Earthborn Alliance

by Matthew DeVore

  Wren started walking toward him. “He got about half of them to follow him toward the pool complex.”

  “Kalma, need help?” Not too long ago, Traven wouldn’t have waited for an answer, just sprinted to Kalma’s aid regardless. The newest recruits always overestimated what they could handle. Now he knew better. He leaned against the wall and waited for an answer.

  “Nope, I took care of them. Meet me at the transport. We’re done here.”

  “What about the Elves? Did the patrol find them?” Wren asked.

  “I’ve got the patrol following them. That’s good enough for now.”

  Traven shrugged. “Can’t say I particularly want to engage them today.” He looked down at his injured shoulder. “This kinda stings a bit.” That made Wren laugh.

  “Why’d they turn on us?” Zavier asked.

  “I don’t think they’re who they were pretending to be. Have you looked in the gymnasium?”

  Wren’s head dropped a little. Traven couldn’t tell if it was sorrow or shame, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

  “This isn’t the place to discuss this,” Wren said through the multiband.

  CHAPTER 4

  Aleena stared at the red-haired mother with hidden anticipation. Could it be these people were related to the Earthborn? Did others survive the extermination and have kids?

  She wished Ethan hadn’t moved out of her grasp. Her hands were moist from a mixture of unexpected hope and fear, and she longed to touch him. Somehow, he could comfort her like no one else—not even Grant.

  A warm tingling sensation spread out across her skin. She hadn’t seen or heard from Grant since they left the Alliance compound. He was training with the Human Resistance regiment, and apparently Elves weren’t allowed.

  She brushed the thought from her mind. Too many emotions were welling up inside her. And now standing before her was a woman with answers to her biggest and scariest questions.

  She’d always assumed she was alone. The last of the Earthborn. The last of her kind. No one else had managed to escape. But now—

  “I’m Needa,” the tall, gangly woman said, interrupting her thoughts. She was a whole head taller than her husband. “This is Conner and Meghan.” She pointed at the two teenagers. “The littlest here is Suzan. She’s two.” The girl in her arms giggled as her mom tickled her tummy. She was a plump little squirt, with dirty blonde hair like her oldest brother.

  “Don’t forget me.” the smallest boy, with red hair just like his mother, said.

  “I haven’t forgotten you, dear. This is Greg.”

  “I’m five,” Greg added, looking enormously proud of himself.

  For having just been through a traumatic experience, the two littlest were surprisingly cheerful.

  “And I’m Norman,” the husband said a bit reluctantly.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Allison replied.

  Aleena smiled. Allison was trying to hide it, but her eyes seemed to linger just a bit too long on Conner. Ethan was clearly oblivious.

  “We can exchange formalities later. Let’s keep moving,” Valaan said.

  Heat rose in Aleena’s cheeks. Answers to her most desperate questions were so close. But did she really want to know?

  “Where are we going, Mom?” Meghan asked.

  “The safe house.”

  “Dear, quiet, please. You know the law. We can’t tell them,” the father said.

  “You heard her. She’s Earthborn, and he—”

  “Ethan,” Ethan interrupted, since the woman was pointing at him.

  “Ethan is one of us. And that one’s an Elf too. If they can’t be trusted, then who can?” Ignoring her husband, she turned to Valaan. “We know a place that’s safe. It’s a few hours’ drive.”

  “It’ll be a lot longer on foot,” Ethan said.

  A surge of excitement ran through Aleena. She glanced at Ethan and then Alison. “I have an idea.”

  “Oh no,” Allison exclaimed. “I am not driving one of those things again.”

  “I’ll drive it,” Ethan offered.

  The eagerness in his voice made her a little giddy. They were so much alike. “I could drive it too,” Aleena said.

  Alison’s cheeks turned pink. “No. No. No. The last time we stole a skimmer, we barely got out of it alive. They can probably track them.”

  “Ahem,” Norman interjected. “We have a van.”

  “What’s a van?” Aleena asked.

  “A boring way to travel,” Ethan grumbled.

  “Will it fit all of us?” Allison looked relieved.

  “It’ll be tight, but I think so,” Needa answered. “It’s in the garage. Let us grab a few things, and then we’ll be off.”

  “Better not. We don’t know if we’re still being followed,” Aleena said.

  Conner, who hadn’t stopped staring at her since she joined them, stepped forward. “Who’s following you?”

  “The collectors, doofus.” Meghan smacked him in the back of the head. “And stop staring. We get it. She’s pretty.”

  “Actually, it’s probably the Council Guard,” Aleena corrected.

  Norman’s face turned beet red. “Of course it’s the Council Guard, the most elite force the Urlowens have. This is why we shouldn’t get in the middle of all this.”

  “They saved us, and we’re taking them to the others. That’s the end of it.”

  The others. The words rang through Aleena’s head like a crashing gong. Others… there are others.

  Needa turned back to Aleena. “We’ll need snacks for the drive. Have you ever ridden in a car with little ones?”

  She looked to Valaan, who nodded his agreement. “Quickly grab what you can. Then we’ll go.”

  “I’ll take you, erm, all of you to the car,” Conner said.

  Meghan shook her head, clearly exasperated, and whispered, “Sorry,” to Aleena.

  She smiled politely. She had that effect on boys and it came in useful from time to time. “Wanna come with us?” she asked Allison. It wasn’t the most innocent of questions.

  “Sure.”

  “I’m coming too,” Ethan said.

  “We’re all coming.” Valaan’s tone was harsher than usual.

  All of a sudden, Aleena felt a bit childish. The tone of Valaan’s voice made her feel as though her father was reprimanding her. Stay focused. We’re not out of this yet. Her eyes drifted to Ethan’s firm backside as he walked in front of her, following Conner toward the house. I’m training him. That’s all.

  Peeling her eyes away, she met Allison’s cold stare. “Shall we?” Aleena said, putting as much sweetness into her voice as she could muster, which was quite a lot actually.

  She’d learned from the best. Ella, her best friend from before, was the sweetest, cutest person she’d ever known. Ella could hate your guts, but you’d never know it. The girl could get anything she wanted with a simple “please” and the flutter of her eyelids.

  A pang of regret tugged at her. Ella was gone now. They all were. Why me? Why did I survive? She’d been pushing her feelings as deep inside as she could, but they always seemed to fight their way back to the surface. But Needa said there were others. Maybe she wasn’t alone.

  “Aleena,” Allison called out.

  They were rounding the corner at the side of the house, but she was still rooted to the spot. Needa had gone inside with Norman and Valaan to grab what they needed.

  “I’m coming,” she replied. Burying her memories as deep as she could, she jogged to catch up.

  “Aleena.” Ethan tossed her bookbag at her. She’d left it at the side of the house during the rescue.

  “Since they’re grabbing supplies, maybe you should change. You know, just in case.”

  Just in case was about right. The day hadn’t gone nearly as smoothly as she’d expected when she woke up that morning. If she’d known, she wouldn’t be wearing leggings and a tank top.

  Her fingers rubbed the black worn straps of the bag. “Meghan, c
ould you show me somewhere to change?”

  “You can use my room,” Conner offered.

  Now it was Ethan’s turn to glare, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Allison.

  Meghan slapped Conner on the back of the head again as she passed him. “You can use my room.”

  “Thank you,” Aleena said, following Meghan up the porch and into the house.

  The entry was grand. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling above the tiled floor. Off to the side, a beautifully carved cupboard held coats, hats, and gloves. Across from it, a sitting bench was covered by a luxurious purple cushion, and shoes were stacked in small alcoves beneath.

  On the way to Meghan’s room, they passed a formal dining space, complete with royal blue walls and a table large enough for twenty, a kitchen with white marble countertops, and an entertainment room with an enormous viewing screen.

  “Here we are,” Meghan said, opening the door to her room.

  “It’s beautiful,” Aleena exclaimed. The walls were white, save a single pink accent just behind a four-poster bed. A small reading nook was situated in a bay window, and an enormous lush rug sat in the middle of the hardwood floor.

  “Thanks,” the girl cooed. “I’m glad you like it.”

  Aleena was pretty used to getting attention, but the way Meghan looked at her made her uncomfortable. She had the same large hope-filled eyes that Ethan had in the clearing months ago. Only this was worse. She got the strange feeling that she’d become a celebrity.

  “I’ll be just outside,” Meghan told her, shutting the door.

  Aleena looked around the room. From here, you’d never know you were in the middle of a war. Tossing her bookbag onto a powder blue sitting chair that almost matched her sweater, she unzipped it and pulled out the shimmering armor. She couldn’t help but smile looking at it. She’d worked so hard for the honor of wearing it, for the defining title of Earthborn.

  The first time she was handed the marvel of Elven craftsmanship, her family watched the ceremony from stands overlooking a large hovering stage. Tears welled up in her eyes at the memory. Her father was so proud of her—of her and her brother. He was only two years away from earning the title himself.

  “I always knew you’d make it,” her mother told her later that evening at the celebration. “I always knew you’d be great.”

  “My sis, third in the class,” her brother Alinar chimed in. He had the same golden blond hair as her and had surpassed her height years before, but to Aleena, he was still her baby brother. He ruffled her hair like she was ten. “I didn’t see that coming.” He grinned mischievously.

  Aleena punched him hard in the arm. “I’d like to see you do better.”

  “You will. In two years. Just you wait and see. I won’t settle for anything less than first. One day you’ll be calling me Councilor of Magic.”

  “More like High Councilman of the Universe if your ego gets any bigger.” Ella, Aleena’s best friend, placed her hand between his shoulder blades.

  “That does have a nice ring to it,” Alinar grinned.

  There was definitely something there, but Aleena was trying to ignore it.

  “Congratulations, bestie,” Ella told her. “Don’t worry. You’ll always be better than this weakling.”

  “Pfft… in her wildest dreams,” Alinar taunted.

  “Aleena? Are you all right? You’ve been in there a while,” Meghan called from outside.

  Aleena pushed her thoughts aside and wiped the tears running down her face. They were all gone now. She was alone. “I’m fine,” she said, steadying her voice. They would not see her cry.

  She dressed in the armor, then put on the loose khaki pants and plaid long-sleeve shirt Ethan had given her when they first met to hide the armor.

  Opening the door, she was met with a look of disgust.

  “Oh no, you can’t go in public wearing that,” Meghan said. “Let me help.” She pushed Aleena aside and walked over to a white slatted door on the other side of the room.

  “Well come on,” Meghan urged.

  Aleena walked over to Meghan and stepped inside a closet almost as big as the bedroom itself. Her eyes widened as she looked at rows of drawers, shoes, and dresses hanging from the rack.

  “Daddy works for the Royals, so he gets me pretty much anything I want. Here, this is much better.” Meghan pulled a pair of long black pants off the shelf, followed by a pair of brown knee-high boots, a red flowing top that came to Aleena’s hips, and a short brown leather jacket.

  Aleena took off the khakis and shirt, and Meghan gasped.

  “What?” Aleena asked, standing before her in the dark green armor.

  “That’s… that’s… that’s Earthborn armor. I’ve only seen it in school videos.” The girl’s eyes roamed up and down Aleena’s figure. “I… well… I didn’t believe you. I mean who would? But how… how did you get it?”

  “What do you mean? I earned it.”

  “You earned it?” Meghan’s face bunched up as if trying to sort out what she was being told.

  “I’m the last Earthborn. I was stuck in a hibernation chamber until Ethan found me.”

  “Hibernation?”

  “Stasis. A state of suspended consciousness and body function for a period of time. Apparently a very, very long period of time. Though that was an accident.”

  “No.”

  “Yes. I’m serious. Why don’t you believe me?”

  “Well for one thing, it sounds a bit crazy. And for another, everyone knows the Earthborn were slaughtered by the Urlowens around ten thousand years ago. That’s what they teach us in school.”

  “In school? Everyone I’ve met didn’t seem to know Elves even exist.”

  “Well it’s not really a school for normal people. But that’s not the point. That was ten thousand years ago.”

  Aleena looked down at her feet. “I know. Like I said, it was a long, long time.”

  Meghan’s mouth gaped. “I thought you were just a little nuts. I mean, everyone suspects Elves are still out there, in the cosmos, but Earthborn…?”

  Aleena looked up. “Just me.”

  “Everyone is going to freak. And you’re borrowing my clothes!” Meghan shoved the outfit in her arms. “I’ve got to tell everyone.”

  “Who’s everyone?” Aleena asked, pulling the black pants up. They were a little tight but looked loads better than the khakis.

  “My friends, of course. I mean, you already told Mom and Dad, though I don’t know that they actually believe you.”

  “Your mom seemed to, and Conner.”

  “Maybe, though Conner would believe anything you tell him. I mean, look at you.”

  There was a mirror standing a few feet from her, so she did just that. She smiled at her reflection. She looked great. And best of all, you couldn’t even tell she was wearing the armor.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “We should probably get down to the van. And maybe you shouldn’t tell your friends just yet. We’re actually trying not to draw attention to ourselves right now.”

  “It didn’t seem that way when you rescued us.”

  Aleena furrowed her brow, tilting her head ever so slightly to the side. “You’re welcome.”

  “Sorry,” Meghan said, suddenly sheepish.

  “Don’t worry about it. Let’s go. They’re probably waiting for us.” Aleena picked up the khakis and plaid shirt off the floor and started shoving them back into the backpack.

  “Oh no, leave those hideous things here. I’ll grab you a few more things.” Meghan rushed into the closet and came out with an armful of clothes.

  As Aleena shoved them into the bag, Meghan pulled a suitcase out from under her bed and dragged it into the closet. A minute later she came out grinning. “We’re all set. Shoes, shirts, a few dresses—I grabbed a little of everything. There’s a little black thing in there that you’ll kill in.”

  Aleena smiled. With her training, she could kill in anythin
g, but she didn’t think that was what Meghan meant. Whatever the meaning, she liked her. Meghan reminded her of Ella.

  They ventured back through the house and out to the garage. The door was open, sunlight streaming in. Beside the van, there was a small, sporty, little red car that looked to only fit two.

  “Too bad we can’t take it,” Meghan said. “It’s wicked fast. Daddy let me take it to the school dance. My date wanted to drive, but there was no way I was letting him have the fun.”

  Aleena’s grin stretched to her ears. Now she really liked this girl.

  Aleena watched Meghan open the back door and lift the suitcase into the trunk.

  Conner leaned over the seat and turned the suitcase so the door could shut. “Oy, what do you have in here? You certainly took your sweet time. We’ve been waiting for you two.”

  Sure enough, everyone was already loaded into the maroon vehicle. Conner was in the back seat with Greg. There were two middle benches where Allison sat by Ethan, both next to Needa. Susan was in a child restraint, just in front of Needa, by two empty seats, which Aleena assumed were for her and Meghan. In the front, Norman had taken the driver position, still looking very uncomfortable with the whole ordeal, and Valaan sat beside him, stoic as usual.

  Aleena watched Conner’s eyes light up when he saw her.

  “I mean, it’s no big deal, really. I saved you a seat.”

  Aleena glanced at Ethan, who was watching her carefully. She smiled gently at him, giving him a subtle wink since Allison wasn’t looking. “Thanks, but I’ll sit up closer to the front with Meghan, if you don’t mind.”

  Meghan beamed, and Ethan seemed to relax a bit.

  Taking their seats, Aleena turned to Allison. “Meghan was kind enough to bring some outfits for us.” She glanced at Meghan, then back to Allison. “There are some I’m sure you’ll kill in.”

  Allison must have understood what it meant, because she blushed. “Thank you.”

  Aleena noticed Allison’s knuckles turn white as the other girl squeezed Ethan’s hand. Mostly because she noticed they were holding hands. A small fiery spark jumped in her chest. Am I jealous? No. I don’t get jealous.