***
Alyssa lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Conflicting emotions battled for focus in the void of her numb mind. Anger at Kayn for killing the one good thing that had come from their illusion of a relationship, despair at the loss of a child she’d never get to know, and relief … that one surprised her.
Sebastian scooted up higher on the bed to cradle Alyssa’s head against his side. Jess lay down next to her, gently laying her arm across Alyssa’s ribs, avoiding her belly. Tears trickled from her eyes as Alyssa mourned the loss of her precious child, a child she’d grown to love but never had a chance to feel move inside her.
The three of them stayed like that until Alyssa dozed off. Vivid dreams of a glowing boy played through her restless mind. She chased the boy through wheat fields, coming close but never quite able to catch hold. She thrashed in her sleep, only settling when Sebastian’s deep voice soothed her troubled mind.
Hushed voices pulled Alyssa back to consciousness. Sebastian still sat in the bed with her, but Jess had moved to a nearby chair. Alyssa pulled Sebastian down, wrapping his arms around her. She squished her face into his chest, pulling in deep breaths of his musky, cinnamon scent.
“You okay, darlin’?”
“No, I’m not,” she said, her voice muffled in his shirt.
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Just be here, with me.”
“I’m here, darlin’ I’m not going anywhere.”
Alyssa searched her heart, waiting for the anger and despair to come flooding back, but nothing happened. Her entire being felt empty. Fatigue blanketed her body, the kind that sat in your bones and sapped away your will to live.
Ela came into the room, checking the monitors. Alyssa observed as the alien moved about mechanically, wondering about Ela and how she went against Kayn’s orders. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of Kayn. He’s evil. That’s the only possible explanation for what he did to me and our son.
“How long was I gone?” Do I really want to know?
“Kayn had you for two days, Aly. Two damn days!” Jess harbored enough anger for the both of them.
“How did you find me?” Alyssa’s gravelly voice had a touch of anger that had started to seep into her mind.
“Ela called Shar, and we came running.” Sebastian squeezed her hand.
“We were looking all over for you, Aly. Granny called us when you didn’t make it back from the grocery store. Marly asked around at all the stores until he found your bag of food on the ground.”
“Do they know I’m here?”
“Jordan called Ms. Willow. They know you’re safe.”
“Good. Are they going to come see me?”
“No, darlin’, they can’t come here.”
A flicker of panic rushed through her. “Why can’t they come here? Can’t you just go get Granny? Pick her up after dark or something?”
“It’s too risky, darlin’. Ms. Willow wants Kayn to believe she thinks you’re missing. She and the Johnsons are going to keep searching for you.”
“Oh... that sounds like a good plan, I guess,” Alyssa said, disappointed. “How will I see Granny then? Does she know about—” her voice hitched “—the baby?”
“Jordan told her everything, darlin’. He’s keeping her up to date, but it’s going to be a while before you see her, I’m afraid.”
Sigh. “I suppose I can just call her. That’ll have to be enough for now.”
“It’s going to be okay, Aly. We’ll get through this. We’re here for you.”
“How long was I unconscious? And why don’t I hurt anymore?”
Ela moved to the end of the bed, chart in hand. “You were unconscious for three days. Most of your injuries have healed and I believe you will have minimal physical scarring. I cannot say for the effect of possible emotional scarring.”
“How’s that possible? I could feel things falling out.” Ick!
“The Valene in your blood from the fetus allowed me to perform Yken’Sa.”
Alyssa flinched at Ela’s clinical tone when referring to her son. “What is Yken’Sa?”
“It is difficult to explain.” She flinched and glared at Alyssa, as if it pained her to share this secret. Maybe it does. “Yken’Sa is similar to Asen’Sha, but with different… psychic intentions. Szu’Kara cannot experience Asen’Sha as we do not react to Valene in the same way as other species. For us, it is natural healing. Valene extends our lifespans.”
“But I’m human… Valene is a drug your people use to create guided hallucinations. That’s how Kayn was able to control me when he…”
“My species can use Valene on each other to enhance healing. As you now have Valene flowing through your veins, you can receive the benefits as we do. It is not usually as effective, but I believe you are unique. You carried a child of the commander’s bloodline, which is more powerful than the rest of our species.”
“So, because I still have Valene in my body, you can drug me or heal me?”
“Szu’Kara can drug, heal, or harm you while you are still in this condition. As the Valene fades from your blood, you will begin to react in the manner all humans do.”
“How long will that take?”
“I cannot say. Again, you are unique. I will monitor your health in the meantime.” Ela hung the chart on the end of the bed. “I will return later.” She turned stiffly, walking out of the room with a dour expression.
“Is she okay?” Alyssa stared at the open doorway, not quite sure she cared at this point.
“It’s hard to tell,” Jess said, her voice still rough from crying. “She’s quite apathetic.”
“Ela helped us save you from the leader of her people.” Sebastian tucked a lock of hair behind Alyssa’s ear. “She basically committed treason against someone she’s been loyal to for hundreds of years. Her life’s been turned upside down, and I think she’s pretty torn up about it.”
“Oh, right. I feel terrible for her.” Yet another life wrecked by the evil commander.
“Don’t feel too bad, darlin’. I got to witness her fly into a rage after she brought you back from the brink of death for the third time, and then again, when she had to, uh, pronounce time of death. It was a sight to behold.” Sebastian’s face twitched, eyes wide with awe.
“Aly, you need to prepare yourself.”
Startled by Jess’ ominous statement, Alyssa clamped down on Sebastian’s arm, unsure if she could handle any more tragedy. “What for?”
“Things are pretty bad out there.” Jess frowned, fear wrinkling her forehead. “People are rioting and attacking Szu’Kara soldiers. Half the world is on fire with everyone burning up all the Plastin. Some are just setting their whole houses on fire. It’s scary.”
Sebastian stood up from the bed, sending a spike of panic through Alyssa’s chest. He went to a small television she hadn’t noticed before and flipped it on. A news broadcaster reported on the chaos that had ensued ever since the coalition’s televised statement so many days ago. Wow...
“What about Hamlin? And Granny? Are they safe? Is the town going to burn down?”
“Breathe, Aly. Granny’s fine. Marly burned all the Plastin stuff, which wasn’t much—”
“Yeah,” Alyssa murmured, “she prefers things that were made pre-alien arrival.”
“—and they’ve been careful about steering clear of the crazy stuff. Hamlin hasn’t had any riots, just people burning their belongings.”
“I guess that means the world believed us?”
Sebastian settled in behind Alyssa, wrapping his arms around her blessedly painless waist, and pulled her back to lean against his warm, inviting chest. The constricting hold of anxiety melted away with his touch.
“You guess right, darlin’.”
The End.
(For now…)
If you want to know how Bas came to find himself embroiled in his struggle with the Szu’Kara read:
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tter!
New Enemies
A Discordant Earth Series Prequel
“You can’t go, Bas. We need you.” Judith whined as four-year-old Jordan clung to her leg while peeking around the corner of the kitchen island.
“I have to go, Mom.” Bas dropped his head into his hands, elbows planted on the tabletop. “It’s a draft, they’ll come get me if I don’t show up.”
“No!” She slapped her hand down on the laminate countertop. “You will not leave us, Sebastian David Roberts! Jordy and I need you. He’s only four, he needs his brother.”
Bas stood, taking two halting steps towards his only family. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve got no choice.”
“Your father would’ve never left us!”
As if he’d been smacked on the cheek, Bas balked, his face flushed with anger. “Do you mean Jordy’s asshole father who left before he was born, or my father, who died in a bar brawl?” He scoffed. “He left us too, Mom. He practically lived at that bar!”
Jordan’s squalling cries were muffled as he buried his face in his mother’s long, patchwork skirt, his scruff of jet-black hair sticking up in ten different directions. Bas scrubbed his hand through his own shaggy, out-of-control black mop, squeezing his indigo eyes closed and biting his tongue. Nothing I can say will make this better…
Large, bright blue eyes pinned him in place as his haggard mother sniffled, pulling herself back together. “Fine. Go. We don’t need you. Jim will be here.”
With a sigh, Bas grabbed his backpack from the table, tossing it over his shoulder. “Whatever, Mom. Run to another useless jackass. I hope, for Jordy’s sake, this guy sticks around for a while.”
“He’ll stay with us. We can count on him to take care of us, even with his bad heart.”
“Yeah, well, he better live until I get back.”
“You come back to us, Bas.” Judith left her spot behind the island, dragging Jordan along beside her. “We love you, baby. Please, don’t die out there.”
“Wuv joo, Bas,” little Jordy muttered around a drool-covered finger.
***
New Enemies is available on Amazon.com or you can sign up for my newsletter to receive a FREE copy at:
www.MelonyParadise.com
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A tidbit about the author:
I’m just a laid-back chick with eccentric tastes who loves writing, reading, music, horror flicks, crafting, and unusual things.
A few words:
Thank you again to my amazing husband and sister for all your support and encouragement! Also, much appreciation to my friend Benjamin Phillips for editing an important scene and making it more powerful. His virtual red pen has improved my writing as much as my editor, Dave Arden. And, to my family, when I finally told the world I wrote a book, you were all so supportive and excited. Every word I write is backed by my love for my family and friends!
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Other Books by Melony Paradise
Series:
The Discordant Earth Series
The Interview (Prequel)
Broken
New Enemies (Prequel)
Unchained (Coming Soon!)
Vamp Tales
Along for the Ride (Coming Soon!)
Meet the Clan (Coming Soon!)
Broken: The Discordant Earth Series 1.0 Page 32
