democratic approach to sharing information. No one else had left the table. They’d all waited for him to report the unfolding events.
“My brother is used to giving orders and having them obeyed,” said Leika. “No one ever opposes him. Somehow, he convinces you that doing what he says is the best option. Generally, I think he’s a good leader, but I don’t like to be discounted because I’m a woman.”
“I agree. I haven’t got your fighting skills, but I can still contribute.”
Leika sighed. “Let’s hope they catch them all. It’s good to have Delio’s deception exposed, but we still have to find an answer for the solar threat.”
“Hopefully, the council and the scientists will find a solution.” I put up my hand to cover a yawn.
Leika gave me a gentle push toward our sleeping quarters when I yawned again. “You’d better get some rest. We have a lot to talk about, including Steepchase.”
She wasn’t going to let me off easy. She’d want the truth about my win, which was something I wasn’t sure of myself. Had I really killed the swimmers with my voice?
I shuffled into the women’s area, oblivious to the rusted walls and broken windows. I fell onto layers of soft blankets that folded around me like a welcoming cocoon.
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Leika said from the doorway.
“Don’t go yet.” I rose on an elbow. “I want to hear about your escape from the laundry.”
“I guess we both have stories to tell,” she replied. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk later.”
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Leika whipped back my warm cover, exposing me to cold briny air.
“Some friend you are.” I tugged at my blanket but she held firm. “I didn’t sleep well.”
“I know. I heard you moaning. Nightmares?”
I nodded. “About Steepchase.”
“Might help to talk about it later. But now, you’ll miss all the news if you don’t get up.”
“What news?” I shivered then quickly donned the tunic and tights I’d thrown off the night before.
“Kaal and Jarryd are back.” Her voice teased. “That’s all I’ll say for now.”
I straightened my wrinkled clothes as best I could and ran my fingers through my hair. The knots would need some time to comb out, but they’d have to wait for later. The news was more important. I hopped on one foot, tugging on my boot as I followed Leika to the kitchen area.
Weaving my way through the crowd of people wasn’t easy, but the happy rumble of voices was a tonic. Hearty hugs and back slapping accompanied jubilant cheers. I scanned the jubilant throng, finally locating my brother. Kaaluk stood beside him, smiling with the other men, but his eyes looked weary. When he saw me he nudged Jarryd. The next moment I was wrapped in my brother’s arms.
He smirked when we separated. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge.”
I glanced at Kaaluk when he joined us. Had he noticed my ragged appearance?
I flushed but stood straight and regally—I hoped. “Never mind what I look like, what’s happened?”
“Premier Delio is dead,” said Jarryd.
“That’s good news.” Leika pumped her fists in the air, threw her arms around her brother then Jarryd.
My relief at the death of the premier was short lived when I saw Jarryd and Kaaluk exchange concerned glances.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” I squinted at Jarryd. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Leika backed away from the men. “What is it, Kaal? What’s the bad news?”
“Premier Delio was killed by his son.” Kaaluk appeared as puzzled as the rest of us.
“Killed by his son?” Leika echoed incredulously.
“How?” I knew the Little Prince could be cruel, but to kill his own father was pure evil.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Jarryd. “We found them loading into landers at an outlying Hypor dome. We exchanged fire, but their guns were bigger so we hovered behind the curve of the dome, waiting until they took to the air. When the first one alighted, our landers engaged. Their final lander remained on the ground.” He nodded to Kaaluk, who continued the story.
“I recognized Prince’s uniform and saw him dive into the vehicle. A man emerged from the dome. Older, wearing a red robe. It was the premier. He ran toward his son. As his father reached the lander, Prince lifted his gun and fired. The older man crumpled to the ground. Prince’s lander took off. We gave chase, but it was too quick for us.”
Jarryd shook his head in disbelief.
Kaaluk sighed heavily. “I knew his father was abusive when Prince was a kid. He let it slip one night after a few drinks at Swigs. The situation must have been worse than I imagined. Prince Delio is a more ruthless adversary than his father ever was. We have to find him before he gets reinforcements and returns to attack Hypor City.”
“Why Hypor City? Won’t he make for Tarvek and try to get off-planet?” asked Jarryd.
“If we’re lucky,” said Kaaluk. “Unfortunately, he boasted that his destiny was to rule Hypor. Now that his father is dead, we can’t discount his desire to control the city.” Kaaluk’s eyes hardened, his cheekbones sharpened as his mouth tightened. “We’re taking a force to find him before that happens.”
“I want to go as well.” I moved to get ready but Jarryd grasped my hand.
“There’s more I have to tell you.” He dragged two chairs to a corner of the kitchen. As we faced one another, his eyes clouded. Sadness dragged down the corners of his mouth.
Others around us maintained their distance as if sensing that we needed privacy.
“I know that Father is dead.” My acknowledgment left an emptiness in my chest. So much had happened that I’d had little time to mourn his passing. But I knew that he’d want us to attend to the living, namely Mother.
Jarryd drew a long, staggered breath and closed his eyes as if trying to block out an unwelcome vision.
“What else?” I watched uncertainty and pain wrinkle his brow.
“Weyland is missing. He was transported a few weeks after you were betrayed by Calia.” He wiped one eye with a shaky hand and dropped his head to his chest. “And Marta…”
“What about her?” I leaned forward, clasping his trembling hands in mine.
“After the lander incident, she was abducted from her home, along with her mother. We think they were sent to Prima Feminary.”
His words dropped like stones in my heart. First Father dead, now Weyland and Marta missing.
My stomach twisted in fear. “What about Mother?” I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her
too. “If Marta’s mother has been transported, they might search our island. Mother isn’t safe there.”
“If what Kaaluk said is true, Prince will be preparing to attack Hypor City. Tarvek is his ally. I think he’ll make for Nuvega to regroup. There’s no reason for him to go to our island.”
The logic of my brother’s words didn’t quell my fear. “I’d feel better knowing she’s okay.”
“Knowing who is okay?” Leika squatted beside me and glanced from me to Jarryd. “I’m sorry about your friends. Kaaluk just told me.” She laid her hand on Jarryd’s. He nodded and returned a weak smile.
“I’m worried about my mother. Prince might go after her.”
Kaaluk approached us. His gaze skimmed Jarryd and Leika before settling on me. His head tilted slightly, his green eyes questioning.
Challenged by his attention, I lifted my chin and locked my gaze with his. I hesitated, anchored for a moment by a wave of pleasure that coursed through my body. Did he feel the connection?
“Did you want to ask me something?” His soft words unlocked my silence.
I tried to break eye contact but couldn’t. “I want…I want to take a lander to our island tomorrow, to find my mother.”
When he didn’t answer immediately, my resolve stiffened. I broke the connection, prepared for an argument, but then he spoke, “Can you fly a lander?”
I gulped. “N…No.” I rapidly thought of an alternative. “Jarryd can take me.”
All eyes focused on Jarryd. He stared at me as if to gauge my earnestness.
“If Kaal agrees, I’ll check the island. Once we’re sure Mother is safe, I’ll rejoin the search for Prince.”
Emboldened by Jarryd’s suggestion, I stared defiantly at Kaaluk.
His eyes crinkled, then softened. “I know what it’s like to lose loved ones but I can’t spare a lander. You can take the cat.”
“What’s that?” I wasn’t going to be distracted from my mission.
The Last Singer (The Falcon Chronicles Book 1) Page 20
