by G. K. DeRosa
Right on cue, Solaris’s stomach grumbled, and she shot me a wry smile. “I don’t know about my arm, but yours is looking really tasty.”
We were stuck in an underground shelter with a bunch of nocturne-human hybrids, and she wanted to joke. Of course she did.
Ebony and Nikko walked ahead while Dax sidled up to Solaris despite the low growls stirring in my chest. Maybe he couldn’t hear the threat. Maybe I should make it louder.
“So the nocturne king has disobeyed the prophecy and gotten busy with a human.” His brows wiggled, and I had the urge to rip that piercing out.
“Chill, Dax,” Ebony warned, a smile tugging at her lips. “This guy could wipe the floor with your ugly mug.”
He scoffed. “Please.” He ran his fingers through his platinum locks, revealing strands of light blue and green. “I’m easily in the top five hottest lumenocs here. You’re just sour because I turned you down.”
Ebony made a gagging sound. “Oh right. I pray to the gods every night for you to jump into my bed.”
Nikko shook his head. “Here we go again.”
“You guys know about the prophecy?” Solaris interrupted their bickering.
“Of course we do. It’s why we’re here.” Ebony turned a corner, and we entered a large area with an array of tables in different shapes, sizes, and materials. “Once the seers blabbed about this so-called prophecy, the offspring of nocturnes and humans were exiled along with those smart enough to escape the clutches of the human government and the vampire rule.”
My shoulders tensed as heads shifted, eyes scrutinizing us. I pulled Solaris closer, tucking her against my side. Murmurs circulated the room and my name crossed several lips.
“Relax.” Ebony motioned toward a table near the edge. “No one’s going to hurt her.”
“Are there any humans here?” Solaris asked, ignoring the heavy attention we were garnering. “Or nocturnes?”
She shook her head, flicking her onyx bangs out of her face. “Not here. Not now anyway. There are some in other stations.”
I blinked. “There are more settlements?”
She pulled out a chair and dropped into it. “Of course.”
Dax stripped off his faded green jacket, several military insignias from the old world stitched on it. He folded his long body into a seat. “Nik, get our guests some food.” He flicked his hand toward a counter on the far side of the room where a few pots and trays sat.
Nikko grimaced. “Why do I have to do it?”
“Because you’re the youngest.” Dax winked at Solaris again, and my nostrils flared.
She glanced up, shooting me a smile. “You’re cute when you’re jealous,” she whispered.
I leaned forward, my own lips twitching. “They can probably hear you.” If their steps were just as silent and they moved nearly as fast as we did, I was betting their hearing was beyond impeccable.
Pink blossomed along the apples of her cheeks, and it took every ounce of control I had to keep my lips from crashing onto hers. Instead, we sat down, and I yanked her plastic chair so close our thighs touched.
Ebony’s light blue eyes sparkled as she glanced between us. “You two got it bad, don’t you?”
I cleared my throat and pierced her with a heavy stare. “You’ve encountered the taranoi out there?”
Her expression darkened. “Some of them are downright nasty. They tried attacking our friend Ava.” She shook her head. “What is going on in Draconis and Imera?”
I swallowed hard and almost choked on the guilt flooding the bond from Solaris. My fingers ran over her palm, trying to alleviate her anguish. “We think the prophecy has begun—because of us.”
Dax’s brow arched and for once, it wasn’t some kind of flirty gesture. “I’ve got to hear this.”
My mouth opened, and the truth poured out. There was no point in keeping it to ourselves. Most of New Isos knew bits and pieces, and at least they would get the real story, how it all began with a plane, mysterious crates, and a dying girl.
Dax’s expression had sobered, all the humor gone from his dark eyes. “Do you think the alchemists will find a cure?”
I rubbed my face with my free hand, the other still gently skimming over Solaris’s. “I hope so.”
“I didn’t see the humans, but Ava did.” Ebony swallowed hard as a shudder passed over her spine. “She said they looked awful, bruises and lesions all over their skin, and they were hacking up blood.”
Solaris flinched, and a pang followed through the bond. “That happens near the end.”
I leaned closer, pressing my lips to her temple, wishing I could take away her suffering.
Nikko returned with a tray of food, depositing a bowl and a cup of water in front of us both. Savory steam spiraled toward my nose, and Solaris eyed the brown mixture with apprehension even as she licked her lips.
“What is it?” she asked, poking at it with her fork.
“Fungi and sewer rats,” Dax answered.
Solaris’s face turned green, and she slowly inched the bowl away. “Um, maybe I’ll eat that later.”
Peals of laughter tumbled out of his mouth. “I’m just kidding. What do you think we are, savages?”
And he’s back.
Nikko shot him a narrowed glare as he took a seat on the other side of Ebony with a plate of food for himself. “It’s venison stew.”
“Deer?” She peered into the bowl, analyzing the mixture again.
My lips puckered. “Where did you get deer from?”
“Animals are all over the Shadow Lands.” Ebony shrugged. “You just have to know where to look.”
I pushed the food around in the bowl, seeing what looked like mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes. “Vegetables too?”
“We grow those.” A proud smile lit Nikko’s face.
“Underground?”
He nodded. “We have entire rooms dedicated to different crops using special lights and hydroponics, and a bunch of other cool stuff. I could show you.”
Ebony nudged him. “I’m sure the king and his human—”
“My name is Solaris,” she snapped and stabbed a piece of meat with her fork. “You can stop calling me human.”
Ebony held her hands up, fighting a smile. “Sorry, Solaris.”
Dax whistled, his eyes flashing gold. “She’s feisty. I like it.”
A deep growl slithered between my teeth, and my fangs began to descend. “Keep it up, and I’ll show you how feisty I am.”
“Just kidding.” A nervous laugh slipped out of the lumenoc. “I’d never get between a nocturne and his bond mate.”
A fork full of meat and potatoes halted in front of my mouth. “How do you know we’re bound?”
Ebony and Dax exchanged knowing looks. “Wicked obvious,” she said. “We’ve been around enough human-nocturne bonds to know one when we see one. It’s a fresh bond, but Solaris is already beginning to smell a little different.”
I quickly chewed my food and swallowed. “Her blood is mine. Of course she doesn’t smell as good to other nocturnes.”
Ebony shook her head as she snatched a piece of bread off Nikko’s plate, earning a scowl from him. “She actually has a different scent than other humans. Your blood has altered hers.”
My brows knit. “What do you mean?”
“The genetic makeup.” Nikko pointed his fork between us. “She won’t, like, change into a nocturne or anything, but she is more than your average human.”
Was this why Solaris was able to fight off the disease?
“Oh, there’s Ava,” Dax said, pointing to a girl shuffling through the food hall. A hood was pulled over her head, blocking her face.
Lines creased Ebony’s forehead. “What’s wrong with her? She’s been sleeping all day, and now she looks like the living dead.”
A cement boulder sank to the bottom of my stomach, and I swallowed the food trying to ooze back up my throat. “Was she the one who encountered the sick human?”
Solaris’s green eye
s widened as she followed my line of thinking.
Dax shrugged. “Yeah. So? We never get sick.”
“But you are half human and not in the way nocturnes are.” I was already standing as the girl collapsed.
I cursed and sprinted to her side before anyone else, turning her over. Her shirt was soaked with sweat as a fever burned through her body. Confused, bloodshot eyes stared back at me.
“W-Who are—” Her words were interrupted by violent coughing, and a trickle of blood spilled from her nose.
Chapter 31
Solaris
Our new lumenoc friends huddled around their sick companion, each wearing a facemask and gloves. The sterile room reminded me of the lab at the AirComm base. A chill skittered up my spine. The harsh scent of disinfectant swirled in the air, making my nose twitch. I couldn’t believe these hybrids had built an entire underground society, complete with medical facilities.
A man in a white lab coat and mask hovered over the pale girl, a sheen of sweat dampening her skin. She was attached to an IV, clear fluids and painkillers already being pumped into her. I hated to be the one to tell them it was no use. She’d die either way—just like all the others.
A pang sliced through my chest as visions of my dad, sick and dying, flashed across my mind. Then came the guilt. It squeezed my lungs threatening to steal my breath away forever.
“Solaris. Solaris!” Kaige’s frantic voice brought me back to the little infirmary. “Don’t do this to yourself,” he whispered in my ear.
I inhaled a deep breath and pushed the dark memories down.
Dax peered over his shoulder, his golden eyes searing into me. Kaige bristled at my side, a mix of anger and jealousy churning through the bond. If the situation with Ava weren’t so dire, I would’ve actually enjoyed teasing Kaige. There was something so intriguing about these lumenocs.
The doctor turned to the circle of hybrids beside us, his expression bleak. “It doesn’t look good. The virus is ravaging her system, and it’s spreading rapidly. There’s not much I can do.”
Ebony’s eyes turned glassy, and she swept her finger across her cheek. “I don’t understand. We don’t get sick.”
“It’s the Mortiphen,” said Kaige. “It’s deadly to humans. You must be susceptible due to the higher percentage of human blood in your bodies.”
Dax shot Kaige a narrowed glare and lunged. The blonde lumenoc pummeled Kaige against the wall, his meaty hands clutching his collar. “This is your fault,” he hissed.
“No!” I darted across the room and tried to wrench his big arms off Kaige.
“Solaris, I’m fine.” Kaige shot me a reassuring smile. “The only reason I haven’t ripped this guy’s head off is that we are their guests, and it would be incredibly inappropriate of me.”
Ebony smacked Dax on the shoulder. “Get off him. We’re all products of disobeying the prophecy.”
A deep growl reverberated in his throat, but he released Kaige and stepped back.
Ebony glanced at the girl splayed out on the bed and motioned toward the door. We all filed out into the hallway, leaving her with the doctor.
Ebony eyed Dax. “There’s no point in fighting each other. The nocturnes and humans are already at each other’s throats. Literally.” She cracked a smile and turned to Kaige. “Perhaps our healers can work with your alchemists.”
Nikko shrugged. “I guess now that our secret is out, there’s no point in hiding out from our nocturne brothers any longer.”
“Especially since the prophecy has been shot to hell,” added Dax.
I threw him a narrowed glare, and he winked in return. I’d have to work on my intimidation tactics. Apparently, they were sorely lacking.
“It’s late,” said Ebony, leading the way down the narrow corridor. “I’ll show our guests to their room.”
“Then what?” I asked. I couldn’t handle the idea of us causing the downfall of a whole other species I didn’t even know existed.
“We’ll accompany you to Draconis and see if we can come up with a solution together.”
“Excellent.” Kaige nodded and pulled me into his side.
Dax and Nikko inclined their heads and turned down another hall. I was surprised at how levelheaded and hospitable the lumenocs were acting. I was also suspicious as hell.
Ebony led us straight ahead toward some sort of lift. We got in and descended to the lower level. Identical sleek metal walls and cement floors zigzagged in every direction. The subterranean bunker was a maze; I didn’t think I’d ever figure out how to get out of here. I hoped our hosts were sincere.
As bad as things had been in Draconis, I was dying to get back. It had become more of a home to me than Imera ever had been. It seemed like we’d been on the run forever.
Ebony unlocked a steel door and motioned for us to enter. A small bed sat against a metal-plated wall. I found the room much too similar to my cell at the OrderComm detention center.
Ebony must have seen the look on my face because she gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry for the crappy accommodations, but we don’t get too many visitors down here.”
“It’s just fine, thank you,” said Kaige, the ever-polite diplomat. He was definitely born to be king.
“Breakfast is served in the main hall from seven till ten.” She shot me a mischievous grin. “I’d understand if you two came down a little late.”
Heat burned my cheeks, and I averted my gaze to the floor. Were we that obvious?
Kaige cleared his throat and placed his hand on the door.
Ebony got the hint and turned to exit. “Goodnight, lovebirds.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, I released a breath and slumped down on the bed. “These lumenocs are kinda crazy, right?”
He chuckled, the smile actually reaching his dark eyes. “I’m not sure what to make of them yet.”
“Me either.”
He sat beside me and pulled me into his side. I inhaled his familiar woodsy scent, reveling in the feel of his touch. “Do you trust them?” I tilted my head up to meet his eyes.
“I don’t trust anyone with you.” He lifted my chin and brushed his lips against mine.
A small moan escaped my parted lips.
“Hold that thought.” Kaige leapt up and secured the lock on the metal door, then darted back to the bed. He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently pushed me down onto the mattress. His lips met mine, and everything else was forgotten.
I shoveled the forkful of bacon and eggs into my mouth and groaned in pleasure. Kaige cleared his throat, and a wave of desire swelled through the bond. Oops. I swallowed the mouthful and glanced up at our breakfast companions, hoping my cheeks weren’t red.
Dax’s lips twisted into a naughty smirk, his golden gaze fiery and intimidating. I cast my eyes back down to the plate in front of me. Ebony and Kaige were discussing politics—something about a future alliance, and I had been too distracted by the food to pay much attention. It was the first decent meal I’d had since being kidnapped by the Collective.
As it turned out, Ebony’s father was the head of this bunker. He was off visiting a neighboring lumenoc settlement, which left her in charge for the time being. Kaige’s eyes sparkled as they discussed the new form of government the hybrids had established. It was nothing like Imera or Draconis.
“So each establishment runs independently with no one ruling over all of you?” Kaige’s eyes were wide in disbelief.
Ebony shrugged. “Not really. The leaders of each outpost congregate monthly to discuss overarching issues, but we’re all pretty independent. It’s a pretty loose style of governing.”
“I’d like to meet your father one day.”
“I’m sure we can work something out.” She shot him a wink.
Yesterday that playful exchange would’ve made me jealous, but over the past few hours I’d realized that was simply Ebony’s way. I’d actually started to like her.
Nikko plopped his tray down on the table and slid in next to Da
x. His mohawk leaned limply to the side, the expression on his face bleak.
“How’s your friend?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer, but I had to know.
“Not good last I saw her. Dr. Soren’s pumping her with meds, but nothing’s helping.” He ran his hand over his damp hair. “I had to take a break and grab a shower and some food.”
“I’ll go sit with her,” said Dax. He stood, picking up his tray.
My heart constricted at the look on the big guy’s face.
“Has anyone else shown any symptoms?” Kaige’s unease radiated through the bond.
“No, thank the gods.” Ebony rubbed her hands over her tattooed arms as if chasing away a chill.
I was very familiar with that feeling.
Kaige must have sensed my anxiety. He wrapped his hands around mine under the table and squeezed. “Was Ava the only one that came in contact with the humans?”
“As far as we know,” said Ebony, popping a strawberry into her mouth. “We’re trying to keep Ava’s situation on the down low. I don’t want to start a panic before my father returns. I have, however, instructed everyone to stay underground as much as possible and avoid the humans at all costs.”
“What do you think your father will do when he gets back?” I gulped, hoping we’d be long gone by then. I still couldn’t believe how cool they were being with all of this.
“He’ll tell everyone the truth.”
“Really?” Kaige’s eyes grew so wide his brows nearly touched his hairline.
“Of course. Our people have a right to know what’s going on and how it will affect them. You don’t feel the same way, King Kaige?” Her implications were clear by the way she stressed his title.
He squirmed beside me. We’d both come from societies full of terrible secrets. Leaders lied to protect their people, but was it really for the best? Would all of this have happened if the truth had been known all along?
“I do,” Kaige finally responded.
Now it was my turn to squeeze his hand under the table. Things would be different now that he was king. He’d make Draconis a better place; I was sure of that.
Quick footsteps slapping across the cement snapped my head to the entrance of the cafeteria. Dax raced toward us, a huge smile stretched across his face. “You all have to come to the infirmary now. It’s Ava. She’s better.”