Raven's Sphere

by Melissa Koberlein

  The sobs I’d been holding at bay come fast and furious. My body trembles as I put my face in my hands, unable to stop.

  “I killed my family. They’re gone because of me. This is the first time I’ve ever said the words aloud, and it feels like I’m reliving it all over again.”

  Emery reaches for me.

  I flinch and pull away. How could anyone in their right mind care about someone like me, when I can barely stand myself?

  He’s persistent though. He grabs my heaving shoulders and draws me to him with a strength that’s surprising. I cry into his shoulder as he strokes my back and hair.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” he says. “You have to forgive yourself.”

  I lean back from him, and for the first time in I can’t remember how long, I speak from my heart. “I want to, but I can’t. If it weren’t for me, they’d still be alive. How can I ever forgive myself for that?”

  “You have to. It’s been long enough, and you have something else to live for now.”

  “What’s that?” I ask, wiping the tears from my face.

  “Me. Don’t forget that my family was murdered too.”

  He has a point. I take a deep breath. “But what if I’m cursed or something? If something were to happen to you…”

  “Everyone dies, Raven. You will. I will. Your Uncle Teagan and Cole will. There’s no way to stop that. All you can do is live each day doing what you believe is right. That’s all I’m asking you to do. Can you at least try?”

  I stare into his eyes, and my heart lifts ever so slightly. I wipe my nose on my sleeve like I used to when I was a kid and do my best to smile. “I can’t guarantee I’ll always be on the right side of things, but I’ll try my best.”

  “Good. Then it’s settled.” His eyes turn curious.

  “What? What are you thinking?”

  “What is prostitution?”

  I stare at him, shaking my head. “Huh?”

  “You mentioned it in your story.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry, prostitutes are people who have sex for money.”

  Emery nods slowly, as the meaning seeps into his twelve-year-old brain. “Hmm, like a job. I’ve never heard of such a thing. On Mythos, sex is…”

  I hold up my hand. “Let me stop you right there. I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, and I can tell when you’re about to say something inappropriate, and that says a lot coming from me.”

  He smirks, his eyes darting back and forth as who knows what kind of filthy thoughts float around his mind. “Fair enough.”

  I purse my lips at him. The sage is gone, and the twelve-year-old twerp is back. Dirty-minded kid.

  I stand. “Right. Enough of this emotional crap. What are we going to do to get out of here? More importantly, what will happen to the sphere?”

  Emery shrugs. “I’m not sure. But I’ve got a feeling that the sphere will take care of itself since I’m the only one who can touch it.”

  Interesting—the sphere taking care of itself. “Wait, are you saying that anyone who touches it will…”

  He looks thoughtful. “Well, I can’t be sure, but yeah, that’s my guess.”

  “That’s something in our favor.” I imagine the sphere frying one guard, in particular, to dust. I chuckle, wondering how many guards will touch it before they realize what they’re dealing with.

  Emery interrupts my thoughts. “Where do you think they’ve taken Cole?”

  15

  Betrayal

  Where have they taken Cole? I pace around the room, my arms crossed. What are they doing to him? Are they torturing him? Are we next? Before I get too worked up over the thought, something deep in the recesses of my mind tells me this isn’t the case. Cole’s attitude has been off ever since my uncle’s hangar. He’s nervous about something. I just can’t put my finger on what it might be.

  “Raven, please stop pacing like that. You’re making me nervous,” Emery says.

  I ignore him and hasten my pace. “Why isn’t Cole in here with us? I mean, we were caught together. It doesn’t make sense. If it were because I’m a woman, they would have put you with him. So, why?”

  Before he can respond, the door flies open. The female guard who dragged the douchey guard away comes into the cell.

  “The captain would like to see you,” she says to me, reaching for my arm.

  I flinch, pulling my arm out of her reach and point at Emery. “What about him?”

  “He stays here.”

  I crouch down in front of Emery and whisper, “No matter what happens, if they put the sphere back in your hands, use it.”

  He nods, and I stand and walk out of the cell with the guard.

  The passages on the ship are narrow, not leaving much room to turn on my captor. It doesn’t matter at this point anyway. I left Emery, and I have no idea where Cole is being held. The guard walks closely behind me, and my peripherals tell me she’s focused on my bottom half. I sway my hips a little for her. At least I know I can be distracting if I need to use that later.

  “Turn left,” she says.

  I follow her directions and end up at another door with a security keypad. The guard turns me to face the side wall so that I won’t see her entering the code. Piece of cake—I memorized tonal security keypads when I was a kid. My dad got me a practice device for my tenth birthday.

  The door opens, and the guard pushes me into the next room. This is the command center of the ship. There are navigation stations set up around the room. A man wearing a blue uniform is at a center console facing floor to ceiling clear panels displaying the stars and, in the distance, Cadmar. I knew that’s where we’re headed, but I’m not sure if I’m going to make it there alive.

  The man at the center console turns around to face me. He has a bunch of gold and red bars all over the shoulders, chest, and sleeves of his uniform. Although not much taller than me, he is a good degree older, his thin, tight mouth exuding a strict confidence. I glance down at the sidearm strapped to his waist. His serious expression tells me he’s not to be messed with. If my time comes, he won’t hesitate to kill me.

  “Miss Raven Nevar, your reputation precedes you. I’m Captain Kedo. You will be escorted back to Cadmar to face numerous charges against the Cadmarian people, all of which I’m sure you’re aware of.”

  I glance around, not acknowledging or denying his charges.

  “You may not be aware of this, but I knew your father. He was a great detective, at least for a Zetian. This is the reason I’m not calling judgment on you and sending you to execution.”

  Now my eyes meet his, my interest piqued. “You knew my father?”

  He moves forward until he’s a foot away from me. “Yes, he was a…friend of sorts. We traded information. You could say that I was his counterpart on Cadmar. His death was an incredible loss. He had a natural ability for our line of work. From what I hear, you share that talent.”

  I shrug. “I have some skills.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard. It’s a shame you waste them on cheating and stealing your way through life. But that is neither here nor there. I will turn you over to the Cadmarian law facility. They will judge you.”

  Ah, well at least I keep my life, for now. “What have you done with the man who was with me?”

  “Cole Mason, you mean?” he asks, trying to read me as I him in our analytical dance.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, he didn’t tell you, did he?” He motions to a guard standing along the back wall of the control center. “Please bring Cole Mason to the center.”

  Something slimy creeps into my mind like a snake, and it stinks of betrayal. When his eyes rest back on mine, I ask, “Tell me what?”

  “Let’s wait for Mr. Mason to get here, shall we?” He turns back to his helm facing the stars.

  Don’t jump to conclusions. Wait for Cole. Glancing around, with no one paying attention to me, I case the place like I was taught at the academy. There are three exits to this room—two at the back and one from the right
side. There are individual consoles surrounding the perimeter and four stations in the center. It looks as if the weapons control is on the right side, support systems on the left, and the center is for control of the ship’s navigation. There are about forty soldiers at work in this room alone. This won’t be counting the dozens more patrolling the rest of the ship. Even if I were to make a move, I’d still have to find the sphere and fight my way back to Emery. Maybe when Cole gets here, we can come up with a plan…

  The door to the right opens, and Cole, escorted by a guard, walks into the room. He’s still wearing his battle suit and appears unharmed but surprised to see me.

  “Captain Kedo, what’s she doing here?” Cole’s eyes shift back and forth, refusing to meet mine.

  Captain Kedo turns back to me. “Ah, Mr. Mason. Perhaps you should explain what your role in all this is to Miss Nevar.”

  My heart pounds in my ears and the hair on my forearms stand on end. I stare at Cole, willing his eyes to meet mine. “What’s he talking about?”

  Cole walks over to me. “Raven, if you would just let me explain. He was drunk, and I had never seen a Mythosian before. I didn’t know that you would get mixed up with the boy. How could I know that? If I did, I never would have…”

  I glare into his lying, cheating, no-good eyes and cut him off. “What in starfire did you do?”

  He stares right back at me, and the Cole I was starting to trust disappears before my eyes. Cold and calculating. “I did the same thing you would have done in my place. I found out a valuable piece of information and sold it to the highest bidder.”

  What? I rack my brain to fill in the gaps. Valuable piece of information?

  I inhale sharply, as the truth dawns on me. It was Cole in the bar on Cadmar. He was the one who talked to the exiled cleric from Mythos. He was the one that sold the information to the Cadmarian government.

  Cole is the reason that Cadmar attacked Mythos in search of the sphere, killing everyone Emery loved. And he’s been lying to me this whole time. From the moment he saw me with Emery, his plan was to turn us over to the Cadmarians.

  I narrow my eyes at him, my jaw set. Fine, you want an enemy Cole Mason, you got one. “What did they pay you for my capture?”

  Cole raises his hands in surrender. “Raven—”

  “Save it.” I close the distance between us, and he braces for the impact of my fist. Even though every fiber of my being wants to kick his ass and space bait him, I won’t give him that. “As long as I’m breathing, I will never forgive you, Cole Mason. Do you hear me? Never. You’re dead to me.”

  He reaches for my hand, but I bat it away.

  “Don’t touch me,” I say through tight lips, trying to control the vitriol threatening to spill over. I glance around at my hostile environment. Keep cool.

  “If you would just listen, I can explain. We never would have gotten off Verta Moon without them.”

  Oh, deep space without a suit! It’s worse than I thought. Fuck coolness. I grab him by the front of his battlesuit. “You nasty piece of space shit. You called them when Emery and I were outside the ship trying to save our asses. I can’t believe you. All this time and you were the real enemy. You’re nothing but a worthless traitor.”

  A guard grabs me from behind and pulls me away from him.

  Cole opens his mouth again, but I cut him off. “Fuck off, Cole. Not another word from you.”

  My mind whirls, and his betrayal stings more than I expected. I’d let my guard down with him. Why did I do that? Stupid. Really fucking stupid. I rub my temples, a dull headache forming. The room spins and my stomach roils. I blink back the spots forming before my eyes. If I don’t sit down soon, I’m going down in a heap on the floor.

  As if realizing my condition, Captain Kedo comes to my rescue. “Escort Miss Nevar back to her cell.”

  I turn blindly and allow the guard to take my arm, swaying side to side. Hold it together. Get back to the cell. Somewhere in the distance Cole’s voice lingers in the space between us, but I don’t care. The only thing that matters now is Emery.

  16

  Princess of Cadmar

  Three hours later, and without any thought other than my newfound hatred for vile, disgusting Cole, the ship sets down on Cadmar. Emery and I are led off the ship and sent to the Cadmarian consulate. A guard tells us to wait in a holding room. From here, we will probably be separated.

  I lean over and grasp his hand awkwardly, since my hands are shackled in front of me.

  “Emery, they may separate us. Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to come for you. No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to you.” I mean every word of it. At this point, I’d sell my soul to the highest bidder, along with the rest of me, if it meant keeping Emery safe.

  Starfire! Who am I, and what has happened to Raven?

  The door opens. We are released from our bonds and directed inside the governor’s office. The governor of Cadmar is a balding bloated toad who overindulges on sweets and pornograms. I should know—I’ve sold to him numerous times.

  But the governor isn’t waiting for us. Instead, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is sitting behind the desk. She’s wearing what I can only describe as a sleeveless gauze dress with a feminine chest plate, arm bands, and headband all made of gold studded with diamonds. I know without a doubt her finery is the real deal because I recognize her.

  She’s none other than Garren Geldian, Princess of Cadmar. I’ve never been in the presence of royalty before. On Zeta, we have a democracy, but here on Cadmar, it’s a monarchy with a penchant for imperialism.

  My heart rate picks up as she stands, revealing tight gold petite shorts beneath the see-through dress that hugs her fit body in all the right places. Word has it she’s highly versed in combat, especially with a retrofitted, antiquated crossbow. Wealthy Cadmarians, especially royalty, are some of the most dedicated aficionados of ancient weaponry from our ancestors on Earth. What’s more, she’s been the student of some of the best combat instructors, not just on Cadmar but in the galaxy. She’s someone to be feared, but I can’t help but want to spar with her to see what kind of heat she can bring.

  Knock it off! Quit fangirling, you space nugget!

  I try to clear my throat and find my voice, but I can’t seem to get enough moisture.

  The princess stares at us. Instead of speaking, she moves around the desk toward us, until she’s directly in front of me, our bodies less than a foot apart. She tilts her head, slightly, her piercing emerald eyes somehow seeing into my soul as if she can unfold my life and obliterate me totally with just that look.

  Damn, I can’t look away from her. She’s everything I’ve always imagined as perfection—a perfect toned body sculpted from years of physical training, almond-shaped eyes, and hair the color of wheat. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I twinged between my legs.

  “You’re Raven Nevar?” she asks, an eyebrow arched.

  “I am.” I’m breathless, and my heart is pounding so hard it echoes in my ears.

  “I didn’t think you would be attractive. Even with your strange sapphire hair, you’re…” She trails off, licking her bottom lip.

  Me, attractive? Well, if you say so, sexy. Then my conscience bitch-slaps my ego—Knock it off. Think about Emery. I take a cleansing breath and recover. “Garren Geldian, Princess of Cadmar. How do you do, Your Majesty?”

  “Yes, I am,” she says, not a single change in her facial expression. It’s like her face was carved out of stone, not one single pore to indicate her humanness. She turns her attention to Emery, and for just a moment, her sensual pink lips turn up in a small smile. “You must be Emery D’Grath. How old are you?”

  “I’m twelve, Your Majesty,” he replies shyly. He’s probably just as nervous as I am, if not more. I squeeze his hand in affirmation, and he squeezes back.

  Garren bends down in front of him so he towers over her. “Well then, you’re a young man, aren’t you? My name is Garren.”

  She extend
s her left hand toward him. Emery drops my hand to take hers. Smart, very smart of her. Separating us even now.

  “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Emery says.

  Garren smiles politely. “You’re too kind, but thank you.” She stands and leads him to a table filled with fruit, vegetables, and cheese. Cadmarians, for the most part, are strict vegetarians. They believe meat toxifies the body. “Sit down and eat. You must be starving,” she says, glancing back at me.

  I shrug and sigh. What? I feed him. He had cat food a few hours ago.

  Once Emery sits, Garren comes back to stand beside me. “What can you tell me about the sphere?”

  I glance over at her. “What sphere?”

  “Don’t play dumb. I could kill you where you stand in the blink of an eye, and that’s with my bare hands. Just answer the question.” Her eyes are unmoving, transfixed on Emery. I can’t get a read on whether she’s serious. Better play safe.

  “The sphere is Emery’s. He’s the only one who can touch it.”

  “I’ve gathered as much. I’ve already lost five guards who’ve come in contact with it. What else do you know?”

  “Just that anyone who tries to hurt him dies.” I lean toward her, with just a slight edge to my voice.

  Garren, as if snapping out of her trance, turns to me. She studies my face, as if it were a window into my soul. “You care for the boy. That’s charming. But what I really want to know is why can only Emery wield the sphere?”

  I don’t know the answer to her question, but this conversation isn’t about what I know. This is about making sure Emery stays safe. It’s also an opportunity to jab at her for killing all those innocent people. “Only the clerics on Mythos can use the sphere.”

  Garren, still eyeing my every movement, considers what I’ve said. She turns back toward Emery. He’s scarfing down all the cheese and ignoring the fruit and vegetables. It makes me smile. Atta boy. When she turns back to me, a faint hint of resignation crosses her face. She’s made a decision.