“Maggie!” Commander Sylvan took a step toward her and so did Far but Becca kept a firm grip on his hand.
“Don’t,” she said in a low voice. “Don’t break contact, Far. It’s not safe.”
“Stay back. Maggie is mine again and this time I’m not letting her go,” Donald announced in a high, cracked voice.
“Be reasonable, man,” Sylvan growled. “She’s mated to another male.”
“Oh, you mean that idiot, Kor?” Donald sneered. “Don’t worry about him—he’s out of the picture. I made sure of that myself.”
At this, Maggie began to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Donald shot him,” she whispered. “Please—he’s in that little room with the main vent, lying on the floor. Don’t worry about me—go to Kor.” She looked pleadingly at Sylvan. “You’re a doctor, right? Please, go help him.”
Sylvan looked torn with indecision. “I can’t leave you here with him,” he said, nodding at Donald.
“If you don’t Kor will die! Please, go to him!” Maggie’s face was streaming with tears now.
“Yes, by all means, go to him,” Donald mocked. “See if you can save him though I doubt it—this little weapon packs a big punch.” He caressed Maggie’s trembling cheek with the thin silver barrel and giggled.
Commander Sylvan still looked torn but Far nodded at him.
“Go,” he said tightly. “We’ve got this.”
Sylvan nodded shortly. “Just try to keep him occupied,” he murmured in a low voice, meant for Far and Becca’s ears alone. “I’ve already bespoken my brother, Baird. He knows what to do.”
He turned and ran for the Unmated Males area where more and more of the transformed Kindred had started to wander out of the barracks type buildings they lived in.
No, not transformed—possessed, Becca realized feeling sick. They’ve been taken over by something alien…something evil. Somehow the demons Donald says he brought with him are finding their way inside the warriors' bodies. And it has to do with the dust.
The dust which was currently drifting further and further out from the Unmated Males area and into the parkland where they were standing. Becca felt a sense of urgency that flooded her with adrenaline. They had to do something—had to go get Truth before it was too late. She felt in her bones that he was in terrible danger. But how could they leave with Maggie being held hostage by her crazy ex-fiancé?
Have to do something now. Becca had an idea but it would mean getting Far to follow her lead. She cast him a sidelong glance and squeezed his fingers. He nodded slightly and squeezed back. Reassured, she took a deep breath and stepped forward, still keeping hold of his hand.
“Donald, right?” she said, trying to smile at Maggie’s psychotic ex. “Look, I can see you and Maggie are, uh, together now but she’s probably cold.”
She gestured at the half-naked, shivering girl who was wearing nothing more than a thin t-shirt she must have thrown on before she rushed out the door to find her man. Under it she appeared to be wearing some weird golden chain contraption attached to her nipples but Becca chose not to notice that. She had to defuse this situation and get to Truth before it was too late. If it wasn’t already.
“So what if she’s cold? I’ll warm her up.” Donald gave a high pitched laugh that sounded more like a scream. “I was never very interested in coitus before but since I’ve been keeping company with demons, I find it interests me a great deal. I guess you could say some of their more extreme appetites have rubbed off on me.”
He kissed Maggie’s wet cheek lingeringly, licking away her tears with a grayish tongue.
Gray? His tongue is gray? Becca looked at him wide-eyed. This creature bore almost no resemblance to the neat, fussy man she had met just a few weeks ago. He looked deranged, ragged and…she caught a whiff of something awful and wrinkled her nose. And rotten—he smelled freaking rotten. No wonder because the arm wrapped around Maggie’s neck appeared to be just that—literally rotting away to show bone under the gray, putrefying flesh.
Becca fought not to gag. She had to stay in control—had to keep calm.
“You may not care if she’s cold but I know you don’t want other guys looking at your woman,” she said, having a sudden inspiration. “I mean, look at her—you can see everything.”
“You, ah, certainly can.” Far cleared his throat and looked pointedly away, playing along with Becca.
Donald frowned and looked down at the trembling Maggie.
“I see your point. She is dressed in a most…suggestive manner,” he muttered.
“Here…” Becca began to shrug out of the cream silk robe she was wearing. It left her wearing only her knee length nightgown but that was more than poor Maggie had on. “Look,” she said softly, holding up her free hand, the one not holding onto Far. “I’m no threat to you. Just let me put this around her shoulders. Okay?”
She took a step forward and though Donald frowned, he made no move to stop her. Becca took another step forward carefully. This was the part she didn’t like—she was going to have to let go of Far’s hand. And she couldn’t quiet the feeling that when she did he was going to be vulnerable to the fine black dust which was drifting closer and closer like an ominous cloud.
“Far, baby—hold your breath as long as you can,” she murmured for his ears alone. She heard him inhale, then she dropped his hand and stepped forward, holding out the cream silk robe to Maggie. “Here,” she said to Donald. “If you’ll just let go for a minute so I can cover her up…”
“Don’t try anything,” he muttered, but he loosened his grip on Maggie’s neck and for a moment, the muzzle of the silver weapon he was pointing at her head wavered.
It was the moment Becca had been hoping for. She grabbed Maggie’s wrist and yanked her out of the way. At the same time, she threw the silk robe at Donald’s face.
He shouted and fired but the blast went wide and the silk robe wrapped neatly around his head. Couldn’t have done that better if I practiced! Becca thought, feeling a surge of delighted surprise.
“Far,” she shouted. “Get him!”
Before the words left her lips, another blast of energy zipped past her head and the silk robe suddenly had a black hole burned into the middle of it.
Donald gave one anguished howl which changed to a sickening wet gurgle. The black hole in the gown obscuring his face went red at the edges and then the crimson stain began to spread. Donald dropped to his knees, his weapon falling from nerveless fingers. In what seemed like slow motion to Becca’s heightened senses, he slumped slowly over to one side and collapsed on the ground.
Becca bit her lip. “Mother of God, help him,” she whispered through numb lips. “Is he…?”
Keeping his weapon pointed at the supine figure, Far stepped forward and kicked the shiny silver gun Donald had dropped away. Then he stooped and lifted the ruined robe.
“Dead,” he said quietly, his lips tight, his face white. He looked up at Becca. “I don’t like killing. Even when it’s necessary.”
Becca felt her heart surge. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. Beside her, Maggie began to cry again.
“This is my fault. I should have known, should have seen…”
“How could you know he would do something like this?” Becca demanded, making an effort to pull herself together. “Don’t start blaming yourself—right now we just need to get out of here. Or you do, anyway—we have to find Truth.” She looked at Far. “Don’t we?”
Far had a strange expression on his face.
“I…I…”
“Far?” Becca was concerned. The dust had reached them now—most of it was still in the Unmated Males area but it was reaching out, swirling in the air currents, spreading like a disease. She could see it settling like black specs on Far’s pale skin.
“…Becca…mi’now…” Far was clearly struggling to get the words out. His features contorted, almost as though he was fighting something.
No, not something—someone, Becca realized.
Something that’s trying to take over him.
“Far!” Lunging forward, she grabbed his hand, entwining their fingers firmly. “Stay here,” she said, peering into his face anxiously. “Stay here with me.”
His face cleared and he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you. That was…I could feel something trying to…to get in, somehow.”
“Don’t talk about it.” Becca’s heart was cold with fear. “The same thing might be happening to Truth—we have to get to him.” She looked at Maggie. “Are you all right? I’m sorry I don’t have anything else to give you to wear.”
“That’s all right.” Maggie took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, a look of determination coming over her face. “I’m going to help Commander Sylvan with Kor.”
“You can’t!” Becca said at once. She nodded at the Unmated Males area where more and more red-eyed possessed Kindred were appearing. “You can’t go back in there—it’s not safe!”
“I don’t care,” Maggie insisted. “I have to go to him. I—”
“What’s happening? Sylvan said there was trouble.”
To Becca’s relief, Commander Baird suddenly appeared, surrounded by half a dozen armed warriors. He was holding a weapon and the silver wire of a Thinkme glinted in his thick black hair.
“Commander, we believe there is some kind of mass possession going on,” Far told him. “Maggie’s former fiancé, the human called Donald, said something about some kind of demonic spirits.” He looked at Baird sharply. “Are any of your guards unmated?”
Baird gave a quick scan of his men and shook his head. “No—why do you ask?”
“Only unmated Kindred are affected,” Becca said quickly. “We don’t know why but it seems to have to do with the dust.”
“That’s what Sylvan said—contain the dust,” Baird muttered.
“Contain it? But how?” Becca demanded.
“We have measures in place to seal off the Unmated Males area but Sylvan’s still in there—at least he was last time he bespoke me.”
“He went to get Kor. I need to go too,” Maggie said, lifting her chin. “I have to be with him—I have to.”
Baird shook his head. “Too dangerous. Let me bespeak Sylvan and see what he says.” He closed his eyes briefly and a look of concentration came over his face. “Oh good—he’s coming out.” He motioned to two of his guards. “Cover me—I’m going to help him with Kor.”
He ran forward with two of his guards at his heels.
Hurry! Becca wanted to shout. Through the dust, she could see that the possessed Kindred, who had previously been milling around, were now moving with more purpose. Their eyes were glowing brighter red and they were gathering together. Worse, there were more of them emerging from the barracks every minute.
They’re going to mobilize soon, she thought, panic rising in her throat. And then…who knows what will happen? Are the Kindred prepared to fight against their own kind? To kill their own warriors and brothers even if their actions aren’t their fault because they’re possessed?
Luckily, the milling warriors still seemed a little confused, as though the beings inside them were still getting used to their new bodies. She watched as Sylvan and Baird ran out, dragging the unconscious form of Kor between them. Maggie gave a cry and ran to meet them. When they were a safe distance from the Unmated Males area, Baird shouted,
“Raise the shield.”
At this, several of the possessed Kindred lifted their heads, like dogs catching a scent. Growling angrily, they began to surge forward.
Becca’s heart was in her mouth and she squeezed Far’s hand tightly.
Mother of God, they’re coming! What if—
Just then one of the warriors Baird had left behind produced a slim controller with several lit panels on it. He swiped a panel and pushed a button. A low humming sound filled the air and to Becca’s relief, a shimmering wall rose suddenly from the ground around the Unmated Males area. It zipped upward to the ceiling so quickly she barely had time to register it. One minute it wasn’t there and the next it was, creating an iridescent barrier between the Unmated Males area and the rest of the ship.
The possessed Kindred ran to the shining wall and beat against it angrily but it was clear they couldn’t get through. In fact, Becca could barely hear their growls and howls through the gleaming barrier.
“Safe,” she whispered. “We should all be safe now. The area is sealed off.”
“It is but the dust continues to circulate,” Far said grimly. “Look.” He pointed to a hallway directly beside the sealed off area. A thick cloud of black dust was drifting through the arching opening, as though seeking a way into the rest of the ship. “Truth’s suite is down that corridor,” he said in a low voice.
“Oh, no!” Becca breathed. “We have to get to him before the dust does.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible but we can try,” Far said grimly. “Come on!” He pulled her forward and they ran, their bare feet pushing hard against the springy grass of the park as they raced against the swirling dust.
If only we can get there in time! Becca though wildly. She knew that the doors to the suites were airtight but if Truth came out into the hallway…
Mother of God, she prayed. Please, please don’t let him open his door. Please don’t let him come out. Please…
Chapter Fourteen
Come out, Truth, the dark voice called again but there was no one there.
Truth looked around wildly. The lights were blazing and his suite was warm yet he felt a sudden chill run through him. Who or what was calling him? Where in the Seven Hells was that voice coming from?
Why don’t you come outside and find out?
“Come out where? Where are you?” he demanded, getting out of bed to look around.
Out in the hallway. I’ve been waiting for you. For a vessel worthy of my glory. You are young and strong, with no bonds to hold you back and a wealth of pain in your past to open you to darkness. You shall be the one.
“The one what? What are you talking about?” Truth was beginning to wonder if he was going crazy. Why was he speaking to a disembodied voice in the middle of the night? “Am I dreaming?” he asked aloud. “Is this a dream?”
Yes, it’s a dream, the dark voice assured him. Only a dream, so it’s perfectly safe to do as I say. Just come out into the corridor outside your suite.
“I…shouldn’t,” Truth muttered but somehow his bare feet were already taking him out of the sleeping area, through the living area, and right to the doorway of his suite.
Yes, you should. Come out and take a nice deep breath of fresh air. It’s so stuffy and hot in here. You want to breathe deeply, to come out into the open, don’t you?
A picture began to form in his mind but it wasn’t of the curving metal corridor outside his door. Instead, Truth saw the woods of his home world, Pax.
His saw the steep mountain ranges soaring up in impossibly sharp pinnacles against the rugged pale purple sky. Standing before then and almost as tall were the holy elder trees. Growing at the base of their massive trunks were the jaspar bushes with their furry leaves so soft they felt like feathers if stroked one way and sharp enough to cut like needles if stroked the other. The spicy, clean scent of the long stalked herib grass tickled his nose—his second mother used the tough but silky blades to weave their ceremonial clothing for gatherings. And far in the distance he heard a liquid, lonely sound both beautiful and terrible—the call of a lone Rai’ku male in dr'gin form, hunting.
Suddenly Truth was seized with a terrible home sickness. What was he doing here on the Kindred Mother Ship anyway? Why was he stuck inside a closed, artificial environment when he ought to be out roaming the mountains and forests of Pax, breathing the air and hunting?
The questions flooding his mind made perfect sense and at the same time, he heard the dark voice whispering in the back of his mind.
Come out. Come Out. COME OUT!
The impulse was too strong to ignore. Tr
uth stepped up to the door and opening the sliding metal panel, expecting to see his home world.
Instead he saw the familiar metal hallway filled with a choking cloud of black dust.
He blinked. What in the Seven Hells…?
“Truth—Truth!”
The cries drew his attention and he saw Far and Rebecca, far down at the end of the hallway. They were holding hands and racing towards him as though they were trying to outrun some menace.
“Go back inside, Brother!” Far was calling. At the same time Rebecca was shouting that he should hold his breath.
“Don’t breathe it! Whatever you do, don’t breathe,” she shouted, panting.
Instinctively, Truth reached up to clap his hand over his mouth and nose protectively. He was about to retreat into the safety of his suite when he felt that long, cold finger caressing his cheek again.
Unable to stop himself, he sucked in a ragged gasp of surprise and fear, filling his lungs with the toxic dust.
Yes! the dark voice exulted. Mine—you are MINE!
What? No! Truth reached up to brush the phantom finger away—or tried to anyway. To his horror, he found that his arms were no longer under his control—they wouldn’t move when he wanted them too. He tried to move his legs and found that they too, had been somehow frozen into immobility. What the hell was happening to him?
I am happening to you! The dark voice now seemed to be coming from inside him—from inside his own head. This thing, whatever it was, had somehow gotten into him and now it was taking over.
That’s right, the dark voice assured him gleefully. I have your body and soon I’ll take your mind as well. Enjoy thinking for yourself for a moment more. Soon you will be Truth no longer but Ur forevermore.
Truth felt a surge of rage—how dare this interloper try to usurp his very body? He tried to fight it, tried to find the will to cast it out, but with no results. And even as he tried, his thoughts were going fuzzy. What's happening? Who…? Where…?
“It’s got him—look, one of them has got him!”
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