Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  It was late in the afternoon when Cassie finally asked some of the bigger questions they had all kept ducking like the plague. Did they have girlfriends or wives waiting at home for them, or maybe kids?

  Jason was making them a coffee. ‘Hell no. And hell no, definitely no kids. You have to be kidding. When we’re not here annoying Kayden, the rest of us live on the farm next door. That’s how we get here so quick. To ensure we had plenty of room to play with our boys’ toys, we brought adjacent properties. We were all going to live here with the boss, build onto this house. Only Kayden was always so damned grumpy with us living under his feet that we decided to expand the house next door. Give him space and give us sanity.’

  ‘My Kayden.’ Cassie nudged him and made him grin. ‘He’s a pussy cat.’

  Jason eyed her. ‘Do you recall the first day we met you? Well, that was him twenty-four, seven. You have worked a miracle, girl.’

  Kayden threw a towel at him. ‘And you can’t tell me she hasn’t changed you guys?’ he stirred him back. ‘I can’t remember you guys ever wanting to spend this much time around any woman.’

  Conor nearly choked on his drink. ‘Yeah true, but tell me how many of them will get out of the bathroom long enough to let us enjoy them. Makeup, hair, clothes, salons and dreary shopping drive me nuts. Cassie gets up and cooks us the best breakfast ever, never fusses over her appearance and yet scrubs up a treat and knows how to enjoy the day. She’s just like one of the boys.’

  ‘Not to me,’ Kayden said, running his hand down her arm and putting goose bumps over her.

  Woody laughed. ‘Come on, mate, quit that or you’ll have us all looking up an old flame for the night.’

  Cassie sat up straight, an idea popping into her thoughts. ‘Great idea! Let’s have a party at your house. Invite your girls, your friends and have a bit of fun. I reckon we deserve it. Music, dancing and alcohol. Plus, I’d love to see where you live.’

  The men looked at each other with the cheekiest grins.

  ‘Hell yes, we’re all in. What do you say, K?’ Woody threw an arm around Jason, waiting for his answer.

  ‘I know where I’d sooner be.’ Kayden pulled Cassie closer to him. ‘Nevertheless, if it’s fun you need, sweetheart then let’s go have some.’

  The guys scrambled for the car. Jason turned before he jumped in. ‘We’ll organise everything, boss. Be at our house around six, okay?’

  Kayden nodded.

  Woody eyed him suspiciously. ‘We can pick her up if you change your mind and don’t feel like coming.’

  ‘I said I’d be there, now nick off.’

  Woody laughed loudly as he sat in the driver’s seat and kicking the engine into life, he skidded off along the dirt driveway.

  ‘At last, we’re alone.’

  ‘See? That was my plan,’ Cassie giggled.

  ‘Is that right? You’re just lucky they didn’t drag us over there to help.’ Kayden watched Cassie quietly for a moment with an inquisitive expression. ‘Okay, spit it out. What are you thinking?’

  ‘What they said before about me not fussing.’ She angled her head slightly.

  ‘You seemed confused. Didn’t your mother or a minder tell you what was going to happen to someone with powers like yours when you come of age?’

  ‘I know now from talking to Woody that my mother should have told me a lot of things but never did. All I do know is what I have read in books. When I ran from you and went to Perth I had my twentieth birthday. It was then overnight that everything changed for me. Not only the superficial changes as you see me now, like never having to shave or cut my hair. Normal female bodily functions ceased leading me to believe I may never be able to have a child. Then there were the personality changes due to the strange dreams and daytime flashes of another world, the one you have now shown me. I felt smarter, wised up about all sorts of stuff. At first my thought was that it was a reaction to being so stressed and I thought I’d go back to normal with time. Except I already knew from talking to other females at the Casino that I was different. Not that it worried me too much as I’ve been a special case all my life. Going to a doctor was out. I guess I just didn’t want to end up a lab rat, being experimented on. Then what if they figured out about my powers? You can see why I just decided to hide it. I’m sorry, Kayden, I should have told you about the baby thing. You know, the not having kids thing. But I thought in time maybe I’d be enough for you.’

  He looked at her seriously. ‘Honey, I know already that having children for our kind is almost impossible. You are more than enough, so never question that but that’s not what worries me about all this. I can’t believe your mother could be so heartless. Cassie, how old do you think I am?’

  She searched his face, suddenly realising what she had already assumed: that the boys were immortal like the others up in the universe above. Woody especially was a real old style gentleman, although she wasn’t yet entirely convinced this could happen to earth dwellers.

  ‘You look maybe early to mid-twenties. You and your men all look around the same age. It’s hard to say because you all act so grownup, as if you’re a lot older than even that. I had given it thought, that you might be immortal like the rulers and gods up in the galaxy.’

  Running his hand down her arm soothingly, he breathed out, sounding relieved. ‘You have such insight, Cassie. I’m quite sure it’s another of your powers that is only just beginning to develop. The men and I have been twenty for many years. Just like you, we had a growth spurt after our twentieth birthday where we developed into men almost overnight. You see, I know how weird that feels to go to bed wearing a man’s size eight shoes and waking up needing size fourteen or bigger in most cases. Then the universe downloads a whole lot of information that your brain has no idea how to process at first. That’s why your powers are still developing. It all takes time but believe me when I tell you, as soon as the time comes for you to use these powers, they will just flow out of you comfortably. None of us will ever age from this point on, honey because of our importance to the universe.’

  ‘So we won’t wake up one day and just age into old people once the universe is done with us like in the movies? Our bodies will not drop all our flesh and end up skeletons or maybe dust?’

  He smiled. ‘You’ve been watching far too many vampire movies.’ He laughed, turning to her this time with sincerity. ‘I can’t believe you’ve gone your whole life with absolutely no guardians to care for you or teach you what to expect. It is the normal way with any of us. We are born with a carer to ensure we develop as intended.’ He shook his head. ‘Like us, you will live forever, Cassie. We are immortals: a gift from the heavens to keep the balance between good and evil. Only a selected few are born with powers like ours. Some of us were born to fight evil and some to fight the light. It keeps the balance within our galaxies. With your terrible upbringing I really believe that you were ignored for a reason, that you were destined for evil. Yet through all the misery, you kept your heart pure and never gave up. That alone shows me how strong and trustworthy you will always be.’

  Tears ran down her face. She had fought and fought hard, many times wanting to give up and destroy every single person who was hurting her but to hurt them back she would be no better than they were. Then she would have never been here, right now, where she was the happiest she had ever thought possible and with a man who loved her, even if she might not be able to give him a family. Hang on. Can immortals have babies, I wonder? Pulling out of Kayden’s calming embrace, she had to ask. ‘So can immortals ever have children? I mean I was born from one, right?’ She felt a little more hopeful.

  ‘Yes, it’s possible but rare. If immortals could breed without difficulty, the world would be full of us. It’s easier for an immortal male to father a child with a mortal female but it does not mean the child will automatically be born immortal. That too, is rare and depends on whether the gods permit it. They decide how many of us are required each century and for it to happen here on earth is a ra
rity. You see, you are born with a mission in mind. To want to fight or destroy, as I said, good and evil is the mix. To do what we do, it’s imperative to have your roots here, to grow up and love this planet so you have the passion to want to protect it; to be prepared to die for it.’

  Cassie considered what he said. She may not have had the passion and upbringing they had but she knew she would fight to the death to save Kayden and his men. And in return, by keeping them safe, she would keep all those they swore to protect alive.

  Party Hour

  When Kayden and Cassie arrived at the party it was in full swing. The boys had started to worry that Kayden had changed his mind. They said they were just about ready to come kidnap their cloud girl. It was sweet they even missed her with the women that were obviously flirting and flaunting themselves around them. Cassie counted about a dozen girls and a few extra men, including Conor’s brother Tremaine.

  From the little Kayden had divulged on the way over, she knew that the guests were apparently from around the area and always looked forward to a get together. They were used to the boys organising things at the last minute and said they would never miss one of their crazy nights.

  Jason took Cassie on a tour through the two-story home. You could get lost in the rooms alone. The boys’ rooms had their own en suites, couches, TVs and stereo surround sound systems. Their beds were the biggest she had ever seen, all with canopies, plush quilts and pillows, similar to the style she had grown up with. Yet standing here admiring the furnishing was about as far as it went. She would sooner be happy with Kayden in his quaint two-bedroom home than have all the riches in the world. The bottom floor consisted of a sitting room, an ultra-modern kitchen, a dining room with a twelve-seated oval table and a massive theatre room. This led her out through large sliding doors to the entertaining area where pretty party lights grabbed her attention. The deck she stood on was lit up with hundreds of colourful fairy lights that cast cheerful vibrant shades over the guests chatting beneath them. She grinned, watching a few partygoers dancing and mucking around to one of her favourite tunes. Outside near the pool, two men she had never seen before stood at the BBQ cooking dinner, Conor and Tremaine watching on. Tremaine introduced the men to her as his two ranch hands, Rick and Steve. She chatted for a while before wandering off to fill her glass with more punch. The lights in the garden must have been on timer and lit up the yard, highlighting a large swimming pool with tropical plants. The palms framing the glistening clear water relaxed her immediately. The gazebo further down the backyard was also lit up with tiny bud lights and it made her smile. These boys had entirely too much time on their hands. It looked great.

  Woody joined her, introducing her to his friend, Ella. She was tall, extremely well dressed in designer clothes, and her makeup and hair were perfect. She looked like she had just come out of a shoot for Vogue. She spoke down to Cassie with a fake smile and her eyes were cold. Yet when she looked back at Woody she glowed, and her eyes sparkled. Fake bitch. Cassie couldn’t help but sum her up in two words. It was very clear she had issues with the amount of time Woody was spending with the team. Or more likely it’s just me in particular. Silly, jealous woman.

  Kayden watched Cassie’s reaction to her. Coming over, he put his arm around his girlfriend protectively. ‘Ella, nice to see you again. I see you’ve met my Cassie.’

  Ella ignored his comment about her. ‘Kayden, you seem to have been keeping Woody very busy lately. I trust you’ve worked it out so I can steal him away for a few days. Our family will be holidaying at Cable Beach Resort in Broome and would like him to join us so they can get to know him a little better.’

  Kayden stole a look at Woody and it wasn’t a happy one.

  Woody put his hands up in a submissive gesture while grinning. ‘Sorry, mate, she only sprung it on me tonight too. I knew nothing about it.’

  Kayden’s reaction might have seemed polite to those who didn’t know him but by the pressure Cassie felt as his grip tightened as he controlled himself, she knew better.

  ‘Woody has commitments, Ella; he knows a few days are simply out of the question. The resort is a little too far for him to get back quickly if I need him home. In saying that, I’m sure you and he will try and work out a compromise.’

  Ella touched Kayden on the arm. ‘I’m sure you could manage for a couple of days without him, Kaydie darling. It would be easier if I knew what you two do over there. I could send you some paid help to replace him.’ She spoke sweetly.

  Kayden smiled politely, taking her hand off his arm and patting it before letting her go. ‘You know it’s not something I care to discuss, Ella. Good try though.’

  She glared at Cassie. ‘I bet your playmate knows,’ she said in annoyance and waved her hand in a huffy, dismissive gesture. ‘Have your little secrets,’ she said, walking off irritably.

  Woody was embarrassed. ‘Sorry she’s in a bit of a mood tonight. A few drinks and she’ll settle down.’

  ‘Don’t apologise for her, Woody. It’s exactly that feistiness that appeals to you, right. Well, in the bedroom anyway.’

  ‘Cassie,’ he said, laughing. He got that she was kidding with him but wow, she had it right.

  Kayden was laughing too as Jason came to join them, wanting to know what was so funny. When Kayden told him, he laughed so loud Cassie thought he was going to bring everyone over.

  ‘I’ve scratched my head for months trying to work out what the hell he sees in her and goddamn it if Cassie hasn’t found the answer within five minutes of meeting her,’ Jason remarked.

  Woody was still grinning and put his arm around Cassie. ‘You’re too aware for your own good, young lady. Now, I better go find my livewire and get her drunk.’ He winked and followed Ella inside.

  Jason brought Cassie and Kayden another drink. They went and sat in the gazebo while she heard stories about the cold-hearted Ella. Ethan brought his new girlfriend over to meet Cassie and joined in. After a while she noticed Jason didn’t have a woman in tow, hanging off him like the others did.

  ‘Your girlfriend was unable to come tonight?’

  ‘My type of female doesn’t frequent nice parties like this,’ he laughed. ‘I prefer the fun without the commitment. These girls here all know the drill. If I want someone, I’ll choose one at the end of the night. Or not.’ He watched to see if it shocked Cassie. It reminded her of the first time she had met him and how he had acted so excited when he thought she was a whore. She smiled, realising what he meant.

  ‘Then you should have brought a couple of your ladies of the night to this party. It might have been fun to see Ella’s face, seeing as they dress just as she does,’ she giggled.

  Kayden took her drink, laughing. ‘That’s enough for you, young lady. Woody wouldn’t be impressed if he heard you put his Ella into their category.’

  Jason passed Cassie his. ‘It’s okay, Cassie. You can drink mine. I’m loving you tonight, girl.’ He kept laughing.

  Conor and Ethan saw them having fun and wandered over with their women who had latched themselves to them. They were very sweet and glowed when given attention; nevertheless they didn’t seem that interested. The two females were good friends and chatted for a while between themselves, then went to the powder room together. Jason threw an arm around them both and walked with them inside, reappearing back outside again within minutes, holding another bottle of rum. When he returned, he squeezed back next to Cassie, finding her far more entertaining than anyone else there tonight.

  ‘What did I miss?’ he smiled, filling up their glasses again.

  Cassie laughed at his fun attitude. ‘I was just wondering why we had a party when we’re all out here together under the gazebo on our own again.’

  Jason pinched her cheek gently. ‘Because we would sooner just be with you, silly.’

  Conor and Ethan toasted Jason, confirming he was right.

  ‘But why agree to the girls and this?’ she gestured to the guests.

  ‘For you, so you didn’
t feel overpowered by us blokes,’ Conor said, grinning. ‘It must be hard for you only having guys around you all the time.’

  ‘And here I was worried about the opposite, thinking you must miss not having a woman around.’ She rolled her eyes.

  ‘We have one: our new little sister,’ Jason grinned. ‘When we need a woman in that way, we just disappear. You’ll get used to us.’

  ‘So, Woody must need a woman in that way because he hasn’t come back. Is that what you mean?’ she asked earnestly and they all burst out laughing.

  ‘I think she’s got it,’ Kayden said as he refilled their shot glasses again.

  A funky song came on so Jason and Cassie started singing it together and jumping around dancing. When it finished, she plonked down next to Kayden, laughing. ‘I think I’ve drunk too much all ready. You better drink mine if you want me to last the night,’ she said, handing him her full glass.

  Kayden was enjoying her as much as the men were and never did take that drink of hers. Or the next, or the next. They continued drinking and ended up playing cards until the wee hours of the morning. Cassie’s glass of rum seemed like a bottomless pit that someone kept filling before she’d even finished it. Her concentration was trashed, so she and Jason were close to even although neither of them were considering giving in. The other players kept sculling nips of rum while the crowd around them became more boisterous and the game kept going. They had two hands left when Woody came downstairs to see what the racket was all about. Seemingly annoyed with the state she was in, he growled at Kayden for allowing the game to go on, enticing Cassie to get so drunk.

  ‘One more hand, Woodsta, then we stop. I have to win,’ Cassie slurred.

  Jason tried to explain to Woody that the bet was for Cassie to give them all a back massage, insisting that she had to stay for them to win this hand. They were hardly making sense and kept making Cassie laugh. Woody took the drink off her, sculling it himself and replacing it with a coffee. She took a sip of the strong brew and the room started to swim, so that was it for her. ‘I’m out, guys. Can’t spin and play at the same time,’ she moaned.