He desperately wanted to call out for Allison but knew announcing his presence was the worst thing he could do in this situation. He crept through the family room, smashing his knee into the coffee table. He clenched his teeth to avoid making a noise.
Entering the bedroom, he was relieved to find Allison reading a book with the lights dimmed.
“I thought I heard you come in,” she said.
Ethan ran to the dresser and pulled out some clothes, throwing them to her. “We have to go right now.”
Months of being on the run had clearly prepared her, as Allison threw her covers off and began dressing without question. She quickly put on her shoes and followed Ethan to the front door.
“We have to get to Louis’ house.” He cracked the door open. No one was approaching. He grabbed her hand and they dashed out the door.
They had just turned onto Louis’ street when they ran straight into three silver-clad guards. All three soldiers raised their weapons to fire.
An idea popped into Ethan’s head. He pulled from his magic and felt for the air around the men, then used it to smash the soldiers into each other with as much force as he could imagine. The men’s heads collided, knocking them to the ground unconscious.
Unfortunately there was no time to celebrate his magical breakthrough, because two more soldiers stood in front of the old man’s house. They hadn’t noticed him yet.
Ethan ran at them at full speed, but he was still half a block away.
Suddenly another soldier was thrown through the front door from the inside, tumbling into the other two. Aleena stepped out of the house, purple tendrils running down her arms turning into magical nets that pinned the three men to the ground. She approached the soldiers in her red silk pajamas and took their weapons from them.
“Aleena,” Allison called a little way behind him. She was running to catch up.
Aleena waved them both toward her while walking farther into the street. As they approached, Aleena threw each of them a rifle taken from the men trapped by the nets.
“Oh, these are nice,” Allison said, turning the weapon over in her hands.
“They’re also quite old,” Aleena responded, “but they’ll still do the trick.”
“We can’t kill them,” Ethan said. “We’re still trying to get their help, remember?”
“I know.” Aleena nodded at the men on the ground.
“What’s going on?” Allison asked.
“Apparently I’m the heir,” Ethan stated matter-of-factly.
“No,” Aleena gasped. “seriously?”
Allison just looked confused.
“Looks that way.”
“Then your uncle…”
That took Ethan by surprise. He hadn’t really thought about that. King Cameron was his uncle.
“… is afraid of you.”
“I actually think he’s afraid of you.” Ethan told her, “but he probably thinks you work for me.”
Aleena gave him an incredulous look.
“I know. I know. But that’s probably what he thinks.”
“Will somebody please tell me what’s happening?” Allison asked.
“I’ll explain everything later,” Ethan replied. “Here’s the short version. The king thinks we’re trying to overthrow him, so we’re in danger.”
“But we’re not trying to overthrow him.”
“I am,” Aleena admitted.
“Oh come on,” Ethan sighed. “Don’t we have enough trouble already?”
Aleena’s gaze pierced him to his core. “I told you before. The Earthborn have no king.”
He spoke softly in an attempt to calm her. “Don’t you think we have bigger fish to fry?”
“I don’t see what fish have to do with this.”
Ethan’s shoulders dropped. “Remember the war that we’re losing? Don’t you think that’s a little more important right now?”
Aleena stared at him, her expression unchanged. “No.”
“What do you mean, no? If we’re able to win this thing by some miracle, then you can argue about politics and government structure.”
Two more of the king’s men rounded the corner down the street. Allison raised her rifle and shot each of them in the leg. “Do you mind?” she snapped. “Can you two argue somewhere that’s not in the open?”
Aleena flung two more energy nets across the men who were rolling on the ground, holding their injuries.
Behind them, the door to the neighbor’s house opened and Valaan emerged, nonchalantly wrapping a wool robe over his clothes.
“We have a little bit of a situation,” Ethan told him.
Valaan glanced at the men pinned to the ground. “It seems you all have it under control.”
“Maybe you can talk some sense into her.” Ethan nodded toward Aleena.
“Probably not.”
Aleena smiled.
“Where are the others?” the gray-haired Elf asked.
“They should be on the way,” Ethan replied.
Allison looked up and down the street. “Seriously, we’ve got to find some cover. Let’s regroup in the barn. The ship’s there.”
Aleena agreed. “You go. All of you,” she said, staring at Ethan. “I’ll wait here for everyone else.”
“No way.” Ethan took a step toward her. “Valaan can stay here. You’re coming with us.”
“You don’t trust me, Ethan?” Aleena insinuated.
Crap. She looked hurt. Ethan didn’t want to hurt her, but he also didn’t want her going off on some rogue mission to take over the kingdom—which he was fairly certain she could do.
“Yes, of course I trust you.” Though in that instance he most certainly didn’t. “But you’re the only one who can fly the ship. You should come with us to get it started in case we need to leave.”
“You know what? You’re right. I’m sorry, Ethan.”
There was something in her eyes that made him nervous. She was up to something. But if she was willing to accompany them to the barn, at least it was a start.
Valaan took a step forward. “Very well. It’s settled, then. I’ll wait here. Now take our gracious hosts and go.”
Aleena grinned.
Crap, crap, crap. He had no idea what she was going to do, but he knew there was no way he’d be able to stop her. The best he could hope for was to come along and pray she’d listen to him before doing anything too rash. After all, he’d probably have some cockamamy plan cooking up if he were in her position. They were awfully alike. Wonderfully and awfully similar.
The barn was just a short run from the house, so they made it without any further altercations. Allison helped Ethan slide the doors open and then close them gently behind. Aleena had taken a detour into the house to put on her armor; they peered out of a small crack left just between the doors, waiting for her.
It was surprisingly difficult to see her approach with the way her suit blended into the newly falling snow. After sliding the doors open for her, Aleena walked straight past the two of them.
They began to push the doors closed when Aleena’s voice came from behind them, moving farther away with every word. “Leave the doors open,” the Elf commanded.
By the time he turned around, Aleena was already climbing the ladder into the cockpit.
“What are you doing?” he called out to her.
She stopped and looked straight at him, a glint in her eye. “I’m getting the ship ready in case we need to get out of here, like you said.”
The way her lips curved, the fake innocence in those big beautiful eyes, it worried him. “I’m coming with you.”
“I thought you said you trusted me?” she retorted.
“I do. Just not right now.”
“Hmpf.” Aleena snapped her head forward and climbed into the cockpit.
Ethan ran half sideways toward the ship, facing Allison. “I’m going with her.”
Allison ran to catch up. “You’re not leaving me here. I’m coming too.”
He climbed
up into the cockpit, Allison following immediately.
“Get out,” Aleena said, running the startup sequence and powering up the engines.
“Not a chance in hell,” he told her, taking the seat just behind her.
Aleena spun around in her chair. “Fine, but don’t get in my way.”
“I’ll do what I must.”
“I can’t believe I almost kissed you tonight,” Aleena huffed before spinning back around in her chair.
“You did what?” Allison replied from the front of the bench in the cabin, glaring menacingly at Ethan.
“It was nothing,” he said. “She nearly threw herself at me. Nothing happened.”
“Did you want something to happen?”
Ethan hesitated just a moment, but it was far, far too long.
“I knew it,” Allison hissed. “I knew the first moment I saw her holding your hands in that wretched cave.”
The ship lunged forward, shooting out of the barn and banking hard to the left. Ethan looked out the front windscreen. Aleena was bringing them about toward the invisible complex.
“I love you,” Ethan said, looking back to Allison. “I’ve always loved you.”
“You love her, huh?” Aleena shot back from the pilot’s seat.
I need off this ship. He should’ve stayed in the barn and let the Elf do whatever crazy thing she was planning. It wasn’t worth this.
Allison crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the far side of the cabin, avoiding eye contact with Ethan.
Brilliant white light flashed through the ship as they passed through the shield. A moment later, the ship stopped moving, hovering just outside the windows of the command center fifty stories up.
The cockpit door opened, and Aleena moved just in front of it.
“What are you doing?” Ethan asked.
“What needs to be done,” she replied coldly.
Ethan jumped to his feet, knowing he was going to regret this. It was clearly not his night, and it had started out so well.
Aleena lifted her hands, forming a brilliant orb of heat that melted a large opening in the window. And then she leapt.
You have got to be kidding me. Ethan poked his head out of the ship. They weren’t that far from the building, probably four or five feet. Looking down at the ground way below, he swallowed hard. She’s going to kill me.
Backing up against the far side of the fuselage, he figured he could get two steps in before the jump. Better than nothing.
He felt Allison grab his arm.
“Don’t,” she said.
Her face was flushed, her voice anything but sweet, but at least she didn’t want him to risk his life.
Carefully, he moved her hand away. “I have to.”
Taking a deep breath, he lunged for the door and jumped. His foot caught on the lower melted glass, slamming him to the polished floor; he could feel the burn on his ankle from the heated material. Pulling his foot inside, he rolled to the side just in time to see Allison fling herself out the craft.
She landed gracefully beside him.
Ethan shook his head in disbelief.
“Gymnastics,” she whispered.
Ethan pushed himself to his feet and limped as fast as he could, rifle at the ready, around the center elevator bank. Allison approached from the other side. When they converged on the opposite side of the room, all the king’s guards were strewn about the floor, either unconscious or pinned beneath energy nets. Aleena stood in front of the command chair, two blue-white orbs hovering just above her palms, tendrils of magical lightning snaking out into the air.
Allison moved forward, but Ethan raised his hand to stop her.
“You tried to kill my friends,” Aleena spat. “I don’t take well to threats.”
“Neither do I,” King Cameron said incredulously.
Ethan stepped between them. “I think we all just need to calm down.”
The elevator dinged. Aleena stepped sideways, keeping one orb ready for the king and the other for whoever came out of the elevator.
Allison aimed her rifle at the elevator doors.
Slowly, the metal doors slid open, revealing Ethan’s grandmother standing calmly in a long flowing white nightgown.
“Ah,” Kara said, “I take it your uncle was unhappy with your arrival.”
Aleena turned her back to the woman and squared off with the king. “You will relinquish your kingdom to the people, now.”
“In place of what?” Kara asked, calmly walking to Ethan’s side.
Aleena stood silent.
Allison kept her rifle pointed at the woman.
“Our people aren’t ready for this freedom. Not now. Not with the Urlowens threatening our very existence,” the Queen Mother added. “They need a leader.”
“They need representatives,” Aleena replied.
“I agree,” Kara said.
That obviously caught Aleena off guard; one of the blue spheres sputtered, its power fluctuating.
“I, quite like my daughter”—the woman looked at Ethan—“think it’s time for the monarchy to end.”
He wished he could tell what Aleena was thinking. Her face was void of emotion. At least she’s calming down.
Kara walked to the command chair, took Cameron’s hand, and helped him out of the seat. Surprisingly the King let her.
Aleena followed the two with her eyes as they moved away from the chair.
“Aleena,” Kara said. “That was your name, right? Aleena of Avenfall.”
Aleena nodded.
“I took some time after you left to look through our archives, and I found your service record.”
Ethan had never seen such empathy on someone’s face. His grandmother, despite the situation, was warm and loving. It reminded him of his mother. All of a sudden, he could see the resemblance. Her cheekbones, her eyes—it was almost as if a part of his mother was staring at them. The resemblance was so striking that he wondered how he’d missed it before.
“This isn’t the way,” Kara said. “The people won’t accept it.” She dropped Cameron’s hand and returned to Ethan, taking his instead.
He stared into her face, marveling at the likeness. She must have hidden her ears for all those years. His mother was a full-blooded Elf, but she’d never told him a thing. He wondered if his dad even knew.
Suddenly he realized his grandmother had led him to the command chair. He was standing just in front of it.
“We have to go about this in a way the others will accept,” Kara continued. “First, a new king. The rightful king.”
Wait, what?
“After the war has ended and our society has stabilized, then the king may implement a new system of government and step aside.”
Aleena was no longer looking at the woman. She was staring directly at him.
His grandmother turned around and elegantly lowered to her knees before him. “King Ethan, you are the rightful heir, son of Gabrielle, grandson of King Nicolas, may he rest in peace. Long live the king.”
“And this they’ll allow?” Allison asked.
“They will with my support,” Kara replied. “And that, my long-lost grandson has.” The Elf stood. “Gabby told me everything about you. I would trust no one else with this authority.”
Ethan looked back and forth between Aleena and Allison.
“Of course, the decision is yours, my king,” Kara said.
Aleena slowly shook her head.
His mind raced. They needed the new Earthborns’ help. They needed all the help they could muster to have any chance at evading the impending defeat.
He’d made up his mind. Lowering himself into the chair, he silently mouthed one word to Aleena. “Sorry.”
The orbs sputtered out of existence as Aleena turned on her heels and marched out of the room.
“Wonderful,” Kara exclaimed. She reached forward, flipping a switch on the arm of the command chair.
Allison aimed her weapon at Cameron.
“What now?�
� Ethan asked.
“Now we introduce you to the guards. They will confine Cameron to his quarters for the time being. Tomorrow, we’ll announce your new position.”
Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. This wasn’t the plan. He didn’t want to be king. He wanted to fight the Urlowens. He wanted to save humanity.
Twenty guards rounded the elevator shaft into his new throne room. Seeing King Cameron standing at gunpoint, they immediately raised their weapons.
“Wait,” Kara commanded. “There has been a change in leadership.”
The guards didn’t open fire but didn’t lower their weapons either.
She gestured toward him. “May I introduce you to King Ethan, son of Princess Gabrielle, my grandson and the rightful heir to our kingdom.”
Ethan awkwardly waved hello at the soldiers but dropped his arm to his side when Allison subtly shook her head.
“According to our laws, the crown is passed to the rightful heir should that heir decide to take up his mantel. King Ethan, has so claimed his throne.” Kara said.
He stood, feeling like it was the right thing to do, and took a step forward. With all the courage he could muster, he spoke to the men. “I have.”
“And I confirm his right to ascension under my authority as Queen Mother.”
The guards lowered their weapons.
“Your new king,” his grandmother said.
The men took a single knee and bowed their heads.
Awkward. “I, uh… thanks,” he said.
The closest of the men stepped forward. He was extremely muscled with four short blue lines drawn on his silver shoulder plates.
“King Ethan,” the man said, bowing low before him, “I and the Earthen protectorate are at your service.”
The soldiers pinned to the ground by Aleena’s magic were suddenly released.
Ethan relaxed a bit. Aleena must’ve been on the other side of the elevator shaft listening. She hadn’t actually left him.
At Kara’s command, a few of the men took a grumbling Cameron to his room while the others tended to their injured friends.
Ethan had Commander Haener, the ranking officer who swore allegiance, call off the search for his friends in the village.
“Allison?”
She was leaning against one of the command consoles, staring at the Royal portrait hanging in the room. “Hmm,” she grunted.
Earthborn Alliance Page 16