Chastened, Jaden gave his mother a mortified smile, partly sorry for his own subterfuge and partly sorry he hadn’t shown more enthusiasm about seeing his Gran again. She was his favorite relative, after all. “I’m sorry. You know I’d love to see Gran again. Can Kayla join me?”
And there it was again, that speculative gleam in his mother’s eyes. Her next question surprised him.
“Do you think that’s wise?”
Jaden wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting her to say, but that wasn’t it. His mother had always encouraged her kids to introduce their friends to the family. Examining her features, Jaden found the small stress lines at the corner of her mouth and the smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “What do you mean?”
His mother scrambled, flustered. “Well, I thought it would be nice for you to go for more than a day. It’s a long trip, and your grandmother would love the company. If you go for a few days, I’m not sure Kayla’s mother would approve.”
Jaden knew he still wasn’t getting the full story. But if he pushed, she might ask questions of her own, and he really didn’t want to lie to her. So he would play along and simply take her response at face value. “Mom, it’s okay. Really. Kayla’s an amazing friend, and I would love for her to get to know Gran.”
Kayla caught on and hastened to add, “Yes, please don’t worry. I’m sure my mom will be fine with the idea. In fact, she’ll likely be ecstatic I’m making friends and meeting people. She worries about me when we move, so this will ease her anxiety.”
Resignation flitted across his mother’s face, like she’d hoped something wasn’t true and just found out it was, and it was not favorable news in her estimation.
“If you’re sure, Kayla?” When she nodded, Clara turned to Jaden. “Then you should call your grandmother and find out when she’s up for a visit.” Turning away, she traipsed down the stairs.
Jaden brooded as he eyed his mother’s retreating form. He’d never seen her behave this way before. Perhaps he should clear the air and get things out in the open? Then again, he couldn’t really tell her, now could he? He scarcely believe it himself.
Kayla prodded his arm. “What are you thinking?”
“My mom’s hiding something. I suspect part of it is how much time I’m spending with you. Although why that would bother her is a mystery. Then there’s also frustration because there’s nothing I can tell her that will put her mind at ease. In fact, if I tell her the truth, she’ll likely lock me up in the house for the rest of my life just to keep me safe, assuming she even believes me.”
“I’m sorry. I know. It’s awful to have to be thinking about what we can say and what we can’t. Telling the truth has always been easier.”
“Yeah, all this lying and sneaking about is stressful.” He sighed. “You really think your mom will be okay with you visiting my grandmother with me for a few days?”
“Yup, but I’ll confirm. Where does your grandmother live, and when do we plan to leave?”
“The next sector over, and as soon as possible. We need to find that map. I can’t shake the feeling our time is running out. And if we don’t make progress soon, I don’t even want to begin contemplating what that means.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
When Jaden connected via holo-port with his grandmother minutes later, Kayla listened but stayed out of sight. Delighted to hear from him, his grandmother was even more pleased when he asked if he could visit—and bring a friend. His grandmother had been the one to request they visit immediately.
Just as well we aren’t the ones having to press the urgency of our visit, Kayla reflected.
Jaden grinned and said they could leave the next day. But his grin vanished when she teased him about bringing a girl. Kayla stifled her laughter as Jaden tried pointing out he had brought girls before. His grandmother scoffed, saying this was the first time it was a girl he hadn’t grown up with. Jaden sighed and gave up on explanations.
When there wasn’t more to the conversation, Kayla wasn’t sure how she felt. Jaden’s recent appreciation of her jewelry design had touched her in a way few people ever had, his words filtering down to her core. Because she didn’t like how vulnerable it had made her feel, Kayla repressed the crazy urge to fling her arms around him and tell him she how glad she was that she had met him, how thankful she was they were in this together.
Kayla could no longer deny there was something between them. She didn’t know what it was, but it went far beyond anything she had ever felt.
Only where will it lead? And with this mission, is it wise to travel down that path? Do I even know what I want from this relationship? Are these feelings real or just part of this ridiculous mess? Until I figure these things out, I have no right to lead him on.
When Jaden ended the call, his silence gave no clue where his head was at. But the worry creasing his handsome face when they strolled back to the living room and overheard Mrs. Jameson talking to Kayla’s mother did.
The two moms were meeting at a coffee shop within the hour. Kayla guessed Jaden thought her mother wouldn’t be quite as blasé as her daughter about the trip to his grandmother’s.
Despite Kayla’s repeated assurances throughout the afternoon, the worry only faded from Jaden’s incredible cobalt eyes when the two women returned close to dinnertime, laughing and talking like they’d been friends forever. And Mrs. Melmique confirmed Kayla could go.
Not long after that, Kayla and her mom left for their own home, where Kayla rushed to her room to pack. In hindsight, that was bad planning. With her bags ready to go, Kayla didn’t know how to fill the hours today until their planned two-thirty departure time.
Her mother, sensing her restlessness, dished out errands. Kayla barely had time to check she had everything she needed. Dispensing with her inspection in record time, she hurried to the ‘pod.
When Kayla reached Jaden’s home, he was already on their deck. I’m not the only one eager to leave. She felt the whirl of excitement and anticipation his presence always brought. Her ’pod docked, and she hopped out, retrieving her overnight bag, sleeping shell, and pillow before remote commanding the ’pod home. She turned to Jaden. “Ready?”
“You bet! We just need to let my mom know we’re leaving.”
They galloped down the stairs two at a time, anticipation pouring excess energy into their limbs.
Mrs. Jameson glanced up from the article she was reading. Her smile seemed forced as she said, “Hello, Kayla. It’s nice to see you.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Jameson, you too.” Had she upset Jaden’s mom?
Still eyeing Mrs. Jameson from under her lashes, Kayla saw her shake her head, as though she’d been debating something and decided against it. It was surreal the way Mrs. Jameson settled her face into a neutral expression, even her eyes giving nothing away.
“We’re ready to leave,” Jaden announced, oblivious to whatever had been going on with his mother.
“Thanks, honey. Safe trip, you two.” Mrs. Jameson rose and gave Jaden a fierce hug.
Kayla had anticipated his surprise. But he impressed her when, returning the hug, he discerned his mother’s tension. Even more impressive was that he did something about it.
Pulling back from the hug, Jaden moved his hands to his mother’s shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze. Looking her squarely in the eyes, as if to convey the sincerity of his words, he said, “We’ll be fine, Mom, really, you needn’t worry. Besides, you know Gran—she’ll worry enough for everyone. I’ll buzz you when we get there.”
“Alright, love. Have fun!”
She put on a brave front, Kayla thought, but she’s more worried than she should be. Was Jaden right about his mother?
Mrs. Jameson preceded them to the roof, and Kayla wondered if this was to prevent them from seeing her expression. But Mrs. Jameson hadn’t counted on them passing her on the way to the terraporter. As Kayla did, she scanned Mrs. Jameson’s face. Terror lurked beyond the well-constructed façade. But what is she afraid of?
Jaden didn’t notice, too engrossed in his own thoughts. He strode toward the terraporter without a backward glance, until he realized Kayla wasn’t beside him. Then he turned, reached back, and tugged her forward. “Come on!”
Disconcerted by the contact, Kayla didn’t object, glancing back at Mrs. Jameson before Jaden pulled her into the terraporter. But Mrs. Jameson was giving a little finger wave, like she had no cares in the world. Did I misread her?
Jaden flopped onto the command seat. “I didn’t think it would ever be time to leave!”
Kayla hovered beside her own seat, debating telling Jaden what she’d just witnessed. Or what I thought I did? Gazing out the huge picture windows, Kayla studied Mrs. Jameson. But the woman was all smiles from this distance.
Sighing, Kayla slid into the seat beside Jaden. There was no point worrying him. And he didn’t appear concerned, tossing out suggestions of what they would do once they reached his grandmother’s before the terraporter reached cruising speed. Kayla let it go.
After much discussion, they agreed on a direct approach. They would ask his grandmother for access to the boxes she hadn’t sent to the storage unit. But they wouldn’t ask about the map unless they couldn’t find it.
Then they would ask his grandmother about the medallion’s history. Perhaps she could fill in some gaps. They would also squeeze in searching for the other seekers Zareh had mentioned, although where they should start was anyone’s guess. The internet was still their most valuable tool. If they could find the right chat room or post a picture of the medallion, they might get lucky.
Their plans set, they settled back for a mid-afternoon snack. Things were looking up.
Kayla leaned forward to snag another sandwich. The terraporter nosedived, catapulting her to the floor. Alarmed, Jaden lurched to the controls. His eyes darted over the instrument panel, and confusion followed.
“Jaden, what’s happening?”
“I don’t know. Everything’s green.” Stuffing himself into the pilot’s seat, Jaden dragged the joystick up. The vehicle responded, and the nose lifted. Then the engines died. “What the deuce?” Jaden glanced at the panel again, flicking switches and failing to reignite the engines.
A furry face flicked across the window. The short little arms waved.
“Look, Zareh!” Kayla exclaimed.
“Not there when we need him and in the way when we don’t.” Jaden scowled, scrambling to get the terraporter to respond.
Kayla could feel they were in freefall now. But . . . the ship’s still level. How is that possible? And if she wasn’t mistaken, the angle of their descent was more gradual. What it would be when coming in to land. “Jaden, I think someone else is controlling our ship.”
As if he’d reached the same conclusion, Jaden lifted his hands from the controls. “One guess who.”
Zareh still hovered out the front window. But now that she was really looking at Zareh, Kayla saw he’d pulled his beak into a lopsided smile. “What do you think he’s doing?”
“As unrealistic as this sounds, I think he’s landing our terraporter.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, but I suppose we should just start getting used to the impossible.”
Minutes later, the terraporter touched down. Kayla followed Jaden to the exit where he opened the door, allowing the stairway’s descent.
Zareh perched on the barren ground, waiting for them, hopping from one foot to the other. His excited chitters expressed his glee.
“I’d appreciate you warning me the next time you commandeer my vehicle,” Jaden said.
“Surprise you, did I?”
“More like scared us half to death,” Kayla corrected. “We thought we would crash.”
“Er, hem, yes, understand, I do, how thought that, you might have. Perhaps the best way to get you down, it was not. But on the ground, be you must. My apologies for the scare, accept will you?”
Kayla nodded but remained silent, staring at him. When Jaden did likewise, Zareh realized they expected an explanation.
“Now that settled that is, proceed with things, shall we?” He puffed his feathery cheeks and emitted a high, piercing screech.
Kayla slapped her hands over her ears, glaring at Zareh as he drew the sound out. He got the hint because the sound stopped as abruptly as it had started. Then he pointed toward the horizon.
Blinking, Kayla thought she was imaging things. But the blurry outline sharpened into two unbelievable higher-definition images. A ferocious-looking pair of gigantic bats streaked toward them!
Wingspans over twenty feet across connected to bodies eight feet high. Jet-black eyes glittered above pointed snouts ending in chiseled, velvety noses. These were underscored by delicately curved lips running half the length of their jawlines. Cute, leaf-shaped ears stuck straight up from the tops of their heads, topping pure black faces, but did nothing to diminish their overall feral appearance.
Kayla recalled her vague notions of vampire bats, viewing their svelte bodies and speculating what these giants ate. With a whoosh of air, the pair alighted alongside Zareh. Shockingly, the bats stood like humans on their short hind legs, tucking their wings behind them.
And then, even more inconceivably, the larger of the two spoke. “You called?”
“Yes, Ohanzee. You and Tazanna, your voyagers meet: Jaden and Kayla.” Zareh beamed, introducing them with a wave of his hand in the general direction of each teen.
Kayla remained dumbstruck. A quick glance confirmed Jaden wasn’t taking this much better. Flicking her gaze back to the bats, Kayla found the pair studying them with open interest.
Tazanna sniffed in disdain. “These are the best you can offer?”
“More than the eye meets, to them there is,” Zareh said.
“That remains to be seen,” Tazanna said.
“Do they talk?” Ohanzee asked, stepping closer to Jaden and sniffing him.
Kayla backed up when Ohanzee sidled up to her, looking like he might take a bite with the small, sinfully sharp white teeth she’d glimpsed when he spoke.
Jaden snorted. “Yes, we talk! We’re not morons.”
Kayla smiled. Tazanna’s imperious attitude and Ohanzee’s assumption they were somehow mute was as annoying to him as they were to her.
“Pity,” Ohanzee said, “they smell delicious.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kayla’s smile vanished, and she shuddered. They did eat people! Zareh chittered. Kayla glowered at him and then, noting his expression, figured it out. It was his way of laughing. He was laughing at them! “What’s so funny?”
“Eat people, really he does not,” Zareh squeaked between more chitters. “Far prefer fruit, he does.”
Jaden bristled. Rushing to Kayla’s defense, he snarled, “It seems we’re in the dark, as usual. Again. When do you think you might deign to pass along some useful information? Or answer our questions?”
Zareh only stared at him.
It fueled the fire. “Last time we spoke, you said there would be time for questions, but you vanished without granting us the opportunity. Now you appear again, out of nowhere, frightening the stuffing out of us by seizing control of our transport without our knowledge or permission. And then, without explanation, you summon these rude, oversized bats, who, by the way, can talk! Yes, this is all perfectly normal. Just another day in paradise!”
Kayla could tell he was just getting started. Sensing the coming storm and sure it would accomplish nothing, she opted for pragmatism. She interrupted Jaden’s tirade, placing a firm hand on his arm and tossing him a cautionary look before addressing Zareh. “Admit, it’s unfair to expect us to accept this quest without all the details.”
Zareh stopped chittering. “Oh, this for me, you do not do. For you, this is. Understand that, you do not?”
“What?” Kayla spluttered, confused. “You said we were, and I quote, ‘the chosen ones, the ones selected.’ If we were ‘chosen,’ that implies no input on our part, so we can�
��t be doing this for ourselves.”
“Yes, chosen you have been, I said—because chosen you were. But miss the point you did. Undertaken this journey must be, survival of life as you know it to ensure—all life,” Zareh shot back. “Of the utmost importance to your world, it is, that triumph, you do. And triumph you must. Capable of completing this task, none other than the seekers are.”
Kayla stared at him. “Only seekers can do this?”
“Trust me, if relieved you of this burden we could have, done it would’ve been. However, forbidden from undertaking the task ourselves, we are. Lamentable it is, that a choice you had not. As an opportunity, view this, your fellow man to serve, or your families to protect. The assignment more palatable, it might render.”
Zareh stopped talking and scrutinized them, as if waiting for Jaden’s next interruption. He didn’t wait long.
“So, when you said the ‘end of the world as we know it’ you meant the entire planet? Not just the world as Kayla and I know it, and not just our way of living or the tiny part of the world we inhabit?”
“Now that, what made you think?” Zareh blustered.
“I’m not sure. Not to be rude, but it’s difficult to understand the way you talk. I think I misunderstood the context of your words. Which I think you’ll agree was understandable considering the backdrop of that conversation—the attack Kayla and I had just gone through.”
Jaden paused, and when Zareh nodded, he rambled on. “I was so focused on what was happening to Kayla and I that when you alluded to ‘our world’ ending, I assumed . . . well, that it was only Kayla and I who would . . . end or be affected or whatever,” he finished, not keen to consider, let alone voice, the possibility of his own death.
“Ah, understand now, I do. Clear up that misconception, I must! Affected all will be if you fail; not only you and Kayla. Preferable, death would be, to the suffering that would surely follow, if succeed you do not.”
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