Jira had found males. She had singlehandedly saved the entire Zhibalban race.
Zjokara and Zlotta collapsed onto their knees and bowed, crying freely.
The feed from the cameras was released throughout the fleet, and the cheers and celebrations went on for days.
Now, they only had to deal with Sanctuary.
Chapter Thirty Seven
Perri’s Descent
Krista slammed the door on her way out of the apartment, before Perri could stop her. She stopped halfway between her bedroom door and the slammed piece of wood, bowing her head, before walking to the kitchen table and slumping down into one of the chairs.
Derren exchanged a glance with Katheryne. “I think we need milk. I’ll be right back.” He got up and followed his sister out the door, albeit at a much more sedate pace.
Katheryne moved to sit beside Perri. “Want to talk about it?” she asked. She looked at the door. “I’m not sure the door can take many more of those. In fact, I’m not sure the door frame can take much more.”
Perri hardly noticed, so Katheryne took her hand and squeezed it gently. Her friend looked up and smiled, though her lips were a tight thin line.
“I don’t know what to do, Kat.” Perri accepted her friend’s hand, and grasped it tight. “I mean, I thought we had something, but these last few days...it’s like she’s become a different person. It’s me isn’t it? I’m not Dwenn. I’m not good enough.”
Katheryne drew her sobbing friend into a soft embrace, rocking her gently. This was virgin ground for her. Perri was the strong one, never the one to get hurt. Over the years Katheryne had known her, Perri was the heartbreaker. Kat always wondered about that. Some of Perri’s boyfriends were great guys, but she never let them close. Katheryne knew why now, of course, but it didn’t make watching her friend suffer any easier.
“Perri, she’s just guilty. That’s all this is. Dwenn is dead. She killed her for god’s sake. That’s gotta leave a huge mark.”
Perri pushed away, and Katheryne sensed the hurt in her friend without using her increased awareness.
“Why now, Kat? It’s been weeks since all that stuff happened. We’ve been happy for weeks, but now suddenly I’m not good enough anymore? Well, shit. Maybe she’s not good enough for me either.”
Katheryne didn’t know what to say, except Perri was her best friend and she had to say something.
“Maybe you need a little time apart?” Katheryne felt her friend’s hand tense for the briefest moment, before she removed it and stood up.
“And how exactly am I supposed to do that, Kat?” Her voice was hurt, but there was an edge of bitterness to it which Katheryne didn’t recognize. “She pretty much lives here, along with your boyfriend.”
Perri stood with her butt against the sink, her hands grasping her hair. “How are we supposed to have any time to ourselves like we used to? We don’t talk any more, Kat. You’re with him 24/7. I was fine, I am fine with that, but where is he now? Downstairs with her, listening to her talk about Dwenn, his best friend, and the dead love of her life. How am I supposed to compete with that?”
Katheryne felt conflicted. Here was her best friend in the whole world, the girl who had always been, and continued to be her rock, her grounding influence in the mad world she’d been dragged into; but she struggled to fit in. Krista was her coping mechanism, the way she could deal with all the crazy stuff, as she came to terms with her sexuality. But Krista had rejected her. And Katheryne knew Derren would always support his twin sister.
He’d thought Krista dead and lost once before. Katheryne knew he wouldn’t risk it again. So this was her dilemma. Was Perri going to force her to take sides? And if she did, whose side would she take?
“Perri, he’s her brother. If anyone can get through to her, he can.” She got up and crossed to her friend, in an attempt to make her understand and calm down, but Perri turned her back to her, putting her hands on the counter.
“Kat, you’re right. I need a break. But not here.” She turned round to face Katheryne. Tears streaked her cheeks. “Can we go away? Just for a few days? Please, Kat. I...we, need to get our bearings. You can’t say this whole thing hasn’t been a rollercoaster, can you?”
Katheryne turned away. What could she do? Perri’s plea was a cry for help, and she knew it made sense. If Krista was feeling like this, a few days might be what she needed as well. She felt guilty as she realized the main focus of her reluctance. She didn’t want to leave Derren. As this thought came to her, Perri laid a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Kat. I can’t believe how selfish I’m being.” She lowered her gaze, smiling ruefully. “How can I ask you to leave him? You guys are special. Beyond special, and ok, I’m your friend.” Perri turned as if to walk away, muttering, “but I’m just your friend.”
It took a second for the softly spoken words to register before Katheryne reached to pull Perri back into a tight embrace.
“You think you’re just my friend, Perri?” Katheryne’s eyes were full of moisture. “You’re closer than any sister I could ever have wished for. If you want to get away for a few days, well let’s go. Screw the others. I think we need it.”
Katheryne led her friend to the couch, and they sat down, still embracing each other. Perri peeled away enough to look up with tear streaked eyes. “Are you sure Derren won’t mind? I mean you guys have been inseparable ever since that night a week after the attack.”
Katheryne remembered back to that night. The night Perri had given her the biggest kick up the ass in the history of ass kicking, in order to break her out of her self-pity.
“Perri, I don’t give a shit if he minds. We need this; both of us.” Katheryne couldn’t believe she was thinking this, but she was actually looking forward to a few days apart from Derren. She suddenly realized how possessive he’d become over the last few weeks, not willing to let her go anywhere without him. Perhaps it was time to loosen the ties a little.
“Go get some things together,” said Katheryne as she headed to her own room. “I’ll get a bag too. We can go to my dad’s cottage in Donegal. A few days by the lough are just what we need.”
As the door to Katheryne’s room closed, Perri turned and grinned, but there was no happiness or compassion in the smile; just a feeling of expectation and triumph. Her mental suggestion of Derren’s possessiveness had been masterful, she thought, and the voice, which grew stronger day by day, laughed silently in her brain.
Perri knew she wasn’t imagining it now. But she didn’t care. The voice, and the presence behind it, made her feel good, much better than any of these so called friends ever had. Now, all she had to do was convince Katheryne to listen. It wouldn’t be easy, but a few days alone with her would plant the seed. And once planted, Perri would be there, her best friend in the entire world. She’d pick up the pieces as she always had, and she’d be there when Derren’s possessiveness pushed a wedge between them.
The voice would make Kat feel better as well, but that was a long way off, it told her. Katheryne was strong, and Perri had to be sure she was ready to accept the voice’s guidance; but Perri wasn’t going anywhere, was she?
Chapter Thirty Eight
Families
Chran opened a window in the Never and entered normal space. It had taken a week to get here, but now as he extended his awareness to take in his surroundings, he knew he’d arrived in Zhibalban space. What he didn’t expect was the instant realization he wasn’t the only dragon here. He quickly erected his defenses, as he sensed the other dragon’s surprise. He probed the area, ensuring there were no other surprises. He wasn’t prepared for what he found.
‘Welcome, Chran.’ The voice hadn’t used the telepathic method he’d used to communicate with Katheryne and the other ‘normals.’ It came over the link which Liberi used to talk to one another and share a limited hive mind. One of the Liberi’s tasks before the current conflict had been to map the Never, and any changes perceived in chaos of decision and happe
nstance, was subconsciously shared between them all, so they always had an up to date picture.
Chran shrugged off his surprise. The voice was unknown to him but the link provided a unique identifier. ‘You are called Jira,’ he said. ‘I must say I expected I might run into other Liberi here, but not another dragon. I thought I was alone in that. But I am not alone, and I see by the contents of one of the ships in orbit, you have found more eggs.’
Chran sensed amusement but an innocent open mind as Jira replied. ‘Four hundred and ninety nine eggs to be precise, Chran. One for each of the Liberi, plus one rather unusual extra. I’m sure you must have realized by now that we carry dragon souls within us.’
Chran wondered at her riddle. Five hundred eggs. One for each of them. But two eggs were already hatched and joined, his and Jira’s. What did the extra egg mean?
Jira felt his thoughts as if their minds were one. Something clicked in her soul, and an extra set of memories awakened inside her, flooding through her brain.
Chran halted his approach, and tears formed in his eyes. He knew this soul. It may have been inhabiting the girl called Jira when it merged with the egg, but there was no mistaking it.
‘Cyrellia, can that truly be you?’ This was impossible, Chran thought, even as the reply came back.
‘Yes, Father. It’s me. At least part of me, it’s an incredibly odd feeling.’ Chran felt the confusion, but was sure beyond a doubt this was his daughter. He felt her joy as she rocketed towards him. They collided in a burst of energy as bright as the sun, as their souls embraced each other. Neither of them could believe this had happened.
‘How long have you?...’
‘How long have I been a dragon, or how long have I known I was your daughter?’ Laughter bubbled in their minds for over a minute, and both simply reveled in the other’s existence.
Chran recovered enough to complete his enquiry ‘Both, I suppose. I had no idea I wasn’t the only dragon until I entered this system. I assume you thought the same?’
‘Yes, Father…Oh it feels so good to say that. Father.’ Their minds caressed one another’s briefly. ‘But I didn’t even know I was Cyrellia until you arrived. Up until then I was Jira only. Father, I have so many lifetimes of knowledge in me. It’s confusing, almost overwhelming.’
Chran wondered at this. He only remembered his own existence and had no memories before his early childhood. Curious, he thought, but decided not to mention it until he discussed it with the others.
‘Why don’t I let you introduce me to your new friends?’ he said, ‘I am very keen to talk to them. I believe we share a common enemy.’
Jira/Cyrellia laughed as they turned, and flew back toward the inner system. ‘Don’t worry, Father. You won’t have to resort to the old, enemy of my enemy is my friend, argument. I think you will find the Zhibalban people a noble and friendly race. They have adopted me and the other Liberi, and treat us as their own kin.’
‘Yes, I sensed the others. Are you sure they are safe Cyrellia? We have experienced traitors entering our ranks.’
Cyrellia/Jira shook her head. ‘Before I became dragonkind I feared the same, father. But now we can see the soul as it truly is, and if there is any deception it is plain to see. They are children as I am, traumatized by being forced to fight in Sanctuary’s war. The Zhibalbans are helping them to live their childhood. There will be time enough to fight soon.
*
Aboard the flagship, all the eyes of the bridge crew widened in shock, as a brief flash preceded the appearance of two large forms in the centre of the room. The six foot silver was familiar to all of them, but the ten foot gold was a magnificent sight, even if it did struggle to fit under the bulkhead.
Jira/Cyreilla giggled, as her father bumped his head hard on an overhead beam. She turned to Zjokara. ‘ I told him we should have appeared in one of the holds, but he insisted on this grand entrance…only it doesn’t look so grand now, does it, Father?’
Zjokara’s mouth dropped open and she started to speak, but no words came out. Jira found this incredibly amusing, and her laughter was heard throughout the ship as she projected her mirth.
The golden dragon gave a quick shudder, and shrank in size and shape, becoming smaller and slimmer, until before them stood a humanoid who stood a full head taller than Zjokara’s six foot. His skin shone with a golden hue and his red eyes bored into her soul. Around the bridge, the crew stirred in amazement, for before them stood what was unmistakably a Zhibalban male; but much more.
Zhibalban males were docile, peaceful creatures, and while the females loved them and respected them, they were never more than a method for breeding their race.
This being, however, emanated power and spirit, and Zjokara felt the lust grow within her, and saw several of the others shift uncomfortably in their seats.
The golden face smiled, showing the brilliant white points of his teeth. He bowed slightly, inclining his head in amusement, as if he knew the effect he was having on the females around him. The Captain was abruptly aware he did in fact know, and was enjoying the attention. This annoyed her more than it should have, and she didn’t know why, but her ruminations were interrupted by a deep musical voice which stunned her even more.
“Greeting, Captain,” Chran said, as his smile widened at Zjokara’s expression. “Yes, I can talk without using mind speech, as Cyrellia shall be able to soon. It takes a while for us to adapt to life as a dragon.”
He chuckled, and Zjokara felt her heart skip, but asserted enough self-control to form a reply.
“Cyrellia?” She turned to glance at Jira, who was clearly as surprised as they all were at the transformation, although thankfully not affected in the same way. “We know her as Jira. I don’t understand.”
The golden form smiled gently, and crossed over to touch his daughter. He closed his eyes, and Zjokara sensed an exchange of thoughts, before her silver form shifted as her fathers had. A second later Jira stood before her. She ran to embrace her Captain and Zjokara looked down to examine her features.
Her skin had a silver sheen, like her father’s gold, and her eyes were like ice diamonds, but the face of her adopted daughter beamed up impishly at her. But there was something, someone else behind those eyes, Zjokara was certain of it.
“I am Cyrellia, Captain. And I am Jira as well,” she said, provoking a raised eyebrow. “We can explain later but please, let me introduce my father, Chran.”
Chran smiled and bowed again. “Captain, it is my very great pleasure to meet you.”
Zjokara’s earlier annoyance disappeared as she felt the warmth and sincerity in the sentence.
“My name is Zjokara.” The words were out of her lips before she realized she had even said them, and the bridge crew smiled and blushed as one, as they looked away.
Females only revealed their names to males when in the bed chamber. Zjokara had just unwittingly announced her intention to mate with this male she had met only a few minutes ago.
The crew blushed because of the breach in etiquette. Males normally made up less than ten percent of the population. This currently stood at a fraction of this, even after taking into account the massive loss of life. Males lived a life of luxury and pleasure, only existing to serve one purpose. It was every females dream to be so attractive to a male, that he might choose her over all others. It had happened, but it was incredibly rare.
They smiled because they felt the energy flick between them like a spark. Chran was completely unaware of the mating rituals of this species, but at this moment, all he wanted to do was to coin one of his friend Perri’s commonly used statements; to get a room.
Fortunately, both of them became simultaneously aware of how awkward the situation had become in time to avoid further embarrassment. Both turned slightly away from each other.
“Zlotta,” said Zjokara, “I think we need a meeting with the fleet captains. I suspect, Chran,” she inclined her head in his direction, “has military matters to discuss.”
; Chran nodded graciously, appreciative of the tactful way Zjokara diffused the tension.
“Thank you, Captain, and you are correct. We have much to discuss.” Chran indicated his daughter, who stood trying to suppress her laughter. “Cyrellia tells me our goals might be compatible.”
Zjokara giggled like a clutchling, attracting smiles and curious looks from all the bridge crew.
“I like...compatible goals,” she said, stifling a grin. “And I look forward to discussing them...further. But for now at least, follow me to the conference room. I assume you were referring to Sanctuary?”
Chran grinned. “Initially, yes. Let us discuss Sanctuary for now. We can discuss the other agenda...later.” They walked out the bridge door barely apart.
Jira/ Cyrellia and Zlotta followed close behind, giggling uncontrollably.
Chapter Thirty Nine
Brookhaven National Laboratory
US vice president Celia Alvarez smiled as she descended in the elevator. Level seventeen lit up on the display as the doors opened. Seventeen levels. Over five hundred feet of steel and concrete lay between her and the surface, and she replaced the smile with her ‘game face,’ as the faces of the greeting party turned in her direction.
Her secret service agents stepped forward, but she waved them back. It was time to squeeze some skin, even though the people before here were total non entities. Peons in the new world order she was about to beckon in.
Stephen, her head of security, brushed the back of her hand as he let her go forward. This prearranged signal caused a flutter in her stomach, and elsewhere. Stephen, along with the rest of her four strong security team, belonged to her; truly belonged. Weeks ago, her master offered their souls to her, and she spent a week in her home with them, using them. The pain they endured, the depravity they shared, bonded them to her. They were her subjects, the first of millions, trillions if her master could be believed. And everything he told her so far had come to pass.
Worlds of the Never: A book with Dragons, Faeries and Elves, mixed with Science Fiction and Time Travel, for Young Adults and Teens. (Tales of the Neverwar 2) Page 15
