Silence of Stars

by Holly J. Wood

  Krane’s face twisted in fury. “How dare you? You will both be sent to prison for such treason.”

  “Maybe.” Slade swallowed then straightened his shoulders in a show of defiance. “But not before everyone knows the truth. You trained me in secret. You said I had potential to become part of the elite force for Bahira, but you were using me the whole time. You wanted me to kill a Recruit at the Academy so you would have an excuse to shut it down.”

  Krane huffed a laugh. “What could I possibly care about a senseless little program like this?”

  “Perhaps to keep us from discovering your secret about the Lilthe,” Grace answered, stepping forward.

  Krane slowly turned to face her, pointing a bony finger. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I can tell you the Council will not tolerate wild accusations of one of its own members. You are forgetting that my father is Chancellor Krane. You will pay dearly for what you’re implying.”

  Grace smiled. “I think not. Because—as you said—a picture is much stronger evidence than mere words.” She clicked a button and the hologram with the superimposed pictures of Roth appeared.

  She tilted her head. “I sent some Freedom Fighters on a recon mission to Earth. They discovered that the Lilthe infiltrated Earth’s governments, forcing it into liability status—under your orders.” She stared Krane down. “I’m sure the Council will be most interested to hear how you’ve been handling foreign affairs, Lord Krane. Shall I continue?”

  Krane threw back his head and laughed, a low, dark hissing sound. “Congratulations, Lieutenant. You caught me.” He held up his hands. “But there’s still one point you left out. One of my favorites, in fact.” He turned to face me. “All of your light screens were also recording devices. It was a way for me to keep tabs on you—every second of every day.”

  I recoiled in horror and he clapped his hands together. “Surprise! Isn’t it marvelous? To know that this whole time you have been so intimately monitored.” His eyes traveled me up and down, causing a repulsive shiver along my spine.

  Rusty pulled me closer.

  Krane’s pink eyes glowed fiendishly. “I’ve discovered your secrets. I wanted you to know before you’re all destroyed. There is no place in the galaxy you can hide from Lord Krane.” He turned to Grace. “Lieutenant, it’s a pity you won’t be able to deliver your message to the Council. I’ll send them your regrets.”

  Before Grace could respond, Krane’s lips twisted into a snarl and red light shot out of his eyes like a laser beam. I screamed as Grace jumped to the side, just escaping the Light Kill.

  “Evacuate! Get everyone out!” she yelled over the screaming crowd.

  Krane laughed maniacally and aimed for her again.

  Gideon was at my side, shielding me with his body. Get somewhere safe and notify armed forces. I have to help her.

  I gripped his arms. “Be careful.”

  He turned to Rusty. “Get Lark out of here.” He gave me one final glance. I love you. Always.

  I reached after him as he darted off toward Krane, but he was instantly swallowed in the throng of people. Krane’s bodyguards were beating Recruits with clubs as Guardians tried to fight them off. Grace attempted to return the Light Kill from her place on the stage, but there were too many people in the way.

  “Come on, Lark.” Rusty grabbed me by the waist.

  I took his shoulders and stared into his eyes. “We have to help clear the way so Gideon and Grace can get to Krane.”

  Rusty looked at the mass of Recruits and nodded. “We need to take out the bodyguards.”

  I bit my lip. “They’re like super ninjas. How are we supposed to . . . ?” My voice trailed off as I spotted something shiny at the end of the rooftop—Krane’s airship. I turned to Rusty. “Get as many Recruits away as possible. I’ll take care of the guards.”

  Before he could protest, I fought through the crowd, searching for Skye. I spotted her turquoise gown. She was being attacked by one of the guards who had her around the waist as she struggled to get free. I kicked off my heels and ran as fast as I could, dodging fists and flailing kicks to reach her. Wishing I’d had more combat training, I decided to go for a choke hold from behind. But before I reached the guard, Farim came out of nowhere, leveling the guy with a solid punch to the face.

  I skidded to a stop and watched Skye wriggle free. I put a hand on my hip and turned to Farim. “Hey, I totally had that guy.”

  He smiled, his teeth white against his ebony skin. “My apologies. You can take the next guard.”

  “That’s okay—you look like you’re doing just fine.” I winked and turned to Skye. “I need your help.” I nodded to the airship.

  A grin lit her face as she blew back a strand of hair. “It’ll be just like old times.”

  We ran for the ship.

  Skye looked at me. “Are you sure you can handle this?”

  “No,” I said, a little breathless as I pumped my arms to propel me faster. “But it’s us or them.”

  “Like I said—just like old times.” She darted up the ramp of the empty ship and I followed on her heels, heading for the gun bay.

  “Make sure you have a clear shot before you pull the trigger,” she called, keying up the ship. We were airborne in a matter of seconds, hovering over the chaos on the dance floor.

  “There’s one—eight o’clock!” she yelled.

  “I see him!” My heart pounded as I stared through the scope at the guard. He was about to attack Nadia and I had a clear shot. I held my breath, ready to pull the trigger, but my fingers froze. All I could see was the Fury exploding.

  “Take the shot, Lark!” Skye ordered.

  The guard was closing in on Nadia. Any closer and I’d risk hitting her. I blew out a breath and pulled the trigger. A stream of laser gunfire shot out. The guard dropped to the ground. Nadia stared open-mouthed up at us.

  I wiped the sweat off my forehead, then screamed as the ship suddenly tilted on its side.

  “We’re getting return fire!” Skye called.

  The guards had stopped attacking Recruits and were firing at our ship. I aimed and took out two more of them before a loud explosion knocked me away from the gun controls. An alarm blared.

  Skye cursed. “We’re in trouble. They hit our hydraulics. Can you fire?”

  I aimed the gun at a guard and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. “I’ve got nothing,” I called. “We’d better land.”

  There was a long pause. “We can’t,” Skye’s voice was soft, but I somehow still heard it over the alarm. “Without the hydraulics we’re sitting ducks.”

  A cold sweat broke out over my lip as we were hit again. My heart thudded against my ribcage.

  We were going to die.

  I swallowed. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”

  Skye was silent for a few moments. “I’m sorry for hating you because of Gideon,” she answered.

  I snorted. “Sorry I hated you for being so pretty.”

  We both laughed and then fell silent as we watched the guards take aim. This was it. The seconds ticked in slow motion as I waited. A stream of white light shot out and hit one of the guards. My breath caught. Gideon was attacking with Light Kill! He took down four more guards before the other guards closed in. He was hopelessly outnumbered.

  “Gideon, run!” I pulled the trigger of my useless gun over and over trying to protect him. My heart stopped as he was hit and fell to the ground.

  “Gideon!” I screamed.

  Skye was screaming too, but I realized it was because we were falling. She aimed us over a group of guards. “Brace for impact!”

  There wasn’t time. All I could do was watch the ground coming with impossible speed.

  CHAPTER

  Forty

  I blinked my eyes open. There was a sound of distant screams. My screens were askew on my face. I tried to take them off, but couldn’t move my arm. Gingerly, I used my other arm and slipped
them off my face. It took me several seconds to understand what I was looking at. The gun bay windows were still intact. Brilliant lights shot back and forth outside the window. A dark shadow passed near the window. I heard Lord Krane’s slithering voice.

  “You’ve lost, Lieutenant. Look at all the lives you’ve wasted with your snooping. And now you’ll lose your own.”

  “It’s just you and me now, Krane,” Grace answered.

  I looked through the window to see her standing a few yards in front of Krane. Something warm and sticky dripped down my face. I reached a hand up and felt blood. Lots of it.

  Not far from Grace I saw Gideon on the ground. I covered my hand with my mouth as I remembered the moments before the crash.

  Gideon.

  Rage swelled inside me. Using all the force I had left, I inched my way to the gun. My vision blurred and I wiped blood away from my eyes, feeling dizzy as I kept my focus on Krane.

  “On the count of three,” he was saying.

  “One.”

  I grabbed the gun and pulled myself up to it.

  “Two.”

  I drew my face up to the scope and aimed at Krane’s chest.

  “Three!”

  I pulled back the trigger. Nothing happened. I shielded my eyes as red Light Kill exploded in front of me. After a few moments, everything was silent. When I opened my eyes; Krane was lifeless on the ground, with Slade standing over him. Grace knelt in a heap, her arm bleeding.

  Slade looked up and saw me in the gun bay. His eyes widened and he raised his hands slowly.

  I shook my head. “I won’t shoot,” my words were slurred. I let go of the gun and fell to the ground.

  “Lark!” Skye’s face hovered over me as I teetered on the edge of consciousness. After a moment, Slade appeared beside her.

  “We need the healers or she won’t make it,” Skye said.

  “Take me . . .” my voice sounded faraway. Slade bent down near my face and I swallowed, trying again. “Take me to Gideon.”

  Slade gently slid his arms beneath me and carried me out of the airship. I stared up at the brilliant array of stars, smiling as I realized I would see my dad soon. He was waiting for me somewhere up in those silent stars.

  Slade laid me next to Gideon. I turned to him, noticing the halting rise and fall of his chest which was covered in blood. I lifted my good hand and touched his face as a single tear slipped down the side of my cheek.

  Gideon, I love you. Always.

  My hand fell limp and everything went dark.

  CHAPTER

  Forty-One

  I awoke to the sound of humming. The tune was familiar. I turned my head against the pillow and saw Professor Atwood standing with his back to me.

  “Professor?” I croaked.

  He turned and his gray eyes twinkled. “You really are astonishing, Miss Taylor. After the wounds you sustained, I didn’t expect you to awaken for at least several more hours.”

  I touched my forehead, but there was no sign of the gash. I pulled my hand away and stared at it, realizing I was using the hand that had been broken.

  “We have excellent healers here.”

  I gasped, my heart kick-starting at the sound of Gideon’s voice. He smiled and stood from a chair in the corner of the room. He took my hand in his, streaming his light through me as my heart throbbed in disbelief.

  “You’re okay?” I tried to sit up, but he pressed me gently back down.

  “You are astonishing, but let’s not push our luck.” His sapphire eyes danced as he squeezed my hand. There was a new light in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

  “What about the others? Grace, and the Recruits? Is everyone all right?” I tried to look out the window to gauge what time it was, but the shades were pulled down.

  “Lieutenant Hardcastle is on Bahira,” Atwood said. “The Council has requested to meet with her to hear all of the facts regarding Lord Krane’s deceit. Your discovery of the Lilthe infiltration has led to the uncovering of dozens of planets used for Krane’s selfish purposes.” His bushy eyebrows furrowed. “It seems he searched for worlds with valuable resources, and when he found them, used the Lilthe to make the planets a liability.”

  “Treasures,” I whispered, giving an involuntary shudder as I realized how close I’d come to becoming part of his “collection.”

  “What was that?” Atwood asked.

  “Nothing.” I didn’t want to think about Krane ever again, but I had to know what happened. “Slade killed him, didn’t he?”

  Gideon nodded. “He saved Lieutenant Hardcastle and has been granted a pardon. But now that he’s been trained in Light Kill, he’s been ordered to leave the Academy and enlist in active Freedom Fighter duty.”

  I sighed. “I’m glad. I think Nadia was right—he really isn’t bad. Just misguided.” I frowned. “How is she doing?”

  “Fine,” Gideon said. “She, my mom, and Grandma Villy are all waiting anxiously for you to get better so you can come home.”

  “Home.” I repeated before grabbing his arm. “What about Earth? Have you made contact with my mom?”

  Atwood shifted.

  Gideon smiled and moved to the window. “You’ll be able to ask her yourself soon enough.” He drew back the shade.

  I gripped the sides of my hospital bed at the black void outside. “We’re in space?”

  He grinned. “You are officially a passenger of the Super Nova. We’re en route to Earth and should be docking in approximately,” he checked his cuff, “twenty-nine hours.”

  I caught my breath. “We?”

  One corner of his mouth lifted and he wound his hand through mine. “I’ve been given permission to come with you. Ordered, actually.”

  I glanced at Professor Atwood, who was the only other person in the room. He cleared his throat. “I’ll give the two of you some privacy.” He hobbled toward the door. It automatically slid open and he paused, speaking over his shoulder. “Miss Taylor, I’d like a word with you as soon as it’s convenient.” Without waiting for our answer, he left the room, the door sliding closed behind him.

  I turned to Gideon, my mind reeling. “How is it possible that you’re able to come with me?” The heart monitor connected to me began beeping as my heart raced. “With what happened at the ceremony, I was afraid—”

  He traced my cheek. “You need to calm down or they’ll send a healer in to check your blood pressure, and I’d much rather we be alone right now.”

  The look he gave me wasn’t helping my heart rate any. His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer. “You were right.”

  I tilted my head at the abrupt change in subject. “About what?”

  “There was light flowing through me.” He bent down and kissed me softly on the cheek.

  I swallowed, unable to speak at the thrill of his touch.

  Gideon chuckled and sank into the chair by my bed. “Ask me how I know.”

  I smiled, drinking in the sight of him as he took my hand. “How you know what?” I asked.

  “That I have light flowing through me.” He leaned over and placed a kiss on my earlobe.

  I shivered in delight. “How do you know?”

  He stilled, a breath away from my ear. “Because now I can feel your light too.”

  I gripped his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

  He pulled back. “Say something to me.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Gideon, is this some kind of game? Because you know I just sustained a semi-mortal head wound.”

  He chuckled, leaning close until I could feel his breath on my lips. “Not out loud.”

  My eyes widened and his lips curled up at the corners, revealing his dimple.

  I love you, I whispered.

  He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me softly as his light filled every corner of my soul.

  I love you too.

  I gasped and drew back, taking his face in my hands. “You heard
me?”

  He nodded, pressing his forehead to mine as his eyes glowed like diamonds. You’re mine, Lark. Mine forever.

  Tears fell unbidden as I pulled him to me, crushing his lips to mine. We kissed with fierce intensity, but there was no pain. My light matched his, flowing like fire in my blood. A delicious, living fire that I would never get my fill of.

  Gideon pulled away when the monitors went off again, both of us breathing hard.

  The door slid open moments before a middle-aged healer poked her head in. “Everything okay in here?” She looked at me closely, her forehead creasing in concern. “You are extremely flushed.”

  I bit back a smile. “I’m fine. Just excited to be healing so quickly. In fact,” I raised myself onto my elbows, “I’m doing so well I think we can remove the monitors now.”

  Gideon covered his mouth with a fist. Nice try.

  The healer narrowed her eyes, looking between us suspiciously. “I think we’ll leave them on for now. If they go off again, I’ll have to ask your Match to leave.” She gave Gideon a warning look before the door slid closed behind her.

  I turned to him. “My ‘Match’? She knows we’re Claimed?”

  He nodded. “Once a Claim is complete, anyone from Lior can tell. That’s what got us pardoned from going to prison.” He tilted his head. “Well, that and the fact that you uncovered a plot to take over the galaxy.”

  I shook my head. “I still don’t understand. I thought I Claimed you for the first time just moments ago.”

  He stroked my cheek. “You Claimed me before you fainted. It’s not supposed to be possible for someone from another world,” he shook his head, “but then, you’ve never been one to follow the rules.”

  I huffed a laugh and he grinned. “You really threw the Council for a loop. They finally decided to grant you dual citizenship on Lior and Earth. Which means you can go back to live with your mom, or on Lior. Grace said she’d love to train you as a Freedom Fighter if you stay, but I’ll go with you wherever you decide.” He lifted my hand and kissed it.