by G. K. DeRosa
His mouth opened to speak, but no sound came out.
“Solaris!” Garridan’s cry barely registered over the roar of my thundering heart. “Solaris, watch out!”
I glanced up as Garridan’s wiry form pummeled into me, knocking me to the ground as more shots ricocheted. My head smacked the concrete, and shiny stars danced across my vision. My mind spun as I tried to push myself off the cement. A heavy body impeded my progress. Warm liquid puddled on my stomach, snapping me out of the initial shock.
“Garridan!”
I squirmed out from underneath him, my top covered in deep crimson. His head was twisted at an odd angle as he lay in a pool of dark blood.
I sucked in a breath and patted the old nocturne’s shoulder. “Garridan, Garridan, are you okay?”
His eyes fluttered closed.
Kaige lay only a few feet away from him, blood pouring out of the bullet wound in his gut. I could barely make out the sluggish rise and fall of his chest as his breaths came out in ragged spurts.
“Xander! Help me,” I cried out as I crawled toward Kaige.
A pair of meaty hands clamped around my arms, hauling me up from the ground. “Solaris Levant, you are wanted for questioning and are required to appear before Head Minister Turstan at once.”
“No! Let me go!” I struggled to get out of the soldier’s vice grip, but it was no use. I kicked and punched the air as a second soldier latched onto my other side and dragged me away.
Xander’s dark hair poked out of the cabin door, his eyes wide as he scanned the hangar floor.
“Xander help them!”
He ducked behind the door and disappeared into the jet.
“Coward!” I cried out in vain.
Kaige’s still form sprawled across the gray cement was the last thing I saw before a rag came over my face, and a sickly sweet scent smothered my nostrils.
Chapter 21
Kaige
A sharp pain seared through my abdomen, and the metallic tinge of synth coated my tongue. My lids fluttered open to a board of controls and a window of night sky whipping by. I had no idea what was going on, but one thing I knew for certain: my little human wasn’t with me.
“Solaris.” Her name came out as a raspy groan. I licked my dry lips. “Solaris.”
“She’s not here.”
My head snapped to the side to find Xander in the captain’s seat of a royal jet, his expression grim and dark circles shadowing beneath his eyes. “What have you done to her?” Agony sliced through my body as I tried to reach for him.
His navy eyes narrowed. “I didn’t do a damn thing. It was the mob of human soldiers.”
I blinked, fighting my way through the haze choking my brain. Memories flashed through my mind. Taranoi had attacked Castle De La Divin. We were running to a plane when the Collective ambushed us.
My pulse spiked. How the hell had the Collective gotten into Draconis and made it into the castle with a mob of starving taranoi? Had any of them fallen victim to the ravenous vampires?
I sure hope so.
The loud pops of gunfire still rang through my ears. I’d been shot. Again. My shirt was soaked with blood, and a hole was torn into my flesh.
That wasn’t the worst of it. Xander’s words sank in, and a pit of dread tore open in my gut. “What happened to Solaris?”
“The soldiers took her,” he said.
“You let them!” I lunged for him, a gasp exploding through my mouth from the jolt of pain. Black spots converged over my vision, and the cockpit swam as darkness threatened to take me under again.
Xander’s arm shot out, pushing me back into the seat. “I didn’t let them do anything. They would have killed you had I not gotten you out of there. King or not, they were out for blood.” He leaned back in his own seat, his lips curling in disdain. “Besides, you’d be no good to your precious human dead.”
My nostrils flared as I struggled to sit up. “Turn around,” I demanded. “We need to get to Imera.”
Xander’s barking laugh pounded against my skull. “You can’t even stand. You’d get yourself killed.”
I grabbed my twin’s arm and hauled him toward me. “Turn the damn plane around now.”
Silver melted through his navy irises, and he shoved me off, the feat easier in my weakened state. “You wouldn’t last one minute. You need more synth. That bottle I forced down your throat wasn’t enough, and there isn’t anymore on this plane.” He straightened his shirt and flicked his hair from his face. “We’re almost to the summer home in Valanda. There’s no point in turning around.”
A growl of protest rumbled deep in my chest, but I knew Xander was right. I needed synth to heal. But the more time Solaris was in the hands of the Collective, the more damage they could do.
How did they know she was at the castle with me? And why go through the danger of infiltrating our world?
Ice seeped through my veins, chilling my body. Someone told them, and there were only three people in Imera with that information. Carissa had probably been too incoherent to comprehend what was going on after she was rescued from the lab. That left Gavin and Isla. Someone talked, and they would have only ratted Solaris out if they’d been forced to, tortured to.
Oh gods. What were those vile beings doing to my little human?
My lids shut, and I tried to feel her through the bond, but a mere presence was all that zipped across the link. Maybe she was unconscious or I was too weak. I’d give anything to fall into her mind to find out if she was okay.
“I need to tell you something.” Xander’s grim tone pulled me from my anguished thoughts.
I glanced at him, noting his face was unusually pale. “What?” Nothing could be worse than losing Solaris to that bastard Turstan.
“It’s Garridan,” he said, his fingers tightening on the yoke.
My breath quickened, and I sat up straighter. Garridan had been with us. “Where is he? He did make it on the plane, didn’t he?”
Even more color drained from my twin’s cheeks, leaving his skin pallid. “I pulled him inside, but he was hurt protecting Solaris from the soldiers.”
I blinked, trying to wash away the rush of horrific pictures my imagination was drumming up. Nothing bad happened. Garridan was okay. He was old as dirt and still had plenty more years to go. “He’s fine, right?”
Xander’s gaze fell to the steel floor. “He’s gone, Kaige.”
His words slammed into my gut with the force of a sledgehammer wielded by a god. This was the first time in years my twin had exhibited a softer side for anyone but Zabrina and our mother. Too bad it took him delivering this heart-wrenching news to bring it out in him.
I shot out of the seat and stumbled toward the back. The throbbing pain in my torso was nothing compared to the agony searing across my heart.
Not Garridan.
A form covered by a blanket was stretched out on a bench seat. My heart lurched when I caught sight of those expensive shoes I’d gotten him. No other servant had such a luxury.
I collapsed to my knees, a sob clawing up my throat. My hands trembled as I reluctantly peeled the blanket back to reveal Garridan’s ashen, weathered face.
Reality kicked me in the chest, shattering my ribs into painful shards. How could this happen? I’d known Garridan my entire life. In some ways, he’d been more of a father to me than Razvan.
He was so much more to me than just a servant.
His body became blurry as hot tears burned my eyes. My fingers reached out, brushing wispy strands of white hair from his forehead.
“I’m sorry, Kaige.” Xander’s voice echoed gently behind me. “I know how much he meant to you.”
He couldn’t. Not really. Xander had had ten different servants during his life so far, and he never got attached to any of them.
I quickly blinked to clear my vision. I surveyed Garridan’s face, my brows knitting. His expression was relaxed and serene as if he were finally at peace.
A lump clogged my throat, cutting o
ff my airways. Maybe he was. Maybe he was finally reunited with his human in the afterlife.
Solaris. I needed her with me. Instead, she was at the mercy of the Collective.
My jaw clenched, and tremors overtook my body as a crimson haze descended over my eyes. I would show no mercy when I faced those soldiers. Anyone who had laid a harsh hand on her would see the depths of my fury. They would know why humans feared us.
And when I found the one who murdered Garridan, they would know my vengeance was limitless.
I staggered out of the jet with Garridan’s covered body in my arms. Our summer home stood tall and magnificent against the backdrop of a thousand stars. The vibrant green ivy crawling up the pale stone walls reminded me of Solaris’s eyes, sending a punch to my gut.
My feet stumbled, and the ground began to rise. Strong hands were suddenly under each elbow, keeping me upright.
“Sir, you need to sit down.” Maxum was on my left and Xander on the right. He must have accompanied my family. “Let me take him from you.”
“No.” My arms tightened around Garridan, holding him firm. He took care of me my entire life and now it was my duty to return his kindness. He deserved it and so much more.
Xander and the royal guard traded glances, but they didn’t protest. By the time we made it to the door, my father’s presence filled up the entry.
“What happened?” His eyes lingered over the dried blood covering both Xander and me before dropping to the body in my arms. “Who is that?”
“Garridan’s dead,” I snapped, biting my tongue to keep the tears at bay. I didn’t have time to cry.
A soft gasp echoed as my mother marched around the corner. “Oh my gods.” Tears instantly filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Kaige.”
I ignored her condolences. “Where’s Zabrina? She doesn’t need to see this.” She was fond of Garridan, and I wanted to keep as much heartache away from my little sister as possible. She could mourn him after he was buried.
My mother gave a quick nod. “She’s sleeping upstairs.”
I continued through the massive house until I reached the back door. Sweat coated my skin, and my knees were trembling by the time I finally laid Garridan on the soft grass. My breath came in ragged pants, the only sound through the otherwise silent forest.
“Where are the alchemists?” My hands rested on my knees as I tried to calm my pounding heart. “Tell me their work hasn’t been destroyed.”
“A large group of guards was ordered to remain behind and protect them,” my father said. “I’ve been in contact with Delvin. They’re fine, as is their laboratory.”
I nodded and stood, my gaze landing again on Garridan. An ache penetrated all the way to my bones. I wanted to stay and do this myself, but time wasn’t on Solaris’s side. Garridan died protecting her, and I would not let his sacrifice be in vain.
“I need someone to bury him.” My fingers brushed damp strands of hair from my face.
My father glanced between Xander and me, deep lines forming across his brow. “Would someone like to tell me what is going on?” He motioned a large hand toward my bleeding torso. “How were you shot?”
Xander rubbed the stubble on his face, his cheeks hollow from hunger. “Collective soldiers infiltrated the castle.”
Our father shook his head in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing. “What? How is that possible?”
“They took Solaris.” Just saying those words sent sharp stabs through my heart. They could be torturing her right now, and I was too weak to feel it. “I need synth,” I repeated.
“Kaige.” My father stepped in my path, his eyes swirling with silver. “You’re not thinking of doing something stupid, are you?”
My expression darkened, and an ominous smile curled my lips. If he considered storming into the AirComm base alone and ripping apart the entire place until I found Solaris, then yes. “I’m going to get my human, and no one is stopping me.”
Chapter 22
Solaris
Harsh white lights blurred my vision as my eyelids fluttered open. I squeezed them shut and attempted to raise my arm to block the blinding light from seeping through the cracks. Cold metal bit into my wrists, awakening my numb arms.
“What the hell?”
My shoulder blades burned. My hands were restrained behind my back, metal handcuffs binding them together. I glanced around the sterile space, nothing but steel tables, white counters dotted with microscopes, and test tubes surrounding me.
Where was I?
My sleep-addled mind cleared and images of Kaige’s bloodied, unmoving body flooded my thoughts. Oh god, Kaige. Panic blossomed in my chest, my ribcage tightened, and I was suffocating. My breaths came in short erratic spurts as the scene in the hangar replayed relentlessly in my head.
Get it together, Solaris. I inhaled deeply, attempting to clear my mind. I had to focus on the blood bond. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the steady pulse of our connection. Kaige. He was alive. The link was weak, but it was definitely still there.
The pressure in my chest diminished. If those Collective bastards had killed him…
What about Garridan?
He’d looked so pale and fragile splayed out on the floor. A shiver slid up my spine. I sent up a silent prayer that he’d survived the attack. Kaige would be lost without him; he’d never forgive himself.
Approaching footsteps drew my attention to the door, snapping me back to the dire situation at hand. The steel door opened, and four men in yellow HAZMAT suits marched in to take their places on either side of the entry. Squeaky wheels creaked down the passageway.
Icy gray eyes locked onto mine, and I suppressed a gasp.
Another guy in a protective suit wheeled in Turstan. Sharp cheekbones poked through sickly yellowing skin, a blue facemask concealing his nose and mouth. Angry red pustules covered every inch of exposed flesh, marring the formal appearance of his pristine powder blue suit.
I should’ve been happy to see the man I hated suffering, but the sight of him made me physically ill. The drastic deterioration in the Head Minister’s appearance could only mean one thing.
And now I knew why I was here.
It had nothing to do with me finding the lab or the blood slaves. Turstan was dying.
“Ms. Levant,” he rasped out, “I’m so pleased to see you alive and well.”
I sat there open-mouthed. I couldn’t come up with a single snarky comment; I didn’t have it in me. How far had the disease spread? Who else had been infected? My mind spun with the disastrous possibilities.
Turstan wheeled his chair closer to mine and removed the mask. “I don’t know how, but I’m certain you are to blame for this.”
I desperately shook my head.
“My soldiers started getting sick right after your father disappeared. Our tech specialists did some digging and though most of the surveillance system had been wiped clean, there was one common denominator the night you escaped, as well as the night Malcolm was set free.”
My nose twitched from the rancid odor of decay emanating from his chapped lips.
He turned to one of the men in yellow suits. “Bring in the prisoner.” The two soldiers nodded and disappeared.
My heart stopped as icy terror zipped through my veins.
Seconds later they returned dragging in a familiar figure. Weary hazel eyes peered up at me against a backdrop of black and blue splotches.
I gasped.
“What did you do to him?” I shrieked, trying to wriggle out of my restraints.
The soldiers released Gavin, and he dropped to the floor. There wasn’t an inch of skin unmarred by bruises or bloodied wounds.
Acid crawled up my throat as my stomach roiled. “He has nothing to do with this!”
“Nothing?” Turstan’s pallid face was inches from mine. “He helped you and your father escape. He’s a traitor, guilty of treason against the Collective.”
“I made him do it. It wasn’t his fault.” I choked back the tears, re
fusing to cry in front of these monsters.
Gavin looked up at me, his eyes pleading.
“I’m so sorry, Gav.” I bit down on my lower lip to keep from bawling.
One of the soldiers revealed a gun from the folds of his yellow suit and pointed it at Gavin’s head.
“No!”
Turstan’s clammy hands gripped my shoulders. “Tell me how to cure this godforsaken disease or your friend is dead.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head as fear lanced through my heart. “I swear, I don’t know.”
“I don’t believe you!” Turstan roared and blood speckled saliva dribbled from his chin.
“I’ll help you find a cure. I’ll do whatever you want. Just please don’t hurt him anymore.” My voice was on the cusp of hysterics. I did my best to keep calm, but the tremble in my tone betrayed me.
Turstan sneered and turned to the soldier. “Kill him.”
“No!”
The guard released the safety, the click reverberating in my eardrums.
“Now.” Turstan nodded at the soldier.
“My father’s dead!” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.
Turstan’s wild brows arched, his yellowing eyes widening. “Wait.” For a second, I could’ve sworn I saw something resembling pity flash through his dull irises. He signaled to the soldier and turned back to me. “Malcolm contracted the disease as well?”
Gavin’s eyes met mine, and the surge of sympathy in his gaze nearly broke me.
I nodded, pressing my lips together to keep them from trembling. “If I had the cure, don’t you think I would’ve saved my own father?” I spat out.
Turstan’s sallow skin turned two shades greener. He clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth. “Then how is it that you’re not sick? Every single person that came in contact with him is dead.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head back and forth over and over again. “I was sick, and then I got better. We have no idea how.”