The names were in alphabetical order. Altair, Botein, Corvus. Corvus caught her eye. Birdee’s last name was Corvus. Her eyes scanned the rest of the names, several of which she knew. Furud, Migel’s last name, stared up at her. Suki’s last name Menkar also made the list. She felt she couldn’t read fast enough. At the very bottom, her heart dropped. Vernalis. Jonah Vernalis.
She stared at the screen, dreading the information she’d find. Each name gave basic information. Name, offense against the Priestess, and the result. It also listed children, and any information on them. She clicked on the Corvus name.
Wildee Corvus, openly fought against Priestess’s rule. Killed a Defense solder. Executed for treason.
Raven Corvus: Wife, executed in front of Wildee. Wildee executed after.
Birdee Corvus: Daughter, volunteered as a Defense Soldier. Currently training in Priestess’s Defense facility. Specializing in tracking. Loyal to the Priestess.
Lena’s heart dropped. Poor Birdee. She ached for her friend and somehow felt closer to her. No wonder she wanted to help Lena. They’d both lost their parents to the Priestess. One thing Lena knew for sure, Birdee definitely was not loyal to the Priestess. Slowly she made her way down the list. Most names bore a similar fate as Birdee’s. She wondered how many shared Birdee’s feeling toward the Priestess.
It didn’t take long for Lena to realize that a handful of the people on this list had children here in this facility, including Corgy, Corgy Rana as well as her partner in Physical Combat, Jenna Sadr.
“Corgy,” Lena said, sending him sliding in his wheeled chair towards her. “Have you seen this list the Captain gave me?”
“Umm, I was given instruction it was for your eyes only.” He wouldn’t look at her, and he fiddled with the edge of his jacket.
Lena knew he had read it. Still, she placed her hand calmly on his shoulder.
“Please don’t tell,” he started rambling. “I just thought if I read it, I’d be able to help you better. I didn’t know it was about the recruits.” He kept talking not catching his breath. “I swear, I won’t use the information against them. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything about them. I know I could use it to turn other recruits against them and better my standing, but I won’t. I swear it.”
“Corgy, I’m not going to tell on you. Why would the Captain want me to have this information?”
Corgy blushed. “I figured with your and the Captains relationship...”
“Our relationship?” Lena raised her eyes at Corgy.
He fidgeted even more, and his blush deepened. “Well, I guess the Captain just wanted to help increase your standing among the recruits. The more information you hold over others, the higher your status is.” Not looking at her, he slid his chair back to his work station.
Lena bit her lower lip and continued looking though the list. This wasn’t a list of those Lena could control. It contained names of recruits who were like her. The more she read, the more hope grew inside her. She ached to find them. Some were already here. Then she reached Jonah’s name. Jonah’s story didn’t fit with the others.
Noah Vernalis: supposed member of the Cimmerian resistant group. Cleared and found loyal to the Priestess.
“Humm now that’s interesting,” Lena whispered to herself.
Merina Vernalis: Wife, known Cimmerian spy. Captured at International Space Port trying to illegally leave planet. Executed for treason.
Coral Vernalis: Daugher, servant in the Priestess’ court.
Jonah Vernalis: Son, recently returned from off planet to volunteer in Priestess’s Defenses.
Jonah’s father was the only one cleared and found loyal to the Priestess. All the others’ parents had died.
A hand passed over Lena’s face, switching off her holo screen.
“I think you’ve had enough for today,” Gideon said. Lena looked around Gideon to see Corgy exiting the room. “Find anything interesting?”
“Who are the Cimmerians? I’ve never heard of them.”
“They were a group resistant to the Priestess’s rule but also against the main resistance as well. Their goal was to set up a government run world.”
“Did they fight with the Resistance?”
“Only while their goals to defeat the Priestess were the same. As soon as it appeared the Priestess was winning they went into hiding. Most sought refuge on other planets. Those who were caught traded either information or their children to the Priestess in return for their freedom. The rest were executed.”
“Wait, Jonah was traded for his fathers freedom?” Lena’s stomach felt sick.
“He and his sister were traded.” Gideon’s coarse words rang with unsaid accusation. “If there are any active members still, they’d give a lot for you, even if they don’t know why the Priestess searches for you.”
“You think Jonah’s an active member?” Lena questioned with probing eyes.
“I don’t know. I’ve been looking into it. There is no information on Jonah before he joined the Defense. We need to start being more cautious with him.”
“I trust Jonah, Gideon.”
“I’m not saying he’s not a good guy. I’m not saying he is either. His words bordered on bitter as he stepped away from the screen. “Come on. The day is over. And believe it or not, I’m just as tired as you.”
He did look tired. His shoulders slumped slightly and his eyes, ringed with dark circles, were bloodshot.
Taking that as her cue to leave, she painfully rose from the swivel seat and walked toward the door. Turning back toward Gideon she saw him pushing in chairs and turning off consoles. “Gid,” she began. He stopped and looked at her. “Why are you giving me all this information?”
He stood taller. “To show you what happens to people who fight the Priestess. Not only them but their families.”
“You’re trying to scare me,” Lena stated.
“Inform you,” Gideon countered. “You can’t win against her, Lena. Don’t think about trying.”
Lena watched him a second longer before turning and walking toward the exit. The door slid open, revealing Jonah leaning against the opposite wall.
“You look horrible,” Jonah said as the door slid shut between them and Gideon. He straightened and took a step towards her.
“Just the words I wanted to hear.”
“I mean really horrible. I heard through the grapevine about your day, but man.”
“Okay, I get it. I look horrible. If it helps any, I feel horrible too.” Her words were sharp and fierce and for a moment she wished for Jonah to leave.
“Oh, man, I’m sorry Lena. I don’t think sometimes. I think you need some air. Do you think you can get us to the roof?”
“If I can move that far,” she said leading Jonah to the servant’s stairs to the roof.
Reaching their rooftop retreat, they walked to the edge and sat down. Jonah propped himself against an air return. Lena leaned her back against his chest. Neither talked as they watched the stars appear in the sky. Lena kept thinking of the information she had read on Jonah’s family. She wanted to just ask him about it, but she didn’t know how.
Jonah lightly stroked Lena’s arm with one hand, and she felt herself relaxing. “It’s so peaceful out here,” he said, lightly placing a kiss on the side of her head.
“I could do this every night,” Lena added as goose bumps covered her arms.
Sinking further against him, she became very aware of Jonah’s breath across her cheek. Her heart pounded as she turned her head to get a better look at him. The look in his eye caused her breath to catch. He reached her face and brushed the loose hairs behind her ear. His hand slipped to her neck. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine. Leaning in slowly, his lips brushed against hers. Pulling back, he studied her reaction. She blushed.
“I definitely could do this every night,” Jonah teased. Untangling his legs from hers, he stood, pulling her up with him. His arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her in closer. He slid
his hands up her back. His eyes searched hers. Leaning down he kissed her again. This time he didn’t pull away.
Even as she kissed him, Lena could get the information about his family being Cimmerians out of her mind. She broke the kiss. Wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, she rested her cheek against his chest. She liked Jonah. A lot. She loved how he made her laugh and feel safe. The fact his family were Cimmerians was probably nothing. Everyone has secrets.
He kissed the top of her head.
“We should get back,” Lena said. She slipped her hand into his and looked into the night sky.
“So tomorrow then?” he asked hopefully.
“Oh, I have to spend my off day with the Captain, remember?”
Jonah sighed, “How could I have forgotten? You shouldn’t be gone all day though. Let’s do something after.”
“The Captain says we’re going somewhere to do some off campus training or something, and that I won’t be here the whole weekend.”
Jonah’s mood dampened rapidly. “Really, off campus training? Are you sure you’re safe with him?”
“I think Gideon is getting me away from campus for a reason. If Nagar comes looking for me, I won’t be here.”
“Ya, but he won’t either. Doesn’t that just make it more obvious?”
“Gideon is sure that Nagar won’t act without proof,” Lena affirmed.
“Do you trust the Captain?” Jonah asked.
Lena searched her feelings. Gideon had shot her and hidden her. He had made her a soldier. But somehow, the Priestess still hadn’t found her. Did she trust Gideon? She took a deep breath and looked toward the sky. Shrugging her shoulders she pulled away from Jonah. “I’m trying to,” was all she could manage to say.
Jonah nodded. Hand in hand they slowly made their way back to the barracks.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Early the next morning, Lena tip-toed through her room, and grabbed the pile of clothes and supplies she thought she’d need for her training exercise with Gideon. Birdee lay sound asleep on her bunk and Lena didn’t want to wake her, especially after their late night gossiping about Jonah. She dressed in her camouflage cargo pants and black tank. Tucking the necklace under her shirt she grabbed her outdoor camo jacket and slid out the door, her arms full of supplies. Birdee rolled toward her at the sound of the door opening but didn’t wake up. As the door slid shut, Lena ran right into Jonah.
Reaching his arms toward her waist, he pulled her into a deep kiss. “That is worth being awake for,” Jonah said.
“What ill deed are you up to this morning?” Lena said, pulling away but giving him a flirty smile. She put her supplies on the ground outside the door.
WIth mischievous grin, he held his hand in a fist in front of him. “Well believe it or not, I couldn’t seem to sleep last night, so I made you something.” Opening his hand, he held a carved star. Its ivory colored surface reflected the hall’s light, the top carved to look like the galaxy surrounding the facility. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes grew big. She gawked, not daring to touch it. “I meant to put it on a necklace or something but didn’t have time. Plus I saw you had a chain already.” He pointed to the chain visible above her tank’s collar.
“It’s perfect, Jonah. Wow, I had no idea you could even do something like this.” Carefully taking it out of his hand, she looked at it in her own. “Jonah I love it. It’ll be my good luck charm. Thank you, Jonah,” she said as she slipped it into her pocket.
“Be safe while you’re away, okay.” Concern filled his eyes. “Know I’ll be back here, painfully pining away for you,” he said with a smirk. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her toward him. Leaning into her, he kissed her again.
“Recruit Lena.” Lena jumped back at Gideon’s deep voice. How long had he watched them? “Time to move out,” he said, his eyes screaming chastisement. “Put your stuff in this,” he said with a gruff voice while throwing a backcountry backpack at her.
Catching it, she fumbled with the ties and latches. Lena glanced at Gideon, who had leaned against the wall, arms folded with an impatient look on his face.
“Give me a break. I’ve never packed one of these before.”
Raising one eyebrow, Gideon grabbed her pack and within minutes packed it to perfection. Signaling Lena to turn around, he threw it on her back. Reaching both arms around her waist, he secured it in place. Finished with her pack, he stepped away. Lena let out her breath, noticing for the first time that she had held it while he stood so close.
She looked to Jonah, who stood watching the scene, his jaw clenched as he scowled in the direction of the Captain.
“See you soon Jonah.” Walking towards him, she grabbed his hand giving it a quick squeeze before it slipped through her fingers.
Turning around, with her pack clinging to her back, she looked towards her Captain. He glared at Jonah. Jonah glared at him.
Lena cleared her throat.
“Let’s move out,” Gideon announced as he adjusted his own pack.
Following Gideon down the hall, she turned around and whispered a goodbye to Jonah. He stood tensely, glaring at Gideon, but he relaxed and smiled when he noticed Lena’s goodbye.
Following Gideon through the halls, Lena’s curiosity grew as to their destination. Getting to the doors leading from the facility, Gideon turned grabbed her arm and removed the cuff. “You won’t be needing this anymore,” he said. She followed him through the gates toward the edge of the coloring forest. Their feet swooshed and crunched through the dried grasses surrounding the compound.
The tree’s colorful leaves clung to their branches before floating to the dark ground. The gnarled trunks and twisting branches grew thick around them as they made their way further into the forest. The rising sun seeped through any opening it found, streaking the forest in an eerie sort of beauty. Thick roots clawed at Lena’s feet, making it difficult to find footing. They followed no trail, yet Gideon walked with unquestioned confidence.
“I’m surprised you’ve never been here before,” Gideon spoke for the first time since they had left the facility. He hiked a few steps ahead of her, but turned his head to look at her as he walked.
“Surprised I’ve never been here, or surprised I’ve never run away?” she answered, as she lifted a branch to walk under.
He laughed and shook his head. “I know you could have done it.” He eyed her with curiosity. “Why didn’t you?”
Lena walked a few more steps then sat down on a fallen log and took out her water. “I wanted to. For a long time, actually. I’d listen in on classes and map out in my head the places I’d go and how I’d get there. The people who might help me.”
“So what happened?”
“Thora caught on to what I was doing. She convinced me that hiding wasn’t the way I wanted to live the rest of my life. Here in the facility, I could learn so that one day, when the time was right, I wouldn’t have to hide anymore.”
“What would you be doing if not hiding?”
“I’d be fighting.” Not waiting for him to respond, she closed her water bottle, stood, and started walking again.
Gideon fell in step behind her, not responding to her answer but not keeping quiet either.
As lunchtime approached, Gideon showed her foliage that seconded as food. They grabbed the different kinds and ate as they walked. The further away from the compound they traveled, the more relaxed Gideon became. His eyes became clear and his manner of speaking more animated. He came so close to resembling his old self that Lena wished it to be true.
As evening came, Lena remembered Jonah’s gift. Pulling it out of her pocket she rubbed her fingers over the carved surface. She examined it closer. Ivory colored, its carved edges formed a star. Its intricate etching on top left Lena in awe. How he made each individual star in such detail amazed her.
“I saw Jonah give you that. What is it?” Gideon said, jumping over a stream. He reached across to help Lena over.
“Oh, ya, he um, carved this for me last night
,” she answered. Avoiding Gideon’s outreached hand, she jumped over the water by herself.
“May I?” he asked. Redirecting his stretched out hand, he motioned for the star.
Lena handed it over, accidently brushing his hand with her fingers. The jolt of emotion she felt in his touch shocked her and she yanked her hand away. Looking anywhere but at him, she started walking again.
Examining it carefully, he handed it back, then said, “It’s beautiful. So, what’s with you and Jonah?”
Lena’s hands started to sweat, and she picked at a frayed thread on her jacket. “I don’t really know,” she answered.
“I saw you kissing him.”
Blushing, Lena looked away. “Ya, I figured you saw.”
“Lena, I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but be careful of Jonah. You don’t know who he is.”
Immediately Lena’s defenses went up, “We all have secrets, Gid.”
“Ya, well do you know his? Eves, I’m not saying he isn’t a nice guy. He has done a lot to protect you.”
“Then what is your problem, Gid?”
“Lena, I don’t mean to be rude or ruin your little girl romance, but Jonah is not what he seems. I showed you the information on his family, and after some more research into his family, something doesn’t add up. You talk about me playing you as a pawn, but you fail to ask yourself about him. You still don’t see the danger in front of you.”
Coming to an opening in the trees, Gideon slowed his step and stopped at the edge of a clearing. Coming up beside him, Lena gasped. A beautiful lake sat peacefully among the brightly painted leaves. Its reflective surface was the perfect mirror for the orange sun that sank behind the trees. Not remembering ever seeing anything so beautiful, she dropped her pack and ran to the edge of the water. Smiling wider and breathing more freely, she lifted her hands in the air and twirled, looking into the burning sky above.
Gideon laughed. It was deep and hearty and, most importantly, happy. Looking at Lena, he dropped his pack and joined her at the edge of the lake. Grabbing a stone, he skipped it across the silent water, making a perfect ripple.
The Mir Chronicles- The Complete Series Page 14
