Lost Protector (Midworlder Trilogy Book 3)

by Maggie Mundy

  Anne closed her eyes again and sent her thoughts out to Soren. The contact was immediate due to the extra power the others were giving her. The onslaught of pain was immediate too. Anne sensed a presence in her mind. Evie’s calming thoughts were there.

  Let me take some of the pain. I can take more than you think and so can you. We have the motivation of love to save our men. Do what you need to keep contact until the others find him.

  The pain eased and Anne would thank Evie later if they got out of this mess. Anne wasn’t sure how long she’d been disconnected from Soren. When she connected again and stared through his eyes, she feared she was too late.

  Liliath stood next to Soren but her body appeared see-through. She aimed a beam of white light at Soren’s chest. Soren still had control of his mind, but probably not for long. Liliath’s essence fought to take over.

  She won’t beat us, Soren. We’re bonded together and she’ll never have all of you.

  Anne didn’t know if she got through but wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.

  Fragments of Soren’s life flicked in and out of her mind. Then she sensed Liliath’s thoughts. What the hell? Liliath created him for this purpose. How could anyone be so coldhearted? Then again, this whole race used humans for thousands of years. Why would they care about one person?

  Liliath’s body almost disappeared and Anne could feel the tendrils of the evil Elevated’s thoughts taking over. Soren sent out one last message to her.

  She can never have all of me. He said the words Ridge used to transform Nicole. Anne felt a part of her essence leave and be replaced by him. It didn’t matter what Liliath did now. She would never have all of him. Anne truly believed Ridge and the others would find a way to save him. Then Soren’s touch left.

  Anne opened her eyes and found herself back in her body on the couch.

  Evie shook her head. “What the fuck? Liliath’s his mother. She gives the concept of a heinous bitch a whole other meaning.”

  “She’s taken over his body,” Anne said. “He said the words Ridge told him so we could be joined. Will it help? I don’t feel any different.”

  Genia moved her hands over Anne’s head.

  “It seems you’re not converting into a Midworlder like Nicole and Evie did, but he’s joining more completely with you. Maybe you need to be in physical contact to make the change. I also think Liliath will need to be removed completely and I’m not sure how we’ll do that. I’m sorry. It’s probably not what you wanted to hear.”

  “You’re wrong. It’s exactly what I wanted to hear. I’ve been a freak all my life. At least now I know my dad is an alien so I have a good reason to be different. Soren sent me a message before Liliath took over. He said she couldn’t take all of him if he sent a part of his body to me. We have to find him.”

  Chapter 19

  Bringing Soren Home

  Ridge clenched and unclenched his fists. It didn’t help control his anger. For too long, Homeworld stood by and did nothing while Liliath used them as toys to play her little games with. Now she had used his brother and it had to end.

  The crystal chamber stood empty. He needed to connect with Nicole so she could boost Anne’s thoughts. It would be the only way he could find Soren’s location, and he hoped it wasn’t too late. It took a moment to feel his beloved’s thoughts. From the day he bonded with her, his life changed and he could only assume it was the same for Soren.

  Anne linked to Soren, and Ridge could see the thin tenuous strand linking them. It shone like a laser pointer in front of him. He motioned for the others to follow as he made his way out of the chamber. Before he could leave, the floor of the chamber heaved beneath their feet, causing Ridge and the others to lose their balance and fall to their knees.

  “What the fuck is happening?” Ridge said as he stood. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was an earthquake. Our mission just got a whole lot shorter.”

  This time Ridge ran down the corridor in front of them. The beam of light twisted one way then another and seemed to be getting faint. He didn’t know how much longer either Soren or Anne could last. Then the light disappeared at a door. Shit.

  Ridge didn’t know this part of the Pergor spaceport. Most of his journeys here were to the arrival room or the crystal chamber. As far as he knew, this side of the port housed the rooms where the technicians who ran the place lived.

  Ridge charged the door and pushed it in so it hung off its hinges. On the far side of the room, Soren lay on a table. Liliath stood beside him with her hands above his body. He remembered how she tried to take over Nicole using their unborn child’s energy. She nearly succeeded and he couldn’t risk it again.

  Liliath became transparent so he could see the wall through her. Then she disappeared as a beam of light entered Soren’s body through his chest. Sayell and Charles stood before the table to stop the progress of Ridge’s group. Ridge couldn’t see Cameron, but for now he needed to get his brother.

  Sayell sneered. “You’re too late, Ridge. Your weak brother doesn’t exist anymore. Liliath will now take her rightful place on Earth.”

  “And I suppose you two will be there to do her biddin’. Still pussy whipped by this creature.”

  Ridge needed to get his brother out of this place. He charged forward with a beam of energy erupting from the palm of his hand aimed at Sayell. He wanted to pulverize the guy into the ground. Edric and Suzie were by his side and aimed their beams at Charles and the Demonic Guardian.

  The two Demonic Midworlders knew they couldn’t win but sent out their beams of energy as well. The Demonic Guardian made for the door and Ridge let him go. Like most Dominic Guardians, he didn’t want to fight unless he knew he could win.

  Sayell slashed out with another beam of energy and dived forward, hitting Ridge full force in the abdomen. It hurt Ridge to draw air into his lungs, but he fought back.

  He pushed Sayell off so the pain in the butt flew back and hit the wall. This time Ridge attacked and aimed a punch at Sayell’s chin. He hoped the pain reverberated through the asshole’s skull.

  Sayell brought his hand around and thumped Ridge on the chest. Ridge grinned through the pain as his ribs cracked. He wouldn’t heal until he got back to Earth and he needed to end this fight now. As Sayell twisted to come back in again, Ridge kicked out and got him in the lower back. Sayell collapsed to the floor as his legs became paralyzed. It wouldn’t last long if Sayell could get back to Earth, but for now it was all the time Ridge needed. Charles was out cold on the floor. Ridge ran across to his brother. Soren appeared unconscious, but his chest still moved. Ridge’s broken ribs pushed into his lungs and he could taste blood in his mouth.

  Edric touched his arm. “Let me carry him. It’s the least I could do for Anne.”

  “You’re wasting your time. Soren doesn’t exist anymore. You’re doing us a favor by taking Liliath to Earth. We will see you there,” Sayell yelled after them as they left the room.

  The tremors underfoot got worse the closer the group were to the crystal chamber. The normally pristine white walls of the corridors started to crack as a dust fell from the ceiling. Crystals fell from the cavern roof as they entered and Ridge and the others backed up against the wall. Then the tremors stopped as quickly as they had begun.

  Ridge wanted to get out of this place, but before he could make the connection to the conduit three bright lights formed before them. If they were Demonics, then he would fight to the death. Along with Heath, Edric, Sara, and Suzie. Ridge stood in front ready to fight.

  Three Angelic Guardians appeared. One he knew. Nicole’s Guardian for a while, called Mira was here.

  Mira put up her hand to stop their progress. “You can’t take him to Earth, Ridge. Elevated are not allowed down there. He must be destroyed,” Mira said.

  Ridge stood ready to fight when he se
nsed a message coming from Nicole. At last there was some good news.

  “He’s not been completely taken over. A part of him resides in his bonded partner, Anne. We can remove Liliath’s essence and destroy it.” He was bluffing. All those years of playing poker would be coming to the fore.

  Mira raised an eyebrow as she peered at him. “You have one of your Earth days or we will order all Angelic Midworlders on Earth to attack you and kill him.”

  Edric moved forward. “Before we leave, can you tell us what’s happening here? Ever since we arrived it feels as if the planet is shaking,” Edric said.

  Mira shook her head. “Liliath has damaged the conduit. It was never set up for the Elevated to use. The government on Homeworld believed the Elevated would devote all their energy to finding us a new home. We’re looking for a new outpost as we speak.”

  “What happens if you don’t find one?” Ridge said through gasps. His lungs were struggling to get any air in.

  “We will leave Earth.”

  Ridge had always liked Mira, but she frowned at them now as if they were annoying little bugs. “What about all the Guardians attached to humans?”

  “They will return to Homeworld.”

  “And what about the rest of us Midworlders?” Suzie said.

  “You’ll be returned home and put into stasis until we find a new world with a compatible race for us to use.”

  Ridge would be diplomatic because sensible conversation with these guys now would be impossible. He didn’t know what their agendas were but he needed to look after his own.

  “We will see you in twenty-four hours then,” Ridge said.

  Ridge closed his eyes and could feel the pain in his temple as he made connection with the conduit. Within moments, they were all back in the night sky above his ranch. Ridge’s wings sprouted from his back as they flew below. Nicole rushed out onto the veranda as he landed.

  “Thank goodness, you saved him. You’re hurt, Ridge.”

  “I’ll heal now I’m back.”

  “What happened up there?” Nicole asked.

  “I saw Mira and let’s just say humans or Midworlders aren’t her priority right now.” Ridge hugged Nicole and followed her inside.

  Edric lay Soren down on the couch. Anne sat next to Soren and took his hand in hers. Ridge turned to Nicole.

  “This may be all short lived. We’ve twenty-four hours to remove Liliath or every Angelic Midworlder on the planet will be sent here to kill him.”

  Genia gasped. “The Guardians would set their own kind against each other. It’s unthinkable.”

  “Mira would’ve killed him there and then ’cept I told her you could remove Liliath’s essence.”

  Anne screamed. Ridge turned to see her kneeling in front of Soren. His brother held her around the neck.

  “You can’t touch me, you fools. If you try to remove me from this body it will die and I’ll take one of you instead. Do you really think I would not have planned for the future when I don’t require this body anymore? Demonics are on their way as we speak.”

  Evie tiptoed behind the couch and brought down a large vase on Soren’s head. It smashed into pieces as he fell unconscious to the side.

  Edric helped Anne up. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine and I never thought I would say this, but I think we need to tie him up.”

  Heath picked up Soren and took him across to the large dining table. Ridge asked Sara to get some ropes.

  Ridge stood next to the table and wished he didn’t need to tell people to hurt his brother.

  “I want four volunteers to stand at each corner while Genia and the others work on him. He makes a move and you send all your energy to stop him. He’s still Soren, but Liliath is in there.”

  Suzie and Edric took two corners while Tiny and Jake took the others.

  “The rest of you follow me,” Ridge said. “I’ve alerted all Midworlders here we’re under attack. I’ve also sent a message to Los Angeles to see if they’ll help. I can only hope they’ve not heard from Mira or any other Midworlders yet. I’ve a feeling the way we’ve all lived on Earth is over. No matter what happens here.”

  Ridge kissed Nicole and took Ellen into his arms and hugged her close. He could only hope it would not be for the last time.

  Outside, Heath joined him with Sara and Evie. The rest of his people were set at various locations around the ranch. He could see the lights of the vehicles in the distance as the Demonic Midworlders made their way toward them. It would be sunrise soon and the battle would be in the open. At least the ranch was far enough outside of town for no members of the public to see what went on.

  The cars kept coming and four black SUVs parked out the front of the ranch. When the car doors opened, Ridge was surprised to see Kyle from Los Angeles get out with others from his Enclave. There were also some humans with him. At least ten men and women who were pretty well armed. He wasn’t in the mood for more surprises.

  “It’s great to see you here, but what’s going on?” Ridge asked.

  “We heard you needed some help,” Kyle said. “I also heard I’m supposed to kill as many of your Enclave as possible if you don’t hand the Elevated over.” Kyle grinned.

  “So why are you here?” Ridge was ready for a fight still.

  “We’re here to help. I told them to go fuck themselves. Should have said it years ago.” Kyle shrugged.

  Ridge relaxed a little. “I’m glad. I’d never want to fight you. So who are your friends?” Ridge asked, as a tall woman came and stood next to Kyle.

  “This is Agent Lydia Baker. She is with the FBI. They’ve been in contact with me for the last year.”

  Ridge thought he could not be surprised any more, but he was wrong. “I think you need to come inside. You can park your vehicles below the house. My men will keep on the lookout for Sayell and his friends.”

  The cars were driven inside and Ridge guided them upstairs to his study.

  “So how long have the FBI been aware of us and why do we need their help?” Ridge asked.

  Agent Baker smiled. “About one hundred years, more or less. Back then we were after a serial killer and people talked about him having wings. The powers that be thought it was crazy at the time but followed it up. We’ve watched from a distance ever since, but last year our attention was brought to an excommunicated priest with some unusual habits.”

  Ridge laughed. “Well, who would have thought that freak would’ve turned out to help us in the end.”

  Lydia grinned. “The government’s been watching the Demonic Midworlders as well, but deems then too unstable to work with.”

  “We’re going to have a fight on our hands soon,” Ridge said. “Sayell will want Soren and we don’t have much time to remove Liliath from him.”

  A loud bang ended their discussion. The battle had begun and the world would never be the same. Ridge ran for the exit to the garage with the others following. Once they were outside, he could see Sayell and Charles had come in force. There were at least fifty Demonics there and more were probably on the way.

  Heath and Edric were by his side as the onslaught of Demonic energy hit. Ridge was thrown back so he hit the wall of the house. The Demonics were joining their energy together to increase its intensity. Sayell had kept that little technique a secret. Ridge got up from the floor and could see people all around him in hand-to-hand combat.

  Some Midworlders were fighting in the sky as the Demonics tried to land on the house. Ridge and his people were holding out, but it would not be for long. If the Demonics sent out another wave of energy, then they would all be flattened. His people were falling under the sheer numbers even with the help of the FBI agents. Ridge got his people to retreat to the house from the outer perimeter.

  Lydia dived behind one of the car
s and landed next to him. Kyle ran in next to her.

  “Lydia has a weapon we can use, Ridge. It’ll stop this attack and buy you some time,” Kyle said.

  “Why do I get the feelin’ there will be a catch?” Ridge said.

  “It will knock out their capacity to use their energy, but it will affect Angelic Midworlders too.” Kyle shrugged.

  “If we ever get out of this I’m goin’ to have a lot of question for you, Kyle. How long will the effect last?”

  “Two hours tops. We did some tests on Kyle,” Lydia said.

  “Do it.” Ridge sent a message out to his people about what would happen. The FBI agents’ guns fired canisters into the area in front of the house. Each canister exploded, sending out a gas into the air. Ridge fell to his knees coughing. He gazed up to see others falling around him.

  Sayell and Charles would give the order for retreat, but they would be back. Ridge’s chest hurt, but apart from that he didn’t feel any different. He gave the order for his people to keep watch and then went back inside. Kyle and Lydia stood there.

  “What the hell’s in that gas?” Ridge asked.

  Lydia grinned. “It’s like a muscle relaxant which blocks the receptors in your bodies that produce the energy bursts. Like a muscle relaxant doctors use, it wears off.”

  Ridge shook his head. “I think by the end of the day I might need to know what other secrets you have. For now we need to check on my brother.”

  Chapter 20

  Craving Immortality

  James Burtrom paced back and forth. What was keeping Sayell? The doctor needed more tissue samples to make a treatment. He should never have let Sayell take Soren. He should have ordered the doctor to chop the man up and do what he needed.