by Sara Page
“But you’re a reject…” Beast scoffs, and I seriously have the strongest urge to slap him.
“Fuck,” Striker curses. “It doesn’t matter right now. We’ll figure it out later. Did you tell her yet?”
“Tell me what?” I ask, not liking the anxious tone in Striker’s voice.
“No, I didn’t,” Beast sighs and mutters something under his breath.
“Fuck,” Striker curses again and rakes his fingers through his hair, mussing it.
“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between them.
“Ameia,” Beast says more calmly. “There’s been an incident.”
My stomach immediately drops out of me with dread. “Esha and Ellany?”
“No, they’re fine,” Striker immediately reassures me.
I breathe a sigh of relief and then Beast tells me, “Get dressed, quickly. There is something you must see.”
* * *
Vis and I hastily get dressed. Beast and Striker remain in the room with us and thankfully Beast doesn’t make another aggressive move against Vis though he does glare at him with hostility.
Especially when Vis apologizes for what happened to my panties.
I brush it off and tell him not to worry about it, I’ve gone plenty of times without panties.
Then I feel all three of their eyes boring into me, looking pointedly where my panties would normally be. Internally I try to dampen the flush that’s creeping across my flesh.
Something terrible has happened, I just know it. Now is not the time for such silliness.
Once we’re dressed, Beast steps forward to take my arm and I resist the urge to pull away from him. I’m still irritated with him but I do understand his position. In fact, I’m not sure how I would react if the situation were reversed. But it is what it is. Vis needs me and I’ll be damned if I turn my back on him. Beast will just have to get over it.
Striker leads the way down the hallway and Vis falls in step behind me. We walk briskly through the private wing of the palace to the section open to dignitaries and public operations. We enter the intergalactic communication room and the room is packed with bodies.
I shoot Beast a look of worry and his fingers tighten around my arm as he pushes us through the crowd, leading us to the front of the room where his father and advisors are quietly talking among themselves.
“Princess Ameia,” the king greets me gravely as his head pops up and he notices our approach.
I smile tightly at him and catch the eyes of the advisors surrounding him—they’re all regarding me nervously. Lorune’s husband, Keede, especially.
What in the world has happened?
Taking a step toward me, the king holds out his hand and I shoot Beast another worried look before stepping forward to take it. Fingers clasping gently around mine, King Ros leads me to the side and those standing around us move away, giving us some space and privacy.
“Ameia,” the king says softly. “Forgive me for not informing you sooner but I wanted more information before I personally apprised you of the situation.”
“What has happened?” I ask, trying my best to keep my voice calm and steady. Whatever is going on obviously involves me in some way and it’s making me incredibly nervous.
“There has been an event.”
“An event?”
The king nods his head and takes a deep breath, looking as if this is the last thing he wants to be doing. His lips pull down into a frown and for a brief moment he looks older. He just instantly aged in front of me.
Eyes resting on my eyes, he holds my gaze steadily as he tells me, “The Transgalactic Alliance has reached out to us with some disturbing footage—footage they don’t understand. I’m sorry to inform you of this but in the footage you can see Terrea has disappeared from this plane of existence.”
“What do you mean disappeared from this plane of existence?” I repeat incredulously, feeling lightheaded as the words sink in.
The King squeezes my hand as if he’s trying to comfort me but I just want to yank my hand from his grip. Is this some kind of sick joke? He can’t be serious…
“Terrea is not gone. Somehow it’s been transferred to the Other Side,” he says calmly.
“How?” I ask, my voice sounding much more shrill than I intended.
The noise level in the room quiets and I feel dozens of eyes boring into me. The skin on the back of my neck prickles but I ignore it. I know I’m starting to make a scene but I seriously can’t help it.
Taking my own deep, steadying breath, I steel my spine, inwardly willing myself not to totally freak out about this.
“I’m sorry, we do not know, Ameia.”
That answer just makes me want to scream in frustration. Do the Ravagers know nothing? How does an entire planet change planes of existence? Is my father okay? My sister? My people?
“There is an envoy from the Alliance on the com line that would like to speak with you. He will show you the footage.” The king gazes down at me with a mixture of concern and apprehension. “I wanted you prepared before you see it. It is quite disturbing.”
I feel myself nodding my head slowly, though I’m not quite sure how I’m doing it. A numbness is settling in; my body is switching to automatic as my mind races to process all the possible implications.
My father, my stepmother, my baby sister, could all be in very real danger. Can they even see in the darkness? Are they alive? Are they dead?
Are they suffering?
“Thank you,” I say, knowing it is expected, and he nods his head.
With a jerk of his chin, he makes a motion and then I feel warmth at my back. Both Striker and Beast step up to my sides, protectively squeezing me between them.
“Ameia,” Beast rumbles and strokes my arm. Whatever anger or irritation I was feeling towards him is gone in an instant. I need him. I need his comfort. Little sparks pop across my arm as his skin rubs against my skin, warming the chill that’s seeped into my flesh.
Striker presses in from my other side, wrapping his arm around my waist. Fingers curling around my hip, I lean into him. Soaking up his warmth, his scent.
Just this moment. I need just this moment to take my strength from them so I can make it through this without cracking.
What the hell is happening? I don’t understand it.
“Whenever you’re ready, Ameia,” the king says softly. He and Beast stare at each other over my head, having one of those silent father-son conversations.
I close my eyes, telling myself I’ve watched my own funeral, I can watch this. I’ve survived so much, I can get through this without breaking.
Maybe they’re wrong… Maybe it’s not Terrea. Yes, that must be it. This is all one big misunderstanding. Planets can’t just disappear into nothingness.
But I’m afraid, very much afraid. There’s this horror that’s been lying dormant in the very marrow of bones ever since I was rescued… and I can feel it reawakening.
It’s crawling up my spine and winding around my throat.
Suffocating me.
If my entire planet was pulled into the Other Side, deep inside I know there is only one way, only one… thing that is capable of carrying out such malice.
The room fills with nervous chatter once more and there’s an underlying current of tension.
I shiver, the voices growing louder, and Striker’s arm tightens around me. This isn’t supposed to be happening. We’re supposed to be safe now, this is supposed to be our happily ever after, but every day it’s turning more and more into a nightmare.
When does it end? When will we get to simply enjoy being together?
“Ameia?” Beast prods gently and I blink up at him. I’m not even sure how long I was lost in my thoughts.
“I’m ready,” I say though I don’t feel ready. I’d much prefer to grab my daughters, return to my quarters and pretend this never happened.
But what if my family is in danger and needs my help? I’d never forgive myself for taking the coward
’s way out.
As much as I want to, I can’t just bide my time and hope this passes over.
Keeping me squeezed comfortably between them, Beast and Striker lead me over to the com screen. I know it makes me look weak to be relying on them so heavily but I need them beside me to catch me if I faint.
King Ros follows behind us, as well as Keede, though the rest of the advisors remain behind.
“Open the line,” King Ros commands and the screen flickers immediately.
The room falls silent as a middle-aged human man appears on the screen.
“Greetings once again, King Ros,” the man says, smiling a smile that doesn’t quite reach his tired eyes.
“Greetings, Ambassador Halgary,” King Ros nods at the screen.
The Ambassador’s gaze sweep over the room, seeking, before it falls on me. The smile on his lips falters, the lines at the corners of his eyes tightening.
“Princess Ameia?” he inquires politely.
It takes more strength than it should to bring the smile to my lips, to slide the mask of politeness back into place. I nod my head in confirmation and the Ambassador regards me grimly.
“Princess Ameia, first let me introduce myself—my name is Alkon Halgary and I’m an Ambassador for the Transgalactic Alliance.”
I can’t quite bring myself to say it’s a pleasure to meet him so I just nod my head and stretch my smile to the best of my current abilities. “Ambassador.”
“I wish we could have met under better circumstances, your highness, unfortunately I come to you as the bearer of bad tidings.”
I clear my throat and inform him, “I’ve been briefed.”
He nods his head. “Then you know of the situation and you know of the recording?”
I nod my head again. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a stiff neck after this, among other things.
“Would you like me to play it for you?”
“Yes, please.”
“I must warn you,” he says, his face somehow becoming even more grave. “The recording is quite disturbing. We’ve never seen anything like it. Our best scientists are scrambling to explain this anomaly as we speak.”
“I understand. Thank you for the warning,” I say simply and brace myself. Beast and Striker stiffen beside me.
The Ambassador’s eyes search my face and then he nods his head. His image fades away replaced by a view of Terrea from space.
Everything looks as it should. Terrea lights up the center of the screen. It must be a night shot because the surface is glittering and sparkling with life.
“As you may know, the Alliance keeps the many planets that make up our union under constant, vigilant surveillance so that we may immediately respond to any threats with haste,” the Ambassador’s voice comes through the screen though Terrea remains on the screen.
One second Terrea is lighting up the screen and the next moment it’s gone.
Vanished.
I’d almost believe the screen went blank if the stars weren’t still in place. It happens so quickly it almost looks like the type of poor special effects one would see in a budget holovid movie, like the editor messed up the splice.
But then a moment later I watch Terrea fade back into view… changed. Shrouded in a thick blanket of darkness. The glittering night lights replaced by a thick mist and shadowy plains.
“The recording is two hours behind but as you can see when we switch to the live feed the empty space remains. Terrea has simply vanished… without a trace.”
But it hasn’t vanished I almost say before thinking better of it. It’s there, it’s just clouded or something.
“I’m sorry. Will you please replay the event?” I request and keep my eyes pointed forward.
Whatever has happened, the Alliance has no idea that Terrea hasn’t completely disappeared, that it’s moved dimensions, and none of the Ravagers have corrected them on this.
“Yes, of course.”
The screen flickers and then Terrea reappears. I strain my eyes as I stare hard at the screen, hoping to catch something.
Unblinking, I watch Terrea completely disappear like a wink. There’s no warning, no disturbance around it. It’s just gone, truly gone before it fades back into view, coated in a thick layer of black.
The recording plays for a couple of more minutes before it fades, replaced by the face of Ambassador Halgary.
“I’m very sorry, your highness,” he apologizes. “I know this must be a difficult time for you, but I have a couple of questions for you if you don’t mind.”
“Ambassador…” King Ros speaks up, his tone an unmistakable warning.
The Ambassador nods his head in understanding and says hastily as if he’s afraid he’ll be cut off. “I am very, very sorry, and I do not wish to cause Princess Ameia further distress, but the Alliance is very concerned over this event. We must investigate, and we must get to the bottom of this quickly. Lives depend upon it.”
King Ros looks to me.
It’s my choice.
I blink at the Ambassador slowly. Terrea is my home, it may look suspicious if I refuse to cooperate though honestly even if I could help I don’t know how much good it will do. I know so little it might as well be nothing. All I know is that I can see.
Shock is settling in my bones. Numbness. Clarity.
I feel myself detaching.
The Devourer… he’s still out there. It was him, I know it was.
He hasn’t forgotten me.
I hesitate for a moment before finally agreeing. “Ask your questions, though, I’m not sure what help I’ll be.”
Ambassador Halgary smiles at me. “Thank you, your highness.”
Beast grumbles beside me. Striker’s fingers tighten protectively.
The questions are not surprising. “Did Terrea have any new enemies?”
My answers are flat. I feel the last of my strength fading. “No.”
“Were you aware of any threats made against Terrea?”
“I was not aware of any…”
“Do you think this could have been an act of retaliation?”
“For what?” I ask, not following.
“From reports, I understand there was an attempted coup a few months ago by your brother-by-marriage, Vrillum, and his political allies.”
“I have no idea if this was retaliation…” I lie.
It was retaliation, alright, I have no doubt about that. But it wasn’t from a failed coup or any political enemies.
“Was Terra developing any weapons of massive destruction?”
I shake my head at that one. “Hardly.”
“Ambassador? Is this truly necessary?” King Ros speaks up. “Princess Ameia has been through quite a shock. Perhaps you can question her after she has had some time to process this tragedy and grieve?”
The Ambassador’s face flushes with color from being called out on his lack of sensitivity, but he nods his head slowly at the King. “Yes, forgive me. I do not wish to cause any more distress than necessary.”
The King nods his head slowly. “Then if we’re—“
The Ambassador boldly cuts off the King. “I just have one last question for Princess Ameia, if I may?”
King Ros blinks his eyes, startled, and the room stirs—the background humming with quiet whispering.
Narrowing his eyes and jaw tensing, the King gives the Ambassador a curt nod. Ambassador Halgary turns his tired eyes back to me.
Our eyes lock and he stares hard at me as he asks me, “Princess Ameia, are you safe?”
All around me I hear quiet sounds of outrage.
Beast growls and Striker curses.
I hold the Ambassador’s eyes as I answer him honestly without hesitating. “I am in the safest place I can be.”
The Ambassador stares at me hard until he’s finally satisfied. With a long, weary sigh he turns his attention back to King Ros. “Thank you very much—“
The King makes a slicing motion with his hand and Ambassador Halgary disappears
from the screen.
Chapter Eleven
“Ameia?” Striker prods and I blink, fading back into reality.
I’m sitting on something. Hands are rubbing up and down my arms, warming me.
“What happened?” I ask. “Did I faint?”
Striker brushes back my hair and shakes his head. “You didn’t pass out, you’re in shock.”
Voices buzz all around me. I look up, above Striker, to see Vis hovering with a look of concern on his face. I peek over my shoulder to see I’m not sitting on something—I’m sitting on Beast.
The confusion is a brief reprieve before it all comes back to me.
“You said he was gone…” I say accusingly, turning to Beast. “You said you watched him disappear until nothing was left.”
“I did watch that,” Beast says defensively.
“Then how?”
“We don’t know,” Beast sighs, his hands continuing to rub up and down my arms.
I’m so sick of hearing that. So sick of no one knowing anything.
“What do you know?” I ask, my voice rising. “Do you know anything? Do you know what’s happening to my home? My family? My people?”
“Ameia…” Striker tries to butt in but I keep on going.
“Do you even know your own history? Do you know what being the Beacon really means?”
“What do you mean what it really means?” Striker asks, his eyes narrowing at me.
Dammit, I’ve said too much. Pressing my lips together, I shake my head at him.
“Ameia,” Beast growls in warning, his hands pausing to grip me firmly. “Did you discover something?”
Shaking my head, I throw their answer back in their face. “I don’t know.”
“Ameia,” Striker snarls. “If you’ve discovered something, you need to share it with us.”
“Why?” I ask, peering up at him. “Why should I share—“
My question is cut off by a monstrous roar coming from the hallway.
Is that Warrick?
The buzzing around us quiets.
