Disorder (The Stellar Series Book 2)
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Disorder
Book Two of The Stellar Series
Rebecca Clark
Contents
Untitled
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Acknowledgments
About the Author
DISORDER
Cover Design by MadHat
Editor Maggie Dallen
© 2016 by Rebecca Clark
Cover design © 2016 by MadHat Books
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Created with Vellum
This book is for Brody
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
~Buddha
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Prologue
Kalus
The moment I snuck away from the commotion in Aurora, I knew I was in trouble. Jax was doing such a great job pulling the beings together in solidarity of what must be done to save our kind. Luckily, I was able to escape without anyone noticing. My overwhelming determination to win back Alexa's trust and love would certainly be questioned by the beings from the Magna Galaxy, the ones I'd sworn to protect with my very life. The beings have always been my first priority but now I have my girls to think about. My two daughters live here, so in a sense I am fighting for them as well as all the other beings. I need to make my efforts clear to all. I'm still a fighter. I'm going to fix things, but first I need to set things straight with Alexa and Miri.
Panic courses through me thinking about what Alexa would do if she knew I snuck away from Aurora. Once the girls left the meeting I had to make a quick trip to see him. If she knew how much I haven't told her…. It's not that I don't want to, but the prophecy states I can't. If I do, then the series of events that need to happen may not, and the darkness in the galaxy may never be stopped.
This is the second time I've returned to Tribus after the massacre led by my own wife. I shiver, remembering the bloodshed. The poor lives lost because of her, the queen. How did I not know the being I fell in love with was a monster? My unconditional love for her helped fuel her rage and power. I would like to solely blame her for the war, but I blame myself as well. If I had ended her life, the beings of Tribus would still be alive and well.
The illumination from the orange moons allows me to survey the overgrown vegetation. Unfortunately, it's a sign that life here is scarce or nonexistent. This trip, which has turned into a desolate trek, is my worst nightmare. How can he stay here and be reminded of the family he once had? Guilt washes through me making it hard to breathe.
The silence splinters, catching me by surprise. "What're you doing here, Kalus?" His bark, a typical response to my presence, rattles me. I'm finding it hard to approach him, let alone trust him to do the right thing. Especially since my two daughters are involved.
"I'm here because it's time."
His back stiffens and his fists clench. Slowly, he swings his gaze in my direction, and his black orbs spear a hole right through me, almost leaving me gutless.
I've fought in many battles protecting the Magna Galaxy, and in each one, I was confident of both my abilities and my strength. Something about this being unnerves me. If I had a choice I wouldn't be here, but for the wellbeing of both of my daughters, it's necessary and for the galaxy's future, this is inevitable.
"It's time?" He sharpens his glare and moves toward me. His pale, almost translucent skin sparkles in the dim light. I lean my head back so I can meet his intimidating stare. My body tenses as his head hovers a foot above me.
I continue pretending I'm not uncomfortable. "Yes, Alexa is in the galaxy. We're ready for your help. As the prophecy goes, she needs you. Or better yet, you need her." He shifts his weight from foot to foot. The subtle swaying motion intrigues me. What an odd being.
"We must go. Does she know I'm coming? Have you told her about me?" his voice cracks.
"No, I have not. She's not really talking to me right now. She's a little caught up in the fact that I left her as a child." I'm not sure why I so easily reveal this, but the truth comes out of my mouth without a moment's hesitation.
"She should be happy she's alive. She sounds ungrateful. I would do anything to have my family back," he mutters.
"She's not ungrateful. There's so much she doesn't know, it's hard for her to see the big picture. Honestly, she really has no idea. I am to blame for that. I should've told her sooner about her birthright. I want her safe, away from all of this." I take in a deep breath and hold it. Slowly, I release the pent-up air burning my lungs.
"If the prophecy is correct, then she will fulfill it and lead us all to a peaceful existence. However, if the darkness in the galaxy is too great, then that peaceful existence may be a pipe dream that died a long time ago."
"Ry, we as a galaxy can't exist like this anymore. We have to move forward and gain control over everything that has been lost. We need to believe. Your planet isn't the only one that's been destroyed. I'm so sorry for everything you've lost, but we must carry on." I wait for him to reply with an excuse as to why he won't help us.
"You don't think I want to move forward, Kalus? Of course I do, but it hurts so much. Every day I wonder, why was I spared?" His gaze falls to the ground as he clenches his jaw.
"All I know is that the entire galaxy depends on you now. What you do with that is up to you," I say, knowing that he's a being worthy of saving us all. Without him, my daughter could be in grave danger, especially if the queen sinks her claws into her. "I need to get back before they realize I'm not in Aurora. My daughters can't wake to find me gone, especially after the rally we participated in tonight."
"Let's go then," Ry whispers. "It's a good thing we have the fastest ship available, how did you sneak this out of Aurora?"
"Come on, Ry, I'm old school militia. You don't think I have my own resources?"
We both smirk and move toward the spacecraft in silence.
Chapter One
Jax pulls me up by placing his arms under mine and lifting me. My head is still foggy from the body-paralyzing spell, but unfortunately, that doesn't hide the reality of what's happened. I brought Miri back to Kasper's to rest. I remember feeling tired and lying down after I tucked her in to bed.
She was taken. It's been roughly fo
ur hours since she's been gone. I've had time to come out of the spell that was cast which was preventing me from protecting Miri.
Through the uncertainty, I realize the gravity of the situation—my little sister ripped away from me by my maniacal mother while I was unconscious from the spell. A stabbing pain shoots inside my chest. I'm sure it's a sign that my heart is shattering into a million pieces. My breathing stalls and a panic-stricken Jax pulls me in close and holds me. There are no words. How could this have happened right in front of me? "Could she still be here in Aurora?" I ask to anyone who might be listening. I watch as Jax, Kasper, and a few other beings rummage through the house.
I don't need to specify who 'she' is. We all know who took my sister. First, she kidnapped me using Michael, who I once thought of as a friend. Then she revealed a magical life that really doesn't exist. It's what she wanted me to see. Her plan was to use my abilities. It was never about connecting as a mother and daughter.
Why did I ever think she wasn't capable of such terror? While I was on the island she must have had an enchantment spell on me. It must have been that spell that prevented me from seeing exactly who she was. The monster I was warned about.
"Where's Kalus? Does he even know what happened?" I ask. I'm in shock that he's not by my side trying to find answers as to what's happened to Miri.
"I'm not sure, I've sent beings to look for him and no one has seen him."
Jax wearily scans the room. Before I can follow his gaze, Michael appears next to me, refusing to look at me—which is fine because the mere sight of him is making me sick. Obviously, he has something to do with my sister's abduction.
"I can't believe after everything that has happened, he has the gall to show up here," I growl. "Did you take her? Was this your plan?" My fists tighten and my fingernails dig into the palm of my hand. A warm sensation moves through my squeezed fingers. I'm sure I've cut myself. As I glare into his once-appealing brown eyes, I'm acutely aware that this is not the same boy. The boy I had feelings for is long gone.
Michael takes a step back. With his teeth clenched he replies, "No! I could never hurt Miri. You have my word." He begins to pace in the small space. "I love her like a little sister. I'm here because I want to help—I need to help. Things are too messed up now; I can never go back." Michael clears his throat and opens his mouth to continue, then closes it.
I scoff, "You expect me to believe you?" Michael backs away from me allowing me to regain some needed distance.
"Really, Michael. Do you expect Alexa to trust your word now?" Jax looks over at me with a furrowed brow. I suspect he's waiting for my head to explode. I know my face is a dark shade of red, but I can't help the emotions that flood through my body. The only true light in my life, my younger sister, was taken from me, literally in front of me. No one could lessen the feeling of guilt and anger, even if they tried.
Michael looks down at his hands, now curled into tight balls against his thighs. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but I am here to help." Slowly, Michael releases his fists, revealing a beautiful opalescent stone in his left hand.
"What's this?" I ask.
Before he could reply to my question, Kalus comes out of nowhere and springs forward to retrieve the stone. "This is the culprit. I had a feeling this powerful stone was the reason for the lack of Alexa's powers. Where did you find this?" Kalus roars sounding out of breath.
Slowly, Michael replies, "I took it from the queen's room while she was preoccupied with searching for Alexa and Miri. I'm not sure how it works. The only thing I'm sure of is that there is a spell connecting the rock to Alexa's powers and whoever has this in their possession wields Alexa's powers, not all of her powers but the majority. Perhaps this is the reason you didn't fear your mother." Michael draws in a deep breath and exhales sharply. "This is a peace offering. I can help you get Miri back if you can help me get my family back."
Jax stands tall and spits back, "Why do you think we would help you when you have been deceiving Alexa since day one?"
Michael always seems to be in the wrong place at the right time and something tells me there is more to his story. I need to keep an eye on him. It feels like only yesterday he was laughing with Miri about something one of the guards did. They both teased one another like any brother and sister would. Even though I'm not able to forget what he's put me through, I can't deny how grateful I am that they had each other on the island. I never would have met her if Michael hadn't followed his orders.
Before a brawl breaks out between Michael and Jax I respond, "We'll help you, Michael. But from here on out, you need to be nothing but honest with whatever we ask of you. If I find you're not, then there will be consequences." My voice trembles with fury, something I've never experienced before. I scare myself with thoughts of what I would do to the person that took Miri.
Michael's eyes widen and his mouth falls open. "Certainly, Alexa, anything to make this right. I know it'll be hard for you to believe me, but I hope someday you realize that I had no other option but to lie to you."
"I disagree—you could have come to me. I saw you every day at school and you said nothing. This could have been avoided!" My eyes begin to fill with tears, and before anyone can attempt to comfort me, I dash out of the room.
Nothing angers me more than feeling like I am being lied to or taken advantage of. I've been living my first seventeen years as someone I'm not. I refuse to continue living with blinders on.
The air whips my hair around as I step outside Kasper's house. Kasper's hospitality hasn't gone unnoticed. Since Elena, my Earth mother, sent him to rescue me from Pumalia he has been nothing but helpful. I know it's not because of me. I know his loyalty to Elena is what binds the two of us now. Someday I'll find a way to repay him.
Now I need to find Miri. I need to gain control of my powers so I can punish whoever took her. Makin's pale face flashes before me. My mother's evil sidekick. He carries out all her dirty work. First kidnaping me and now Miri. Then my mind drifts to my mother's wavy blonde hair and large purple eyes. Would she hurt Miri? Could she possibly be so wretched as everyone says she is? The kindness, or potential, I saw in her must have only been the spell clouding my mind.
"Wait up, Alexa!" The gravel crunches under Kalus' heavy footsteps as he makes a valiant effort to catch up to me. Clearly he can't he take a hint. I want to be alone. Let me guess…he's going to try to be the hero, save Miri, and be father of the year.
"I want to be alone," I insist with a sharpened glare.
"We need to talk, and waiting won't help anyone now. Not with Miri's kidnapping and the fact that we'll be facing the queen soon. This can't be put off any longer. I tried to give you space. I tried to leave you alone, but I can't. You are my daughter and the very reason I live every day."
I knew Kalus would play the doting-father card.
"Listen, Kalus, I know there are probably numerous reasons why you left me on Earth with Elena as a 'substitute' mother, but right now isn't the time to explain yourself or make amends. We need to focus on Miri and bringing her back here…or wherever." I haven't even thought about where we'll reside, but I am not going to hide from my mother, not anymore. She has already taken too much from me.
Kalus lets out an exaggerated breath. "You sound like your mother. You're so determined regardless of the consequences."
"How can you say that? You don't even know me!" How dare he pretend to know me or my inherited traits. Is that why he left me? Am I too much like her? "You left me, you weren't planning on coming back, and the only reason you are here is because she found me. You would have let me live my whole life thinking you were dead and that Elena was my real mother. What does that say about you?" My face warms and my body buzzes with emotion.
Silence fills the space between us. He opens his mouth to respond but nothing comes out. Kalus spins around and skulks off. He doesn't plead for my forgiveness. Instead he silently leaves me like I requested. Clearly I've won. He won't try and talk to me now, I think
in triumph. I'll show him I don't need him. A sense of sadness washes over me. Why was it so easy to send him away?
Moments pass, as I stand there watching my father walk away. The painful absence of Miri only grows, leaving me a ball of nerves.
"I need to keep moving." Within the first two steps I take back towards the forest I hear a male voice.
"Alexa, wait up!" Jax shouts.
"Sure." I tap my foot, anticipating a speech on how I need to give my father a chance.
"Where are you going?" He takes long strides toward me, which make my heart flutter. Quickly he catches up to me and runs his hands through his dark brown hair. "Would you like some company?" His aquamarine pools swallow me up whole. How could I ever say no to those eyes?
"I needed to get away from everyone. When I look at Kalus or Michael, I feel such anger. It's hard to decipher who my rage is aimed at, or for what reason—since there are so many." Tears trickle down my face and land on my shirt. Fear and frustration made the words tumble out of my mouth. "Am I this mad because my father left me and has now shown up to fix things? Or am I mad because I didn't see through Michael's lies and now Miri is gone? I can't help but wonder if I would have stayed with my mother, the queen, then Miri might be safe with me this minute." Tears trickle down my face and land on my shirt.
"I get it. I'd be angry, too. I think you're dealing with everything the way anyone would. No one expects you to be understanding with everything that has happened." Jax grabs my hand and instant electricity pulses through me.
"Why does he try and talk to me then? He can't show up and expect to receive any best-daddy awards."
"I doubt he thinks that, Alexa. He's upset about Miri too, and he only wants to get her back and keep you both safe. Think about all this from his point of view. He left you with Elena to protect you from your mother. He didn't want to walk away from you, but he had no choice." The words cut through me, leaving me winded. "From what I hear, he was never very far from you. He's been on Earth following you for a number of years."