Marked Chaos

by Niki Livingston

  Excitement raced through me, and I grinned like one of the hyenas from Zoe Dawn’s picture books. “Zoe Dawn?”

  Silence greeted me, and my smile fell away from my face. I glared at Alex.

  “Keep talking,” Alex instructed. “What would you do if a strange object started talking to you? You have probably stunned her.”

  The thought of Zoe Dawn’s surprised face brought my smile back to mine. I leaned even closer, my whole body nearly hugging Alex’s arm. “Zoe Dawn, are you there?”

  A strange noise came from Alex’s arm. I stepped back in surprise. Covyn moved in closer, her eyes narrowing as she shoved Jako aside.

  “It is just the connection,” Alex said, nodding for me to continue.

  I looked at Dax, then Covyn, who nodded as well. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I leaned in once more. “Hold on, Zoe Dawn. We are coming.”

  It was silent again, and disappointment gripped my chest.

  “Kia Lynn, is that you?”

  My eyes widened. I bounced on my toes and yanked Alex’s arm closer. “Sister, I am here. I am coming for you!”

  Her face came into view, then was gone again. I needed to see her and know she was well.

  “Kia Lynn, you were hurt when I was taken from the mating ceremony. Are you better?” Zoe Dawn asked.

  “Yes, yes, I am better. There is so much to talk about,” I said, but my voice trailed off when I saw Covyn shaking her head with a warning look shooting from her eyes. “We will find you, Zoe Dawn.”

  “Who is ‘we’?” she asked. Her face was there again in the cloudy light above Alex’s wrist.

  “The people who are helping me,” I replied. “Don’t worry, sister, I will be there soon.”

  “How—”

  It was silent again, and Zoe Dawn’s face was gone from the light. I glanced at Alex.

  “What happened?”

  “I do not know,” she said, letting her arm fall to her side. She rubbed it as if it ached. “Now you know she is fine.” Her gaze drifted to Dax. “And you have all seen what I can do. Now what?”

  “We take you to Beck, and he will decide if we are to help you both,” Covyn replied with a smirk stretching across her face. “Witches, and most definitely anamans, are not usually welcomed in our clan, but he might make an exception to help Kia Lynn’s sister.”

  Alex shook her head as a heavy sigh escaped her lips. Dax shot her a quick look that she ignored. He wanted to protect her, which was a good sign. Later on, we might need his help. For now, I did not trust anyone, especially Alex.

  Speaking of protection, I glanced down at my leg with the burned rune. They said I was once bonded to Zoe Dawn, but they had broken it with the protection mark. It was also mentioned that she could not be activated, or it would bind me to this dimension. Activated to do what? And what in the world was a dimension? I had so many questions and no one around who could answer them.

  Alex walked with Dax, but she kept a few feet in between them at all times. Covyn fell back with me and Jako wandered off to the side, seeming to be in his own world.

  “I promise to help you no matter what is decided,” Covyn whispered, leaning over to me just enough so no one else would hear. “I would like to meet your Zoe Dawn.”

  A smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Covyn,” I replied. “She is quite remarkable. I bet you two will be quick friends.”

  Alex glanced back at me, then over at Jako and back at Dax, before facing forward again. She must be working on another plan of escape. The girl was wild and a talented fighter. I needed her more than ever now and could not chance her running.

  We walked in silence for what seemed forever, until Dax reached out and pulled Alex to a stop. The rest of us followed suit. Covyn turned toward me with a piece of fabric, which had been in her hair a moment before, gripped in her hands.

  “We must remove your sight before we enter our boundaries,” she said, holding up the fabric.

  I nodded, understanding. I pivoted on my heel and waited as she covered my eyes and tied the fabric behind my head. Her fingers entwined with mine, and she led me forward. I had to assume they had done the same with Alex, even though I’d heard no bickering or commotion. She must have done it willingly as well.

  “There are steps leading down. I will lead you all the way down, then I can remove the blinder.”

  Covyn seemed fierce, and being around the two men, she probably had to be, but her tenderness toward me showed me more about her character than any of her other actions.

  The steps were rocky and slanted. Alex squealed ahead of me. I gripped Covyn’s arm with my other hand.

  “I’ve got you, my phantom sorceress,” I heard Dax say to Alex.

  “Why does he call her that?” I asked Covyn.

  She snickered. “He is infatuated with the anaman girl. Believes her magic will change our lives for the better.”

  “Maybe it will,” I whispered in return.

  She didn’t reply, and I did not press her for more information. I could feel the moment we reached the end of the staircase as beneath my feet became sturdy again. Covyn turned me around and undid the cover.

  I gasped at the sight before me. It was similar to an ancient town I had seen in one of Zoe Dawn’s books. They must have dug it out from underneath the hundreds of seasons’ worth of dirt and filth, but each home was cleaned and intact. I could see where they had patched holes, fixed roofs, and covered broken windows, but for the most part, it was as if they had never been covered by the heaviness of the earth.

  “How did you do this?” I asked, looking at Covyn.

  “My people never allowed the years to go by without keeping this place protected from the elements. After the stars fell from the sky and the dust partially covered the sun, my ancestors hid in the mountain caves until it mostly cleared, then they slowly rebuilt their village.” She grinned and pulled me forward, just behind Dax and Alex. Jako had disappeared. “We protect this place with our lives.”

  I could not help but smile and laugh. Children ran freely on the ancient streets, playing as if no time had passed. Adults walked along paths that weaved in and out of large trees and greenery. How I wished my life had been like this.

  An older man approached us. His head was completely bald, showing off his dark skin. It was almost as dark as Zoe Dawn’s but darker than Jako’s. He smiled as he drew closer. I stood next to Alex and held her hand, which she thankfully did not yank away. Her expression was somber, maybe a little fearful. I squeezed her hand, and she shot me a tight-lipped smile.

  “Good day, ladies.” The man stopped a few feet in front of us. “My name is Beck, and I am the leader of these heathens. I am assuming they had a good reason to bring you to our lands.” He looked at Covyn and then back at Dax. “Am I correct?”

  “Yes, Beck,” Dax replied with a curt nod. “They need our help, but there is more to it, and I would like to discuss it in private.”

  “But first,” Covyn said, interrupting. She stepped forward and clasped her hands in front of her. “We have the parts you need, including the cloaking device Tatum was after.”

  Alex’s arm muscles tightened.

  “Marvelous,” Beck replied with a warm smile. “Please have Annie and her team assist you in retrieving those items.” He turned back toward Dax. “And you and I can speak in the church. Where is my son?”

  “Jako took off when we arrived,” Covyn said, flashing a quick look at Dax.

  That was a turn of events. I grimaced internally. As much as I disliked Jako and his arrogant attitude, there was no way I would create contention with the leader by maiming the keefie.

  Beck inhaled a deep breath as his gaze settled on me. “And what is your name, my beautiful lady?”

  “Kia Lynn,” I replied, forcing a fake smile. I already did not trust the man, just like Jako, but I needed him to trust me.

  “You and your friend may join Dax and myself inside the church while we sort all of this out.” He held out his hand.
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  I internally rolled my eyes before I pulled Alex toward the older man. Then with my free hand, I took his outstretched one. Dax trailed after us.

  The church was also one of the ancients’ buildings. It loomed ahead of us, its yellowed steeple patched and mended, with a golden bell hanging at the top. It was just like I had imagined from the stories Mama would tell me.

  Inside, the benches were perfectly placed in rows. Beck beckoned for us to sit near the back.

  “I will send someone out with food and water. I am sure you are both famished.” His smile faded when he looked at Alex, then it quickly returned before he followed after Dax.

  I glanced over at Alex. Her arms were glowing with her swirly lines. “Can you control that? It is going to spook these people.”

  “Does it look like I can control it?” She shivered as she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them.

  Her pack had been set next to mine on the bench, and I craned my neck to peek inside, but a crash from the back room brought us both to our feet. The yelling that followed was enough to convince me this had probably been a mistake.

  I met Alex’s gaze. She looked as frightened as I felt.

  She leaned closer to me, brushing my hair out of my face. “I told you this was not a good idea.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The Truth

  ZOE DAWN

  My spirits soared. Kia Lynn knew where I was, and we would be together again soon. I fell back on my squishy, amazingly comfortable bed with a fresh new energy filling within me. My stomach rumbled, reminding me of where I was supposed to be. Aly was probably already in the cafeteria, waiting.

  I jumped from the bed. Now they would not have to retrieve Kia Lynn, as she was already on her way here. Excitement stirred inside me as I thought of telling Aly the good news.

  After racing down the hallway, I leapt onto the lift with so much zest, I nearly toppled into the wall. I laughed as I descended to the cafeteria floor. What a rush to know my sister would be joining me soon.

  There were several others in the cafeteria, but Aly and Tiordan sat in the back of the room, away from most of the crowd. They were speaking in hushed tones to one another. As I approached, Aly leaned back in her chair, and Tiordan rose from his. He pulled out another chair next to him and waved for me to sit. They had already filled the table with every food and drink I could imagine.

  “I have news,” I said as I flopped into the seat. “I have spoken to Kia Lynn.”

  Aly sat up straight, and Tiordan swiveled to completely face me.

  “How were you able to speak to her?” Aly asked, pushing her plate of food away from her and resting her arms on the table.

  Smiling, I pulled the fresh fruit and bread closer to me and scooped what I wanted onto my plate. “I found an anaman device, and somehow it showed me Kia Lynn. I wasn’t able to learn enough before she disappeared.”

  Tiordan glanced at Aly, then back at me. His fingers ran across his short whiskers. “May I inspect this device?”

  “Absolutely,” I replied, shoving a bite of bread into my mouth. My brows raised in response to their expectant gazes. “But it is mine and does not leave my sight.”

  “Yes, of course,” he replied as he scooted his chair closer to mine.

  I reached back and tugged the object from the band of my trousers, then handed it to Tiordan. He hesitated for a moment before taking it. His fingers ran over the smooth surface. It was back in its closed position, now that I knew how to open it. There was a button right in the front, not that you can tell where the front was until you did open it, but I would never forget where it was located after knowing it was my connection to Kia Lynn.

  Tiordan turned it over, examining every inch of it. “How do you speak to Kia Lynn?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I opened it and then not too long after, she was speaking to me.” Reaching over my plate, I grabbed more food from the center of the table and scooped it on to my plate. My gaze met Aly’s, and I chuckled from her pursed lips. “I’m a growing girl. Do not give me those judgmental eyes.”

  “I am more concerned about the person who spoke with you on this,” Aly said, taking the anaman object from Tiordan. “How do you know it was Kia Lynn?”

  My annoyance flared as I chewed on another bite of food. I glared at Aly. “I saw her face. Only for a moment, but she was there.”

  “What if it was a ploy to gain your trust?” Tiordan asked. His fingers lightly tapped the table and a glaze had settled over his eyes as if part of his mind were a long ways away.

  I sighed. Rising from my chair, I leaned over to Aly and plucked the device from her grip. “What is it, Tiordan?” I asked, plopping back down in my chair.

  “It could be the very people who are tunneling through the earth to take you from us.” His eyes focused once again, and he turned his gaze to meet mine. “We must verify this is Kia Lynn. My vision of her and the anaman girl continues to fade in and out, but they appear to be in the same vicinity. If we can retrieve them in one trip, it would be ideal.”

  I shrugged. “I thought you would be delighted she was saving you the hassle, but if you know where they are, let’s go pick them up,” I replied, returning to my plate of food. “Now can I please finish my meal?”

  They both nodded as if I really needed their permission. They were not going to keep me from talking to Kia Lynn again, even if it meant I would have to leave their barrier to meet up with her myself.

  Maybe that was exactly what I would do.

  Tiordan excused himself soon afterward. I did not look up when he left, but I was positive he and Aly silently exchanged an agreement. When Aly scooted over to his chair and then patted me on the knee, I knew my suspicions were correct.

  “We must take the device to Malcolm,” she whispered, squeezing my knee as though the decision was already made.

  “Why?”

  “I do not understand these devices, but he does and so does Tiordan. The anaman, as you can see by the diverse faces in this place, play an intricate part in this plan. The ones who live here have made it clear that many of their kind do not see the importance of your bond with Mother Gaia.” She settled both her elbows on her knees and bowed her head. “I realize the way we took you and then dumped the fate of the world on your shoulders, was not the best strategy, but we are here now. I have given up everything for the chance to witness the union of the elementals and I will not allow a sneaky ploy to stop it now.”

  “I will only share this with him if he agrees to not take it from me.” I clutched the device like it were my child.

  She rose from her chair and held her hand out for me to take. “I cannot promise you that.”

  I reluctantly stood, avoiding Aly’s hand. As if he knew we were coming to find him, Malcolm strode into the cafeteria and headed straight for us. My heart sank into my stomach. The hardened look on his face told me Tiordan had spilled the beans.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” he said in greeting. His gaze took in our faces and landed on the device I still held in my hands. “And what might that be?”

  “It is mine,” I said, protectively folding it against my chest with both arms wrapped around it. “I found it before you abducted me from the mating ceremony.”

  “But what is it?” His eyes grew dark. He did not like me to defy him.

  “Can we go somewhere private to speak?” Aly asked, placing her hand on Malcolm’s bulging bicep.

  He flinched from her touch, never taking his eyes off me. “Yes, let’s speak in private. I have news from our guards who were sent to find the invading factions.”

  We followed him out of the cafeteria and onto the lift. Not too long afterward, we were standing in a large room that overlooked the sanctuary center where I had first seen the butterflies. My fingers trailed along the dark glass. It was like the window in my room but much larger. In my village, we used old plastic we had found from the ancients to cover our windows. What they used here was smooth and perfectly fl
at.

  “Are you ready to tell me what you have in your hands?” Malcolm asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  It was no use fighting him. I could not protect the device forever. I turned around and handed it to him. He turned the contraption around in his hands like Tiordan had done, examining all the edges, but then he smiled and walked to a large wooden table. He set the device on the table and pressed the invisible button. It opened much more gracefully than when I tossed it onto the bed. I glanced at him with amazement. Aly was correct; he did know these devices.

  “Someone has found a way to listen to you,” he murmured, running his fingers through his beard. “Did you know you were holding an anaman communication device?”

  No wonder the anaman girl and man had not made chase. They had a way to spy on me. I shook my head. “I just discovered what it was right before mid-meal.”

  “This one is far more sophisticated than any of the others I have seen. Only one other person has possessed technology this advanced, and she has not been seen in many spring seasons.” He tapped his fingers on the strange symbols, and we all watched as they lit up. “Who did you steal this from?”

  My gaze returned to the window. Disappointment wrenched at my heart. I was going to lose access to Kia Lynn. “I took it from an anaman ship that was hiding near my village. From outside, it could not be seen, but one day when I was exploring with Kia Lynn, they left a door open and I snuck inside.”

  “The one she speaks of was seen in our skies during the autumn season,” Aly explained to Malcolm. “Our Doyen agreed with their leaders that they could inhabit the lands south of our boundaries.”

  “The Doyen met with them? Why were we told they would skin us alive?” I asked, whirling around to look at Aly. I was tired of the deceit from everyone.

  “For your protection,” Aly said, raking her hands through her hair and then pulling it back and securing it behind her head. “Your mum was terrified of your adventurous spirit. We had to weave a story that would keep you from speaking with them.”