The Descendant: Baltin Trilogy (Book 1)

by Melissa Riddell

  Kodiak brings his stupid little cat toy and begs to play fetch. His antics while he scrambles to catch it before it gets too far makes me happy, and I feel my heart lightening.

  Granny waltzes in not ten minutes later. “Good morning, Dear. I’m glad to see you’re still here, and Jareth’s in one piece.”

  I lounge in one of the chairs of the sitting room, with my disobedient dog trying to cram his big butt on my lap. “Hey, you’re too big. We don’t both fit in the chair. You can’t be a lapdog, goober.”

  His eyes give me a you’re an asshole look before he settles at my feet.

  “Well, him being in one piece is a relative statement.” I look her in the eyes. “I punched him in the nose last night.” I’m not sure if she’s going to call the guard or do some other crazy shit, and I really don’t care.

  Instead of anger, she laughs, her voice a raucous murder of crows. “Oh my, I wish I’d seen that. The boy could use a punch in the nose every so often, but most people are too scared to try it.”

  The shock must show on my face, because she moves forward and takes my hand, pulling me to stand. “Come, I brought you something.” She hands me a small, cylindrical package. “Let’s take a walk, shall we?”

  Like I have a choice, Granny Evil?

  She programs a coffee from the food dispenser in the kitchen, and we head outside, down the hall of robots. Knowing they can kill with one strike of electricity sends a prickle across my shoulders when we pass.

  I wonder again about Sparky, and realize I miss the damn idiot. Is he now a mindless drone, set to carry out the will of his makers? The thought’s depressing.

  Kodiak follows behind, as if he’s always lived onboard a spaceship.

  Two robots leave their formation and trail me.

  Don’t worry, I won’t try to run away or kick granny’s ass today. Now, if a certain prince comes my way, I can’t say the same.

  Eva hands the steaming mug of coffee to me.

  When I open the package, a yellow, rolled pastry greets me. It smells like nutmeg, sugar, and cinnamon. The middle holds a lemony cream cheese.

  She pats my shoulder. “I ordered that just for you. The programmed food is tolerable, but nothing beats the real thing.”

  When I step into the lift, she smiles. “Greenhouse.”

  The faint hum kicks in. The ride is silent, and I inhale the coffee and pastry, licking every crumb off my fingers before I remember I’m doing it in front of someone who’s royalty. I must look like a heathen to these assholes. This causes a satisfying smile to twist my mouth.

  The doors open, and she steps out. Kodiak and I follow, along with the guards.

  There’s another hall with a door at the end. When we enter, I gasp.

  Inside the room is the largest ceiling I’ve ever seen. It spans hundreds of feet into the air and stretches out of sight. Darkness lies beyond the clear dome. Rows of light hang from the ceiling at even intervals.

  Before me is a lush, green oasis. A clear river meanders through short green grass, each bank surrounded by trees resembling palms, yet twice as tall as any tropical trees I’ve come across. Ornate bridges cross the stream, and birds fly overhead, flitting from tree to tree. Their songs are cheery, musical, and remind me of the jungle.

  Eva leads me across a narrow bridge to head deeper into the green foliage. Bright blue and red flowers line the pathway, and several benches sit throughout the winding walk.

  I can’t quit staring. “What is this place? It’s gorgeous.”

  A grin softens her wrinkles. “It is, isn’t it? Farther back, we grow entire crops dedicated for food and research, but the front is for relaxation. We call it the greenhouse in English.” She moves to a seat and sits, motioning me to do the same.

  Several couples stroll along the path, bending at the waist when they pass Eva. Every Baltin glances my way but refuses to meet my stare. They wear clothing that appears formal and stiff. No long coats like Jareth’s family, but the men wear red or black uniforms with various insignia on the lapels. None are the flame or starburst design I’m familiar with. The women wear similar uniforms, or long, flowing garments of solid neutral colors, a cross between dresses and jumpsuits.

  Birds continue to dive and swoop, their bright bodies contrasting with the dark of space above. A small star, way off in the distance, twinkles through the clear, curved barrier that separates the greenhouse from the nothingness of space.

  The thought of being on a starship, with nothing to ground me, causes a trickle of weakness and fear to stab before I can repress it. I can only deal with one situation at a time. Just pretend you’re in a building and stop looking up. Easier said than done.

  Kodiak runs to an area of dirt and bushes, scratches, and takes a crap.

  Horror and amusement slam into me, and I glance at granny’s face, wondering what I should do. “Kodiak—”

  “It’s fine, dear. He won’t hurt anything. This place takes care of itself.” She twists her bosom in my direction. “I want you to see the side of us that’s capable of beauty, of love. Not all Baltins are raging killers, intent on domination. Some of us believe in the sanctity of life.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.” I sound petulant, but it’s exactly how I feel. “How dare you try to tell me you’re capable of love and kindness, not after what you guys did.”

  She taps a finger to her lips. “In human history, is mankind’s hands clean?”

  I lift a shoulder and lean into the metal bench.

  Kodiak chases a pink butterfly, twisting in the air and jaws closing on nothing. The insect flies higher, just out of his reach.

  Of course, Granny likes to talk and continues. “No, humans have killed their own, from slavery, the Trail of Tears, to Nazi prison camps, North Korea, Syria, Russia, and China. I can go on and on, and this is just your recent history.”

  “What’s your point, Grandma?”

  She wipes a spot on her armrest. “Just because these things happened, doesn’t mean everyone on your planet wanted them to happen. Eventually, the atrocities came to light for what they were and dealt with. Baltins and humans are more alike than you think.”

  My eyes track Kodiak again. He’s now moved to a flower bed. When he reaches the border, he jumps into it and begins digging, flowers and soil flying from between his back legs. One of the walking Baltin couples give him a wide berth and a horrified grimace.

  I give granny a smirk. “I doubt we’re much alike. Humanity didn’t exterminate our entire species. We didn’t steal a planet.”

  “Oh, but you did, or might as well have. How many countries and cultures have you destroyed, or assimilated, in the name of civilization and progress? Each culture believing in their ethnocentricity and imposing its beliefs on others. How much pollution and climate crisis did you create? How many animal species did you obliterate?”

  She has an irritating knack for reason, but I’m not admitting anything.

  The chirp of a cricket starts from a nearby bush, and the river gurgles with a gentle hiccup. This place would be soothing if I didn’t have Eva here to be a Debby Downer.

  “And, our DNA is similar. We’ve perfected the mutations, but Humans and Baltins are still compatible sexually.”

  I cough, and fire leaps to my face. My hands grip the hair at the side of my head, and I jump to a standing position. “Okay, Granny, stop. I don’t need to hear anything else.”

  A throaty chuckle issues and she clucks her tongue. “I’m just saying, when the time comes, you and Jareth—”

  My hands block my ears, and I want to stab my eardrums so I can’t hear anything else she says. “Shut the hell up, Grandma.”

  “Oh, do sit down. Stop being so dramatic.” She pats the bench.

  How can someone so nice be so evil?

  I lower myself, terror fighting with humor at what else might come out of her uncensored mouth.

  “Has he tried to make you something? If not, don’t let him. His construction skills are dreadful.” />
  The recta-poly door from the cave comes to mind, and I can’t stop a smile. “Yeah, I kind of figured that out. My dog destroyed his door when we first met.”

  Eva grabs my upper arm and moves her head into my space. “Well, if he ever asks to build you a house, politely decline. Otherwise, you’ll be homeless in a week when the building collapses on your head.”

  A loud giggle pours forth before I remember I shouldn’t like this woman. She’s my enemy. I snap my mouth shut.

  She lifts her plump body from the bench and starts for the door. “Follow me, Tilly. I want to show you one more thing.”

  “For the love of God, Granny, please don’t let it be a sex-ed video about human and Baltin anatomy.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Granny Eva takes me to another level. When I leave the lift, I find myself in a square room, lined with more robots and humanoid Baltin guards. The walls are displays inundated with scrawling information and schematics that fly across the screens. The amount of data is dizzying, and not for the first time, I wish I could read the language.

  She smooths her coat before she addresses the audience. “Good morning, gentlemen.”

  When she approaches two metal doors, one of the guards, dressed in a red, military uniform, blocks her path. The man carries a long weapon, like a spear with the tip wrapped in shifting purple electricity, to block the door.

  He appraises me with a cool stare. “Not her or the”—his mouth sneers—“dog. Governess’s orders.”

  Granny walks right up to the man, her fleshy body to his tall, muscled frame. “Don’t you take that tone with me. I remember swatting your little ass when you were ten for stealing glimpses of the girls in their bathrooms when all of you were in training. And when you were thirteen, I remember catching you wanking off—”

  A snort sounds in the room, and the guard standing on the opposite side of the door smiles before blanking his expression.

  The chastised man moves his weapon with a quick jerk and speaks to her in that strange language.

  “That’s what I thought. Now open the door.”

  He holds his hand to a control pad in the wall, and the doors slide open. His words are hasty. “Sorry for the confusion.”

  She reaches up to pat his cheek, and he swallows, face glowing crimson.

  Go Granny. I’m starting to like this evil old woman.

  She sniffs and nods her head when the door closes. “Men. Even across the universe, they still try to push women around. Never give them an inch, Tilly, or they’ll take a mile.”

  Walking down a long, metallic corridor, the hall opens, and I see people sitting at terminals or standing on discs. Visual readouts project holographic images at the stations. Some of the crew wear visors over their eyes and move gloved hands to swipe at virtual images of the triangular ship and the solar system. When Eva passes their stations, several follow the procession with guarded faces.

  The back of a chair rests in the middle of the spacious room. Before the seat is an enormous window that looks out into space.

  One soft, polished boot dangles over the side of the chair. Long, deft fingers drum a beat on the black coat that covers the knee.

  Fucking, evil granny. I should’ve known she wouldn’t keep her nose out of my business.

  “Jareth, Love, I brought you a guest. Perhaps you’d like to show her the recharge?”

  In slow motion, the chair swivels in my direction.

  I want to crawl and hide. Instead, I stand and stare like the idiot I am. “No. He doesn’t.”

  We’re about ten feet apart, and I can’t read his eyes. His chin rests in a hand, as if he couldn’t be more bored if he tried. A lazy grin curves those seductive lips. He drops the leg down and stands. The silver and red threads of the embroidered starburst on his coat catch the light and wink.

  “What an excellent idea.” He steps forward, kisses his grandmother’s cheek, then turns to me.

  Granny Evil smiles, winks, and heads out the entrance.

  I’m sure my eyes are wide when turning to face my nemesis, my misery, and my heartache.

  Amusement flickers on his lips, and his eyes dance. “Tilly Morgan, how would you like to fly into the sun?”

  “W-what?” My mouth slams closed when I remember we have an audience.

  His eyebrow lifts, and he takes my hand. “Come, you’ll have a front row seat.” He pulls me along.

  “Are you being serious? The ship is really going to fly into the sun?” That squeaky sound enters my voice, and I try to calm my nerves.

  “As serious as a punch in the nose.” His tongue darts out to lick his top lip.

  Blood rushes to my face.

  The others in the room glance in my direction when Jareth’s not looking. Their faces range from mild disgust to outright hostility. I guess they don’t like the idea of a human and her mangy mutt in their command room, bridge, or whatever the hell this is.

  He takes my elbow and steers me several steps to stand at the front of the room. Only the clear barrier separates me from space.

  “Head in.” His words, clipped and firm, sets the crew in motion.

  There’s a slight lurch under my feet, then the sun appears, small in the distance. Fascination—and fear—collide and push on my chest at the idea of flying into the ball of fire.

  Kodiak moves to sit in front of my legs, head erect and ears straight.

  One of the crew speaks in the Baltin language.

  Jareth nods his head in response, not bothering to glance behind his shoulder.

  The ship moves so fast that the sun, at first a small dot, now flares before the entire screen, waves of yellow and orange gases swirling and coalescing into space. Pain from the bright light causes me to squint for relief.

  “This is one of the most amazing, terrifying things I’ve ever seen.” I slide closer to his chest, sure I’m about to burst into flames.

  He snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me to his body. “It is beautiful, isn’t it? Sometimes, I forget how stunning the universe can be, especially when seen through new eyes.”

  Panic starts to creep in, both from his touch and the glowing ball of death before the ship. “Are you sure this is safe?” I’m not sure which danger I’m asking about—the nearness of his body or the bright fire capable of incinerating the ship. Both have the power to create—and destroy.

  Jareth’s head tilts to rest on the top of my hair, and his tantalizing scent slips over me like a second skin.

  “You’re always safe with me, Red,” he whispers. “Didn’t I tell you I’d never let you die?”

  “Um, I nearly died from laser holes in my body.” I shove my elbow into his ribs, and he grunts. “And you’re also the biggest liar I’ve ever known.”

  “After last night”—clenching his fingers around my waist, his voice growls–“I’m beginning to wonder if this is some sort of foreplay you’re initiating.”

  Red shoots through my vision, but I don’t have a chance to retort, because we’re inside the sun. The light on the bridge is so bright, it’s painful.

  “Jesus.” Throwing my arm up to shield my eyes, I turn away and reach for Kodiak. Turning his head, I want to make sure he’s not staring into the star and ruining his retinas.

  “What the fuck?” The jackass is trying to blind my dog and me. “Are you nuts? Why am I asking?”

  Jareth issues a command in his language, and the light assaulting my eyelids dims enough for a peek.

  Now many shades darker inside the bridge, I lower my forearm.

  “Better?”

  I nod, at a loss for words. It looks like the ship is swimming in a sea of fire and gas. Large ribbons of light reach out and caress the screen when the craft shoots through the corona.

  “Is this what you meant by recharge? Do you use the sun’s energy?”

  “Something like that. We use the plasma for a lot of things.” He points to an area at the side of the screen. “Outside, where you can’t see, are collectin
g vessels. When they’re full, we’ll return to Earth’s orbit.”

  Kodiak wags his tail and looks at Jareth.

  He reaches a hand to cuddle the dog’s head and ears. “We also use solar energy, but the plasma is something we collect on a periodic basis for other needs.”

  “Oh.” His explanation is a blatant reminder of how far apart he and I are.

  Two people from completely different worlds—one the predator, the other the prey—who can never have a relationship. Even if I could find the grace to forgive him and his people for their wanton killing, the vast gaps between both species are more far-reaching than I can ever comprehend.

  His hand keeps me glued to his side, and both he and I bask in the sun’s breathtaking radiance.

  Quiet murmurs and tapping fills the large room when the crew inputs commands.

  I’d give my right pinkie to know what they think about their Prince slumming with a little human and a dog, right here in the open. Even better, what if they knew I punched him in the face last night?

  A sound from behind breaks my thoughts. Footsteps, walking with a quick, decisive stride, march in our direction.

  Jareth turns, forcing me to spin, also.

  Oh goody. It’s the blonde bitch, also known as Mommie Dearest. This ought to be interesting.

  She speaks but doesn’t take her tight eyes from my face. The only word I can make out is Jareth.

  “In English, Mother. Don’t be rude to my guest.”

  Her ageless face looks like it’s about to spit toxins at his words, but she slams a pleasant mask back into place. “Very well. Is it a clever idea to be seen in public with”—she rakes a cool stare over my body—“your guest?”

  I wonder if he can sense my discomfort, because he pulls me closer and squeezes. “To be frank, I don’t really give a damn. I got what I wanted, you got what you wanted, and the Council’s happy. What they think about my personal life is none of their business, or yours, for that matter.”

  She performs a small bow. “Of course, I was only posing a question.”

  A long, elegant hand reaches in my direction. “Come, Tilly, I’d like to have a word, if Prince Averon will allow it.”