“Landing in: Five. Four. Three. Two. One.” The Transport shook slightly. “We have reached your destination.”
Dervinias opened the door and peered out. It was dark. Thick clouds covered the moon and stars. He knew A.L.T. would’ve tracked the Transport. He needed to hurry.
Turning Chev in his arms, he stepped out. A dog barked in the distance. The wind, a Wyoming staple, rushed past his face. It was warm and brought with it the smell of wild sunflowers. He glanced down at Chev’s sleeping form. “It’s going to be alright now. You’re home. You’re safe,” he whispered.
She didn’t respond.
He choked down the words he wanted to say. Using Britorent, he broke the cover of the trees and ran along the horse trail near her home, up to the large house. He kissed Chev’s forehead before carefully laying her on the porch. He knocked, then ran into a thicket of trees near the barn. There he waited. He wanted to make sure someone opened the door.
It was a warm summer night, so he wasn’t worried about her getting sick from the elements—but there was a coyote around. He could hear one in the trees near his Transport.
After several minutes, no one had come to the door. He started back, deciding this was a bad idea. He’d take her back to Kelari and explain.
But finally the door opened and her father came out carrying a shotgun. As soon as he saw Chev on the ground he hollered for his wife. She rushed out wearing a bathrobe.
Dervinias could see they were crying. Her dad made a call and, not too many minutes later, he heard the sound of an ambulance wailing. They came, placed Chev on a stretcher, and drove away.
Dervinias stood silent for several minutes after they left. As much as he would miss her, he was still glad she was home, that she had her parents back. Before Chev met him she’d been a sweet girl. Kind. Funny. Dervinias knew he’d corrupted her. She’d fallen for him and he’d used her. He hadn’t even felt bad about it… until he’d found out she was pregnant with his child.
Then everything changed.
Feelings he never knew existed bubbled up and everything, all his plans, his hopes and dreams, altered.
“What did you do to her?”
Dervinias gasped, surprised he’d been snuck up on. He knew her voice, though. It was Tawny. He knew she was more than human. She was Ferether, like Michael, but not exactly the same. She was also a thief and a liar, a monster who would pay for her crimes. He’d make sure of it. .
He turned and grabbed her by the neck. “What are you doing here?”
She gasped and gagged, grabbing at his hands.
Dervinias squeezed harder. “Where’s my daughter?”
She went still and Dervinias wondered if he’d killed her. Until she started laughing. She kicked him in the crotch and bent his fingers back until they felt like they’d break—not that they could. But he let go. He knew she wasn’t human.
“Your daughter is safe.” She readjusted her polo shirt and smoothed her hair, pushing it over her shoulder. “But she’s no longer yours. You’ll do well to remember that.”
Dervinias moved toward Tawny, but she backed up. “What makes you think you can keep her from me?”
She touched his chest and he suddenly felt limp. “I’ll keep her from you because I can. I’ve waited centuries for a chance like this. Nothing can stop me from my plan. The child will grow up loving me, needing me, calling me Mommy.” Tawny reached up and stroked his face. “You don’t deserve her anyway. You’re a murderer who only cares for himself.”
Dervinias wanted to shake his head, tell her she was wrong, but he couldn’t.
“She’ll be nothing but an experiment to you. But to me she’ll be everything.”
Dervinias felt a pull coming from his chest. She was doing something to him. What it was, he wasn’t sure. He needed to free himself somehow. If only he could reach the Ostwallow sword strapped on his back.
Finally she released him. “What…” He took a deep breath, reaching for the sword. “Do. You. Mean?” He pulled out the sword, bringing it between them.
Tawny laughed. “I have Ferether in my veins. That sword can’t kill me.”
“We’ll see,” Dervinias said, lunging.
She easily sidestepped him and disappeared.
“Where are you?” he shouted into the night. “Come back!” He spun in a circle, the sword whistling in the wind. “I will find you, Tawny. The child is mine.”
The war room was buzzing. Several Chans leaned over a large wooden table where a holographic image of Alayeah and the surrounding country was displayed. Palamina and the Chans were discussing strategy when Zaren walked over to join them.
Venus pushed down the information that sprang up inside her about each of the individuals. It was like having their lives downloaded. She shook her head slightly and walked over. “What’s going on?” she asked, sounding much more professional than she felt.
One of the Chans, a leader by the name of Modna, turned when Venus walked into the room. “It can’t be. They told me you were alive, but I didn’t believe.” She came over and hugged Venus but quickly stepped back. “It is you?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
Venus smiled kindly. “Yes, it’s me. Only I’m a little different.”
Modna rubbed her hands together. “I see.” She stepped back to the table. “We’re trying to figure out how to stop the Leviathans.”
Another Chan shook his head. “We aren’t having any luck.”
“What’s been done?” Venus asked, stepping up to the table. Green and blue light flashed across the hologram. Explosions lit up and dotted the 3D image. She knew no one was dying in the mess below, that most of the Kelvieri were either hidden or preparing for the fight that would come once the drones were finished. But that’s what worried her. Once the drones were finished destroying homes, poisoning the streams, and annihilating the forests, the Leviathans would be released. When that happened, the end would come quickly. Nothing could stop them… except the Illeyse. Not only did Venus need Michael, but the whole of Kelari needed him as well. She hoped he could find what he needed and hurry back. She also hoped they could hold off King Antyon, his armies, and the Leviathans until then.
“We have camps set up here and here,” Modna said, pointing at two different places on the map. “We need another battalion of soldiers to set up a separate camp here.”
“That’s near King Antyon’s castle,” Venus said.
The Chans nodded. “That’s the idea. We’re hoping to infiltrate the castle and figure out what he has planned. At the rate we’re losing soldiers, we may have to request help from additional volunteers.” Zaren walked around the table as he spoke.
“That seems dangerous,” she returned. “Where will you be?” It was selfish of her, but she hoped he was staying.
Palamina came around. “We’re staying here with you. We made a promise.”
Venus nodded. “Good.” She certainly didn’t want Palamina around, but if that meant Zaren would be close by, she’d accept it. She reached out and took Zaren’s hand without thinking. “I’m glad.”
Zaren smiled and wrapped her hand in his. “It’s going to work out. Somehow, everything will be fine.”
Venus heard the words and wondered if he meant the war or the awkwardness between them because of Michael and Palamina. The changed between Zaren and Venus were strange. It hadn’t been that long that she and Michael and been married and Venus and Zaren had been together since she could remember. Touching his hand was a natural part of their relationship, but it needed to stop.
The redheaded Formytian grabbed Zaren’s arm, pulling him closer to her. “We’ll protect you. Of course we will. It’s our most important job.” She tossed her hair and smiled. It irritated Venus, which surprised her, and the thought that she’d love to rip that red hair right out of Palamina’s head made her smile in return. “Venus. We’re here to do whatever you need of us.” Her words were silky sweet like honey, and it pissed Venus off.
“You know what I nee
d?” Venus heard the sound of her voice. She was angry. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself. The relationship between she and Zaren needed to end. Immediately. “I appreciate your help.” To the whole room, she added, “It’s going to take all of us working together to stop this war.” It was the truth. Without each and every one of them they’d surely lose this war. “Where’s Amberlee?” she asked, suddenly terrified.
“It’s okay,” Zaren said. “She’s okay. She’s with Palmo.”
“Where?” Venus didn’t want to leave her sister alone with him. Palmo couldn’t be trusted.
“I think they went to her room,” Palamina said.
Venus glared. “She’s fifteen. Why would you think it’s okay to leave her alone with him? Especially after what his father did? For cret’s sake!” She stomped out of the room and down the hall. She heard Zaren and Palamina following after her, but didn’t stop. Venus needed to get to her sister before Amberlee did something stupid.
It felt good to be back in her room, even if it was under horrible circumstances. At least Palmo was with her. She’d been so afraid she’d never see him again.
Palmo was quiet, seemingly lost in thoughts he wasn’t willing to share with her. He sat on the edge of her vanity and rifled through her makeup. When he found one of her eyeliner pencils he picked it up, took off the closure, and applied a thick line under each of his eyes, the exact same color as hers.
“What do you think?” he asked, facing her.
She was half in, half out of her closet and had just pulled off her filthy shoes. It surprised her to see him wearing her makeup. Most male kels didn’t, but it didn’t look bad. Moving back into her closet, Amberlee laughed as she tugged off her pants. “I like it.” He did look cute, but then she thought he looked good no matter what.
She took a clean pair of pants from a shelf and pulled them on. Stepping from the closet, she pulled on her regular boots and checked her reflection.
“My turn.” She grabbed the liner from him and used it to line her eyes, then drew a star just under her left eye. “There.” She turned to face him. “What do you think?”
“Beautiful,” he whispered.
“Thanks.” She looked around her room. It’d always been one of her favorite places. The walls were painted light silver, the color of her eyes. Blood red curtains covered the window. The floor came from the Windmark Mountains; it was sleek white rocks with flecks of black diamond. A black and red chandelier hung from her ceiling. Lamps covered in black and red shapes sat on either side of her bed. Her bedding was made of a supple black material with red streaks.
Palmo stood and brought her with him to her bed. He sat and pulled her onto his lap. His eyes flicked to her lips. She knew he was telling her what he wanted. She leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Palmo,” she whispered, timidly pressing her lips against his.
Palmo drew her closer. She turned so that she straddled him and pressed her body against his. He deepened the kiss, using his lips to open her mouth.
She thought she would die; her epsis raced too rapidly in her chest. She wanted him, needed him.
He pushed up her shirt and ran his hands along her back. The movement sent tingles all over her body. Her breathing increased and she inhaled the scent of him. He smelled like a meadow after a rainstorm. Clean. Fresh.
She timidly stuck her tongue in his mouth. That set him off, and their sweet kissing turned passionate. He moved her shirt over her head and lowered her onto the bed. She watched as he took off his shirt, then leaned over and kissed her, pressing his body to hers.
“Get off my sister!”
Amberlee and Palmo froze. He looked into her eyes. A myriad of emotions ran through her. Relief. Mortification. Anger. Embarrassment.
Palmo climbed off her and picked up his shirt.
“Why are you in here? Get out.” Amberlee sat up, glaring at Venus. “You aren’t my sister. We aren’t family. You have no right to tell me…” Her voice trailed off and she stopped. There was such a look on Venus’s face, one that said I have every right. And Amberlee realized that whether she wanted Venus in her life or not, it didn’t matter. Venus had decided to be in her life and that was the end of it.
“Cret, don’t you have some place to be? You’re a god now. Why don’t you act like it?”
Venus bent over, picked up Amberlee’s shirt, and handed it to her. “I’m still me. As I said before, you’ll always be my sister. I’m always going to worry about you. You’re my family.”
Amberlee huffed. “Whatever,” she mumbled, pulling the shirt over her head.
“Maybe I’ll head to the war room. See if they need me,” Palmo said.
“Good idea,” Venus said, glaring at the back of his head as he walked out.
As soon as he was gone and the door was closed, she faced Amberlee.
“What is your problem?” Amberlee stomped over to the vanity and sat in the chair. She watched Venus through the reflection in the mirror. The goddess sighed. Amberlee softened. She picked up a lip-gloss and dabbed it on. “We aren’t family.” She felt bad. The words, her words obviously hurt Venus, and she couldn’t understand why. “It isn’t like we were ever close.”
Venus crushed her hands together, wringing them.
Amberlee noticed Venus looked very god-like in her white, skintight outfit. It made the black belt and her Kelvieri’s boots stand out even more.
“Do you remember when we were kids and you’d sneak into my room after we’d been tucked in?”
Amberlee did remember. It was one of her best memories of her sister, up until her Father caught them and made her promise never to go in her sister’s room at night again. At the time she’d believed it was because they thought Venus was better than her. Now she knew it was because the wanted to protect her. “No,” she said, shaking her head.
Venus came over and sat on the edge of the vanity. “I do.” She picked up a brush and ran her fingers over the bristles. “We would take my covers off the bed and build a fort with them on the floor. We did that so the bed sensors wouldn’t know you were in there with me.”
Amberlee tried to keep a straight face. She didn’t want Venus to know how much those nights meant to her.
“We would take turns brushing each other’s hair.” She pressed the brush against Amberlee’s head. “May I?”
Amberlee swallowed, unable to speak. She gave Venus a brief nod and Venus drew the brush down her hair. It was still short, but not as short as she liked it.
“Your hair was longer than mine then and I’d braid it.” Venus set the brush down. Then she took Amberlee’s hair in her hands.
Amberlee watched, filled with the happiness those memories brought up. “Afterward you’d tickle my back and tell me funny stories about the Chans.”
“That’s right,” Venus said, joy filling her face. She quickly finished the braid and tied it off, then bent down so their faces were next to each other. “We may not look alike,” she whispered. “We may not have the same parents.” She kissed Amberlee’s cheek. The place where her lips touched seemed to burn. “But you will always be my sister.” She stood, her face serious. “Always.”
Amberlee rose. “Why aren’t you mad? Why don’t you hate me for what I did?” Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t think I could forgive you if the roles were reversed.” She turned away, crossing her arms in front of her. That was the truth.
Venus came up behind her and gave her a hug. “I can’t hate you, because I understand better than anyone why you did what you did.”
Amberlee stepped out of her embrace. “It’s the godly power stuff, huh?”
“Something like that,” Venus agreed. “Just know that everything I do, I do it out of love.”
Amberlee nodded, still not quite able to believe and hope. Venus wasn’t her sister by blood, but she had no one else.
“Let’s go to the war room. I have an idea. There’s something you and Palmo can do.”
That made Amberlee happy. She ju
st wanted to be needed. “Alright.”
As they walked down the hall, Venus slipped her arm around her sister. “And just in case you aren’t sure, I think you’re way too young to be making out like that.”
Amberlee laughed. “Fine. I’ll try to resist, but I love him.”
“I know.” A strange look crossed Venus’s face. Amberlee thought about asking her what was wrong, but decided against it at the last second. They’d reached the war room and it was buzzing with people. She didn’t’ want anyone to overhear.
Venus stepped in front of her and walked over to the Chans’ leader. “Amberlee and Palmo will take food and supplies to those who are hidden underground. Zaren and Palamina will go with them.”
Zaren stepped forward. “We promised to stay with you.”
“I know,” Venus began, “but Amberlee and Palmo need you more. There’s something I need to do, and it needs to be done alone.”
Zaren clenched his jaw tightly. Palamina came to stand beside him. “We’ll do as you ask, of course.” She pulled Zaren back.
He shrugged out of her grasp. “No, I won’t leave you.”
Palamina glared. “She’s married, Zaren.”
He shook his head, seemingly frustrated. “I’ve been your guardian since the day you arrived at the castle. I…” he shrugged. “It’s all I know. Protecting you is all I know.”
“Don’t worry, Zaren. We aren’t going anywhere,” Amberlee said, pulling Venus to face her. She didn’t want to go outside. “It isn’t safe. The drones are getting closer to the castle, and I…” She let her words trail off.
Zaren hung his head.
Venus turned away from him and faced Amberlee, who noticed everyone was looking at her. Watching her. Some looked embarrassed for her. And she realized why. She was supposed to be the Queen of Alayeah. The leader. There was no one else. The realization shocked her and she staggered back.
Venus seemed to sense what was happening. “I know it’s scary, but you’ll take the tunnels. You’ll be careful. No one but those in this room will know where you are.” She glanced at Zaren. He raised his chin and gave her a brief nod. “Zaren and Palamina will guide you. It’s important for you to go.”
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